She Almost Quit Practicing Medicine: What Burnout Really Looks Like

Send us Fan MailA Conversation with Dr. Nikia Smith on Burnout Recovery, Boundaries, and Choosing YourselfKey Topics: Burnout • Burnout Recovery • Boundaries • Black Women • Women in Medicine • Self-Care • Rest • Leadership • Wellness • Saying NoEpisode SummaryBurnout doesn't happen overnight—and neither does recovery.In this powerful conversation, Dr. Ebony Stone sits down with Dr. Nikia Smith, board-certified anesthesiologist, wellness coach, and founder of She Is Forged By Fire, to explore what burnout really looks like beneath the surface.After years of working in one of the highest-pressure medical specialties, Dr. Smith reached a breaking point. What followed wasn't just a career shift—it was a complete transformation in how she viewed work, rest, boundaries, and her own well-being.Together, Dr. Stone and Dr. Smith unpack the myths surrounding burnout, why high-achieving women often struggle to prioritize themselves, and how learning to say "no" became one of the most powerful acts of self-care.Whether you're leading a team, working in healthcare, balancing family responsibilities, or simply feeling exhausted by the demands of life, this conversation will remind you that choosing yourself isn't selfish—it's necessary. Who Should Listen to This Episode?This episode is for you if... You're constantly exhausted—even after taking time off.  You struggle to say "no" without feeling guilty.  You're a high-achieving woman who always puts everyone else first.  You work in healthcare, leadership, or another high-pressure profession.  You're wondering if what you're experiencing is burnout instead of simply being tired.  You're ready to stop surviving and start thriving. Corner Office Lessons💜 Burnout is more than exhaustion—it is emotional depletion.Rest isn't just about sleep. Burnout affects your mind, your emotions, your relationships, and your sense of purpose.💜 Every "yes" to someone else can become a "no" to yourself.Learning to protect your time and energy is one of the healthiest leadership skills you can develop.💜 Recovery isn't a weekend—it is a lifestyle shift.Burnout develops over months and years. Healing requires patience, intentionality, and grace.💜 You don't have to earn permission to rest.You don't need an illness, surgery, or crisis to justify taking care of yourself. Rest is a necessity—not a reward.💜 The strongest women don't carry everything alone.Healing accelerates in community. Vulnerability opens the door for connection, encouragement, and transformation. About Today's GuestDr. Nikia Smith is a board-certified anesthesiologist, wellness coach, retreat facilitator, and founder of She Is Forged By Fire, a transformative wellness brand dedicated to helping high-achieving women of color reclaim their peace, power, and purpose.After experiencing severe burnout while working on the frontlines of medicine, Dr. Smith committed herself to helping other women recover from exhaustion, establish healthy boundaries, and create lives aligned with their values. Through coaching, retreats, and community-centered experiences, she empowers women to choose softness over survival and thrive both personally and professionally. Connect with Dr. Nikia Smith🌐 Website📱 Instagram💼 LinkedInUpcoming Wellness Retreats September Luxury Wellness Retreat (Healthcare Professionals)  November Wellness Retreat – Warm Springs, Arkansas  Spring 2027 Wellness Retreat Dr. Smith's retreats combine luxury accommodations, wellness experiences, continuing medical education (CME), community, and intentional rest to help healthcare professionals recover from burnout and reconnect with themselves. Don't forget to like and subscribe so that you can get more content just like this! Grab your copy of The Power of the Pause today!Show you are a part of The Corner Office Collective by sporting BWCO apparel, no available. To learn more about Dr. Ebony Stone, visit www.drebonystone.com If This Episode Inspired You...Please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another woman in leadership who needs this conversation today.Every share helps us amplify the voices and stories of remarkable Black women leaders around the world.Connect with Dr. Ebony StoneFollow The Black Woman in the Corner Office for more conversations with extraordinary Black women leaders who are changing organizations, communities, and industries.If you enjoyed what you heard, there is much more on my website (www.drebonystone.com) and you can catch more episodes here and on the Black Woman in the Corner Office YouTube channel @drebonystone.Looking to read The Power of the Pause, order your copy here - Dr. Ebony Stone - My BookDon't forget to subscribe so you don't miss out on any of the goodness coming your way.