Meet Kolin Durrant | Dr. Kolin Durrant, DACM, L.Ac.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kolin Durrant and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kolin, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ~Theodore Roosevelt~

I was first introduced to this quote while reading Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly in 2015. Her work, in particular, crystalized that it takes courage to be vulnerable, to be my authentic self, and speak my truth in each moment. Vulnerability, being willing to be fully seen, and to fully hear and see others from that place, allows me to be in the arena each and every day. I worked two jobs during the 8 years it took to get through my Doctorate program, while also raising a now-teenage son. There were times I cried out of frustration and exhaustion, and times I experienced joy, community, and the healing this medicine offers. I often came back to this quote, feeling confident that I was devoted to a worthy cause, striving valiantly each day, and that I could navigate each victory and defeat knowing I was Daring Greatly in my life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Manifest Health & Wellness has been a dream of mine for almost a decade. My journey through graduate school took eight years, during which time I worked full time, as well as working a second job as the Nutraceutical Representative on campus for two prestigious nutraceutical companies; Emerson Ecologics and then Apex Energetics.

A couple of years into my Doctorate program I had a health crisis. I ended up in the ER twice in a 10 month period. I went to many types of doctors, experts, and healers of all backgrounds. I was experiencing what Western medicine deemed to be ‘panic attacks’, except they would last days at a time, leaving me in the fetal position in bed, unable to be a father, a student, or a diligent employee. It felt so phyisical in my body and my heart knew there was more going on.

Working with an instructor and mentor at school, I made a list of additional labs to request from my Dr. Shortly thereafter I had blood drawn and 48 hours later I had a diagnois: the autoimmune condition Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. I immediately removed gluten from my diet, which improved my symptoms by 80%. It’s taken years of research, trial and error, supplements, herbal formulas, and acupuncture to be where I am today. That experience has created compassion and empathy for all those struggling in the World, and from that place, I am called to give back each and every day.

During this time I was working with Apex Energetics and I took full advantage of the opportunity to attend each of their Functional Medicine Programs to educate myself and better understand how to heal myself and the patients that I would see in my practice. I had the honor of learning from some of the most renowned doctors on the topic and took a deep dive into the nuances and complexity of the human body through ten functional medicine programs. I came to understand autoimmunity in a whole new light and I learned that lab tests are instrumental in understanding internal physiology and how to bring the body back into balance through nutraceuticals, supplementation, acupuncture, herbs, and diet/nutrition.

I graduated from Pacific College of Health and Science cum laude, received my Masters and Doctorate, passed Boards, and got licensed both in California and Nationally, all while maintaining my position at Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, a non profit that supports trial lawyers in Southern California.

I didn’t realize that my doctorate program would result in me specializing in autoimmunity, chronic conditions, immune health, and functional medicine. Eastern practices meet Western methodology as I utilize optimal practices of both to provide personalized treatments and plans for each patient. I’ve been blessed, through grace and synchronicities, throughout my journey and my passion is helping those around me in any way I’m able. I’m honored to carry my expertise, knowledge, and compassion forward with each and every patient to target the source of imbalances, address it, and empower my patients to manifest greater health and wellness.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There is so much to see and do in San Diego. We’d have an evening downtown exploring the Gaslamp, with a reservation at Greystone Steakhouse for some aged steaks for dinner. A day exploring Balboa Park, the museums, Spanish Village, and the San Diego Zoo. I would rent a sailboat from the Harbor Island Yacht Club for a day to show them City from the bay, as well as sailing under the Coronado Bridge. We would catch a sunset on the cliffs in OB, grabbing dinner at People’s. And while not in San Diego proper, and overnight camping in Anza Borrego to hike through the mud caves and enjoy the beauty and quiet of the desert. On the way home we’d stop in Julian before heading to Santa Ysabel to go to the Judith A. Bassett Canid Education and Conservation Center to hang out with some primitive dogs, wolves, and foxes. Finally, you’ve got to have a couple days just relaxing at the beach, be it La Jolla Shores, Black’s Beach, PB, or Coronado.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve been truly fortunate to have the love and support of so many people throughout my journey. For the sake of space, I’ll just list a few. First and foremost, my partner, Melissa Kress, who loves, supports, and encourages me to be the best I can be each and every day. My children, Sidnee and Gavin, who fill my heart with joy and pride, and who have quizzed me, let me practice techniques on them, and always had my back. My tribe who have walked the road with me: Galya, LeeAnn, Lysni, Bryon, and so many more. Shout out to Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, the non profit I”ve been at for 11 years, as well as my boss, Bonnie, who offered support and worked with my ever-changing school schedule, my amazing co-workers, Chloe and Ilima, and so many attorneys I’ve had the honor of becoming friends with.

Website: www.manifesthw.com

Instagram: manifest_healthandwellness

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kolin-durrant-dacm-l-ac-a2391712/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manifesthealthandwellness