Dr. Nekessa Remy is a chiropractor, a registered and medical acupuncturist and one of Canada’s fastest rising and sought-after health and wellness experts in the industry today. She is the current owner of Mississauga’s The Chiropractic Office, a comprehensive injury management clinic focused on sports-related injuries and woman’s health issues. She also runs a practice in downtown Toronto at Integra Health Centre where she works amongst other leaders in the healthcare field.

Tomorrow, May 1, Dr. Remy is hosting Stretching for Runners, a FREE seminar at Lolë at the Exchange Tower where she will demonstrate how to properly stretch before a run to improve muscle circulation and reduce muscle fatigue as well as post-run stretching aimed to reduce muscle fatigue and injury. You can RSVP to this event through Eventbrite.

We caught up with Dr. Remy this week.

SDTC: How would you describe your career goals? 

NR: I see myself becoming Canada’s version of Dr. Oz, with a bit more style and sass. I want people to have access to the right information about their health. A healthy lifestyle should be attainable to anybody who wants it, and I want to take my message that “healthy living is a RIGHT, not a privilege” to bigger platforms and get more Canadians taking an active role in their health. 

What’s the best life advice you’ve ever been given? 

Don’t be afraid to dream big. We are all worthy of dreams, no matter how big or small. When Oprah Winfrey announced that she would be ending her talk show, a show I watched daily since I was twelve, I knew I had to attend a [taping] and meet her before it all ended. Yes, people thought I was crazy when I told them my plan, but I had to do it!

So, for six months, my best friend and I applied for tickets to her show every day. No matter where we were or what we were doing, we made sure to be on our computers at 10 a.m. to enter the draw for tickets. 

On March 23, 2010, a cold day in Chicago, I attended The Oprah Winfrey Show and had a chance to say hello to her. I know for a fact that dreams do happen as long as you work hard and stay the course. Always remember the big picture. 

Best career advice? 

I read a blog that featured business tips from major players such as Richard Branson, Ariana Huffington and more. What stuck with me the most was the advice to seek out meaningful relationships not only with patients/customers but also with other people in your industry.

I have learned to see my competitors as collaborators and partners. These relationships have allowed me to share my frustrations and have provided me with tips and tools to manage patients better, to improve relationships with employees, and to grow my social media impact.

What was it like participating in HERstory, the digital photo series, last year?

It was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. HERstory brought to life what I already knew: Canada is home to amazing, ambitious, inspiring and motivated Black women. Sadly, even though many of these women are pioneers in their fields, their stories were not being told until HERstory. This historic compilation of Canadian women included women from various backgrounds and experiences, but the one thing that we all had in common was our passion for what we do.

What accomplishment are you really proud of?

[Last year], I was awarded the Patient Care Award by the Ontario Chiropractic Association. What makes this award so special to me is that it was my patients that nominated me. The fact that they think I’m deserving means the world to me. I truly love what I do and am so passionate about healthcare. The fact that my patients see this and appreciate it is icing on the cake!