Midstride with Dr. Olivia

You can be proud of what you’ve achieved and still want something different. How do you figure out what comes next?In this episode of Midstride with Dr. Olivia, Dr. Guadalupe “Lu” Federico-Martinez shares how she began questioning a career path she had worked hard to build, and what helped her find a more fulfilling way forward.A social scientist, coach, and founder of DLM Coaching, Consulting and Wellness, Lu has spent two decades helping physicians navigate career development and advancement. Together, we explore how ambition evolves, why changing direction can feel like letting people down, and how to distinguish a difficult season from a path that no longer fits.We discuss recognizing physical and emotional signals, making sense of conflicting advice, and giving yourself permission to reconsider your priorities. Lu also shares reflection questions and examples of making meaningful changes without walking away from everything you’ve built.If you’ve been asking “Why doesn’t this feel fulfilling anymore?” or “What do I actually want?”, this conversation offers a thoughtful place to begin.Subscribe for new conversations every Tuesday about health, wealth, work, relationships, and living well.CONNECT WITH LUWebsite: https://www.dlmwellness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guadalupe-federico-martinez-phd-8508b2196EXPLORE MIDSTRIDEWebsite + newsletter: https://midstride.usInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/midstridehqConnect with Dr. Olivia: https://www.instagram.com/droliviamdCHAPTERS0:00 Preview: When Success No Longer Feels Fulfilling1:19 Meet Dr. Lu: Coaching Physicians Through Career Change1:56 How Ambition and Your Definition of Success Evolve4:53 The Discomfort of Wanting Something Different6:06 Making Space to Pause and Reflect7:03 Recognizing the Signals That Something Needs to Change10:25 Conflicting Advice and Giving Yourself Permission12:00 Building Self-Awareness and Knowing What You Want14:42 How Coaching Helps Clarify Your Priorities17:11 A Hard Season or a Path That No Longer Fits?20:00 Exploring Your Options When You Don’t Know What’s Next22:12 Questions to Ask Before Making a Change24:05 Moving Forward Without the Guilt of Disappointing Others27:06 Making a Career Shift Without Starting Over30:00 Finding Fulfillment Alongside an Established Career34:36 What Are You Waiting For? What Do You Want?35:15 Dr. Lu’s Next Chapter: Enjoying the Life She Has Built38:38 Stay Connected With MidstrideForward, with intention.#Midstride #CareerChange #RedefiningSuccess

How do you trust your own direction when everyone expects you to choose a different one?Pooja Mehta considered a future in medicine before choosing makeup artistry and building Makiaj. In this episode of Midstride with Dr. Olivia, she shares how she navigated family expectations, trained in Paris, and expanded from bridal beauty into lighting products.We talk about recognizing your strengths, making a career pivot, building a team, and learning from decisions that don’t work out. Pooja also reflects on beauty and confidence, stepping outside her comfort zone on Bravo’s Dancing Queens, and how building a business has changed her as a person.For anyone reconsidering their direction or building something of their own, this conversation explores how to keep moving forward while allowing your definition of success to evolve.Subscribe for new conversations every Tuesday about health, wealth, work, relationships, and living well.CONNECT WITH POOJAWebsites:https://makiajbeauty.comhttps://makiaj.comInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/makiajbeautyhttps://www.instagram.com/makiajbeautylighthttps://www.instagram.com/poojahimovichEXPLORE MIDSTRIDEWebsite + newsletter: https://midstride.usMidstride Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midstridehqConnect with Dr. Olivia: https://www.instagram.com/droliviamdCHAPTERS0:00 Preview: Choosing a Life That Fits You1:42 Meet Pooja Mehta: Choosing Beauty Over Medicine3:46 Recognizing When to Change Direction5:06 Training in Paris and Makeup for Deeper Skin Tones8:19 Timeless Beauty in a Trend-Driven Industry9:28 Following Your Passion at a Career Crossroads10:52 From Bridal Makeup to Building a Lighting Brand14:14 Knowing What to Try Next15:50 Finding the Right People for Your Team17:04 Hiring, Letting Go, and Leading With Compassion19:02 Protecting Your Energy Through Delegation21:22 Business Lessons: Trust Your Timing and Learn From Failure23:56 Beauty, Vulnerability, and Building Confidence28:08 Helping Women See Themselves Differently30:43 Bravo’s Dancing Queens and Leaving Your Comfort Zone34:02 Changing Direction With Patience and Persistence36:20 Navigating Setbacks With Mentorship and Purpose39:37 Staying Grounded Through the Ups and Downs of Business41:18 Personal Growth, Money Beliefs, and Business Growth42:38 The Next Chapter: Letting Go of Old Patterns44:33 Stay Connected With MidstrideForward, with intention.#Midstride #PoojaMehta #CareerChange

Welcome to Midstride with Dr. Olivia.

Join physician Dr. Olivia Cardenas-Trowers for thoughtful conversations about health, wealth, work, relationships, and living well.

Through expert insight and personal stories, we explore the choices that shape our lives and what it means to move forward with intention.

Follow the show for new episodes every Tuesday.

Website and newsletter: https://midstride.us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midstridehq

Forward, with intention.