Dr. Joanna Consiglio shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Joanna, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think many people are quietly struggling with confidence and self-doubt, especially the feeling that they should already know more than they do.
There’s often an unspoken pressure to have everything figured out and to be competent at all times. Behind the scenes, a lot of capable people are second-guessing themselves, worrying they’re behind, or feeling like everyone else has some playbook they missed.
I’ve learned that acknowledging what you don’t know and staying curious is actually a strength, but it’s something many people hesitate to show. Do not be afraid to ask the “dumb” questions or enter into spaces where you might not be the “most successful” yet. There is a lot to gain from learning from those around you and admitting when you may need help.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Dr. Joanna Consiglio, a chiropractor acupuncturist and the owner of Modern Motion Chiropractic & Acupuncture. I specialize in helping active individuals move better, recover faster, and feel more confident in their bodies through personalized, evidence-based care.
What makes Modern Motion different is our commitment to individualized treatment. No two bodies are the same, so no two care plans should be either. We combine chiropractic care, acupuncture, soft-tissue work, and nutrition to treat the whole person, not just a symptom.
My own journey with sports and injury shaped the way I practice today. I saw how often people were rushed through care or given generic solutions, and I knew I wanted to create something different, care that’s thoughtful, thorough, and truly patient-centered. Right now, I’m focused on continuing to grow a practice that prioritizes long-term health, performance, and trust.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
For a long time, I didn’t really see myself as someone who stood out. In high school, I was quiet, not popular, not athletic, and honestly didn’t think I was particularly smart or special in any obvious way.
That began to shift my senior year, when I started applying myself differently and developed a deep interest in medical science and health and wellness. In my science classes, I loved taking research projects a step further, diving into obscure, lesser-known topics simply because I was curious.
There was one biology class I especially enjoyed. The teacher was also a football coach, and I was very much a “nobody” in his world…he barely knew my name. But after a presentation I gave on a rare genetic disorder, he called me up to his desk and asked what my plans were after high school. I shyly said, “I want to be some kind of doctor.”
He looked at me and said, “If you don’t become one, it won’t be because of your lack of ability, it will be because of your lack of confidence.”
That moment stayed with me. Someone who barely knew me was able to see my capability before I could see it myself. He also saw my biggest downfall and the greatest challenge I will go on to fight for the rest of my life. I’ve carried that message with me ever since. Whenever doubt or fear creeps in, I remind myself that confidence, not ability, has always been the real challenge. And I consciously choose to keep showing up and pushing through it.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, many times. There were moments throughout chiropractic school when I seriously questioned whether I belonged there at all. In my very first semester, my self-doubt was so strong that I met with a school counselor to talk about dropping out.
What surprised me most was that she agreed and suggested it might be best to leave before investing too much time or money. Hearing someone else confirm the doubts I already had was shocking, but it also lit a fire in me. Instead of validating my fear, it motivated me to keep going and prove myself, and her, wrong.
I stayed, pushed through the uncertainty, and ultimately graduated at the top of my class, earning an academic award at graduation. Doubt is a normal part of life. We all have it.
Sometimes we have to view it not as a signal to stop, but as something to work through and grow beyond.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes! I would say so! But it’s also important to realize that people are always going to show a more confident, successful version of themselves, especially in business.
I’ve learned to not to compare myself to others based on what I see publicly. A lot of what looks like confidence or success is also strategy, branding, or marketing. The real work and challenges happen behind the scenes.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I’ve learned that mistakes aren’t something to avoid, they’re something to use. They’re often our clearest teachers. Mistakes are not a failure; they’re part of learning and growing. Progress rarely comes from getting everything right the first time. It comes from experimenting, missteps, reflection, and adjustment.
I think many people are afraid of making mistakes because they equate them with weakness or incompetence. In reality, a life, or career, without mistakes is usually a very safe, very limited one.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.modernmotioncle.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/modernmotioncle, www.instagram.com/drjo.consiglio
Image Credits
LAUREN A PARKER
LAUREN GRAYSON PHOTOGRAPHY LLC
