She Refused to Quit: From Medical School Tears to Lifestyle Medicine Leader

In this grounded and empowering episode of the ASQ Podcast, Dr. Jessie sits down with Dr. Amanda Adkins board-certified physician, lifestyle medicine expert, and founder of DrAmandaMD.com for a heartfelt conversation about identity, discipline, faith, and redefining what it truly means to heal. From a small-town upbringing in Anderson to becoming a physician determined at just 12 years old, Dr. Amanda shares her journey through family, faith, medicine, and personal transformation. She opens up about: • Growing up as the quiet youngest sister in a loud, loving blended family • Watching her teenage parents build a life—and later divorce—after 20+ years • Choosing medicine before she even entered high school • Transferring colleges after realizing her first path wouldn’t lead to medical school • Crying through medical school while refusing to quit • Losing her grandfather—the man who inspired her dream—just before finishing residency • Moving across the country for love and building a new life in California What carried her through wasn’t just ambition. It was purpose. This episode explores: • What it means to honor your 12-year-old dream self • The difference between being forced into a path vs. choosing it • How hardship builds confidence you don’t recognize until later • The emotional reality of medical school and residency • Finding your voice as an introvert • Moving from prescription-based care to root-cause healing • Faith, mindset, and behavioral change in lifestyle medicine • Why “just do it” doesn’t work—and what actually does After years practicing internal medicine, Dr. Amanda discovered something missing. Patients didn’t just want prescriptions. They wanted transformation. Now as a lifestyle medicine physician, she helps women reverse high blood pressure, prevent diabetes, and reclaim their health through six powerful pillars: • Nutrition • Movement • Sleep • Stress reduction • Social connection • Eliminating toxic habits This episode is for anyone who: • Feels stuck in unhealthy patterns • Is tired of prescriptions without real solutions • Wants to prevent chronic illness instead of managing it • Struggles with consistency and discipline • Is trying to reconnect physical health with spiritual health • Knows they’re capable of more—but needs support getting there Dr. Amanda’s story isn’t just about becoming a doctor. It’s about becoming the woman brave enough to use her voice. Connect with Dr. Amanda Adkins: 🔹Website: https://www.dramandamd.com/  🔹Twitter: https://x.com/dramandaadkins  🔹Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dramandaadkins#  🔹Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dramandaadkins  #LifestyleMedicine #WomensHealth #PreventativeHealth #FaithAndHealth #ChronicDiseasePrevention #ASQPodcast