Hey Doc,

I’m back with another episode where I was dropping gems on another podcast.

I joined Dr. Diane Shannon on Vital Signs: Thriving as a Woman in Medicine to talk about something I think sits at the heart of so much burnout for physician moms: the definition of a "good mom."

Most of us inherited that definition without ever questioning it. Be there for everything. Do it yourself. Put everyone else's needs ahead of your own. Sacrifice without complaint.

The problem? That model was never built for women practicing medicine.

Medicine still rewards self-sacrifice. Motherhood often expects it. Put those two together, and it's no surprise so many physician moms feel like they're failing at both, even when they're doing an extraordinary job.

In this conversation, we unpack where these expectations come from, why physician moms experience them so intensely, and how creating your own definition of motherhood isn't selfish. It's necessary.

We also talk about the practical changes that can help you protect your wellbeing without sacrificing the career or family you've worked so hard to build.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why the traditional idea of the "good mom" sets physician moms up for burnout
• How medicine's culture of martyrdom amplifies guilt at home and at work
• The hidden costs of trying to do everything yourself
• Why redefining motherhood is one of the most important mindset shifts you can make
• Practical ways to prioritize yourself without feeling guilty

If you've ever felt like you're constantly falling short, despite giving everything you have, I hope this conversation reminds you that the problem isn't you.

It might just be the definition you've been trying to live up to.

🎧 Press play and let's redefine what being a good mom really means.

What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know!

Subscribe to ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube

Connect with me: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field.

If you are going through a transition -- becoming a parent, leaving a job, figuring out how manage it all, schedule a strategy coaching session and get clarity and strategic next steps for the life and career you want.

Strategy Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

One conversation can change your career. But first, you have to be willing to ask.

In this episode, I'm joined by my friend Dr. Kristine Goins on The Physician's Guide to Doctoring to talk about one of my favorite topics: asking.

Whether you're negotiating your contract, requesting a different schedule, asking for support at home, or advocating for yourself in medicine, the biggest obstacle usually isn't strategy. It's believing you're allowed to ask in the first place.

We talk about why physicians are conditioned to avoid asking, how to move through the fear of hearing "no," and why connecting to what you actually want changes every negotiation.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why asking is a skill every physician needs
• How medical culture teaches us to silence our own needs
• Reframing "no" as information instead of rejection
• The role of curiosity in successful negotiation
• Why your deepest desire matters more than negotiation scripts
• How to know if you're asking for enough
• A real example of negotiating a locums incentive by honoring your own value

A quick heads-up: Parts of this recording were unfortunately corrupted, and AI replaced portions of my voice during the editing process. It sounds a little strange in a few spots, but the conversation was too valuable not to share. Thanks for sticking with it.

If this episode makes you realize you've been settling for less than you need, I hope it reminds you that asking isn't selfish. It's a skill. And it's one worth practicing.

What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know!

Subscribe to ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube

Connect with me: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field.

If you are going through a transition -- becoming a parent, leaving a job, figuring out how manage it all, schedule a strategy coaching session and get clarity and strategic next steps for the life and career you want.

Strategy Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

Hey Doc—

One of the questions I've been asked the most over the past few months is, "Why did you leave medicine?"

The short answer is: I didn't leave medicine to do something else.

I left clinical practice because I found another way to serve physician moms.

In this episode, I share the story behind that decision, why coaching became my second calling, and why stepping away from practicing as an OB/GYN wasn't about walking away from patients. It was about expanding the impact I could have by helping physician moms build lives they actually enjoy living.

When a physician mom finds her voice, strengthens her marriage, leads with confidence, creates support at home, and rediscovers herself, the ripple effect reaches her family, her colleagues, and every patient she cares for.

That's why this work matters so much to me.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The real reason I stepped away from clinical medicine
• Why coaching physician moms became my life's work
• How supporting one physician mom creates a ripple effect far beyond one family
• Why I believe this work is an extension of medicine, not a departure from it
• What it means to find a second calling without letting go of the first

Looking back, I don't think I had two separate careers. I've always been committed to helping women thrive. The way I do that has changed, but the mission hasn't.

🎧 Listen now, and if you've ever wondered what happens when your purpose evolves, I hope this episode gives you a glimpse into mine.

What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know!

Subscribe to ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube

Connect with me: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field.

If you are going through a transition -- becoming a parent, leaving a job, figuring out how manage it all, schedule a strategy coaching session and get clarity and strategic next steps for the life and career you want.

Strategy Coaching Session with Dr. Toya