Dr. Kenney’s Friday 5 Spot
On Fridays, I like to share experiences from my week—both with patients and in my personal life—that have left a meaningful impact. My hope is that these reflections offer you something of value, a bit of insight or encouragement that resonates with your own journey and inspires you in some way.
Something I’ll always remember. During the year I lived in Georgia, thunderstorms were frequent and often epic. One day I pulled into my apartment complex during one such time with lightning cracking, thunder seemingly shaking the ground, and torrential rain coming down in sheets. But as I stepped out of my car, I noticed that just one foot to my left there was no rain at all. Chaos all around, yet inches away, complete calm. I’ve never seen anything like it before or since, and that image remains with me because it feels like the perfect metaphor for life.
The storms we face whether personal, professional, or emotional can feel endless while we’re in them. We convince ourselves there’s no shelter, relief, or break in sight. However, as I witnessed that day years ago, storms always have an edge. If we keep moving forward, even slowly, we eventually step into clearer skies. That doesn’t mean the storm wasn’t painful or damaging; only that it wasn’t permanent. Endurance creates the space for better days to find us, often just a few steps beyond where we thought the rain would never stop.
Something I believe. One thing I’ve come to believe deeply is captured in the saying, “No one is coming to save you.” This isn’t a cynical statement, nor does it deny that generous, supportive people exist. Instead, it highlights a fundamental truth that your progress begins with your own initiative. Whether you’re pursuing financial improvement, starting a business, training for a marathon, or losing a significant amount of weight, the first and most important steps must come from you. You are the one who designs the plan, sets the pace, and chooses the level of commitment required for meaningful change.
What you’ll often find is that while people will cheer you on, very few will push you to apply yourself more, train harder, wake up earlier, or stay disciplined with your goals. Yet there will be plenty who unintentionally nudge you in the opposite direction toward comfort, shortcuts, or habits that steer you off course. Thus it is crucial to stay anchored to where you want to go and what you’re willing to sacrifice to get there. The truth is, no one is coming to save you but with clarity, discipline, and awareness, you can absolutely save yourself and build a life you’re proud of.
An important concept. It is vital to understand that progress rarely follows a straight line. Many of us have experienced early success whether through a new nutrition plan, workout routine, or a new, disciplined habit only to find that the results eventually slow down or stop altogether. This can feel discouraging, but it’s a normal and predictable part of growth. Our bodies and our minds are efficient systems that by design adapt quickly to whatever stimulus we give them. Thus, what works brilliantly at first becomes the new baseline, and the dramatic changes taper off. Understanding this prevents frustration and keeps us from abandoning efforts that are still working, just differently.
The key is to recognize that a plateau isn’t failure; it’s simply information. This is your body or environment telling you, “If you want to keep progressing, it’s time to adjust.” In fitness, that might mean adding strength training or refining nutrition. In business or coaching, it might mean shifting strategy, learning a new skill, or elevating standards. The principle is the same however, what worked yesterday won’t always work tomorrow, and that’s okay. Progress belongs to those willing to evaluate, fine-tune, and adapt which turns plateaus into stepping-stones for the next level.
A recent experience. I attended a conference in Atlanta a few weeks ago with a group of highly successful chiropractors, a type of event I hadn’t been to since 2009, when I was only three years into my career. Sitting there, I couldn’t help but compare who I was then to who I am now. Early in my career I was hungry for the “secret sauce,” convinced that success meant copying someone else’s blueprint. I believed that if I followed the right script or model, I’d achieve the results I wanted both financially and clinically. Sixteen years later, it’s clear to me that true success doesn’t come from mimicking others, but from understanding yourself.
Learning from others is valuable when it supports but does not replace your own strengths and authenticity. We all have unique traits that make us effective, and trying to imitate others only creates discomfort and distance from who we truly are. My career began to take off when I embraced being the energetic, plain-talking doctor my patients know today. That genuine approach developed trust, built confidence, and allowed everything else to grow naturally. I don’t rely on scripts, gimmicks, or even formal marketing; I simply love what I do and give my best each day. The lesson is simple: you’re far more powerful as the best version of yourself than as a lesser copy of someone else.
Some quotes I Love.
“Don’t expect front-row seats if you’re giving nosebleed effort.” – Eric Thomas
“When life gives you a new beginning, don’t repeat old mistakes.”