No more settling for small
"You're just here because you couldn't get into medicine."
This is what our physiology professor said to our class of chiropractors on the first day. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't let it get to me.
I'd be lying if I said I stood up for myself, or brushed off his comments as unfair or ignorant. I'd be lying if I said I used his comments to fuel me towards what I already wanted.
I did none of those things.
Instead, I let the wave of shame wash over me and vowed to change my career to something that people actually respected. To change to something that would prove to people like him that I was smart enough.
And so I decided to exactly that - pursue a career in medicine.
This trend of making decisions based on other people's perceptions and judgement was not new, nor did it stop there.
For the majority of my life and career, I would do things like...
Keep quiet even when I knew the answer to a question because I didn't want to be seen as a "know-it-all" or "show-off"
Think I did something wrong when I asked course instructors or lecturers questions they couldn't answer and they'd get frustrated or tell me I was "overthinking things"
Let people make racist comments in my practice because they assumed my whiteness meant I agreed, and I didn't want to make them uncomfortable by speaking up
Tone down my enthusiasm and curiosity about "self-development" and "deep" topics because I didn't want to seem uncool
Allow people to interrupt me, speak over me or answer questions for me (even questions that were literally questions ABOUT me 🙄)
If you know my story you'll know that I, in fact, did NOT end up pursuing medicine or any other more "respected" profession. In fact, after working as a chiropractor for almost a decade, I ended up pivoting to something that's arguably less respected and that you don't even need a degree for (i.e. coaching).
And I've never been happier, more comfortable in my own skin or more sure of my purpose.
And that brings me to what I wanted to say today. I believe that what I'm doing now is my way of contributing to the greater good. That it's my highest form of service and activism.
So, while you won't find me in the hospital saving lives, here is my commitment to you and to the world:
Not under my watch will clinicians hold back from bringing their brilliance to the world because the world might see them as arrogant or a "know-it-all".
Never in my coaching will I allow a clinician to dismiss her strengths because they're not things that are typically celebrated in the world.
Never will I sit back and watch as clinicians are shamed or judged because their unique service to the world isn't measured as "successful" in the world's eyes.
Not under my watch will quiet, sensitive, deep-thinking clinicians keep themselves small and let the "big boys" run the show.
And no longer will I let perfectionism, people-pleasing and imposter syndrome stop a clinician from making big moves in the world.
Nope. Not under my f@%! watch.
I truly believe that courageous, whole-hearted & deeply healthy clinicians change the world.
So I hope you will use this nudge to remind yourself that your strengths and passions MATTER.
That you thriving MATTERS.
No matter what that looks like, and who happens to approve.
