The Catalyst Way™: Creative Strategies for Women in Medicine to Flourish

By Dr. Lara SalyerMedicine Health & Fitness Education

The Catalyst Way™: Creative Strategies for Women in Medicine to Flourish episodes

January 10, 2025Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women in Medicine to Flourish (And Exciting Announcements!)
Women in medicine face stark inequities, from pay gaps to higher burnout rates. But what does it take to truly support us? In this episode, I share personal stories and hard truths about the systemic challenges we encounter every day. Why are female physicians expected to shoulder more emotional labor, yet still struggle to break through leadership barriers?

I also explore the unique strengths we bring to medicine—empathy, communication, and better patient outcomes—and share how these qualities make such a difference in patient care. Along the way, I’ll talk about my decision to focus my Catalyst Studio mentorship exclusively on women and why I’m transitioning my practice to virtual care to help more women thrive. This is about creating a space where we can flourish, both inside and outside the exam room. Let’s challenge the status quo together!

Quotes
“Women are at risk for suicide over 400 times compared to their male counterparts. And in this study from the American Medical Association from 2023, 54.5% of women physicians reported symptoms of burnout, which are much more than their male counterparts. It’s critical that we need to support this.” (05:58 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Female physicians tend to spend more time with their patients and are more likely to engage in empathetic and collaborative decision-making. This makes patients feel more supported, and they actually understood the plans, which meant they were more adherent… We also, as women, have lower mortality and readmission rates in comparison to our male counterparts. This was a study done by UCLA Health, which showed that we could lower mortality costs compared to our male doctors. So we should be supporting women physicians.” (08:39 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“It’s a bittersweet change. And that’s how you know you’re doing something good. There’s always got to be a little bit of fear in that first step of that staircase. But I’ve done this before. I have opened up a whole new clinic, changed my whole life around, and I’m doing it again, and now with a deeper purpose that I feel extremely passionate about—helping all women practitioners flourish inside and outside the exam room.” (15:54 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Magic happens when you work with women who start to understand that you can bend time when you have the advantage of flow neuroscience. And when you align your values, and you learn how to make better, clearer decisions, your behavior changes, and you literally can catalyze a whole new culture of transformation. So, keep on hanging out with me here, and enjoy the changes that are going to be happening in 2025.” (17:33 | Dr. Lara Salyer)

Links
Book a Brainstorm Session: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery
Make your next event unforgettable with my speaking services: https://drlarasalyer.com/speaking-events/
Free Micropractice Assessment: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/to/P56ItjWi?typeform-source=drlarasalyer.com
Citations from the episode:
AAMC news
https://www.aamc.org/news/women-medicine-make-gains-obstacles-remain
American Medical Association
https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/despite-drop-burnout-women-physicians-still-feeling-burden
American Medical Association
https://www.ama-assn.org/about/leadership/despite-advances-gender-disparities-persist-medicine
Dr. Sue Mitra MD, FACP in Brevard County
https://www.suemitra.com/post/the-impact-of-female-doctors-on-patient-care-6-benefits-you-should-know
UCLA Health
https://www.uclahealth.org/news/release/treatment-female-doctors-leads-lower-mortality-and-hospital
American College of Cardiology
https://www.acc.org/about-acc/press-releases/2021/02/22/18/47/female-heart-disease-patients-with-female-physicians-fare-better

Connect with Lara:
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
20 min
January 03, 2025My 10 New Year’s Wishes for 2025
Forget resolutions. This year, I’m setting intentions with 10 bold wishes for 2025, and I’m inviting you to join me.

Why not approach the New Year by focusing on joy, creativity, and connection instead of rigid goals? My wishes are all about creating positive energy, grounding mind and body, and embracing creativity as a tool for growth.

I want to bring joy into every room I enter, deepen meaningful relationships, and spark transformation in the lives I touch. Along the way, I’m giving myself permission to let go of perfectionism and live with more playfulness and ease.

These wishes are my guide to a year of abundance, balance, and purpose. What would your year look like if you did the same? Let’s color outside the lines and make 2025 our most intentional year yet!

Quotes
“Your brain is a predictive machine. So the more you focus on things you want to call into your reality, the more likely you will align your habits, your thoughts, your intentions to make that happen.” (02:24 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“I wish to create joy in every room that I enter. To me, this is important. This is from a quote from Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor that talks about being responsible for the energy you bring into a space… My goal is that I will enter a room with the best energy I can to create joy for myself and for others, because energy is contagious. And so, that is the number one wish that I have for myself: to focus on every room I enter, I bring joy.” (03:05 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Creativity is medicinal. It is how we express our emotions and our thoughts. It’s how we process. It’s how we show up as a unique person. And it’s what draws other people to us.” (04:19 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Sparking transformation in someone else is also reciprocal because I’m also transformed. And I think that’s the beautiful part about being human.” (10:08 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Burnout is systemic. It’s not your fault. Burnout will be in the world. It’s never going away. There isn’t a perfect hospital system or residency, no perfect career or relationship. You’re going to feel burnout in a lot of elements, but it’s up to us to sense that and learn from the tools so that we can process it in a healthy way.” (15:32 | Dr. Lara Salyer)

Links
Book a Brainstorm Session with coupon code PODCAST: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery

Connect with Lara:
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
20 min
December 27, 2024Will AI Steal My Job? Finding Flow in a World Run by Robots
Worried AI is coming for your job? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain behind a big question: Will AI make my job obsolete? Read my lips: NO. No, it won’t. But that fear is real, and it’s something I tackled with a mentee who’s a functional medicine health coach. Together, we worked through her burnout and found a way to bring more flow and ease into her busy life.

Here’s the thing—AI can spit out facts, but it can’t do what you do. It can’t replace real human connection.
It can’t connect, inspire, or guide people toward real change. In this episode, I’ll show you how to own that magic and balance the chaos by focusing on five key areas: client care, business stuff, family, personal well-being, and learning. With a few tweaks, you can go from overwhelmed to on top of it, and start loving your work again.

If you’re ready to stop stressing about AI and focus on showing up as your best self, this episode is for you!

Quotes
"Burnout is a specific brainwave pattern of grief... It's when your expectations don't meet the reality." (03:36 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
"...When we look at how to retro-engineer burnout, we look towards flow. Flow is the only time your brain produces all five neurochemicals of happiness. And flow is important because when you're in flow, you feel more confident, more productive, you have more agency, autonomy, more creativity, more curiosity, and you come up with more innovative ideas." (04:54 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
"AI is a great place to look for answers, but it doesn't help you change. And that's what we're here for." (06:05 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Your patients and clients are also trying to make change. And if humans were easy and we just had a switch that we could flip and be done and make that change and rewire that habit instantly, well then, yeah, maybe I would worry about AI taking over our jobs, but that's never going to happen. Humans are brilliantly complex, fascinatingly imperfect, and they require this invisible energy that can only happen in a container of a relationship between a client and practitioner. a patient and physician, a healer and another human. And that's the magic that you have. No other person does it like you.” (Dr. Lara Salyer | 06:26)

Links
Catalyst Reclamation: https://rightbrainrescue.com/p/reclamation
Book a Brainstorm Session: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery
Free Catalyst Calendar planner: https://healthinnate.activehosted.com/f/49
Catalyst Reclamation: https://rightbrainrescue.com/p/reclamation

Connect with Lara:
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
21 min
December 20, 2024The Reverse Time Capsule: Get Unstuck, Inspired, and Empowered
Feeling overwhelmed by decisions that seem impossible to make? I get it—I’ve been there, and so have the Catalysts I mentor. In this episode, I’m sharing a powerful tool I call the “Reverse Time Capsule,” a guided visualization exercise that can help you step out of indecision and into clarity and confidence.

What if you could imagine a future where everything feels easy, abundant, and in flow? By anchoring those positive emotions, you can change how you approach the choices in front of you right now. I’ll explain why emotional regulation and visualization work, how neuroscience backs it up, and why our usual go-to methods, like pros and cons lists, often fail us when overwhelm sets in.

If you’re ready to move from stuck to inspired, this episode will give you a simple, actionable way to reclaim your decision-making power and bring more ease into your life.

Quotes
“My Catalyst Studio is geared towards women. A lot of us are working moms. And so, it’s a unique societal pressure, because not only are we trying to run a business or creating our dream work-life masterpiece in healthcare, we’re also dealing with raising kids, picking them up from soccer practice, getting them to piano lessons, dealing with all the unique pressures that comes with being a woman in medicine. And that’s where our Catalyst Studio mentorship is so unique because we allow this vulnerable safe space to talk candidly about this and help our limbic system learn to recalibrate and step into our own empowerment.” (03:59 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Our reality is really our perception. So, if you’re perceiving and feeling the feelings of success or abundance or ease, you’re going to call that into your reality now.” (12:43 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“When it comes to decisions of our soul’s purpose and of our life, we become paralyzed because now we’re in uncharted waters… we’ve atrophied our own flame, our own creative juice, our own intuition.” (13:41 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“If you go into emotions and you learn to tune up that intuition of that gut feeling of this feels right or wrong, or you conjure up your time capsule, you can really access those emotions and call in what decisions feel easy, free, and flowy.” (14:16 | Dr. Lara Salyer)

Links
Book a Brainstorm Session for free with PODCAST coupon: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery
Take the Archetype quiz to find your ideal play activity: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/archetype
Catalyst Reclamation https://drlarasalyer.com/shop.
Course: https://rightbrainrescue.com/p/reclamation

Connect with Lara:
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
20 min
December 13, 202412 Things to Know Before You Jump Into Entrepreneurship
Healthcare entrepreneurship is a bold move, and I know firsthand how much emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and resilience it takes. Are you ready to take the leap?

As the new year approaches, it’s natural to reflect on your current path and wonder if it’s time for something new. In this episode, I’m sharing twelve essential insights from my journey to help you move from burnout to building a business that truly aligns with your passions and purpose. We’ll cover strategies like mastering your calendar, clarifying your vision, managing setbacks, and creating the support system you’ll need to succeed.

Have you thought about how to balance passion with practicality? Are you ready to confront your money mindset and take on the inevitable challenges of this transition? Through stories, practical advice, and lessons I’ve learned firsthand, I’ll help you prepare for the exciting, rewarding world of healthcare entrepreneurship. Let’s dive in together!

Quotes
“Not everybody is fully ready to be an entrepreneur, but if you’re up for it, it is the best growth experience. It is the most wonderful way to have a path toward self-actualization.” (02:16 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Train your emotional intelligence… You have to know that everybody is walking around with their own perception of reality and everybody has their own lens through which they're seeing that.” (02:51 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“We love our passion, but we have to balance it with practicality. Passion is the energy for all health entrepreneurs… We’re able to express this highest level of creativity and passion because we’re running our own business, delivering medicine, and transforming lives in a way that we feel is uniquely personalized. But we also need some practicality.” (18:02 | Dr. Lara Salyer)

Links
Book a Brainstorm Session: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery
Free Catalyst Calendar planner: https://healthinnate.activehosted.com/f/49
Free Micropractice Assessment: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/to/P56ItjWi?typeform-source=drlarasalyer.com

Connect with Lara:
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
37 min
December 06, 2024A Physician on a “Rheumission”: Innovative Integrative Rheumatology
“Everyone’s gut microbiome is different, their genetics are different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all,”

I had the privilege of talking with Dr. Yu, an integrative rheumatologist that incorporates complementary medicine with traditional rheumatology, about his journey with autoimmune disease and how it shaped his unique approach to patient care.

Hearing his story of being diagnosed with gout at 17 and later spondyloarthritis was powerful. His experience pushed him to look beyond conventional medicine. Could diet, lifestyle, and mental health be the missing links in managing these conditions? Dr. Yu found relief through a plant-based diet, which inspired him to dive deeper into integrative and functional medicine—and what he’s learned has the potential to transform how we treat autoimmune conditions.

I loved hearing about his work at Rheumission, a virtual clinic where he and his team address not just the physical symptoms of autoimmune disease but also the emotional and psychological factors. How often do we, as practitioners, ask our patients about trauma or stress? Dr. Yu believes those are essential conversations, and his approach has shown just how impactful they can be.

This episode will get you thinking: What if healing isn’t about finding the perfect medication but about uncovering the right combination of tools for each patient? Dr. Yu’s innovative methods and commitment to personalized care are an inspiring reminder of what’s possible when we reimagine healthcare.

Quotes
“Everyone’s gut microbiome is different, their genetics are different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all.” (10:15 | Dr. Micah Yu)
“The mind-body medicine piece is so important. Oftentimes, we don’t ask about trauma or what our patient’s upbringing was... These things are very important. There is so much of our mind that controls the pain. We know that in patients with anxiety and depression, there’s higher incidence of autoimmune diseases, and there’s inflammation of the brain that is connected to the systemic inflammation of autoimmunity. So, there’s these things that we overlook, we don’t have time to talk about at a regular doctor’s visit.” (11:22 | Dr. Micah Yu)
“Being an autoimmune patient, I understand what it’s like to live with autoimmune disease, especially rheumatic disease, at a very young age as well. Through all the education, diving into rabbit holes, and nonstop learning, I’ve realized there’s no one-size-fits-all. The same goes for diet—there’s no universal solution, as I mentioned earlier. However, there is a theme: a plant-predominant diet rich in phytonutrients can often be helpful. For some, infections might be driving their disease. For others, it could be mental health. You don’t know your true potential for healing unless you keep exploring.” (32:25 | Dr. Micah Yu)

Links
Free Micropractice Assessment: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/to/P56ItjWi?typeform-source=drlarasalyer.com
Infographics: https://drlarasalyer.com/shop/#Infographics

Connect with Dr. Micah Yu:
www.drlifestyle.org
www.rheumission.com
www.myautoimmunemd.com
https://www.instagram.com/myautoimmunemd
https://www.instagram.com/rheumissionhlth

Connect with Lara:
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
35 min
November 29, 2024Staying Inspired: Simple Rituals Every Physician Needs
What if inspiration didn’t have to arrive in rare, dramatic bursts? Inspired by Mason Currey’s “Daily Rituals: How Artists Work,” I’ve learned that simple routines can nurture creativity in ways we don’t always expect. By creating rituals, we can stay energized, connect more deeply with patients, and prevent burnout.

For me, a daily writing routine became a powerful tool for self-expression and healing during a difficult time. This wasn’t about waiting for the perfect moment to write; it was about showing up consistently and letting creativity flow. I believe rituals help us turn everyday practices into grounding moments that open us up to creative energy. What small, intentional habits could make a difference in your own life? I think they just might, especially in medicine, where creativity is often hidden in the art of patient care and problem-solving.

In this episode, I’m sharing practical ways to stay inspired, like finding dedicated workspaces or discovering your best times of day for focused tasks. Whether you’re a physician or simply looking for ways to invite more creativity into your life, I hope my journey reminds you that inspiration can be woven into the fabric of our daily routines through purposeful rituals.

Quotes
“I believe that a career in medicine is one of the most creative careers. You see, you’re energetically engaged with a patient. You’re using all five senses, which means you’re putting yourself in flow.” (01:00 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Routine matters... Structure actually helps creativity. But really, it’s about consistency, and our brain is a predictive machine.” (07:28 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Constraints actually will fuel creativity... the more constraints you apply, your brain works a little harder to be creative.” (20:44 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Persistence over perfection… We need to have a ‘BM’ once a day—one bare minimum daily. Done is better than perfect.” (22:12 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Medicine should be fun. It should be a self-expressive act. It should be a creative act where you’re helping your patient heal.” (23:11 | Dr. Lara Salyer)

Links
Free Catalyst Calendar planner: https://healthinnate.activehosted.com/f/49
Take the Archetype quiz to find your ideal play activity: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/archetype
Daily Rituals: How Artists Work by Mason Currey: https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Rituals-How-Artists-Work/dp/0307273601
Right Brain Rescue Book: Amazon store front: https://www.amazon.com//dp/B08JCKBWK5/

Connect with Lara:
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
30 min
November 22, 2024Surrender and Acceptance Tour™-- How to Keep Going When Your Heart Is Broken
How do you show up when your heart is broken?

I’m inviting you into one of my most personal episodes yet. This isn’t about frameworks or takeaways; it’s about showing up when everything feels heavy. I call it my “Surrender and Acceptance Tour™.” After a challenging election and the heartbreak of ending a 20-year marriage, I’m sharing how I’m navigating grief and finding ways to keep moving forward.

Grief and burnout share the same brainwave patterns. That insight hit me hard, reminding me of tools I’ve used before—tools that can help us anchor in our values, notice small wins, and spark creativity. These aren’t quick fixes, but they’re steps that light the way when things feel dark.

How do you process emotions when the world feels overwhelming? Can creativity and self-expression be the key to healing? Tune in to explore what it means to surrender without giving up. Maybe this is just what you need to hear right now.

Quotes
“When your heart is broken and you’re sitting in grief, the only thing you need to do is whatever your body says to—whatever you need to do to help move that energy through, because it’s energy that is personal to you. As it filters through your mind and your soul, it’s going to transmute in its own way. But the key is: don’t get stuck wherever you are. Keep it processing.” (11:47 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Creativity is truly, I believe, your intuition. Creativity is medicinal because it’s what you feel deep in your heart, sort of like coming out. It's like self-expressive out of your pores. This is why I absolutely love bringing it into everything I do… if you tap into this creative power, you get so good at decisions, emotional boundaries, confidence, self-efficacy, and time management. It’s like everything falls into place—everything falls into place because you’re making decisions from your pilot light that’s shining.” (22:12 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Keep love at the center. I know the world is hard, dark, and sad, but I really believe and trust that there’s something we just don’t understand at play. And if we can love ourselves first, it’ll then pour out of us into those around us.” (41:20 | Dr. Lara Salyer)

Links
Take the Archetype Quiz to find your ideal play activity: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/archetype
Catalyst Reclamation: https://rightbrainrescue.com/p/reclamation
Right Brain Rescue book: https://www.amazon.com//dp/B08JCKBWK5/

Connect with Lara:
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
45 min
November 15, 2024Map Your Unique 6 Step Method
“When we dive into the complex world of functional and integrative medicine, it can feel overwhelming. And the best asset you have is designing your own unique method that you will bestow to your patients”

In this episode, I’m sharing my six-step roadmap to help you, as a functional or integrative practitioner, build a method that’s structured, personal, and truly impactful. Imagine guiding each patient’s journey with clarity and consistency, while also reigniting your own passion for medicine.

We start with the discovery call, a powerful first touchpoint that often goes underutilized. From there, I’ll walk you through each phase, from the initial visit to long-term support, and show you how small, thoughtful touches can transform the patient experience in a micropractice. Think about it: are you helping patients feel truly seen from that very first interaction? Is the support you’re providing empowering them over time?

By the end, you’ll have fresh ideas for clarifying patient expectations and enhancing outcomes, all while creating a practice that brings you joy and fulfillment. This roadmap is about more than just steps. It’s a guide to building a micropractice rooted in connection, clarity, and compassionate care.

Quotes
“The best asset you have is designing your own unique method that you will bestow to your patients.” (00:19 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“You are the face of your business. You are the embodiment of the healing modalities that you are going to use for your patients. The discovery call is a very underutilized method that has such potent power. The discovery call gives that patient an energetic connection to you. And sometimes that’s wordless. It can be just the feeling they get across the Zoom room or on the phone or in your office. No matter how you do the discovery calls, it gives them this assurance that you are their next guide.” (08:33 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“In your healing and treatment phases, what do you offer as a touch point of support? What could you offer? …Patients need to feel that kind of trust and safety. Otherwise, it’s a high ticket for them to implement and execute on all the things that you give them in that visit summary. So think about all the ways that you can encourage them like a cheerleader.” (23:59 | Dr. Lara Salyer)

Links
Book a Discovery Call: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery
Free Micropractice Assessment: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/to/P56ItjWi?typeform-source=drlarasalyer.com
Purchase the STREAMLINE module from our Catalyst Studio resource library to work on your unique method, as well as streamline other aspects of your work/life masterpiece! https://rightbrainrescue.com/p/streamline

Connect with Lara:
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
37 min
November 08, 20245 Strategies to Get Started in Functional Medicine
“We’re always going to be lifelong learners when we get into functional medicine. Curiosity is what brought us here,” says Meg McElroy, a physician assistant with a deep background in integrative medicine. Her journey began as a patient facing her own health struggles, which eventually fueled her passion for managing autoimmune conditions—not just for herself but for others as well. Meg’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care, both for patients and practitioners.

In this episode, Meg joins me to explore the world of functional medicine training. Finding the right program can feel overwhelming since there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. We share valuable insights on how understanding your learning style and aligning with your professional goals can guide you toward the best choice. We also tackle the practical challenges of practicing functional medicine within insurance models versus cash-pay models.

Tune in for thoughtful reflections and actionable insights that will encourage you to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of integrative medicine with confidence and purpose.

Quotes
“So much is built from community, and realizing you’re not alone and having your ability to be self-expressive in the kind of medicine you want to practice and deliver, whether it’s pulling from functional medicine or other holistic lifestyle medicine practices. It’s all a blend for each practitioner to deliver what they want, and finding that community is crucial.” (07:25 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Functional medicine is only as impactful as the practitioner can be efficiently and actionable in helping the patient understand.” (07:55 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“When I first got started in functional medicine, I was a part of practice where I’d say it was like test and treat everything. So, people would leave with three to five tests to do and maybe 10 supplements to take without having any data yet. And it works for some, but it’s not for everybody. Methodical is where you start with one thing at a time, even one supplement at a time.” (08:39 | Meg McElroy)
“Taking charge of your health does require an investment, but it doesn’t need to be the investment that a lot of people associate with a functional medicine model.” (14:46 | Meg McElroy)
“We’re always going to be lifelong learners when we get into functional medicine. Curiosity is what brought us into functional medicine.” (17:38 | Meg McElroy)

Links
Free Micropractice Assessment: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/to/P56ItjWi?typeform-source=drlarasalyer.com

Connect with Meg McElroy:
Website: www.megmcelroy.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/functionalmedicinepa
Facebook Group: PAs/NPs in Functional/Integrative Medicine https://www.facebook.com/groups/2013000098937843/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megmcelroypa/

Connect with Lara:
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
43 min

About The Catalyst Way™: Creative Strategies for Women in Medicine to Flourish

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Welcome to The Catalyst Way—the podcast for women clinicians who want to get organized, reignite creativity, and flourish in medicine.

Hosted by Dr. Lara Salyer, DO, IFMCP, a physician, author,…

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The Catalyst Way™: Creative Strategies for Women in Medicine to Flourish

The Catalyst Way™: Creative Strategies for Women in Medicine to Flourish episodes

About The Catalyst Way™: Creative Strategies for Women in Medicine to Flourish