Doctor Les

Hi, my name is Les Davidson

I am a chiropractor, athlete, husband to Kerry and proud father to Kahla, Jade and Ford.

My initial interest in health grew out of a background of athletics and sports performance and developed into a fascination with the human body and function. I learned early on the impact of doing the “right things” (performance or health promoting) and avoiding the “wrong things” (those that were health damaging or performance limiting).

It is interesting how far we have come in the science of health and the evolution of what we believe to be the right and the wrong things. My thirty years of Chiropractic practice has provided a front row seat to an avalanche of change in health care delivery.  We have advanced diagnostic equipment, availability of myriad prescription durgs, the internet…yet it is obvious we have not figured out the “right” things to do to “be healthy.”

Health care spending in Canada is expected to be just under $200 billion this year and yet Canada’s health care system is rated number 20 by the World Health Organization WHO. Obviously we are not doing everything “right.”

I have committed much of my life to studying, applying and thinking about health and wellness. I obtained a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Calgary, before going on to attain my Doctor of Chiropractic at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto. As well as conducting professional development lectures to chiropractors, allied health professionals, and Worker's Compensation groups, I served six years on the board of the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors the ACAC (2004-2010). I hold Diplomate status with the Canadian College of Chiropractic Orthopedists, a Certificate in Chiropractic Occupational Health, and a Certificate in Chiropractic Pediatrics.

It is interesting how motivations change as we age or put in a gentler way ‘mature’.  In my younger years it was about brute strength and anaerobic fitness with wrestling, football and rugby in high school and wrestling in university. In my thirties I transistioned to the endurance phase: distance running and triathalons. To celebrate my 50^th birthday I trained for mountain bike racing winning the 2009 TransRockies Mountain Bike Stage Race for my age group. Today I wakeboard and snow ski and have just begun to learn the proper technique for Olympic weightlifting. “Always striving, never arriving” or like the title of my friend Rob’s blog, “There is No Finish Line”.

I look forward to dropping in from time to time and sharing some of my thoughts and observations that hopefully increase the quality of your life and the lives of those closest to you.

And as Rob says, Enjoy the Ride, as there is No Finish Line

Doctor Les

Comments

[Elizabeth]

Dr. Les
Your blog about motivation and the elephant and the rider has completely changed how I do exercise. It is not that I wasn't exercising before - it was that I could talk myself out of hitting the gym faster than I could talk myself into it. I had every excuse programmed into my brain. The main one was my work schedule and deadlines.
Because I free-lance, my schedule isn't routine so I can't easily pencil in "gym" appointments. So I would do nothing for days and then do marathon catch-up workouts and then nothing for weeks...that was until I read your blog.
Now I pre-decide on Sunday night how many units of exercise I want to do and the most likely days and times to fit them in. Then the night before a gym day I put my gym bag at the front door. By then I already know my work schedule. The next day I don't think about the gym (otherwise I will talk myself out of it). I just head out the door at the pre-determined time. Voila! Consistent workouts and success! I just punched another hole in my belt - down five inches since January! Thanks Dr. Les! The rider is finally in charge!

Elizabeth

[launch cresetter]

Interestingly, the motivation to change, because of our age, or in a gentle way 'mature'. In my younger years, it is about brute force and anaerobic fitness in high school and college wrestling, wrestling, soccer and rugby.

[Pilates Class]

My decision to finally do the “right things” has led me to your blog. It’s true that when a person matures, he is driven by different motivations and sees a clearer picture of which direction he’d like to take. I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts.

[Bonnie]

Really like the blog, appreciate the share!

[Fort Collins Colorado Chiropractor]

Its very inspiring to have a doctor and athlete in one especially if he is advocating something that will benefit the people.

[chiropractor jacksonville fl]

It's your motivation that brought you there. Good Luck and keep it up!