The Rooted DC- Reclaim Your Legitimacy

Dr. Alexandra Swenson-Ridley
  • 5.0 (24)
  • Alternative Health
  • Weekly Series

You became a chiropractor because you believed in something. But somewhere between the skeptics, the insurance battles, and the business advice that never quite fit — you started to lose connection to the dream that brought you here. The Rooted DC is a podcast for chiropractors who are done trying to fit inside a system that was never designed for them. Hosted by Dr. Alex Swenson — fellow DC, PhD researcher in organizational development and change, and someone who built a seven-figure practice, lost everything, and rebuilt it with an entirely new foundation — this is where we go beneath the surface and reclaim what was always ours: our identity, our worth, and our legitimacy as a profession. Ready to go deeper? Find the community at The Practice Beneath The Practice on Substack.

See All

  1. Episode 1

    S2E1 What happens when you do everything “right”—and still burn out?

    What happens when you do everything “right”—and still burn out? In this first full episode of The Rooted Practice Podcast, Dr. Alex Swenson-Ridley introduces the core idea behind the show: the practice beneath the practice—the internal foundation that shapes how we lead, work, and sustain ourselves, often without being named or supported. This episode explores why so many capable, committed practice owners and leaders find themselves exhausted despite external success. Why following the rules, applying the strategies, and doing what you were taught can still lead to burnout—not because you failed, but because the model you were following never included the whole human. Through reflection, lived experience, and a grounded reframe, this conversation invites you to pause and consider what’s been happening beneath your leadership and your work. This is not an episode about fixing yourself. It’s about understanding what’s been missing. In This Episode, We Explore:Why burnout isn’t always caused by doing too muchWhat “the practice beneath the practice” actually meansHow leadership, nervous system capacity, and self-worth intersectWhy external success can coexist with deep internal exhaustionHow a different foundation makes sustainable leadership possibleA Personal ReflectionDr. Alex shares part of her own journey—building a successful practice by every traditional measure, and slowly realizing that something essential was missing. Not as a story of failure, but as context for why so many leaders reach a breaking point while doing exactly what they were taught to do. This episode is an invitation to see your experience not as a personal shortcoming, but as a signal that a different way of practicing and leading may be needed. Who This Episode Is ForPractice owners who feel successful on paper but depleted in real lifeLeaders questioning whether this is what success is supposed to feel likeThose who’ve outgrown hustle but don’t yet have language for what’s nextAnyone sensing that the real work begins underneath the strategyA Gentle InvitationIf today stirred something, the Leadership Energy Audit offers a gentle place to reflect, without urgency or expectation. About the PodcastThe Rooted Practice Podcast explores inside-out leadership, practitioner wellbeing, and building a sustainable, aligned practice rooted in what matters most. Through reflective conversations and evidence-informed insight, this podcast supports leaders who want alignment—not just achievement.

    17 min

  2. Episode 2

    S2E2-Unlocking Your Leadership Genius: The Key to Sustainable Success

    In this episode, Dr. Alex Swenson Ridley delves into the complexities of leadership for healthcare entrepreneurs. Exploring insights from the book 'The Six Types of Working Genius,' she highlights the importance of aligning work roles with personal strengths to prevent burnout. Dr. Alex shares her personal journey of discovering her creative strengths, emphasizing the significance of understanding one's unique leadership style. By embracing personal strengths, entrepreneurs can lead practices more authentically and effectively. This episode offers thought-provoking perspectives on developing positive leadership and reshaping practice roles for genuine entrepreneurial success. Resources from this episode: Working Genius VIA Character Strengths Leadership Energy Audit Aligned Authority Workshop--Available 2/16 Connect Call with Dr. Alex

    19 min

  3. Episode 3

    S2E3 Finding Fulfillment in Practice: The Eudaimonic Path to Wellbeing

    In this episode of the Rooted Health Practice Podcast, Dr. Alex Swenson Ridley shares her compelling journey from an unexpected pregnancy and a tumultuous job in Alaska to opening her own chiropractic practice. Despite facing significant challenges, including a chaotic and traumatic work environment and a high-stress pregnancy, she persevered to build a successful business. This story underscores the importance of understanding the true driving force behind one's entrepreneurial pursuits, whether it's necessity or opportunity, and emphasizes the significance of aligning one's business with personal values to achieve sustained wellbeing and fulfillment. Articles referenced in this episode: Gilstrap, C. M., Weber, T., & Gilstrap, C. A. (2024). Navigating the Unknown: How Healthcare Entrepreneurs Manage Uncertainty. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, 29(2), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1142/S1084946724500146 Kearney, C., Dunne, P., & Wales, W. J. (2020). Entrepreneurial orientation and burnout among healthcare professionals. Journal of Health Organization and Management, 34(1), 16–22. https://doi.org/10.1108/jhom-09-2019-0259 Manchiraju, S., Akbari, M., & Seydavi, M. (2023). Is entrepreneurial role stress a necessary condition for burnout? A necessary condition analysis. Current Psychology, 43(5), 4766–4778. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04704-z Ryff, C. D. (2018). Entrepreneurship and eudaimonic well-being: Five venues for new science. Journal of Business Venturing, 34(4), 646–663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2018.09.003 Take the Leadership Energy Audit As always, feel free to reach out to Dr. Alex with any questions, deep thoughts or support: dralex@rootedpractice.co

    30 min

  4. Episode 4

    S2E4 Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling of Self-Worth

    In this episode of the Rooted Health Practice Podcast, Dr. Alex Swenson Ridley explores the concept of self-worth and the challenges it presents in business ownership. She delves into the idea of the 'upper limit problem' from Gaye Hendricks' book 'The Big Leap,' discussing four fundamental fears that often inhibit our growth and success. These fears include feeling fundamentally flawed, being a burden to others, leaving others behind, and outshining others. Dr. Alex shares personal experiences, including a battle with illness, which reflects how these fears manifest as self-sabotage, hampering both personal and professional development. Referenced in this Episode: The Big Leap, by Gaye Hendricks Download the Leadership Energy Audit Here

    24 min

  5. Episode 5

    Creating a Practice that Works for You: The New Healthcare Paradigm

    Dr. Alex Swenson-Ridley delves into the often unacknowledged struggles faced by healthcare professionals who venture into entrepreneurship. This episode sheds light on the contradiction of seeking to help others while feeling constrained by the business models inherited from previous mentors. The discussion revolves around the concept of 'reinventing the wheel' in healthcare, promoting creativity and autonomy over conforming to outdated norms. Dr. Alex shares her personal journey of overcoming a lack of self-worth and the necessity of establishing clear boundaries to prevent burnout, ultimately advocating for a redefined approach to healthcare business leadership.

    28 min

  6. Episode 6

    S2E6 Rooted Relationships: Boundaries, Capacity, and Connection in Your Practice

    IIn this episode, Dr. Alex explores how your relationship with yourself, your team, and your patients directly impacts your energy, leadership, and sustainability as a practice owner. What You’ll Learn:Why over-responsibility leads to burnoutHow boundaries shape sustainable leadershipThe difference between caring and losing yourself in the processHow your internal patterns show up in external relationshipsKey Takeaway:Burnout often lives in your relationships—not just your workload.Resources:Leadership Energy Audit → rootedpractice.co/audit

    32 min

  7. Episode 7

    S2E7 Balancing Legitimacy and Identity in Your Practice

    In this episode of the Rooted Health Practice Podcast, Dr. Alex Swenson Ridley explores the complex interplay between organizational legitimacy and identity within healthcare practices. She delves into how practitioners often face the dilemma of conforming to societal norms to appear legitimate while striving to maintain personal and organizational values. Highlighting her experiences as a chiropractor, Dr. Alex encourages practice owners to assess whether their business decisions stem from a desire for legitimacy or alignment with their values, underscoring the potential for burnout when these elements clash.

    30 min

  8. Episode 8

    S2E8-Why Health Practice Owners Stay Stuck — And How to Shift It

    In the concluding episode of the first season, Dr. Alex Swenson Ridley delves into the concept of the 'practice beneath the practice.' She reflects on her personal challenges of overcoming hustle culture and the associated anxiety, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's business practices with personal values for true fulfillment. Highlighting the transformation needed for personal and professional growth, she shares her journey of creating a sustainable practice that supports well-being and success without the traditional hustle mentality. The episode sets the stage for the next season’s focus on financial growth and overcoming limiting beliefs. SHOW NOTESMost practice owners have tried the surface-level fixes. New systems. Better marketing. A different schedule. And still — something isn't moving. This episode goes somewhere different. What you'll hear in this episode: Why intellectual insight alone doesn't create change — and what actually has to happen firstHow a nervous system wired for hustle can keep you plateaued even when everything else is alignedWhat two years of dragging your feet on a business decision actually revealed — and how it broke open in one sessionA real-time example of what the practice beneath the practice looks like when you're living it, not just teaching itWhat the Grow Your Roots community is, why it exists, and why it's priced at $12 a month on purposeA 30-second HeartMath coherence practice you can use today to start shifting your emotional regulation Connect + Resources: Email Dr. Alex: dralex@rootedpractice.co Learn more about Grow Your Roots

    34 min

  9. Season 2 Trailer

    The Rooted Health Practice Trailer

    What happens when success no longer feels sustainable? The Rooted Practice Podcast is a space for practice owners and purpose-driven leaders who are successful on the outside—but quietly exhausted, disconnected, or questioning the way they’ve been taught to lead. In this short trailer episode, host Dr. Alex Swenson-Ridley introduces the core idea behind the show: the practice beneath the practice—the inner leadership, nervous system patterns, values, identity, and emotional dynamics that shape how we lead, work, and live. This podcast explores inside-out leadership, practitioner wellbeing, burnout recovery, and building a sustainable, aligned practice rooted in what matters most. Rather than focusing on hustle, productivity, or quick fixes, these conversations invite reflection, regulation, and a different definition of success. If you’ve outgrown hustle culture… If leadership feels heavier than it used to… If you’re ready to stop pushing from the surface and start building from the roots— You’re in the right place. Our first two episodes will launch 2/2/26. Come back to listen then!

    2 min
See All Season 2 (9)

Trailer

5
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

You became a chiropractor because you believed in something. But somewhere between the skeptics, the insurance battles, and the business advice that never quite fit — you started to lose connection to the dream that brought you here. The Rooted DC is a podcast for chiropractors who are done trying to fit inside a system that was never designed for them. Hosted by Dr. Alex Swenson — fellow DC, PhD researcher in organizational development and change, and someone who built a seven-figure practice, lost everything, and rebuilt it with an entirely new foundation — this is where we go beneath the surface and reclaim what was always ours: our identity, our worth, and our legitimacy as a profession. Ready to go deeper? Find the community at The Practice Beneath The Practice on Substack.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Alexandra Swenson-Ridley
  • Episodes
    235
  • Seasons
    2
  • Rating
    Clean