Burnout-Free Me

Let’s talk about how to stay grounded, sane, and effective while standing up for what you believe in. In this episode of Burnout-Free Me (previously Daring DVM), I share why connection and curiosity are more powerful than judgment, how willful ignorance keeps people stuck in survival mode, and why your anger about injustice isn’t something to numb—it’s fuel for meaningful action. We’ll also discus...

The world feels a little… 🦇💩 crazy right now. Between the news cycles, social media chaos, and the constant division, it’s easy to feel anxious, angry, or just plain exhausted. If you’ve been wondering how to keep your head and your heart intact amid all this, you’re not alone. In this episode of Daring DVM, I’m sharing science-backed, soul-deep strategies for staying sane in a world gone mad. T...

Ever heard the saying, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop”? 🤔 We’ve been told that too much free time is the problem. Leisure makes us lazy, distracted, and overindulgent. Even Dr. Anna Lembke argues this in Dopamine Nation – too much free time leads to dopamine over-consumption and addiction.  But here’s my hot take:  That's not true and Leisure time isn’t the enemy. The real issue is that we’...

This week’s episode is a little different—it wasn’t planned, but that’s the point. When my fiancé’s back injury sent us to the ER, my carefully mapped-out week unraveled. Old me would have spiraled—frustrated, resentful, guilty, and overwhelmed. But this time, I leaned on the tools I teach: nervous system regulation, mindset shifts, and self-trust. In this short, behind-the-scenes episode, I share...

Burnout in veterinary medicine is real, and it’s costing many vets their energy, purpose, and joy. In this episode of Daring DVM, I tackle the most common questions I hear from veterinarians about burnout: how to tell if you’re burned out, what to do when you’ve lost your passion for vet med, and how recover. If you’ve been running on empty and wondering if there’s a better way, this episode will...

Struggling with burnout, exhaustion, or constant stress? Discover how dopamine addiction disguised as achievement fuels burnout and why traditional self-care isn’t enough to escape the trap. I’ll show you how your nervous system responds to rewards and stress, and provide you with practical strategies to retrain your brain, restore energy, and finally break free from burnout.   Episode Information...

Veterinarians and other high achievers are no strangers to long hours, high standards, and pushing past their limits. But what happens when that constant drive starts to take a toll on the body? Chronic stress doesn’t just drain your energy; it can disrupt your gut, your hormones, and even your mood. In this episode of Daring DVM, Dr. Amy Grimm discusses with Certified Holistic Nutritionist and Re...

High achievers are wired to care deeply, but that same wiring can make burnout almost inevitable. In this episode of Daring DVM, I share what’s happening in your nervous system when you’re constantly “on,” how the biology of stress fuels exhaustion, and why self-compassion is the surprising first step to recovery. We’re covering the physiology of stress in high achievers and why your very drive to...

If you’ve ever left work physically but found your brain still clocked in—running through to-do lists, replaying tough conversations, or worrying about tomorrow—you’re not alone. I In this episode of Daring DVM, I’m sharing practical tools and mindset shifts to help you actually leave work at work. You’ll learn how to set mental boundaries, transition out of “work mode” faster, and create space fo...

What does real rest mean for ambitious, high-achieving women who are tired of feeling exhausted despite getting “enough” sleep. In this episode of Daring DVM, Dr. Amy Grimm breaks down the seven essential types of rest and explains why each one is important for reclaiming your energy and joy. 🎉 Special announcement! 🎉 If you’re ready to stop running on empty and start living a burnout-free life,...

Have you ever looked around at work and wondered, “Do I even belong here?” In this episode of the Daring DVM Podcast, I’m joined by Samantha Harris, host of the Rooted In Your Confidence podcast, who coaches women navigating leadership in male-dominated industries. Together, we discuss the mindset shifts that help ambitious women reclaim their power without burning out or becoming someone they’re...

In this episode of the Daring DVM Podcast, I’m breaking down what true resilience really means, because it’s not just about bouncing back or pushing through. Real resilience is about feeling grounded and at peace with yourself, even in the middle of chaos. It’s about responding to life in a way that aligns with who you are and what you want, instead of reacting out of habit or burnout. I’m sharing...

Veterinary medicine can be deeply fulfilling, but let’s be honest, it can also leave you exhausted, emotionally drained, and questioning how long you can keep going at this pace. In this Q&A episode, I’m answering two powerful questions that get to the heart of what veterinarians are struggling with, and how to shift from just surviving to living a life and career you actually enjoy. We’ll exp...

In this powerful follow-up to our conversation on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, we’re diving deep into the foundational level: physiological safety. If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re just going through the motions, even while doing “all the right things”, this episode is for you. You'll learn why true well-being starts in your body, not just your mind, and how nervous system regu...

In this episode of Daring DVM, host Dr. Amy Grimm is digging into perfectionist relationships. If you’ve ever felt frustrated that your partner doesn’t meet your standards, struggled to delegate because "no one does it quite right," or found yourself pulling away instead of asking for help, this one’s for you. You’ll learn: How perfectionism isn’t just about achievement or performance, it’s often...

In this episode of Daring DVM, Dr. Amy Grimm discusses a surprisingly common struggle for high-achievers: procrastination. We’re not talking about laziness or lack of discipline, we’re talking about the real reason we procrastinate (hint: it has everything to do with avoiding negative emotion). You’ll learn: The two sneaky ways perfectionists tend to procrastinate Why smart, driven women find them...

Why do so many high-achieving professionals feel like they don’t belong even when they’ve clearly earned their success? In this episode of Daring DVM, I sit down with Savanna Symons, a life and leadership coach who helps ambitious women own their expertise, lead with confidence, and break free from the cycle of self-doubt. Together, we unpack the hidden link between imposter syndrome and burnout a...

In this episode of Daring DVM, we continue with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs through the lens of self-care. Dr. Amy walks you through each level of the pyramid, from foundational needs like sleep, hydration, and safety, to deeper goals like confidence and self-actualization. You’ll learn how to self-assess, set small actionable goals, and coach yourself when you feel stuck. Discover how to reclaim...

In this episode of Daring DVM, Dr. Amy Grimm breaks down Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a powerful framework for understanding what truly drives us, and then re-frames it through the lens of self-care. Doing this helps us understand why we feel the way we do, and why burnout can feel so confusing, even when life looks ‘good’ on paper. If you’ve ever felt guilty for resting or confused about why you’...

In this episode of The Housecall Vet Café, Dr. Eve Harrison sits down with Dr. Amy Grimm—veterinarian, certified life coach, and founder of Daring DVM—for a heartfelt and insightful conversation on burnout, healing, and reclaiming purpose in veterinary medicine. Dr. Amy shares her journey from South Africa to becoming a vet and coach in the U.S., and how her own experience with burnout led her to...

Thinking about leaving your job, but not sure if it’s really time to go? In this Daring DVM episode, I’m sharing 10 red flags 🚩🚩 that can help you get clear on whether your workplace is truly terrible or just in need of some boundaries, improved communication, or a mindset shift. We’ll explore signs that it might be time to walk away and moments where there’s room for growth or negotiation. If y...

Have you ever felt torn between speaking up and staying silent, especially when someone says or does something harmful? In today’s episode of Daring DVM, we’re exploring a transformative alternative to cancel culture that invites accountability without dehumanization. I’m diving into a conversation inspired by Loretta Ross, a longtime activist and educator, who teaches us how to "call in" instead...

Navigating Uncertainty: A 3-Part Series to Find Calm in the Chaos This is the final episode in our 3-part series on navigating uncertainty—and it’s all about action! Now that we’ve explored how uncertainty impacts your nervous system and your mindset, this episode focuses on simple, effective tools you can use in real life. Whether you're facing big decisions, life transitions, or just the daily s...

Navigating Uncertainty: A 3-Part Series to Find Calm in the Chaos Welcome to Daring DVM Part 2 of our 3-part series on navigating uncertainty. In this episode, we shift from the body to the brain. We’ll talk about what’s going on in your mind during uncertain times, including common thought traps that increase anxiety and keep you stuck. You’ll learn how coaching tools can help you reshape your mi...

Navigating Uncertainty: A 3-Part Series to Find Calm in the Chaos This is Part 1 of our 3-part series on navigating uncertainty. In this episode of Daring DVM, we’re diving into what uncertainty actually is and why it feels so uncomfortable—especially when we’re stuck in survival mode. Through the lens of the nervous system, we’ll explore how your body responds to unpredictability, what it’s tryin...