STUDENT LIFEFORCE SPOTLIGHTS Melanie Reyes Margolla — President I’m from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico and am so excited to lead Student LIFEforce (SLF) as its president. I have a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico and was a biology teacher before I started at Life University in 2021. I’m currently PEAKing and in my 13th Quarter of the D.C. program. From the moment I visited Life Leadership Weekend (LLW) in 2017, my whole vision of health care changed, and after experiencing it with my own eyes as a teacher back in Puerto Rico, I knew that it was time to stop being a spectator and start being the change. I knew that education was key to everything I wanted to do. I wanted to understand it from the root, and the only place that gave me that was Life U with its vitalistic approach. For the past three years, Life U has given me the necessary skills to be a successful chiropractor, but SLF has given me what is needed to lead and speak out loud about my ideas; share Chiropractic; and grow both personally and professionally. I can’t be more thankful. Being a Hispanic female and the President of SLF comes with a lot of hard work and strong commitment. I’m honored to serve such a wonderful tribe with dedicated students. Creating the balance between being a full-time student, going to clinic and leading an organization can feel overwhelming at times, but my anchor is reminding myself of my purpose and my why. I choose to serve by helping others, leading by example and striving to be someone others can rely on by creating a safe space where all the tribe members feel valuable and accountable. When people ask me why I choose SLF, I always connect back to Lasting Purpose: “To Give, To Do, To Love and To Serve, out of a sense of abundance, without any expectation of return,” because that’s exactly what we can find inside this tribe. We are a group of excellent students that give 100% not only to our studies but also in our communities. I joined SLF and found purpose in serving and helping other students find their way in this program. I enjoy helping them step out of their comfort zone to experience growth. Based on my experience, my advice to any new student starting this program is that they must stay focused and truly committed to their why. My why is to help families, kids and pregnant mothers with their health journeys and the perfect storms they may encounter. In the process of staying true to your why, it is critical to find a community that lets you grow into the person and professional you want to be. If you look for it, you will discover Life U has a home for you, enriched in philosophy and Lasting Purpose. But of course, if you ask me who my community and anchor is at Life U, it will always be SLF because it gave me the tools and a safe platform to become a successful and empowering leader. Lexie Luttrell — Vice President I didn’t grow up in a chiropractic household; in fact, I was often a very sick child. Frequent visits to medical doctors were the norm, but it wasn’t until I visited Life U that my perspective began to shift. A close friend was working on her undergraduate degree there, and her enthusiasm about the school intrigued me. Little did I know that this visit would change my life profoundly. From the moment I stepped onto the campus, I felt a sense of belonging and purpose. Chiropractic care wasn’t just a career path; it felt like it was calling out to me. Inspired by what I learned during my visit, I made a bold decision. I quit my job at a restaurant and started working for a chiropractor in Louisville, Kentucky. This experience was transformative. I witnessed firsthand the remarkable ways in which our bodies can heal when given the proper support and alignment. One pivotal moment stands out vividly. I watched my employer adjust a pediatric patient, and the immediate improvement in the child’s condition was nothing short of miraculous. In that instant, I knew that chiropractic care was what I was meant to do for the rest of my life. The profound impact it had on patients, young and old, solidified my commitment to this healing art. My journey continued to evolve when I was accepted into Life U. Attending a Life Leadership Weekend was a crucial step. It was there that I met a Student LIFEforce tribe member, and our conversation was a revelation. The organization’s core values of giving, loving, doing and serving resonated deeply with me. I felt an immediate connection to the tribe and knew that this was where I belonged. Being Vice President of SLF and President of the Pediatric Experience Club has allowed me to grow my leadership skills and confidence, along with my certainty in the power of chiropractic care. These roles have not only deepened my knowledge and passion but also prepared me to serve my community with dedication and compassion. Joining SLF reinforced my belief that chiropractic care is not just about adjustments and spinal health; it’s about a holistic approach to well-being that encompasses mind, body and spirit. My path to chiropractic care has been unconventional, but every step has reaffirmed that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, helping others discover Leading with Purpose: Meet the Student LIFEforce Executive Board Melanie Reyes Margolla and Lexie Luttrell 24 Alumni.life.edu | 2024
