Jack Carnduff

Rachel Mays
Feb 6, 2023
5 min read

Updated: Feb 16, 2023

IG- @jack_carnduff

One of the most inspiring people I have ever met, is someone I have known since my early childhood. This person makes me want to do better everyday, motivates me to dream big, and has been with me through the toughest and best times of my life. He is one of the most determined, authentic, and kind hearted people I have ever met. He thrives in the face of adversity, advocates for others, and remains resilient in every endeavor.

Meet Jack Carnduff.

Some background - Jack I grew up together, just down the road from each other. We have countless memories together through our 24 years of life. When asked what his favorite memory of us as kids, he replied, “Huzzah”. It’s a float trip we go on every year, father’s day weekend, with a big group of families. We had been going together since we were four or five, and had plenty of memories from there to cherish. He says, “The river changed every year. It was different each time we came back, but our friendship never changed.” Jack is super sentimental and probably the most wholesome person I know.

Q & A

Rachel: What's your favorite recent memory of us?

Jack: Probably when you visited me right after I moved to Chicago. We did so much! We went to Cafe Baba Reeba, Hampton Social, Recess, Woody’s Flats, Utopian Tailgate, and River Shannon. We covered the West Loop, River North, Old Town, to Lincoln Park.

Rachel: Favorite thing to do on the weekends?

Jack: Farmers Market! I’ll grab a cold brew from starbucks, and just take a stroll through all the people and stands. I always head to my favorite vendor and get raspberry rose croissants.

Rachel: Favorite dinner spot?

Jack: Cafe Baba Reeba, of course, and Dear Margaret. Dear Margaret is like this quaint little spot in lincoln park. It resembles a restaurant you’d see in paris or new york, but you don’t feel like a guest in a restaurant, it’s a very personable experience, and I love the menu changes. It’s small town feel in a big city.

Rachel: What's your morning routine?

Jack: To me everything good starts with a solid morning routine. I take this time to really make sure I’m giving time and attention to myself before I’m giving to my patients the rest of the day. This allows for me to beat burnout and really pay attention to my own needs too. I always wake up 2-3 hours before work because this always for me to have my morning coffee slowly and not feel rushed. I normally have two cups and I read during that time, reflect on my life or spend it planning out the rest of the day. As well as some casual scrolling on tik tok lol. I finish my coffee and then have a good amount of time to shower and feel prepared for the day. This allows for me to already feel like I can take on whatever I encounter throughout the day. Being able to sit with myself and take time out in the day leaves me feeling replenished and excited for the day. I’m a huge morning person and in-fact it’s my favorite time of the day so I think that’s makes it easier for me to get up earlier and stick to my routine. It’s my own little slice of tranquility in the mornings that I cherish

Rachel: Favorite coffee shop?

Jack: The Starbucks around the corner from my work at the Intercontinental Hotel. And Cafe Deko, with a complete art deco theme, beautiful green and gold interior paired with a timeless checkered floor. Their honey lavender cold brew was amazing.

Jacks is a Neuro Rehabilitation Therapist, at Neurologic Wellness Institute in Chicago. He has some exciting plans for med school soon. He says wanting to be a doctor has been a natural passion for him before he could even pronounce his “R’s” and that he continues finding new reasons that he is on the right path.

Rachel: Favorite book?

Jack: Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. It perfects the duality of being the most beautiful and most heartbreaking thing at the same time.

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Rachel: What you’re currently reading?

Jack: Red White and Royal Blue. So far it's a lighthearted story about the first son of the US and prince of England.

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Rachel: Favorite podcast?

Jack: Congressional Dish, it’s centered around different bills and the process of making it through all the levels of government. I’ve learned a lot about some medical bills too.

Rachel: Favorite song atm?

Jack: Experience by Ludovico Einaudi. It speaks to my soul and allows for creativity.

I think it’s important to mention that every night on our Mexico trip, he would play the Bridgerton soundtrack for us to get ready to. Contrary to what you may think, it was some of the best pregame music ever.

Rachel: Favorite movie?

Jack: Right off the bat I think of Wonder Woman. Seeing her step into her power is really inspiring.

Rachel: Favorite show?

Jack: Right now it’s “Last of Us” but a few of my all time favorites are The Vampire Diaries, The 100, Heartstopper, Midnight Mass, House of the Dragon, & Game of Thrones (excluding the last season).

Rachel: If you had to give a Ted Talk, what would it be about?

Jack: The power of hope and how to be so delusionally hopeful in such a chaotic world.

I mentioned to him during this question, he would give a great speech on functional medicine & root causes of physical and mental ailments because of his deep passion and endless knowledge on the subject.

Rachel: If you could have dinner with anyone (dead or alive) who would it be & why?

Jack: My mom, she’s the best.

Rachel: What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

Jack: Learning to love to myself in a world where society told me otherwise (and Im still on that journey).

Rachel: What’s something you changed your mind about recently?

Jack: Seltzers are not it anymore

Rachel: If you had to write a book about yourself what would it be titled?

Jack: “Through his Eyes”

Rachel: How would you describe yourself in two words what would they be?

Jack: Perpetually thinking

Rachel: What's the last thing you cried about?

Jack: The book I just read, Song of Achilles