📝 In this episode, Drs. Stacy and Michelle sit down with Dr. Jaren Argyle, founder of The Elevated Dentist, for a deeply personal and important conversation about mental health, fulfillment, and the hidden emotional burden many dentists carry. Dr. Argyle shares how the traits that often make dentists successful—high achievement, perfectionism, and deep care for others—can also create the perfect storm for burnout, depression, and isolation. He opens up about his own life-changing experience with suicidal ideation during a difficult season in his marriage, and how that moment became the catalyst for a profound shift from external validation to internal peace. Together, they explore why so many dentists define success by productivity, revenue, and outside expectations, and how easily that can pull them away from what they actually want in life and practice. The conversation highlights the importance of vulnerability, coaching, supportive community, and what it means to move from “prevention” toward actively promoting wellness, joy, and fulfillment before crisis occurs. This episode is an honest and hopeful reminder that professional success does not guarantee emotional wellbeing—and that it is possible to build a life and practice that truly align with who you are. Suicide Hotline: #988, Open 24/7/365 LinkedIn Jaren Argyle FB Jaren Argyle IG Jaren Argyle The Elevated Dentist Redefining Success Masterclass Books of Interest Below: ⬇️ Wheel of LIfe Assessment Success Mindsets The Gap and the Gain Into the Magic Shop 📖 CHAPTERS: 00:00 — Welcome + Introducing Dr. Jaren Argyle 01:45 — Why dentistry can be the “perfect storm” for mental health struggles 03:28 — The three personality traits common in dentists 06:42 — Why dentists blame themselves when things go wrong 09:14 — The problem with success being defined externally 13:06 — Jaren’s personal story: marriage struggles and reaching a breaking point 17:24 — Suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and the moment things shifted 20:24 — From external validation to internal loci of control 22:38 — “I don’t need my wife, but I want her” — changing the framework 26:20 — Climbing the wrong ladder: why dentists chase the wrong goals 33:16 — Needs vs wants, oxygen masks, and redefining what matters 34:18 — Vulnerability, ego, and why dentists struggle to ask for help 42:16 — The Gap and the Gain: how dentists measure success the wrong way 47:05 — Why Jaren created The Elevated Dentist 55:20 — Utah wellness events, unique ability, and designing a more fulfilling life 01:05:02 — Promoting wellness instead of waiting for crisis 01:15:19 — Rapid-fire questions and closing reflections 🧠 Key Learnings Dentistry creates a unique mental health risk profile Dr. Argyle explains that many dentists share three traits: they are high achievers, perfectionists, and deeply caring people. That combination can create a powerful internal pressure that becomes difficult to manage.Dentists often define success externally From school onward, many dentists are conditioned to measure success through grades, performance, productivity, revenue, and approval from others rather than by internal alignment or peace.Clinical success does not guarantee personal fulfillment A growing practice, income, and professional milestones can all be present while a dentist still feels emotionally empty, stuck, or disconnected.Suicidal ideation can appear suddenly Dr. Jaren Argyle’s story highlights that these thoughts may not always come after years of chronic depression—they can emerge quickly when stress, hopelessness, and emotional burden collide.Internal loci of control can be life-changing One of Jaren’s biggest turning points was realizing he could no longer define his worth based on someone else’s happiness or approval.There is a powerful difference between “need” and “want” Shifting relationships and life circumstances from need to want creates freedom, healthier attachment, and less emotional dependency.Dentists need more support before crisis Jaren emphasizes that wellness conversations should happen before someone reaches burnout, depression, or suicidal ideation—not only after a crisis.Vulnerability is essential for healing Dentists often struggle with ego and self-protection, but asking for help, opening up, and becoming more vulnerable is a crucial first step toward change. Many dentists live in “the gap” instead of “the gain” Comparing yourself to an ideal or to others creates discouragement, while comparing yourself to your own growth and progress creates a healthier mindset.Fulfillment grows when you work in your “unique ability” Identifying the work that energizes you, aligns with your strengths, and creates meaning is key to building a sustainable and joyful professional life.Wellness should be actively promoted, not just crisis-managed A major theme of the episode is the idea of promoting wellbeing, joy, connection, and purpose rather than simply trying to prevent collapse. This is the ASAP Pathway Podcast, Airway, Sleep, and Pediatric Pathway, where sleep and airway health take center stage, one breath at a time. VISIT: ASAP Pathway Please subscribe, share, and tune in to future episodes of how we can help children live their best lives, one breath, and restful night's sleep at a time. 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