Community Highlights: Meet James Alberty of AC Spine & Sports Rehabilitation

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Alberty.

Hi James, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia. Growing up, my future wasn’t promised. At just 11 years old, I was diagnosed with a rare adolescent cancer called epithelioid sarcoma. At the time, doctors gave me only six months to live. They told my family the only treatment option was to amputate both of my hands, which might give me another year, but they said if I lived to see my 16th birthday, it would be a miracle.

I refused to give up. The journey was long, painful, and filled with uncertainty, but I kept fighting—and I made it to that 16th birthday.

That experience changed the course of my life. I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to helping others. I went on to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Fort Valley State University before pursuing my Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Life University.

I opened my first practice in Roswell, Georgia, while also teaching at a local college in the evenings. After three years in private practice, I accepted an opportunity at Cleveland Clinic. It was an incredible experience that sharpened my clinical skills, but I realized my calling was to serve my community in a bigger way by providing exceptional, affordable healthcare and creating opportunities for people who might otherwise go without.

For the past decade, I’ve been in private practice with offices in Cleveland, Ohio, and Decatur, Georgia, helping everyone from everyday families to professional athletes recover from injuries, relieve pain, and perform at their highest level. I also developed a medical-grade magnesium recovery product line that is trusted by professional athletes and individuals who are committed to optimizing their recovery and performance.

Giving back has always been just as important as building my practice. That’s why I founded the Champions in Motion Foundation. Through the foundation, we provide students with opportunities to earn school credit and healthcare certifications through hands-on experiences in the medical field. We also provide free rehabilitation services to young athletes who have been injured playing sports but lack the financial resources to receive the care they need.

When I look back on my journey, I don’t define it by the obstacles I’ve faced. I define it by the lives I’ve been blessed to impact. Surviving cancer taught me that every day is a gift, and that perspective continues to fuel my mission to educate, heal, and create opportunities for others.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. If anything, my journey has been defined by overcoming obstacles. Surviving cancer as a child was my first major battle, and it taught me resilience at an early age. Since then, every stage of my career has come with its own challenges.

I’ve always had the dedication and work ethic to accomplish my goals, but staying focused and consistently on task hasn’t always come naturally. Learning how to channel my energy, stay disciplined, and prioritize what matters most has been a continuous part of my growth.

Starting and growing a healthcare practice comes with financial pressures, long hours, administrative hurdles, and the responsibility of earning your patients’ trust every day. Leaving the security of Cleveland Clinic to build my own vision was one of the biggest risks I’ve taken, but I believed I could make a greater impact by providing exceptional, affordable care.

There have been countless sacrifices along the way. I’ve sacrificed time with family and friends, sleep, personal relationships, and many of the comforts that come with a more predictable career. Building multiple practices, launching a recovery product line, and founding a nonprofit all required betting on myself long before anyone else did.

Through it all, I never questioned my purpose. I’ve learned that success isn’t about avoiding obstacles—it’s about growing through them. Every setback has strengthened my faith, sharpened my perspective, and reinforced my commitment to helping others overcome their own challenges.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about AC Spine & Sports Rehabilitation?
AC Spine & Sports Rehabilitation was built on a simple belief: everyone deserves access to exceptional healthcare, regardless of their background or circumstances. We specialize in treating musculoskeletal injuries, sports injuries, personal injury cases, and helping patients improve their mobility, recovery, and overall quality of life through individualized, evidence-informed care.

While we’re known for treating professional athletes, entertainers, and high performers, the heart of our practice has always been serving everyday people. Whether someone is recovering from a car accident, a work injury, chronic pain, or simply wants to move and feel better, we take the time to understand their goals and create a treatment plan tailored to them.

What truly sets us apart is our commitment to treating the person—not just the injury. We focus on finding the root cause, educating our patients, and giving them the tools to achieve lasting results. Every patient who walks through our doors is treated like family, and we strive to make every visit a positive, life-changing experience.

Beyond the clinic, our mission extends into the community through our medical-grade recovery product line and the Champions in Motion Foundation, where we provide opportunities for students to explore healthcare careers and offer free rehabilitation services to young athletes who otherwise couldn’t afford care.

At the end of the day, our goal is bigger than helping someone feel better for a moment. **We’re not just treating injuries—we’re changing lives.** That’s the standard we hold ourselves to every single day.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve never been afraid to take calculated risks, especially when they align with my purpose. Looking back, two decisions changed the course of my life.

The first was moving from Atlanta, Georgia, to Cleveland, Ohio. I didn’t know a single person. I had no family, no friends, and no support system—just an opportunity and a belief that it was where I was supposed to be. Starting over in a completely unfamiliar city pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped shape who I am today.

The second, and arguably the biggest risk, was leaving a comfortable position at Cleveland Clinic. I had great pay, excellent benefits, great hours, and the stability that many people strive for. Walking away from that to build my own practice from the ground up meant giving up certainty while still carrying the financial responsibilities that came with earning a six-figure salary. There were no guarantees—only faith in my vision and confidence in my ability to make a greater impact.

My perspective on risk is simple: if your purpose is clear, the risk is worth taking. Fear is natural, but I’ve learned not to let it make my decisions. The greatest opportunities in my life have always come from having the courage to bet on myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: albertychiropracdtic.com | acspineandsports.com | dralbertys.com
• Instagram: dr007_nupe
• Facebook: jamesalberty
• Youtube: Dr. James Alberty