#471: Dr. Mike Simpson on What Special Operations Teaches You About Being a Better Doctor

SPONSORED BY NURP Nurp is algorithmic trading designed specifically for busy professionals who don't have time to watch markets. Check out start.nurp.com/doctors  to learn more. --- What happens when the lessons learned in combat follow you into the exam room? In this repurposed episode of BS Free MD, Drs. May and Tim Hindmarsh sit down with Dr. Mike Simpson, whose path to medicine was anything but conventional. Before becoming a physician, Dr. Simpson spent years in military Special Operations, working in environments where decisions had to be made quickly, resources could be limited, and the stakes were very real. Dr. Simpson shares how those experiences shaped the way he approaches medicine today—from staying calm under pressure and making difficult decisions to understanding leadership, teamwork, resilience, and the human being behind the patient. But transitioning from the battlefield to civilian medicine wasn't simply a career change. It meant navigating a major shift in identity and learning how to translate skills developed in extreme circumstances into an entirely different world. This conversation explores what medicine can learn from Special Operations—and why some of the experiences that challenge us the most can ultimately make us better physicians, leaders, and people. In This Episode, We Discuss: Dr. Simpson's unconventional path from Special Operations to medicine What practicing medicine in high-stakes environments teaches you about decision-making How battlefield experience changed his approach to patient care Staying calm and effective when circumstances become chaotic Leadership, teamwork, and accountability under pressure The transition from military service into civilian life and medicine Navigating identity after leaving an intense, mission-driven career Why technical ability alone doesn't make someone a great physician The role of empathy and human connection in medicine How difficult experiences can become strengths in the next chapter of your life About Dr. Mike Simpson Dr. Mike Simpson is a physician and former U.S. Army Special Operations medic whose career has taken him from austere and high-risk environments to the practice of civilian medicine. His experiences across military operations, medicine, leadership, and major career transitions give him a unique perspective on performing under pressure, caring for people during their most vulnerable moments, and adapting when one chapter of life ends and another begins. Connect with BS Free MD 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: BS Free MD 🌐 Website: BSFreeMD.com 📱 Instagram & Facebook: @BSFreeMD ✉️ Email: [email protected] Subscribe to BS Free MD for raw, real, and honest conversations about medicine, healthcare, life, and everything in between. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.