Alignment of mission, people, and resources helped save the Serengeti ecosystem.
Sherry McAllister
Twenty years ago, parts of the Serengeti ecosystem were facing a crisis. Poaching threatened wildlife populations. The delicate predator-prey relationship was disrupted. Flora and fauna fell out of balance. Communities surrounding the ecosystem faced enormous social and economic challenges.
Nature was sending signals that something was wrong. But what’s unfolded since then offers some of the most powerful lessons in alignment I’ve encountered.
As we stood on these same plains filming Adjusted Reality: Wild Edition, we witnessed something very different. Vast herds of zebra, wildebeest, and gazelle moved across the horizon. Wildlife thrived. Communities are investing in their future, supporting one another with crops, animals, and love. Conservation leaders, researchers, and local citizens are working together to protect one of the world’s most extraordinary ecosystems.
The lesson is simple: when we ignore dysfunction, imbalance grows. When we address root causes, healing becomes possible.
What the Ecosystem Teaches About the Body
The Serengeti reminds us of something we discuss throughout Adjusted Reality: our bodies operate much like an ecosystem. When we focus only on symptoms, we may miss the underlying cause. When movement is restricted, when stress accumulates, when sleep is neglected, when nourishment is poor, and when our nervous system is overwhelmed, imbalance begins to appear.
The answer begins with understanding what has fallen out of alignment. During my visit to the Serengeti, I had the privilege of meeting remarkable people who dedicate their lives to restoring balance:
- Glen Steyn, Manager of Anti-Poaching Operations, whose team works tirelessly to protect wildlife from illegal activity.
- Matt Perry, General Manager of Conservation and Anti-Poaching, whose leadership helps guide the long-term stewardship of this extraordinary landscape.
- Mama Frida Mollel, a respected community leader committed to advancing opportunities for women and girls. Our conversation explores how communities are creating positive change, including efforts that make female genital mutilation illegal and increasingly unacceptable because of its profound impact on women and families.
- George Lohay, Ph.D., of RISE (Research and Innovation for the Serengeti Ecosystem), whose work demonstrates the importance of evidence, data, and long-term thinking in protecting both wildlife and communities.
Each conversation reinforced the same truth: sustainable change happens when we address causes rather than consequences. This philosophy applies equally to conservation and to human health.
Investing In Alignment Lessons
One of the most inspiring discoveries was learning more about the extraordinary work of the Grumeti Fund. It has become a global model for conservation, investing in anti-poaching initiatives, wildlife protection, habitat restoration, education, research, and community development. Its work demonstrates that true conservation isn’t simply about protecting animals but about creating alignment between people, wildlife, and the environment.
The overall impact has been profound. Wildlife populations have rebounded, protected areas have expanded, communities have become active partners in conservation, and a region once threatened by imbalance has become a global example of restoration.
Looking across the Serengeti reminds us that transformation begins with a vision. Paul Tudor Jones saw the potential for something greater than simply preserving wildlife: he envisioned restoring an entire ecosystem. His commitment through the Grumeti Fund became a catalyst for one of Africa’s most remarkable conservation success stories.
The same things that saved the Serengeti ecosystem can restore our personal health.
Sherry McAllister
What inspires me most is that he didn’t simply protect what was there; he invested in what could be. That mindset mirrors the philosophy of Adjusted Reality. Whether we’re caring for an ecosystem, a community, or our own health, lasting change begins when we look beyond today’s challenges and invest in tomorrow’s possibilities. This is a critical time in history to create sustainable prevention and optimization, not simply alleviate symptoms.
Kent S. Greenawalt, Chairman and CEO of Foot Levelers and Founder of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, serves as an Observer supporting the Grumeti Fund’s mission. Throughout his career, Kent has demonstrated a commitment to creating positive impact far beyond business: supporting chiropractic education, advancing healthcare innovation, funding disaster relief efforts, and contributing to conservation initiatives. His support of the Grumeti Fund reflects a principle we share in chiropractic: Healthy systems thrive when we invest in prevention, stewardship, and long-term sustainability.
From the Plains to Our Own Lives
Standing on the Serengeti at sunrise, I couldn’t help but reflect on how similar these lessons in alignment are to our own lives. The Serengeti didn’t recover because someone treated a symptom. It recovered because leaders, researchers, conservationists, and communities worked together to restore alignment.
To get healthy, we must look beyond symptoms and search for the root cause.
Sherry McAllister
The same is true for our health. When we look beyond symptoms, identify the root cause, and invest in the systems that support growth, remarkable transformation becomes our new reality.
The Serengeti was restored by addressing root causes. Our health works much the same way. Whether it’s an ecosystem or a nervous system, alignment creates balance, adaptability, and the ability to thrive.
Whether we’re caring for an ecosystem, a community, or our own bodies, these lessons in alignment matter.
The Serengeti teaches us that nature doesn’t force alignment. It reflects it.