Dr. James Zielenski DC shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
James, 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 are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I’m chasing discomfort on purpose. Because every time things feel comfortable, I know I’ve stopped growing. Comfort is easy to confuse with success, but for me it’s a warning sign. It means I’ve adapted to my surroundings instead of expanding beyond them.
What I’m chasing isn’t ease or certainty—it’s the stretch. The moments where I’m unsure, where I feel exposed, where I have to learn fast or fall behind. That discomfort forces honesty. It sharpens focus. It demands growth. When I’m uncomfortable, I’m paying attention.
If I stopped chasing, I’d probably feel lighter at first. Less pressure. Fewer risks. But that relief wouldn’t last. It would turn into stagnation. I’d lose the edge that comes from being challenged and the clarity that comes from effort. I don’t want a life that feels safe but small.
So I chase uncomfortably—because comfort means I’ve arrived, and I’m not done growing.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. James Zielenski, a chiropractor and the owner of Coastal Chiropractic Clinic. What I do goes far beyond pain relief I help people understand their bodies, move better, and get back to doing what they love without fear or limitation. Our approach is hands on, movement focused, and rooted in finding the cause, not just masking symptoms. We combine chiropractic care with techniques like Active Release, dry needling, rehab, and performance based care so patients don’t just feel better they function better. What makes our clinic unique is that we treat everyday people like athletes and athletes like humans, meeting each person where they are and pushing them safely toward where they want to be. Right now, I’m focused on expanding education around posture, headaches, and performance based care so people stop settling for “normal pain” and start expecting more from their health.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad, Joe, taught me what work really means. He showed me that you don’t cut corners, you don’t wait for motivation, and you don’t take days off from doing your best. He worked hard whether anyone was watching or not, and he gave full effort to everything he touched. Watching him taught me that success isn’t about talent or luck, it’s about showing up every day, trying your hardest, and taking pride in the work no matter how big or small the task is.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me more than success ever could. Success can make you comfortable, but suffering forces you to grow. It stripped away my ego, exposed my weaknesses, and pushed me to rely on something bigger than myself. The Bible reminds us that perseverance is built through trials and that endurance shapes character and hope. In the hardest seasons, I learned humility, patience, and trust, not in my own strength, but in God’s. Those moments refined me, taught me obedience, and gave my work deeper purpose. I wouldn’t choose the suffering again, but I wouldn’t trade what it taught me either.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the medical field sells is that a pill is a quick fix. We’re taught to believe that symptoms are the problem and medication is the solution, but most pills only quiet the signal, they don’t address the cause. Real healing is slower and less convenient. It comes from lifestyle changes, daily habits, movement, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and personal responsibility. The body was designed to heal when it’s given the right environment. Medication has its place, but it should support health, not replace the hard work of changing how we live. Long-term health isn’t found in a bottle, it’s built in the choices we make every day.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people remember me for how I cared about them, especially my patients. That I was honest, even when it was uncomfortable, and that I told people what they needed to hear, not just what they wanted to hear. I want to be remembered as someone who truly listened, who put people before convenience, and who never treated health like a transaction. Above all, I hope I’m remembered for loving Jesus and for loving my family deeply, faithfully, and without compromise. If those things are what remain, then I’ll know I lived the right way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yuleechiropractic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costalchiropracticclinic/?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ%3D%3D
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coastalchiroclinic/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/coastal-chiropractic-clinic-yulee
