Parent Profile: Dr. Zack Gregory & Dr. Chelsey Gregory

Photo by Darrin Phegley

Tell us about your family! What kinds of activities help your family unwind and stay active together?

Hello! We are the Gregorys! Dr. Zack Gregory, Dr. Chelsey Gregory, Sarah Cate (8) and Lucy (6). We always aim to eat dinner together and unwind by watching a movie or playing a game of Uno before bed. At dinner we talk about our “highs” and “lows” from the day. The kids love this and really look forward to this time.

As dentists and parents, how do you approach health and wellness at home — from daily routines to healthy habits you try to model for your kids?

Health is very important and we start by trying to make nutritious snack choices. Like any family with young children, our kids are always asking for snacks. Offering healthy choices such as fruit, yogurt, or veggies is where we like to start. It does not always happen, but we make sure to have those “good choices” available first.

Our jobs as dentists are weirdly physical. So, we have started implementing stretching after a workout—making the stretching part as important as the cardio part. The kids like to get in the floor with us and stretch too!

With two busy careers in healthcare, how do you protect family time and prevent burnout?

We work very hard when we are at work. But on our days “off,” we are off. We try not to run by the office; we try to be present and in the moment. It’s always a balance, and we are constantly adjusting and readjusting to find that happy balance. Dr. Chelsey enjoys a good book and Dr. Zack is an avid hunter. Having something else other than work that occupies our time and feeds our brain is a must!

What’s one small wellness habit you swear by as a family that other parents could easily try?

Most days we pack our lunch. Even if it’s a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. (We will never admit how many of these we eat in a week.) It keeps us from eating something fast and unhealthy at lunch time.

When life gets busy, what’s your favorite simple way to reconnect as a family and reset?

We love to travel. The kids have a passport and travel very well. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and trying new things is our favorite way to be together.