We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christy Giroux a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Christy, thank you so much for joining us today and appreciate you talking about a sensitive topic. It’s unfortunately relevant to so many in the community as layoffs have been on the rise recently, and so we’d appreciate hearing your story and how you overcame being let go?
In 2012 my husband and I had become irritated with the state of the fitness industry. Big box gyms catered towards gaining memberships, but not servicing their gym goers. In fact they hoped many people would never step foot in their facilities. This drove our decision to open up a fitness studio that specialized in small group training. We catered towards those people that wanted personalized instruction but in a group setting thus making it affordable for people to achieve results safely and effectively. I loved my job! I loved working with people, motivating them to set and attain their goals, and helping people feel like they had a place that could be their home away from home. Then in 2020 when the pandemic hit, businesses closed and the world changed. Little did we know that after the mandated shut down that our fitness studio would never re-open its doors. I knew I needed to pivot. I knew I wanted to continue to work with people towards reaching their optimal health, but I knew I wanted a new challenge and a new career that would allow me to work well into my 60’s. I decided to enroll in an acupuncture school and spent the next three years studying, learning, and practicing the art of Chinese Medicine. After three years of year round school I earned my Master of Acupuncture degree and became a Licensed Acupuncturist. I completely turned a really difficult year (2020) into a new accomplishment and a new career path. In 2024 I opened a solo practice, Balance Acupuncture & Wellness, in Frederick, Maryland. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning a new way of thinking, a new language if you will. Working with patients has given me a new purpose in life and a new passion. I am excited to continue to be a lifelong learner and know that my patients will continue to teach me and need me to study, learn, and grow.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I absolutely love combining my experience and knowledge of exercise and movement with the art of Chinese Medicine. Many people are looking for a balance in life – that could be the balance of home life/work life, the balance of mental health/physical health, living a life that aligns with their values and beliefs, etc…and as we know achieving balance is an ongoing process. Through movement, nutrition, creating relationships, and taking ownership of our health we can live a very fulfilling life and the idea of being a small part in someone’s health & wellness fills me with energy and excitement.
I am finding that in my professional life I love working with people who may be experiencing pain, the patients that have tried everything and nothing seems to help, the patients who go to health professional and doctors only to be told they need to live with it only to find out that they don’t have to accept that answer.
What excites me most about Chinese Medicine is that there is ALWAYS more to learn. I could study for the rest of my life and still not have all the answers or know everything there is to know. I love the fact that I want to continue to learn and study and grow as a professional.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Set the bar high. The only way we grow is by challenging ourselves. Whether you are thinking about changing a career in your mid-40’s or signing up for your first 5K, do it! We are given this one beautiful life and we need to make the most of it. Yes it can be scary, but it can also be insanely rewarding.
2. Allow those around you to support you. We cannot do everything, but we can do anything. This is something I’ve learned in my 40’s and really worked on. We cannot do everything, but we can do anything. It is my life motto.
3. In this era of social media, AI, and computers, make time to connect with people. Look people in their eyes, listen to their stories, share your thoughts with others. Social connection, professional connection, and family is so important. Don’t let work take away from creating true, real life connections.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Simply put, my parents were there for me. I always felt secure because I knew my parents were there for me. I was lucky to grow up in a safe home in a great neighborhood. My parents provided me with experiences and resources. They exposed me to sports, music, and theater. They encouraged me to try anything and everything.
As an adult I am also realizing just how much of my life I have modeled after them. Opening a small business, prioritizing my family over everything, being there for my son after school and at sports games, giving back to my community, and creating a life not of extravagance but of purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.balanceacupuncturemd.com/
- Instagram: @balance.with.christy
Image Credits
Ashley Dougherty Photography
https://www.ashleydoughertyphotography.com/
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