Your Extraordinary LIFE 2020 | Page 39

Michael Becker Taking the Artist ’ s View
D . C . ALUMNI PROFILE Faces of LIFE

Michael Becker Taking the Artist ’ s View

When looking at Chiropractic through an artist ’ s lens , you may well see it as an “ art ” as well . Michael Becker , a Doctor of Chiropractic , does indeed take that view . An extremely well-spoken individual , Becker possesses a degree in Philosophy obtained from the University of Tampa in Florida , yet he walked a different path at Life University . He said that LIFE ’ s philosophy aligns well with his own personal beliefs , and after he came to the realization that he wanted to serve his fellow man , he came to LIFE to learn a profession that does just that .
For many years , Becker ’ s mother worked as a chiropractic assistant in both New Jersey and Florida , and the idea of Chiropractic seemed to always “ nudge ” him in its direction . His initial contact with Chiropractic as a therapy was when he was about 13 and had transient synovitis , also known as toxic synovitis , in his hip joint and was hospitalized due to the pain of the condition . The chiropractor for whom his mother worked visited him in the hospital and covertly performed a side posture hug adjustment .
“ My fever then broke , and I was out of the hospital the next day ,” Becker recalled . “ I had been in excruciating pain that the medical profession couldn ’ t help me with , and my chiropractor did an adjustment that immediately did the trick .” Becker seemed to be “ nudged ” even further into Chiropractic with the experience of his own successful result .
Fast forward several years , and Becker started a new chapter in his life . Those “ nudges ” blossomed into a “ push ” when he decided to pursue Chiropractic as his career .
“ Once you are able to see the light , you can ’ t turn away ,” he said . “ A lot of my philosophy is tied back into this profession . I can ’ t just make money to make money . I just wouldn ’ t feel fulfilled . Helping others improve their health is an awesome gift .”
Once the decision was made , Becker needed to find an educational institution that would also align well with his philosophy . Upon the suggestion of the chiropractor who helped him with his transient synovitis , he attended a chiropractic fair and met with a Life University representative . After that conversation , Becker was interested but did not immediately make a commitment .
“ About six months later , I came here for a LIFE Leadership Weekend . I made the decision right away and moved here and started school ,” he said . “ I think things happen for a reason , and I feel that I was meant to do this .”
Noting that a lot of the philosophy he studied is Eastern in nature , Becker added , “ I had been looking for some sort of direction , and that direction came from Eastern philosophy , and Chiropractic aligned with it so well . In Hinduism and Buddhism , they say that life is suffering , and the way out of suffering is through the Eightfold Path . I feel that it is somewhat parallel to LIFE ’ s Eight Core Proficiencies . And I also thought , what better than the use of Chiropractic to take my energy and help someone . I ’ m not even doing the healing . I ’ m just putting the force into them , and their body is healing itself .”
Becker said that he feels there is a social and political change afoot in Chiropractic , and that we at LIFE are in the right place at the right time to help society ’ s transition to greater understanding and acceptance . To that end , he joined the World Congress of Chiropractic Students and took on the responsibility of president of the Life University chapter .
“ It ’ s a lot of work , but a great vehicle for networking about issues and , ultimately , change ,” Becker said . “ I feel that there are differing views on where Chiropractic should be heading , but I think that our generation is the one that will really put it together for the common good of all .”
When speaking about his talent for painting , Becker noted that he won several art competitions when he was younger , and that his work was even showcased at the Tampa Museum of Art and the Tampa Performing Arts Center . While he had success in his youth , he did not pick up his brush again until the completion of his undergraduate degree . Now , he paints as a creative outlet and to “ ground ” himself .
A favorite painter of Becker ’ s is abstract artist Wassily Kandinsky . He said that he feels that Kandinsky ’ s paintings do not represent anything concrete and do not have a lot of structure , making them abstract and up for interpretation . They hold a great deal of meaning to him . About his own work , Becker said , “ I really like outer space , so a lot of it has a cosmic feel to it , and it ’ s very abstract . My favorite part of showing my paintings to others is the different interpretations that people have of them .”
Becker ’ s interpretation of his creative art also relates to the way he sees the art of Chiropractic . As he put it , “ That ‘ vagueness ’ about Chiropractic is very much up for interpretation — each person can interpret and take from it what they need , just as they do with my art .”
After graduating with his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from LIFE , Becker has stayed in Atlanta — for now . In the future , Becker sees his fiancée , whom he met at LIFE , their daughter and himself moving home to Tampa , Florida within the next five years .
“ I am working at The Joint in Buckhead . It ’ s pretty cool to be able to see so many different people every day ,” he said . “ I get to live with the purpose of serving our city , improving my skills every day . I get to practice and educate how I want . I am involved in the largest corporation in Chiropractic .”
Becker also emphasized his gratitude for everything he received during his time at Life University .
“ I really can ’ t put it into words ,” he said . “ The professors , the staff , my peers — I am truly taken aback by how seamless going from student to doc was . Starting practice this year right as the pandemic hit was scary . I ’ m blessed to have been able to serve the whole year without interruption , feed my family and do my part to slow the spread of the virus .”
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