Meet Dr. Shelia Payton: Chiropractic Physician, Functional Medicine Practitioner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Shelia Payton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Shelia, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
I am indeed a parent. For the last 18 years I have centered my professional and personal life around trying to maintain safety security and love where my daughter is concerned. When I returned with my family from the UK in 2004, I assumed that I would be home for a couple of years then I would join a practice and have more babies and a wonderful career.

However life had a different plan, I divorced after a few years of being back in the US and as a result, decided to open my own practice. You see, I come from a family of entrepreneurs so that was my first instinct. Thirteen years later, although I did not choose this path for myself, I can say it was the best path for me and for my daughter. The way I established the practice was directly related to wanting to be emotionally and physically available for her.

Being near both professionally and personally available for her at any time was of the upmost importance. I was available in the mornings two days a week and the afternoons three days a week. I was one of those parents who showed up at any time and gave time earnestly. My kid grew up in my practice and I must say it’s bittersweet that I won’t be able to see her pop in and out on her way from school, coming by because she left something or coming by because she is a dual enrollment student and during breaks she comes by to have breakfast or lunch. I have absolutely enjoyed every minute, every struggle every worry, every fear.

My decisions to practice the way I have has indeed and does help to shape the young thoughtful brilliant beautiful 12th grader I have and who’s about to leave my nest.

What should our readers know about your business?
My unique blend of effective treatment techniques has helped hundreds of patients improve their overall health. As a result, of my passion to help, my patients live healthier lives, I began a social media campaign entitled “SmallChanges with Dr.Shelia” where I focus on helping patients and the community live better, healthier lives through making small changes which can lead to huge positive results. The posts originally began as my attempt to focus on more lighthearted but real topics. However, once we found ourselves living through a pandemic, my posts sharply focused on sharing ways to help maintain our immune systems during the time of COVID-19 for at least six months or better I focused on sharing SmallChanges that would directly positively affect our immune system.

I became, as one patient said “the evangelist of vitamin C vitamin D3 and zinc.” My mantra became” I want you to not only survive but thrive through the pandemic.” My SmallChanges has been one of the most exciting aspects of my business. When I get emails and DM‘s from patients and strangers who may not have the desire or the courage to respond via my platforms but thank me for what I do it is quite heartwarming and fulfilling. These posts are shared weekly on various platforms from social media, outlets to radio and podcasts. When I think of opportunities for growth this last year I must admit was a real opportunity. Although Chiropractic physicians are and were considered essential workers, I did not work the max number of days. I cut my practice hours and days in half but have gradually increased.

My biggest lesson was learning how to pivot. I learned that I was resilient and found ways of utilizing my skills as a functional medicine practitioner in order to help patients thrive through the pandemic. This helped me as a business owner understand that I possess intellectual talent as well as physical abilities to heal.  If I had to share one of the biggest lessons relative to my business it would be a spiritual lesson.

Thoughts become things. Regardless of where you are opening a business, changing careers, pivoting, leaving a relationship, deciding to live better or healthier, it starts in the mind. If you cannot visualize it how can the universe bring it to you? I am a boutique Chiropractic and Wellness Practice. I do not advertise because I understand, I know, that we attract who and what we are and that the biggest marketing happens in your head, it happens with expectations.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am an avid runner and most of my friends have some appreciation for the sport so let’s say I had a friend who also appreciates running an adventure run, a must! I live in an historic part of the Atlanta area, full of nestled communities with eateries and high streets. Definitely a morning run that ends up at one of my favorite vegan coffee shops Dulce Vegan in Kirkwood. Of course this wonderful drink would be followed up with hours of catching up then it’ll be time for lunch and my favorite outdoor spot within or without a pandemic is Leon’s Full Service downtown Decatur.

Not only is the food lovely but the staff in the service or even lovelier authentic good hearted people who treat me like family EVERY-time I am there! And of course, it would be time to hang out with some of my peeps.  I’m a hippie and pride myself on having an eclectic assortment of friends, from writers, to politicians,  film director’s you name it. No day would be sufficient without a chat a drink a meal with some of these fine folks nothing like chatting with my friend Jacob the vegan film director who always has some funny, witted argument that he can cook up while making amazing vegan dishes that makes you say, “so where is your restaurant?”

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to shout out WOMEN, African Women, organizations that uplift women, fight for women, speak up on behalf of women, who educate women, protect women, care for women.

Website: SmallChangeswithdrShelia.com Wellspringdecatur.com,.com

Instagram: SmallChanges.with.dr.shelia

Linkedin: Dr Shelia T Payton BS, DC

Facebook: SmallChangeswithdr.shelia

Yelp: Wellspring Health and Wellness

Youtube: SmallChangeswithdr.shelia