Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Bridgette Chelf.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been working in the health care industry for almost 35 years. My original plan was to obtain my masters in physical therapy and open a sports clinic. Like many things in life, my plan changed. I decided to attend chiropractic school and get my doctorate. During that time I had my daughter. My world changed. I was amazed how my body was changing daily, I was making a baby!! I had no physical problems during my pregnancy. My tribute to that was that I was under chiropractic care. My labor was as they all are, painful. But no complications. I attribute that to the chiropractic care that I received during my pregnancy. But like I tell my moms that I treat now, it is pain with a purpose. And in the end, you have a baby!
I had never been around children before I had my daughter, kinda scary!!! She took my breath away. Watching her grow and change daily. She was adjusted since birth. After that my professional path changed.
I decided I wanted to treat woman and children.
Because of my background in physical therapy, I am a big advocate of biomechanics and ergonomics. Over the last two decades, as we all do, my practice has evolved. I was introduced to cranial sacral therapy, and that changed how I practice. It is so gentle but can have such a profound effect on the body. I find that it allows to do fewer adjustments and they last longer.
Then I was introduced to functional medicine. I am the kind of person that likes to understand why and how things work. There is always a reason that the body reacts the way it does. It’s like a puzzle, and I love puzzles. Over time, my practice has evolved into something that I dreamed of.
Like I said earlier, I like puzzles. I have women and children come from all over who can’t find an answer.
I find that incorporating all of my tools I have learned over the decades helps solving those problems that no one else can. I am a lot of my patient’s holistic primary care doc. Using chiropractic, homeopathics along with many tools and having the back up from the other practitioners is invaluable.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I find that anything worthwhile in life is not easy. Like everyone life gives you challenges.
Being a working mother is probably one of the most difficult things that anyone can do. Trying to juggle and balance life is incredibly challenging in today’s busy lifestyle.
I remember when I had my daughter I was still in chiropractic school. My husband was only home one t two nights a week. I would bring her to school with me as much as I could. Wearing her, sitting in a lecture trying to focus and my boobs were aching because they were so full. Trying to take a test with a couple of hours sleep.
I decided to move closer to my husband. So my baby and I moved to Big Bear. Thought that would be a great idea. I could go up and down the mountain every day. What was I thinking!! I would leave the house at 3 am. Pack up my baby and drive down the hill…then back up at 7 pm!! Stopping at the bottom of the mountain and either taking off chains or putting the back on…crazy! But I did it and graduated on time.
When we moved back to San Diego after our mountain adventure I worked in several offices over a period of time. Decided to go out on my own. After signing the lease with my business partner two weeks later, I found out that I was pregnant with my second child.
My business partner at the time did not have children. She didn’t understand why at times, many times I was late, exhausted and hungry all of the time. I was working at another office during the beginning of having my own practice to help supplement our income. Running from San Marcos, the office I was working at to our house in Rancho Penasquitos to my office in Del Mar. Pregnant with a three year. Never feeling like I was good enough and letting everyone down.
I had a home birth with my son. A truly amazing experience. But of course, I had just started business. I would bring him to work with me. Wearing him while adjusting, feeding at breaks, running home to pick up my daughter. Making phone calls at my office while pumping. People would ask what the sound was…I don’t hear anything! Again, never feeling like I was good enough or doing enough for my family or patients.
When it became too difficult to have my son at the office I found a nanny. Now moms know how scary that can be. A stranger is taking care of your child. I would run home at lunch or breaks to check on him and my daughter. I was always blessed to have great people helping my children.
After a couple of years in practice, my business partner at the time decided to move to Hawaii. My husband took a job where it was gone during the week. I remember feeling like I was being abandoned. But women do what women do we step up not missing a beat. I will admit my kids hair wasn’t always combed for school actually never. Going to the wrong park for a soccer game. Finding snacks on the floor and seats of the car when we left the bag on the kitchen counter. We had lots of laughs.
I volunteered in class with both of my kids every week. Missed only two field trips in 12 years. Lunch duty, hated that. Volunteer as the team doctor for the sports they were involved in. I would not change a thing.
I do tell my moms to ask for help. Don’t try and be superwoman. It truly does take a village. That is one thing that I would change, I would have asked for help.
Some challenges are more difficult than others. Sometimes we may never fully understand why. But I do know that all of the challenges and difficult times that I have been through I have learned the most about myself. That I would not change.
Ocean Wellness – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I have a wellness center that is based on supporting women and their journey of motherhood and life. I want women to come into my center and feel heard. A place that is safe. Being a new mother is overwhelming to say the least. I want them to know they have a safe place.
I have women and children come from all over who can’t find an answer. I find that incorporating all of my tools I have learned over the decades helps solving those problems that no one else can. I am a lot of my patient’s holistic primary care doc. Using chiropractic, homeopathics along with many tools and having the back up from the other practitioners is invaluable.
I am honored to work with the women in my office. We have a midwife, acupuncturist, lactation consultant, massage therapists, therapist, doula, holistic facials and an MD. We also offer prolo injections, hyperbaric chamber, vaginal steaming and classes to help educate moms. There is no other place that has everything like this under one roof.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Well, for me personally when I look at my children who are now adults. Watching them evolve into these amazing humans. The world is such a crazy place today. Filled with so much uncertainty. My definition of success is that my children are good no great humans. I have always taught them to leave someplace better than you found it. Treat people how you want to be treated…. and they do. I am very successful.
It has been the greatest honor of my life to be their mother.
I think for many moms that being a good mom to our children is really all we want. Be able to provide for them, love them and be there for them. That is success.
Contact Info:
- Address: 509 South Cedros
Suite D
Solana Beach CA
92075 - Website: oceanwellnesshealth.com
- Phone: 858-792-7296
- Email: drbwellness@gmail.com
- Instagram: oceanwellness
- Facebook: oceanwellness
- Yelp: oceanwellness
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