Welcome to Leveling Up with Lindsay, the podcast
where we dive into leadership, small business,
and everything in between. I'm Lindsay, your
host and the proud owner of White Beauty Boutique,
a space created to empower women, build confidence,
and foster meaningful connections. Whether you're
an entrepreneur, a mom, a friend, or someone
just looking for a little inspiration. This is
your space to feel seen, supported, and inspired.
Join me as we share stories, strategies, and
a little bit of life's chaos while navigating
what it truly means to level up in starting a
business, relationship, and personal growth.
So grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and let's
level up together. Welcome back to Leveling Up
with Lindsay. Today's episode feels especially
meaningful to me because I'm sitting down with
someone I've admired for a very, very long time,
even before we ever officially connected. Sometimes
you come across a person and you can just tell.
Their presence carries depth, their leadership
carries integrity, their work carries intention.
That's how Amanthi has felt to me. I haven't
known Amanthi for years, but I've watched her
from a distance. I've watched how she shows up,
how she leads, how she works with excellence
while still leading with heart. And remember
thinking, that is definitely someone I want to
learn from. What I admire most about Amanthi
isn't just her accomplishments, and there are
definitely many. It's her work ethic, her clarity,
and the quiet confidence she carries into every
space she enters. She's the kind of leader who
doesn't need to announce herself. You feel her
presence instead. Today's conversation is honest,
grounded, and deeply inspiring. We talk about
leadership, growth, health, purpose, and what
it truly looks like to evolve, not just professionally.
So before we dive in, I want to say this. I'm
genuinely grateful she said yes to this conversation.
Amanthi, I'm so honored to have you, and I'd
love for you to start by introducing yourself
and sharing a little bit about your journey.
I grew up in Sri Lanka and came to the U .S.
with just two suitcases and a whole lot of belief
that I could build something meaningful. I studied
at Iowa State University, then went on to grad
school in Davenport, Iowa, where I got my doctorate
in chiropractic, and then the plan was to get
experience here and move back home and open a
clinic. but life had other plans. I met my husband
from Minnesota, and together we decided to plant
our roots here, start a family, and I built my
practice, Demon Spinal Can Concussion Center.
That's a little bit about me in a nutshell and
how I got started. I love it. And you're obviously
a wife and a mom. You have the sweetest little
boy. Thank you. I love it. So you definitely,
your story, Amanthi, has always inspired me like
deeply. I think what you've done and what you've
accomplished and your deep roots and values of
your family life are so incredible. I just want
you to know, I definitely look up to you in so
many ways. But I would love to talk a little
bit more. When you look back on your early life
and your upbringing, what do you think those
years taught you about resilience or responsibility,
caring for others? Yeah, so growing up in a developing
country taught me that resilience is built through
community. Our culture was very collective. Family
and friends were always together, sharing meals,
and people just... stopping by whenever there
was always room at the table that sense of togetherness
and caring for others shaped who I am and it's
something I bring into my work every day creating
spaces where people feel supported and cared
for you know that is one thing so I follow you
on social media of course and I talked to you
about this before and Mandy a good friend of
both of ours I love seeing your family gatherings
and you are quite the cook hey thanks I like
cooking you do such a good job when you talk
about family gatherings and like your values
I can see that clear as day and I actually love
what because you make a lot from scratch don't
you yeah you guys have got to come over yeah
I was like you but you if anyone is listening
right now honestly follow Monty on social media
because it's really cool to connect all of your
achievements and your accomplishments to who
you are. And it's very clear without even trying,
like it's very clear what your values of family
are. And I just love seeing your get togethers
and I love seeing your food that you make from
scratch. I was like, Oh, you put me to shame.
Oh my goodness. So a month that you've been invested
deeply in learning and growth over the years,
of course, from your education. your advanced
training, to continue your leadership development,
of course, to speaking I've seen in professional
spaces. From your perspective, what does real
expertise actually require from a person? Someone
can go through the process and have the title
of being a doctor, of course, an extensive process
at that. But real expertise in your area, your
business, what does that actually mean? besides
the title. Yeah. I think real expertise is fueled
by passion, but grounded in humility. It's not
just about accumulating knowledge or credentials.
It's about staying curious and being willing
to keep learning even when you're already considered
an expert. Yeah. I love that. I love that. I
think no matter what field you're in, if you
truly like an expert or expertise is such a strong
phrase, but You know, the true genuine, like
being curious about something you love or something
that fuels you with passion is so important.
And I think that's when people turn to you is
when they can feel that sense of heart and love
for what you're doing. So I couldn't agree with
you more. I think that's really powerful. Now
you've built and led your own healthcare business.
You've definitely collaborated with community
organizations and spoke to leaders, you know,
about innovation, collaboration, resilience.
When you moved from doing the work, because you
have done put the time and the work into getting
to where you are right now. But what shifted
for you personally when it went from doing the
work? To leading the work. Yeah. So even as I
stepped more into leadership, I never fully stepped
away from patient care. I still see patients
part -time because that connection keeps me grounded.
What shifted was realizing I could also impact
healthcare at a bigger level, shaping systems,
leading conversations, and improving how a care
is delivered. That's why I actually pursued my
postgraduate program at Harvard, so that I can
learn to grow, to lead, and to... serve more
effectively. That's incredible. So what is it
like with your care with your patients? Like
what makes you different? I mean, your practice,
what is different from the rest, do you think?
Yeah. So we're mainly an upper cervical chiropractic
practice, and we do baseline testing for concussions,
and we do some nutrition counseling and things
like that too. We have a very precise and gentle
approach to chiropractic. There's like over 200
techniques out there. So what we practice is
a little bit different. It's called Atlas Orthogonal
Chiropractic. Most of the people that we see
come with neck pain, headaches, migraines, post
-concussion. I was just going to ask you about
that. Actually, I had a conversation. One of
my employees, her husband had gone through a
very traumatic brain injury this year. And with
our discussion, and a light bulb came on when
I saw some of the work that you've done online
or your team. And Autumn was like, oh my gosh,
what a great resource for her husband to come
for continued care. Because it actually is incredible.
This isn't negative on anyone, but unfortunately
people do get lost in the system a little bit.
And for her, and she's like, what a great resource.
to come see you with Erin because, you know,
like once you're done and out of their care,
you're done. You're gone. Right. And then who
do you turn to, especially for a traumatic brain
injury? And healing is a process. It is. And
your brain is always evolving. Like you have
to do certain things to continue to heal. Yes.
Yeah. So, Amanthi, you've had moments where your
work has made, obviously, a real visible impact
in your community. obviously the people you serve
and through the conversations that you've been
invited to but when you pause and reflect on
those moments what actually stands out to you
most about why you do the work that you do yeah
so what stands out most is how rewarding this
work is seeing people struggle with migraines
headaches post -concussion symptoms for years
and then finally they're getting some relief
and even if you get like 50 progress or improvement
that's huge yeah yeah that can change how somebody
shows up in life and those add up and it's very
rewarding. Do you have pretty long -term patients?
Yes, we do. That just continue to come back.
For maintenance care, yeah. Because, I mean,
you have so many stresses nowadays and it helps
you adapt to stresses better when you're aligned
and your nervous system is functioning optimally.
A friend of ours, Mandy, gave me insight to her
experience coming to see you. And she kind of
was like, she told me about the thing that you
used on her neck. I don't know. I don't know
words for those contraptions. It's the Atlas
orthogonal instrument. It's called a stylus.
Okay, there we go. But she was telling me how
that worked. And she goes, it's actually changed
my life. And I was like, wow, that's incredible.
So I would love to know a day in the life of
Dr. Amanthi. What does that look like? Just general,
like work, personal life, just a little rundown.
What that looks like for you because you are
busy. Wake up and then get baby ready. My husband
helps out quite a bit with like getting him ready
because he runs around. Brushing his teeth is
a whole process. And then he'll get him to daycare
and I go to work and he goes to work. He works
in Painesville. And then work, serving patients
or leading team. And then I do a few like...
The people that I collaborate with, I would like
meet up with professionals. At the end of the
day, picking up is my part. So I pick up our
son and then start to make dinner. And then we
spend a little bit of family time together. And
then it's bath time for baby and putting him
to bed. When I did the Harvard program, it was
a one -year program. So then I'd study at night
or early in the morning. And now though, I'm
like, oh, I don't, what do I do? time that you
know what to do please don't start something
again like give yourself a break a little bit
of break so I love that are you an over like
an well I would say you are but like are you
to your core an achiever like Asian parents like
you like you don't get to sleep in or anything
you just you know you're a doer I love that like
yeah so like growing up in like Asian culture
too like you have to do more be more it's funny
because I've had this conversation with me. So
as you reflect on everything that you've built
on monthly and experience so far, what out of
like looking back at everything from education
to, you know, your journey to your leadership,
to owning your practice, to being a mom and a
wife, what do you think truly has made you stronger?
Especially, obviously, there are always seasons
that have stretched everybody individually. But
what does that look like for you? Yeah, I think
my daily rituals and that foundation makes me
really strong. Exercise, meditation, family time,
all those are like my daily rituals. And I think
having a strong support system like your family
is so huge. So what do you kind of work out?
I'm just curious. Like what do you do in the
morning? I go to Orange Theory or Cape Hover.
Yeah. Those are the two things. So running and
like the hot yoga and then your meditation. Do
you do that at home or what does that look like?
I do. I have this app, like a mindfulness app.
And then I do that like 10 minutes. It sets my
sets of my days so well. And then the days that
I miss it, I'm like, oh, why didn't I do that?
Like that gets you started like in the right
foot. You view everything like a little differently.
You don't get irritable. I love that. Something
can go really wrong and you just chill. You're
okay. Yes. Okay. Noted. Everyone listening, let's
add this to our 2026 resume. No, I actually,
that has been something kind of, you know, this
last like year or two business has like changed
in many, many ways in within economy kind of
being up and down. That has been one thing on
my mind. I have a place in my office. pretty
much set up for it perfectly yeah but you know
have I done this so I'm gonna put it out here
in the podcast world right now and in front of
you that I will do a minute. I'm going to start
the meditating. I'll send you a text. Hey, did
you meditate? I'm going to make me do it tomorrow.
Otherwise we can't do this starting a Monday
thing because it'll never happen. But truly I
have heard nothing but great benefits about just
grounding you and bringing that peace to your
core before you start the day before the chaos
starts. Yeah. That's really neat. Is there any
other advice as far as you'd give to someone
as far as their routine? I think movement is
so important. In the Western world, you look
at exercises like, oh, like how you look, but
there's so much more to it. It's not the way
you look, but it's the peace of mind and clarity
that it gives. And also how, like for spinal
hygiene, it's kind of like dental hygiene. It's
so important. And then when the endorphins are
released, like you feel super good. Like why
not start your day that way? I actually loved
what you just said about your, did you say spinal?
What did you say? Spinal hygiene. Yeah. Never
thought of it that way. That's incredible. Can
you elaborate on that a little bit more? Like
your thoughts about that? Like it being like
a dental hygiene, I totally have never thought
of it that way. Yeah. So you have to take care
of spinal health, like your dental health. So
that's why like I love chiropractic care. When
you align, you function better. And then movement,
because like your joints need movement. So if
you were just like sitting all day at work, I
mean, that does impact you and affect you. So
movement, the right type of nutrition, being
in alignment, all that. That's super important
for spinal health so that you can live a good
quality of life. I love that. I think that's
a really great way of thinking because, you know,
I'm always like eager to get a teeth cleaning
on the books. But you think of, you know, exercise
and making a routine for yourself as being honestly
chores when it should be thought about opposite.
Right. Absolutely. Yeah. So this is kind of the
perfect transition, I think, because, you know,
Amanthi and I talked a little bit about our theme
at White Peony Boutique is New Year, Stronger
You. And that theme is different than ever before.
Everyone's heard of the theme New Year, New You.
This year, it is not anything new about you.
It's actually we've all tackled an interesting
2025. I have been a part of many conversations
where people. health or wellness or financial
or business or no business you know it's been
a bit of a roller coaster when we came up with
the new year stronger youth theme it was about
standing in your values looking back at 2025
and saying I conquered whatever that year looked
like for you and standing tall and owning it
and saying what are the lessons I learned what
are my beliefs what are my values what am i bringing
to the table so the new year's stronger you going
into 2026 is really really about standing more
confidently and being an even better version
of you right nothing changes just knowing and
learning and taking what you've learned and being
the strongest you for 2026 but when people say
they want to be stronger this year what do you
hope they really understand about that word would
you say like what's your take on that Yeah, strength
isn't about doing more or pushing harder. Real
strength is feeling grounded and regulated and
aligned. When the mind and body are supported,
strength becomes more sustainable. Absolutely,
absolutely. It's definitely deeper than the surface
level. So many people step into the new year
pushing harder and you just kind of said it.
What would you say to someone who actually needs
permission to slow down or to become stronger?
Like what would you say to them? So growing up
in Asian culture, I was always taught to push
harder and do more. So through my marriage, I've
learned that slowing down actually makes you
stronger. Slowing down brings more clarity, presence,
and intention. And I've learned that through
my husband, Nicholas. I love that. Mostly it's
how his behavior. and how he approaches life.
And it's such a great example. Yeah. I love that.
I love that. We talked about this a little bit,
but when it comes to health. How do you encourage
people to think beyond pressure, goals, and perfection?
I would imagine you have these conversations
in your practice with friends and family, but
what would you say? Definitely, health isn't
about pressure or perfection. It's about listening
to your body and choosing what genuinely supports
you. Progress happens when you work with your
body, not against it. I'm sure you probably see
a lot. Every person is so different. Absolutely.
I actually had more success in my health when
I stopped thinking and talking about scales and
sizes and anything about that and started understanding
what fuels me and how I could sleep better and
those kind of things. So I'm sure you have those
conversations every day. Absolutely, yes. Is
there any tidbits or other advice that you typically
give or conversations that you would have? Healing
is a process. It's never linear. So you're going
to have those ups and downs. But when you have
those downs, remembering all the wins and the
high points in life so that you can get through
it, you know that you can get through it, it
does help a ton because mindset is a huge part
of it. Yeah, that's true. So it's never linear.
So, Amantha, you lead in very powerful spaces.
But leadership also, of course, shows up. We
talked about this a little bit in everyday life.
What does leadership look like for someone listening
who isn't running a company or isn't running
a team? Leadership shows up in the way you treat
people every day. It's about presence, kindness,
integrity, and respect. And we all want to treat
others like how we want to be treated. It could
be that you're not leading a business, but you're
leading your family or a group in a school. So
you're always... leading in some way and I think
if you do it in a kind and respected manner that
that says a lot It does. We talked about this
in one of our last episodes, like how you leave
a room, how you enter a room, how you make people
feel, how you leave a room and make people feel.
But it is in every aspect of your life, whether
you're at home with your family or whether you're
walking into a store or a grocery store or walking
out. If it is a school group that you're a part
of or you're an athlete in school, if you're
listening to this and you're an athlete and how
you, you know, your team. how you make them feel
when you're pressing. Absolutely. Yeah. So this
year isn't about fixing everything. What do you
believe it is about? So fixing to me is, it creates
a lot of overwhelm, at least to me. So I think
this year to me is about alignment, peace and
growth. That's my focus and that's how I look
at it. When you're well rested and when you trust
the process, usually things go a lot better.
And growth becomes pretty natural and sustainable.
Yeah, I agree. I love that you said alignment.
Like alignment is... To me, when we talk about
the new year, stronger you, and you talk about
alignment, what brings you peace? For me personally,
there was moments in 2025 that brought me to
dive into the hardest of what brings me peace,
like really focusing on what that looks like
and what that feels like. And so I think if anything,
like I can say personally, I'm standing stronger
in who I am. And that means that I am letting
things come in front of me or welcoming new ideas
or new people. But it has to align. It has to
align with who I am, my values, and all of that.
So I think that that's perfect. I think we're
on the same page with the New Year's Stronger
You. The one thing I think about you when I think,
without even knowing you for very long, is that
you stand grounded in your values and what aligns
with your beliefs. When I think of New Year's
Stronger You, there's nothing like if I said
a month, what would you say to that, honestly?
You just stand stronger in exactly who you are.
So good. Okay. For someone listening who wants
this year to feel steadier, healthier, and more
aligned, where would you encourage them to begin?
I would say start with rest. I feel like everyone's
so... ain't manned at that and stressed so yeah
start with rest and then some movement and alignment
when you're not rested you don't make good decisions
you don't have clarity you just yeah like a zombie
i couldn't agree with you more you can't think
right so you make better decisions and you live
a better quality of life so yeah i agree you
know i went through a process with this for someone
who couldn't sleep very well is up tossing and
turning and anxiety kind of took over some nights.
Is there a recommendation for someone to get
better rest? Yeah. Start with alignment. I can
help you. Step one. There are certain... herbs
and formulas and so many things that you can
take to help support rest but if you're thinking
like better ways that you can do it at home having
like a sleep routine getting to bed on a certain
time reducing screen time a couple of hours ahead
of time even doing a small meditation to just
get your neurons to not be firing so much and
just for things to calm down there are certain
teas you can do to help slow down and unwind
so I should have done the meditation the other
night. My mind was going a thousand miles an
hour with all these things I'm working on behind
the scenes and all these ideas. And if I would
have taken five minutes out of, you know, to
go in my office and just do a small meditation,
I honestly think that is exactly what have just
calmed well. I will be coming to see you for
more recommendations. Honestly, as we wrap up
today's episode, I want to pause for a moment
and say a monthly thank you. Thank you. Thank
you for your honesty, your vulnerability, your
wisdom. Thank you for the way you lead, not just
with knowledge, but with intention, humility,
and heart. This conversation reminded me that
leadership doesn't have to be loud to be powerful,
that growth doesn't have to be rushed to be meaningful,
and that the most impactful leaders are the ones
who stay rooted in who they are, even as they
continue to become more. to everyone listening
if today's conversation resonated with you I
hope it reminded you that your path doesn't need
to look like anyone else's your pace is allowed
to be your own and your purpose will unfold in
the moments where you choose integrity over pressure
Amanthi is such a beautiful example of what it
looks like to lead with clarity, discipline,
and heart. And I know this won't be her last
time her voice stays with you. Thank you Amanthi
for being here and for the example you continue
to set. And thank you to everyone listening for
spending your time with us today. If this episode
encouraged you, share it with someone who needs
a reminder. And, of course, reach out to Miss
Amanthi. Follow her on social media or you can
email me, drdamon .damonspinalcare .com. Yeah,
and follow me on social. I love it. So until
next time, keep growing, keep leading with intention,
and keep leveling up. Thank you for listening.
If you found this information helpful, please
share it with a friend. If you're looking for
more information on the topics we covered, please
head to the show notes below. And if you wouldn't
mind leaving a five -star rating and review,
this would help this mission and our journey
to get started. Let's make today and every day
an opportunity to level up. Until next time,
keep dreaming, keep striving, and keep making
a difference.