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‘I knew I wanted to work in a profession that could change people’s lives for the better’

Diego Montes, far left

Student Ambassador Diego Montes

Bay Area, California

 

Where are you from?

Diego Montes

Diego Montes

I like to think of myself as being from Northern California. I grew up in Elk Grove, California, but I have considered the Bay Area my home for the past seven years. 

What was your first experience with chiropractic?

I had never really known anything about chiropractic before a recruiter for Life West, Aaron Sanchez, came to my college classroom to talk about it. I decided to base my senior project on chiropractic, and after conducting the research became interested in becoming a doctor of chiropractic.

What inspired you to become a chiropractor?

My mom inspired me. She was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2014 and passed away in 2019, right before Aaron came to my class. Although my mom took so many medications, she never stopped telling me what made her feel better were the massages I would give her. I knew I wanted to work in a profession that could change people’s lives for the better. When chiropractic came into my life, it was meant to be.

How do you approach being a peer mentor?

I believe one needs to be patient, caring and understanding of the individual or group they mentor. What I practice as a peer mentor is to always be willing to be a resource for others.

What do you look for in your own mentor?

I look for someone with the same values as myself. They should be someone who is willing to be there for others and share from a sense of abundance.

What is the best thing about being a student ambassador?

When I see myself in the prospective students who come for Champions Discovery Weekend. I remember being so happy and intrigued that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and realized that chiropractic was home for me.

How did the Digital Discovery Weekend compare with your own Champions Discovery Weekend? Were you still able to make some personal connections?

You know, it has been really tough with this pandemic. It was definitely not the same for me because of the lack of face-to-face interaction. However, I believe the message of chiropractic was still received.

Use one word to describe your Life West experience so far:

Growth

 

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