In this episode of the Rooted Health Practice Podcast, Dr. Alex Swenson Ridley shares her compelling journey from an unexpected pregnancy and a tumultuous job in Alaska to opening her own chiropractic practice. Despite facing significant challenges, including a chaotic and traumatic work environment and a high-stress pregnancy, she persevered to build a successful business. This story underscores the importance of understanding the true driving force behind one's entrepreneurial pursuits, whether it's necessity or opportunity, and emphasizes the significance of aligning one's business with personal values to achieve sustained wellbeing and fulfillment.

Gilstrap, C. M., Weber, T., & Gilstrap, C. A. (2024). Navigating the Unknown: How Healthcare Entrepreneurs Manage Uncertainty. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, 29(2), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1142/S1084946724500146

Kearney, C., Dunne, P., & Wales, W. J. (2020). Entrepreneurial orientation and burnout among healthcare professionals. Journal of Health Organization and Management, 34(1), 16–22. https://doi.org/10.1108/jhom-09-2019-0259

Manchiraju, S., Akbari, M., & Seydavi, M. (2023). Is entrepreneurial role stress a necessary condition for burnout? A necessary condition analysis. Current Psychology, 43(5), 4766–4778. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04704-z

Ryff, C. D. (2018). Entrepreneurship and eudaimonic well-being: Five venues for new science. Journal of Business Venturing, 34(4), 646–663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2018.09.003

Take the Leadership Energy Audit

As always, feel free to reach out to Dr. Alex with any questions, deep thoughts or support: [email protected]

In this enlightening podcast episode, Dr. Alex Swenson Ridley delves into the complexities of leadership for healthcare entrepreneurs. Exploring insights from the book 'The Six Types of Working Genius,' she highlights the importance of aligning work roles with personal strengths to prevent burnout. Dr. Alex shares her personal journey of discovering her creative strengths, emphasizing the significance of understanding one's unique leadership style. By embracing personal strengths, entrepreneurs can lead practices more authentically and effectively. This episode offers thought-provoking perspectives on developing positive leadership and reshaping practice roles for genuine entrepreneurial success.

Resources from this episode:

Working Genius

VIA Character Strengths

Leadership Energy Audit

Aligned Authority Workshop--Available 2/16

Connect Call with Dr. Alex

What happens when you do everything “right”—and still burn out?

In this first full episode of The Rooted Practice Podcast, Dr. Alex Swenson-Ridley introduces the core idea behind the show: the practice beneath the practice—the internal foundation that shapes how we lead, work, and sustain ourselves, often without being named or supported.

This episode explores why so many capable, committed practice owners and leaders find themselves exhausted despite external success. Why following the rules, applying the strategies, and doing what you were taught can still lead to burnout—not because you failed, but because the model you were following never included the whole human.

Through reflection, lived experience, and a grounded reframe, this conversation invites you to pause and consider what’s been happening beneath your leadership and your work.

This is not an episode about fixing yourself.

It’s about understanding what’s been missing.

• Why burnout isn’t always caused by doing too much
• What “the practice beneath the practice” actually means
• How leadership, nervous system capacity, and self-worth intersect
• Why external success can coexist with deep internal exhaustion
• How a different foundation makes sustainable leadership possible

Dr. Alex shares part of her own journey—building a successful practice by every traditional measure, and slowly realizing that something essential was missing. Not as a story of failure, but as context for why so many leaders reach a breaking point while doing exactly what they were taught to do.

This episode is an invitation to see your experience not as a personal shortcoming, but as a signal that a different way of practicing and leading may be needed.

• Practice owners who feel successful on paper but depleted in real life
• Leaders questioning whether this is what success is supposed to feel like
• Those who’ve outgrown hustle but don’t yet have language for what’s next
• Anyone sensing that the real work begins underneath the strategy

If today stirred something, the Leadership Energy Audit offers a gentle place to reflect, without urgency or expectation.

The Rooted Practice Podcast explores inside-out leadership, practitioner wellbeing, and building a sustainable, aligned practice rooted in what matters most. Through reflective conversations and evidence-informed insight, this podcast supports leaders who want alignment—not just achievement.

What happens when success no longer feels sustainable?

The Rooted Practice Podcast is a space for practice owners and purpose-driven leaders who are successful on the outside—but quietly exhausted, disconnected, or questioning the way they’ve been taught to lead.

In this short trailer episode, host Dr. Alex Swenson-Ridley introduces the core idea behind the show: the practice beneath the practice—the inner leadership, nervous system patterns, values, identity, and emotional dynamics that shape how we lead, work, and live.

This podcast explores inside-out leadership, practitioner wellbeing, burnout recovery, and building a sustainable, aligned practice rooted in what matters most. Rather than focusing on hustle, productivity, or quick fixes, these conversations invite reflection, regulation, and a different definition of success.

If you’ve outgrown hustle culture…

If leadership feels heavier than it used to…

If you’re ready to stop pushing from the surface and start building from the roots—

You’re in the right place.

Our first two episodes will launch 2/2/26. Come back to listen then!

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the show! In this first episode of 2025, I shared my personal journey of overcoming burnout, a topic I've discussed extensively on this podcast. After celebrating my 40th birthday and spending quality time with my family, I felt it was important to revisit this subject, especially as I've recently reached the other side of burnout after a six-year struggle.

I outlined the five most impactful steps that helped me heal from burnout, hoping they can serve as a guide for anyone currently experiencing it. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Acceptance and Rest: Recognize that you're burned out and give yourself permission to stop pushing. This involves reducing physical, emotional, and mental stress and allowing yourself to rest and recover.
2. Body Sensation Awareness: Learn to connect with your body's sensations as they are indicators of your emotional state. This can help you understand and address underlying issues contributing to burnout.
3. HeartMath and Emotional Connection: Utilize HeartMath techniques to connect with positive emotions like love, appreciation, and compassion. This helps in achieving physiological coherence, which is crucial for healing.
4. Making Time for Yourself: Dedicate time to connect with yourself, feel your emotions, and reflect. This can be through a morning or evening routine, ensuring you have space to process and heal.
5. Somatic Movement: Engage in somatic movement practices to release stored trauma and stress from your body. This can be particularly effective in the final stages of healing.

I also emphasized the importance of seeking support, whether from a therapist, coach, or understanding friend, and the need to break free from guilt and shame associated with burnout.

For those interested, I mentioned a guide I created to help connect with oneself and start the healing process, which will be available in the show notes. Additionally, I am available for coaching and support if needed.

Remember, healing from burnout is possible, and it requires intentional changes and support. Don't suffer in silence; reach out and take the first step towards a rejuvenated life. Thank you for listening, and I look forward to connecting with you in the next episode.

Reach out to me with any questions or just to chat [email protected]

Download The Flourishing Handbook (originally made for chiropractors, but appplies to everyone): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kKjGpjuG-4JQUN7eeSTgbFCc57J-ZNTs/view?usp=drive_link

In this episode, we welcome Catherine Brooks, a professor emeritus from the University of Fairbanks, Alaska, and author of the new book "Sirens." Dr. Alex and Catherine discuss her journey of writing the book, reflecting on how it has served as a healing process and a way to follow her heart. Catherine shares insights about the challenges of finding time to write and the importance of carving out space for creativity. This heartfelt conversation delves into the significance of living authentically and the transformative power of storytelling. Join us to explore Catherine's experiences and the inspiration behind her latest work.

Timestamps

[00:01:15] Following your heart in writing.

[00:08:21] Writing as a healing tool.

[00:12:26] Healing through writing.

[00:17:08] Trauma and support systems.

[00:20:19] Emotional suppression and its impact.

[00:26:06] Painful past experiences and healing.

[00:30:38] Diet soda addiction awareness.

[00:38:37] What happened to you?

[00:40:45] Following the call of sirens.

[00:45:32] Trauma and alternative healing avenues.

To connect with Catherine visit www.catherinebrooksalaska.com

Order your copy of Sirens here.

Follow Catherine on social channels: @catherinebrooksalaska

To connect with Dr. Alex visit www.emergenthumans.co or email [email protected]

In this episode of the podcast, host Dr. Alex welcomes Sanja Ralevic, a mental resilience mentor and advocate for emotional intelligence and resilience in the corporate world. Sonja shares her unique perspective on navigating the complexities of business while emphasizing the importance of emotional self-regulation and intelligent personal energy management for sustainable success. They discuss the challenges of burnout, the need for a shift in traditional leadership styles, and how positive organizational development can foster a more inclusive and effective approach to leadership. Tune in to gain valuable insights that can help you thrive in today's fast-paced business landscape.

Timestamps

[00:02:04] Burnout recovery journey.

[00:06:39] Emotional self-regulation for leaders.

[00:09:30] Sustainable self-care practices.

[00:12:16] Self-worth and energy management.

[00:19:31] Energy drainers and chargers.

[00:23:13] Intelligent energy management.

[00:27:40] Resilience and sustainability in fitness.

[00:30:27] Heart-focused breathing technique.

[00:38:30] Living life for oneself.

[00:43:10] Boundaries and self-empowerment.

Sanja is the founder of HeartVista Performance, a mentor at Foresight and runs multiple resilience coaching programs for entrepreneurs and executives. As a trained biofeedback practitioner, Sanja combines technology and evidence-based practices, offering practical and actionable tools for achieving mental resilience and maximized performance.

Connect with her by visiting www.heartvistaperformance.com

In this episode, we reflect on the theme of gratitude following Thanksgiving in the U.S. Dr. Alex shares personal insights about the varying perspectives on gratitude, particularly from her step-sons aged 19 to 22, who seem to approach the concept with skepticism. She emphasizes the tendency for gratitude to become superficial, often reduced to mere phrases without genuine emotional connection. Drawing from her studies in a master's program in positive psychology, she highlights the significance of deeper emotional experiences, with a focus on self-compassion and its physiological benefits. Join us as we explore the true essence of gratitude and its impact on our lives.

Timestamps

[00:01:26] The health benefits of gratitude.

[00:05:24] Toxic positivity and gratitude.

[00:09:40] Gratitude and meaningful connections.

[00:12:32] Overcoming burnout conversation.

To connect with Dr. Alex send an email to [email protected]

In this episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming my dear friend Paulina Równy, a burnout coach originally from Poland, now living in Edinburgh. We shared our personal journeys of healing and self-discovery, particularly focusing on the theme of rewriting our stories of worthiness.

Paulina opened up about her experience with burnout in the corporate world and how she took a year off to reflect and develop her practice. During this time, she faced significant identity challenges, which led to our collaboration on a program called "Rooted in Worth." This program aims to help individuals navigate their own struggles with self-worth and identity, drawing from our shared experiences and insights.

We discussed the impact of familial relationships, particularly the dynamics with our mothers, and how these relationships shaped our perceptions of worthiness. Paulina shared her realization about the disempowering nature of being labeled as "lucky," while I reflected on my own experiences of being a peacekeeper in my family.

Throughout our conversation, we emphasized the importance of acknowledging and embracing our emotions, rather than running from them. We also introduced the concept of our program, which is designed to guide participants through a journey of self-exploration and empowerment, using the metaphor of a tree to illustrate the layers of worthiness we will uncover together.

As we prepare to launch "Rooted in Worth" in January, we invite listeners to join us for introductory sessions to learn more about the program and how it can support their personal growth. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of our journeys and the transformative power of understanding our worth.

Get Updates on the Launch of Rooted In Worth and upcoming introductions: www.emergenthumans.co/rooted

Reach out with questions or comments:

Dr. Alex: [email protected]

Paulina: [email protected]

In this episode, I share some exciting personal updates and invite you to reflect on your own life changes. After starting a master's program in positive psychology and reactivating my chiropractic license, I’m thrilled to return to practice part-time. This journey has been transformative, especially after experiencing burnout in my previous decade of practice.

As I navigate these changes, I’ve decided to adjust the podcast's release schedule. Starting in November, I will be releasing two episodes a month instead of weekly. This shift allows me to focus on the quality of content I provide, ensuring that each episode is meaningful and valuable to you.

I also discuss the importance of balancing commitments without feeling the need to drop everything for new pursuits. Instead of an all-or-nothing approach, I’m embracing a mindset that allows for flexibility and quality in my endeavors. I encourage you to consider where you might be focusing on quantity over quality in your own life and how you can create space for new opportunities without sacrificing what you already have.

Additionally, I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter, the Soul Shift Chronicle (www.emergenthumans.co/subscribe), where I’ll share curated content, including highlights from past episodes and insights from my studies. I would love to hear your feedback on the podcast—what you enjoy, what you’d like to see more of, and how I can better serve you. Please shoot me an email at [email protected] and let me know what you'd like to see more of so that I can bring this show to life in the best way for you.

Join me next week for a fantastic interview with my friend Paulina Równy, where we’ll discuss a collaborative project we’ve created together. Thank you for being part of this journey, and I look forward to connecting with you in the coming episodes!

Links from this episode:

Subscribe to the Soul Shift Chronicle: www.emergenthumans.co/subscribe

Dr. Alex's Email: [email protected]