Dr. of Chiropractic & Coach Abi

[YEAR 1: MY CHIROPRACTIC JOURNEY] 👩🏽‍🎓🫱🏾‍🫲🏽👩🏽‍⚕️ One year ago, I embarked on my journey as a chiropractor. This year has been a testament to resilience, adaptation, and life pushing me to grow in ways I never imagined. I am truly grateful for the trust of my patients and the chance to make a positive impact every day. Today I stand as a clinic director, treating chiropractor and more importantly a human being. Here are some invaluable lessons I’ve learned along the way: 🫱🏾‍🫲🏽 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗨𝗽: Navigating the bumpy roads of practice, never giving up on the profession or myself have been major drivers to where I stand today. Remember, if you are in a place that doesn’t align with your drive or values, it isn’t the only path to success. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏽 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲: Prioritizing my patient needs and building strong relationships with patients has been a cornerstone to developing trust in the doctor patient relationship. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏽 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: The openness and flexibility to adapting my techniques, treatment methods and treatment environments lended way to results and creativity. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏽 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: Your network is your net worth but also remember not all opportunities may be for you. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏽 𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 & 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Time is of essence and l often find myself juggling multiple roles in private practice. Balance is key, but it is also a myth. Weighing decisions and reevaluating priority has been crucial in my professional journey. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏽 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲: My grandmother often reminds me you can’t pour from an empty cup. Maintaining my physical and mental health has been the foundation to building my home in practice. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏽 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 & 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲: How can we grow without evaluating our own performance? 🫱🏾‍🫲🏽 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: From running my own solo private practice and navigating my first year as a clinic director in another, I am so grateful for the communities I am apart of. Grateful for community, all the lessons, milestones and the journey ahead. Sincerely, Dr. Abi, DC June 16, 2024 ∞

"There have been several instances where the colour of my skin and gender identity played a role especially in a male dominated industry. However, I strongly stand by the idea that knowledge is not gender-based nor does it discriminate, which is why I have been able to excel in this field and given opportunities to work with professional athletes and network with world-renown coaches." - Abi @skyhighperformance_ . Thank you to @tamilculture for the feature and for the community online and offline who continue to help my light shine brighter, providing opportunities to grow. One of those special humans is @barbellerehab who recommended me for this interview in the first place! Some of these questions by @ara_entrepreneur allowed me to really reflect on all the growth, hurdles, failures and successes over the years which is quite a humbling process. . So, if you want to learn a little more about my story as a coach, athlete, chiropractic student and human being, feel free to check out the link to the article below, or on my bio: /elite-athlete-coach-future-chiropractic-entrepreneur-abirami-shanmugaratnam-making-waves-in-athletic-performance-industry-with-her-authenticity-and-passion?fbclid=IwAR35FCeJprmixw7s0-PqdEau-Dlzb2k9OJAqvhgBV2Qg7Yfzgn4m1ZuZCik ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #SkyhighPerformance x #TamilCulture #TheProcess #Student #Athlete #Coach #PersonalTrainer #Chiropractor #DC

[NIPISSING LAKERS MENS SOCCER TEAM PRE-SEASON TRAINING CAMP] ⚽️✈️🔋 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This past long weekend, I got the opportunity to do a strength and conditioning workshop for the mens varsity soccer team at Nipissing University. It sure felt great to be back in the varsity high performance training space as my roots were in high performance. We worked on reviewing the strength and conditioning program I had created for them for the upcoming season as they were introduced to various concepts from speed, agility and quickness to strength and power development. . Strength and conditioning is a pillar to any sport and the guys were certainly challenged and stepped away from this experience with more knowledge and insight in how to prepare not just their bodies but minds for battle on the field. Looking forward to growing with the Lakers. 👊🏽 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #SkyhighPerformance #Lakers #NipissingU #VarsitySoccer #OUA #Strength #Fitness #TeamSkyhighPerformance #TeamLakers #HighPerformance #Athlete #Elite #Development

[TFC CLINICS ARE BACK!] ⚽️ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• TFC Clinics are back ⚽️ Excited to be back on the field coaching, mentoring, and helping young athletes grow their confidence, skills, and love for the game. From technical development and movement training to teamwork and leadership, these clinics are all about creating a fun, competitive, and positive environment for players of all levels. Check out future camps, clinics, and opportunities here: Toronto FC Development Sincerely, Coach Abi ⚽️ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #SkyhighPerformance #TFCDevelopment #Soccer

[BUILT THROUGH BATTLE] 💥🥊 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Watching Bonnie (@warriorqueenbonnie ) step into the ring again at home hit different this time. The growth, the composure, the grit, it all showed. It wasn’t easy, it never is. Tough moments, real adversity, and she kept pushing forward like a true fighter. Her shots were more explosive, more efficient, and carried a crisp snap that reflects the work we’ve been putting into power transfer, sequencing, and speed-strength. That’s high-level adaptation showing up under pressure. Proud is an understatement. This is what progress looks like. Year 4 w/ Skyhigh Performance. 🥊 @gideonboxingacademy 🏋🏾‍♀️ @skyhighperformance_ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #SkyhighPerformance #GideonBoxing #ProBoxer #Elite #Athlete

[WRESTLING 🤼 & THE COMPLETE ATHLETE] •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Spent my Saturday morning at my first wrestling tournament supporting one of my favorite athletes and it did not disappoint. Got to watch Marley, the daughter of one of my pro boxers @warriorqueenbonnie , step onto the mat and compete. What stands out most isn’t just talent, it’s the consistency and effort. Early mornings, showing up alongside her mom, putting in the work day after day in her own sport. She’s recently taken on wrestling, and seeing her embrace a new sport, new challenges, and that competitive environment was special. It reminded me of the message I continue to preach with other youth athletes - cross training is so important!!! This is what real youth development looks like, not rushing into one path, but playing, exploring, and building a complete athlete. Every experience adds to the foundation. Marley’s only getting started… and it’s exciting to watch 👊🏽🔥 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #SkyhighPerformance #MarleyTheAthlete

[SKYHIGH PERFORMANCE x PETERBOROUGH: HYROX RUNNING CLINIC] •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Another HYROX running clinic in the books, this time with the incredible crew at F45 Peterborough 🏃🏽‍♂️🔥 I had the opportunity to lead athletes through drills and techniques focused on improving running economy, efficiency, and race-day performance. Seeing the immediate transfer from drills to movement was the most rewarding part. HYROX is a sport where running makes up half the race, so learning how to run well can be a real game changer. Huge thank you to everyone who showed up ready to learn, move, and push their limits. Excited to keep building stronger, faster athletes. Dr. Abi, DC🏃🏽‍♀️ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #SkyhighPerformance #F45 #Peterborough

[CHIANG MAI, THAILAND]🛕 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Chiang Mai was short-lived, but it left a lasting imprint. In contrast to the pulse of Phuket, time here felt suspended; slower, softer, intentional. Old Town was a quiet oasis framed by ancient temple walls and golden spires. Shops closed early, evenings were gentle, and life felt beautifully balanced instead of rushed. The elephant sanctuary introduced me to gentle giants, each with a personality of their own. Mina, a 79 year old matriarch who moved with a quiet grace that can only come from a lifetime lived. There was wisdom in her eyes, patience in every step. She didn’t hurry. She didn’t need to. Watching her felt like a reminder that strength doesn’t always roar, sometimes it simply endures. Creativity lives in every corner of Chiang Mai. From intricate basket weaving to hand-crafted jewelry, artistry here isn’t just decoration, it’s heritage. I visited a Thai silk factory where I witnessed the painstaking process behind every thread: from silkworm cultivation to the delicate unraveling of cocoons and the careful weaving that follows. It is labor-intensive, methodical, and deeply patient work. The kind of craftsmanship that demands time, respect, and devotion. I truly hope these traditions never fade. And then, the food. Northern Thai cuisine absolutely delivered: rich, layered, comforting. Khao Soi quickly became my favorite, a bowl that somehow tastes like history and home at the same time. Chiang Mai didn’t overwhelm me. It grounded me. It reminded me that not everything beautiful needs to be loud. Some places teach you that slowing down is its own kind of luxury and patience, perhaps, is the purest form of strength. How do you find ways to practice patience in your day to day routine? •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #SkyhighTravels #Thailand #ChiangMai

[PHUKET, THAILAND] 🐅 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• If I were to sum it up, it was where fear ends and life begins. From standing inches away from majestic tigers, feeling my heartbeat in my throat to nervously scanning the water for sea urchins to shrieking as a baby shark chased me along the shores of Maya Bay, Phuket stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. Fear met awe. Adrenaline met gratitude. And somewhere in between, I felt deeply alive. But beyond the thrill, beyond Bangla Road’s neon lights and the postcard-perfect islands of Phi Phi, something heavier settled in me. Phuket is paradise to many of us: turquoise waters, longtail boats, mango smoothies in hand. Yet as I walked its beaches and wandered its streets, I couldn’t help but think about what existed before the noise. Before the tourism. Before the cameras. Who walked this land when it was quiet? Who called it home before it became a destination? Travel is a privilege. A beautiful one. But it can also blind us. As tourists, we often consume a place, its beauty, its culture, its labour, without fully sitting in its history. Without asking what was lost to make room for our experience. Standing there, I found my thoughts drifting far beyond Thailand. I thought about ancestral lands across the world. About the Iranian people, about my homeland and others. About histories rewritten, rights slowly eroded, identities displaced over generations. How land can shift from home… to commodity. From sacred… to strategic. And I realized how easy it is to wander through the world without seeing it. Phuket gave me sunsets and salt in my hair. But it also gave me perspective. A reminder that every paradise carries a past. That every shoreline has a story deeper than its waves. And maybe the real awakening wasn’t the baby shark chasing me, it was recognizing the lens I’ve too often traveled with. This trip wasn’t just about facing fear. It was about facing awareness. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #SkyhighTravels #Thailand #Phuket

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[KRABI, THAILAND] 🦀 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Krabi was the place that made me slow down. After the nonstop rhythm of Bangkok, I found stillness between limestone cliffs and quiet turquoise waters. Island hopping, longtail boats cutting through the sea, and swimming alongside tropical fish felt almost unreal, like stepping into a postcard. I challenged myself in new ways too. Climbed what felt like a never-ending staircase to see the Buddha at Tiger Cave Temple; humbled, breathless, and reminded that my cardiovascular endurance needs some love 😅. But the view at the top? Worth every step. A reality check in more ways than one. What struck me most, though, was the people. The kindness. The pride in their craft. Thai massage isn’t just relaxation, it’s sacred work. You can feel the intention behind every movement. There’s something powerful about people who truly love what they do. Bringing that energy home with me to slow down, to be present, and to serve with purpose. Because at the end of it all, it’s the work we do and the people we care for that keep us grounded. Krabi, you were magic. 🇹🇭✨ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #SkyhighTravels #Thailand #Krabi

[BANGKOK, THAILAND] 🌎 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Missing my time away from work and home, but very grateful for the reset. The culture here carries so much grace and respect, you feel it everywhere. Khob khun ka (ค่ะ) means, thank you. Explored ancient temples, wandered floating markets, got lost among exotic plants and chaotic streets, and walked more than I thought possible… but Bangkok always rewards you with a Thai massage at the end of the day. If my inner spirit animal were a country, it would be Thailand. 🇹🇭✨ Next stop: trading city lights for limestone cliffs and island views. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #SkyhighTravels #Thailand #Bangkok