"The Secrets of How to Feel 20 Years Younger in 90 days or Less" 
About Dr. Pete
Dr. Pete Hilgartner was born in Beirut, Lebanon. As a child he lived in Lebanon, Switzerland, and Germany. Pete’s family moved to Rowley, Massachusetts where he lived until he left home to attend Tabor Academy in Marion Massachusetts for his Junior and Senior years of High School. Pete grew up raising horses and competed in various three-day horse events and trained for the Tetrathlon, which involves running, riding, shooting, and swimming. He also played soccer, swam, wrestled and rowed crew. His accomplishments were not all athletic, however. He also played the trumpet in a youth orchestra and a jazz band.
Pete attended Syracuse University on a rowing scholarship. He was the team captain his senior year. During his college years, he was invited to attend the U.S. pre-elite and elite rowing team training camps. He graduated in 1984 with a B.A. in German language, history and culture.
After college, Pete moved to Southern California at the request of the National Team coach to continue training for the Olympics. While there, he worked as a salesman selling Ricoh copiers. In 1986, a series of back injuries took there toll and Pete was forced to discontinue his training due to a severe disc herniation. With the help of chiropractic care and aggressive physical rehabilitation, he was able to regain his conditioning and health enough to endure the rigors of Marine Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on April 10, 1987. After completing training at OCS and The Basic School, Pete attended the Army Artillery School at Fort Sill, OK. He spent the next few years serving in various positions. In 1991, Pete led Marines of Lima Battery, 4th Battalion, 12th Marines, attached to the Second Marine Division, in the Gulf War.
After the Gulf War, Pete left active duty to attend Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, OR from 1992 to 1996. He met his wife, Lolin, while they were both students at the same school. He graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic in March 1996. Pete, Lolin and their son Caleb, moved to Leesburg in May, 1997. They opened Hilgartner Chiropractic Clinic, P.C., in February 1997 and have been practicing in Leesburg, ever since.
Pete remained in the Marine Corps Reserve until he resigned his commission at the rank of Major in 2000.
Currently, Pete stays very busy with his practice, lecturing, and writing. He has extensive advanced training in clinical nutrition, functional medicine, functional biomechanics and anti-aging and peak performance strategies.
Since 1991, Pete has dealt with a number of challenges including overcoming Gulf War Syndrome, cancerous growths in his throat, debilitating chronic physical injuries, depression, divorce, and bankruptcy. He has rebuilt his body, his relationships and his life from a state of survival to a state of thriving. He has suffered, learned, overcome and persevered. His experiences have helped define his perspective and purpose.
He applies his life experience and formal training to his personal mission of teaching, leading and empowering others to achieve their maximum potential for health and happiness. As he often says, “I’ve been sick, broke and broken. I’ve learned that everything influences your health and your health is everything. Without balance in your life, you’ll never have optimal health…without optimal health; you’ll never get the most out of your life.”
Dr. Pete is also very busy with Caleb’s soccer schedule. He continues to train for Masters rowing competitions. He is a voracious reader and dedicated life-long learner. His favorite hobbies include skiing, scuba diving, playing guitar and anything which allows him to spend time with his family.
His priorities are:
- To raise an honorable man
- To be the best husband possible
- To serve his patients with honor, caring and compassion
- To teach, lead and empower by his presence and example
- To leave this world a little better off than he found it
