Meet Alison McLean of Ignite Wellness in Encinitas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alison McLean.

Alison, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Yoga has been part of my life since the early 2000’s when I was injured and lost. Yoga not only helped to heal me physically but also brought me hope. It was only natural when I decided to go back to school for physical therapy after being a massage therapist for almost a decade that Yoga would be a part of this journey as well. After graduating with my Doctorate degree from Chapman University, I worked in a traditional setting but felt burnout and unfulfilled.

I began mentoring with a Physical Therapist combining Yoga in her practice. During the years of mentoring her, I eventually became a teacher myself, started teaching classes as well as assisting her in trainings and workshops. Now I have my own practice combining Physical Therapy, Yoga, Massage and Essential Oils, as well as teach Yoga classes, workshops and trainings. It is all so rewarding and fulfilling.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has not always been smooth. It is challenging find work/life balance when you own your own business and have a two-year-old. I try to practice what I preach and use mediation and other tools to slow down and replenish. This was put to the test late last year when I was diagnosed with Colon Cancer and a rare gene mutation called Lynch syndrome.

I am cancer free now, but it was hard to take time off of work unexpectedly. There were a lot of fears and unknowns. Since I’m on the other side now, living out the work I do is that much more important. This whole journey has even helped me to clarify a surgical package for my patients. Undergoing surgery myself I experienced the gaps in care right now in our healthcare system, and I hope to help fill them.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Ignite Wellness story. Tell us more about the business.
At Ignite Wellness there are many options for preventative, or healing care. Ignite is very different than the traditional setting. For example, a patient with low back pain will receive a standard evaluation to determine the physical structures that are causing the issue.

In addition, we will also look at patterns of living to determine if any lead to the discomfort and pain. Sometimes physical pain is from physical issues, like a disc bulge, often, however, it the combination of body, mind and nervous system complexities. I work with patients beyond the physical structures to determine the root cause of the discomfort.

From there we look at everything; beliefs, lifestyle, fears, blocks, for example, to determine a well-rounded plan which may or may not include Yoga, meditation, the Yoga Wall, standard physical therapy exercises, manual work, stress reduction, essential oil, coaching… It is endless and individualistic to the person I’m working within the moment.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck, I believe has to do with the mindset which we have control over, as well as forces outside of our control. Am I lucky to have a rare gene mutation that puts me at significantly higher risk for multiple cancers? At a first glance, one would think, no!

However, I’m realizing in a way I am lucky to have gone through all the trails of my life including cancer.

Overcoming all these challenges only helps to make me a better practitioner, and have the ability to better relate to others. So sometimes luck is just how you spin a situation in your mind.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ignitewellnesssandiego.com
• Phone: (858) 248 2272
• Email: Alison@ignitewellnesssandiego.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ignitewellnesssandiego/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ignitewellnesssandiego/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/IWSandiego
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ignite-wellness-leucadia?osq=ignite+wellness

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