This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You're an institution. Time to invest like one.

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This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health

Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one platform streamlines scheduling, patient communications, and insurance verification, giving you fewer no-shows, faster check-ins, and happier patients. Free yourself from paperwork and phone tag so you can focus on what truly matters: providing care. Visit http://ryzehealth.com/BootstrapMD today and see how simple running your practice can be.

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Host Dr. Mike Woo-Ming breaks down why Chris Voss's Never Split the Difference is the single most important book most physicians will never read in school yet use dozens of times every single shift. From salary negotiations and admin battles to convincing patients to get the CT, these FBI-level tactics will immediately make you more money, save you time, and reduce daily frustration.

Doctors are brilliant clinicians but notoriously terrible negotiators. We say "yes" to terrible contracts, extra shifts without extra pay, and patients who refuse life-saving care all because no one ever taught us how to negotiate like our life or livelihood depends on it.

In this rapid-fire Book Club episode, Dr. Mike Woo-Ming distills the core lessons from Chris Voss's bestseller Never Split the Difference and shows exactly how to apply them in real medical life: getting the raise you deserve, pushing back on unpaid admin duties, reading the room with anxious patients, and never again leaving money or sanity on the table. If you only read one negotiation book in your career, make it this one.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

• Never make the first offer: Force the other side to name their number first (salary, rate, raise). Respond with "What do you think would be fair?" or "I'm open to any offer you feel is appropriate." Their silence works for you they'll often low-ball themselves or surprise you with more than you expected.

• Use tactical empathy and labeling: Start every tough conversation with "It sounds like…" or "It seems like you're frustrated that…" You're not agreeing, just naming the emotion. This instantly calms patients, admins, or partners, builds trust, and makes them far more open to your actual request or plan.

• Turn "No" into your ally: When they say "No" to your raise, extra pay, or patient's refusal of care, respond with "What would need to happen for us to revisit this?" or "How could we make this work?" A "No" protects them; calibrated questions turn it into the real negotiation.

About the Show:

Bootstrap MD is the ultimate podcast for physician entrepreneurs looking to escape traditional healthcare and control their financial futures. Hosted by Dr. Mike Woo-Ming, a successful physician, entrepreneur, and investor, the show delivers actionable insights on starting businesses, creating passive income, and navigating healthcare entrepreneurship. Featuring interviews with industry leaders, physicians, and experts in telemedicine and digital health, it's your guide to building a profitable, fulfilling career.

Tune in weekly at http://bootstrapmd.com

About the Host:

Dr. Mike Woo-Ming has over 20 years of experience as a physician entrepreneur. He's built and sold multiple seven-figure companies and now leads Executive Medical, a group of clinics specializing in age management and aesthetics. Through BootstrapMD, he mentors physicians in business, content creation, and autonomy.

Let's Connect: www.https://www.bootstrapmd.com

Want to start a podcast? Check out the Doctor Podcast Network!

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You're an institution. Time to invest like one.

_____________

This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health

Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one platform streamlines scheduling, patient communications, and insurance verification, giving you fewer no-shows, faster check-ins, and happier patients. Free yourself from paperwork and phone tag so you can focus on what truly matters: providing care. Visit http://ryzehealth.com/BootstrapMD today and see how simple running your practice can be.

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That quiet voice asking, "What if I walked away from patient care forever?" isn't weakness, it's clarity.

In this powerful episode of Bootstrap MD, Dr. Mike Woo-Ming tackles the question almost every burned-out physician has asked in silence: "What if I leave patient care… for good?" With physician burnout at an all-time high and more doctors quietly exploring nonclinical exits than ever before, Mike delivers the real-talk conversation you won't hear in the doctors' lounge. He walks through the emotional rollercoaster; grief, fear, guilt, and the full-blown identity crisis, then flips the script: your MD isn't a life sentence to the exam room. It's a superpower you can take anywhere.

From pharma and biotech roles to CMO tracks, education and content empires, and full-blown entrepreneurship, Mike maps the proven nonclinical paths and shares exactly how to test the waters without blowing up your life or your license.

If you're burned out, questioning your identity, or wondering what's on the other side of clinical medicine, this episode is your permission slip to explore what's next—without guilt, without shame, and with a real plan.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

• Journal the truth today: Answer these three questions honestly (1) If I weren't a doctor, what would my ideal workday look like? (2) What parts of medicine do I genuinely love vs. dread? (3) What am I most afraid people will think if I step away? Clarity starts on paper.

• Talk to people ahead of you: Talk to 2 or 3 physicians who have already left patient care and are genuinely thriving, not just complaining;. Ask about their emotional journey, money realities, and the one thing they wish they knew sooner. Come meet dozens of them at DrPodFest.com this January.

• Calculate your exact financial runway this weekend; how many months of expenses do you have saved? Knowing your real number turns "What if I fail?" into "I have X months to experiment." Then start one tiny nonclinical side project (chart review, an article, a paid consult) to gather evidence there's life beyond the bedside.

About the Show:

Bootstrap MD is the ultimate podcast for physician entrepreneurs looking to escape traditional healthcare and control their financial futures. Hosted by Dr. Mike Woo-Ming, a successful physician, entrepreneur, and investor, the show delivers actionable insights on starting businesses, creating passive income, and navigating healthcare entrepreneurship. Featuring interviews with industry leaders, physicians, and experts in telemedicine and digital health, it's your guide to building a profitable, fulfilling career.

Tune in weekly at http://bootstrapmd.com

About the Host:

Dr. Mike Woo-Ming has over 20 years of experience as a physician entrepreneur. He's built and sold multiple seven-figure companies and now leads Executive Medical, a group of clinics specializing in age management and aesthetics. Through BootstrapMD, he mentors physicians in business, content creation, and autonomy.

Let's Connect: www.https://www.bootstrapmd.com

Want to start a podcast? Check out the Doctor Podcast Network!

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You're an institution. Time to invest like one.

_____________

This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health

Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one platform streamlines scheduling, patient communications, and insurance verification, giving you fewer no-shows, faster check-ins, and happier patients. Free yourself from paperwork and phone tag so you can focus on what truly matters: providing care. Visit http://ryzehealth.com/BootstrapMD today and see how simple running your practice can be.

______________

In this episode of BootstrapMD, Dr. Mike Woo-Ming opens up about the breaking point that forced him to ask for help. Bad location, useless equipment, $5,000 Valpak disasters, and exactly one patient looking for free advice until one desperate phone call to a mentor turned everything around.

From avoiding the crushing "stupid tax" and compressing years into months, to getting ruthless accountability, emotional support through the lows, real-world playbooks no CME ever teaches, instant network expansion, burnout prevention, borrowed confidence, and staying ethical while scaling — Mike proves mentorship isn't optional for physician entrepreneurs. It's the difference between surviving and thriving.

If you've ever thought "I'm a doctor I should be able to figure this out alone," this episode is your wake-up call.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

1. Stop paying the "stupid tax" on your own: Find a mentor who has already lost the money and time on the exact mistakes you're about to make — wrong EMRs, useless marketing agencies, bad locations and shortcut years of expensive trial-and-error in a single conversation.
2. Make a list today of three physicians who are 2–5 years ahead of where you want to be: Reach out and book a paid 60-minute consultation, never ask for free advice. Respect their time, get laser-focused answers, and start implementing immediately.
3. Audit your business honestly: if you got hit by a bus tomorrow, would it survive without you? Build systems, hire replaceable team members, cut clinical hours, and create a practice that serves your life instead of chaining you to it — that's the real freedom entrepreneurship promises.

About the Show:

Bootstrap MD is the ultimate podcast for physician entrepreneurs looking to escape traditional healthcare and control their financial futures. Hosted by Dr. Mike Woo-Ming, a successful physician, entrepreneur, and investor, the show delivers actionable insights on starting businesses, creating passive income, and navigating healthcare entrepreneurship. Featuring interviews with industry leaders, physicians, and experts in telemedicine and digital health, it's your guide to building a profitable, fulfilling career.

Tune in weekly at http://bootstrapmd.com

About the Host:

Dr. Mike Woo-Ming has over 20 years of experience as a physician entrepreneur. He's built and sold multiple seven-figure companies and now leads Executive Medical, a group of clinics specializing in age management and aesthetics. Through BootstrapMD, he mentors physicians in business, content creation, and autonomy.

Let's Connect: www.https://www.bootstrapmd.com

Want to start a podcast? Check out the Doctor Podcast Network!

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You're an institution. Time to invest like one.

_____________

This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health

Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one platform streamlines scheduling, patient communications, and insurance verification, giving you fewer no-shows, faster check-ins, and happier patients. Free yourself from paperwork and phone tag so you can focus on what truly matters: providing care. Visit http://ryzehealth.com/BootstrapMD today and see how simple running your practice can be.

______________

In this revealing episode, Dr. Mike Woo-Ming, dives into his experiences inside millionaire masterminds—exclusive groups of founders who share strategies, wins, and wisdom. From investing thousands of dollars to join these rooms to building lifelong connections, Mike explains why masterminds are one of the best professional investments he's ever made.

He walks listeners through the traits that set successful entrepreneurs apart: they execute fast, think big, rebound from setbacks, manage their finances with precision, and network intentionally. Through personal stories and real-world examples, Mike shows how these same principles can help healthcare entrepreneurs expand their vision, accelerate growth, and avoid costly mistakes.

If you've ever wondered whether joining a mastermind is worth it, this episode offers clear, actionable insight into how to make it work for you.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

• Speed Wins — Execute Fast and Refine Later: In the world of high-performing entrepreneurs, perfectionism is the enemy of progress. The most successful mastermind members Dr. Mike met don't wait for every variable to align — they take action, test quickly, and adjust based on results.

• Think Bigger — Start with a Niche, Then Scale Beyond It : The entrepreneurs dominating their industries didn't stay confined to narrow niches — they used them as launching pads. Many began by focusing on a small, well-defined audience (like women physicians or local clients), but once they gained traction, they expanded strategically into broader, more lucrative markets.

• Know Your Numbers — Financial Awareness Builds Freedom: Entrepreneurship without financial literacy is like driving blindfolded. The most successful business owners Dr. Mike has encountered track their profit and loss daily, scrutinize expenses, and question every dollar spent. They don't delegate financial awareness — they own it.

About the Show:

Bootstrap MD is the ultimate podcast for physician entrepreneurs looking to escape traditional healthcare and control their financial futures. Hosted by Dr. Mike Woo-Ming, a successful physician, entrepreneur, and investor, the show delivers actionable insights on starting businesses, creating passive income, and navigating healthcare entrepreneurship. Featuring interviews with industry leaders, physicians, and experts in telemedicine and digital health, it's your guide to building a profitable, fulfilling career.

Tune in weekly at http://bootstrapmd.com

About the Host:

Dr. Mike Woo-Ming has over 20 years of experience as a physician entrepreneur. He's built and sold multiple seven-figure companies and now leads Executive Medical, a group of clinics specializing in age management and aesthetics. Through BootstrapMD, he mentors physicians in business, content creation, and autonomy.

Let's Connect: www.https://www.bootstrapmd.com

Want to start a podcast? Check out the Doctor Podcast Network!

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone Direct LLC. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You're an institution. Time to invest like one.

_________

This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health
Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one platform streamlines scheduling, patient communications, and insurance verification, giving you fewer no-shows, faster check-ins, and happier patients. Free yourself from paperwork and phone tag so you can focus on what truly matters: providing care. Visit RyzeHealth.com/BootstrapMD today and see how simple running your practice can be.

_______________

What does the next generation of physician entrepreneurship look like?

In this episode, host Dr. Mike Woo-Ming, physician entrepreneur and founder of multiple medical ventures, explores five high-potential business models for doctors looking to innovate in medicine and build scalable, meaningful businesses.

Drawing from conversations with physicians, conferences, and his own entrepreneurial experience, Dr. Woo-Ming introduces a practical roadmap—starting with accessible models that require minimal capital and progressing toward ambitious, tech-driven opportunities. These five emerging business models reshapes physician entrepreneurship They include; - Micro-Niche Cash Practice – Telemedicine Specialty Brand – Knowledge Commerce Practice – Licensing & Partnership Model – AI Healthcare Company

Through these progressive five-step journey, physicians gain a clear understanding of which model fits their current stage of career and risk tolerance—and how to start moving toward entrepreneurial independence today.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

• Start Small, Think Big: Begin with a micro-niche cash practice or telemedicine brand before scaling to advanced ventures. Focus beats scale—define your patient, your problem, and your promise.

• Build Leverage, Not Labor: Shift from trading time for money to building scalable systems—digital products, licensed methods, and automated practices that create recurring revenue.

• Choose Courage Over Comfort: Entrepreneurship demands boldness. Whether launching a course or founding an AI startup, your medical expertise is your foundation—pair it with persistence and innovation.

About the Show:

Bootstrap MD is the ultimate podcast for physician entrepreneurs looking to escape traditional healthcare and control their financial futures. Hosted by Dr. Mike Woo-Ming, a successful physician, entrepreneur, and investor, the show delivers actionable insights on starting businesses, creating passive income, and navigating healthcare entrepreneurship. Featuring interviews with industry leaders, physicians, and experts in telemedicine and digital health, it's your guide to building a profitable, fulfilling career.

Tune in weekly at http://bootstrapmd.com

About the Host:

Dr. Mike Woo-Ming has over 20 years of experience as a physician entrepreneur. He's built and sold multiple seven-figure companies and now leads Executive Medical, a group of clinics specializing in age management and aesthetics. Through BootstrapMD, he mentors physicians in business, content creation, and autonomy.

Let's Connect: www.https://www.bootstrapmd.com

Want to start a podcast? Check out the Doctor Podcast Network!

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone Direct LLC. Lightstone Direct LLC connects you to institutional-quality real estate investments backed by a $12-billion AUM firm that co-invests alongside you—your partner in building lasting wealth. All investments involve risk.

Please visit LightstoneDirect.com for a full list of disclosures.

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This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health
Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one platform streamlines scheduling, patient communications, and insurance verification, giving you fewer no-shows, faster check-ins, and happier patients. Free yourself from paperwork and phone tag so you can focus on what truly matters: providing care. Visit RyzeHealth.com/BootstrapMD today and see how simple running your practice can be.

_______________

What if a single oversight could jeopardize your medical practice?

In this vital episode of Bootstrap MD, Dr. Mike Woo-Ming dives into the rarely discussed topic of protection for physician entrepreneurs. Drawing from personal experiences, like NPI misuse and a costly ADA lawsuit, he covers safeguarding credentials, supervising mid-level providers, ensuring digital compliance, and structuring legal defenses. From quarterly NPI audits to HIPAA-compliant tools and crisis plans, Dr. Woo-Ming shares practical strategies to prevent regulatory traps and litigation—urging physicians to act before issues arise.

A must-listen for practice owners seeking to protect their name and legacy.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

• Guard Your NPI Like Your House Keys: Dr. Woo-Ming learned the hard way about NPI misuse leading to fraud allegations. Audit your NPI quarterly via the NPPES registry, check CMS PECOS for unauthorized enrollments, and set Google Alerts for your name + NPI to catch misuse early.

• Supervise Mid-Levels Actively: Supervising NPs/PAs means legal accountability—Dr. Woo-Ming stresses customized agreements, documented chart reviews, and malpractice coverage for supervisory roles. Start by maintaining logs of reviews and communications to prove oversight, avoiding liability gaps.

• Prioritize Digital Compliance: A five-figure ADA lawsuit over uncaptioned videos taught Dr. Woo-Ming to ensure website accessibility. Use tools like WAVE Accessibility Checker, add captions to all videos, and work with vendors for accessible patient portals to avoid litigation.

About the Show:

Bootstrap MD is the ultimate podcast for physician entrepreneurs looking to escape traditional healthcare and control their financial futures. Hosted by Dr. Mike Woo-Ming, a successful physician, entrepreneur, and investor, the show delivers actionable insights on starting businesses, creating passive income, and navigating healthcare entrepreneurship. Featuring interviews with industry leaders, physicians, and experts in telemedicine and digital health, it's your guide to building a profitable, fulfilling career.

Tune in weekly at http://bootstrapmd.com

About the Host:

Dr. Mike Woo-Ming has over 20 years of experience as a physician entrepreneur. He's built and sold multiple seven-figure companies and now leads Executive Medical, a group of clinics specializing in age management and aesthetics. Through BootstrapMD, he mentors physicians in business, content creation, and autonomy.

Let's Connect: www.https://www.bootstrapmd.com

Want to start a podcast? Check out the Doctor Podcast Network!