Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Gowin.
Courtney, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It’s amazing to me to look back at the ebb and flow of life and realize that something you thought was terrible at the time ended up being the biggest blessing in life. My “something terrible” came in the form of a college basketball injury. It was my freshman season at a division one school, I was starting and averaging twenty points a game and it was the week before a big game against Texas Tech. I did one jump stop and the entire left side of my body went numb. I was terrified. After a few rushed doctors appointments, MRI’s and steroid packs later, my future in college basketball was not looking good. It wasn’t until a good friend recommended I see her chiropractor that I finally had hope. Chiropractic not only gave me my college basketball career back but, it transformed my life.
So much so that five years later, I birthed a beautiful baby girl in the water into my hands in my dining room. I realized through my three year doctorate program that chiropractic is not about “cracking bones” but transforming your entire viewpoint of the world — including birth. Chiropractors know and value the innate intelligence within the body that is self-healing and self-regulating. We also instill trust in the human body not only to heal but to birth babies. It was this realization and experience that birthed within me not only my chiropractic practice but also a prenatal wellness center called the NEST. I am always amazed at how the Lord took one thing that in my egocentric mindset was devastating and used it to completely transform not only my physical body but mental and spiritual self as well.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Haha, oh man, ask any entrepreneur if it has been an easy road and they will do just that, laugh. I remember my first year in practice locking my door with bills due, I could barely pay and praying, God do you want me to do something else with my life? Am I on the wrong path? And I kid you not, at that instant, my phone rings and a new patient wanted to get in as soon as she could. I almost lost it. Anytime I am having a hard day, I look back in this moment and know that God has called me to this profession and healing.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Free to Be Chiropractic & the NEST – what should we know?
Free to Be Chiropractic was my first baby. The first two years we saw a mix of pregnancy, babies, athletes and the occasional pain patient. Then the most unbelievable thing happened in the third year of practice. I received a phone call from the lady I was subleasing from that she was leaving and wanted me to take over her lease… that would triple my space and my over head. Ask any business consultant if this was a good idea and they would say absolutely not but I felt something so right about this in my soul that I took the chance. After semi freaking out, I sat down with my planning journal and got to work.
Through a lot of prayer, networking and did I say prayer? I created the NEST, a prenatal wellness center. We have prenatal chiropractic, two prenatal massage therapists, a midwife, six doulas, doula training, child birth education, placenta encapsulation, belly binding, newborn photography, a prenatal and postpartum counselor, a space for baby and wedding showers. I believe that it is this community that sets us apart. This community and support we have created for families has changed and even saved lives. I am so thankful everyday for these amazing women I work with and the fact that, so many women can work so well together towards a common goal to empower and transform the way women view birth and the journey they take towards motherhood.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband, hands down, he has been my biggest support. He is my grounding force of this crazy Gemini. His sound mind and discernment has played a crucial role in creating this amazing life that we have. I am forever grateful that God chose him to be my husband.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4811 Broadway, Addison, TX 75001
- Website: Www.freetobechiropractic.com & www.thenestaddison.com
- Phone: 4692492623
- Email: dr.gowin@freetobechiropractic.com
- Instagram: Courtney_gowin
- Facebook: Facebook.com/Courtney.laing2
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
