Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jess Bohlke.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
They say, “Be who you needed.”
That sentence has shaped every major decision in my life.
When I was 20 years old, I was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive, grade three ovarian cancer. It was absolutely devastating, and it forced me to confront questions most people do not face until much later in life. I remember sitting in appointments feeling overwhelmed, searching for clarity, craving someone to look at me as a whole person instead of just a diagnosis.
Despite the unfavorable statistics, I ultimately pursued holistic and integrative oncology treatment and experienced a dramatic shift in my health. It truly saved my life. But more than the physical healing, something shifted deep within me. I became unavoidably aware of how powerful the body is when it is supported well, especially at the level of the nervous system and immune resilience. I saw firsthand that HEALTH is not just the absence of symptoms. It is relentless adaptability. It is optimal function. It is unwavering hope.
I knew I wanted to build the kind of healthcare space I needed at twenty, and honestly the kind I longed for throughout my entire childhood. A doctor who knew me. Who saw me more than once a year. Who understood my story, not just my symptoms. Who believed what I was experiencing was real, and not drama.
When I opened Journey Chiropractic, the vision was clear because I have been a patient, on the other side of the table, my whole life. I set out to create a healing space where families feel seen, educated, and empowered. A place where symptoms are not dismissed. Where moms and babies and families are cared for to be well from the start. Where people understand what is happening in their bodies and are given tools to build long term resilience.
Journey Chiropractic opened its doors in the middle of a nation wide pandemic in 2020, in 800 square feet with a small team, and I was involved in every single aspect of it. I was adjusting patients, answering phones, building the brand, cleaning the floors, managing operations, and learning how to lead all at once. There were seasons of stretching and uncertainty, but the mission never wavered….
Be who you needed.
What started as one young cancer survivor turned doctor determined to change the way families experience healthcare… Has grown into a thriving, wellness centered clinic serving hundreds of families each week in Kansas City.
Today, Journey Chiropractic specializes in prenatal, pediatric, and family nervous system based care, operating under a collaborative doctor model so patients receive consistent, high level support. We integrate advanced nervous system technology to measure function and track progress objectively. We focus on building resilient bodies rather than chasing symptoms.
My personal journey continues to shape how I lead and care. After cancer, I later faced surgical menopause and the grief of infertility before growing our family through adoption. Those experiences reinforced how sacred it is to feel truly seen by your provider.
That is the culture we have built at Journey.
And we are just getting started.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every challenge along the way has strengthened what we’ve built..
The process has forged depth, clarity, and grit into our foundation.
Opening a hands-on healthcare clinic in the middle of a pandemic was not the logical move on paper. I took out an SBA loan and built a brick and mortar practice five hours away from everything I had known, during a season when the world was being demanded to stay six feet apart. There was global uncertainty, financial pressure, and the weight of leading something fragile in an unstable time.
Every decision carried consequence because there was no safety net for anyone. However, I believe pressure reveals what you’re made of, and it did just that for Journey. The depth and root of our purpose was so strong that not even a worldwide shut down could stop us from growing.
As the practice grew beyond my wildest dreams, I was forced to face something deeper… The vision and mission were expanding beyond what my own two hands could sustainably provide. We were consistently full, operating with waitlists, and the physical demand of high-volume care began to take a massive toll on my health. The growth was a blessing, but it was also a signal.
I wasn’t called to build a practice that depended solely on me. I was called to build something bigger. The idea of expansion was scary, because it meant trusting others with something that felt so deeply personal.
I kept the “be who you needed” at the forefront of my mind, and that led me to expanding our team, deepening the quality of care and enriching the patient experience. I began designing systems that could scale without sacrificing excellence, and moving from being the sole provider to becoming the architect of the culture, leadership, and infrastructure that would carry the mission forward to multiply.
It meant hiring intentionally. Developing other doctors. Releasing control. Building systems strong enough to support long-term growth. Making high-stakes financial decisions with conviction. Stepping fully into the role of CEO and leader of a movement that was no longer about my individual capacity, but about collective impact.
That transition stretched me in ways my formal clinical training never could.
At the same time, I was navigating the long-term effects of surgical menopause, infertility, and autoimmune trials while we were also in the waiting season of adoption. Building a movement professionally while trusting the timing of our family personally required a different kind of endurance. It demanded steadiness… But every season clarified the mission.
When someone sits across from me in the middle of their own uncertainty, I understand what it feels like to carry vision while navigating unanswered questions. The road has been demanding. And that demand is exactly what has built the strength, sustainability, and depth behind everything we’ve created. Because of the trials I’ve personally walked, I feel fully equipped to steward what has been entrusted to me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Journey Chiropractic?
Journey Chiropractic was built from the other side of the table.
After years of navigating complex health decisions as a patient myself, I knew healthcare could feel clearer, more connected, and more human. I understood what it felt like to want answers the same day, to be seen as a whole person, and to leave an appointment feeling empowered instead of confused.
That lived experience shaped everything.
Today, Journey Chiropractic is a nervous system based, family focused wellness clinic serving hundreds of families each week in Kansas City. What makes us different is that our entire model was designed through the lens of a patient first.
All of our doctors have additional certifications and specialties to provide care for the perinatal and pediatric populations as well. While many people associate chiropractic with back pain, our focus is regulation, adaptability, and long term resilience. We use advanced nervous system Insight scans and digital X-ray imaging (when needed) in house so families receive comprehensive information quickly and clearly.
Our new patient experience is intentionally structured so patients receive answers the same day. Imaging is reviewed in the office with our providers. Findings are explained thoroughly. Care plans are clear. We do not believe in wait and see when it comes to understanding your body, and we believe patients deserve intentional time set aside to ensure that happens.
We operate under a collaborative doctor model, meaning our providers consult together and align on care recommendations. Patients are supported by a team rather than dependent on one individual. This allows for consistency, depth, and sustainability of care at a high level.
We also prioritize convenience for individuals and families. We offer whole family appointments, flexible scheduling, and a Wellness Club model that makes proactive care accessible and predictable. Healthcare should integrate into your life, not disrupt it.
Beyond chiropractic, we have intentionally built a collective of trusted providers within our space and community so patients have collaborative options for broader wellness needs. We believe care works best when it is connected.
What I am most proud of brand wise is that Journey has become synonymous with trust and excellence. We are hospitality driven and impact focused. From the front desk to the adjustment room, every detail is intentional, and our community can feel that.
We are changing the way individuals and families experience healthcare.
We are raising the standard for what proactive, holistic care can look like.
We are focused on building generational health. We know that when one person in the family heals, the entire family is impacted. And everyone they have the opportunity to serve is impacted. That is what we are dedicated to.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
For individuals and families in Kansas City, we would love the honor to be part of your health journey! We serve all ages and life stages. Whether you are navigating a specific challenge or simply want to build long term health resilience, our team is here to walk alongside you on your journey!
For providers and business owners, collaboration is something we deeply value. We have built a trusted collective of healthcare professionals and community partners who believe in raising the standard together. We regularly co-manage cases, refer intentionally, and build relationships that serve families better. We are always open to aligned partnerships that prioritize excellence and integrity.
From a brand standpoint, we also collaborate with companies and organizations that align with our mission of building generational health. If a brand values education, proactive wellness, and family impact, there is room for conversation.
And honestly, one of the most powerful ways people support us is by sharing their experience. Word of mouth results and testimonials have solely built what Journey is today. When people tell their story, leave a review, or refer a friend, it strengthens the entire community and inspires what is possible for others!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.journeychirokc.com
- Instagram: @journeychiro.kc
