Épisodes

  • Ep 43. Anxiety in High Performers: Dr. Dimitrios Tsatiris on Boundaries, Burnout and Building a Healthier Relationship with Success

    Ep 43. Anxiety in High Performers: Dr. Dimitrios Tsatiris on Boundaries, Burnout and Building a Healthier Relationship with Success
    Dec 15 2025
    Anxiety is not a flaw in high achievers. It is often a signal that the way we pursue success needs to be reimagined.In this powerful and deeply insightful conversation, psychiatrist and author Dr. Dimitrios Tsatiris joins Dr. Amna Shabbir to break down what anxiety truly is, why it affects high achievers so intensely and how the five habits of ambition silently fuel overwhelm, guilt, comparison and self neglect.From difficulty saying no and toxic self reliance to social comparison, lack of presence and tying self worth to achievement, Dr. Tsatiris explains how these patterns form and shares practical strategies to break the cycle. He also explores perfectionism, hedonic adaptation, hosting anxiety, physician burnout and what it means to redefine success in a way that protects mental health and strengthens relationships.If you have ever felt guilty setting boundaries, struggled to ask for help or lived on the treadmill of accomplishment, this episode offers clarity, compassion and a roadmap for healthier and more sustainable achievement.Episode TakeawaysWhy anxiety is a normal human response and not a personal flawThe three components of anxiety and how they show up in daily lifeHow guilt fuels burnout and prevents high achievers from saying noWhy self reliance becomes toxic and increases overwhelmHow social comparison distorts reality and damages self confidenceWhy presence is challenging for ambitious individualsHedonic adaptation and why the high of achievement fades quicklyHow perfectionism creates suffering for us and those we loveWhat it means to redefine success through relationships and wellbeingAbout Our GuestDimitrios Tsatiris, MD is a board certified psychiatrist who specializes in the intersection of mental health and achievement. His Psychology Today column titled Anxiety in High Achievers has been read more than 850,000 times. His work in physician wellness has supported hundreds of clinicians across the country. He is the author of Physician Burnout: How to Rise Above a Broken Healthcare System as a Practicing Clinician and the speaker behind the TEDx talk “Why Success Will Not Make You Happy”. Through his clinical work, writing and speaking, he is committed to helping people build a healthy and fulfilling relationship with achievement.Connect with Dr. Dimitrios🌐 Website: https://dimitriostsatiris.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdimitrios/ 🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/DrDimitrios🎥 TEDx Talk: Why Success Will Not Make You Happy - https://www.ted.com/talks/dimitrios_tsatiris_why_success_won_t_make_you_happy 📘 Book: Physician Burnout How to Rise Above a Broken Healthcare System as a Practicing Clinician - https://www.routledge.com/Physician-Burnout-How-to-Rise-Above-a-Broken-Healthcare-System-as-a-Practicing-Clinician/Tsatiris/p/book/9781032722405 👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a dual board-certified physician and TEDx speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches and consults on perfectionism, sustainable success and the well-being of high achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.⚠️ Content NoteThis episode includes discussion of anxiety, perfectionism, physician burnout and the emotional impact of chronic stress.
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    34 min
  • Ep 42. Held Together: How Sharing Our Stories Heals Us with Dr Rebecca Thompson

    Ep 42. Held Together: How Sharing Our Stories Heals Us with Dr Rebecca Thompson
    Dec 8 2025
    So many of the hardest moments in a woman’s life happen quietly, privately, and without anyone ever knowing. What if sharing those truths could bring us closer and help us heal?In this emotional and honest episode, Dr. Rebecca Thompson joins us to explore the invisible struggles women carry and why telling our stories matters more than ever. Her debut book Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love weaves her personal journey with the experiences of twenty one women to reveal what really happens in the spaces between joy, grief, identity and family.We explore the power of honest storytelling, the courage it takes to speak difficult truths, and the profound healing that comes from connection. Dr. Thompson also shares why humility and curiosity create deeper compassion, and how we can make room for pain that cannot be fixed instantly.This conversation will move you, open your heart, and remind you that you are never alone in the chapters you are still learning how to live.Episode TakeawaysHow Held Together reveals the hidden struggles of family life, motherhood and identityWhy humility and curiosity make us more compassionate with ourselves and each otherWhat it means to live through uncertainty and allow space for emotions that cannot be resolved quicklyWhy we cannot hack our way into healing and why healing requires time and honestyHow shared stories reduce perfectionism and strengthen communityThe meaningful threads that connect women’s experiences even when the details look differentAbout Our GuestRebecca N. Thompson, MD, is a family medicine and public health physician from Portland, Oregon, who specializes in women’s and children’s health—and the author of Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love. In this innovative new book, Dr. Thompson intertwines her personal story of life-threatening pregnancy complications with the stories of twenty-one of her patients, friends, and medical colleagues. Through profoundly honest and emotionally raw accounts, Held Together creates a space for connection, offering comfort and awareness to anyone touched by their own or others’ challenges in building or sustaining families—and celebrating the resilience of women as they navigate the complexities of motherhood, family dynamics, and health and healing across generations. At its heart, Held Together finds strength in imperfection and aims to expand the understanding of motherhood’s true diversity, while advocating for empathy, inclusion, and improved support for all families.Connect with Dr Rebecca Thompson- Please visit Dr. Thompson's website, where you can explore in-person gathering opportunities and recorded media, find reviews and endorsements, read the full introduction and other excerpts from Held Together, and get in touch if you'd like to talk about ideas for collaboration:www.rebeccanthompson.com- Purchase a copy of Held Together with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Postpartum Support International and their work in maternal and family mental health:From Bookshop.orgFrom Amazon-Purchase a signed copy of Held Together for shipping anywhere in the US (please specify SIGNED on checkout page notes): From indie bookstore Annie Bloom's✨SPECIAL END OF YEAR FREE VIRTUAL WORKSHOP WITH DR. SHABBIRhttps://www.dramnashabbir.com/2025 Close 2025 Strong. Launch 2026 with ConfidenceDedicated 2hrs of workshopping & coaching to help you wrap up this year with radical clarity.December 11th -12- 2 pm ET -Virtual -Replays available -Limited slots✅Free Registration Here: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/2025 👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a dual board-certified physician and TEDx speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches and consults on perfectionism, sustainable success and the well-being of high achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.⚠️ Content NoticeThis episode includes discussion of pregnancy loss, miscarriages and other mental health themes.
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    34 min
  • Ep 41. My 2025 Audit - Ending the Year Strong and Launching 2026 Confidently.

    Ep 41. My 2025 Audit - Ending the Year Strong and Launching 2026 Confidently.
    Dec 1 2025
    If your self-care has felt like an afterthought this year, this episode will show you why, and how, to change that.In this honest solo episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir shares the six self-care decisions that transformed her mental health, physical wellbeing and clarity in 2025. These are not the usual “spa day” strategies. They are the hard, uncomfortable choices high achievers often avoid: saying no to incredible opportunities, stepping away from roles that cause moral injury, investing in real accountability for health, protecting your energy online, creating space for reflection and developing radical clarity about your goals.Dr. Shabbir walks through the personal stories behind each decision, why they were necessary, how they challenged her identity as a high achiever and how these practices can help you reduce burnout, make aligned decisions and build sustainable wellbeing.If you're craving boundaries, clearer priorities, more ease and a healthier relationship with success, this episode is a roadmap.Episode TakeawaysSaying no protects your time, energy and long-term wellbeing even when the opportunity is good.Leaving roles that no longer align prevents moral distress and keeps you connected to your values.Having accountability for your health creates consistency and makes sustainable habits possible.Being intentional with social media helps protect your mindset, focus and emotional clarity.Making space for reflection slows life down and helps you make grounded decisions.Getting radical clarity on your goals reduces overwhelm and keeps you aligned with what truly matters.✨SPECIAL END OF YEAR FREE VIRTUAL OFFERS BY DR. SHABBIROFFER 1: Special Event with Jennifer B Wallacehttps://www.dramnashabbir.com/mattering Mattering Too Much: How High-Achieving Women Can Reclaim Joy This Holiday SeasonDec 1st - 6 pm ET - Virtual - FREE Registration - Replays AvailableA rare opportunity to engage directly with Jennifer B. WallaceNew York Times bestselling author · Award-winning journalist · Former CBS 60 Minutes producer · Co-Founder, The Mattering Movement✅Free Registration Here: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/mattering OFFER 2: End of Year Workshophttps://www.dramnashabbir.com/2025 Close 2025 Strong. Launch 2026 with ConfidenceDedicated 2hrs of workshopping & coaching to help you wrap up this year with radical clarity.December 11th -12- 2 pm ET -Virtual -Replays available -Limited slots✅Free Registration Here: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/2025 👩‍⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a dual board-certified physician and TEDx speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches and consults on perfectionism, sustainable success and the well-being of high achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.
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    29 min
  • Ep 40. Powered by Special Abilities: Gabi Angelini’s Movement Changing Lives Nationwide - Power of Giving Series

    Ep 40. Powered by Special Abilities: Gabi Angelini’s Movement Changing Lives Nationwide - Power of Giving Series
    Nov 24 2025
    What happens when you give people a chance?Our guests this week are the remarkable mother–daughter team Gabi and Mary Angelini, founders of Gabi’s Powered by Special Abilities, a nonprofit redefining employment, dignity, and purpose for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.Gabi, who has Down syndrome, spent years applying for jobs — dressing up, practicing interview answers, and doing everything she was told to do — yet employer after employer told her “no.” One smoothie shop even gave her a full tour… only to later reject her without ever letting her try the job.After that heartbreaking moment, Mary made a decision that would change hundreds of lives: If the world wouldn’t hire Gabi, they would build their own company.From that fire came Gabi’s Grounds, a coffee brand now sold in multiple grocery chains across North Carolina. When the pandemic shut down coffee events, they pivoted again and launched Gabi’s PALS — a thriving packaging, assembly, labeling, and shipping enterprise now employing over 50 adults with special abilities.Their model proves what the world often overlooks: 🎯 Ability is not defined by disability. 🎯 People just need a chance. 🎯 When included, they excel — with precision, joy, and pride.Gabi now speaks on national stages, including TEDx and The Kelly Clarkson Show, inspiring others to embrace their superpower.This conversation is a testament to resilience, purpose, and the extraordinary things that happen when someone refuses to let society limit their child — or anyone else’s.🌟 This Episode is the Final Installment of our November series on The Power of GivingEpisode Takeaways:✨ The real story behind hundreds of rejections — and the “last straw” that changed everything ✨ How Gabi turned a lifetime of “no” into a thriving nonprofit employing over 50 adults ✨ Why adults with special needs lose support after high school — and what needs to change ✨ The hidden gift: how neurodivergent employees deliver impeccable quality and consistency ✨ How inclusive workplaces unlock confidence, independence, and community ✨ Zion’s story: from warehouse worker to cybersecurity graduate — all from being given a chance ✨ Gabi’s fearless TEDx journey and her superpower of kindness ✨ What success looks like now: dreams of “Gabi’s Village,” expansion, and nationwide opportunity ✨ How YOU can help create meaningful employment for adults with special abilitiesAbout Our Guests — Mary & Gabi AngeliniGabi Angelini is a TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, coffee founder, disability advocate, and champion of kindness. Born with Down syndrome, she transformed a world that kept telling her “no” by building something bigger than herself.Mary Angelini, her mother and co-founder, is the powerhouse who turned heartbreak into a movement. As the visionary behind Gabi’s Powered by Special Abilities, she has created dignified, meaningful jobs for over 50 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mary is a national advocate, speaker, and inclusive employment leader.Together, they run Gabi’s Grounds (coffee) and Gabi’s PALS (packaging, assembly, labeling, shipping) — proving that ability is everywhere when doors are opened.Connect with Gabi & Mary🌐 Website: https://poweredbygabis.org/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabisraleigh💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabi-angelini-359bb5239https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-angelini/📹 Watch Gabi’s TEDx Talk:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m78DQLocD5A About the Host - Dr. Amna ShabbirDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the Well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/ 🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/speaking 🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/ 📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir’s TEDx Talk: Perfectionism Has a Solution – It’s Not What You Think https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3sSPECIAL END OF YEAR OFFER: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/matteringMattering Too Much: How High-Achieving Women Can Reclaim Joy This Holiday SeasonDec 1st - 6 pm ET - Virtual - FREE Registration - Replays AvailableA rare opportunity to engage directly with Jennifer B. WallaceNew York Times bestselling author · Award-winning journalist · Former CBS 60 Minutes producer · Co-Founder, The Mattering Movement❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ ...
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    17 min
  • Ep 39. Three-Time Cancer Survivor Kim Downey: Standing Up for Physicians - Power of Giving Series

    Ep 39. Three-Time Cancer Survivor Kim Downey: Standing Up for Physicians - Power of Giving Series
    Nov 17 2025
    Three-time cancer survivor Kim Downey turned heartbreak into advocacy. When her physician took his own life, she founded Stand Up for Doctors - a global movement amplifying the stories, struggles, and humanity of healthcare workers.In this deeply moving conversation, Kim shares how personal tragedy became a call to action, why caring for doctors is caring for patients, and how her work - including the influential book White Coats, Courageous Hearts is helping clinicians and patients alike see medicine through a more compassionate lens.This episode reminds us that behind every white coat is a courageous heart — and that giving back can begin with simply listening.This episode is part of a special November series on the Power of Giving.Episode TakeawaysHow surviving cancer three times led Kim to create Stand Up for DoctorsThe heartbreaking moment that sparked her mission to advocate for physician mental healthWhy physician well-being is patient well-being — and how advocacy can save livesThe unseen grief when a patient loses their doctor and the ripple effect of clinician suicideHow storytelling humanizes healthcare and helps doctors reclaim their identityThe making of White Coats, Courageous Hearts — a collection giving voice to the healersKim’s reflections on moral injury, perfectionism, and redefining success after lossWhy giving — time, compassion, or advocacy — can transform both patients and cliniciansAbout Our Guest — Kim DowneyKim Downey is the founder of Stand Up for Doctors, a movement dedicated to supporting physician and clinician well-being through advocacy, storytelling, and reform. A three-time cancer survivor, physical therapist, and physician-advocate, Kim has become a trusted voice in healthcare advocacy. She is the creator and lead editor of White Coats, Courageous Hearts: True Stories of Doctors, a book humanizing medicine through the voices of those who live it.Kim also serves as an Ambassador for the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, helping carry forward its mission to protect the mental health of healthcare workers. Her work continues to build bridges between patients and physicians — reminding us that healing the healers heals us all.Connect with Kim Downey🌐 Website: https://www.standupfordoctors.org/ ▶️ YouTube: Stand Up for Doctors: https://www.youtube.com/@StandUpforDoctors 📰 Substack: https://standupfordoctors.substack.com/ 📖 Book: White Coats, Courageous Hearts – available wherever books are sold: https://a.co/d/bpCu6cf 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-downey-a9307b72/ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the Well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/ 🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/speaking 🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/ 📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir’s TEDx Talk: Perfectionism Has a Solution – It’s Not What You Think https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3sSPECIAL END OF YEAR OFFER: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/mattering Mattering Too Much: How High-Achieving Women Can Reclaim Joy This Holiday SeasonDec 1st - 6 pm ET - Virtual - FREE Registration - Replays AvailableA rare opportunity to engage directly with Jennifer B. WallaceNew York Times bestselling author · Award-winning journalist · Former CBS 60 Minutes producer · Co-Founder, The Mattering Movement❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.Content NoteThis episode includes discussion of physician suicide, burnout, moral injury, and patient grief. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 for confidential support.
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    28 min
  • Ep 38. Power of Service: Richard Averitte on Volunteerism, Community & Healing - American Cancer Society

    Ep 38. Power of Service: Richard Averitte on Volunteerism, Community & Healing - American Cancer Society
    Nov 10 2025

    Richard Averitte calls himself a “career volunteer.” Today, he leads as Executive Director for the American Cancer Society (ACS) in Central & Eastern North Carolina—bringing decades of hands-on service to research, advocacy, and patient support. In this powerful conversation, Richard shares his personal “why,” the realities of rebuilding post-pandemic volunteer programs, how Hope Lodge changes lives, and why cancer screening must become a habit—especially for men and younger adults.

    This episode is part of a special November series on the Power of Giving.

    Episode Takeaways:
    -Why volunteer roots create resilient nonprofit leaders—and how “time, talent, treasure” makes impact tangible
    -ACS’s three pillars in action: research, patient support (Hope Lodge, 1-800-227-2345), and advocacy
    -The purgatory of disparities: rural access, Black/Latine mortality gaps, and making screening equitable
    -Hope Lodge (Greenville, NC): a home-away-from-home that eases financial, emotional, and caregiver burden
    -Rebuilding Road to Recovery and other volunteer programs after COVID
    -“Be like water”: adapt to the environment; cancer doesn’t pause—neither can we
    -Practical ways to help: get screened, volunteer, donate, and share ACS’s 24/7 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.
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    30 min
  • Ep 37. Finding Filotimo: Pete Proimos on Cystic Fibrosis, Giving, and Building What Outlives You

    Ep 37. Finding Filotimo: Pete Proimos on Cystic Fibrosis, Giving, and Building What Outlives You
    Nov 3 2025
    Pete Proimos isn’t just surviving cystic fibrosis — he’s redefining what it means to live and give.Diagnosed at birth with a condition that once carried a life expectancy of only 18 years, Pete turned heartbreak into a mission of hope. As founder and president of the Filotimo Foundation, he’s ensuring that individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis never have to choose between medication and basic needs.In this deeply personal and moving conversation, Pete shares how decades of uncertainty, fear, and resilience led him to build something rooted in love, compassion, and community. From hiding his diagnosis for 38 years to stepping onto the TEDx stage with “Find the Thing That Breaks Your Heart and Refuse to Look Away,” Pete embodies what it means to turn pain into purpose — and to leave a legacy that outlives you.This episode is part of a special November 2025 series on the Power of Giving.Episode TakeawaysHow cystic fibrosis shaped Pete’s early life and outlook on mortalityThe life-changing new therapy that brought hope — and new challengesWhy some CF patients must choose between treatment and financial survivalThe founding of the Filotimo Foundation and its mission of “no one left behind”Mental health, masculinity, and the courage to speak your truth after decades of silenceHow the Greek value of filotimo became a philosophy of service, generosity, and joyWhat it means to build something that outlives you — a legacy rooted in compassionAbout Our Guest — Pete ProimosPete Proimos is the founder and president of the Filotimo Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis. Diagnosed with CF at birth, Pete has turned his lived experience into a lifelong mission to ensure no patient has to choose between medication and life.His TEDx talk, “Find the Thing That Breaks Your Heart and Refuse to Look Away,” has inspired audiences to act with empathy, generosity, and purpose. Pete lives in North Carolina with his wife and children, whose love fuels his vision to create a foundation that will continue long after him.Connect with Pete🌐 Website: https://filotimofoundation.org/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filotimo_foundation/ 🎥 Watch Pete’s TEDx Talk: Find the Thing That Breaks Your Heart and Refuse to Look Away (on YouTube)https://youtu.be/Rx1Vb_kie5s?si=3ZazjOfeb4yest6F💼 Support the Lung Run: https://filotimofoundation.org/lung-run-2025/ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a dual board-certified physician and TEDx speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on perfectionism, sustainable success, and the well-being of high achievers. Outside of her work, she cherishes her most important title, Super Mom, to two young girls. Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s ❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.Content NoteThis episode includes a discussion of chronic illness, infertility, depression, and financial hardship related to medical care.
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    31 min
  • Ep 36. Pageantry, Purpose & Pain: Akifa Khattak’s FemTech Mission to End Endometriosis Silence

    Ep 36. Pageantry, Purpose & Pain: Akifa Khattak’s FemTech Mission to End Endometriosis Silence
    Oct 26 2025

    Akifa Khattak was not just one of the Miss Universe Pakistan finalists - she’s also a healthcare attorney, biotech entrepreneur, and women’s health advocate on a mission to change how we diagnose and treat endometriosis.

    In this powerful conversation, Akifa shares how a rare, life-altering health journey led her to co-found Her Health AI, a FemTech company pioneering non-invasive endometriosis diagnostics and surgical lesion mapping. She opens up about cultural taboos around pelvic health, the unseen financial and family costs of chronic illness, and why pageantry became an unexpected but transformative platform to bridge East and West.

    This episode is about turning pain into purpose, breaking silence around women’s health, and redefining success as “contentment of the soul.”

    Episode Takeaways:

    • Why endometriosis remains one of the most painful yet underdiagnosed diseases 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.

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    Content Note
    This episode includes discussion of chronic pain, fertility, surgeries, and women’s reproductive health challenges.
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    25 min