I recently revisited one of my favorite metaphors from the classic film Parenthood, and it hit me hard again: Life is either a roller coaster or a merry-go-round. And far too many orthodontists—talented, capable, ambitious people—end up coasting in circles after hitting a certain level of success. I get it. It’s comfortable. It’s safe. But is it what you really want?

In this episode, I break down the difference between choosing comfort vs. choosing growth—and why, in my own life and career, I’ve always chosen the ups and downs of the roller coaster. Yes, it comes with risk, fear, and the possibility of failure. But it also brings the kind of excitement, fulfillment, and impact that the merry-go-round could never offer. I’ll challenge you to think deeply about which ride you’re on—and what it would take to switch tracks.

QUOTES

"If you're going to end your career one day, make sure you rode the roller coaster."
 — Dr. Glenn Krieger

"Complacency is just the merry-go-round in disguise."
 — Dr. Glenn Krieger

Key Takeaways

Intro & Parenthood Metaphor (00:00)
Why the roller coaster matters more than the merry-go-round (02:00)
How complacency sneaks into ortho practices (03:00)
The reality of failure—and why I welcome it (04:30)
You can’t build your dream life in circles (05:30)
A call to action for choosing growth, risk, and transformation (06:00)
Why Vanguard LA 2026 will be unlike any ortho event you've ever attended (06:45)


Additional Resources

f this message stirred something in you—if you’ve been playing it safe but secretly want more—then it’s time to choose the roller coaster. Push yourself. Reignite your practice. Take the ride.

🚀 Want to experience what real, impactful change feels like? Join me and 95 other forward-thinking orthodontists this February at Vanguard LA. We’ve designed something unlike any ortho meeting you've ever attended—with custom 90-day growth plans for every doctor.

Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com 

If you’ve trusted me before, trust me on this: It could change your life.
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