Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Matthew Pennell.
Dr. Matthew, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in the small town of Jacksonville, IL. After completing my undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in Exercise Science – Kinesiology, I moved to Chesterfield, MO. There I attended graduate school at Logan University where I received a doctoral degree in Chiropractic and a master’s degree in Sports Science and Rehabilitation. Following graduation from Logan, I joined my long-time mentor and friend Dr. Mike Murphy at Performance Chiropractic. At Performance, we were the official team chiropractors of the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club, Washington University Athletics and Lindenwood University Athletics. In St. Louis I enjoyed being heavily involved in the athletic community. In 2018 I became a Lululemon clothing brand ambassador and have maintained my relationship with the company since that time.
While in St. Louis, I met my future wife Samantha. After much debate, we decided to make the move to Dallas, TX to start a new practice called Element Health and Wellness. Since moving to Dallas in February of 2019, we have worked hard to establish ourselves in a growing community. We have been very fortunate to meet some amazing individuals along the way who have provided us with the support we needed. In 2018 I also started a business and wellness-based podcast called “The Entrepreneur’s Edge Podcast” to highlight local business owners, athletes and many others. We have continued that podcast in Dallas and are looking to grow in 2020.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think from the outside it always looks smoother than what it really is. Over the years since graduating from chiropractic school, I spent many nights wondering if I was doing the right thing and even whether I was involved in the right field. When you start out, you have nothing. I made $13,000 my first year in practice. People don’t understand what it takes to start from nothing at all. I had good people around me that were always willing to help, but when it came down to it, my level of success was solely up to me.
I committed myself to working weekends, events, evenings and even doing personal training on the side my first year in practice to help pay the bills. But you know what, it was all worth it. I grew my practice at Performance in St. Louis by 100% each of the four years I was there. But the business growth wasn’t even the hardest part. At that time, my wife was traveling back and forth from Dallas every week. On Monday she would fly down to Dallas to work, then fly back to St. Louis on Friday to spend the weekend with me. Her dedication to our relationship was unbelievable. Sam and I wrestled with the decision for about a year and a half wondering what we should do to make life work. Would she leave her job and live in St. Louis permanently? Would I walk away from what I had built to start again in Dallas? Probably the hardest decision I have ever made in my life. And to be honest, it tore me up for a long time and still does to this day. I hated leaving my family, friends, patients, business partners and support team behind me. But taking everything, I had learned and applying it in a new environment also excited me. Ultimately we made the decision to take a chance on Dallas and the city has paid us back for our efforts.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a sports-based chiropractor who treats athletes and general population. I specialize in treating soft tissue injuries and I provide chiropractic adjustments to help people get out of pain and back to activity quickly and effectively.
I am most proud that Element is all about helping others and we are ethically driven. We take pride in making people feel like family when they are with us. We are not perfect, but we strive to do the right thing and make decisions that positively affect others. We love helping people solve their problems and if our office is not the right place for you, we will get you where you need to be.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like Dallas has been a fantastic place to start a business. There are so much growth and culture in this area but it still has a midwest feel. I don’t think people realize that part from the outside. I believe that if you are willing to put in the effort, this city is one of the best to start a new business.
Pricing:
- $150 for new patient chiropractic consult/treatment
- $95 for follow up chiropractic treatment
- $105 for 90-minute massage
- $75 for 60-minute massage
- $45 for 30-minute massage
Contact Info:
- Address: 4225 Office Pkwy Ste 102
Dallas, TX 75204 - Website: www.elementofcare.com
- Phone: (214) 550-0305
- Email: mp@elementofcare.com
- Instagram: @drpennell5
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drmattpennell/
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