Work–life balance isn’t a destination — it’s a feeling.

And according to executive life coach Rebecca Olson, that feeling is available to you even in the chaos of practicing medicine and parenting young kids. In this powerful, paradigm-shifting conversation, we unpack why so many clinicians feel overwhelmed, what’s actually happening inside your nervous system, and how to reclaim presence in the moments that matter most.Rebecca works with ambitious working parents — especially women — who want to go all in on their careers without sacrificing the relationships and values that matter most. Her approach blends mindset, emotional regulation, intentional decision-making, and practical tools you can implement immediately.

Inside this episode, we dig into:

✨ What “balance” really is (and why it’s not a time-management problem)

✨ Why your nervous system is running the show (and how to calm it in 30–120 seconds)

✨ The transition that makes or breaks your evenings as a working parent

✨ How to build boundaries that actually hold (even when it feels uncomfortable)

✨ Redefining success after becoming a parent

REBECCA OLSON COACHING https://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/

DAILY KICKSTART RESOURCE https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart

SPONSORS:

CM&F INSURANCE

www.cmfgroup.com/ThePAIsIn

Keywords: work-life balance, clinician burnout, nervous system regulation, emotional regulation tools, boundaries for clinicians, working parent mindset, Rebecca Olson coaching, PA wellness, presence practices, redefining success

This week on The PA Is In, we’re going behind the scenes of my experience with the PANRE-LA, the NCCPA’s longitudinal recertification exam. After recertifying the “old-school” way eight years ago — one long test, one long day, one giant burst of stress — I decided to try something totally different this cycle.

In this episode, I’m sharing why I chose the PANRE-LA, how the experience compares to the traditional PANRE, and what it’s actually like to be four quarters into the eight-quarter process. If you’re approaching your own recertification window — or just curious about how the PANRE-LA works — this is your honest, unfiltered look at the inside of the process.

Inside this episode:

• The biggest differences between the PANRE and the PANRE-LA (and why the 10-year cycle matters)

• Why I originally said no way to the PANRE-LA

• What changed my mind as a practicing PA, parent of five, and business owner

• My real-time lessons learned after completing four quarters

• How to avoid unnecessary stress and set yourself up for success

• Why this exam format better reflects modern clinical practice

• Quarterly deadlines you need to know: March 10, June 10, Sept 10, Dec 10
  

I’m sharing exactly how I schedule my questions, how I use (and don’t overuse) reference materials, what I’ve learned from the questions I missed, and why pacing makes the biggest difference in this process.

Whether you’re a fan of the all-at-once testing experience or you want something more flexible, I hope this episode gives you clarity, peace, and a sense of what’s possible for your own recertification season.

If you’ve taken — or are considering — the PANRE-LA, come tell me about your experience on LinkedIn or Instagram. I’d genuinely love to hear.

SPONSORS

⁠CM&F INSURANCE ⁠

⁠www.cmfgroup.com/ThePAIsIn⁠

PANRE-LA review, PANRE-LA vs PANRE, PA recertification, NCCPA longitudinal exam, physician associate recertification, PA boards update, PANRE study tips, PANRE-LA experience, PA career sustainability, PA exam schedule, PANRE-LA deadlines, PA learning assessment, PA board requirements, how to prepare for PANRE-LA, PA continuing certification, NCCPA PANRE-LA tips, PA exam strategies, longitudinal assessment for PAs

This Thanksgiving, take a deep breath with me. 🍂 In this reflective episode of The PA Is In, I’m sharing a story about a quiet morning, a warm cup of apple cinnamon tea, and a moment of awe that stopped me in my tracks.

We’ll unpack what awe really is — how it helps us regulate stress, reduce inflammation, and reconnect to the world around us — and how awe naturally flows into gratitude.

You’ll hear about the A.W.E. Method (Attention, Wait, Exhale) from the book The Power of Awe, and learn how gratitude literally rewires your brain to recognize joy faster than fear.

If you’re feeling tired, busy, or stretched thin, this episode is your permission slip to pause. To notice something beautiful. To exhale. And to let awe lead you to gratitude this season.

In this episode:

• A real-life story about slowing down and creating space for awe

• The science behind awe and its effects on stress and inflammation

• How gratitude reshapes your brain for empathy and resilience

• Simple ways to cultivate awe and gratitude in everyday life
  

Resources Mentioned:

• The Power of Awe by Jake Eagle & Michael Amster https://amzn.to/47mUVe3

• UC Berkeley (2018) Study on Awe & Inflammation https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25603133/

• USC (2017) Study on Gratitude & the Brain https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00599/full
  

Listen now and take one small, sacred moment for awe this Thanksgiving.

SPONSORS

CM&F INSURANCE

www.cmfgroup.com/ThePAIsIn

ADVANCED PRACTICE PLANNING⁠ ⁠https://www.advancedpracticeplanning.com/⁠

CONNECT

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠ ⁠⁠

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com⁠⁠

🎁 Bonus Freebie: Grab your free guide with 48 healthcare-specific side hustle ideas at 👉⁠ ⁠⁠tracybingaman.com/gig⁠

Keywords: awe and gratitude, awe method, power of awe, thanksgiving reflection, pa podcast, healthcare burnout recovery, stress relief for clinicians, gratitude and neuroscience, mindfulness for PAs, PA career sustainability, the PA Is In podcast