Physician Assistant Burnout: Tips, Tools, and Interviews with PA and Life Coach Hope Cook

Hope Cook, Physician Assistant (PA) and Burnout Life Coach
Physician Assistant Burnout: Tips, Tools, and Interviews with PA and Life Coach Hope Cook

Are you a PA struggling with burnout, career overwhelm, or just life in general? Do you love your career some days and other days wonder what the heck you were thinking when you chose a career in medicine? Or maybe you’re a mom like me and find it impossible to “do it all." I created this podcast because I’ve been there, which is also why I became a life coach. I now help other PAs like you get off the struggle bus of burnout. The tips, tools, and talks in this podcast are exactly what I needed when I was burned out!

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    #225: Sherlonda Adkins, rock star PA & Unstuck Strategist can preach motivation like no one else! If you think you have to suffer a traditional 9-5, she’ll blow your mind!

    This episode is going to light you on FIRE! This was so much fun for me, I felt like I wanted to stand up and shout “Amen” every few minutes! Sherlonda Adkins, PA and DMSc—The UNSTUCK Strategist™—shares her strategies for navigating life’s crossroads and creating a life you don’t have to escape from. With over 26 years of experience as a motivational speaker, success coach, telepsychiatry entrepreneur, and healthcare thought leader, Dr. Adkins brings her wisdom to help you reconnect with your internal compass, hone in on your values, and design a future aligned with your passions and purpose. From overcoming fear and societal expectations to writing down your dreams and reimagining success, Sherlonda shares so many pearls for getting UNSTUCK and thriving. Whether you’re a healthcare clinician facing burnout or someone seeking clarity in their next chapter, this conversation will inspire you so much you might just flip your life upside down (in a good way!) Dr. Sherlonda Adkins's website, FB, IG, YouTube, LinkedIn It’s almost time!! My next PA Masterclass Series will start mid- January; there's still time to sign up and change your life for less than most of us spent today on Amazon. Let me know if you'd like to be a part of it! Here's a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more. My book on healing burnout will also be out in 2025 (editing now!!); if you're interested in being on my advanced reader team, or would like a few sneak peeks beforehand, shoot me an email, at hope.cook@gmail.com or sign up for any of my free resources (including my mini-book) on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to talk about me being a speaker or podcast guest, or if you're interested in collaborating, use the email above to connect! Love, Hope Sherlonda's take-home points: Define Your Own Success: Reflect on whether you're chasing society's definition of success or living according to your personal values. Identify what truly brings you joy, peace, and fulfillment. Hone Your Internal Compass: Pay attention to the physical and emotional cues in your body. Does a decision feel expansive or restrictive? Use this as a guide to align with your purpose. Write Down Your Dreams and Goals: Documenting your dreams and goals is more than just wishful thinking—it’s a way to clarify your vision and create a roadmap to bring it to life. Ask for What You Want: Don’t be afraid to advocate for your needs. Whether it’s flexibility in your career, opportunities for growth, or a shift in direction, you never know what’s possible unless you ask. Consider the Cost of Staying Stuck: Feeling stuck isn’t always negative—it can be your soul’s way of telling you something is out of alignment. But staying there comes at a cost. Use this realization as a catalyst for change. Lean on Key People and Mentors: Surround yourself with trusted individuals who can see your blind spots and encourage you to step into your potential. Mentors and a strong support system are invaluable. Design Your Ideal Life : Take time to imagine what an “unstuck” life looks like for you. What would you do if money were no object? What’s the lifestyle you truly desire—freedom, flexibility, or a rich sense of purpose? Reframe Fear and Self-Talk: Fear often holds us back, but self-affirmation and positive self-talk can shift your mindset. Trust the evidence of your past achievements and lean into your gifts and strengths. Embrace the Liminal Space: The “in-between” or liminal space can feel uncertain, but it’s a powerful time for reflection and recalibration. Use it to uncover your passion and purpose while designing your next steps. No Experience is Wasted: Mistakes and setbacks are part of the process. Even missteps can teach valuable lessons, guiding you closer to your purpose.

    59 min
  2. DEC 12

    #224: Raquelle Akavan, PA Mom Founder (the "PAM group"), suffered a stroke at 33 and had to take a major career pivot.

    Raquelle, "Rocky" Akavan did something amazing, but it probably didn't feel all that big at the time. She craved a group of fellow PA moms to talk to, so she created a small Facebook group for PA moms. Little did she know it would eventually grow to 19,000 members only 8 years later and become one of the largest special interest groups of AAPA (the national PA organization). The group is like a professional home filled with friends I talk to and share advice, as well as tips and tricks for surviving motherhood, marriage, and my career. It's become a way of empowering and advocating for our profession by a shared vision and a group of moms who can get $hit done! I wanted to highlight Rocky and let her tell her story of how it all started and what she went through along the way. As she says, it takes a village (and gives credit to her amazing team of PA Moms who work 24/7 to keep the group going). Take home points: If there’s something lacking in your and it’s not already available, take the brave step and create it! Spend time figuring out your core values, and reassess them periodically, then use them to make any decision.    Set aside time with no phones or screens.  Everything else can wait.   Good leaders have to implement boundaries, which in turn, gives everyone on the team permission to set boundaries.   Burnout is multifactorial, for some it’s all about their work, but relationships and health also contribute.  You are not alone.   If you start feeling overwhelmed or burned out, use this as a sign to step back and reevaluate; ask yourself what needs to shift?  You’re never really stuck; even when it feels like it.  There are so many more choices.   Stay true to yourself by really spending time getting to know yourself and what’s important to you.   YOLO: You only live once so ask yourself what would create a life with no regrets and use that as your guide.   Personal IG: Raquelle Akavan, DMSc, PA-C (@dr.rocky_pa) and FB: https://www.facebook.com/rocky.akavan/ PA Mom IG: https://www.instagram.com/pa_moms/ PA Moms® - Physician Associate Moms | Facebook PA Mom website: ⁠PA Moms – Physician Associate Moms⁠ Guess what, Y'all? My next PA Masterclass Series will start mid- January; there's still time to sign up and change your life for less than most of us spent today on Amazon. Let me know if you'd like to be a part of it! Here's a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more. My book on healing burnout will also be out in 2025 (editing now!!); if you're interested in being on my advanced reader team, or would like a few sneak peeks beforehand, shoot me an email, at hope.cook@gmail.com or sign up for any of my free resources (including my mini-book) on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to talk about me being a speaker or podcast guest, or if you're interested in collaborating, use the email above to connect! Love, Hope

    30 min
  3. NOV 21

    #221: PA Erica Ramos, saw a gap in the dermatology market and invented an OTC product! Hear how her shark tank-like idea led to starting a small pharma company!

    How many of you have had the thought, "Someone should invent ___________!" Erica had that thought and followed through. Hear how she went from idea to execution in this week's episode. Here are the show notes: Start noticing when there’s a gap in the marketplace, this might be your next Shark Tank idea.   Surround yourself with supportive people when you’re about to embark on something new, and avoid the naysayers. If you’re working with a partner, pay attention to your strengths and try to stay in your own lane.   Medicine is the long game.  Keep your eye on the prize.  You might have to work your way toward your dream job by taking a circuitous route. Switching jobs or specialties might be a way to mix things up and avoid monotony. Lots of opportunities as a PA, and you have the ability to remake yourself.   Be in the moment.  Go to your kids’ games, and put down the phone and the computer  Use CME for family vacations.  Take breaks.  Go to conferences.   Build yourself up, no one else is going to do that.  You have to ask for raises and learn to negotiate, esp if you’re not getting what you’re worth.   Trust yourself, block out the negative, and keep moving forward and working toward your dreams.   Erica's website: www.Restorascalp.com 15% discount code (good until 12/21/24) ProudPA15 @RestoraScalp (IG,FB,X,TikTok) @Erica_Ramos1 (IG) Guess What, Y'all? My book on healing burnout will be out in 2025 (editing now!!); if you're interested in being on my advanced reader team, or would like a few sneak peeks beforehand, shoot me an email, at hope.cook@gmail.com or sign up for any of my free resources (including my mini-book) on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to talk about me being a speaker or podcast guest, or if you're interested in collaborating, use the email above to connect! My next PA Masterclass Series will start in January; let me know if you'd like to be a part of it! Here's a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more.

    26 min
  4. NOV 7

    #219: How Starting a Business Can Give You Freedom and Purpose with Escape the Clinic's Katie Bean

    Katie Bean is a PA who's passionate about helping other clinicians escape the clinic (or add in a side hustle). She worked in ER, and in academia before getting her doctorate. After reaching her professional peak, she realized she'd hit a ceiling and missed out on everything meaningful while she was busy hustling. A tragic loss awakened her to her life's purpose. She now helps other clinicians start businesses and has her own podcast, Escape the Clinic. Show notes: Consider starting a business, it can give you massive freedom and allow you to have a bigger impact and serve others in a new way.   Burnout can cause you to miss out on your life and the people in it if you’re focused on the hustle and grind.     Before you’re driven to an identity crisis, start exploring who you are outside your role as a PA.  What gives you worth besides your job title? It’s only a myth that you need time and experience to start a business.  Plenty of business models don’t require burning the candle at both ends. By empathizing with those around you, you can help identify and solve their problem; voila, that’s a business.   Starting a business allows you to use a different part of your brain, and that excitement over a new pursuit will often shift your feelings of burnout.   Do life on your terms now; don’t wait until you retire. You’re allowed to try something and pivot; you’re allowed to do it messy; the point is to take action and see what aligns Obstacles teach you to ask different questions and think outside the box Get crystal clear on what you want from your life.  What’s not aligned? Where are you unhappy and discontent?  Imagine you had a blank canvas for your life  That provides the vision and the direction.  Then, just take one brave step a day. Katie's IG, LinkedIn, podcast and website (and 101 ideas to start a business) Other resources mentioned: Cathy Heller, Amy Porterfield and books by Napolean Hill ************************** Guess What, Y'all? My book on healing burnout will be out in 2025 (editing now!!); if you're interested in being on my advanced reader team, or would like a few sneak peeks beforehand, shoot me an email, at hope.cook@gmail.com or sign up for any of my free resources (including my mini-book) on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like to talk about me being a speaker or podcast guest, or if you're interested in collaborating, use the email above to connect! My next PA Masterclass Series will start in January; let me know if you'd like to be a part of it! Here's a ⁠⁠⁠⁠link⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more.

    40 min
  5. OCT 31

    #218: PA Kathryn Werner Discusses Pros /Cons of Opening a TelePsych Practice, How to Align Your Work With What's Important to You, and Finding Meaning Outside Your Job

    Kathryn Werner is the founder and CEO of White Pine Mental Health & Wellness, a telepsychiatry practice seeing patients in Alabama, Idaho, and Florida. She also works with Certified PA Consulting to help other PAs, NPs, and physicians start and grow practices they love. Show notes: ​When faced with a big goal, start with the easiest barrier of entry to get you started.​Accept that you’ll make mistakes, but know that each mistake gives you new and valuable information for your path forward.​Look at your career puzzle pieces and figure out what’s the MOST important thing to you, what works the best for your personality, finances, and family.  ​Make it a point to go back and re-evaluate your choices later and see how they feel and if they need to be adjusted.  ​Know yourself.  What are you good at, what do you most enjoy, and what do you lack the bandwidth to deal with?​If you’re feeling stressed out or burned out, acknowledge it and ask yourself what you need and what you can reasonably do to help make it better.​What do I need to make this a sustainable job arrangement and still enjoy my life?​As PAs, we’re not limited to the clinic. We have a valuable skill set​Figure out what has meaning for you outside your work and make it a point to put those things on the calendar.10. Don’t take your work so seriously. Most of the time, things DO turn out okay, and getting all tangled up in worry doesn’t make a big difference in the outcome. Kathryn’s contact info: IG: @cpacteam FB: certifiedphysicianassistantconsulting LinkedIn: certifiedphysicianassistantconsulting Practice website: whitepinemhw.com.  **************************Guess What, Y'all? My book on healing burnout will be out in 2025 (editing now!!); if you're interested in being on my advanced reader team, or would like a few sneak peeks beforehand, shoot me an email, at hope.cook@gmail.com or sign up for any of my free resources (including my mini-book) on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you'd like to talk about me being a speaker or podcast guest, or if you're interested in collaborating, use the email above to connect! My next PA Masterclass Series will start in January; let me know if you'd like to be a part of it! Here's a ⁠⁠⁠link⁠⁠⁠ to learn more.

    30 min
5
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

Are you a PA struggling with burnout, career overwhelm, or just life in general? Do you love your career some days and other days wonder what the heck you were thinking when you chose a career in medicine? Or maybe you’re a mom like me and find it impossible to “do it all." I created this podcast because I’ve been there, which is also why I became a life coach. I now help other PAs like you get off the struggle bus of burnout. The tips, tools, and talks in this podcast are exactly what I needed when I was burned out!

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada