Living Life at Life U

Taking care of your people with Terri Carter

Human Resources is a necessary but often misunderstood department supporting vital organizations like Life University (Life U). It takes an organized and compassionate person to keep all the behind-the-scenes foundational needs taken care of in the right way. Terri Carter is Life U’s new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), working diligently to make current systems more efficient and then implement fresh ideas.

Building a Real-World Chiropractic Business Featuring Dr. Karen Ferguson

Dr. Karen Ferguson, chiropractor and Life U alumna, knows firsthand the challenges of launching a practice from scratch. As the owner of Ferguson Family Chiropractic in Acworth, Georgia, and a Life University PEAK doctor, she’s learned the importance of seeking guidance from mentors and focusing on the practical aspects of business. Today, Dr. Ferguson shares valuable advice on how to avoid “reinventing the wheel” and build a sustainable practice.

This podcast episode is part of Thriving Chiros Podcast, an Alumni & Friends Chiropractic series part of the Living Life at Life U podcast. This long-term series goes into deeper detail about what it means to succeed in practice and outside of the four walls of the chiropractic office. This is Season 1, Episode 3 of Thriving Chiros hosted by Dr. Austin Cohen- Life U Alumnus, Chiropractor & Founder of Corrective Chiropractic.

Creating Hispanic Community Alongside Chiropractic Excellence with Shaman Rodriguez Bermedez

Spreading the healing message of Chiropractic across cultures takes time and patience. One shining example at Life U of how we have combined community building with chiropractic growth is through the Hispanic Chiropractic Club. Shaman Rodriguez Bermedez is a D.C student and current VP of the Hispanic Chiropractic Club. He explains how the club helps students seeking educational support in Spanish, as many students come to Life U with English as a second language or even learning English as they go along. It bridges gaps that might be missed due to language barriers, as well as building camaraderie and a sense of belonging.

Microbiology equals macro possibilities, with Dr. Fuhua Lu

Microbiology is a course that all chiropractic students take to prepare them for their NBCE board exams, one that they might overlook as yet another stepping stone toward the finish line that is their chiropractic license. Yet Dr. Fuhua Lu is an assistant professor at Life University with a passion for microbiology, imparting her wisdom onto students about the immense beauty of the inner workings of the human body and why chiropractors need to have a respect for the unseen processes at play inside.

Mastering the Balance: Chiropractic Practice and Life Goals, Featuring Dr. JaGerran Knight-Bryant

Dr. JaGerran Knight-Bryant, co-owner of Mustard Seed Chiropractic in Smyrna, Georgia, shares his experience of balancing marriage, parenthood, and business ownership with his wife, Dr. Jessica. Both Life University alumni, they discuss the daily learning curve of running a practice while staying true to their values. Dr. Knight-Bryant offers practical insights into achieving harmony between professional and personal life, emphasizing the importance of adaptability.

This podcast episode is part of Thriving Chiros Podcast, an Alumni & Friends Chiropractic series part of the Living Life at Life U podcast. This long-term series goes into deeper detail about what it means to succeed in practice and outside of the four walls of the chiropractic office. This is Season 1, Episode 2 of Thriving Chiros hosted by Dr. Austin Cohen- Life U Alumnus, Chiropractor & Founder of Corrective Chiropractic.

Leveling Up Through Mentorship, with Redmond Cunanan

Redmond Cunanan is a 3rd quarter student hitting the ground running, learning to communicate effectively as a future chiropractor and getting guidance through mentorship. He is President of the Level Up Mentorship club, a student club focused on helping students plan for practical aspects of practice, such as marketing and financial stability, through mentorship and guidance from chiropractors who have valuable experience and knowledge to impart. 

Financial responsibility to propel University success, with Cedric Gaddy

As Life University’s new CFO, Cedric Gaddy has immersed himself in understanding the Life U community, its operations and its financial landscape. Though he has only been here for a few months, beginning April 1, 2024, he has high hopes for helping Life U streamline its processes and modernize in order to best serve its students and the community at large.

Authenticity, Accountability, and Purpose in Practice Featuring Dr. Daniel Bai- Thriving Chiros

Dr. Daniel Bai, a Life University alumnus, author, speaker, and chiropractor at Life Effect Centers in Frankfort, Illinois, delivers a powerful reminder that authenticity and personal dedication are the keys to building a successful chiropractic practice. Dr. Bai challenges the common belief that external factors determine success, highlighting instead the importance of mastering your craft, connecting with your community, and walking the talk.

This podcast episode is part of Thriving Chiros Podcast, an Alumni & Friends Chiropractic series part of the Living Life at Life U podcast. This long-term series goes into deeper detail about what it means to succeed in practice and outside of the four walls of the chiropractic office. This is Season 1, Episode 1 of Thriving Chiros hosted by Dr. Austin Cohen- Life U Alumnus, Chiropractor & Founder of Corrective Chiropractic.

Communications, Sports and doing what you love, with Nick Pope

As Sports Information Director (SID) at Life U, Nick Pope has a lot to juggle day-to-day, making sure that the behind-the-scenes details are taken care of so that our athletes can do what they do best. Pope reiterates ‘People don’t just show up and play.” This podcast shows athletes some of what it takes to keep the game going and can spark some ideas for sports-related career fields.

The Journey Toward A Military Friendly University with Lisa Collins

Our military personnel and veterans go above and beyond for us in the line of duty, so it is our duty as a University to go above and beyond for them. Lisa Collins is a proud Navy veteran and the Director for the new Center for Veteran Services and Engagement, a dedicated initiative designed to support the unique needs of military and veteran students. Collins discusses how the center seeks to meet this changing needs as Life University works toward distinction as a military friendly campus and what that entails. The new center is located in the Learning Resource Center (LRC) directly next to the library.

Active on Activator and its efficacy with Dr. Laura Huber

Dr. Laura Huber, Life U Chiropractic Sciences Professor, went from being a non-believer to something of a trumpeter for the virtues of the Activator tool for chiropractic adjustments. By nature and by design, chiropractic is literally very hands-on to feel and understand what subluxations may be present in the body in order to deliver healing adjustments. Therefore, some chiropractors are weary of using tools such as an Activator to deliver an adjustment. However, Dr. Huber explains that its gentle nature and consistency in terms of type of force delivered can benefit patients immensely.

All-American Athleticism from International roots, with Andre Edwards

Andre Edwards is a business administration student and dedicated member of the Life U Men’s Track and Field team. Originally from Jamaica, Edwards discusses how his life journey landed him at Life U and on the path to making a name for himself as an All-American athlete along with 5 other teammates receiving the same honor. The honor means a great deal to him, as he explains in the podcast.

The Rodent Race of Research and Chiropractic Implications with Dorothy Trent- Research Series

Advances in chiropractic can come from surprising sources. Did you know that significant portions of the spines of rats are extremely similar to the structure of human spines? This could allow for the animals to serve as surrogates in certain cases for chiropractic research. Dorothy Trent is a chiropractic student and RISE scholar who caught the research bug after taking a research-based class and presenting in the college’s research symposium. Today she discusses her experiences with her most recent research project comparing the C1 spinal vertebrae of rats to humans related to locomotion, which so far points to scientifically significant similarity. She recently presented on the project at the 85th Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB) in Chattanooga, TN. This special research series episode is co-hosted by Erin Gilligan, Project Coordinator for the Center for Engaged Teaching and Learning (CETL).

Sacro-Occipital (SOT): Wizardry or Just Good Technique? with Dr. Jerry Hochman

There are so many popular and emerging Chiropractic techniques on display at Life University. One such technique that perhaps does not get as much attention as the others is Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT). This technique hones in on two key areas of the body believed to serve as key places to pay attention to to promote healing: the sacrum (section near/surrounding the tailbone) and the occiput (the back of the head). It is something of a top to bottom approach, from the start of the spine to end essentially. Dr. Jerry Hochman îs a long-time Chiropractic faculty member who has gained immense expertise in SOT by teaching the course. He jokes about his nickname as the “Wizard” as he is of course not a wizard but rather simply a knowledgable chiropractor. Yet SOT can have that effect as it is a technique that great successes can come out of, but it is not as well-mastered among the Chiropractic community at large.

Adjusting to Adult Responsibilities and Collegiate Athletics with Jayden Collon

Fail to plan, plan to fail, as the saying goes. Jayden Collon is a young undergraduate student in the Business Administration program, as well as a Life U Men’s Wrestling team member. It isn’t easy to learn how to balance adult daily needs with scholastic requirement and athletics, in charge of your own schedule for the first time. Collon touches on how he has made the necessary adjustments. He was one of two surprise special guests that interviewed as part of Dr. Billups Class’ Podcast studio tour.

living.life.edu/slice-of-life/life-university-marketing-students-experience-behind-the-scenes-campus-podcast-studio-tour

Embracing Femininity, Strength and the Future with Jennifer Batu

C.I.S.T. student Jennifer Batu is a powerhouse in Hammer Throw for the Life University Women’s Track and Field team. She has broken NAIA Hammer Throw records and she was named NAIA’s Most Outstanding Performer, becoming Life University’s first woman to receive the award. Today she discusses what it takes to balance personal, athletic and social needs, as well as expectations put upon female athletes.

Cheerleading NeuroLIFE patient health and milestones with Ruby Jordan

If you have ever come through the bright, welcoming doors of NeuroLIFE Institute, you have most likely been acquainted with Ruby Jordan, NeuroLIFE’s beloved Office Manager. Dr. Veronica Garcia-Chapparo, our host, has a special love for functional neurology, in part due to the life-saving care she received herself as a NeuroLIFE patient. Thus she and Ruby are well-known to one another and it is a happy day to share the heart behind all the great lasting purpose work that NeuroLIFE does on a daily basis.

The Low Down on Early Quarters Business Administration with Suneah Williams

As an 3rd Quarter business administration student, Suneah Williams is already looking forward to what kind of companies she would like to work for and the work/life balance available in those places. She enjoys the flexible nature of her classes and being able to get into her major classes early on. She was one of two surprise special guests that interviewed as part of Dr. Billups Class’ Podcast studio tour. https://living.life.edu/slice-of-life…

View video version of interview on Youtube. 

A Chiropractic Community Passion, Research and Academics with Kevin Tran- Podcast Research Series

Kevin Tran grew up in a chiropractic family with his dad practicing Chiropractic, knowing from an early age he wanted to become a chiropractor. He has a wisdom and maturity that many his age don’t have, recognizing the need in the chiropractic community to create a wealth of chiropractic research in order to “speak the language” of the larger healthcare community, to back up our work with scientific data. He is a RISE scholar conducting research through the research track, and has even presented at conferences. This special research series episode is co-hosted by Erin Gilligan, Project Coordinator for the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL).

Moving to a new continent to pursue higher education and double majoring in Business and Computer Information Systems & Technology is no small feat, but Elmaz Hasanovic has fought through adversity to get where he is today. He is also a student coach for the Men’s Wrestling team, as injury interfered with his continuing to participate. Yet he is learning the beauty in being a force in the wings.

Getting Personal about Myosynaptics with Michele Hicheri

Chiropractic is a beautifully layered and broad field that allows for immense specialization and honed expertise in many different forms. Michele Hicheri is Vice President of the Myosynaptics club here at Life U, eager to delve into what Myosynaptics is, its implications and benefits.

Enfranchising Cross Disciplinary Research with Dr. Alan Wells – Podcast Research Series

Dr. Alan Wells is the Assistant Dean of Liberal Studies at Life University (Life U) as well as an essential member of the Research Council. Research is often framed in the context of math and science endeavors, but a fair amount of business and interdisciplinary projects are also conducted here at Life U. Dr. Wells weighs in on some of the periodic considerations that go into preparing a student to start or continue a project, as well as how funding decisions are made. This special research series episode is co-hosted by Erin Gilligan, Project Coordinator for the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL).

Student Clinics and Volunteering to Educate Communities, with Joshua Gutkin

Joshua Gutkin is a D.C. student and Student Clinician who is maximizing his time while working in a protected Life University clinic environment to build up his soft skills of connecting with the community and communicating effectively the benefits of chiropractic. His main method of doing this is by volunteering with Life Chiropractic Centers at table events in the Metro Atlanta area to spread the message of chiropractic and inform community members about how they can make appointments. 

Scoring high for flag football, with Anijia Brady

As a first-year freshman B.S. in Exercise Science student and flag footballer, Anijia Brady is wasting no time to make a name for herself. Joining early into this new sports program at Life University is a fun and challenging opportunity. Brady discusses what she enjoys about her time at Life U and her sport.

Fresh Faces and Perspectives in Career Services with Charles Kelley

As Life University celebrates its 50th Anniversary, Career Services has grown with the ebbs and flows of the University, constantly supporting student success and career exploration. Charles Kelley is a newer member of the Career Services team, eager to lend his assistance and expertise to the Life U community.

Profound Impacts on Children through Pediatric Chiropractic with Dr. Drew Rubin

Like many chiropractic students, Dr. Drew Rubin had a particular speciality in mind when he first enrolled as a Life University D.C. student. He originally wanted to become a sports chiropractor. And though that is a compelling field, through his program Pediatrics ended up turning his head and he hasn’t looked back.

Today he owns and operates a pediatric and prenatally focused practice in Marietta, Georgia. He is 1 of 5 Board-Certified Diplomates in Pediatric Chiropractic in the state (DACCP). He and his wife Dr. Lisa Rubin are also members of the Life U faculty, positively molding the minds of the next generation of chiropractors. He encourages students to be open-minded and explore different facets of chiropractic while in school. This episode also explores the fascinating ways in which he has seen children benefit from chiropractic care.

From Functional Medicine Chiropractic Patient to Future Practitioner with Aaron Strickland

Get in a room of chiropractic students and ask them what first interested them in pursuing Chiropractic, and chances are good that many of them will come back with an extraordinary story of healing through Chiropractic that inspired them to dig deeper. That was the case for Aaron Strickland, diagnosed at a young age with chronic lung disease and other health issues that traditional medicine was not helping much with. Eventually he met with a functional medicine chiropractor who over time was able to help relieve these conditions. Now Strickland is headed into his PEAK internship to learn more about how to help others like himself in a hands-on way.

Psychology, Chiropractic and Student Ambassadors with Dr. Lisa Rubin

You don’t have to be a chiropractor to be a champion for Chiropractic. Dr. Lisa Rubin has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and she is a licensed clinical psychologist and professional counselor who has worked in a variety of clinic settings. Dr. Rubin joined the Life U family in 2001 along with her husband Dr. Drew Rubin. Dr. Lisa Rubin is an adjunct faculty member in the College of Chiropractic who teaches Psychology to future chiropractors, among other things. She also serves as the CARE Case Manager. Today is something of a family reunion as well as Dr. Rubin is the Advisor for Student Ambassadors, a group that our host Dr. Veronica Garcia-Chapparo was heavily involved in as a student.

Revamping Physiological Therapeutics and Sport Health Science, with Karen Pfeifer

Karen Pfeifer has worked in a number of sports related careers, as a athletic trainer, an administrator and as an educator at different and overlapping points. She currently teaches Physiological Therapeutics courses in the Master of Sport Health Science and Doctor of Chiropractic programs. Our Sports Health Science department is currently examining the best possible ways to get students career ready in the future, which could lead to some exciting changes.

Let’s Get Functional: Functional Neurology, Peer Tutoring and more with Chandler Willey

The brain is a funny thing, an organ that we will never fully grasp but the more we that we learn, the better we can help it to function most effectively. Chandler Willey is a D.C. student planning to become a Functional Neurology chiropractor, often shadowing at the NeuroLIFE Institute to gain a fuller picture of how the brain and the body communicate. Listen in as we learn more about this fascinating field.

Investing in the community through business and education with Ronald Ware

By his own admission, Ronald Ware wears many hats at Life University. He and his wife Dr. Mamie Brown-Ware have served the University for over three decades and counting. Ronald has a profound mind for business which he shares readily in his classroom and as a mentor. He has extensive experience in a variety of business and philanthropic ventures, including a coffee business, a marble and granite business, as well as being a Co-founder of Ware Prep Academy of Atlanta, Inc., a 501 C3 not-for-profit that specializes in youth athletic sponsorships and sport scholarships since 2006. His enthusiasm and energy is infectious and listeners of today’s podcast can learn a lot from what he has to say. 

Young women leading an emerging Women’s Lacrosse program, with Annslee Warchol

Lacrosse is a newer sport at Life University, only in its second season for the Life U Women’s Lacrosse team. It’s a gritty sport that demands drive and dedication from its players, qualities that Annslee Warchol has in spades. As an B.S. in Exercise Science student on the cusp of graduation, she faces her future head on with a smile on her face and a lacrosse stick clasped firmly in both hands.

Researching the Art of the Adjustment with Dr. Brent Russell

Dr. Brent Russell is something of an institution here at Life University, first as an alumnus, then as a Faculty Clinician and now as a Research Professor that wears many hats for the Research Department. He leads the team that conducts research on “The Art of the Adjustment”, with the overarching goal of contributing to a breadth of research knowledge on what is exactly going on during an adjustment, how much force is involved and the potential benefits etc. The Palpation and Adjustment Trainer (PAT) became a big piece of that equation during the Covid 19 pandemic and beyond, and continues to be a tool with immense research and student practice capabilities.

Appreciating Student Athlete Life while Preparing for a New World, with Nigel Hepburn

Nigel Hepburn is a Life U Men’s Track and Field athlete and an B.A. in Environment and Sustainability student. He talks about how he enjoys the camaraderie he has built with this teammates, as well as traveling with the team (even as he misses the comforts of his cozy Life U dorm.) As a sprinter, he is used to moving fasting but in his life he is trying to slow down and enjoy where he is at before having to move on to the next phase.

Gaining Leverage through Pole Vault, with Megan Judge

Megan Judge is a D.C. student and Women’s Track and Field Team member. Her signature event type is pole vault, a segment of track and field that Life U has not had as much traction in. She chats about what drove her to the sport and what drives her now, personally, academically and beyond.