In this episode of The Calling Code, Mina Salib sits down with Dr. Mariam Zakhary, a leading sports medicine physician who leads Mount Sinai’s downtown Rehabilitation & Human Performance program, directs Running Medicine, and serves as the Chief Medical Advisor to USA Fencing, to explore how optimism and resilience shape life, leadership, and success.

Dr. Zakhary opens up about the unexpected strength found in “naïve” optimism, the vital role of empathy in guiding teams, and the ability to uncover meaning even in tragedy. She reflects on her frontline experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, how a supportive team can transform crisis into growth, and what it means to relentlessly pursue excellence without losing sight of faith and humanity.

This conversation is an honest look at why positivity isn’t just a mindset, it’s a powerful force for success, leadership, and healing.

Chapters

• 00:00 – Meet Dr. Mariam Zakhary
  
• 11:03 – Empathy as the Heart of Leadership
  
• 18:17 – Finding Good in Tragedy
  
• 25:46 – The Coolest Part of Life
  
• 31:57 – Lessons from the COVID Crisis
  
• 39:12 – Career Transformations Post-COVID
  
• 45:39 – The Power of a Supportive Team