What happens when a ballerina becomes a physician and perfectionism fuels both identities?

In this deeply moving episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, we sit down with Dr. Kara Pepper, a primary care internist, executive coach, and former ballet dancer, to talk about perfectionism, burnout, eating disorders, and redefining success.

Highlights:

• Leaving home at age 13 to train at the Bolshoi Ballet
• Her transition into medicine and how perfectionism showed up again in a different form
• Struggles with burnout, eating disorders, and numbing through work and alcohol
• Her journey toward self-compassion and how she now helps high-achievers reclaim their lives

👤 About Dr. Kara Pepper:

Dr. Kara Pepper is a primary care internist, executive coach, and the founder of Micro Practice Mastermind, a community supporting physicians transitioning to solo practice. After 14 years in private practice, she built a multistate telemedicine practice focusing on adult care, particularly for patients with eating disorders.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Pepper hosts the It’s Not Just You podcast, which explores survival, humanism, and career sustainability.

🔗Connect with Dr. Kara Pepperr:

Website: https://karapeppermd.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-pepper-md-2555b42/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karapeppermd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karapeppermd/

🎙About the Host:

Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC, is a Dual board-certified physician with advanced training in integrative well-being, performance, and leadership development. She speaks and consults on perfectionism, sustainable success, and the well-being of high achievers.

This episode is part of her special book-writing project on unmasking perfectionism.

🔗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

❌ 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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How does perfectionism impact organizational well-being?

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Dr. Carrie Adair to unpack the toxic link between organizational wellness, perfectionism, burnout, and mental health.

Dr. Adair draws on cutting-edge research and real-world experience from healthcare to explain why perfectionism may actually be sabotaging your success, happiness, and well-being. From institutional culture to self-compassion, this episode offers practical tools for breaking free from perfectionistic thinking and creating a healthier, more human-centered work and life experience.

Topics Covered:

• The psychology of perfectionism
• Burnout in high-stress careers (especially healthcare)
• How leaders can build resilient workplace cultures
• The power of self-compassion as an antidote
• Perfectionism and mental health research you need to hear

👤 About Dr. Carrie Adair:

Dr. Carrie Adair is a social psychologist and former Assistant Director at the Duke Center for Healthcare Safety and Quality, where she led efforts to combat healthcare worker burnout and enhance resilience. With a PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill, her expertise lies in the science of well-being, institutional strategies for burnout prevention, and evidence-based tools to foster sustainable workplace cultures. Now working beyond Duke, Dr. Adair continues her mission to advance well-being in high-stress.

🔗Connect with Dr. Carrie Adair:

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/k-carrie-adair-phd-b3868913/

🎙About the Host:

Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC, is a Dual board-certified physician with advanced training in integrative well-being, performance, and leadership development. She speaks and consults on perfectionism, sustainable success, and the well-being of high achievers.

This episode is part of her special book-writing project on unmasking perfectionism.

🔗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

❌ 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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Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.
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What if perfectionism isn't just a mindset problem but a neurological one?

In this transformative episode of Success Reimagined, host Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Dr. Romie Mushtaq as they unravel the hidden connection between burnout, anxiety, and perfectionism and how to heal from the inside out.

Dr. Romie introduces the concept of "busy brain", a state driven by neuroinflammation and chronic stress, and outlines a science-backed protocol that has helped thousands of high achievers find clarity, focus, and peace. From redefining South Asian cultural expectations to dismantling internalized perfectionism, this conversation is raw, validating, and deeply liberating.

Together, they explore:

✅What the “Busy Brain” really is and why it’s not just anxiety or ADHD
✅Why perfectionism may actually stem from inflammation and ego, not just personality
✅The Busy Brain Test and how to score your stress levels
✅How cultural narratives impact South Asian women’s mental health and ambition
✅What it means to “define your own decade” and make your own life list
✅Why therapy isn’t weakness but a peak performance strategy

👤 About The Guest:

Dr. Romie Mushtaq is a triple board-certified physician in neurology, integrative medicine, and mindfulness, blending the power of science with the wisdom of holistic healing. She is the founder of the BrainSHIFT Institute and currently serves as the Chief Wellness Officer at Great Wolf Resorts, where she leads mental and physical wellness initiatives for over 12,000 employees.

A sought-after keynote speaker and corporate wellness strategist, Dr. Romie has helped Fortune 500 companies and global organizations address burnout, optimize brain health, and elevate leadership performance. She is also the author of the USA Today and Amazon bestselling book, The Busy Brain Cure, which presents a groundbreaking protocol to heal chronic stress and reclaim focus, energy, and emotional resilience.

Her expertise has been featured on NPR, NBC, TEDx, and in Forbes, but what makes her message resonate is her lived experience—recovering from professional burnout and rediscovering her purpose. With compassion, clarity, and science-backed insight, Dr. Romie empowers high achievers to silence the noise, align with their purpose, and lead with both heart and brain.

🔗Connect with Dr. Romie:

💻 Website: https://drromie.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drromie/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drromie/

🎙About the Host:
Dr. Amna Shabbir is a Dual Board-certified Physician, Master Certified Coach, Professional Speaker, Employee Wellness Strategist, Mental Health Advocate, and Super Mom. She empowers high achievers to redefine success and create sustainable well-being via coaching, speaking, and virtual programs. Dr.Shabbir is the Founder of Amna Shabbir Wellness Coaching and the Early Career Physicians Institute®.

This episode is part of her special book-writing project on unmasking perfectionism.

🔗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

❌ 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.

What happens when you chase perfection in a world that demands flawlessness, especially as a South Asian woman?

In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, host Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Nishat Uddin, founder of Brown Girls Health and South Asian Care, to unpack the cultural, personal, and professional layers of perfectionism. Nishat shares her journey of veering off the traditional career path, navigating community pressures, and redefining what success and mental health support mean on her own terms.

From breaking the silence around therapy to creating culturally compassionate health platforms, Nishat’s story will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt the weight of doing everything “right” just to feel “enough.”

Together, they explore:

✅The hidden cost of being the “perfect” South Asian woman
✅ How societal and family expectations shape our careers, mental health, and self-worth
✅ Nishat’s turning point that led her to leave PR and launch her advocacy work
✅ The stigma around therapy in South Asian households—and how that’s finally changing
✅ What success looks like when it’s not tied to external validation
✅ How South Asian Care is making healthcare more inclusive and culturally aware

👤 About The Guest:

Nishat Uddin is a South Asian health advocate and the founder of Brown Girls Health and South Asian Care. With a background in public relations and a passion for culturally compassionate care, Nishat is on a mission to break the silence around mental health, body image, and wellness within underrepresented communities. After becoming a VP at a top global PR firm before age 30, Nishat pivoted toward purpose-driven work, creating platforms that amplify South Asian voices and connect individuals to health providers who truly understand their cultural context. Through her advocacy, she is redefining what success and self-worth look like beyond societal expectations.

🔗Connect with Nishat:
💻 Website: https://southasiancare.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishatkuddin/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southasiancare/

🎙About the Host:
Dr. Amna Shabbir is a Dual Board-certified Physician, Master Certified Coach, Professional Speaker, Employee Wellness Strategist, Mental Health Advocate, and Super Mom. She empowers high achievers to redefine success and create sustainable well-being via coaching, speaking, and virtual programs. Dr.Shabbir is the Founder of Amna Shabbir Wellness Coaching and the Early Career Physicians Institute®.

This episode is part of her special book-writing project on unmasking perfectionism.

🔗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

❌ 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.

What if your greatest impact as a physician isn't inside the exam room but beyond it?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Dr. Kevin Pho, the founder of KevinMD.com, one of the most influential healthcare platforms in the world. Together, they explore the hidden cost of perfectionism, the cultural roots of overachievement, and what it means to redefine success as a clinician.

Dr. Pho opens up about his immigrant upbringing, the emotional toll of medicine, and how his platform, which started as a simple blog, became a home for thousands of vulnerable physician stories. Whether you're in healthcare or not, this conversation is about legacy, leadership, and the courage to be imperfect.

Together, they explore:

✅The cultural roots of perfectionism in immigrant and Asian-American households
✅Why many high-achieving physicians feel isolated despite external success
✅What it means to build a platform that gives voice to thousands of clinicians
✅Why redefining success is essential for longevity and joy in medicine

👤 About the Guest:
Dr. Kevin Pho is a board-certified internal medicine physician and the founder of KevinMD.com, one of the most influential physician voices in healthcare. Since 2004, he has built a platform that amplifies the stories of thousands of clinicians, creating space for the emotional, unspoken, and human side of medicine. Featured in major outlets like CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, Dr. Pho is also the host of The Podcast by KevinMD, where he continues to elevate conversations around healthcare, physician wellness, and patient advocacy. His work bridges medicine and media, championing a more honest, connected, and compassionate healthcare system.

🔗Connect with Dr.Pho:
💻 Website: https://kevinmd.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmd/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinphomd/

🎙About the Host:
Dr. Amna Shabbir is a Dual Board-certified Physician, Master Certified Coach, Professional Speaker, Employee Wellness Strategist, Mental Health Advocate, and Super Mom. She empowers high achievers to redefine success and create sustainable well-being via coaching, speaking, and virtual programs. Dr.Shabbir is the Founder of Amna Shabbir Wellness Coaching and the Early Career Physicians Institute®.

This episode is part of her special book-writing project on unmasking perfectionism.

🔗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

❌ 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.

You’ve worked so hard to be successful, but do you actually know how to enjoy it?

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Hala Sabry—ER physician, mother of five, and founder of the Physician Moms Group (PMG) and the National Women Physicians Day—to explore the complex relationship women have with perfectionism, identity, and success.

Dr. Sabry opens up about her journey from being a people-pleasing perfectionist to embracing her power and how letting go of societal expectations allowed her to build one of the most impactful communities in modern medicine. With raw honesty, she discusses shame, cultural pressures, parenting as an immigrant daughter, and how to own your success without apology.

Together, they explore:

✅Your success is worth celebrating, not surviving.
✅Letting go of “perfect” might be your biggest power move.
✅Knowing what you don’t know is wisdom, not failure.
✅ How to build and enjoy your successful legacy.

👤 About the Guest:
Dr. Hala Sabry is a board-certified emergency medicine physician, mother of five (including two sets of twins), founder of the 113,000+ member Physician Moms Group, and the creator of National Women Physicians Day. She’s also a council member for the National Women’s History Museum and a passionate advocate for women in leadership, wellness, and equity.

🔗Connect with Hala:
💻 Website: https://halasabry.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-b-hill-7093ab4/
💙Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/halahsabry
🩺 PMG Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PhysicianMomsGroup/

🎙About the Host:
Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC, is a Dual board-certified physician with advanced training in integrative well-being, performance, and leadership development. She speaks and consults on perfectionism, sustainable success, and the well-being of high achievers.

This episode is part of her special book-writing project on unmasking perfectionism.

🔗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

❌ 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.

What if the most powerful thing you could say is simply, “I don’t know”?

In this inspiring and deeply honest conversation, Amanda Hill, JD—healthcare attorney and advocate for physicians—joins Dr. Amna Shabbir to share her journey with perfectionism. From striving to be the perfect mom and professional to realizing the price of always needing to “get it right,” Amanda opens up about the toll that perfectionism takes and how humor, self-compassion, and embracing imperfection became her superpowers.

Together, they explore:

✅ The hidden fears driving perfectionism
✅How perfectionism masks impostor syndrome
✅Amanda’s pivotal motherhood and legal career lessons
✅ Why saying “I don’t know” can be powerful and freeing
✅ The difference between healthy striving and self-sabotage
✅ How humor and humanity heal our perfectionist patterns
✅ Amanda’s #1 advice for high achievers who feel stuck

👤 About the Guest:
Amanda Hill is a seasoned healthcare attorney, writer, and passionate advocate for physicians with over 23 years of experience in the medical-legal field. She began her career working for the U.S. government defending large hospitals. She later served as general counsel for a multi-specialty group and a federally qualified health center in Austin, Texas. In 2015, Amanda founded Hill Health Law Group, where she specializes in representing physicians in contract negotiations, compliance, and practice management. She’s also the creator of Guard My Practice, a video platform designed to help doctors navigate legal challenges with confidence. Amanda is the author of key legal manuals for the Texas Medical Association and is known for her sharp legal mind, heartfelt advocacy, and signature humor.

🔗Connect with Amanda:
💻 Website: https://www.amandabhill.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-b-hill-7093ab4/

🎙About the Host:
Dr. Amna Shabbir is a Dual Board-certified Physician, Master Certified Coach, Professional Speaker, Employee Wellness Strategist, Mental Health Advocate, and Super Mom. She empowers high achievers to redefine success and create sustainable well-being via coaching, speaking, and virtual programs. Dr.Shabbir is the Founder of Amna Shabbir Wellness Coaching and the Early Career Physicians Institute®.

This episode is part of her special book-writing project on unmasking perfectionism.

🔗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

❌ 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.

What does it take to fail the right way?

In this high-energy conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with powerhouse motivational speaker and sales coach Larry Long Jr. to unpack what it really means to "Lead Loud." Together, they dive into how leaders can unlock joy even in the middle of burnout, foster deep human connection in high-performing environments, and find personal healing in the act of helping others rise.

Together, they explore:
✅Why “Leading Loud” is a way of being, not just a strategy
✅How Larry overcame career setbacks and found purpose through people
✅The difference between joy and happiness, and why leaders need both
✅How to reframe failure and create a culture of growth and trust
✅Practical tools to reset your mindset when you're spiraling
✅Why coaching beats managing in every industry
✅How to infuse faith, energy, and humanity into your leadership

👤 About the Guest:
Larry Long Jr. is a high-energy keynote speaker, sales coach, and the CEO of LLJR Enterprises. Known for his signature microphones, contagious positivity, and unapologetic authenticity, Larry helps individuals and teams unlock peak performance through mindset, motivation, and meaningful connection. He is a former Division I baseball player turned corporate sales leader and is the author of “JOLT! Get Zapped into Intentionality: Rediscover and Believe in Your Inner Greatness”, a playbook for living and leading with purpose.

🔗Connect with Larry:
💻 Website: https://larrylongjr.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/longjr7/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longjr7
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtHsbn_-WhhtnEtCksm-UhA/videos

🎙About the Host:
Dr. Amna Shabbir is a Dual Board-certified Physician, Master Certified Coach, Professional Speaker, Employee Wellness Strategist, Mental Health Advocate, and Super Mom. She empowers high achievers to redefine success and create sustainable well-being via coaching, speaking, and virtual programs. Dr.Shabbir is the Founder of Amna Shabbir Wellness Coaching and the Early Career Physicians Institute®.
This episode is part of her special book-writing project on unmasking perfectionism.

🔗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

❌ 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.