It's Not A Mans World Anymore

As I was scrolling social media (as one does) in the long hours of the night a few weeks ago I came upon posts giving me reminders of International Women's Day on March 8th and leading that into finding out that this month was Women’s History Month. I was honestly shocked I hadn't seen more posts or coverage on it but I really felt like I had something to say regarding this topic.  

As a mom of 2 boys, a wife to an amazingly successful husband, growing up on a ranch with a cowboy and entrepreneur of a dad, being a woman in a man’s world is something that I am no stranger to. I have been so lucky to feel like I have always known my worth and what I bring to the table but when it comes to my occupation and the male dominated (or so it seems) industry I’m in it can oftentimes get a little discouraging. I want to take a moment to talk about being a female in a male-driven industry. While there are more female chiropractors in general these days (47.9% to be exact), there's not as many females (yet) that are in the rehab sports setting. 

It’s always been a dream of mine to be a sports chiropractor so that’s what I set out to do and learn right out of high school. I am glad to see the changes that have occurred since I first went into practice 10 years ago. 

To be a female in this arena has been fun, but also challenging because I can see that it's still male-driven and it can be very frustrating at times. From my perspective, it has often felt like it’s a boys club and I'm not a part of that because of my anatomy, and that's okay, but it can be really frustrating when you feel like you have all this knowledge and expertise to offer but your’re potentially not even looked at or accepted because of your vagina. Now, once again I’m going to say that this is not only my opinion but also my perspective as to what is happening in my portion of the sports rehab world and what I have personally experienced. 

If you’ve met me you know I am not a confrontational type of person and I don't have a big ego. I'm not the type of person who is going to try to one-up somebody with all the information that I know. I laugh even just thinking about myself in a situation like that. 

I feel like a lot of times, with guys, it's just a big ego trip and each guy one-ups each other. I’ve literally witnessed conversations where one says, "Oh, I know this and that," and the other guy's like, "Well, I know this and I know this." The back and forth just keeps going on and from my perspective it’s cringe worthy. Because of my nature, I'm not going to jump in on that. One, I'm a female, and I know where those arguments can go but two, I'm non-confrontational. Because I don't speak up in those scenarios I don't get the respect that I feel like I deserve sometimes based on those two things. 

As a result, I've had to figure out how to play in this arena and where I fit in. And, it’s really forced me to find my own tribe. 

I really have tried to speak my truth and knowledge and I’ve been incredibly blessed to have people who have gravitated towards me. I believe this has happened for a few reasons. One, they respect me and who I am as a professional and what I know. And two, I feel like they respect me more as a female and what I know (maybe this is why I decided to work and gear my focus with women). 

Obviously, men can't have babies so they don't know how it feels, so a lot of times it makes more sense for a woman to go to another female for postpartum rehab or anything along those lines. I think it honestly has driven me into specializing in certain things like postpartum rehab, pelvic floor health and so on.

BUT, I also want to treat the males who respect women enough to hear what they have to say about sports injuries, rehab and injury prevention as well. As a man, if you feel like you need to go to another male because you are more comfortable, then that's great. I'm not your person, and that's fine. Just being acknowledged as another smart, educated person, clinician in the rehab sports arena is something that I would aspire to be appreciated by. I want people to see that and that I’m not just a woman. I want that to be respected across the whole field.

Sometimes when I get discouraged about the progress I’m making or seeing or I feel like I'm not making a big enough impact, I think about the women who are making the changes. The last few years have been huge for women in sports on both a training and rehab level, but also on the coaching and executive level in professional sports. These are women who are breaking the mold. I just have to take a step back and realize I am not the only one making these moves, I am one of many. If we all keep staying in our lane, crushing the game at which we play, show up authentically and the best possible versions of ourselves and occupation these moves will keep being made and the gap will keep closing. 

I'm so thankful that we're living in this world where we are becoming more appreciated and respected for what we know and what we can do, because we can offer a different outlook than maybe other professionals can, whether they're male or female. It really doesn't matter your gender. As an individual, maybe I can offer something more than somebody else can just as someone else down the road may be able to offer something that I can't. But I want this to be based on respect, knowledge and education. Being able to respect that and to play from a place where we all work together as a team for that one patient or client. At the end of the day, I want to be working with people alongside other clinicians and personal trainers and healthcare practitioners who are here for the common good of our patients, communities and the health of humans. 

I’ve had the pleasure of working with some pretty awesome male leaders in my industry and It’s being around them and seeing how we are all progressively not only seeing the change being made, but also actively working on that change. 

I think it’s important for dads, fathers of young girls and just the men in general to realize that this needs to be an e qual playing field we are working on creating. You wouldn’t want to squash their dreams if they were to dream of being in this field, so take a moment and really look at the female in front of you and what she brings to the table. Remember that the adult women that you're looking and surrounding yourself with are molding and paving the way for your daughters someday. You wouldn't crumble your daughter's dreams, so just remember that. Be respectful. I have some pretty amazing male clients who have shown me so much respect and empowerment and I just want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to let my light shine. Those treatments, conversations and opportunities are something I appreciate more than you know.

I have so much road ahead of me on my journey as a business owner, Chiropractor and health and wellness advocate and I can't wait to see the progress and changes that we as women will continue to make. 

Reach out with any questions you have about me or my services.