Beyond Burnout: Reclaiming Meaning, Agency & Yourself in Medicine

If you're a physician and you've ever found yourself wondering, "Is it just me, or is something off?"—this conversation is for you. In this deeply reflective episode of Life Changing Moments, host Dr. Dael Waxman is joined by his colleague at MD Coaches, Dr. Carla Rotering—a pulmonologist, intensivist, former medical staff president, writer, poet, and musician with over 20 years of coaching experience. Together, they explore what lies beneath the familiar but often inadequate word "burnout." Carla shares her own powerful journey through depletion—including the moment she threatened God with a lawsuit for breach of contract—and how small, intentional shifts helped her reclaim her sense of self. They discuss the hidden costs of overgiving, the identity crisis that keeps physicians stuck, and the transformative power of curiosity, agency, and asking for what you need. This episode is not about quick fixes. It's an invitation to understand what may be happening beneath the surface and to begin considering what small shifts might open the door to more meaning, engagement, and gratification in your work. Key Topics Discussed: Why the word "burnout" underestimates the experience and can even be a turnoff for physicians. The subtle, slow erosion of self that happens as physicians adapt to the "machinery of medicine." How depletion manifests: cynicism, loss of caring, numbing behaviors, and distance from relationships. The cultural reinforcers that reward overgiving and make being "busy and tired" a badge of honor. What physicians may be protecting by staying in painful situations (identity, shame, fear of failure). The liberating realization: "I could quit" and "I am here by choice." Small, daily practices that can shift experience, including taking two breaths before entering a patient's room. Asking nurses to ask, "What color are your patient's eyes?" as a practice of connection. Practical exercises for listeners: "What expands me / what contracts me" and "What moments today did I feel most like myself?" The powerful shift from "I'm the only one who can" to "I work among people I can trust." The role of coaching: creating a container for discovery, asking powerful questions, and helping physicians reclaim agency. Guest Information: Dr. Carla Rotering, Physician Coach, MD Coaches – Pulmonologist, Intensivist, Writer, Poet, Musician Dr. Dael Waxman, Physician Coach, MD Coaches – Host, Life Changing Moments Website: mymdcoaches.com Join the MD Coaches community on Facebook Relevant Links: MD Coaches: mymdcoaches.com Follow Life Changing Moments for more conversations on physician growth and transformation MD Coaches Facebook Community