00:00:00 Dr. Michael Hersh, a gastroenterologist, coach for physicians, and founder of Better Physician Life, discusses the importance of being grateful for what one has instead of constantly chasing after what one wants. He uses the analogy of holding a kitten and looking at another cat that one desires, emphasizing the need to embrace the present and be appreciative of current blessings. Dr. Hersh also touches upon the "rival fallacy" that many doctors face, where they believe that achieving the next goal will bring them happiness. He encourages listeners to be happy and grateful in the present while still pursuing their goals, acknowledging the benefits of goal-setting but also the potential downside of constantly chasing the next achievement in the fast-paced lifestyle of being a physician.

00:05:00 The speakers discuss the importance of setting goals in preventing physician burnout. They argue that the lack of goal setting after completing medical training contributes to burnout as physicians forget that they can continue to set new goals for personal and professional growth. Dr. Cena Smith's perspective on the importance of continuous learning is highlighted, and the speakers agree that this helps reduce the urge for burnout. They emphasize the need for personal development alongside career growth, which often gets underemphasized. Dr. Hersh shares his personal experience of feeling stagnant in his career around five years after becoming an attending physician and how the long waitlist of patients, the pressure to see more patients, and a prolonged medical malpractice suit contributed to his feelings of burnout.

00:10:00 Dr. Hersh discusses how his professional life began to impact his fulfillment and enjoyment at work, leading him to explore physician coaching. He shares his skepticism towards the idea but felt compelled to try it due to his mounting challenges, including a malpractice suit and personal life events. One of the successes he found during this time was the Financial Independence Retirement Early (FIRE) movement, which encouraged him to focus on saving money and eventually leaving his practice. However, this also precipitated his burnout, as he worked harder without addressing the underlying issues. Dr. Hersh also mentions how exercise, particularly going to the gym, became an escape and a way to release anger, but without addressing the root causes, the burnout symptoms would return once he left the gym. The conversation touches on how physician burnout has become a more recognized issue in the professional community, but it was not a common term or concern decades ago.

00:15:00 In this section of the podcast episode titled "Physician Coaching & Moral Injury with Dr. Michael Hersh", Dr. Hersh discusses The Physicians Financial Summit hosted by Grand Vision Companies and the importance of financial preparation for physicians. He emphasizes that it's not just about getting financial advice but learning the exact playbook to retire prosperously. Dr. Hersh then shares his personal experience with physician burnout and the loss of autonomy in the medical profession, which he believes is a significant contributor to burnout. He explains that the changes in healthcare over the last few decades have led to a decrease in physician autonomy and fulfillment, making it essential to have conversations about solutions to prevent a worsening situation. The conversation touches upon the role of healthcare systems, medical schools, and physicians themselves in perpetuating the loss of autonomy.

00:20:00 Dr. Hersh discusses how the medical community's demonstration of employment opportunities in healthcare systems has influenced physicians' perception of their career options. He shares how, 25 years ago, the options were limited to employed academic physicians and private practice doctors. However, with the erosion of autonomy in various aspects of their roles, many physicians are seeking alternative ways to find fulfillment and maintain autonomy. Dr. Hersh explains how he got into physician coaching as a means to help doctors stay in medicine while maintaining some level of autonomy, even in an employed role. He shares his reluctance to explore coaching further after attending an open call, but how his wife's encouragement ultimately led him to pursue it.

00:25:00 Dr. Hersh shares his personal experience with resistance to coaching and how his wife's encouragement led him to eventually sign up for a program. He credits her for opening the door to a new perspective and discovering the value of coaching. During a one-on-one coaching call, Dr. Hersh realized where he was giving away his power and regained a sense of autonomy. The pivotal question, "if you don't do this, what will change?" led him to see hope and possibility, ultimately leading him to become a coach himself. When asked about the prevalence of female coaches coaching female physicians versus males, Dr. Hersh attributes it to the different experiences female physicians face during training, feeling the need to constantly prove themselves. He also notes that women generally have an easier time asking for help and admitting the need for change. These factors have contributed to the emergence of a supportive community for female physicians.

00:30:00 Dr. Michael Hersh explains the unique challenges male physicians face in balancing their careers and personal lives. He explains how male Physicians often see themselves as providers, leading them to prioritize work over family time. Dr. Hersh also touches upon the reluctance of men to ask for help and accept coaching, making it harder for them to improve. He shares his personal experience of hiring a coach and the vulnerability he felt after opening up about his work issues, which led to a significant transformation in his career.

00:35:00 Dr. Michael Hersh discusses the transformative power of coaching, which allows individuals to discover their own trajectory and focus on self-improvement rather than external solutions. He emphasizes that coaching is not about being forced to change but rather about guiding individuals to introspection and understanding their emotions. Dr. Hersh shares how coaching helped him address vulnerability issues and how he now approaches his practice by focusing on self-compassion, introspection, and feelings. He acknowledges that everyone's needs are different, and coaching conversations can be career, emotion, or financially focused. Dr. Hersh also introduces the concept of feelings and how everything we do is driven by emotions, emphasizing the importance of understanding and choosing our feelings to be in control of our lives.

00:40:00 In this section of the podcast episode "Physician Coaching & Moral Injury with Dr. Michael Hersh," Dr. Hersh discusses the importance of physicians being able to feel and process their emotions, particularly in the context of the demanding nature of their profession. He highlights the common practice of suppressing feelings, especially in male physicians, and the potential consequences of this, including burnout and moral injury. Dr. Hersh also introduces the concept of moral injury, which refers to showing up to work in a system that doesn't align with one's beliefs about how care should be provided. He emphasizes the significance of allowing oneself to feel and process emotions, especially after dealing with difficult situations, to prevent these issues from compounding and causing long-term harm.

00:45:00 Dr. Michael Hersh discusses the concept of Financial Independence and how it means more to him than just saving money. He explains that it's about finding alternative ways to generate income that don't solely rely on his identity as a physician. Dr. Hersh shares his personal journey towards Financial Independence and how he helps physicians in this area by exploring their comfort levels and reasons for their opinions. He emphasizes the importance of understanding one's goals and the tools or vehicles that can help achieve them, whether it's through the stock market, real estate, or other passive income sources. Dr. Hersh's coaching approach is to help individuals identify their desired outcomes and find the paths that lead to them.

00:50:00 Dr. Michael Hersh discusses the lack of financial literacy among physicians due to the focus on their medical identity for income generation. He shares his personal experience of being sold insurance products that weren't in his best interest and how a conversation with a friend led him to financial education. This discovery transformed his financial life, and now, he coaches physicians on finance to help them make informed decisions and align their goals with their actions. Dr. Hersh invites interested individuals to connect with him through his website, BetterPhysicianLife.com, where they can access free resources, blogs, and podcasts. He is also active on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram under the handle "Better Physician Life."

00:55:00 Dr. Michael Hersh discusses his plans for 2024, which includes continuing his work as a physician coach and becoming more comfortable with creating video content. He shares his journey of leaning into discomfort and finding the best ways to share his messages with others. The conversation ends with expressions of well-wishing and appreciation from both parties.