Sponsored Athletes
2025 -26
endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it to glory.
- WILLIAM BARCLAY
barrel Racer
Addessa Hummel
Meet Addessa Hummel, a dedicated barrel racer and one of our 2025 Rituals Chiropractic Sponsored Athletes! At just six years old, she entered her first barrel race, and she hasn’t looked back in the three years since. After discovering western speed events in 2021, she quickly found her passion for barrel racing, poles, flag, and plug events, always pushing to improve her speed and technique while having fun along the way.
Achievements & Goals:
🏆 Competed in 100+ events in 2024
🏆 14 High-Point Championship buckles & trophies
🏆 Selected as a Pony Pro Team member for The Performance Pony Company
🏆 Connected with young riders nationwide to grow skills & compete in challenges
For the 2025 season, now age 9, Addessa is setting her sights on competing in the newly launched Little Outlaws Division of NBHA IL 04, a nonprofit barrel racing association. Her goal? Finish in the top five among a talented group of young riders! She’s also on the hunt for the perfect step-up horse—one that will help take her competition to the next level.
We’re excited to support Addessa’s journey and can’t wait to see her compete this season!
"My bond with my pony, Missy, has been a huge part of my journey. Her trust and partnership inspire me every day. With determination, hard work, and the incredible support of Rituals Chiropractic, I’m ready to chase big dreams in the arena!"
Runner
Brenda Linton
Meet Brenda Linton, a dedicated runner since 2016 and one of our 2025 Rituals Chiropractic sponsored athletes! 🏅 With years of experience and countless miles behind her, Brenda continues to push her limits and inspire others in the running community.
Achievements & Background:
Brenda started running at age 38 and completed her first half marathon at 40. Since then, she’s run countless half marathons, 5Ks, and 10Ks. She’s a multi-year ambassador for Still I Run, a nonprofit advocating for mental health awareness through running, and works locally as a Stigma Buster for NAMI Sauk Area. Brenda is also an ambassador for BibBoards and Noxgear and, for nearly five years, has hosted her own 5K every May for Mental Health Awareness Month. Her ultimate goal? To run in all 50 states!
We’re so proud to support Brenda’s journey and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes this season!
"The cause chose me. I lost a brother to the demons, and I have my own. After everything, it just comes naturally for me to fight for this. This is a community I didn’t know I needed. I don’t socialize well—but put me at a race, and I’ll talk! I love both of these organizations and have met some of the best people through them."
Duncan Sisters
For the first time, we’re featuring a sister duo as Rituals Sponsored Athletes! Meet Ava & Bella Duncan, powerhouse athletes in softball and volleyball.
Training & Accomplishments:
Bella:
Bella Duncan has been playing softball since she was five years old, and over the past 12 years, the game has shaped her into the athlete—and person—she is today. Softball has taught her how to handle failure, be a great teammate, and lead by example, all of which have helped her grow into an incredible young woman both on and off the field.
A natural leader, Bella has been Team Captain every year so far, and her dedication to the sport has earned her some major accolades, including:
🏆 2x All-State Team
🏅 3x All-Conference Team
🔥 2x All-Area Team
⚡ 2x Sauk Valley Player of the Week
And to top it all off—Bella is headed to Western Michigan University this fall to play D1 softball! 🎉
Ava:
Ava Duncan has been playing softball for eight years, and in that time, the game has shaped her into the dedicated athlete she is today. She’s set some big goals for herself this season—earning First Team All-Conference and All-State honors, winning a conference championship, and bringing home another national tournament title with her travel team. But what matters most to her? Winning a regional championship alongside her sister.
Softball has taught Ava so much more than just how to play the game. It’s helped her develop responsibility, leadership, and time management, while showing her the power of hard work and determination. She’s constantly pushing herself to be better—both on and off the field—and we can’t wait to see what she accomplishes this season!
We’re excited to support this dynamic duo throughout their season!
Softball & Volleyball
“Having the opportunity to play softball with each other is both a blessing and a curse. We both absolutely love the game and having one another as a teammate is something we wouldn’t trade for the world. Yes, we do compete very closely and sometimes it strikes arguments…but altogether having each other there helps push each other so we both improve. It’s so special that we get to celebrate each other’s successes! We are laughing together nonstop during practice and games. We already have great chemistry and it really shows on the field. It’s a special bond that goes beyond just being sisters, we are now teammates and it's something we’ll always be grateful for.”
Ellie Pareza
Dance
Meet Ellie Pazera, a dedicated dancer and one of our 2025 Rituals Chiropractic Junior Sponsored Athletes! At just 13 years old, Ellie has already been dancing for 11 years at Centerstage Dance Company in Dixon, and this marks her fifth year on their competitive dance team.
Achievements & Goals:
Ellie trains in jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip-hop, and this year, she’s taking the stage with six group routines—plus her jazz solo, her favorite style of dance. Over the years, she’s earned:
🏆 Scholarships to CDC Dance Convention & Dancerpalooza
🏆 Multiple “Judge’s Choice” awards for her jazz solo
🏆 Two “Title” wins
🏆 1st Place Jazz Solo
Her goals for this season include improving her flexibility, winning a national title for her solo, and placing in the top 20 at Nationals.
We’re so excited to support Ellie’s journey and can’t wait to see her shine this season!
"Dance is my way of expressing emotions through movement and different styles. But beyond that, it has given me a team that feels like a second family and some of my best friends."
Jane Dillon Smith
Martial Arts
With over two decades of martial arts experience, Jane Dillon Smith is a true force in the martial arts world! Since starting in 1999, she has trained, competed, coached, and pushed boundaries—both in traditional martial arts and the competitive sport karate & Taekwondo circuits.
Training & Accomplishments:
🔹 Earned her Black Belt at age 8
🔹 Illinois, Iowa, Missouri & Michigan State Champion (2012-2018)
🔹 3x US National Champion (2013, 2017, 2018)
🔹 Opened Legacy Martial Arts at just 19 years old (2016)
🔹 Earned her 5th Degree Black Belt in 2023
🔹 Traditional Coach & Competitor on Team Excel (Rockford, IL)
🔹 Represents Team Elevation by Infinity (Troy, MO), a nonprofit dedicated to growing Taekwondo athletes
This season, Jane is also involved with Heartland Taekwondo United (HTU), a nonprofit organization focused on building connections and expanding opportunities in the Taekwondo community.
I feel incredibly blessed to represent Rituals Chiropractic this season as I compete in both Taekwondo and Sport Karate. My coaches push me to be my best, but at the end of the day, they can only take me so far—it’s up to me to put in the work and take care of my body. That’s where Dr. Lauren and Rituals come in. The benefits of chiropractic care have already made a huge impact on my training, keeping me moving, recovering, and performing at my best.
Training at this level takes relentless dedication and passion, and I’m grateful to have a team that supports me every step of the way
Powerlifting
Julene Hurley
Please help us celebrate the powerhouse that is Julene Hurley, a returning Rituals Chiropractic Sponsored Athlete and elite-level competitor in the world of powerlifting!
Training & Accomplishments:
Julene has been on her strength journey for seven years, evolving from home workouts and running to body pump, then full-on strength training—and eventually finding her passion in competitive powerlifting. Since her first meet in 2018, Julene’s love for the sport and the incredible powerlifting community has only grown.
Now competing at the pro level in Multi-Ply Powerlifting, Julene stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the top lifters in the world. She’s achieved multiple All-Time World Records in her weight class and division, and just recently hit a huge goal—earning the Best Lifter award at a meet while competing raw. Her next mission? To earn that same honor in equipped lifting and rise in the Open 148 weight class, where she finished #3 in 2024.
My driving force is to be a healthy mom for my 12-year-old son—to love him and show him that with faith, patience, dedication, and consistency, anything is possible. I believe in strength and stability training—not just for athletes, but for anyone recovering from or trying to prevent injury, surgery, or health setbacks. That philosophy fits perfectly with Rituals Chiropractic. I’m passionate about helping others move efficiently, grow stronger, and feel empowered on their path to optimal health.
Nathan Castillo
Meet Nathan Castillo, a lifelong runner and one of our 2025 Rituals Chiropractic Sponsored Athletes! From childhood runs to conquering some of the toughest ultramarathons, Nathan has spent years pushing his limits and redefining endurance.
Training & Accomplishments:
Nathan’s running journey began when he was just 6 or 7 years old, running alongside his dad. He competed in track and cross country throughout middle school and high school, earning his first major win at the NCIC Cross Country Championships during his sophomore year. But as he got older, his sights set on an even greater challenge—ultramarathons.
At 26, Nathan completed his first ultra-distance race and never looked back. Now, he’s an accomplished ultrarunner, tackling grueling 100+ mile races, including a 150-mile endurance challenge. To date, he has completed eight 100-mile races, including one first-place finish, and is currently preparing for races number 8 and 9 in his ultramarathon journey.
Pushing the Limits:
This season, Nathan is chasing a major goal—to complete a 100-mile race in under 24 hours. This incredible test of endurance, strength, and mental resilience requires intense training and commitment, and we’re excited to support him every step of the way!
Runner
Get in touch
815 • 625 • 8229
18573 Pennington Road | Sterling, IL
drlauren@ritualschiropractic.com
HOURS
Monday: 9am-12pm | 2pm-5pm
Tuesday: 9am-1pm
Wednesday: 9am-12pm | 2pm-5pm
Thursday: 12pm-5pm
Friday: 9am-1pm
