In this episode of the Rocket Chiro Podcast, Jerry Kennedy sits down with Todd Smith from True Inner Freedom to explore a topic that hits home for many chiropractors — being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). This conversation dives into how sensitivity can affect your practice, your business, your personal life, and ultimately your happiness as a chiropractor.
The conversation begins with Todd explaining exactly what it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person. First defined by Dr. Elaine Aron in the 1990s, HSP is a temperament trait — not a disorder or a flaw. Roughly 20% of the population (both men and women equally) are highly sensitive. These individuals process information more deeply, are naturally empathetic, and often experience emotions more intensely. While this deeper processing can be a gift, it also means HSPs can hit emotional overload much faster than others, especially when stress is layered on top of their natural sensitivity.
Jerry and Todd discuss how many people — especially men — resist the label “sensitive” because of cultural negativity surrounding the word. Being called “too sensitive” often carries a dismissive or critical tone. But as Todd explains, sensitivity itself isn’t the problem. The real challenge arises when stress amplifies sensitivity, leading to outbursts, burnout, or emotional withdrawal. Using a helpful bucket analogy, Todd describes how highly sensitive people have a smaller “bucket” for stress. When that bucket overflows, breakdowns happen sooner than they do for those with larger capacities for stress.
This becomes especially important for chiropractors because, as Jerry points out, chiropractic is one of the most high-touch professions there is. Chiropractors regularly interact with patients who are in pain, physically touch their patients, and manage multiple relationships throughout the day. For a highly sensitive chiropractor, this constant people-contact can be emotionally exhausting — but it can also serve as a superpower. The ability to connect deeply, listen attentively, and empathize with patients allows HSP chiropractors to build strong, meaningful patient relationships that others might struggle to achieve.
Interestingly, not all HSPs are introverts. Todd shares that about 30% of HSPs are actually extroverts. The key difference is that while extroverts may enjoy social interaction, highly sensitive extroverts still process those experiences deeply, and can still get overwhelmed faster than their non-HSP counterparts. Meanwhile, highly sensitive introverts may avoid certain social situations entirely because of how exhausting they find them.
The conversation shifts into one of the biggest pitfalls for highly sensitive chiropractors: people-pleasing. Chiropractors often enter the profession because they genuinely care about others, but this same caring nature can lead them to prioritize patients at the expense of their own families, health, and well-being. Todd points out that while caring for others is not inherently unhealthy, many HSPs struggle to balance their own needs with the needs of others — especially when fear of upsetting people gets in the way of setting healthy boundaries.
Jerry shares personal examples of how resentment can build when boundaries aren’t respected — whether it’s from patients, clients, or even family members. Both Todd and Jerry discuss how physical signs of stress — like procrastinating on returning certain emails or feeling a sense of dread when seeing someone’s name on your schedule — are clear indicators that you may be out of balance.
One of the most powerful tools Todd suggests for chiropractors (or anyone) is learning to question your own beliefs. Often, the assumptions you’re operating under — like “I need to always be available” or “I can’t say no” — are neither true nor helpful. Todd introduces the work of Byron Katie as a structured way to question these stressful thoughts and replace them with healthier perspectives. You can learn more about this approach at thework.com.
The conversation also emphasizes the importance of setting core values and creating structure before you find yourself in difficult situations. Jerry shares how a simple “tombstone exercise” helped him clarify his own life priorities — highlighting that while being a great chiropractor was important, being a great father, husband, and friend mattered even more. Establishing these personal boundaries ahead of time can make it easier to say yes to the right things and no to the wrong ones.
As Todd explains, failing to set boundaries doesn’t just create short-term discomfort — it often sabotages long-term relationships. When you prioritize avoiding conflict over honest communication, you may unintentionally mislead others, create misunderstandings, and eventually feel trapped in situations that don’t align with your values. Small compromises made repeatedly can accumulate into big mistakes over time, leading you to a place you never intended to be.
But this conversation isn’t all about the dangers of being highly sensitive — it’s also about the tremendous advantages. Todd explains that highly sensitive chiropractors often possess a unique ability to perceive subtle details, connect deeply with patients, and identify root causes that others might miss. These gifts make HSPs particularly well-suited for patient care professions like chiropractic, provided they pace themselves and build practices that support their own well-being.
As the episode wraps up, Todd explains that becoming aware of his own sensitivity has allowed him to not only understand himself better but also connect more deeply with others who share the same trait. In fact, Todd has narrowed his professional focus exclusively to working with highly sensitive people. You can learn more about his work and take his free HSP Stress Test at TrueInnerFreedom.com.
Resources & Links:
- Todd’s Website: TrueInnerFreedom.com
- HSP Stress Test & Coaching Info: Take the HSP Stress Test
- Todd’s Podcast: Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People
- Recommended Episode to Start With:
Episode 237 – How to Say No as an HSP
00:01 – Introduction
- Jerry introduces the episode and shares how Todd reached out authentically to be on the show.
02:38 – What is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?
- Definition of HSP: A temperament trait identified by Dr. Elaine Aron in the 1990s.
- 20% of people are highly sensitive, equally split between men and women.
- HSPs process information deeply and have stronger emotional and empathetic tendencies.
04:36 – The Negative Stigma Around Sensitivity
- Why many people, especially men, resist identifying as “sensitive.”
- The difference between healthy sensitivity and stress-amplified sensitivity.
06:11 – The HSP Stress Bucket Analogy
- How HSPs reach emotional overload quicker.
- The evolutionary benefits of sensitivity across species.
08:54 – Why Chiropractic Can Be Overwhelming for HSPs
- The “high-touch” nature of chiropractic care.
- How deep empathy can serve patients but drain the doctor.
09:45 – The Difference Between HSPs and Introverts
- 30% of HSPs are extroverts.
- Key difference: extroverts gain energy from people; HSPs process deeply no matter the social orientation.
14:21 – Overthinking vs. Overprocessing
- Using stress as an early warning sign for overthinking.
- Identifying when thinking becomes counterproductive.
15:52 – People-Pleasing, Boundaries & Being “Too Nice”
- How HSPs often sacrifice personal well-being to avoid conflict.
- The dangers of prioritizing patients at the expense of family and self.
19:08 – Recognizing When You’re Out of Exchange
- Jerry shares personal signs of resentment and burnout.
- Practical examples of how ignoring boundaries hurts long-term relationships.
22:05 – Real-Life Example: Transitioning to Online Scheduling
- How avoiding difficult patient conversations can sabotage practice efficiency.
- Actionable steps for chiropractors to establish new boundaries.
26:48 – The Impact of Saying Yes to One Thing (And No to Another)
- How HSPs can unintentionally hurt loved ones by over-serving patients.
29:08 – Questioning Your Own Thoughts & Beliefs
- Todd introduces The Work of Byron Katie to challenge stressful beliefs.
- Why questioning assumptions can unlock personal freedom.
Learn more about The Work of Byron Katie here: thework.com
33:15 – Parenting, Marriage, and Boundaries in Personal Life
- Jerry and Todd discuss how HSP tendencies show up in parenting and marriage.
- The difference between being a loving parent vs. needing to be liked.
37:10 – The Power of Defining Core Values
- Jerry shares his life-changing “tombstone exercise” to clarify life priorities.
- How clearly defined values help guide boundary decisions.
38:25 – Avoiding Conflict Harms Long-Term Relationships
- How short-term avoidance creates long-term resentment.
- The danger of letting small compromises accumulate.
40:52 – The Compound Effect of Small Decisions
- Why big mistakes are often small ones repeated.
- Daily choices move you toward or away from your ideal life.
41:47 – Personal Examples: Making Hard Business Decisions
- Todd shares a difficult but necessary recent business decision.
- The importance of trusting your inner voice.
46:12 – Chiropractors, Insecurity, and Owning Your Identity
- Why chiropractors often struggle with professional insecurity.
- The importance of owning the value of chiropractic care.
50:19 – Confidence Is Attractive
- How being comfortable in your own skin draws people to you.
- The toxic ripple effects of personal insecurity.
51:33 – The HSP Superpower in Chiropractic
- Empathy + Deep Processing = Ideal skillset for chiropractic care.
- How awareness and pacing prevent burnout while maximizing your gifts.
53:45 – Spotting HSPs in Practice
- Why Todd now exclusively works with HSPs.
- How understanding your patients’ sensitivity helps build stronger relationships.
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