In this episode of The Locums Lounge, Dr. Mimi sits down with Dr. Eric Toone to talk about stepping into locums straight out of residency, learning how to negotiate, and why knowing your worth is the key to freedom in medicine. From his first single-coverage shift to leading teams and balancing family life, Dr. Toone shares hard-won lessons about opportunity, value, and control.

You’ll hear:

• Why locums gave him flexibility and the power to design his own schedule
• The importance of setting your rate and never working for less than your worth
• How 24- and even 48-hour shifts shaped his perspective on time and opportunity
• Why leadership roles can come with hidden costs and how to avoid the trap
• The difference between “F-you money” and “F-you opportunity” — and why the latter matters most

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can step off the traditional path, take control of your schedule, and build a career that works for your life, this conversation will show you what’s possible when you know your worth and stand on it.