Thrive DVM Podcast

We regret to inform you that you FAILED both sections of the general exam.

Quite possibly the hardest words I've ever read and certainly one of the most painful moments in my young career. Not only had I failed to achieve a goal that meant SO MUCH to me, but I failed REALLY PUBLICLY. So many people were rooting for me, were invested in the result and were paying attention to THIS moment.

On this week's episode, as I'm sitting for yet another round of specialty boards on my way to becoming a board certified veterinary neurologist, I wanted to share with you my not-so-shiny reality of FAILING, realizing I needed HELP, getting help and the lessons I've learned along the way. Lessons that have translated to more than just career successes, but have transformed how I view myself, my relationships, and the way I pursue my goals.

The path less traveled is scary and sometimes supremely painful and un-sexy. But it's also a really tremendous opportunity if you let it be!

Being a human can be really HARD.

As we continue our Mental Health Awareness Month Series, we are joined by Kate Van Vuren who bravely and transparently tells her story of her diagnosis with post-traumatic stress disorder and unipolar depression.

In addition to a raw conversation about the impact of her diagnosis as well as the fact that it doesn't take a war-time experience to lead to PTSD, Kate and I talk about the IMPACT of being part of the healthcare system on our mental health.

Part of normalizing the need for mental healthcare and destigmatizing seeking out that care is these types of honest discussions - we hope you know that if you're experiencing something similar that you're NOT ALONE and there IS HOPE.

*Trigger Warning* Kate and I discuss self-harm and attempted suicide in this discussion, please be advised if these topics may be triggering for you.

More often than not - mental health is an inside job.

This week we're continuing our Mental Health Awareness Month series with part two of my discussion with Dr. Alleman of EmpathosVet. In our first portion of our discussion we discussed the power in DECIDING whose opinions of yourself you choose to give weight to - particularly in the context of strangers on the internet and clients from your practice.

This week's episode we're looking inward! Both at our own clinical environments and the roles we play there, and in SELF-AWARENESS and the necessity for personal development and growth.

Another incredible discussion with Dr. Alleman - and if you haven't already, check out episode 68 which is part one of this two part discussion!

We're rooting for you! Your mental health matters!

"I'm not sure I'm affected enough to NEED therapy..."

Sound familiar? Maybe you've said to yourself that you're simply not a candidate for therapy because you're not "sick enough" or "affected enough" or "struggling enough" - and yet you ARE struggling...

On this week's episode, and part 2 of our Mental Health Awareness Month Series, we invite Kristi Thrailkill back to the podcast to help us unpack WHO therapy is for, WHAT therapy can entail, and HOW to find access to MENTAL HEALTH CARE. This episode is SO important, and I hope that if you share ONE episode of this podcast, it's THIS one, so that more people can understand why they are a candidate for mental healthcare and how to seek it out!

TL;DR - therapy is for everyone, and just like our physical health, it's best used BEFORE crisis. Preventative medicine applies to our mental health too. (But also, listen to the episode b/c Kristi drops some amazing tips and insights!)

Additional resources mentioned in the episode:

Seeking a therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists

Kristi's blog on looking for a therapist: https://www.baltimorefamilytherapy.com/single-post/2018/01/25/finding-the-right-therapist

We have to stop putting the keys to our OWN happiness in someone ELSE'S pocket.

We're kicking off May's Mental Health Awareness Month series with part one of a thoughtful, entertaining, and tough-love series of conversations with Dr. Danielle Alleman of @empathos.vet .

Danielle and I dive into one of the most common complaints in the veterinary industry and debunk why this actually IS NOT our biggest problem and why focusing on the opinions of other people (clients in particular), will keep us trapped in a vicious cycle.

This is a frank discussion and there is some tough love that might make you uncomfortable - sit with that discomfort. Maybe it's there to challenge you!

*Trigger Warning* This episode addresses some difficult and potentially triggering topics such as depression, self-harm and suicide, please be advised*

Do you believe that you are born with a fixed potential and set of traits? Or that you have the capacity for change?

Statistically speaking? There appears to be one single best predictor for growth and we're talking all about this week in addition to the KEY difference between POSITIVITY and OPTIMISM and why you won't find "positivity" here.

Enjoy!

You don't have to be deeply unhappy to be selling yourself short and keeping yourself small.

It's an all too common phenomenon, trying to be perfect. Often to avoid the discomfort of criticism or "failure", but the unintended side effect? It's stopping you from stepping into the person you are capable of becoming.

On this week's episode we're talking about the three major ways PERFECTIONISM holds us back, and some TACTICAL solutions to start breaking up with perfectionism.

Is it possible to transition from being a "people pleaser" with very FEW boundaries, taking work home constantly, and always being available to...leaving work at work, saying "no" when you want to say "no", and cultivating a life and career you love?

This week's guest serves as an example, and my personal inspiration, of EXACTLY that. That it IS possible to relearn how to think about work and life and the boundaries that exist between them...AND how to WALK AWAY when you find yourself in a situation that doesn't honor your boundaries.

Dr. Mare, an OB/GYN in NYC, in her first year out of residency, left her first job when it became clear that it wasn't a good fit. She shares with us HOW she got to that decision, but also touches on some incredible topics like - honoring your own boundaries and satiated my curiosity about the human side of the medical world!

I hope you'll find her as inspiring, entertaining and RELATABLE as I do!

And if you want to connect with her further, check out her instagram @sweatandscalpels or head to Twitter where she's @ sweatnscalpels

Not every job, relationship or situation is meant to be forever.

It's natural to outgrow jobs - ESPECIALLY our first jobs. But why is it SO. DANG. HARD. to walk away BEFORE it gets untenable?

On this week's episode I'm taking your questions about the process of quitting my first job and also unpacking some serious mindset blocks we tend to have when it comes to quitting!

QUIT is not a dirty word. And I hope by the end of this episode, you'll agree that sometimes walking away is the brave choice and the BEST choice for all parties involved.

We're wrapping up our Women's History Month's series with an incredible human, Laci Taylor.

Laci is currently a third year veterinary student who knows the meaning of carving her OWN path. As a first-generation college attendee, graduate and now first-generation doctoral student, Laci is no stranger to "figuring it out". She demonstrates the power and possibility that comes from asking questions, being resourceful, and when the resource isn't there...making it herself.

This conversation was one of my favorites and Laci's story is POWERFUL. I hope you'll find this discussion as inspirational and motivating as I did.

You can find Laci on Instagram: @roadtodvm and follow along as Laci continues to not only breakdown barriers ahead of her, but create a path behind her as she goes for others.