Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD

Dr. Jessica Singh didn't leave emergency medicine because it was easy. She left because staying was costing her everything.After finishing residency as one of the most unhappy moments of her life, Dr.Singh found her way back to herself through an unexpected door: a one-month yoga teacher training she took purely to heal. That experience cracked open a whole new understanding of what health actually means, and set her on a path toward mind-body medicine, trauma-informed coaching, and eventually building the Center for Health and Wellness Coaches and a Health and Wellness Coach Training Program at NYU.In this warm, honest, and deeply insightful conversation, Dr. Jessica Singh and Dr. Amna Shabbir explore what it really means to heal from the inside out — and why the medicine we need most is often the kind no one teaches in training.Episode Takeaways:Why finishing residency was the biggest worldly achievement of Jessica's life and the most unhappy she had ever beenWhat mind-body medicine actually means, broken down plainly by two physicians who practice itHow the mind's capacity to create stress is the same capacity it can use to healThe role of grounding practices, yoga, and daily routine in building sustainable wellbeingWhy perfectionism and self-compassion are two sides of the same wound — and how to work with bothAbout the guest:Jessica Singh, MD, is the founder of the Center for Health and Wellness Coaches and a formeremergency medicine physician. Her journey in pursuit of well-being intensified when she was anemergency medicine physician-in-training to enhance her own health and heal from burnout.After practicing as an attending physician in the community, Dr. Singh became the first tocomplete a one-year fellowship in Physician Wellness through the Department of EmergencyMedicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. After finishing her fellowship, Dr. Singh transitioned careers, with the mission of helpingindividuals, organizations, and communities nurture health and enhance fulfillment and well-being. Dr. Singh is a trauma-informed physician coach certified by the National Board of Healthand Wellness Coaching and the International Coaching Federation. She founded the Center forHealth and Wellness Coaches to promote the sharing of best practices, cultivate community, and provide evidence-based resources for health and wellness coaches.Dr. Singh is an adjunct faculty member at New York University’s School of Professional Studiesand the developer and lead faculty of the Health and Well-being Coaching Certificate.Connect with Jessica Singh, MD, NBC-HWC, ACC:Website: www.centerforhealthandwellnesscoaches.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-singh-md/ The Holistic Physician Coaching Podcast - https://www.holisticphysiciancoachingpodcast.com/   The Health and Wellness Coach Journal Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-health-and-wellness-coach-journal/id1727638588 About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ✨ What Type of Perfectionism is Sabotaging Your Success?Take the FREE 3-minute quiz and discover your predominant perfectionism pattern (Self-Critic? Frustrated Fixer? Performer? Sustainable High-Achiever?). You'll get a personalized podcast episode designed for YOUR type + a complete resource guide with tools for boundaries, impostorism, nervous system regulation, and more.👉 Take the Quiz: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.🧡 Free Support Resources Please call or text 988 for support and care for yourself. 

What if the voice telling you that you completely failed, that you ruined everything, that you're a terrible parent or a terrible leader, isn't telling you the truth?In this solo episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir breaks down one of the most common and most damaging thinking patterns that perfectionists face: all-or-none thinking. Also known as black-and-white or dichotomous thinking, this cognitive distortion keeps high achievers stuck in a loop of self-criticism, procrastination, and chronic exhaustion. And the worst part? It feels completely real.Drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy research and her own coaching practice, Dr. Shabbir walks you through what cognitive distortions actually are, why perfectionism makes you uniquely vulnerable to them, and a simple but powerful exercise you can use right now to interrupt the spiral.Episode TakeawaysWhat cognitive distortions are and why they feel so convincingHow all-or-none thinking shows up at work, in parenting, in relationships, and in entrepreneurshipThe research-backed connection between black-and-white thinking and anxiety, depression, procrastination, and burnoutWhy perfectionists are wired to scan for evidence of failureThe Truth Test: a practical, pen-and-paper exercise to challenge distorted thoughts in real timeWhy "the gray area" is where excellence actually livesWhat metacognition is and how developing it changes everythingAbout the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician, and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.✨ What Type of Perfectionism is Sabotaging Your Success?Take the FREE 3-minute quiz and discover your predominant perfectionism pattern (Self-Critic? Frustrated Fixer? Performer? Sustainable High-Achiever?). You'll get a personalized podcast episode designed for YOUR type + a complete resource guide with tools for boundaries, impostorism, nervous system regulation, and more.👉 Take the Quiz: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

What happens when everything you have built your identity around suddenly shifts?Marcy Bullock has spent over three decades helping students, professionals, and high achievers answer exactly that question. She is an award-winning speaker and Director of Professional Development at North Carolina State's College of Engineering, with over 150 professional development courses delivered across four universities on three continents.In this conversation, Marcy unpacks the concept of the lifequake, the seismic moments that shake your sense of self to the core, and why navigating them starts with one thing: knowing who you truly are. This is a conversation about turning inward before you can move forward.Episode Takeaways:What a lifequake actually is and why so many of us are living in one right nowThe danger of workaholism and tying your worthiness to your professional identityThe powerful concept of “me search”, going inward to uncover your values, interests, and skillsWhy only 20% of people are truly engaged at work and what that really means for your lifeThe 4 R's for navigating any life transition: Rethink, Release, Receive, RestartHow perfectionism shapeshifts across every season of lifeWhy the messy middle is not something to skip, it is where transformation actually happensWhat it means to normalize the struggle and give yourself permission to feel it allWhy validation is for parking and where your sense of worth actually needs to come fromAbout the guest:Marcy Bullock is a workforce transformation strategist, award-winning speaker, and career coach. Marcy has three decades of experience rewiring mindset, strengthening culture, and driving performance. Her goal is simple: Elevate mindset and morale to unlock potential. She personally designs each learning experience to reflect the unique culture, priorities, and needs of the organizations she partners with. She empowers people to show up as their best selves and perform like it. After all, high-performance cultures start with high-growth people.For over a decade she taught Women in the Workforce, Practicing Happiness, Career Exploration and Professional Development at NC State University. She has facilitated corporate retreats and workshops and delivered captivating keynote addresses across the globe.  She was honored with the North Carolina Governor's Award for Excellence and the Outstanding Faculty Award from the Alumni Society.  She has a Master’s Degree in Counseling and is Certified in Career Coaching, Gallup Strengths, and Professional Leadership.  Connect with Marcy Bullock:Email: [email protected]: https://sites.google.com/view/marcylee/home?authuser=0 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcyleecoaching/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marcy-lee-coaching-consulting✨ What Type of Perfectionism is Sabotaging Your Success?Take the FREE 3-minute quiz and discover your predominant perfectionism pattern (Self-Critic? Frustrated Fixer? Performer? Sustainable High-Achiever?). You'll get a personalized podcast episode designed for YOUR type + a complete resource guide with tools for boundaries, impostorism, nervous system regulation, and more.👉 Take the Quiz: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Dr. Sujay Kansagra, MD is a professor at Duke University and the director of Duke University's Pediatric Neurology Sleep Medicine Program. Known on social media as That Sleep Doc, he has built a community of over 700,000 followers who turn to him for evidence-based, refreshingly humorous sleep wisdom.He is the inventor of the Lullabee Smart Crib Mattress, a science-backed innovation designed to help infants become confident, independent sleepers. Dr. Kansagra is also the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and five books, including My Child Won't Sleep: A Quick Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Common Sleep Issues in Children of All Ages.A self-described "accidental entrepreneur," Dr. Kansagra blends rigorous science, clinical experience, and genuine warmth to make better sleep accessible to families and high achievers everywhere.Episode Takeaways:Rapid-fire myth-busting: melatonin, magnesium glycinate, screen time, co-sleeping, sleep training, alcohol, weighted blankets, mouth taping, and wearablesWhy "orthosomnia", anxiety driven by sleep trackers may be hurting more than helpingThe three most common reasons young children aren't sleeping (and why it's almost never the supplement)The eight-year journey behind the Lullabee Smart Crib Mattress and the heartbreaking cases that propelled Dr. Kansagra to invent itWhy your sleep need is genetically determined, and the comparison game with "short sleepers" is riggedThe truth about chronotypes: morning bird, night owl, or somewhere in betweenHow to assess your true sleep need and build a realistic sleep windowThe link between perfectionism and insomnia, and the radical permission to let sleep be imperfectAbout the guest:Dr. Sujay Kansagra, MD is a professor at Duke and the director of Duke University’s Pediatric Neurology Sleep Medicine Program. He’s popularly known as @ThatSleepDoc on social media where he has over 700,000 followers. He’s also the inventor of the Lullabee Smart Crib Mattress. He specializes in treating a variety of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy and parasomnias. His prior research involves sleep pathology in rare conditions such as alternating hemiplegia of childhood and infantile Pompe disease. Dr. Kansagra is the author of numerous peer-reviewed research publications and 5 books, including the book “My Child Won’t Sleep”, a high-yield, step-by-step guide to fixing common sleep issues in children of all ages, infants through adolescence.Connect with Dr. Kansagra:Website: www.lullabee.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/thatsleepdoc Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@thatsleepdoc Youtube: www.youtube.com/@thatsleepdoc ✨ What Type of Perfectionism is Sabotaging Your Success?Take the FREE 3-minute quiz and discover your predominant perfectionism pattern (Self-Critic? Frustrated Fixer? Performer? Sustainable High-Achiever?). You'll get a personalized podcast episode designed for YOUR type + a complete resource guide with tools for boundaries, impostorism, nervous system regulation, and more.👉 Take the Quiz: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

What if the fear you've always been told to "get over" is actually a signal worth listening to?Dr. Manju Dawkins is a board-certified dermatologist, founder and CEO of Thimble Health, the first over-the-counter needle care platform designed to take the pain and fear out of needles. When her newborn daughter looked up at her during a vaccine appointment, something shifted. That one moment became the seed of an entire company.In this conversation, Dr. Dawkins shares her journey from full-time dermatologist to healthcare disruptor, what it costs to self-censor as a woman of color entrepreneur, and why perfectionism nearly kept her playing it safe. She also opens up about motherhood, the NBA Foundation All-Star Pitch Competition, and the quiet hug from her daughter that meant more than any prize.Episode Takeaways:Why 63% of adults experience needle fear and why we rarely talk about itThe moment that sparked the creation of Thimble HealthHow the Prepare Patch and Recover Patch work and why post-procedure pain mattersWhy medical training can work against the entrepreneurial mindsetThe real cost of perfectionism in medicine and beyondWhat self-censoring looks like for women of color in leadershipWhy dreaming matters more than mapping out five-year plansHow collaboration beats competition every timeOne piece of advice for anyone sitting on an idea: write it down and take one stepReferenced:Jill Bolte Taylor’s TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU About the guest:Dr. Manju Chacko Dawkins is a board-certified dermatologist, founder and CEO of Thimble, keynote speaker, and mother of two. After watching her young daughter's reaction during her first vaccinations, she turned a deeply human moment into a mission — creating Thimble, the first over-the-counter needle care platform designed to take the pain and fear out of shots and blood draws. Thimble's two-part system includes Prepare, a topical lidocaine patch that numbs skin before injections, and Recover, a turmeric and arnica patch that soothes soreness afterward. She holds a B.A. from Columbia University and her M.D. from the University of Maryland, completed her dermatology residency and served as Chief Resident at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and was twice named Teacher of the Year as an Assistant Professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Most recently, Thimble was featured in Forbes as a leading micro-innovation in healthcare, and Dr. Dawkins was a finalist in the NBA Foundation's All-Star 2026 Pitch Competition in Los Angeles, where Thimble won a $25,000 prize.Connect with Dr. Dawkins:Learn More About Thimble Health: https://thimblehealth.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thimble.health LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manju-dawkins-md/ ✨ What Type of Perfectionism is Sabotaging Your Success?Take the FREE 3-minute quiz and discover your predominant perfectionism pattern (Self-Critic? Frustrated Fixer? Performer? Sustainable High-Achiever?). You'll get a personalized podcast episode designed for YOUR type + a complete resource guide with tools for boundaries, impostorism, nervous system regulation, and more.👉 Take the Quiz: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Have you ever landed a major accomplishment and immediately thought, that was just luck? Or received praise and felt your stomach drop, terrified someone will finally realize you're not as competent as they think?That's imposterism, and if you're a perfectionist, you're not just experiencing it. You're experiencing it on steroids.In this solo episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir breaks down why imposterism isn't a syndrome or a character flaw, but a pattern. She explains exactly why perfectionists are uniquely wired to feel it more intensely, and shares one simple, evidence-based tool you can use the next time these feelings creep in.Episode TakeawaysWhy feeling like a fraud is actually evidence of self-awareness, empathy, and humility — 70% of people experience imposterism, including the most successful people in the roomHow deficit thinking makes perfectionism and imposterism deeply intertwined, keeping perfectionists stuck in a cycle of achieving and dismissingExternal attribution bias and why perfectionists give luck the credit while keeping themselves the blameThe Evidence Log: one practical tool to interrupt imposter feelings with objective data the next time self-doubt creeps inHow identity, culture, marginalization, and lived experience shape the unique flavor of imposterism you carryAbout the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Dr. Jillian Rigert didn't just survive perfectionism. She nearly died from it. And now, she's turning that pain into a lifeline for others.A Martha Beck Wayfinder Master Coach, Air Force veteran, oral surgeon, and physician, Jillian has walked one of the most demanding paths imaginable, only to discover that the very drive that carried her there almost destroyed her. In this raw, courageous, and deeply moving conversation, Jillian opens up about how perfectionism spiraled into suicidal ideation, anorexia, and a medical discharge from the military, and how finding her voice became the first step toward reclaiming her life.This is a conversation about what happens when high achievement stops serving you, and what it truly means to start over with compassion, authenticity, and purpose.⚠️ Trigger Warning This conversation explores trauma and strong mental health themes including suicidal ideation, eating disorders, and perfectionism. Episode Takeaways:How perfectionism starts as a badge of honor and how it quietly becomes a cageThe moment Jillian realized achievement wouldn't fill the emptiness and what happened nextThe intersection of perfectionism, shame, and suicidal ideation in high-achieving environmentsHow anorexia became a coping mechanism and what it truly represents beneath the surfaceWhy eating disorders are so widely misunderstood, even within medicineThe one attending who modeled her humanity and saved Jillian's lifeWhat helpers get wrong and what actually supports someone who is strugglingHow shame heals in relationship, not in silenceWhat success looks and feels like when you finally strip away perfectionistAbout the guest:Jillian Rigert, DMD, MD, ACC, TIPC is a Martha Beck Wayfinder Master Coach and Trauma-Informed Professional Coach who partners with high achievers navigating life and career transitions. She has had an expansive career, holding degrees in dentistry and medicine with a specialty in oral medicine and head and neck cancer. She is also an Air Force veteran. Jillian is currently completing a master's degree in marriage and family therapy with focus in trauma and is an advocate for approaching holistic wellbeing through a systemic, biopsychosocial and spiritual lens. Connect with Dr.Jillian Rigert:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JillianRigertDMDMDLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-rigert/Website: https://jillianrigertcoaching.com/About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ✨ What Type of Perfectionism is Sabotaging Your Success?Take the FREE 3-minute quiz and discover your predominant perfectionism pattern (Self-Critic? Frustrated Fixer? Performer? Sustainable High-Achiever?). You'll get a personalized podcast episode designed for YOUR type + a complete resource guide with tools for boundaries, impostorism, nervous system regulation, and more.👉 Take the Quiz: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quiz ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.🧡 Free Support Resources Please call or text 988 for support and care for yourself. 

Dr. Rita Renee didn't just survive silence, she turned it into a framework that's helping women around the world finally speak.From childhood abuse and a dangerous marriage to the TEDx stage and international keynote platforms, Dr. Rita Renee's story is one of radical healing, hard-won clarity, and a fierce refusal to let pain have the final word. In this raw, deeply moving conversation, Dr. Rita walks us through what it truly costs women to stay silent, why perfectionism is not a pursuit of excellence but a form of bondage, and what it means to stop waiting for a moment of readiness that never comes. This is the episode for every woman who's been sitting on her story, shrinking in rooms she was built to lead, or waiting until she feels "ready enough" to begin.⚠️Sensitive Content warning: This episode discusses childhood sexual abuse, trauma, and its psychological impact. Please listen with care.Episode Takeaways:Silence is not passive, it actively costs you your identity, opportunities, and self-worth every single time you choose not to speak.You cannot confront what you refuse to name, so healing only begins when you stop protecting the silence that is keeping you bound.Post-traumatic growth is a decision, stop asking why this happened to me and start asking what will I do with what I've lived through.Perfectionism is not excellence, it is fear in disguise, one leads to growth, the other leads to paralysis.Readiness is not the absence of fear, because clarity comes through movement and confidence is built through repetition, not theory.About the guest:Dr. Rita Renee is a TEDx speaker, author, international keynote speaker, healthcare leader, and executive coach who helps women come off mute, step into authority, and lead with clarity and conviction. With over 30 years of experience in healthcare leadership and organizational development, she bridges faith, leadership, and lived experience to support high-achieving women navigating transitions, reclaiming their voice, and leading without shrinking or performing. Dr. Rita is the founder of Ultimate PowerHouse Coach and the creator of the UNMUTE™ framework, empowering women to move from silence to strategic impact in life, leadership, and purpose.Connect with Dr. Rita Renee:Website: https://www.drritarenee.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drritareneeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drritareneeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drritareneeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drritareneeAbout the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.✨  What Type of Perfectionism is Sabotaging Your Success?Take the FREE 3-minute quiz and discover your predominant perfectionism pattern (Self-Critic? Frustrated Fixer? Performer? Sustainable High-Achiever?). You'll get a personalized podcast episode designed for YOUR type + a complete resource guide with tools for boundaries, impostorism, nervous system regulation, and more.👉🏻 Take the Quiz: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/quizConnect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.🧡 Free Support Resources National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN)1-800-656-HOPE (4673)Online chat: https://www.rainn.org 24/7 confidential support, trauma-informed crisis counselors988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall or text 988https://988lifeline.orgFor emotional distress, trauma crises, or suicidal thoughts

When emergency room physician Dr. Lorna Breen died by suicide in April 2020 after working the front lines of COVID-19, her family including brother-in-law, J. Corey Feist faced an impossible choice, grieve in silence or speak out. He spoke out. What followed was thousands of healthcare workers saying: this is happening to me too. That flood of voices became the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation and ultimately the first federal law in America dedicated to protecting healthcare worker mental health, delivering over $110 million in funding and safeguarding more than 3 million clinicians from invasive licensing questions that once kept them from seeking care.In this conversation, Corey and Dr. Shabbir, get personal about the hidden cost of perfectionism in medicine, the systemic barriers that force healers to choose between their mental health and their careers, and what every person, clinician or not, can do right now to be part of the solution.Episode Takeaways:How licensing, credentialing, and insurance questions have long forced healthcare workers to hide mental health struggles, and the free solution that can fix it in as little as 48 hoursWhy Dr. Lorna Breen's story is not unique, and what thousands of similar stories reveal about a broken system, not broken individualsThe dangerous intersection of perfectionism and medicine, and why this culture is costing livesWhy the Dr. Lorna Breen Act's five-year extension means nothing without funding, and how you can contact Congress in under two minutesWhat patients, leaders, and colleagues can do today to make healthcare workers feel seen, supported, and safe enough to ask for helpAbout the guest:J. Corey Feist, JD, MBA is a healthcare executive, co-founder and CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation, and one of the most powerful voices in the fight for healthcare worker mental health in America. The Foundation is named after his sister-in-law, Dr. Lorna Breen — an emergency room physician on the front lines of COVID-19 who died by suicide in April 2020. What began as a personal loss became a national movement. Corey's advocacy led directly to the passage of the first federal law focused on healthcare worker wellbeing — the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act — which has delivered over $110 million in funding to hospitals and healthcare systems nationwide and was recently extended by Congress for five more years. Today, the Foundation's programs reach over 2 million health workers, and as of early 2026, 70 state licensure boards and over 3,000 care facilities have removed invasive mental health questions from their licensing and credentialing applications — making it safer for more than 3 million health workers to seek mental health care without fear of professional repercussions. In 2023, Corey and his wife Jennifer were awarded the Surgeon General's Medallion for Health — the highest civilian honor the U.S. Surgeon General can bestow. He holds a JD from Penn State Dickinson School of Law and an MBA from the UVA Darden School of Business.Connect with J. Corey Feist, JD, MBA:Website: https://drlornabreen.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlornabreenheroesfoundation/✅ Take 2 minutes to Message Your Representatives: https://drlornabreen.org/medical-boards/About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.⚠️ Trigger WarningThis conversation explores trauma and strong mental health themes including suicide. Please call or text 988 for support.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

You've optimized your schedule, your goals, and your output. But when did you last check in with the body carrying all of it?In this solo bonus episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir speaks directly to high achievers and perfectionists who are living almost entirely in their heads, constantly thinking, planning, evaluating, and pushing, while quietly ignoring the physical signals their bodies are sending. Drawing from her own personal journey as a physician who once pushed through fractures, pain, and mental health struggles in the relentless pursuit of achievement, Dr. Shabbir offers a grounding reminder: healing is not only a mindset shift. It is also a body experience.This episode is both an invitation and a practice, closing with a guided Perfectionism Body Scan™ exercise designed specifically for high performers ready to reconnect.Episode TakeawaysWhy high achievers and perfectionists are uniquely prone to body disconnectionThe physical toll of perfectionism: tension, insomnia, jaw clenching, ignored symptoms, and moreDr. Shabbir's personal story of ignoring her body's signals despite being a physician and wellbeing expertWhat the research says about body scans, from cortisol reduction to improved sleep and pain reliefThe Perfectionism Body Scan™: a guided exercise curated through the lens of perfectionismHow reconnecting with your body begins to shift the inner narrative of "not enoughness"Why somatic awareness is a missing piece in lasting high-performance well-beingGuided Exercise in This Episode This episode includes Dr. Shabbir's original Perfectionism Body Scan™, a mindfulness-based body scan tailored for perfectionists, walking through the scalp, forehead, eyes, jaw, neck, shoulders, chest, stomach, hips, legs, and feet. Each area is explored with the specific language of perfectionism: the vigilance, the weight of expectations, the pressure to succeed, and the exhaustion of always pushing forward.You can return to this episode anytime you need a reset.About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

A short, exciting announcement from Dr. Amna Shabbir.After hearing your questions and feedback, she’s created a free 3-minute quiz to help you identify your unique perfectionism pattern—and what to do about it.🔑 What Type of Perfectionism Is Sabotaging Your Success? Take Your Free Quiz Now: https://dramnashabbir.com/quiz/ 🌐 Also Check Out the New Excellencism Hub for free ongoing resources https://dramnashabbir.com/excellencism-hub/w🙏 Special ThanksWandersoul Creative Studio for bringing this vision to lifehttps://wandersoulco.com/ 

In this rich solo episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir cuts straight to the core of why boundary setting breaks down for even the most accomplished high achievers. It's not a lack of willpower or strategy. It's a deeper issue of self-abandonment disguised as professionalism, reliability, and people-pleasing.Drawing from her clinical work, her own entrepreneurial journey, and research on assertiveness, Dr. Shabbir walks you through a practical three-step framework to move from avoidance to assertiveness and start protecting your energy without guilt.Episode TakeawaysWhy taking yourself seriously is the foundation of every boundary you'll ever setThe hidden cost of avoidance and why it's really a form of self-abandonmentHow perfectionism can dress up self-neglect as excellence or being a "team player"What assertiveness actually is and why it's a learnable skill, not a personality traitResearch-backed reasons assertiveness reduces stress, anxiety, and depressionWarren Buffett on why saying no is a strategic decision, not a personal failureThe 3-Step Boundary Framework:Step 1: Name the drain: identify and write down what's causing resentment or energy lossStep 2: Check in with your body: notice your physical response and take it seriouslyStep 3: Communicate the boundary: simple, clear language scripts for teams, loved ones, and peersWhy the first steps of boundary setting always happen between you and yourselfThe closing reflection: Where are you taking your output seriously, but not yourself?About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

I have been wanting to have this conversation for a very long time and I am so glad it is finally here. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Melissa Hankins, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, certified executive coach, and trauma-informed EFT practitioner, for one of the most honest and illuminating conversations I have had on this show.We go deep into the intersection of trauma and perfectionism, and Dr. Hankins reframes everything. Perfectionism is not a personality flaw or a character trait. It is a state of being, a protective strategy your nervous system developed to keep you safe in environments where love, belonging, and worth felt conditional. And when you understand that, everything starts to make sense.Dr. Hankins generously shares her own story, growing up biracial in a predominantly white environment, losing her mother at 16, and navigating the racial and emotional complexity that quietly shaped her drive to achieve above and beyond. Her vulnerability in this conversation moved me deeply, and I found myself holding space while also recognizing so much of my own journey as a South Asian woman in medicine.We also explore EFT tapping, the mind-body tool that Dr. Hankins introduced me to personally and that I can say from experience is genuinely powerful. She walks us through how it works, why it works, and how you can begin using it to regulate your nervous system right now.If you have ever felt like you cannot slow down, cannot stop achieving, cannot let people see the real you, this episode is for you.Key TakeawaysPerfectionism is a protective strategy, not a flaw. Your nervous system developed it to keep you safe in environments where love and belonging felt conditional.Trauma is more than big T moments. Anything that was too much too soon, or too little for too long, can shape how we show up as adults.Perfectionism has many faces. Control, people pleasing, analysis paralysis, overworking, invisibility, these are all expressions of the same nervous system response.Your body is keeping score. Jaw clenching, headaches, chest tightness, GI issues and sleep disturbances can all be signs that your nervous system is dysregulated.EFT tapping meets you where you are. Whether you are connected to a sensation, an emotion, or just a thought, tapping can gently regulate the nervous system without force.Perfectionism and excellence are not the same thing. Perfectionism is fear-driven. Excellence is values-driven. You can absolutely let go of one and keep the other.About the guest:Melissa Hankins, MD, CPC is the CEO and Founder of Melissa Hankins Coaching, a coaching and consulting firm that is committed to helping physicians and leaders overcome burnout, and helping organizations create and maintain psychologically safe work environments and sustainable well-being for their employees. Dr Hankins is a certified executive coach, Harvard-trained psychiatrist, and trauma-informed Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT or "tapping") practitioner. In addition to leading her own organization, Dr Hankins also serves as faculty for The Academy of Creative Coaching, an ICF-accredited coach training organization.Dr Hankins has taught and spoken extensively about trauma-informed coaching and creating trauma-informed workplaces at several healthcare and coaching organizations and corporations, including Harvard Institute of Coaching, University of California-Davis Health, Weill-Cornell Medical, Stanford University, California Counties Foundation, and Coaching.com's World Business and Executive Coaching Summit. Dr Hankins has appeared on numerous podcasts, and her writing has been featured in KevinMD, MedPageToday, Medium.com, and Physician Outlook magazine. She is also a contributing author in the physician anthology, "Thriving After Burnout: A Compilation of Real Stories by Female Physicians."Dr Hankins provides individual and group coaching, as well as interactive trainings and workshops, and is available for organizational retreats and speaking engagements. Connect with Dr. Melissa Hankins:Visit her website: melissahankinscoaching.com Email her at: [email protected] Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahankinsmd/ Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahankinsmd/ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ⚠️Trigger WarningThis conversation explores trauma and strong mental health themes including suicide. Please call or text 988 for support and care for yourself. ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Ryan Paugh, co-founder of Brazen Careerist, Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), and Community.co (the organization behind Forbes Councils), and co-author of Superconnector. Called "a cult legend in the online community building world" by Mashable, Ryan brings rare, hard-won wisdom on what it truly takes to build communities that last.This conversation is rich, candid, and deeply human. Ryan opens up about discovering his gift for community building organically, not through a master plan, but through listening, showing up, and embracing the mess. He and Dr. Shabbir explores perfectionism, failure, the Dunbar number, navigating the AI era authentically, and what success really means once you've built something meaningful.Whether you're an entrepreneur or an ambitious professional trying to build your network intentionally, this episode will challenge and inspire you.Episode Takeaways:Listen first. Genuine community starts with tuning into people's needs and creating psychological safety.Start before you're ready. You don't need a platform or a perfect plan, just grit and a willingness to lead by example.Stay human in the AI era. Use AI to refine your ideas, not replace your voice, your authenticity is your biggest competitive edge.Best Practices for Community Building - the Do’s and Don’ts Impostor Syndrome and how it showed up for Ryan early in his career tied together with failure.Guard your time. Never make blind introductions and be intentional about who and what gets your energy.Redefine success. The real win is freedom, balance, and doing work you love, not the unicorn exit.About the guest:Ryan Paugh is a pioneer in building curated, technology-enabled communities for ambitious professionals. He co-founded Brazen Careerist, a career platform for high-achieving young professionals recognized by Mashable as a top social network for Gen Y entrepreneurs, before partnering with Scott Gerber to launch Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), described by Entrepreneur as "one of the most elite organizations of its kind." Today, as Co-Founder, President & COO of Community.co, the organization behind Forbes Councils, Ryan continues building on that vision, creating membership experiences and business opportunities for thousands of executives, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs nationwide. Mashable has called him "a cult legend in the online-community building world.Connect with Ryan Paugh:Visit his website: https://ryanpaugh.com/Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanpaugh/Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanpaugh Get his book: Superconnector: Stop Networking and Start Building Business Relationships that Matter : https://superconnectorbook.com/ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Dr. Zhen Chan is a pediatrician, entrepreneur, and the founder of Grapevyne, a digital community built to give physicians and medical students the professional development, networking, and resources that medical training never taught them. In this episode, Zhen takes us through his journey from a residency that left him questioning the purpose of modern medicine, to catching the startup bug through venture capital, to building and pivoting a company in real time. We get into the messy, honest truth about perfectionism in medicine, what it costs doctors to chase external validation, and what it actually looks like to redefine success on your own terms. Zhen also shares why vulnerability is a leadership skill, how to build emotional resilience as a physician entrepreneur, and his take on why AI will make better doctors, not fewer of them. If you are a doctor, a med student, or anyone navigating a non-traditional path, this episode will meet you exactly where you are.Episode Takeaways:Career pivots as critical data pointsAI is not replacing doctors, it is raising the bar for what a great doctor looks like. Medical training is a perfectionism factory, and breaking out of it is the first step toward sustainable success. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and trying to be 100% at everything will burn you out fast. Vulnerability is not a weakness in leadership, it is your most powerful trust-building tool. About the guest:Dr. Zhen Chan is a graduate of the University of Miami with his MD and MBA in Health Management and Policy. He completed his pediatrics residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medicine, where his work in quality improvement and advocacy projects revealed a career path to impact healthcare at scale beyond the exam room. Currently, Dr. Zhen is a practicing pediatrician in Washington, DC, and the Founder of Grapevyne, a community dedicated to helping physicians and medical students network and find resources for professional development and personal well-being. Additionally, he advises and consults for startups in the healthcare industry looking to bridge innovation with patient care. Connect with Dr. Zhen Chan:Visit his website: Https://grapevyne.healthConnect with him on LinkedIn: Https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhenmdFollow him on Instagram: Https://www.instagram.com/zhen_mdCheck out his TikTok: Https://www.tiktok.com/@zhenmdAbout the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Dr. Frances Mei Hardin is an ENT surgeon, author, and co-founder of the Hippocratic Collective who is redefining success beyond traditional medicine. In this powerful conversation, she shares her decision to walk away from a surgical career, the mental health toll of medical training, and how reclaiming her life required deep self-awareness and courage.We explore perfectionism, cultural expectations, and the reality that disillusionment can happen at any stage of a career. Dr. Hardin also discusses her memoir Surgeon on the Edge, her mission to reshape physician culture, and why clinician well-being is deeply connected to patient care.Episode Takeaways:- Walking away can be an act of self-preservation- The hidden mental health crisis in medical training- Excellence vs perfectionism in high achievers- Disillusionment is more common than we think- Self-knowledge is key to reinvention- Why Surgeon On the Edge is a critical read for all- Physician well-being impacts patient careAbout the guest:Frances Mei Hardin, MD, is an ENT surgeon, writer, and startup CEO whose work examines identity, ambition, and the cost of reinvention. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, she is known for her unflinching commentary on medical training and her expertise in navigating the world of residency. Dr. Hardin speaks to a generation building lives defined not by a single path, but by possibility. Her debut memoir, Surgeon on the Edge (Hippocratic Press, February 24, 2026), follows a journey of katabasis in medical training and the uneven climb out through hypnosis as an attending.Connect with Dr. Frances Mei Hardin:Visit her website: http://francesmei.com/ http://hippocratic-collective.com/Get her book here - https://www.amazon.com/Surgeon-Edge-Frances-Mei-Hardin/dp/B0G3JWCCH4Follow her on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/francesmeimdFollow her on Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@francesmeimdConnect with her on Linkedin - http://www.linkedin.com/in/frances-mei-hardin-md-aab8b6297About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Why is behavior change so hard, even when you know exactly what to do?In this solo episode, I break down the real reason change feels impossible and why it’s not a failure of willpower. Your brain is wired for efficiency, not growth, and most advice overlooks the early stages where change actually begins.We explore the science behind habits, the six stages of change, and how shame, perfectionism, and all-or-nothing thinking quietly keep you stuck. I also share my personal journey with breaking perfectionistic patterns and what finally made change sustainable.You’ll walk away with three simple, evidence-based somatic tools to help you regulate your nervous system, move through resistance, and take action without burnout. We also unpack toxic wellness culture and how to protect yourself from messaging that fuels shame instead of real growth.If you’ve ever thought, “Why can’t I just do it?” This episode will help you understand why, and show you a better way forward.Episode TakeawaysChange happens in stages, not overnightWhat are the Stages of ChangeMost advice fails because it targets the wrong stageYour brain prioritizes efficiency, not growthShame blocks change by activating your threat responseAmbivalence is normal, not a sign of weaknessPerfectionism leads to avoidance and burnoutSmall, consistent actions outperform intense short burstsSelf-compassion increases follow-through and resilienceSomatic tools help regulate your nervous systemNot all wellness advice is evidence-based or safeAbout the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

We're not going for perfection. We're going for authenticity. Do it scared.In this practical conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir speaks with Valonda Calloway, also known as the TV Lady, a former television anchor who now helps professionals show up confidently on camera and on stage. Valonda shares her philosophy of "accept it or fix it" and breaks down tactical skills for presenting with confidence, from making eye contact through the camera lens to using powerful pauses instead of filler words, which she calls vocal graffiti. She shares insider tips on body language, intentional movement on stage, and why recording yourself regularly is the only way to improve. Valonda opens up about how perfectionism shows up in her clients who wait years to get on stage because they're waiting for everything to be perfect. She redefines success through her own career pivot, sharing how disappointments led her to a life with more freedom, joy and impact than she ever imagined.Episode TakeawaysWhy authentic presence beats perfection and how to "accept it or fix it" when it comes to your insecurities about presentingHow to make eye contact on camera by looking into the lens instead of the screenThe power of pausing instead of using filler words (vocal graffiti) and how to practice concise communicationWhy recording yourself regularly and watching it back is the only way to identify distracting habitsHow to stop waiting for perfect and start doing it scared because your message matters more than your imperfectionsAbout Our Guest Valonda CallowayValonda Calloway is a celebrated TV Host, Spokesperson, and a go-to Presentation and Media Coach, dedicated to helping others communicate with power and confidence. A cum laude graduate of Winston-Salem State University, she built a dynamic media career from Voice of America radio to high-profile roles as a news anchor (WRAL-TV) and host of the popular lifestyle show My Carolina Today, where she put a spotlight on local businesses, interviewed stars and danced with The Rockettes. Adding to her impressive background, Valonda is a former NFL cheerleader (Washington Football Team), currently shares her passion for dance as a beginner jazz instructor at North Carolina Dance Institute, and was named a 2025 Woman to Know in North Carolina. She is the author of Tips From The TV Lady®: A Guide For Making A Great Impression In Person And On Camera and continues to work on camera as a spokesperson, TV host and actor.Connect with  Valonda CallowayLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/valondacalloway/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ValCalTVInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/valcaltv/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ValondaCallowayAbout the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Healthcare is not perfect. And that is exactly why we need better teams.In this insightful conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir speaks with Dr. Tina Patel Gunaldo, DPT, PhD, MHS, architect of high performing interprofessional teams and nationally recognized leader in collaborative healthcare education and practice. Dr. Gunaldo shares how witnessing her best friend's husband navigate a complex medical journey opened her eyes to the reality that healthcare is messy, imperfect, and full of both errors and opportunities. That lived experience sparked her life's work of building systems where clinicians, educators, and communities truly work better together. She breaks down the critical difference between multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and interprofessional teams, explaining why patient centered care is inherent in interprofessional collaboration. Dr. Gunaldo explores how perfectionism shows up in healthcare teams, why it prevents collaboration, and how being immersed in a team where you actively listen and belong can relieve the pressure to be perfect. She redefines success as finding pleasure in pleasant surprises, giving yourself grace, and leading by sharing knowledge without imposing expectations on others. This conversation is a reminder that healthcare and leadership are journeys, not destinations.Episode Takeaways:The difference between multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and interprofessional teams and why patient centered care is inherent in interprofessional collaborationWhy communication is not a soft skill but one of the hardest skills to master in healthcare and teamworkHow perfectionism prevents collaboration and why immersing yourself in a team where you belong can relieve the pressure to be perfectWhy healthcare needs systems and structures that support teams instead of creating silos, band aids, and barriersHow to redefine success by giving yourself grace, finding pleasure in pleasant surprises, and sharing knowledge without imposing expectations on othersAbout Our Guest — Tina Patel GunaldoTina Patel Gunaldo, DPT, PhD, MHS, is a nationally recognized leader in interprofessional education and collaborative practice. With 30 years of experience across healthcare and academia, she advances health equity and teamwork within health systems. She serves as Co-President of the American Interprofessional Health Collaborative and is the founder of Collaborate for Health, an organization dedicated to integrating team science into education and practice.Connect with Tina Patel Gunaldo, DPT, PhD, MHSFollow her on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-patel-gunaldo-phd/About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  🌍 Want to Book Dr. Shabbir to Speak at your event or organization?Reach out at: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking ✅Want to work 1:1 With Dr. Shabbir?Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Session: https://calendly.com/dramnashabbir/strategy  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Connection is both our greatest need and our greatest strength. But in a world where we are more wirelessly connected than ever, why do we feel so alone?In this powerful conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD speaks with Cara Truitt, entrepreneur, speaker coach, TEDx Sugar Creek Women founder, and community builder, about what it truly means to build authentic connection in a disconnected world. Cara opens up about losing everything in one week, filing for divorce on Monday, bankruptcy on Wednesday, and her sister passing away on Friday, and how walking into a yoga studio became the beginning of her healing journey. She shares how that community gave her the first deep breath she ever took and taught her what it felt like to be enough just as she was. From running that yoga studio through the pandemic to founding TEDx Sugar Creek Women and creating spaces where people can come as they are and leave as more of who they are, Cara has dedicated her life to cultivating connection. She introduces her STOP to Connect framework, a simple yet transformative tool for creating micro moments of intentional connection throughout the day by setting a silent intention, trusting yourself, having an open heart and mind, and preparing to be present. Cara also unpacks how perfectionism, which she calls "fancy fear," shows up in her life and why she has learned to practice awareness without judgment. She redefines success as choosing curiosity over fear, leaning into self trust and intuition, and building the art of showing up authentically instead of chasing external expectations.Episode TakeawaysWhy we live in the most connected world yet feel the most alone, and how the loneliness epidemic is a global health crisisThe STOP to Connect frameworkHow to create micro moments of intentional connection throughout your day without waiting for laterWhy perfectionism is "fancy fear" and how it held Cara back until she learned to practice awareness and compassionHow to redefine success by choosing curiosity over fear, trusting your intuition, and showing up authenticallyAbout Our Guest:Cara Truitt brings over two decades of experience as an entrepreneur, business owner, and community leader in Charlotte, NC. Named one of the Top 50 Women to KNOW in NC in 2024, her dynamic presence and skill in facilitating meaningful conversations make her a sought-after speaker and facilitator.Cara is the Founder & Executive Producer of TEDx Sugar Creek Women, Charlotte Chapter Host of Mic Drop Club, and Education Director of NAWBO Charlotte. Cara provides coaching to aspiring TEDx speakers and has a passion for amplifying women's ideas.Cara’s unique background across creative, corporate, non-profit, and wellness spaces has shaped her into a master collaborator and natural connector with diverse audiences, inspiring others through her story of resilience and her dedication to building inclusive, connected communities.Connect with Cara Truitt Visit her website: www.caratruitt.comConnect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caratruitt/Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ TEDx Sugar Creek Women - https://www.tedxsugarcreekwomen.com/👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir is a TEDx Speaker, Top Podcast Host, and Dual Board-Certified Physician with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks and consults on Modern Perfectionism, Behavior change, and the Well-being of High achievers. Her passion lies in helping high performers curate no-BS sustainable well-being at the intersection of ambition and wellness. Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.P.S. Thank you for all your support! Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD is a WINNER at Doctor Podcast Awards -held at Podfest 2026 - the world’s largest in-person podcasting conference. 

Neurodivergence is not a limitation. It is a different way of seeing what no one else sees.In this powerful conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD speaks with Shaun Deardorff, PhD candidate in aerospace engineering, entrepreneur, and TEDx speaker, about turning obstacles into superpowers. Shaun opens up about his experiences with autism and ADHD, sharing how he was bullied throughout childhood and photoshopped out of his high school yearbook. Rather than let these challenges define him, Shaun reframed his neurodivergence as a unique strength, teaching himself skills from origami to skydiving to create deeper connections with others. He shares what it is like to live in a neurodivergent world where sensory input is overwhelming, hyper-focus is a gift, and details others miss become visible. As a serial entrepreneur who has started eight businesses by age 23, Shaun discusses his relationship with perfectionism and why failure is the pathway to success. He redefines success as showing up unapologetically as yourself, using your curiosity and creativity to create lasting impact, rather than chasing external validation. This conversation is a reminder that innovation happens when someone sees what no one else sees, and our differences are the ingredients that make the world more beautiful.Episode TakeawaysHow neurodivergent brains with autism and ADHD process the world differently through sensory overload, hyper-focus, and acute attention to detailWhy Shaun stopped fitting in so he could start standing out: embracing unique strengths instead of masking differencesHow perfectionism shows up for neurodivergent entrepreneurs and why "imperfectly perfect" and failing forward leads to successWhy success is not about external validation or fitting into boxes, but showing up unapologetically as yourselfHow to create more inclusive communities by understanding neurodivergent perspectives and breaking down stigma around autism and ADHDAbout Our Guest:Shaun Deardorff is the Founder/CEO of Airmage Media Productions, a worldwide drone and media production company, and a serial entrepreneur behind multiple other startups and ventures, including Chubby’s Chow, a sustainable dog food company. He is currently a PhD candidate in Aerospace Engineering at North Carolina State University, where his research focuses on origami-inspired deployable space structures. He has held aerospace engineering roles at SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and the FAA. Deardorff is a TEDx speaker and public activist, and has earned prestigious fellowships and awards, including the Miller Fellowship, Provost Doctoral Fellow, NC State's 2024 Leader of the Pack Finalist Award, the Eagle Scout Rank Award, Social Innovation Fellowship, and the John & Linda Leazar Entrepreneur Award, and soon aims to join NASA’s Artemis Astronaut Program.Connect with Shaun DeardorffInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaundeardorffLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaundeardorff/ Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Media Productions LinkTreeAMP Video Production YouTube PlaylistTEDx Talk: Turning Obstacles into Superpowers https://youtu.be/Hhy0qsEwxFU?si=0Ep_hXfXQdYfPLak 👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir is a TEDx Speaker, Top Podcast Host, and Dual Board-Certified Physician with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks and consults on Modern Perfectionism, Behavior change, and the Well-being of High achievers. Her passion lies in helping high performers curate no-BS sustainable well-being at the intersection of ambition and wellness. Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.P.S. Thank you for all your support! Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD is a WINNER at Doctor Podcast Awards -held at Podfest 2026 - the world’s largest in-person podcasting conference. 

🎉 Celebrating One Year of Success Reimagined 🎉Before diving into this week's episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir takes a moment to celebrate a major milestone: the first anniversary of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD!Regret is not a flaw. It is data, direction, and wisdom waiting to be unlocked.In this powerful solo episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir explores the strategic power of regret based on Daniel Pink's groundbreaking research from The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward. Drawing from the American Regret Project and the World Regret Survey, which surveyed over 23,000 people globally, Dr. Shabbir breaks down why 82% of us experience regret regularly and why that is not only normal but essential for growth. She reveals the four core regrets most humans carry: foundation regrets about responsibility and health, boldness regrets about missed opportunities, moral regrets about ethical compromises, and connection regrets about relationships that drifted. Dr. Shabbir then shares a powerful three step framework to transform regret into forward momentum: relive and relieve through self disclosure, practice self compassion instead of self criticism, and create self distancing to analyze and strategize. She also explores the intersection of perfectionism and regret, revealing how maladaptive perfectionism amplifies regret through rumination and self judgment, and offers anticipatory regret as a tool for healthier decision making moving forward.Episode TakeawaysWhy 82% of Americans experience regret regularly and why that makes us human, not flawedHow inaction regrets outnumber action regrets nearly two to one and widen with ageThe four core regrets: foundation, boldness, moral, and connection regrets and what they reveal about our valuesWhy regret is data, direction, and wisdom, not something to suppress or denyThe three step framework to harness regret: relive and relieve through self disclosure, self compassion, and self distancingWhy self compassion is not narcissism and includes mindfulness, shared humanity, and self kindnessThe intersection of perfectionism and regret: how maximizers report higher regret even with better outcomesHow anticipatory regret can guide healthier behaviors and proactive decision making📕Book Referenced:The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward by Daniel H. Pink - https://a.co/d/hbaOFJK 👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir is a TEDx Speaker, Top Podcast Host, and Dual Board-Certified Physician with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks and consults on Modern Perfectionism, Behavior change, and the Well-being of High achievers. Her passion lies in helping high performers curate no-BS sustainable well-being at the intersection of ambition and wellness. Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.

Being highly sensitive is not about being emotional or weak. It is about having a more active limbic system that processes the world more deeply, more intensely and more completely.In this eye opening conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir speaks with Dr. Amelia Kelley, trauma informed therapist, bestselling author and host of The Sensitivity Doctor podcast, about what it truly means to be a highly sensitive person. Dr. Kelley breaks down the neuroscience behind high sensitivity, debunking myths that HSPs are simply introverted or overly emotional, and explains how 30 percent of every species including humans are born with this genetic trait. She shares how highly sensitive people experience everything more intensely, from pain and sound to empathy and passion, and why this trait is essential for species survival. Dr. Kelley also opens up about how perfectionism shows up differently for HSPs, why deep empathy can lead to compassion fatigue and burnout, and how she reimagined success by learning to say no and bring her heart to her work instead of grinding through everything that came her way.Episode TakeawaysWhy high sensitivity is a neurobiological trait related to limbic system activity, not emotional weaknessHow HSPs process sensory input, pain and emotions more intensely than the general populationWhy boundaries are acts of compassion that protect your nervous system and allow deeper connectionHow perfectionism shows up for HSPs through environment curation and moral compass driven work choicesWhy highly sensitive people need two hours of unstructured alone time per day for nervous system regulationHow to differentiate high sensitivity from introversion, autism, ADHD and trauma responsesWhy HSPs make ferocious leaders because of their deep passion, empathy and driveHow to sustain performance and well being as a high achieving HSP through boundaries, rest and authentic connectionAbout the guestAmelia Kelley, PhD, MS, LCMHC, ATR, CYT is a trauma-informed therapist, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and nationally recognized voice in nervous-system-based mental health care.. She specializes in ADHD, sensitivity, trauma recovery, and relational healing, blending neuroscience and therapeutic clarity with heart. She is the author of several books include Powered by ADHD, Gaslighting Recovery for Women, Surviving Suicidal Ideation: From Therapy to Spirituality and the Lived Experience, and What I Wish I Knew: Surviving and Thriving After an Abusive Relationship. She is the host of The Sensitivity Doctor podcast, a PESI-approved international trainer, and founder of Kelley Counseling & Wellness. Her work has been featured in Psychology Today, ADDitude, NPR, The Chicago Tribune, Parade, and SiriusXM Doctor Radio. Her 2025 TED Talk on early mental health screening was selected as a TED Editor’s Pick.Connect with Dr. Amelia Kelley Highly Sensitive Person Quiz: https://youengage.me/p/68b2ead123f90b010000ac6d Website – https://www.ameliakelley.com/LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelleyInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DrAmeliaKelley/YouTube – The Sensitivity Doctor – https://www.youtube.com/@drameliakelley 👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir is a TEDx Speaker, Top Podcast Host, and Dual Board-Certified Physician with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks and consults on Modern Perfectionism, Behavior change, and the Well-being of High achievers. Her passion lies in helping high performers curate no-BS sustainable well-being at the intersection of ambition and wellness. Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.Content NoteThis episode discusses suicide. Please call or text 988 for support and care for yourself accordingly.

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir speaks with David Esposito, healthcare executive, combat veteran and CEO of ONL Therapeutics, about what it truly means to lead with purpose in high growth, mission driven environments. David shares how his definition of leadership has evolved from rallying teams toward big goals to understanding the deeply personal side of helping individuals feel they matter. He opens up about a major failure early in his career when he failed to pivot quickly enough on a disinfectant technology that was not the right fit for the hospital market, and how that taught him the importance of courageous decision making and moving beyond the sunk cost fallacy.David redefines success through the lens of redemption, sharing how witnessing personal transformation in others and overcoming his own mistakes has become the true measure of meaningful achievement. From his mother's simple yet profound advice to keep your chin up, to building teams that thrive on belonging and mattering, this episode is a reminder that leadership is as much about the human side as it is about strategy and results.Episode TakeawaysHow to build high performance teams by helping individuals feel they matterWhy ego and sunk cost fallacy prevent leaders from making courageous pivot decisionsHow to redefine success through personal redemption and transformation instead of titlesWhy understanding the full human behind each team member drives sustainable leadershipThe leadership lesson that keeps you resilient through failure: keep your chin upAbout Our Guest:David Esposito is a seasoned healthcare executive and combat veteran who has built and scaled multiple healthcare companies that accelerated innovation to help patients across a wide range of unmet needs.David is currently the CEO of ONL Therapeutics, a clinical stage biotech company focused on developing therapeutics to protect the vision of patients with retinal disease.In addition to his leadership on the forward edge of healthcare innovation, David is a published author and creator of patented, award-winning conversation games designed to help parents and educators open the door to more effective communication with children and teenagers.David is a combat veteran having served as a US Army Infantry officer with the 101st Airborne Division in theFirst Gulf War during Operation Desert Shield & Storm (1990-1991).David has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from Syracuse University.Connect with David Esposito LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidesposito2/ ONL Therapeutics: www.onltherapeutics.com Harvest Time Partners: www.harvesttimepartners.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HarvestTimePartners 👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir is a TEDx Speaker, Top Podcast Host, and Dual Board-Certified Physician with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks and consults on Modern Perfectionism, Behavior change, and the Well-being of High achievers. Her passion lies in helping high performers curate no-BS sustainable well-being at the intersection of ambition and wellness. Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.P.S. Thank you for all your support! Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD is a WINNER at Doctor Podcast Awards -held at Podfest 2026 - the world’s largest in-person podcasting conference. 

In this episode Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Dr. Gina Anderson, CEO and co-founder of Luma Brighter Learning, to explore how microlearning, presence, and human connection can fundamentally transform the way we learn, work, and define success.Dr. Anderson shares insights from over 25 years in adult learning, safety culture, and instructional design, including her TEDx talk on microlearning and presence. Together, they unpack why modern education often fails adults, how perfectionism and overwhelm interfere with learning, and why connection, to self and others, is the missing ingredient in both education and leadership.From truck drivers and frontline workers to high-achieving professionals, this conversation reframes learning as a deeply human experience rooted in attention, community, and compassion. Dr.Anderson also shares her personal philosophy on success, explaining why love, meaning, and presence matter more than titles or achievements.Episode Takeaways- Why microlearning is not about short content, but meaningful connection- How presence and learner-to-self awareness improve retention and wellbeing- The hidden cost of content overload, perfectionism, and constant distraction- What adult education gets wrong, and how learner-first models change lives- A new definition of success grounded in love, learning, and human connectionAbout Our Guest:Dr. Gina Anderson is a leading expert in the science of adult learning and the CEO/Co-founder of Luma Brighter Learning. Under her leadership, Luma has earned a spot on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies for three consecutive years (2023–2025). With over 25 years of experience, she has revolutionized training in high-stakes industries like logistics and transportation by using measurable, psychology-based techniques to improve safety and retention.A former Division I Academic All-American athlete and coach, Dr. Anderson brings a "champion’s mindset" to her work. She specializes in instructional systems technology and learning science. Beyond the boardroom, she is a prolific creator, hosting the I Love Learning and On the Front Line podcasts, and contributing regularly to Inc. Magazine. Her latest work focuses on the "loneliness epidemic" and how intentional, small moments of learning can restore human connection.Read Dr. Gina’s Book- 📖 Thrive: How Learning Can Ignite a New Way Forward https://www.amazon.com/Thrive-How-Learning-Ignite-Forward/dp/B0DSG3F542 - Watch Her TEDx Talk🎥 “The Power of Being Present” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8r0b5QTZrE Connect with Dr. Gina:Website: https://www.learningwithgina.com/ Company: https://lumabrighterlearning.com/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gina-anderson-luma Podcast: https://www.learningwithgina.com/podcast/ 👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir is a TEDx Speaker, Top Podcast Host, and Dual Board-Certified Physician with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks and consults on Modern Perfectionism, Behavior change, and the Well-being of High achievers. Her passion lies in helping high performers curate no-BS sustainable well-being at the intersection of ambition and wellness. Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.P.S. Thank you for all your support! Thanks to you, Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD is a WINNER at Doctor Podcast Awards being held at Podfest 2026 - the world’s largest in-person podcasting conference. 

This episode is a conversation from a live event hosted by Dr. Amna Shabbir  and special guest Jennifer Wallace, New York Times bestselling author of Never Enough, to explore the science of Mattering and why it is a fundamental human need. Drawing from her upcoming book, Jennifer explains how mattering goes beyond belonging, shaping our sense of value, purpose, resilience, and mental health, particularly for high-achieving women.The conversation unpacks the hidden cost of “mattering too much,” where over-reliance without reciprocity leads to burnout, and introduces practical frameworks for restoring balance. Through research, real-world stories, and tangible practices, this episode offers a powerful reframe on achievement, connection, and wellbeing, reminding listeners that true fulfillment is built through feeling seen, valued, and able to add value to others.Episode TakeawaysMattering is a core human need, not a “nice to have.”Belonging is not the same as mattering.High-achieving women often struggle with “mattering too much.”Small moments create the deepest sense of mattering.Reclaiming mattering restores joy, resilience, and purpose.About Our Guest:Jennifer Wallace is an award-winning journalist and the author of Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—And What We Can Do About It. For the past seven years, she has been deeply immersed in the science of mattering and how it shapes our well-being, protects against burnout, and strengthens connection at every stage of life. Her forthcoming book, Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose (Penguin Random House, Jan. 2026), explores how to build lives rooted in intrinsic worth rather than performance. Jennifer speaks nationally on mental health, achievement culture, and how we can create systems—and lives—where people know they matter.🔥🔥Get Your Copy of Jennifer’s NEW Book🔥🔥MATTERING: The Secret to a Life of  Deep Connection and Purposehttps://www.jenniferbwallace.com/mattering-the-bookConnect with Jennifer WallaceFollow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbrehenywallace/Episode mentioned: Ep 6. Jennifer B. Wallace on "Never Enough": The Hidden Dangers of Achievement Culture - Unmasking Perfectionism Series:https://dramnashabbir.transistor.fm/episodes/ep-6-jennifer-b-wallace-on-never-enough-the-hidden-dangers-of-achievement-cultureWatch Jennifer’s TED Talk: Why We Need to Know Our Lives Matter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxpONecbsZQ👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir is a TEDx Speaker, Top Podcast Host, and Dual Board-Certified Physician with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks and consults on Modern Perfectionism, Behavior change, and the Well-being of High achievers. Her passion lies in helping high performers curate no-BS sustainable well-being at the intersection of ambition and wellness. Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.P.S. Thank you for all your support! Thanks to you, Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD is Finalist for Doctor Podcast Awards being held at Podfest 2026 - the world’s largest in-person podcasting conference. 

In this episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Mr. Ahmet Bozer, former President of The Coca-Cola Company International, for a grounded conversation on leadership, identity, and redefining success beyond titles and performance. Drawing on more than three decades of global executive experience, Ahmet reflects on cross-cultural leadership, major career transitions, and what it truly means to grow when external validation falls away.The discussion explores perfectionism, resilience, and why meaningful personal and professional growth requires inner work rather than quick fixes. Ahmet also shares insights from his newly published book, Soulgery.Episode TakeawaysLeading across cultures and integrating multiple worldviewsManaging perfectionism without abandoning high standardsReframing failure, rejection, and successGrowth as a lifelong process of becoming more capable, impactful, and resilientWhy meaningful healing and transformation cannot be rushedAbout Our GuestMr. Ahmet Bozer is a renowned global leadership thought leader and former President of Coca-Cola International, dedicated to supporting individuals in their personal and professional growth journey.   Following his distinguished career spanning over 30 years and drawing on his global business leadership experience, he developed an innovative, actionable model to unlock human potential. In September 2025, he will release his groundbreaking book, Soulgery, which introduces this model—a dynamic way of thinking about oneself and life to accelerate growth as a natural consequence of lived experiences. This transformative work helps readers harness their strengths, navigate challenges, and create a future rooted in purpose and meaning. Previously, over a 25-year tenure at The Coca-Cola Company, Ahmet held numerous strategic leadership roles. Most recently, he served as the President of Coca-Cola International, overseeing operations in more than 200 countries outside North America, with retail revenues of approximately $80 billion. Prior to this, he was responsible for key markets such as India, Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Türkiye, the Middle East, and Africa.Connect with Mr. Ahmet BozerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmetbozerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookofsoulgeryBuy his book Soulgery: www.soulgery.com 👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir is a TEDx Speaker, Top Podcast Host, and Dual Board-Certified Physician with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks and consults on Modern Perfectionism, Behavior change, and the Well-being of High achievers. Her passion lies in helping high performers curate no-BS sustainable well-being at the intersection of ambition and wellness. Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.

In this episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD speaks with Greg Singleton, TEDx speaker, author, coach, and generational strategist, about why communication breaks down across generations, and what leaders can do differently.Greg shares how ego, assumptions, and outdated expectations undermine workplace culture, and why one-size-fits-all leadership no longer works. He also opens up about his personal journey through perfectionism, social comparison, and redefining success, offering insight into how identity and generational conditioning shape how we show up at work and in life.Episode TakeawaysWhy the biggest workplace communication gaps happen between Boomers and Gen ZWhat “role hopping” really means — and why Gen Z values itHow Gen Z operate in “pods”Why different generations require different feedback, structure, and communication stylesHow perfectionism impacts intergenerational and team communication dynamicsHow to use intergenerational communication to build resilient teamsAbout Our GuestGreg Singleton is an award-winning author, TEDx speaker, coach, and generational strategist who helps leaders and organizations bridge communication gaps across generations. With over 20 years of experience in technology and leadership, including roles as a Director of IT and solution architect for Fortune 500 clients, Greg’s work took a pivotal turn after a personal reckoning with perfectionism and identity reshaped his definition of success. Today, he combines business strategy with empathy-driven leadership, is a Brainz Magazine Global Top 500 award recipient, a certified NAMI peer-to-peer leader, and a consultant with the GenShift™ learning platform. He is best known for his TEDx talk “Unlocking Generational Communication” and the R.A.M.P. Method, a framework designed to help teams lead, connect, and communicate more effectively.Connect with Greg Singleton• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/csbcoaching • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-singleton-1288057b• Website: https://csbcoaching.com• Watch his TEDx Talk: Unlocking Generational Communication - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrSc-f9QKro About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

What does meaningful employee wellness actually look like in today’s busy, high-demand workplaces?In this episode of Amna is joined by Pantea Dugani, co-founder and managing director of Excel Body Fitness, a woman-owned corporate wellness company based in Cary, North Carolina.Pantea shares how her journey began with a traditional fitness studio—and evolved into a mission-driven corporate wellness model that meets employees where they are. Together, Amna and Pantea unpack why many workplace wellness initiatives fail, how “checkbox wellness” can unintentionally harm employees, and what leaders must do to create sustainable, human-centered wellness cultures.The conversation also moves beyond business strategy into lived experience, as Pantea opens up about motherhood, cultural perfectionism, health consequences of “doing it all,” and how she has redefined success over time.This episode is essential listening for leaders, HR professionals, entrepreneurs, and high achievers who want wellness efforts that truly work—without adding more pressure.🔑 Episode TakeawaysWhy most workplace wellness programs fail—and how to design ones employees actually useThe difference between performative wellness and genuine culture changeWhy consistency and accessibility matter more than flashy wellness offeringsHow chair massages, therapy dogs, and nutrition demos can outperform fitness classesHow corporate buy-in directly impacts employee trust and engagementWhy wellness should reduce stress—not become another metric to meetThe role of social connection and in-person touchpoints in combating workplace lonelinessPantea’s honest reflections on perfectionism, cultural pressure, and health consequencesAbout Our Guest Pantea Dougani is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Excel Body Fitness, a woman-owned wellness company based in Cary, North Carolina. With a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and more than 14 years of leadership experience in the wellness industry, Pantea brings a rare blend of analytical thinking, entrepreneurial vision, and heart-centered leadership to everything she builds.She launched Excel Body Fitness with a mission to create a welcoming, judgment-free space for people who often feel overlooked, intimidated, or disconnected in traditional gym environments. Her approach centers on community, belonging, and making wellness accessible for every body, regardless of age, background, or fitness level.Under her leadership, Excel has expanded far beyond a fitness studio. Today, the organization provides group fitness classes, nutrition counseling, personal training, and corporate wellness programs, supporting individuals, teams, and companies in integrating health and balance into their daily lives. Pantea works closely with HR leaders, executives, and workplace wellness champions to design practical, evidence-based solutions that help employees stay healthy, energetic, and engaged, both inside and outside the office.Known for her empathy, operational clarity, and deep commitment to people, Pantea continues to bring innovation and compassion to the wellness landscape. She is passionate about empowering communities, elevating wellbeing in workplaces, and helping individuals reconnect with their physical and emotional health in meaningful, sustainable ways.Connect with Pantea / Excel Body Fitness💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pantea-dougani/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excelbodyfitness/🌐 Excel Body Fitness:  https://excelbodyfitness.com/About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

In this episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with branding expert and community leader Wendy Coulter to explore what three decades of entrepreneurship have taught her about authentic branding, culture-driven leadership, and redefining success through every season of life. Wendy shares the biggest branding mistakes she sees, the story behind building a 30-year creative agency, and why championing women in business has become her life’s mission.Episode TakeawaysWhy do most businesses stay stuck in place by doing more marketing instead of better strategy?The one branding mistake Wendy sees almost every company make—and how to fix it fast.How the “voice of the customer” can transform your entire brand direction.Why founders must slow down to think deeply if they want their business to grow meaningfully.How culture and core values became Wendy’s unexpected secret to longevity and team fulfillment. About Our GuestWendy Coulter is a branding expert, creative strategist, and passionate advocate for women in business. She is the Founder and CEO of Hummingbird Creative Group, an award-winning branding agency known for helping companies—from healthcare and professional services to manufacturing and tech—build strategic, authentic, and unforgettable brands that drive revenue and lasting impact.For more than 30 years, Wendy has guided organizations through the full branding lifecycle, including brand strategy, positioning, messaging, design, and long-term brand management. Her work blends research, creativity, and business strategy, helping leaders clarify their vision, elevate their voice, and confidently differentiate themselves in competitive markets.Wendy is also the Founder and Chair of the North Carolina Women Business Owners Hall of Fame, an organization dedicated to honoring trailblazing women who have made significant, lasting contributions to entrepreneurship across the state. Through this work, she champions the visibility, leadership, and legacy of women business owners—past, present, and future.A gifted storyteller with a sharp strategic lens, Wendy brings insight, mentorship, and purpose to every stage she steps onto. Her expertise has made her a sought-after speaker, advisor, and partner for leaders aiming to build brands rooted in clarity, integrity, and bold creative expression.When she’s not building brands or celebrating women in business, Wendy can be found supporting community initiatives, mentoring entrepreneurs, and pouring into the next generation of creative and business leaders.Connect with Wendy:Visit Humming Bird website: https://hummingbird-creative.com/Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hummingbird/Follow here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hummingbird_creative_group/North Carolina Women Business Owners Hall: https://ncwbohalloffame.org/👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a dual board-certified physician and TEDx speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches and consults on modern perfectionism, sustainable success and the well-being of high achievers. She helps high achievers who feel stretched thin reconnect their mind and body so they can create success that doesn’t cost their health and well-being.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose

How do small, intentional actions transform your leadership, communication, and confidence in medicine and beyond? In this episode, Dr. Resa E. Lewiss, physician, author, TEDMED speaker, and host of The Visible Voices Podcast—breaks down the power of microskills: simple, actionable strategies that help you navigate conflict, set boundaries, build trust, and reclaim your agency at work. Dr. Lewiss shares how to build a personal board of directors, why every high-achiever needs a “failure friend,” and how to confidently move through career transitions with clarity instead of fear. She also opens up about rejection, resilience, and the realities behind writing her book MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact. If you're a clinician, leader, or ambitious professional looking to bring your best self to work without burnout, this conversation offers practical tools you can use immediately.Episode TakeawaysWhat microskills are and how small, repeatable actions create rapid improvement in leadership, communication, and confidence.How building a personal board of directors strengthens decision-making, career clarity, and professional growth.Why a “failure friend” is essential for emotional resilience, burnout prevention, and navigating high-stress work environments.What boundaries, conflict navigation, and self-advocacy look like in medicine—and how they help you reclaim agency.How redefining success from within leads to healthier mindset, work–life balance, and long-term career fulfillment.About Our GuestDr. Resa E. Lewiss is an emergency medicine and lifestyle medicine physician, adjunct professor at Brown University, TEDMED speaker, healthcare designer, and award-winning educator, mentor, and point-of-care ultrasound specialist. She has authored over 125 peer-reviewed publications and is co-author of the award-winning business book MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact (HarperCollins, 2024). Dr. Lewiss is also the creator and host of The Visible Voices Podcast, and the Academic Emergency Medicine Education & Training podcast.Connect with Dr. Resa E. LewissLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/resaelewissmd/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resaelewissmd/The Visible Voices Podcast: https://www.thevisiblevoicespodcast.com/Book – MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact: https://a.co/d/2qbe3gT👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a dual board-certified physician and TEDx speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches and consults on perfectionism, sustainable success and the well-being of high achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.

Anxiety is not a flaw in high achievers. It is often a signal that the way we pursue success needs to be reimagined.In this powerful and deeply insightful conversation, psychiatrist and author Dr. Dimitrios Tsatiris joins Dr. Amna Shabbir to break down what anxiety truly is, why it affects high achievers so intensely and how the five habits of ambition silently fuel overwhelm, guilt, comparison and self neglect.From difficulty saying no and toxic self reliance to social comparison, lack of presence and tying self worth to achievement, Dr. Tsatiris explains how these patterns form and shares practical strategies to break the cycle. He also explores perfectionism, hedonic adaptation, hosting anxiety, physician burnout and what it means to redefine success in a way that protects mental health and strengthens relationships.If you have ever felt guilty setting boundaries, struggled to ask for help or lived on the treadmill of accomplishment, this episode offers clarity, compassion and a roadmap for healthier and more sustainable achievement.Episode TakeawaysWhy anxiety is a normal human response and not a personal flawThe three components of anxiety and how they show up in daily lifeHow guilt fuels burnout and prevents high achievers from saying noWhy self reliance becomes toxic and increases overwhelmHow social comparison distorts reality and damages self confidenceWhy presence is challenging for ambitious individualsHedonic adaptation and why the high of achievement fades quicklyHow perfectionism creates suffering for us and those we loveWhat it means to redefine success through relationships and wellbeingAbout Our GuestDimitrios Tsatiris, MD is a board certified psychiatrist who specializes in the intersection of mental health and achievement. His Psychology Today column titled Anxiety in High Achievers has been read more than 850,000 times. His work in physician wellness has supported hundreds of clinicians across the country. He is the author of Physician Burnout: How to Rise Above a Broken Healthcare System as a Practicing Clinician and the speaker behind the TEDx talk “Why Success Will Not Make You Happy”. Through his clinical work, writing and speaking, he is committed to helping people build a healthy and fulfilling relationship with achievement.Connect with Dr. Dimitrios🌐 Website: https://dimitriostsatiris.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdimitrios/ 🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/DrDimitrios🎥 TEDx Talk: Why Success Will Not Make You Happy - https://www.ted.com/talks/dimitrios_tsatiris_why_success_won_t_make_you_happy 📘 Book: Physician Burnout How to Rise Above a Broken Healthcare System as a Practicing Clinician - https://www.routledge.com/Physician-Burnout-How-to-Rise-Above-a-Broken-Healthcare-System-as-a-Practicing-Clinician/Tsatiris/p/book/9781032722405 👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a dual board-certified physician and TEDx speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches and consults on perfectionism, sustainable success and the well-being of high achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.⚠️ Content NoteThis episode includes discussion of anxiety, perfectionism, physician burnout and the emotional impact of chronic stress.

So many of the hardest moments in a woman’s life happen quietly, privately, and without anyone ever knowing. What if sharing those truths could bring us closer and help us heal?In this emotional and honest episode, Dr. Rebecca Thompson joins us to explore the invisible struggles women carry and why telling our stories matters more than ever. Her debut book Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love weaves her personal journey with the experiences of twenty one women to reveal what really happens in the spaces between joy, grief, identity and family.We explore the power of honest storytelling, the courage it takes to speak difficult truths, and the profound healing that comes from connection. Dr. Thompson also shares why humility and curiosity create deeper compassion, and how we can make room for pain that cannot be fixed instantly.This conversation will move you, open your heart, and remind you that you are never alone in the chapters you are still learning how to live.Episode TakeawaysHow Held Together reveals the hidden struggles of family life, motherhood and identityWhy humility and curiosity make us more compassionate with ourselves and each otherWhat it means to live through uncertainty and allow space for emotions that cannot be resolved quicklyWhy we cannot hack our way into healing and why healing requires time and honestyHow shared stories reduce perfectionism and strengthen communityThe meaningful threads that connect women’s experiences even when the details look differentAbout Our GuestRebecca N. Thompson, MD, is a family medicine and public health physician from Portland, Oregon, who specializes in women’s and children’s health—and the author of Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love. In this innovative new book, Dr. Thompson intertwines her personal story of life-threatening pregnancy complications with the stories of twenty-one of her patients, friends, and medical colleagues. Through profoundly honest and emotionally raw accounts, Held Together creates a space for connection, offering comfort and awareness to anyone touched by their own or others’ challenges in building or sustaining families—and celebrating the resilience of women as they navigate the complexities of motherhood, family dynamics, and health and healing across generations. At its heart, Held Together finds strength in imperfection and aims to expand the understanding of motherhood’s true diversity, while advocating for empathy, inclusion, and improved support for all families.Connect with Dr Rebecca Thompson- Please visit Dr. Thompson's website, where you can explore in-person gathering opportunities and recorded media, find reviews and endorsements, read the full introduction and other excerpts from Held Together, and get in touch if you'd like to talk about ideas for collaboration:www.rebeccanthompson.com- Purchase a copy of Held Together with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Postpartum Support International and their work in maternal and family mental health:From Bookshop.orgFrom Amazon-Purchase a signed copy of Held Together for shipping anywhere in the US (please specify SIGNED on checkout page notes): From indie bookstore Annie Bloom's✨SPECIAL END OF YEAR FREE VIRTUAL WORKSHOP WITH DR. SHABBIRhttps://www.dramnashabbir.com/2025 Close 2025 Strong. Launch 2026 with ConfidenceDedicated 2hrs of workshopping & coaching to help you wrap up this year with radical clarity.December 11th -12- 2 pm ET -Virtual -Replays available -Limited slots✅Free Registration Here: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/2025 👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a dual board-certified physician and TEDx speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches and consults on perfectionism, sustainable success and the well-being of high achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.⚠️ Content NoticeThis episode includes discussion of pregnancy loss, miscarriages and other mental health themes.

If your self-care has felt like an afterthought this year, this episode will show you why, and how, to change that.In this honest solo episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir shares the six self-care decisions that transformed her mental health, physical wellbeing and clarity in 2025. These are not the usual “spa day” strategies. They are the hard, uncomfortable choices high achievers often avoid: saying no to incredible opportunities, stepping away from roles that cause moral injury, investing in real accountability for health, protecting your energy online, creating space for reflection and developing radical clarity about your goals.Dr. Shabbir walks through the personal stories behind each decision, why they were necessary, how they challenged her identity as a high achiever and how these practices can help you reduce burnout, make aligned decisions and build sustainable wellbeing.If you're craving boundaries, clearer priorities, more ease and a healthier relationship with success, this episode is a roadmap.Episode TakeawaysSaying no protects your time, energy and long-term wellbeing even when the opportunity is good.Leaving roles that no longer align prevents moral distress and keeps you connected to your values.Having accountability for your health creates consistency and makes sustainable habits possible.Being intentional with social media helps protect your mindset, focus and emotional clarity.Making space for reflection slows life down and helps you make grounded decisions.Getting radical clarity on your goals reduces overwhelm and keeps you aligned with what truly matters.✨SPECIAL END OF YEAR FREE VIRTUAL OFFERS BY DR. SHABBIROFFER 1: Special Event with Jennifer B Wallacehttps://www.dramnashabbir.com/mattering Mattering Too Much: How High-Achieving Women Can Reclaim Joy This Holiday SeasonDec 1st - 6 pm ET - Virtual - FREE Registration - Replays AvailableA rare opportunity to engage directly with Jennifer B. WallaceNew York Times bestselling author · Award-winning journalist · Former CBS 60 Minutes producer · Co-Founder, The Mattering Movement✅Free Registration Here: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/mattering OFFER 2: End of Year Workshophttps://www.dramnashabbir.com/2025 Close 2025 Strong. Launch 2026 with ConfidenceDedicated 2hrs of workshopping & coaching to help you wrap up this year with radical clarity.December 11th -12- 2 pm ET -Virtual -Replays available -Limited slots✅Free Registration Here: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/2025 👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a dual board-certified physician and TEDx speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches and consults on perfectionism, sustainable success and the well-being of high achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.

What happens when you give people a chance?Our guests this week are the remarkable mother–daughter team Gabi and Mary Angelini, founders of Gabi’s Powered by Special Abilities, a nonprofit redefining employment, dignity, and purpose for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.Gabi, who has Down syndrome, spent years applying for jobs — dressing up, practicing interview answers, and doing everything she was told to do — yet employer after employer told her “no.” One smoothie shop even gave her a full tour… only to later reject her without ever letting her try the job.After that heartbreaking moment, Mary made a decision that would change hundreds of lives: If the world wouldn’t hire Gabi, they would build their own company.From that fire came Gabi’s Grounds, a coffee brand now sold in multiple grocery chains across North Carolina. When the pandemic shut down coffee events, they pivoted again and launched Gabi’s PALS — a thriving packaging, assembly, labeling, and shipping enterprise now employing over 50 adults with special abilities.Their model proves what the world often overlooks: 🎯 Ability is not defined by disability. 🎯 People just need a chance. 🎯 When included, they excel — with precision, joy, and pride.Gabi now speaks on national stages, including TEDx and The Kelly Clarkson Show, inspiring others to embrace their superpower.This conversation is a testament to resilience, purpose, and the extraordinary things that happen when someone refuses to let society limit their child — or anyone else’s.🌟 This Episode is the Final Installment of our November series on The Power of GivingEpisode Takeaways:✨ The real story behind hundreds of rejections — and the “last straw” that changed everything ✨ How Gabi turned a lifetime of “no” into a thriving nonprofit employing over 50 adults ✨ Why adults with special needs lose support after high school — and what needs to change ✨ The hidden gift: how neurodivergent employees deliver impeccable quality and consistency ✨ How inclusive workplaces unlock confidence, independence, and community ✨ Zion’s story: from warehouse worker to cybersecurity graduate — all from being given a chance ✨ Gabi’s fearless TEDx journey and her superpower of kindness ✨ What success looks like now: dreams of “Gabi’s Village,” expansion, and nationwide opportunity ✨ How YOU can help create meaningful employment for adults with special abilitiesAbout Our Guests — Mary & Gabi AngeliniGabi Angelini is a TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, coffee founder, disability advocate, and champion of kindness. Born with Down syndrome, she transformed a world that kept telling her “no” by building something bigger than herself.Mary Angelini, her mother and co-founder, is the powerhouse who turned heartbreak into a movement. As the visionary behind Gabi’s Powered by Special Abilities, she has created dignified, meaningful jobs for over 50 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mary is a national advocate, speaker, and inclusive employment leader.Together, they run Gabi’s Grounds (coffee) and Gabi’s PALS (packaging, assembly, labeling, shipping) — proving that ability is everywhere when doors are opened.Connect with Gabi & Mary🌐 Website: https://poweredbygabis.org/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabisraleigh💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabi-angelini-359bb5239https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-angelini/📹 Watch Gabi’s TEDx Talk:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m78DQLocD5A About the Host - Dr. Amna ShabbirDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the Well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/ 🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/speaking 🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/ 📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir’s TEDx Talk: Perfectionism Has a Solution – It’s Not What You Think https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3sSPECIAL END OF YEAR OFFER: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/matteringMattering Too Much: How High-Achieving Women Can Reclaim Joy This Holiday SeasonDec 1st - 6 pm ET - Virtual - FREE Registration - Replays AvailableA rare opportunity to engage directly with Jennifer B. WallaceNew York Times bestselling author · Award-winning journalist · Former CBS 60 Minutes producer · Co-Founder, The Mattering Movement❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Three-time cancer survivor Kim Downey turned heartbreak into advocacy. When her physician took his own life, she founded Stand Up for Doctors - a global movement amplifying the stories, struggles, and humanity of healthcare workers.In this deeply moving conversation, Kim shares how personal tragedy became a call to action, why caring for doctors is caring for patients, and how her work - including the influential book White Coats, Courageous Hearts is helping clinicians and patients alike see medicine through a more compassionate lens.This episode reminds us that behind every white coat is a courageous heart — and that giving back can begin with simply listening.This episode is part of a special November series on the Power of Giving.Episode TakeawaysHow surviving cancer three times led Kim to create Stand Up for DoctorsThe heartbreaking moment that sparked her mission to advocate for physician mental healthWhy physician well-being is patient well-being — and how advocacy can save livesThe unseen grief when a patient loses their doctor and the ripple effect of clinician suicideHow storytelling humanizes healthcare and helps doctors reclaim their identityThe making of White Coats, Courageous Hearts — a collection giving voice to the healersKim’s reflections on moral injury, perfectionism, and redefining success after lossWhy giving — time, compassion, or advocacy — can transform both patients and cliniciansAbout Our Guest — Kim DowneyKim Downey is the founder of Stand Up for Doctors, a movement dedicated to supporting physician and clinician well-being through advocacy, storytelling, and reform. A three-time cancer survivor, physical therapist, and physician-advocate, Kim has become a trusted voice in healthcare advocacy. She is the creator and lead editor of White Coats, Courageous Hearts: True Stories of Doctors, a book humanizing medicine through the voices of those who live it.Kim also serves as an Ambassador for the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, helping carry forward its mission to protect the mental health of healthcare workers. Her work continues to build bridges between patients and physicians — reminding us that healing the healers heals us all.Connect with Kim Downey🌐 Website: https://www.standupfordoctors.org/ ▶️ YouTube: Stand Up for Doctors: https://www.youtube.com/@StandUpforDoctors 📰 Substack: https://standupfordoctors.substack.com/ 📖 Book: White Coats, Courageous Hearts – available wherever books are sold: https://a.co/d/bpCu6cf 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-downey-a9307b72/ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the Well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/ 🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/speaking 🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/ 📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir’s TEDx Talk: Perfectionism Has a Solution – It’s Not What You Think https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3sSPECIAL END OF YEAR OFFER: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/mattering Mattering Too Much: How High-Achieving Women Can Reclaim Joy This Holiday SeasonDec 1st - 6 pm ET - Virtual - FREE Registration - Replays AvailableA rare opportunity to engage directly with Jennifer B. WallaceNew York Times bestselling author · Award-winning journalist · Former CBS 60 Minutes producer · Co-Founder, The Mattering Movement❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.Content NoteThis episode includes discussion of physician suicide, burnout, moral injury, and patient grief. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 for confidential support.

Richard Averitte calls himself a “career volunteer.” Today, he leads as Executive Director for the American Cancer Society (ACS) in Central & Eastern North Carolina—bringing decades of hands-on service to research, advocacy, and patient support. In this powerful conversation, Richard shares his personal “why,” the realities of rebuilding post-pandemic volunteer programs, how Hope Lodge changes lives, and why cancer screening must become a habit—especially for men and younger adults.This episode is part of a special November series on the Power of Giving.Episode Takeaways:-Why volunteer roots create resilient nonprofit leaders—and how “time, talent, treasure” makes impact tangible-ACS’s three pillars in action: research, patient support (Hope Lodge, 1-800-227-2345), and advocacy-The purgatory of disparities: rural access, Black/Latine mortality gaps, and making screening equitable-Hope Lodge (Greenville, NC): a home-away-from-home that eases financial, emotional, and caregiver burden-Rebuilding Road to Recovery and other volunteer programs after COVID-“Be like water”: adapt to the environment; cancer doesn’t pause—neither can we-Practical ways to help: get screened, volunteer, donate, and share ACS’s 24/7 helplineAbout Our Guest — Richard AveritteRichard Averitte is the Executive Director for the American Cancer Society in Central & Eastern North Carolina. A lifelong volunteer turned nonprofit leader, Richard has served across ACS roles—from board service and Relay For Life training to regional advocacy—always with hands in the work. Anchored by his mother’s breast cancer journey, his leadership centers on equity in screening and care, rebuilding community programs, and stewarding donor trust so that 81¢ of every dollar advances ACS’s mission.Connect with Richard / American Cancer Society💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardaveritte/🌐 Learn & Give: https://www.cancer.org/📞 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-227-2345🏠 Hope Lodge (Greenville, NC): Find the Greenville location via Programs & Services → Lodging at cancer.org🚗 Volunteer (Road to Recovery, events, more): See Get Involved at cancer.orgAbout the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx Talk Perfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s  ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.Content NoteThis episode includes discussion of cancer, screening, caregiver strain, health disparities, and post-pandemic rebuilding.

Pete Proimos isn’t just surviving cystic fibrosis — he’s redefining what it means to live and give.Diagnosed at birth with a condition that once carried a life expectancy of only 18 years, Pete turned heartbreak into a mission of hope. As founder and president of the Filotimo Foundation, he’s ensuring that individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis never have to choose between medication and basic needs.In this deeply personal and moving conversation, Pete shares how decades of uncertainty, fear, and resilience led him to build something rooted in love, compassion, and community. From hiding his diagnosis for 38 years to stepping onto the TEDx stage with “Find the Thing That Breaks Your Heart and Refuse to Look Away,” Pete embodies what it means to turn pain into purpose — and to leave a legacy that outlives you.This episode is part of a special November 2025 series on the Power of Giving.Episode TakeawaysHow cystic fibrosis shaped Pete’s early life and outlook on mortalityThe life-changing new therapy that brought hope — and new challengesWhy some CF patients must choose between treatment and financial survivalThe founding of the Filotimo Foundation and its mission of “no one left behind”Mental health, masculinity, and the courage to speak your truth after decades of silenceHow the Greek value of filotimo became a philosophy of service, generosity, and joyWhat it means to build something that outlives you — a legacy rooted in compassionAbout Our Guest — Pete ProimosPete Proimos is the founder and president of the Filotimo Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis. Diagnosed with CF at birth, Pete has turned his lived experience into a lifelong mission to ensure no patient has to choose between medication and life.His TEDx talk, “Find the Thing That Breaks Your Heart and Refuse to Look Away,” has inspired audiences to act with empathy, generosity, and purpose. Pete lives in North Carolina with his wife and children, whose love fuels his vision to create a foundation that will continue long after him.Connect with Pete🌐 Website: https://filotimofoundation.org/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filotimo_foundation/ 🎥 Watch Pete’s TEDx Talk: Find the Thing That Breaks Your Heart and Refuse to Look Away (on YouTube)https://youtu.be/Rx1Vb_kie5s?si=3ZazjOfeb4yest6F💼 Support the Lung Run: https://filotimofoundation.org/lung-run-2025/ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a dual board-certified physician and TEDx speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on perfectionism, sustainable success, and the well-being of high achievers. Outside of her work, she cherishes her most important title, Super Mom, to two young girls. Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.Content NoteThis episode includes a discussion of chronic illness, infertility, depression, and financial hardship related to medical care.

Akifa Khattak was not just one of the Miss Universe Pakistan finalists - she’s also a healthcare attorney, biotech entrepreneur, and women’s health advocate on a mission to change how we diagnose and treat endometriosis.In this powerful conversation, Akifa shares how a rare, life-altering health journey led her to co-found Her Health AI, a FemTech company pioneering non-invasive endometriosis diagnostics and surgical lesion mapping. She opens up about cultural taboos around pelvic health, the unseen financial and family costs of chronic illness, and why pageantry became an unexpected but transformative platform to bridge East and West.This episode is about turning pain into purpose, breaking silence around women’s health, and redefining success as “contentment of the soul.”Episode Takeaways:Why endometriosis remains one of the most painful yet underdiagnosed diseases worldwideHow Akifa turned her personal health battle into Her Health AI The role of family, male allyship, and cultural attitudes in women’s health journeysWhy pelvic health conversations matter — intimacy, identity, and everyday lifeHow pageantry became a global platform for advocacy, representation, and bridging culturesPerfectionism, resilience, and Akifa’s take on failing forwardWhat it means to reimagine success through legacy, balance, and contentmentAbout Our Guest — Akifa Khattak, JD, MHA, MS Biotech Akifa Khattak is a healthcare attorney and biotech entrepreneur. With advanced degrees from Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and Harvard, she has worked at the intersection of law, biotech, and health policy — including women’s health reimbursement initiatives with the White House. After being diagnosed with endometriosis and undergoing multiple surgeries, she co-founded Her Health AI to create a non-invasive diagnostic and lesion-mapping tool for the millions of women worldwide affected by this disease. Akifa is also the founder of Codiva, a holistic women’s health supplement brand, and an advocate for bridging East and West through pageantry, creativity, and global representation.Connect with Akifa: 🌐 Website: https://herhealthai.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akifa-khattak-jd-mha-ms-biotech-558a041b/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akifakhattak/About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s ❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.Content Note This episode includes discussion of chronic pain, fertility, surgeries, and women’s reproductive health challenges.

In this Bonus Solo Episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir has a special announcement! Finally Live - TEDx talk:  Perfectionism has a solution. It's not what you think.Please watch the 10:31-minute TEDx talk - intended for everyone, perfectionist or not. It will help you understand so much of what you or your loved ones might be experiencing. Please like the TEDx Talk, and in the comments section, please share what came up for you as you listened. Send this Dr. Shabbir's TEDx talk to your friends, family, peer and beyond. This is intended for everyoneAbout the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s

Friendship Is Medicine In this solo episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD, I open up about the friends who carried me through the hardest chapters—burnout, moral injury, postpartum depression, and even the days leading up to my TEDx talk when I felt overwhelmed and full of doubt.We live in what the U.S. Surgeon General has called a loneliness epidemic, and research confirms that loneliness is more than emotional pain—it’s a public health issue. But friendships aren’t just a comfort. They are biological, emotional, and performance enhancers that literally rewire our brains and bodies.This episode is dedicated to the power of friendship: why it’s essential, what it does to our nervous systems, and how you can start treating it as non-negotiable in your well-being and success strategy.Episode TakeawaysBy the end of this episode, you’ll learn:Why the loneliness epidemic is one of today’s biggest health threats.How friendship reduces stress, lowers inflammation, and boosts happiness.The neuroscience of connection: oxytocin, dopamine, mirror neurons, and cortisol.Why friendships fuel performance by unlocking focus, creativity, and resilience.Three steps to making friendships an intentional practice: prioritize, be intentional, go deep.About the HostAmna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician, TEDx Speaker, and Master Certified Professional Coach with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, Behavior Change, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of high achievers.Dr. Shabbir is the Founder & CEO of Success Curated and host of Success Reimagined, a top global podcast exploring the crossroads of ambition and wellness.Connect with Dr. Shabbir:📸 Instagram💼 LinkedIn🌍 Book Her to Speak🌐 No Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/ ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Before you close this app, text a friend you’ve been meaning to reach out to.

Living Adventurously: Courage, Awe, and the Pilot Mindset In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD, I sit down with Shiraz Dalal, a commercial airline pilot, TEDx speaker, and global explorer whose adventures span all seven continents and all 50 U.S. states.From flying Boeing 767s to climbing Kilimanjaro, wing walking, free diving, and even swimming with great white sharks without a cage—Shiraz’s life is more than adrenaline. It’s about choosing courage, embracing the unknown, and finding humility in awe-filled moments.We explore what fear really means, how to rewire our relationship with discomfort, and why a simple aviation mantra—Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.—can help high achievers silence the noise and move with clarity.By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:Why fear often equals lack of knowledge—and how to replace fear with skill-building.How “Aviate, Navigate, Communicate” applies to life, not just flying.The surprising peace behind shark dives, skydiving, and climbing Kilimanjaro.How Shiraz redefined purpose after military service, airline transitions, and the pandemic.A fresh lens on perfectionism: chasing improvement without clinging to the label of “perfectionist.”About the GuestShiraz Dalal is a seasoned commercial pilot, instructor, and evaluator with a 20-year military career, including numerous deployments, bringing disciplined leadership and resilience to his work. With a Master’s in Strategic Leadership, he offers insights from the cockpit and battlefield. As an adventurer, world traveler, TEDx speaker and coach, and Board Member at Carolina Tiger Rescue, Shiraz inspires audiences with compelling stories and practical strategies for personal and professional growth.💼 Connect with Shiraz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirazdalal/ 📸Watch his TEDx Talk: The View From 30,000 Feet-3 rules pilots use to survive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB1jSlAQzhY About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician, TEDx Speaker, with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/ 🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/ ❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message. 

Storytelling secrets—fails, lessons, and how to truly connect. In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, I sit down with Jeff Polish—founder and executive director of The Monti, a live no-notes storytelling series that has lit up stages across North Carolina since 2008.We explore how storytelling transforms vulnerability into connection, why personal narratives carry the power to heal and unite communities, and what it takes to step on stage with nothing but your truth. Along the way, Jeff shares the tips, the fails, and the lessons learned from curating thousands of stories.By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:Why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for connection and meaning-makingHow vulnerability on stage can dissolve shame and inspire courage in othersThe evolution of The Monti from a small community event to a statewide movementPractical tips for shaping and delivering a powerful story without notesThe biggest mistakes storytellers make—and how to recover when things go wrongHow storytelling can reshape identity, belonging, and leadership in every professionAbout Today’s GuestJeff Polish is the founder and executive director of The Monti, a live, no-notes, true personal storytelling series based in North Carolina. Since 2008, Jeff has built one of the country’s most impactful storytelling movements, where people from all walks of life share stories that are raw, real, and unforgettable. Named a Hero of the New South by Southern Living and recipient of the Indies Arts Award, Jeff is widely known for helping people transform vulnerability into connection. He holds a PhD in molecular cell biology and has devoted his career to teaching, curating, and celebrating the art of live storytelling.🌐 Learn more about The Monti: https://themonti.org/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.monti/💼 Connect with Jeff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-polish-11902b10/ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician, TEDx Speaker, with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/ 🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/ ❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

In a world full of distractions and endless demands, how do we decide what truly matters?In this solo episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, I explore the concept of Essentialism—a philosophy of living by design, not by default. Essentialism is not about doing more; it’s about doing less but better. It’s about reclaiming your power of choice, recognizing life’s inevitable trade-offs, and focusing on what matters most.I share how essentialism contrasts with perfectionism, and why perfectionism often keeps us stuck chasing non-essential goals. Along the way, I’ll provide practical steps to help you let go of distractions, say no with confidence, and simplify your decision-making so you can create a life anchored in clarity and purpose.Episode TakeawaysBy the end of this episode, you’ll learn:Essentialism is about living by design, not by defaultThe power of choice is crucial for personal empowermentInformation and opinion overload can lead to stress and confusionTrade-offs are a natural part of life—focus on what matters mostHow to rediscover true priorities for clarity and focusWhy perfectionism can distract us from our essential pathThe importance of saying no to non-essential commitmentsHow identifying one true priority can simplify decisionsWhy releasing non-essential tasks leads to greater productivityHow Essentialism is a powerful antidote to perfectionismResource Mentioned: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown - https://gregmckeown.com/books/essentialism/ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician, TEDx Speaker, with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/ 🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/ ❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Finding your voice requires courage, persistence, and a willingness to step into the unknown.In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, I sit down with Tara LaFon Gooch—international TEDx speaker, bestselling author, confidence expert, and the creator of the GRASP Method—to uncover what it really takes to move from self-doubt to the TEDx red dot.We dive deep into Tara’s personal journey from being terrified of public speaking to becoming a global thought leader, and how she now empowers others to transform fear into confidence, comparison into courage, and ideas into impact.By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:How to get started on your own TEDx journey with clarity and intentionThe biggest mistakes people make when pursuing a TEDx talk—and how to avoid themWhy “if nothing changes, nothing changes” became Tara’s guiding mantraHow to transform your biggest fear into your greatest breakthroughWhy comparison is the thief of confidence—and how to break free from itDr. Amna Shabbir’s reflections and insights from her own TEDx experience on perfectionism and self-doubtAbout Today’s Guest:Tara LaFon Gooch is an international TEDx speaker, bestselling author of GRASP Confidence, and confidence expert who has coached countless leaders to bring their ideas to life on the TEDx stage. She is the creator of the GRASP Method (Gratitude, Responsibility, Action, Sight, Purpose) and is passionate about helping people transform fear into fuel, amplify their voices, and embrace their unique stories.Connect with Tara: 🌐 Website: https://taralafongooch.com/ 📚 Book: GRASP Confidence https://a.co/d/bkztokw  🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-lafon-gooch/ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/ 🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/ ❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

A quick update on the upcoming episodes of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD.  Thank you to all our incredible guests for sharing their invaluable insights, research, and very personal stories with us as we unpacked the various facets of perfectionism. If you have not yet had a chance, please tune in to Episodes 6 - 30 that have explored Perfectionism in great depth. About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician, TEDx Speaker, with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/ 🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Understanding perfectionism requires examining it in complete cultural context.In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, I sit down with Sahaj Kohli—author of But What Will People Say? and founder of Brown Girl Therapy—to explore how perfectionism shows up uniquely for children of immigrants and those navigating bicultural identities.We dive deep into why so many high achievers feel “never enough,” how impression management keeps us in a “glass house,” and what it takes to rewrite the narrative with self-compassion, intergenerational understanding, and permission to rest.Episode TakeawaysBy the end of this episode, you’ll learn:The three types of perfectionism—self-oriented, other-oriented, socially prescribed—and how they manifest in immigrant householdsWhy perfectionism often feels like survival for South Asian and bicultural communitiesThe concept of impression management and the “glass house” metaphor that shapes identity and pressureHow intergenerational compassion reframes family expectations and cultural survival storiesWhy rest and play are acts of resistance—and ways to reclaim joy for yourself and your ancestorsAbout The Guest:Sahaj Kohli is a therapist, writer, and speaker whose work focuses on mental health, identity, and bicultural belonging. She is the founder of Brown Girl Therapy, the first and largest mental health community for children of immigrants, and the host of the podcast So We Have Been Told. Sahaj’s debut book, But What Will People Say?, offers an honest guide for navigating family expectations, bicultural identity, and mental health with compassion and clarity.Connect with Sahaj:📖 Sahaj’s book: But What Will People Say? A Guide for Children of Immigrants Navigating Mental Health, Family Expectations, and Bicultural Identity🌐 Brown Girl Therapy: https://sahajkaurkohli.com/brown-girl-therapy 🎧 Sahaj’s podcast: So We Have Been Told: https://sahajkaurkohli.com/podcast ✉️ Subscribe to Culturally Enough newsletter on Substack:  https://sahajkaurkohli.com/newsletter#newsletter About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician, TEDx Speaker, with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/ 🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Have you ever felt paralyzed by your inner critic? Trigger Warning: SuicideIn this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD we sit down with internationally acclaimed speaker, author, and business strategist Tanya Chernova to unpack the harsh realities of perfectionism, self-criticism, and the damaging inner voice known as "the other girl."Tanya shares her deeply personal journey through burnout, suicidal thoughts, and a perfectionist mindset and how she learned to reframe failure, develop self-compassion, and redefine success on her own terms.Topics Covered:Overcoming negative self-talk and "the other girl"The high cost of perfectionism and burnoutHow unprocessed emotions shape our physical healthReframing failure and rejection as feedbackThe neuroscience behind inner transformationSelf-love as the foundation for lasting success👤 About Tanya:Tanya Chernova is a globally recognized speaker, bestselling author, business strategist, and mindset expert. She is the co-author of Undermind, a transformational book on the subconscious beliefs that sabotage success, and the voice behind the impactful TEDx talk, Breaking the Cycle of Self-Sabotage. As the co-founder of Courageous Living, Tanya is on a mission to help people rewrite their inner narrative, embrace self-worth, and create meaningful, lasting change—personally and professionally.🔗Connect with Tanya:Website: https://tanyachernova.com/TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu0_tIufYDE 🎙About the Host:Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC, is a Dual Board-Certified Physician,TEDx Speaker,  with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.This episode is part of her special book-writing project on unmasking perfectionism.🔗Connect with Dr. Shabbir:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

What happens when the pressure to be perfect is inherited?In this episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, we sit down with Ghalia Aamer to unpack the invisible weight of perfectionism faced by many young adults and especially daughters of immigrants.At just 23, Ghalia has accomplished what most people only dream of. But behind her accolades lies a deep reckoning with cultural expectations, toxic achievement cycles, and the constant fear of not doing “enough.” This conversation is a must-listen for high-achieving women, first-gen professionals, and anyone navigating self-worth in a hyper-competitive world.Topics Covered:The pressure to be perfect as a daughter of immigrantsHow to balance ambition with wellbeing in high-achieving environmentsThe connection between perfectionism and public speaking anxietyReframing failure and letting go of toxic achievementWhy presence—not productivity—is the real marker of success👤 About Ghalia:Ghalia Aamer is a multi-time TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, and youth empowerment advocate. She is the founder of TalkMaze, a global platform that helps students and professionals build confidence through public speaking and debate. Ghalia launched her first business at just 13 years old and has since been recognized as one of Alberta’s Top 30 Under 30 and a Princess Diana Award recipient.Currently pursuing her J.D. at Columbia Law School, Ghalia’s mission is to amplify underrepresented voices and challenge perfectionism—especially among first-generation women of color. Her story bridges ambition with advocacy, showing that success is not about being flawless, but about being fearlessly yourself.🔗Connect with Ghalia:TalkMaze Website: https://talkmaze.com/about-us/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ghaliaaamer/ 🎙About the Host:Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC, is a Dual board-certified physician, TEDx Speaker, with advanced training in integrative well-being, performance, and leadership development. She speaks and consults on perfectionism, sustainable success, and the well-being of high achievers.This episode is part of her special book-writing project on unmasking perfectionism.🔗Connect with Dr. Shabbir:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

What if the biggest threat to your child’s self-worth isn’t grades or friends, but the silent pressure to be perfect?In this episode, we’re joined by Caden Vittorni, a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and founder of Vitt Factor, as he shares how a wake-up call in his own life led him to become a powerful voice for youth struggling with perfectionism, comparison, and confidence in the digital age. He explains why kids aren't connecting, what social media is really doing to their self-worth, and how adults can help.Topics Covered:How to help youth overcome perfectionismWhat to do when your child compares themselves to othersWhy social media is damaging kids’ mental healthHow to teach kids confidence and communicationParenting tips for the anxious generationThis episode is Part 1 of the Perfectionism and Youth Series. Stay tuned for the next!👤 About Caden:Caden Vittorini is a TEDx speaker, #1 bestselling author, and the founder of Vitt Factor, an organization dedicated to empowering youth through communication coaching, school assemblies, and mindset development. At just 22 years old, Caden brings a unique blend of relatability and leadership to the students he mentors, offering real solutions to today’s growing challenges of perfectionism, comparison, and digital overwhelm.He’s been featured on WGN Morning News and is known for his high-energy, deeply impactful programs for kids and teens ages 8–18. His mission is to help the next generation build confidence, connection, and true self-worth—both online and offline.🔗Connect with Caden:Website: https://www.vittfactor.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caden-vittorini/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vittfactorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vitt.factor🎙About the Host:Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC, is a Dual board-certified physician, TEDx Speaker, with advanced training in integrative well-being, performance, and leadership development. She speaks and consults on perfectionism, sustainable success, and the well-being of high achievers.This episode is part of her special book-writing project on unmasking perfectionism.🔗Connect with Dr. Shabbir:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.