Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Dr. Katie Ulam of Myrtle Beach

We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Katie Ulam and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
My favorite place to be is on the water! It truly is my happy place! I feel very blessed to live in the best area where all my family and friends can come visit and share my love of the water.

I also love exercising daily! I’m fortunate to have a career in which I’m always moving and I love that. You don’t need fancy equipment to walk outside or do squats at home!

I am a huge advocate for rescue animals and I had 3 of my own rescue dogs, Duke, Mojo, and Sammie. We lost Duke and Mojo in 2022 and 2024. Sammie has become my emotional support and best bud and I’ve become his. We go to the beach daily and he has his own stroller for my power walks! He is in the office everyday as the head office manager making sure we are all working hard! We like to remind everyone daily to adopt don’t shop!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Katie Ulam and I have been a chiropractor for 12.5 years now. It will be 8 years at the end of November that I started my own practice! I pride myself in truly listening to my patients and helping them get back to their lifestyle with more tools and tricks than when they came in. Chiropractic is so much more than just “cracking” backs as I hear everyone say. I have always been into more holistic approaches throughout my life and I’m glad I never strayed away from what I truly love.
I recently hired a new associate chiropractor who was my intern in 2023 and we are excited to grow the practice! We offer a wide variety of techniques and services in our office ranging from Class 4 Medical Grade Summus Laser, dry needling, professional assisted stretching, cupping, graston technique, and electrical stimulation.
The humans body is fascinating and if you give it the right tools, it will respond exactly how it is designed to.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents both worked in factories when I was growing up and into my adult life. They were the definition of hard work. I saw the long hours and days they put into jobs that were not easy.

It truly motivated me as a kid to become something more. I always had big dreams and watching them hustle encouraged me to push myself forward to do anything I put my mind to. Quitting is never an option in my mind.

My parents never went to college and I knew that I wanted to make them proud of all the work they did that I always noticed. They probably have no clue that they inspired me to become the best person, chiropractor, and business owner that I am today and I hope I have made them proud.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
In 2022 I put my practice up for sale and never wanted to come back. Luckily for me, I didn’t receive any serious inquires and we are absolutely thriving in 2025.

I had a very traumatic year in 2022 that ended with having melanoma surgery on my leg, in which it was a very major and unexpected lengthy recovery. I ended up on crutches for 12 weeks and found myself feeling completely helpless. I was working a few hours a day and by the end of those hours my leg would hurt so bad all I could do was go home and prop it up on the couch. I am a VERY independent individual so this really brought me down to a level of discomfort I did not know how to handle. I had to ask for help for everything and that was so difficult. I didn’t realize how depressed I was til the summer of 2023 when my best friend took me out on her boat she had just purchased and never let me look back on that dark place again.

A lot of people don’t know this story about me. I was very quiet about it because I didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for me. I truly wanted to run away and never return. I’m beyond thankful for my family who were always there to stay with me and help me through the difficult time and the close friends that would continually check on me throughout it all. Sometimes you truly don’t know what someone is going through if they’re not sharing their every move on social media. Be kind.

During my hardest years, I met and grew with some of the best humans I know. I don’t know where I would be without them and I’m so thankful for all of their friendships.

I learned a lot of life lessons throughout that year and into the next several. I have a favorite scripture I would just keep saying to myself over and over and over, even when I didn’t believe it. Proverbs 3:5-6.

I’m thankful for everyone who pushed me through those difficult years and never let me give up. I wouldn’t be who I am today without it.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’ve always had a vision for my practice to be a massive wellness clinic. I want to be the first person people think about when they want to ‘get healthy’. Chiropractic care is so much more than just ‘cracking backs’ and I want to show people this.
Unfortunately, I don’t feel our healthcare system sets you up for success towards a healthy journey. I want to help people see that there are so many ways to be well without constantly popping a pill or taking a shot.
We are always growing and improving in my practice and I’m excited to add more functional medicine practices very soon. At the end of the day, I’m not doing my job or serving my purpose if I don’t stand behind my beliefs. Check back in on us in 5-7 years and I promise you our clinic will be the wellness clinic I’ve always imagined.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most at peace when I am at the beach or on a boat. I love the water and it truly is my happy place. I’m fortunate to have my office 2 blocks from the beach and every morning before work I spend time down there preparing for the day. Something about the water just completely calms my entire soul.

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