Episode #45: Are You Caught in the Physician Identity Trap?

I’m “only” a doctor, I don’t know how to do anything else! If you’ve had this thought or other limiting beliefs about your physician identity, this episode is for you. My guest, Family Physician, and NLP coach, Dr. Maiysha Clairborne, helps us explore how our physician identity can benefit us in the transition process and also how it can become a trap. We address four key questions to ask about your identity as a physician. Find out how to use your physician identity to your advantage and not let it trap you.

Dr. Maiysha Clairborne is an integrative family physician, and founder of Stress Free Mom MD, Next Level Physicians Academy, & the Mind Re-Mapping: NLP, Hypnosis, Time Line Therapy® & Coach Training Academy. With over 20 years experience, she is passionate about transforming the lives her medical colleagues, and being a voice for the thousands of burned out medical professionals who desire to step off the hamster wheel take back the reigns of their career & lives.

In this episode we’re talking about:

How the physician identity can be a roadblock
The benefits of our physician identity
How Dr. Maiysha Clairborne addressed her feelings around identity during her transition
4 questions to ask yourself
- What does the identity of being a physician mean to you?
- What is beneficial about your physician identity?
- How does this identity trap you or get in the way?
- What is a missing part of your identity you’d like to cultivate?
Transforming your white coat into a superpower cape

Links for this episode:

Dr. Maiysha Clairborne’s Website – Here you can learn more about her Mind Re-Mapping Academy and the personal coaching she does as well as her coach training program.

Dr. Maiysha’s LinkedIn Profile

Top 4 Career Roadblocks – Podcast Episode 33 – One of the four roadblocks discussed is the Identity Crisis.

The Black Mind Garden Podcast – hosted by Dr. Maiysha Clairborne

Thank you for listening!

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Heather Fork

2 Comments

Jennifer on September 16, 2021 at 9:16 pm

I LOVED everything about this episode – so many wonderful pearls of wisdom. Time for me to wear my technicolor cape!

Reply
- Heather Fork on September 16, 2021 at 11:51 pm
  
  You’re so sweet Jennifer! Thank you kindly. I’m really glad you found the episode helpful. Maiysha was such a wonderful guest to explore this topic of identity with me. Have fun flying with your technicolor cape!
  
  Reply

"Heather’s approach was great! She would listen to me and helped me appreciate who I am."

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- Modupe Oladeinde, MD

Family Medicine

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Family Medicine

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- Lynette Charity, MD

Anesthesiologist

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OB/Gyn physician

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Papillion, NE

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Orthopedic Surgeon

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Pathologist

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Colorectal Surgeon

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Emergency Medicine Physician

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Family Physician

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Endocrinologist and Life Coach

"Heather was my source of hope during a time when I felt stuck and confused. She gave me the permission and confidence to reach higher than I believed I could."

After graduating from residency and starting a family, I lost sight of why I became a physician. I struggled to convince myself to stay in a career that was clearly the wrong fit for me and my family. My anxiety about work was at an all-time high when I reached out to Heather. She provided something that my mentors, friends, and family could not – rather than just offering career advice, she changed the way I think about my life so that I could understand how my career would fit into it. I realized I wasn’t ready to give up on medicine and eventually found a job in academic medicine. I finally feel that excitement for medicine that I used to feel when I was in training. More importantly, I feel like I can be the role model to my young daughter who may one day also face similar challenges between career and family. Thank you, Heather, for all your kindness, support, and skillful coaching! The experience was life-changing!

- Yuri Shindo, MD

Internal Medicine Physician

"As a Physician, your personal and even professional needs are often overlooked. I learned how to prioritize my career goals by working with Dr. Heather Fork."

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Family Medicine

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Internal Medicine

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I am deeply grateful that I can continue my work in the emergency department and serve my community as a physician as well as a coach. Working with Heather was a transformative gift that enabled me to rediscover my true self, find clarity in my life's purpose, and unlock my full potential. Through her guidance, I not only reignited the powerful, confident, and bold version of myself I had lost sight of but also realized the boundless possibilities that lay ahead.

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Emergency physician and coach

"I'm so glad that I worked with Heather last year."

Making a career shift can be a lonely time, and Heather was there every step of the way with encouraging words. She helped me gain a better understanding of the breadth of careers available to physicians, as well as giving me the tools to make that leap possible. My life is better than I ever thought possible. I'm happier, healthier and doing work that I love. My only regret is that I didn't do this sooner.

Caitlin M.

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She quickly helped me recognize an area where I was limiting myself and encouraged me to explore new possibilities. Her sound and supportive guidance empowered me to take the next steps in launching my parent coaching services. I’m grateful for her support and highly recommend her expertise!

Reshma Shah MD, MPH

"Heather taught me that 'the truth will set you free'."

I sought Heather’s guidance after practicing outpatient internal medicine for many years, as it was getting difficult to balance my role as a clinician while meeting my needs and those of my family. After our first consultation, I felt like I was seen and heard for the first time in my career. Working with Heather helped me identify my strengths, weaknesses, fears, and goals, and ultimately guided me to a non-clinical role that better aligned with my needs and aspirations. I am deeply indebted to Heather for the impact she has had on my personal and professional development. She is one of the most influential people in my life and I continue to seek her guidance years after our initial encounter. She once said that “we are happiest and most successful when we are using our skills and abilities at their highest level.” Heather will help you discover your truth. Thank you for your incredible work and friendship!

Megan Leivant, MD

Internal Medicine