005: Why This Dentist Walked Away from the Operatory (and Found Freedom in Coaching) | Laura Schwindt

In this episode of The Real Talk of Dental, I sit down with dentist-turned-coach Laura Schwindt to talk about what really happens when burnout takes over your career, and how choosing yourself can open the door to an entirely new life.Laura opens up about the breaking point that led her from a thriving dental practice to a path of coaching, the messy middle of admitting she needed help, and the courage it took to rewrite her definition of success. From identity struggles to family health crises to learning how to pause for the first time in her life, her story is one that every dental professional, and frankly, every leader, needs to hear.This isn’t about another CE course, another piece of equipment, or another associate hire. It’s about the deeper truth: your health, your values, and your life are worth more than the “perfect” image dentistry often demands.If you’ve ever wondered what life could look like beyond the operatory, or how to finally listen to that inner voice telling you something has to change, this episode is your sign.You’ll learn:The real costs of “doing it all” in dentistry—and why burnout often goes unnoticed until it’s too lateHow Laura reframed her relationship with stress and why that shift changed everythingWhat happens when success is built on other people’s definitions, not your ownWhy investing in a coach or guide is not a sign of weakness, but a radical act of leadershipHow to trust your intuition and create a version of success that feels good on the inside—not just on paper🔗 Join the community and submit your anonymous questions: https://www.therealtalkofdental.com 🔗 Learn more about The Empowered LeadHERship Program for Women in Dental: https://leadhershipexperience.com/ #DentalPodcast #DentistBurnout #DentalLeadership #WomenInDentistry #DentistToCoach #RealTalkDentistry #DentalCareerChange #MentalHealthInDentistry #CoachingForDentists #RedefiningSuccessWe talk about:00:00 Intro02:00 When “Doing It All” Turns into Burnout04:45 The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything07:15 Why Hiring a Coach Felt So Uncomfortable (and Why She Did It Anyway)10:00 Learning the Power of Silence and Pausing13:00 Doubt, Imposter Syndrome, and the Messy Middle of Change16:30 Losing Her Team and Rebuilding with a Dream Team18:30 Family Health Crises That Sparked a Bigger Life Shift21:00 Letting Go of Other People’s Definition of Success25:00 The People Who Tear You Down vs. The Ones Who Build You Up28:30 Why Coaching Isn’t Failing—It’s Leading with Courage33:00 The Ripple Effect of Choosing Yourself37:00 Remembering Who You Are and What You Value46:00 The Power of Belief and the Ripple Effect of Coaching48:00 Embracing Challenges as Growth OpportunitiesConnect with LauraInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlauraschwindt/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraschwindt/ Website: https://lauraschwindt.net/lauraschwindt Connect with meLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/ https://courageandjoyatwork.com/ https://leadhershipexperience.com/ Phone: 616-682-6222