MAVEN SPOTLIGHT: BRIAN KELLY, PRACTITIONER OF THE WEEK

This week’s Maven Spotlight focuses on Brian Kelly, who believes that every time he can help a patient it’s a huge accomplishment! He is passionate about helping people heal through his acupuncture business, Enso Acupuncture & Healing Arts. Don’t miss all of the inspiring details that Brian discusses in his interview below!

A brief story of what Brian Kelly does…

I help people get out of pain, get healthy and happy. The foundation for anyone to live an optimal, amazing and fulfilling life is rooted in their health! It is a persons #1 currency. No one can conquer their world if they are sick or unhealthy. I know first hand how important it is and I want everyone to realize what a gift health can be. That way, they may cherish and protect it.

Why he does what he does…

The main way I help others with their health is thought acupuncture and educating them about topics on health and longevity. Acupuncture is a great tool because it supports and amplifies the bodies own system of healing. And education helps people make better choices and form better habits that can support their health.

How did you get into holistic health care?

I spent the first 16 years of my life being very sick. Being young, you usually don’t care or think about your health, but I was very aware of my disease. It affected all aspects of my life. As I got older my health got worse and the impact it had on my life was amplified, as well. Finally on Christmas day, 1991 I had a liver transplant. It was a tough recovery, but once I was fully recovered I was so amazed and happy at how good being healthy felt!

I wanted to protect my health at all costs and it quickly became my passion. I was always into eastern philosophy and spiritual thinking, so it didn’t take me long to find acupuncture, Chinese medicine and all things holistic. After exploring alternative medicine and holistic healing, it was clear to me that I wanted to spend my life not only learning it for myself, but for helping others to cultivate and protect their own health and healing.

What makes you special, unique and different?

I have had to fight for my health and my life on more than one occasion. I sympathize and empathize with everyone that is in pain or struggles with any health issue. I have been through so many surgeries, tests and procedures that I almost know first-hand what they are feeling or thinking.

I’ve spent a lot of time as a patient in the Machine called “Western Medicine”. Because of this, I know that this is NOT how medicine is supposed to be. We all deserve more and that is what I try to give my patients. More presence, more time, more empathy, more understanding, more love and more healing.

But most of all I’m a survivor and I know that we all have it within us to be a warrior / survivor. We can all tap into this during our most difficult times.

What or who are your inspirations?

I try to look for inspirations everywhere, because often they are hiding in front of us. I’m always inspired by huge acts of generosity and selflessness. My wife and kids inspire me to wake up and be the best husband and father I can be everyday.

On social media, I tend not to follow any actors, companies and brands. Instead, I like to follow thought leaders and public figures that inspire and motivate me. An example of that is Tony Robbins, who is a peak performance coach and master motivator. Whenever I listen to Tony speak I know I have a way to go before I come close to reaching my potential.

In my professional field of acupuncture, my friend and mentor Keichi Murata will always be a source of inspiration for me. Murata sensei was a beautifully unorthodox Japanese acupuncturist. And it wasn’t his skills as a master acupuncturist that inspired me, but his generosity and mastery of people skills that I will always be inspired by.

I think inspiration is an important ingredient for ones’ growth. Which is why I’m always looking to be inspired. Because if you stop growing you start dying.

How are you making a difference in your life?

It is so easy to forget how lucky we are or how good we actually have it. I have survived a lot and been the recipient of a lot of generosity. But in the day-to-day grind of life I, like a lot of us, get stuck in the negative. I catch myself giving too much focus on what’s not going right for me.

Currently, I’m building a strong practice of gratitude and appreciation. I think gratitude and appreciation is a cornerstone of a rich life. We need to always strive to be better and greater, but we can’t forget to be grateful for what we have right now.

Another practice that I am strongly nurturing and that I’m passionate about is meditation. It helps me be more calm, more focused and more present in the moment. Mediation is a gift we should all be giving ourselves. I tell my patients that meditation is for the mind what exercise is for the body.

What has been your biggest business challenge?

Marketing and becoming more visible. Setting up meetings and working to start doing lectures is something I’d love to do, as well, but has definitely been a challenge.

Brian Kelly is a New York State Licensed Acupuncturist. He is a speaker and wellness advocate and has been practicing acupuncture since 2007 and is the owner of Enso Acupuncture & Healing Arts. Previous to that he was a vitamin and nutritional counselor helping people balance their lives through the education of nutrition. Brian is a soon-to-be author, finishing up his first clinical book on acupuncture, after which he plans on writing a book on the power of sleep. You can email Brian at [email protected].

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