"Get involved!" continues to be the underlying message of TAC and. leading hv example, we sent our executive editor. Jaclyn Busch, winging her way north in early November to experience, first hand, a very unique seminar. Following is our first interview, in a series of many, giving you a bird's eye view inside the classroom of one of the most popular chiropractic seminars in the profession. Prior to giving you our editor s impressions on the Total Solution seminar, The American Chiropractor (TAC) asks the Chiropractic Leadership Alliance (CLA) to explain to you the background of the Total Solution program, and describe a typical "seminar", along with the benefits to the attending doctors...and we thought it wouldn't hurt to prepare our editor for what she was in for! TAC: Tell us about the Total Solution program. CLA: The Chiropractic Leadership Alliance's inaugural Total Solution™ (TS) program was held in August 1995, with 24 DCs in attendance. This past August was the sixth anniversary program that now boasts over 2,500 graduates from six continents. The program, held in the beautiful Colorado Rockies six times per year, was the brainchild of chiropractic visionaries Drs. Christopher Kent and Patrick Gentcmpo, Jr., and is based on the premise that the vertebral subluxation does, indeed, exist, and has devastating effects on the expression of health and the importance of crystal clear purpose to the chiropractor. Those who attend TS have already purchased the Insight Subluxation Station™ patient assessment technology, which characterizes subluxation and provides certainty for both doctor and patient when care is provided. All the com- ponents featured in this program are congruent in philosophy and practical application, including marketing, pediatrics, science, personal development, teamwork, and much more. At TS, there is comprehensive hands-on training with the Sub-luxation Station, as well as clinical interpretation. When the doctors return to their practices from the mountain, their "head space" has been changed, certainty is instilled, and contradictions removed which may have been preventing them from reaching levels of success and happiness they had been striving to achieve for years. They are, also, fully trained in implementing the technology immediately into their daily practice activities. Not only does the Subluxation Station provide accurate and reproducible patient assessment, but superior patient education that will enhance compliance and generate new patients through internal and external spinal health screenings. TA C: More specifically, what type of activities do the doctors who attend participate in while attending the Total Solution program? CLA: There are a myriad of activities and presentations, beginning on Wednesday night, the day all participants (maximum 100-usually sold-out) are required to arrive. On Thursday morning the chiropractic "boot-camp" officially begins with a breakthrough presentation by Dr. Gentempo on the specific steps that lead to success and prosperity. Next the group embarks on an afternoon-long ropes course. States Dr. Gentempo, "Many have told me that fear of the ropes course had prevented them from coming to Total Solution earlier. They all regretted it, as it delayed what was an awesome experience for them. Doing the ropes activities is not mandatory, however, once there, most decide to take part. Even an 8-month pregnant participant made it to the top of the wall!" A spirited debriefing follows this life-changing activity. Then, following dinner, Dr. Gentempo presents a comprehensive discussion that details the five branches of philosophy as applied to health care, and stresses the importance of living values consciously in your life. *■♦ WHAT'S UP, DOC? "I have been a practicing chiropractor for 10 years and have always worked to enhance my technical skills at the seminars I attended. This seminar focused on new diagnostic skills, personal skills and communication skills that have changed my life...really." Dr. Tim Jorgensen Enderlin, ND Friday starts with a comprehensive science presentation that details the evidence that supports the philosophy. After that, it is important to understand how to apply the philosophy and science in a congruent way; in other words, now that you understand all this, you have to know how to apply it to the patient, which leads to the training on the Insight Sub-luxation Station. What is covered is its use, interpretation, and patient communication. A hands-on workshop is a part of this. On Saturday, there is a full series of dynamic presentations that start to put all pieces of the puzzle together. Marketing, pediatrics, how to do a health care class are examples. The Saturday faculty is a parade of chiropractic's best in-cluding Drs. Alan Rousso, Steve Hoffman, Stu and Terry Warner, and CLA president Dr. Dave Jackson. Also, a Total Solution hi-light, a powerful life-changing session with CLA's master of chiropractic marketing, Dave Mager. Saturday evening concludes with a critical program by Drs. Gcntempo and Jackson called, "Love the Business". Here the mind-set for success in business is created and strategies for creating a non-insurance dependant practice are covered. Sunday morning arrives and, with it, the conclusion of Total Solution. Dr. Gentempo stresses, during this passionate presentation, that this is not the end, but rather a beginning. A clear picture of the predicament of the world and the role of chiropractic in it is painted in transformational ways. His clarion voice is a command for all chiropractors in the room to rise; and rise, they do. At 11:30 A.M., the buses carry down the mountain a new group of chiropractic leaders, forever empowered, forever changed. Life-long friendships, and even marriages, have resulted from Total Solution. A clear sense of self and a desire for celebrating this monumental experience goes down the mountain with this uncommon group of people. TAC: What is the ultimate goal and purpose of this program? CLA: Ultimately, TS provides the vision of what's possible in chiropractic practice. Coupling the Insight Subluxation Station with a dynamic program of chiropractic presenters who have achieved unparalleled success makes this unlike any program available today within the profession. By eliminating the contradictions and dogma that have prevented many of the doctors from reaching their full potential, TS provides a transformational experience that propels them to new levels of happiness and success in both their personal and professional lives. A human being with a strong sense of purpose and a love of life is a very powerful thing. TAC: What kind of results have doctors witnessed through participating in this program? CLA: We have had participants who just graduated from chiropractic college, and have yet to begin practice, to those who have been in practice for over 40 years; and TS makes a significant impact on both groups, as well as everyone in between. There have been doctors who were on the verge of bankruptcy and changing professions, who found their purpose and passion reignited, and huge success in practice as a result of this program. We have had successful chiropractors seeing over 3,000 visits-per-month, who learned to balance their lives. The results, both personal and professional, have been so outrageous that most people reading them in print would not believe it. A clear sense of purpose and certainty, matched with living values consciously and the Insight technology, empowers a person, big time. CLA has thousands of testimonials to confirm the impact that it has made on the profession around the world. w Continued on Page 32 WHAT'S UP, DOC? "Before I came to TS (Total Solution).... I expected to learn how to use and interpret the Insight Millennium. I also expected to get to be outside in the cold, freezing, and getting dirty and muddy! "What I got from TS was....an experience I will never forget! I faced my deepest feelings, weaknesses, and fears and conquered them all, through the challenging ropes course. Friendship and support from awesome people, no sleep, beautiful scenery, great food, a greater cause and need to heal our planet, AMAZING HUMAN SPIRIT, an inner strength I never thought I had. "MY PRACTICE AND LIFE HAS BEEN INFINITELY AFFECTED! My practice has increased by 35%, my mission and purpose in chiropractic is stronger, and my message is clear. We've been asked by our local gym to have "peak performance" (Subluxation Station) screenings four times a year, and patients are amazed at our new technology. Our goal is to keep educating our patients to enable them to spread our message with others!!" Dr. Marissa Wallie Annapolis, MD ...from Page 22 TAC: Do attendees have to subscribe to any specific philosophy (such as straight or mixer) in order to enjoy the program? (LA: Absolutely not. I don't even know what these words mean anymore. The concepts we teach at TS arc related specifically to the sublux-ation; and our technology is congruent with the philosophy and practical applications that are presented al the program. TAC: How do you recommend that doctors wishing to attend budget for time and expenses for seminar attendance? (Is it expensive to attend? Do they get any CE credits, etc?) CLA: Actually, the Total Solution program is included when doctors purchase the Insight Subluxation Station through CLA. The technology can be purchased or leased and CLA has several affordable payment/lease plans to choose from. Many DCs employ a covering-doctor in their practices while at TS, and others simply choose to close their offices from Wednesday through Saturday, while they participate in the program. We often hear from TS grads that the first month back is by far the busiest month in their practices' history, because of the energy and freedom from contradictions that had been holding them back previously. Plus, with their renewed passion and purpose, they more than make up for the time missed by closing their offices. Beyond the travel expense, the attendees have no other expenses, since CLA covers ground transportation to and from Colorado Springs airport to the TS facility, all meals and lodging, printed materials, and speaker fees, etc. Through Life University, TS graduates arc entitled to 26 hours of CE credit (in most states) upon conclusion of the program. (There is a small application fee for this, which is available at the program.) For more information on the T.S. Seminar, contact Chiropractic Leadership Alliance, Inc., 255 W. Spring I'alley Avenue, Maywood, NJ 07607 or phone 800-285-2001. AFTERMATH A "life changing experience?" Positively! All I really knew about the Total Solution program, before attending, was that it promised to be a "life-changing experience." Well, that's a pretty big claim; so, I said, "Sign me up!" This was to be my first trip to the United States since the 911 episodes, so I did feel some trepidation with regard to the international flight I was facing in order to get to Colorado from Panama, where the TAC offices are located. This could be REALLY a life-changing experience. Stepping out on faith, though, I reminded myself that "change equals opportunity"; "no guts, no glory". I booked the flight, and headed for the airport a couple of weeks later. I arrived in Colorado Springs—safely—late Wednesday evening Oct. 31,2001, missing any opening ceremonies at the seminar. But, I was immediately impressed by the lodge-style accommodations, with cabins that could sleep four people each, equipped with kitchen and fireplace, plus a loft.. .very homey bungalos, in a secluded area nestled in the mountains. The entire lodge area was inhabited only by the doctors attending that weekend, so there were no distractions. I shared a cabin with a young chiropractor, Dr. Cynthia Schmitt (Cyndy). One of the most remarkable factors in this three-and-a-half day seminar is the amount of creativity that has obviously gone into designing an educational experience that actually deals with the whole person. The Total Solution agenda includes, not only the technical training necessary for implementing the Insight Subluxation Station into the chiropractic office, but so much more! A wide range of activities and topics are introduced to, essentially, help you "figure out and bring you closer to who you really are." There are no attempts to brainwash or preach about one "right way" to succeed in practice; but, rather, the doctors are encouraged to trust their own minds and instincts, and they're given a plethora of information to assist them in this endeavor. The "boot camp" activities consisted of a sequence of physical events calculated to test one's mettle. Basically, it involved participating in activities that presented challenges and obstacles, thus helping you to uncover and confront some of your innermost doubts and fears—behavior patterns that could be holding you back. The rules are, whether in work or play, When you encounter risk, don 't resort to your old behavior; be willing to take on and accomplish big ideas and tasks; and ask, "What does this mean to me?" throughout the program. Participating in the boot camp "games" definitely was a precursor to getting the group to learn what it means to "think out of the box," and, consequently, accomplish something totally new and unexpected. What followed, later that same day and in the days to come, were exercises, discussion groups, and classes on philosophy, self-esteem, pediatrics, marketing—all mind-expanding experiences, replete with opportunities for further self-discovery. Aside from, of course, the very useful information the doctors received about the benefits and applications of the Insight Subluxation Station, from my observation, I'd say the most memorable thing for the chiropractors will be the new connections and the friendships with other chiropractors! In a time when so many chiropractors get caught up in professional infighting, it was inspiring to be a part of the bonding process which was happening among these doctors, as they really got to know one another...sharing the same concerns and experiences. This isn't your typical seminar, where you sit in a classroom all day and then go back to your hotel room alone. With the lodge setting in the mountains and the physical outdoor activities, the group really develops a sense of unity—like they're part of a huge fraternity. And, even now, following up from the program, all attendees are able to contact anyone who's ever attended the Total Solution program.. .whether for advice, motivation, help, or just plain moral support. The Total Solution program is no walk in the park, by any means. The schedule is very full, with tons of interesting activities throughout the entire day into the evening. I got the lesson from it; it was meant to push you out of your "comfort zone".... It worked; and it made me think a lot about discipline and sacrifice.... It wasn't a torturous schedule either! I think going into the weekend ahead of time planning on a tight schedule will help to prepare you for it. For thtee days, though, it's well worth it! But, don't plan on any sight seeing! © Find out where Jaclyn will go next! E-mail her at: [email protected]
