Thrive DVM Podcast

What if the most detrimental thing about stress was dictated by what we THINK about stress?   Even crazier, what if REFRAMING our mindset around stress actually made us healthier, happier and more resilient?   On this week's episode it is my distinct honor to have interviewed Stanford psycologist, author, and dance teacher Kelly McGonigal, PhD. Author of the game-changing book "The Upside of Stress" (among others!), Kelly and I deep-dive into all things STRESS: how it got it's bad wrap and how embracing stress can make us stronger, more resilient, and more fulfilled people, and how to cultivate the mindset to do so.   Life is full of stressors, it means we've got something we care about. What if we learned to embrace it and allow it to grow us, to make us more compassionate and fulfilled?   I hope you'll love this conversation as much as I did!   About the Author:   Kelly McGonigal is a health psychologist who specializes in understanding the mind-body connection. She is the best-selling author of The Willpower Instinct and The Upside of Stress. Her latest book, The Joy of Movement, explores why physical exercise is a powerful antidote to the modern epidemics of depression, anxiety, and loneliness.   Check out Kelly's website: http://kellymcgonigal.com/ Find Kelly on instagram: @kellymariemcgonigal

It's time to take some ACTION.   On this week's episode, we're taking a look at the steps we can take that cultivate more confidence. You'll notice that amongst all these steps there's one major pattern...getting out of your HEAD, and taking ACTION!   Confidence isn't something gained through THINKING about or RUMINATING on it, it's gained through trial and error, taking risks, and letting go of the things that get in the way.   You'll find some big mindset adjustments, but also very TANGIBLE and actionable tips you can implement TODAY in this episode!   Let's gooooooooo!

Why are some people more confident than others???   Genetics? Gender roles? Personal beliefs? Mindset?   Yes. Yes. Yes. YES.   Turns out there are a variety of factors that affect an individual level of confidence - but the BEST news is that NONE of it is absolute and all of it has room for development!   This week we're discussing some of these things that can be stumbling blocks on our path to more confidence demonstrated in the literature surrounding confidence including our genetic make-up, our societal norms AND the beliefs and mindsets we have that might just require some digging into BEFORE we can really pursue authentic confidence.   You better believe that there's an actionable piece in this episode and I think it's one you're going to benefit from - hope you love it!

What's something most people feel like they don't have enough of and definitely want more of?   CONFIDENCE.   Okay, there are a lot of things that fit that criteria, but this week we're starting our monthlong discussion on CONFIDENCE - what it is, what stands in the way of getting it, how to get it and how to pay it forward.   On this week's discussion we're talking specifically about what I feel is THE prerequisite for cultivating true confidence as well as some resources to help you get started and/or continue on your path.   Additional Resources:   The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman Myers-Briggs testing at 16personalities.com Enneagram testing, try free tests online, but then read up! The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin at https://quiz.gretchenrubin.com/ Wholehearted Inventory at https://brenebrown.com/wholeheartedinventory/ Values List at https://daretolead.brenebrown.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Values.pdf

Do you find yourself consistently running into a wall with someone, getting more and more frustrated that they just. don't. get. it???   In a world where we tend to avoid pain and discomfort (see last week's episode), difficult conversations are the first thing to go. But these conversations that seek clarity and understanding, while uncomfortable, are the only path forward.   Whether it's with a client, a manager, or a partner, clear communication and setting expectations is not only necessary but it's what we ought to extend to one another.   As Brene Brown often says “Clear is kind”, I hope you'll listen along this week to discuss WHY that is and HOW we can move forward, extending kindness through clarity.

In an attempt to avoid "negative" emotions, are we actually taking it too far and creating more hardship for ourselves and others?   I think we can recognize that there's a prevailing message, particularly in social media, that tells us to "stay positive" or "positive vibes only" - a direct result from a cultural shift towards the avoidance of pain and suffering. But by doing this, are we actually creating MORE suffering for ourselves and others?   On this week's episode we're discussing that and some practical tips on balancing having a "positive outlook" and "toxic positivity".

Every now and again I'll get questions like "WHY did you start this podcast, especially with everything you've got going on?!" and less commonly but still sometimes I'll get "HOW DO YOU START A PODCAST!", so on this week's episode I'm answering both.   Here's what I really hope you take away from this episode, ESPECIALLY if you have zero interest in ever having a podcast...it's not as hard as you think it is to pursue your dreams. You're probably overthinking it when you should take action instead!   You'll hear on this episode how long it took me to finally do the damn thing and launch this podcast (and boy oh boy did I not even FATHOM how amazing this community would turn out to be), and then how honestly SIMPLE it was to do once I did a little (free) research on the internet. I TOTALLY overthought the process and didn't give myself enough credit, and something tells me, that might resonate with you.   So whatever you're sitting on that you want to do but either feel underqualified or think it's going to be expensive and complicated - it's probably not and you definitely ARE qualified. I HOPE that's your takeaway here!   PS - you'll hear me talking about my time as a Beachbody coach as part of the journey of getting me here. I'm not actively coaching anymore, I'm not trying to sell you on that, but I am FOREVER grateful for my time as a coach because of the people I met, the lessons I've learned and tbh their workouts and pre-workout formula are kickass and I love them. Again, not recruiting, but my story isn't complete without including the influence my coaching community had on me and I love them forever for it ;) I wouldn't be here doing this without them and to be frank, I probably wouldn't have completed my residency without them either.

Can I let you in on a little secret?   About 2-4 months into my first year out of veterinary school I was FREAKING. OUT. Is this what it's going to be like forever? Why don't I feel excited about this anymore? I worked so HARD to get here and wanted this SO badly, so why am I ALREADY kind of...OVER IT?   On this week's episode we're talking about the very TYPICAL thing that happens in the first year after accomplishing such a huge thing like graduating from your doctoral program - a SLUMP. And what to do about it!   The answer might surprise you!

Our lives are a cumulation of our habits.   So how do we go about incorporating habits we desire for GROWTH and PROGRESS?   On this week's episode we're taking the first steps on building NEW habits that SERVE us with some TANGIBLE and ACTIONABLE steps!

Is it just me, or is everyone kinda going THROUGH it right now?   Most people I talk to lately feel that to some degree they're in the midst of a difficult or stressful season of life, and everything suggests that for the MOST part, MINDSET is the single best indicator of how well we navigate those seasons and how we will come away from those seasons!   On this week's episode, we're taking a less conventional approach to navigating difficult seasons.   First and foremost - reorienting ourselves with "stress". Truthfully, stress is part of the human experience, and both personal experience as well as data and research demonstrate that trying to eliminate stress is NOT the answer. Rather, embracing the ADAPTIVE power of stress and how it can actually IMPROVE performance and lead to resiliency appears to be the single best way to HACK the stress response in your FAVOR.     Additionally, we're discussing how to strike a balance between "grow through what you go through"/"life is happening FOR you, to TO you" mentality while also ACKNOWLEDGING the reality of difficult seasons of life.    I'm proposing some unconventional wisdom this week and I hope you'll listen and come away from this week's episode asking yourself some different questions and showing yourself a whole lot of compassion!

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.

Have you ever NOT done something because you knew you couldn't doing it PERFECTLY? And then after awhile you realize you're letting this "all or nothing" perfectionism mindset stop you from being great?   In our second of our March series highlight women, we're sitting down with Allie Dunn, the woman behind @theradvet who is currently in the thick of her radiology residency. Allie, like us all, is navigating showing up during difficult or busy life seasons.   I loved this convo with Allie because I think we all could learn from how Allie has mastered the art of showing up even if it's NOT perfect and prioritizing self-care in a way that many residents and others going through busy seasons simply do not!   I hope you'll enjoy hearing from her as much as I did!

Welcome to the first in our March podcast series highlighting powerful women and their stories! We're starting with a personal friend of mine, Dr. Kirsten Ronngren of @vet_redefined.   Kirsten's story is one of PIVOTS - she demonstrates the power of self-awareness and reassessment and how very NORMAL and NECESSARY it is to make adjustments on our paths.   In this week's episode Kirsten and I cover a variety of topics including (but not limited to): - How Kirsten mastered the soft skills of communication to become the top earner at her practice - The implementation of self-care tactics to bounce back from burnout - Navigating creative solutions to stay in love with her career path   Kirsten is a masterclass in the power of good communication and personal growth!   You can find her on Instagram at @vet_redefined and her website vetredefined.com

On this week's episode we're unpacking what happens when you're not where you thought you SHOULD be by now or not where you once were.   Sometimes we're CRUSHING. IT. We're able to show up with ferocity and we just can't be stopped.   And then other times...we're barely showing up at all. What then?   In this episode we're discussing what it looks like to show up in different seasons, the POWER of showing up and sharing your story, and how we bounce BACK!   Other resources: In this episode I mention another episode on Burnout and what to do about it - you'll find that discussion in episode 16, an interview with Kate Van Vuren!

If you're in veterinary medicine, you may be aware of the dreaded "Match Day"...a day when a computer program decides your fate...or does it?   This week's episode I share my experience of Match Day and the nightmare of "the scramble" when I didn't match, the lessons I learned from that, and ultimately how my unconventional path to "success" still got me where I wanted to go.   Turns out, this "bump in the road" or this "set back" has become the most powerful part of my story, and I hope that by sharing this, you'll understand that an algorithm may set you on your path, but it certainly doesn't decide your fate...YOU do.   BONUS: I threw in some tips for the mindset hacks that got me through a difficult internship and ultimately ended up setting me up for what I believe is about to be my dream job, 6 years later!

Whether it's because we don't believe we DESERVE better or we're not sure that better EXISTS, it's all to common for us to settle for what we're offered, rather than persisting and asking for what we need.   In today's episode I'm encouraging you to stop listening to the naysayers who will tell you that the world sucks and it doesn't get better. I'm asking you to let yourself want more. To stop settling for a crappy relationship or a job that makes you feel like crap - and continue the search for more. Continue to believe that it's out there, that YOU have the power to make change for GOOD, and that you DESERVE it.

This week's episode is a little different - this week I'm doing a deep dive into not only some practical communication tips and verbiage, but the MINDSET of strong interpersonal communication. This is largely through the context of client communication in the veterinary setting, however, the features of effective communication remain the same regardless of who you're communicating with.   It's not just what you want them to hear...it's how you want them to FEEL. Will they feel seen? Will they feel heard? Will they TRUST you?   Once you have that, you have a tremendous amount of influence!

Reminder: Self-care is NOT selfish.   Self care can look like a lot of things. It can look like treating yourself to a massage and/or a pizza and wine night. It can look like exercise and getting enough sleep. But it can also look like saying NO and stoping the comparison game.   Self-care isn't about putting other people's needs on the back burner, it's about make sure that you're not putting YOURSELF on the back burner. Because my friend, NO ONE will care for you better than you care for yourself. NO ONE will advocate for you better than you advocate for yourself. NO ONE will work for your dreams harder than you work for them yourself.   Self-care isn't selfish. It's essential. If you don't put gas in that tank, that car is gonna stall out and die. And then what? Who benefits from that? No one.   This week's episode is a reality check on that mindset of self-care being something we do "if we have time"...MAKE. TIME.

Does the term "bias" make you all itchy and uncomfortable?   It doesn't have to.   Sometimes bias is BAD. It can cloud our judgement, make us see things through a false lens, and give us tunnel vision. But what if we HACKED our bias about OURSELVES and made it serve us instead?!   Today's episode breaks down how BIAS can be used to our ADVANTAGE.

You feel stuck. You know what you WANT. You know what you SHOULD do. But you keep doing what you've always done instead.   In today's episode we're unpacking WHY you're stuck and what it's going to take to get you UNstuck. Whether it's in your health, personal relationships or career goals, we're going to dive into what power YOU have to stop treading water and take the necessary steps towards living a life you THRIVE in!

Happy 1 year anniversary to the podcast! What once felt like a dream that I wasn't brave enough to turn into a goal is now ONE YEAR OLD!   My hope for this episode is that from the WHY behind this pod, the things that held me BACK and the lessons I've learned along the way, there will be something here that will inspire YOU to ACT and bet on yourself and dream BIGGER and then bigger still. Because I believe that the best is yet to come and we simply need to SHOW UP and be AUTHENTIC and we're going to change the world.   You in?

When it comes to achieving goals, failure isn't the enemy, BOREDOM is.   Any big goal we make requires a shift in behavior, a new habit or set of habits. We hit the ground running, packed with motivation and excitement...so why can't we make it stick? What's the key?   This episode we're talking about the thing we have to get comfortable with in order to stick it out and succeed - BOREDOM. Buckle up - 2021 is sure to be a wild ride, but I think we're up for it!

Failure is not the antithesis of success, it's a prerequisite for BIG success.   On this week's episode I'm sharing one of the biggest "failures" of my career, how it wrecked me, and how it ended up serving me in the long run. The reason I'm sharing this? I hope it will serve as an example that FAILING is not only NOT the end, but it's a NECESSARY step in making it BIG time. Failing is inevitable, and while it feels like crap in the moment, I think we have so much to learn from our failures.   Listen in this week to learn how I process that grief, how I mentally switch gears, and get back up. It's not about failing, it's about failing FORWARD.

You are the product of the 5 people you spend the most time with.   I'm sure you've heard that phrase before, but have you thought about it? Have you thought about the impact of the people you surround yourself with on your daily habits? Your mindset? Your success? Your GROWTH?   As we head into a new year, it's natural to start thinking about goals and dreams and prayers for the coming year. We make these goals and then we shoot for them, but how often to we follow-through?   If you're not considering the effect of your PEOPLE on your PROGRESS, then you're missing a HUGE piece of the puzzle! Let's talk about it!

It's time. It's time to stop the cycle of "I went through it, so you have to too!" It's time to use what we've learned from our STRUGGLES and SUPPORT those who come after us.   And that's PRECISELY what today's guests, Dr. Ashley Gray and Dr. Monica Tarantino are on a mission to do. They've joined forces to form Vets on the Rise, a fantastic resource for newer graduates in veterinary medicine.   But what makes this particular partnership so special is that they're using their experience to BETTER the experience of those who come after them. They're NORMALIZING the very real and normal STRUGGLE of the first year out of school in addition to putting together resources to REDUCE THE STRUGGLE.   It's my honor to welcome these women to the podcast this week for a discussion of all things relating to that very struggle.   And if you want more of these two - you can find them on Instagram: @southernpetvet @seniordogdoc and @vetsontherise   Additional Resources: - veterinariansontherise.com - Becoming a Millennial Veterinarian, a book by Dr. Ashley Gray

Live life on PURPOSE. This is the legacy of my friend, Brittany Crosby.   This weekend marked one year on earth without her. That's still somewhat incomprehensible to me, but here we are. If you don't k now Brittany, well I sincerely encourage you to find her account on Instagram and read her posts, because even though she's not walking the earth with us anymore, she continues to inspire me with her words.   After her diagnosis at 27 years old of stage 3c ovarian cancer, she fought, she leaned into her story and shared it with so many, and she demanded of us that we life our lives ON PURPOSE. That we STOP walking through our OWN STORIES aimlessly. That we STOP being AFRAID of our dreams and GO AFTER THEM. Because we simply don't know how much time we have on this earth.   Not a day has gone by in the past year that I haven't thought about Britt, wondered what she might say or what she might think about one thing or another. And it was her voice in my head that told me to stop being so SCARED and launch this dang podcast. It's because of HER this community exists.   My words could never really do justice for who Brittany was and is, but I hope you'll find her words and her legacy an inspiration like the thousands of others who knew her (in real life or via social media), and loved her.   Miss you, B. Love you.

Have you ever felt like you've invested so much into so something that you simply can't just walk away? Even if it's slowly killing you?   So much time. So much money. So much effort and heart.   That you feel STUCK in a job, relationship or situation that you know in your gut isn't where you want or need to be, but you just can't seem to CHANGE it or LEAVE it, because you feel like it would be a WASTE?   Today's episode features former attorney, Goli Kalkhoran. She walked away from the law after a lifetime of working towards this exact goal...and she's never been more fulfilled.   Goli shares with us how she got to where she is, what she had to face to get there, and how she's now coaching professionals on how to change and/or QUIT a mediocre life!   Whether you want to QUIT and find your REAL purpose, or you desperately love what you do but HATE how you do it, this episode is for you. YOU DESERVE A FULL LIFE.   & if you're like me and now fully obsessed with Goli and want more of her you can find her on Instagram @lessonsfromaquitter , on her website lessonsfromaquitter.com or her podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lessons-from-a-quitter/id1412305413 (Apple) or https://open.spotify.com/show/6N1ycFhbi9SpYXew3NrhSF?si=V7XTDINETh62UtjAtdlrbw (Spotify)

No one will advocate for you more than you advocate for yourself. This week's episode talks about a form of self care which is standing up for yourself and asking for what you WANT, not JUST what you NEED.   Are you ready for the challenge?

I don't know who needs to hear this today, but you're doing incredible things.   Just keep going.

If you've ever felt STUCK or you can't seem to move out of that in a FUNK feeling, then this week I've got a treat for you.   Inspired by a recent funk of my own (I was feeling more than a little irritated the other day), I wanted to create this episode to share the skills (and the reasons behind them) that I've developed over the past few years that have helped me move through and OUT of that roadblock that is "STUCK".    In today's episode we're not just talking about the WHY we get stuck, but the HOW to get UNSTUCK. It isn't how many times we get knocked down, right? It's how fast we get back up that counts!

It's not all about you.   Oh, I mean that in the NICEST way possible, that more often than not, the way people engage with us has NOTHING to do with US, and EVERYTHING to do with THEM. And when we make the CHOICE to not take anything personally, we are free from carrying the weight of other people's opinions, other people's actions, and other people's behavior. And that my friend, is too heavy a burden to carry.   I hope this week's episode will help give you some freedom to honor what YOU think of you more than what anyone ELSE does!

This week's episode gets right down to the nitty gritty - tangible, actionable advice on habits and behaviors that DO build confidence and then one might DO NOT when it comes to building authentic, honest to goodness CONFIDENCE.

Listen, if you've been here for any time at all, you KNOW that the path to gaining confidence requires ACTION. But what if action is just not that easy to take?   We've been conditioned to strive for PERFECTION, right? Get the 4.0, ace the exam, have perfect attendance, etc etc etc. But the NEED to be PERFECT leads us to HOLD BACK. We don't want to try something we can't guarantee we'll be able to perfect. And it's KILLING us.   This week let's unpack this and work through the enemy of GREAT...perfectionism.

This week we're hearing from self-discovery and Enneagram coach, Gina Gomez.   Gina is a PHENOMENAL human, it was not only an honor to interview her but a joy! Gina is a coach, an author, and more recently a dog mom! Her story is incredible - in a difficult time her life she was introduced to the Enneagram, a personality type scheme. She found healing and self-discovery through Enneagram and turned that into a personal expertise and now uses this gift to help other women heal too.   On this week's episode Gina just starts to unpack why it's important to have self-awareness, how the enneagram can help you become more self-aware, and we scratch the surface on each of the enneagram types! I think you're going to find this conversation incredibly impactful and hopefully it will inspire you to do a little self-discovery yourself!   I encourage you to follow Gina on Instagram @ginagomez.co and pick up her book "The Enneagram and You" wherever books are sold!

This week we switched it up a bit in a fun new format of question and answer!   Ranging from topics like handling compassion fatigue to my favorite food (besides TexMex), I took your questions and honestly, it was really fun! You guys have great questions!   If you like this format, you gotta let me know! Comment here, shoot me a DM, or share on your social what you liked and hopefully we'll get to do this again!   Additional Resources - Authors/Books I love: - The Happiness Advantage, Shawn Achor - Finish, John Acuff - The 5 Second Rule, Mel Robbins

You know, I can't remember the last time getting frustrated SERVED me. Can you?   Look, frustration is a pretty natural thing. And it's a fairly involuntary thing...at first. But imagine a world where you feel frustrated, you acknowledge it and you move through it FASTER and more COMPLETELY.   My friend, you'd be UNSTOPPABLE.   This week's episode unpacks the frustration funk and the power we have over it! Let's do this!

"Can you please not talk about my friend like that?"   A phrase I use often to remind the people around me that when they speak poorly about themselves, they're speaking poorly about someone I care about. Isn't that a cool frame shift?   On this week's episode we're exploring the way we talk to ourselves in the context of what it would look like if we afforded ourselves the same grace and compassion that comes so easily to others we love. What might change?   Let's find out!

Is there anything harder than doing the thing you know you SHOULD do, but you're tired and you don't FEEL like it...so you don't?   I'm about to blow y'all's mind, but MOTIVATION is NOT the solution. Motivation is fleeting and circumstantial and your goals and your lives are TOO IMPORTANT to rely on something so fickle.   In this week's episode I'm sharing two tangible ways I take action when I'm not motivated and don't FEEL like it. How I turn inaction into ACTION until it becomes a HABIT.   You ready? Let's Go!

Here's the thing - life is uncomfortable.   No matter how you look at it, there's GOING to be discomfort. Whether it's the discomfort of growth or the discomfort of staying stuck in a life you didn't dream of, YOU are CHOOSING the discomfort you're sitting in.   This week's episode unpacks the POWER in being intentional about which kind of discomfort you're experiencing and a GUT check about the reality of it.   I hope you'll love this episode! And there's more where that came from on LoCurtis.com, don't forget to check out the site and join the email list if you haven't already!

THIS WEEK IS A JUICY ONE!   First and foremost a HUGE thank you for listening, liking, sharing, rating and reviewing, we've officially surpassed 10 THOUSAND DOWNLOADS! Thanks to YOU!   This milestone gets me all nostalgic about my WHY behind starting the podcast in the first place, so this week you're going to hear my heart about this venture! My REASON for sharing this is to use my story as an EXAMPLE of what can happen when you take BOLD action with RADICAL faith.   Be BRAVE. Take ACTION. Follow your GUT. You have NO CLUE what the RIPPLE EFFECT of your tiny act of COURAGE can have!

What would it take to THRIVE in a stressful, intense and demanding job?   This week we sit down with Dr. Brooke Schampers (known as @doctor_brooke on Instagram), an ER veterinarian practicing in Australia who LOVES her job, in the healthiest way possible. Naturally I wanted to pick her brain and find out what she's doing to help foster this deep love of a job that seems to run over so many people. And her answers were more than insightful, they were inspiring!   It wasn't easy to pick a name for this interview because we talked about so many pieces of the puzzle that need to come together to thrive personally and professionally, but what I can tell you is that Brooke LEADS BY EXAMPLE. She practices what she preaches and she owes a lot of that to the mentors in her life that ALSO led by example.   I can't wait for you guys to hear from her this week! And if you're a veterinary student or veterinarian who works with ER or urgent care cases - I highly highly recommend checking out her ER guides on her website: DrBrookeSchampers.com

Criticism. Feedback. Correction. No matter what you call it, it can be hard to take in. It can feel personal, it can feel uncomfortable, and sometimes it's downright painful.   This week we're talking about handling CRITICISM. I'm giving you tips about taking it in, processing it, and even when NOT to take it in. Because there's a difference between meaningful feedback and bad advice and it's not always easy to tell the difference.   This week I hope you'll find something TANGIBLE going forward, because whether it's at work, in our relationships, or in our communities, criticism and feedback is going to happen! And I want to equip you to handle it in a way that BUILDS YOU UP, not tears you down! You in?   Additional Resources: - Discover your Myers-Briggs type at 16personalities.com - Enneagram typing - my recommendation is to take a couple free tests online to narrow it down, then read about each of the results (I myself was mistyped and found out I was a 4 by reading about it!) - The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin, discover your type on her website by taking the four tendencies quiz. Her book is also stellar!