The Catalyst Way™: Creative Strategies for Women in Medicine to Flourish

Have you ever stood at the edge of a big decision and wondered if what you’re feeling is fear holding you back or excitement nudging you forward? I’ve been there more times than I can count. What I’ve learned is that the difference between dread and a breakthrough isn’t always in the situation. It’s in how we choose to frame it.   I’m sharing how I navigate those pivotal moments by listening to my...

Triggers can feel inconvenient, even overwhelming, but I’ve come to see them as powerful clues pointing toward something deeper we need to notice.   In this episode, I’m sharing how emotional triggers can actually help us grow, especially as women in medicine try to find more grounding, clarity, and sustainable productivity. I’ll walk you through what’s happening in the brain during those reactive...

Your productivity isn’t powered by hustle but by the deeply personal tools you carry in your inner medicine bag.   What helps you feel grounded when everything feels chaotic? What small rituals or comforts help you reset and keep showing up? In this episode, I’m sharing the idea of the inner medicine bag, a collection of items, habits, and practices that support your well-being in ways no planner...

Resentment gets a bad rap, but what if it’s actually a guidepost?   This episode is a look inside one of my recent Catalyst Studio mentoring sessions, where a brilliant practitioner found herself loving the work… and hating how it made her feel. Sound familiar? She wasn’t burned out, yet, but the resentment was building. And it wasn’t loud. It was quiet, chronic, and easy to ignore. Until it wasn’...

I’m back with a new season of The Catalyst Way, and I’m not picking up where I left off. I’m starting from a very different place, one shaped by change, growth, and a reminder that joy has to lead the way.   In this episode, I’m sharing why I paused the podcast and what brought me back. A lot has shifted, personally and professionally, and I want to be honest about what that looked like. I’ve been...

I used to dread discovery calls. Before switching to a membership model, I felt like I was constantly chasing patients, trying to get them to use their remaining visits, and repeating myself over and over again. But once I transitioned to a membership model, everything changed. I started attracting patients who were just as enthusiastic as I was about finding the root causes of their health concer...

A career in functional medicine should feel fulfilling, not exhausting. So how do you build a practice that supports both your patients and your well-being?   I sat down with Lisa McDonald, founder of Integrated Connections, to talk about what it takes to create a sustainable career in personalized medicine. Lisa’s own journey—from struggling patient to industry leader—shaped her passion for helpi...

Trusting your gut in business isn’t magic. It’s a skill you can develop, and once you do, decisions feel clearer, opportunities stand out, and success starts to flow.   I’ve learned firsthand how powerful intuition is for entrepreneurs. Have you ever felt pressured to chase an opportunity that looked great on paper but didn’t sit right with you? I’ve been there. When I was encouraged to start an a...

Your brain makes thousands of decisions every day. Why not make the process easier?   In this episode, I share how heuristics, or “life rules” can lighten your cognitive load, simplify daily choices, and free up energy for what actually matters. I’ll walk you through practical shortcuts like the one-touch rule, theme days, and energy matching to help you work with your brain instead of against it....

How can we, as healthcare professionals, transform portal messaging from a burden into an efficient tool for care? In this episode, I explore how both patients and practitioners can approach portal communication with more clarity and balance.   I share tips for patients to craft concise, actionable messages that respect their provider’s time while ensuring their concerns are addressed. For practit...

When I think about how Practice Better could have transformed my practice, I can’t help but wish I’d found it sooner. In this episode, I reflect on the game-changing potential of this intuitive EMR system, and I’m joined by Natalie Mullin, whose background in education and wellness coaching brings fresh insights into how tools like automations and AI charting save time and improve care. What would...

This year, let’s skip the resolutions and try something more transformative. I’m inviting you to join me in rebranding your year and creating a life that feels more aligned and energizing. In this episode, I’m sharing insights from "The Year in Review and Rebrand Guide”, where we’ll reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and what truly lights you up.   I’ll share my personal journey of navigating bu...

Women in medicine face stark inequities, from pay gaps to higher burnout rates. But what does it take to truly support us? In this episode, I share personal stories and hard truths about the systemic challenges we encounter every day. Why are female physicians expected to shoulder more emotional labor, yet still struggle to break through leadership barriers?     I also explore the unique strengths...

Forget resolutions. This year, I’m setting intentions with 10 bold wishes for 2025, and I’m inviting you to join me.   Why not approach the New Year by focusing on joy, creativity, and connection instead of rigid goals? My wishes are all about creating positive energy, grounding mind and body, and embracing creativity as a tool for growth.     I want to bring joy into every room I enter, deepen me...

Worried AI is coming for your job? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain behind a big question: Will AI make my job obsolete? Read my lips: NO. No, it won’t. But that fear is real, and it’s something I tackled with a mentee who’s a functional medicine health coach. Together, we worked through her burnout and found a way to bring more flow and ease into her busy life.  ...

Feeling overwhelmed by decisions that seem impossible to make? I get it—I’ve been there, and so have the Catalysts I mentor. In this episode, I’m sharing a powerful tool I call the “Reverse Time Capsule,” a guided visualization exercise that can help you step out of indecision and into clarity and confidence.     What if you could imagine a future where everything feels easy, abundant, and in flow...

Healthcare entrepreneurship is a bold move, and I know firsthand how much emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and resilience it takes. Are you ready to take the leap?   As the new year approaches, it’s natural to reflect on your current path and wonder if it’s time for something new. In this episode, I’m sharing twelve essential insights from my journey to help you move from burnout to bui...

“Everyone’s gut microbiome is different, their genetics are different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all,”    I had the privilege of talking with Dr. Yu, an integrative rheumatologist that incorporates complementary medicine with traditional rheumatology, about his journey with autoimmune disease and how it shaped his unique approach to patient care.   Hearing his story of being diagnosed with gout...

What if inspiration didn’t have to arrive in rare, dramatic bursts? Inspired by Mason Currey’s “Daily Rituals: How Artists Work,” I’ve learned that simple routines can nurture creativity in ways we don’t always expect. By creating rituals, we can stay energized, connect more deeply with patients, and prevent burnout.   For me, a daily writing routine became a powerful tool for self-expression and...

How do you show up when your heart is broken?   I’m inviting you into one of my most personal episodes yet. This isn’t about frameworks or takeaways; it’s about showing up when everything feels heavy. I call it my “Surrender and Acceptance Tour™.” After a challenging election and the heartbreak of ending a 20-year marriage, I’m sharing how I’m navigating grief and finding ways to keep moving forwa...

“When we dive into the complex world of functional and integrative medicine, it can feel overwhelming. And the best asset you have is designing your own unique method that you will bestow to your patients”   In this episode, I’m sharing my six-step roadmap to help you, as a functional or integrative practitioner, build a method that’s structured, personal, and truly impactful. Imagine guiding each...

“We’re always going to be lifelong learners when we get into functional medicine. Curiosity is what brought us here,” says Meg McElroy, a physician assistant with a deep background in integrative medicine. Her journey began as a patient facing her own health struggles, which eventually fueled her passion for managing autoimmune conditions—not just for herself but for others as well. Meg’s story is...

“The secret to thriving is embracing change, not resisting it.” In this episode, I share how I made the shift from feeling burned out as a physician to finding success as an entrepreneur in functional medicine—all by learning to embrace change instead of fighting it. Being both a mom and a practitioner taught me to adapt and grow in ways I never expected.   To avoid burnout, it’s crucial to design...

“Overcommitting and overworking won’t lead to more popularity or more business success. It just means you’re not discerning your internal boundaries well enough to give yourself that permission for space and time,” I share in this episode of The Catalyst. I’ve seen how neglecting those internal boundaries can fuel burnout and overwhelm, especially in high-pressure environments like healthcare.   W...

“Trust your gut. That was it. That was the whole conversation,” recalls Jenn Johnson, a seasoned ER nurse with over 16 years in the field. Those simple words from her professor shaped how she approaches patient care and the importance of intuition in nursing.   In this episode, Jenn joins Dr. Lara Salyer to share how intuition has been her guiding light throughout her career, especially during the...