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 hours
• Why Dr. Lorna Breen's story is not unique, and what thousands of similar stories reveal about a broken system, not broken individuals
• The dangerous intersection of perfectionism and medicine, and why this culture is costing lives
• Why the Dr. Lorna Breen Act's five-year extension means nothing without funding, and how you can contact Congress in under two minutes
• What patients, leaders, and colleagues can do today to make healthcare workers feel seen, supported, and safe enough to ask for help

About 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 Host

Dr. 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 Talk

Perfectionism 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  

❌ 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.

⚠️ Trigger Warning

This 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.

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 Takeaways

• Why high achievers and perfectionists are uniquely prone to body disconnection
• The physical toll of perfectionism: tension, insomnia, jaw clenching, ignored symptoms, and more
• Dr. Shabbir's personal story of ignoring her body's signals despite being a physician and wellbeing expert
• What the research says about body scans, from cortisol reduction to improved sleep and pain relief
• The Perfectionism Body Scan™: a guided exercise curated through the lens of perfectionism
• How 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-being

Guided 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 Host

Dr. 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 Talk

Perfectionism 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  

❌ 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?

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

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/
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🙏 Special Thanks

Wandersoul Creative Studio for bringing this vision to life
https://wandersoulco.com/ 

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 Takeaways

• Why taking yourself seriously is the foundation of every boundary you'll ever set
• The hidden cost of avoidance and why it's really a form of self-abandonment
• How 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 trait
• Research-backed reasons assertiveness reduces stress, anxiety, and depression
• Warren Buffett on why saying no is a strategic decision, not a personal failure
• The 3-Step Boundary Framework:
  • Step 1: Name the drain: identify and write down what's causing resentment or energy loss
  • Step 2: Check in with your body: notice your physical response and take it seriously
  • Step 3: Communicate the boundary: simple, clear language scripts for teams, loved ones, and peers
• Why the first steps of boundary setting always happen between you and yourself
• The closing reflection: Where are you taking your output seriously, but not yourself?

About the Host

Dr. 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 Talk

Perfectionism 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  

❌ 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?

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

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 Takeaways

• Perfectionism 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: hello@melissahankinscoaching.com 

Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahankinsmd/
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahankinsmd/ 

About the Host
Dr. 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 Talk

Perfectionism 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 Warning

This conversation explores trauma and strong mental health themes including suicide. Please call or text 988 for support and care for yourself. 

❌ 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?

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

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 Host

Dr. 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 Talk

Perfectionism 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  

❌ 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?

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Episode Takeaways:

• Career pivots as critical data points
• AI 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.health
Connect with him on LinkedIn: Https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhenmd
Follow him on Instagram: Https://www.instagram.com/zhen_md
Check out his TikTok: Https://www.tiktok.com/@zhenmd

About the Host

Dr. 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 Talk

Perfectionism 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  

❌ 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?

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

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 care

About 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/B0G3JWCCH4
• Follow her on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/francesmeimd
• Follow her on Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@francesmeimd
• Connect with her on Linkedin - http://www.linkedin.com/in/frances-mei-hardin-md-aab8b6297

About the Host

Dr. 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 Talk

Perfectionism 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  

❌ 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?

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

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 Takeaways

• Change happens in stages, not overnight
• What are the Stages of Change
• Most advice fails because it targets the wrong stage
• Your brain prioritizes efficiency, not growth
• Shame blocks change by activating your threat response
• Ambivalence is normal, not a sign of weakness
• Perfectionism leads to avoidance and burnout
• Small, consistent actions outperform intense short bursts
• Self-compassion increases follow-through and resilience
• Somatic tools help regulate your nervous system
• Not all wellness advice is evidence-based or safe

About the Host

Dr. 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 Talk

Perfectionism 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  

❌ 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?

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

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 Takeaways

• Why authentic presence beats perfection and how to "accept it or fix it" when it comes to your insecurities about presenting
• How to make eye contact on camera by looking into the lens instead of the screen
• The power of pausing instead of using filler words (vocal graffiti) and how to practice concise communication
• Why recording yourself regularly and watching it back is the only way to identify distracting habits
• How to stop waiting for perfect and start doing it scared because your message matters more than your imperfections

About Our Guest Valonda Calloway

Valonda 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 Calloway

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/valondacalloway/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ValCalTV

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/valcaltv/ 

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ValondaCalloway

About the Host

Dr. 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 Talk

Perfectionism 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  

❌ 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?

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

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 collaboration
• Why communication is not a soft skill but one of the hardest skills to master in healthcare and teamwork
• How perfectionism prevents collaboration and why immersing yourself in a team where you belong can relieve the pressure to be perfect
• Why healthcare needs systems and structures that support teams instead of creating silos, band aids, and barriers
• How to redefine success by giving yourself grace, finding pleasure in pleasant surprises, and sharing knowledge without imposing expectations on others

About Our Guest — Tina Patel Gunaldo

Tina 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, MHS
Follow her on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-patel-gunaldo-phd/

About the Host

Dr. 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 Talk

Perfectionism 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  

❌ 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?

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

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 Takeaways

• Why we live in the most connected world yet feel the most alone, and how the loneliness epidemic is a global health crisis
• The STOP to Connect framework
• How to create micro moments of intentional connection throughout your day without waiting for later
• Why perfectionism is "fancy fear" and how it held Cara back until she learned to practice awareness and compassion
• How to redefine success by choosing curiosity over fear, trusting your intuition, and showing up authentically

About 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.com

Connect 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 Host

Dr. 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 Talk
Perfectionism 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.

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 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 Takeaways

• How neurodivergent brains with autism and ADHD process the world differently through sensory overload, hyper-focus, and acute attention to detail
• Why Shaun stopped fitting in so he could start standing out: embracing unique strengths instead of masking differences
• How perfectionism shows up for neurodivergent entrepreneurs and why "imperfectly perfect" and failing forward leads to success
• Why success is not about external validation or fitting into boxes, but showing up unapologetically as yourself
• How to create more inclusive communities by understanding neurodivergent perspectives and breaking down stigma around autism and ADHD

About 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 Deardorff

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaundeardorff
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaundeardorff/ 
• Email: shaun.deardorff@gmail.com, shaun@chubbyschow.com, AirmageMediaProductions@gmail.com
• Airmage Media Productions LinkTree
• AMP Video Production YouTube Playlist
• TEDx Talk: Turning Obstacles into Superpowers https://youtu.be/Hhy0qsEwxFU?si=0Ep_hXfXQdYfPLak 

👩‍⚕️ About the Host

Dr. 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 Talk
Perfectionism 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.

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. 

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 Takeaways

• Why 82% of Americans experience regret regularly and why that makes us human, not flawed
• How inaction regrets outnumber action regrets nearly two to one and widen with age
• The four core regrets: foundation, boldness, moral, and connection regrets and what they reveal about our values
• Why regret is data, direction, and wisdom, not something to suppress or deny
• The three step framework to harness regret: relive and relieve through self disclosure, self compassion, and self distancing
• Why self compassion is not narcissism and includes mindfulness, shared humanity, and self kindness
• The intersection of perfectionism and regret: how maximizers report higher regret even with better outcomes
• How 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 Host

Dr. 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 Talk
Perfectionism 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.

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 Takeaways

• Why high sensitivity is a neurobiological trait related to limbic system activity, not emotional weakness
• How HSPs process sensory input, pain and emotions more intensely than the general population
• Why boundaries are acts of compassion that protect your nervous system and allow deeper connection
• How perfectionism shows up for HSPs through environment curation and moral compass driven work choices
• Why highly sensitive people need two hours of unstructured alone time per day for nervous system regulation
• How to differentiate high sensitivity from introversion, autism, ADHD and trauma responses
• Why HSPs make ferocious leaders because of their deep passion, empathy and drive
• How to sustain performance and well being as a high achieving HSP through boundaries, rest and authentic connection

About the guest

Amelia 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/drameliakelley
• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/ 
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DrAmeliaKelley/
• YouTube – The Sensitivity Doctor – https://www.youtube.com/@drameliakelley 

👩‍⚕️ About the Host

Dr. 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 Talk
Perfectionism 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.

Content Note

This episode discusses suicide. Please call or text 988 for support and care for yourself accordingly.

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 Takeaways

• How to build high performance teams by helping individuals feel they matter
• Why ego and sunk cost fallacy prevent leaders from making courageous pivot decisions
• How to redefine success through personal redemption and transformation instead of titles
• Why understanding the full human behind each team member drives sustainable leadership
• The leadership lesson that keeps you resilient through failure: keep your chin up

About 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 Host

Dr. 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 Talk
Perfectionism 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.

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. 

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 connection

About 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 Host
Dr. 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 Talk
Perfectionism 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.

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. 

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 Takeaways

• Mattering 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 Purpose

https://www.jenniferbwallace.com/mattering-the-book

Connect with Jennifer Wallace

Follow 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-culture

Watch Jennifer’s TED Talk: Why We Need to Know Our Lives Matter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxpONecbsZQ

👩‍⚕️ About the Host

Dr. 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 Talk
Perfectionism 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.

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. 

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 Takeaways

• Leading across cultures and integrating multiple worldviews
• Managing perfectionism without abandoning high standards
• Reframing failure, rejection, and success
• Growth as a lifelong process of becoming more capable, impactful, and resilient
• Why meaningful healing and transformation cannot be rushed

About Our Guest

Mr. 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 Bozer

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmetbozer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookofsoulgery
Buy his book Soulgery: www.soulgery.com 

👩‍⚕️ About the Host

Dr. 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 Talk
Perfectionism 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.

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 Takeaways

• Why the biggest workplace communication gaps happen between Boomers and Gen Z
• What “role hopping” really means — and why Gen Z values it
• How Gen Z operate in “pods”
• Why different generations require different feedback, structure, and communication styles
• How perfectionism impacts intergenerational and team communication dynamics
• How to use intergenerational communication to build resilient teams

About Our Guest

Greg 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 Host

Dr. 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 Talk

Perfectionism 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?

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

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 Takeaways

• Why most workplace wellness programs fail—and how to design ones employees actually use
• The difference between performative wellness and genuine culture change
• Why consistency and accessibility matter more than flashy wellness offerings
• How chair massages, therapy dogs, and nutrition demos can outperform fitness classes
• How corporate buy-in directly impacts employee trust and engagement
• Why wellness should reduce stress—not become another metric to meet
• The role of social connection and in-person touchpoints in combating workplace loneliness
• Pantea’s honest reflections on perfectionism, cultural pressure, and health consequences

About 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 Host

Dr. 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 Talk

Perfectionism 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?

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Episode Takeaways

• Why 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 Guest

Wendy 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 Host

Dr. 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 Talk
Perfectionism 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

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 Takeaways

• What 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 Guest

Dr. 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. Lewiss

LinkedIn: 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 Host

Dr. 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

❌ 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.

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 Takeaways

• Why anxiety is a normal human response and not a personal flaw
• The three components of anxiety and how they show up in daily life
• How guilt fuels burnout and prevents high achievers from saying no
• Why self reliance becomes toxic and increases overwhelm
• How social comparison distorts reality and damages self confidence
• Why presence is challenging for ambitious individuals
• Hedonic adaptation and why the high of achievement fades quickly
• How perfectionism creates suffering for us and those we love
• What it means to redefine success through relationships and wellbeing

About Our Guest

Dimitrios 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 Host

Dr. 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

❌ 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.

⚠️ Content Note

This episode includes discussion of anxiety, perfectionism, physician burnout and the emotional impact of chronic stress.

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 Takeaways

• How Held Together reveals the hidden struggles of family life, motherhood and identity
• Why humility and curiosity make us more compassionate with ourselves and each other
• What it means to live through uncertainty and allow space for emotions that cannot be resolved quickly
• Why we cannot hack our way into healing and why healing requires time and honesty
• How shared stories reduce perfectionism and strengthen community
• The meaningful threads that connect women’s experiences even when the details look different

About Our Guest

Rebecca 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.org

From 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. SHABBIR

https://www.dramnashabbir.com/2025 

Close 2025 Strong. Launch 2026 with Confidence

Dedicated 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 Host

Dr. 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

❌ 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.

⚠️ Content Notice
This episode includes discussion of pregnancy loss, miscarriages and other mental health themes.

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 Takeaways

• Saying 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. SHABBIR

OFFER 1: Special Event with Jennifer B Wallace

https://www.dramnashabbir.com/mattering 

Mattering Too Much: How High-Achieving Women Can Reclaim Joy This Holiday Season

Dec 1st - 6 pm ET - Virtual - FREE Registration - Replays Available

A rare opportunity to engage directly with Jennifer B. Wallace

New 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 Workshop

https://www.dramnashabbir.com/2025 

Close 2025 Strong. Launch 2026 with Confidence

Dedicated 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 Host

Dr. 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

❌ 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.

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 Giving

Episode 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 abilities

About Our Guests — Mary & Gabi Angelini

Gabi 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-359bb5239

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-angelini/
📹 Watch Gabi’s TEDx Talk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m78DQLocD5A

About the Host - Dr. Amna Shabbir

Dr. 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=oNIzzM4Vg3s

SPECIAL END OF YEAR OFFER: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/mattering

Mattering Too Much: How High-Achieving Women Can Reclaim Joy This Holiday Season

Dec 1st - 6 pm ET - Virtual - FREE Registration - Replays Available

A rare opportunity to engage directly with Jennifer B. Wallace

New York Times bestselling author · Award-winning journalist · Former CBS 60 Minutes producer · Co-Founder, The Mattering Movement

❌ 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?

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.
 Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

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 Takeaways

• How surviving cancer three times led Kim to create Stand Up for Doctors
• The heartbreaking moment that sparked her mission to advocate for physician mental health
• Why physician well-being is patient well-being — and how advocacy can save lives
• The unseen grief when a patient loses their doctor and the ripple effect of clinician suicide
• How storytelling humanizes healthcare and helps doctors reclaim their identity
• The making of White Coats, Courageous Hearts — a collection giving voice to the healers
• Kim’s reflections on moral injury, perfectionism, and redefining success after loss
• Why giving — time, compassion, or advocacy — can transform both patients and clinicians

About Our Guest — Kim Downey
Kim 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 Host

Dr. 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=oNIzzM4Vg3s

SPECIAL END OF YEAR OFFER: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/mattering
Mattering Too Much: How High-Achieving Women Can Reclaim Joy This Holiday Season

Dec 1st - 6 pm ET - Virtual - FREE Registration - Replays Available
A rare opportunity to engage directly with Jennifer B. Wallace
New York Times bestselling author · Award-winning journalist · Former CBS 60 Minutes producer · Co-Founder, The Mattering Movement

❌ 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?

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 physician suicide, burnout, moral injury, and patient grief. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 for confidential support.

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 helpline

About Our Guest — Richard Averitte
Richard 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.org

About the Host
Dr. 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 

❌ 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?
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 cancer, screening, caregiver strain, health disparities, and post-pandemic rebuilding.

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 Takeaways

• How cystic fibrosis shaped Pete’s early life and outlook on mortality
• The life-changing new therapy that brought hope — and new challenges
• Why some CF patients must choose between treatment and financial survival
• The 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 silence
• How the Greek value of filotimo became a philosophy of service, generosity, and joy
• What it means to build something that outlives you — a legacy rooted in compassion

About Our Guest — Pete Proimos

Pete 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 Host

Dr. 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 Talk
Perfectionism 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.

Content Note

This episode includes a discussion of chronic illness, infertility, depression, and financial hardship related to medical care.

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 worldwide
• How Akifa turned her personal health battle into Her Health AI 
• The role of family, male allyship, and cultural attitudes in women’s health journeys
• Why pelvic health conversations matter — intimacy, identity, and everyday life
• How pageantry became a global platform for advocacy, representation, and bridging cultures
• Perfectionism, resilience, and Akifa’s take on failing forward
• What it means to reimagine success through legacy, balance, and contentment

About 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 Host

Dr. 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 

❌ 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.

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 everyone

About the Host
Dr. 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

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 Takeaways

By 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 Host

Amna 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/ 

❌ 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.
Before you close this app, text a friend you’ve been meaning to reach out to.

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 Guest

Shiraz 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 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, 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.

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-making
• How vulnerability on stage can dissolve shame and inspire courage in others
• The evolution of The Monti from a small community event to a statewide movement
• Practical tips for shaping and delivering a powerful story without notes
• The biggest mistakes storytellers make—and how to recover when things go wrong
• How storytelling can reshape identity, belonging, and leadership in every profession

About Today’s Guest

Jeff 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 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, 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.