Your real life is your best marketing plan if you know how to use it.
Allison Lane and award-winning author and physician Dr. Mimi Zieman break down what it really looks like to build your author platform from lived experience … not guesswork.
From treating frozen limbs on Everest to launching her memoir at 60+, Dr. Zieman shares how to stop waiting, start marketing smart, and reframe success on your terms. If you’ve been putting off your book - or second-guessing whether your story is big enough, this conversation is your sign to stop minimizing your journey and start building your legacy.
3 Key Takeaways From This Episode:
- Your Story Is Already Powerful - Why your lived experience is your unfair advantage and how to own it.
- Marketing Doesn’t Have to Be a Mystery - Reverse engineer your reader’s journey and reach the right audience without burning out.
- Visibility Starts with You - The mindset shifts that help women claim space as authors (without waiting for permission).
Resources Mentioned:
- Dr. Mimi’s Website: mimiziemanmd.com
- Dr. Mimi Zieman’s book Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor's Unlikely Adventure https://bookshop.org/a/55773/9781493078431
- Book Reco: Life Worth Living - A Guide to What Matters Most https://bookshop.org/a/55773/9780593489307
Timestamps:
- [00:04:00] Why you’re more ready than you think.
- [00:10:00] Body wisdom and gut instinct in authorship.
- [00:21:00] Turning risk into writing resilience.
- [00:30:00] Connecting to your real voice as a writer.
- [00:37:00] Taking up space, unapologetically.
Share this episode with someone who’s waiting to be ready. Then remind them: they already are.
And don’t forget to subscribe + leave a review - it helps more people turn their wisdom into legacy-building books.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Dr. Mimi (00:00):
The brain processes 11 million bits of information a
(00:03):
minute, but only 40 to 50 bitsof that are our conscious minds.
That includes things likeswallowing, right?
The body is doing stuff that wedon't have to think about.
But I think our body isexperiencing life.
Our body has memories.
Our body may be thinking in wayswe don't know how it is.
Allison (00:48):
Welcome back to the Author's Edge.
I am your host, Allison Lane.
And you know what?
I'm here for you.
know why you're here, becauseyour book is coming out and you
want it to be a success on doingair bunnies.
If you can't see me, if you'renot watching on YouTube, because
a success is whatever you deem.
And you do have to decide inadvance what success is
(01:11):
otherwise, no matter what kindof big or small or meaningful
that happen for you in yourbook.
You won't recognize it andtherefore you won't be
celebrating.
You won't see yourself as asuccess.
So even if you are thinking Ishould have really right about
that experience I had in mytwenties and like me, you're in
(01:36):
your fifties or sixties.
You can do that now and I wantyou to know that you are
thinking, I do have a story totell and I just dunno how to get
it out there.
Please get in touch.
what I'm here for.
You can hit the link in the shownotes, send me a text and tell
(01:57):
me what you need.
You can also obviously email meat my allison@lanelit.com.
I see them right away and I willemail you back.
Today, we're gonna be talking tosomeone who is super phenomenal
and we've had to reschedule acouple times because probably
(02:18):
because of my schedule and mykid having strep or something.
What I want you to put before Iintroduce her, just think about
the extraordinary things thatyou've done in your life that
you don't tell people about.
And that you maybe don't thinkabout all at once.
(02:41):
I want you to think about whatif you could make sure that the
lessons that you've learned inyour life, in your adventures,
in your trials and tribulationsthat you were giving them to
people because they too couldlearn or connect.
Well, that's what Dr.
(03:01):
Mimi Zieman has done with herbook, tap Dancing on Everest.
A young doctor's unlikelyadventure.
If you can see this, if you'relooking on YouTube, that is her
on Everest in tap shoes.
And somehow happy, even thoughshe's so cold.
Now, Mimi is an OBGYN, she's aphysician, but also a fearless
(03:26):
advocate for women and women'shealth and reproductive rights.
Yay.
And an award-winning author fromdelivering Care on Everest to
launching a memoir at over 50.
I don't exactly know how old sheis.
She's not 20 saying, I've alwayswanted to be an author, like
(03:50):
we've all wanted to be anauthor, but she's here talk
about saying yes through thefear, find purpose in the
adventure that we all are havingin this party called life.
And how storytelling can reallyheal us, but also connect us.
(04:11):
So, please give me someapplause, but you don't really
need to.
If your hands are on the wheeland you're going down the
highway, 10 and two.
Just help me welcome Dr.
Mimi Zieman.
I'm so excited that you're here.
Mimi, we're gonna hop right inbecause I want to get to
something right away that peopledon't talk about.
(04:32):
And then they're super humble,which you know how I feel about
that.
It's boring.
So, let's start with all theawards your book has won.
I mean, tell me about the awardlike submission process and how
they tell you about it and howyou frame that in your head.
Dr. Mimi (04:57):
That's funny.
As you write the book, the innerasshole between your ears is
very strong.
And I have a strong internalcritic.
So, of course, some externalvalidation feels nice.
Also because these awards, theydon't know you.
They're getting random booksfrom a lot of people.
(05:18):
And I like that about theseawards because a lot of the
literary world is about who youknow to get connections, to get
reviews.
That's a whole thing I didn'tknow.
So, it's nice that smallAuthor's like me have an
opportunity to submit to somethings where they can
objectively look at all theirsubmissions and give some
(05:42):
awards.
Allison (05:44):
Okay, let's reframe small authors like me.
You are a big epic deal.
Okay.
Let me reframe that for you.
You are an award-winning author,a celebrated doctor, an
O-B-G-Y-N, and an advocate forwomen's health.
(06:04):
I think there's nothing smallabout you at all.
And if you you need me once aweek, so I can tell you.
Dr. Mimi (06:11):
I that do, Allison.
Can I call?
Allison (06:13):
Great.
You have my number and you cantext me.
Whenever you need a kick in thetookus.
Because you are such a badass.
And then, the thing about badassis they never think their own
bad Assery is something that isextraordinary.
That extraordinary doesn't meanoh, spectacular and you you
(06:36):
should be a celebrity, it's justthat it's extra and not the
ordinary.
It's not ordinary to leavemedical school and be like, time
out.
I'm gonna go, I'm gonna be onEverest for a while.
I'll be right back.
Most people don't do thatbecause you've said yes to some
intimidating things.
(06:57):
Everest being one, and I'm gonnashake your book at you with
Everest for one tap, dancing onEverest.
And also taking tap shoes toEverest and you have
multicolored awesome leggings onand you look happy even you are
cold.
(07:17):
Though I'll get out, I'm sureand that that would make me very
grumpy.
But also your advocacy, beingout in front, and then
publishing a book which isintimidating to a lot of people.
A lot of people leave that ontheir dream list and they don't
move it to their goal list.
(07:38):
And we know what happens aboutdreams, they filter away.
You have to move it to your goalcolumn'cause a goal you can work
toward.
So yeah.
And.
you move forward through thatfear or self-doubt?
Dr. Mimi (07:52):
Yes.
And I just wanna add thatpublishing a memoir in
particular is scary becauseyou're really putting your
personal out there.
And I am someone who likes tomore hide and be in the
background.
And I've thought a lot aboutthis.
What pushes me forward is if I'mpassionate about something and I
feel it in my body, in my gut,when I will face fear and do
(08:12):
something, something internal isdriving me.
I don't do things to check offthe list, you should do this.
Allison (08:19):
Right
Dr. Mimi (08:19):
'cause then I wouldn't, I would just wanna
give up.
Like it wouldn't be like alignedwith my heart and soul as I say.
Allison (08:25):
Yeah.
Dr. Mimi (08:26):
So it's really when you have a passion, and this is
so interesting, Allison, becauseI thought about this a lot when
I was writing the book'cause thebody is so important in my story
and that gut instinct and justthe body is how I got strength
through dance and throughhiking.
And then the body.
I choose to take care of otherpeople's bodies to become a
physician.
(08:47):
And when I think about that gutinstinct driving me, listen to
this, you'll love this fact.
The brain processes 11 millionbits of information a minute,
but only 40 to 50 bits of thatare conscious thought.
And it's our unconscious that'sexperiencing the world too.
And so much of that may be wiserthan we are in any particular
(09:11):
moment.
So when I listen to that bodytelling me something, I think it
can bring you to theseunexpected experiences if we're
willing to listen.
Allison (09:22):
Yes.
Oh my gosh.
Tell me that stat again.
So, 40 bits.
Dr. Mimi (09:29):
So the brain processes 11 million bits of information a
minute, but only 40 to 50 bitsof that are our conscious minds.
So a lot of that includes thingslike swallowing, right?
The body is doing stuff that wedon't have to think about.
But I think our body isexperiencing life.
(09:49):
Our body has memories.
Our body may be thinking in wayswe don't know how it is.
So, when our body has a gutinstinct, there may be a reason
for it that you don'tconsciously understand or know.
I knew my gut instincts told meI needed to be in the mountains,
more than anything else.
(10:10):
And I was gonna work to getthere
Allison (10:13):
Wow.
Dr. Mimi (10:14):
The first time when I went hiking alone in Nepal at
22.
And the second time when I said,okay, yes, I wanna be the
expedition doctor.
Even though I was a little babymedical student who was
terrified of taking on that kindof responsibility.
Allison (10:29):
I wanna reframe the 50 bits versus the 11 million bits
because there are are 50 dropsof water in a spoon.
Like a teaspoon of water.
It's 50 drops.
There are 11 million gallons ofwater in an Olympic pool.
Wait, that's not exactly right.
(10:51):
Like just think of bucks in yourwallet 11 million in your bank
account.
You can't carry 11 million bucksaround.
But if I had 51, so I'd be like,Ooh, stash.
But you be surrounded$11,000,001bills.
I'd be like dollar bills y'all.
That be enough to fill multiplesuitcases, right?
(11:12):
Lots and lots.
And I think that's incredible.
Because even though, example ofthe swallowing.
If you are intimidating, eventhe swallowing is hard.
Dr. Mimi (11:25):
You don't wanna be conscious of that.
You wanna let your unconscioustake care of that.
And you know, I think what I'velearned through this year of
book talks, I've gotten somequestions that have really
stumped me.
What if I've never felt a gutinstinct and I'd be like, oh, I
have something new to thinkabout.
And there's research into thisthat puts it all together also.
(11:48):
There are what I think if you'venever felt that or if you don't
know what I'm talking about,we're talking about intuition.
We're talking about experience,disguises, instinct.
But there are ways to get moreconnected to the body.
That's what this wholemindfulness movement is about.
And the ways that they recommendare literally what I organically
(12:09):
did when I went hiking in Nepal,being in nature, being in
solitude, journaling yourthoughts gets you closer to your
authentic self.
When you're closer to yourauthentic self, you're gonna
feel some of those messagesmore.
And another thing, thisresearcher I came across Erika
Bailey says, is thinking aboutyourself with self-compassion.
(12:31):
We started at our talk.
I'm not always so great at that.
But what she gives examples arethinking about things you've
done and saying, maybe I couldhave done better.
We're all humans.
We make mistakes.
I can try something else.
When you're looking at yourselfthat way, compassionately,
you're also connecting with yourdeeper self more.
(12:52):
Anything you do like that helpsyou connect with your deeper
self is going to help your bodyand mind, I think come together.
Allison (13:01):
So, be in nature, journal, solitude, and you're
not saying solitude while you'relistening to a podcast
Dr. Mimi (13:09):
No.
Exactly.
Allison (13:10):
Taylor Swift.
Dr. Mimi (13:11):
Exactly.
And writing and even talkingwith friends where you're
processing stuff in a real,genuine, and compassionate way.
Allison (13:19):
Yeah.
I learned so much from you everytime we talk, Dr.
Mimi.
When you were practicingmedicine on Everest and
advocating for people, becausewere everyone's guardian, angel
and healer, and protector,really.
How did that empower your voicewhen you came back home to be an
(13:47):
advocate and a physician?
'cause I know you had some mindblowing moments on Everest, but
like sometimes people leave thatpersona behind oh, that was me
on the mountain.
But now I'm gonna go back intomy spot into my role.
And it doesn't seem like you didthat.
Dr. Mimi (14:05):
Yeah, I think being an advocate and using your voice,
especially in today's world,when everyone wants to cancel
you requires some bad assery touse your word.
And I think I do it because it'svalues driven, right?
I believe in it.
Then, I need to do it, right?
My father taught me that as aHolocaust survivor.
He always used his voice for theworld to be better.
(14:29):
And on the mountain, a couplethings happened.
I was having a lot of conflictin medical school.
I found it very hard.
I found on the mountain takingcare of my teammates who were
near death was just gave me sucha lift, like it was such a
privilege to be there for them.
Like it really gave me newpurpose in medicine.
And then, when I tried to use myvoice to help them get evacuated
(14:53):
more quickly, I had to shout atthe Chinese which was not a
smart move maybe, and didn'treally work.
But it made me realize I coulddo that, I could do that.
And my lifelong dream was alwaysto be an advocate for women.
Which is why I did go into OBGYN, which is why I have done a
(15:16):
lot of advocacy for reproductiverights and things.
Allison (15:19):
So, you are practicing medicine, you're advocating for
your teammates are climbingEverest and you're really having
to be their healers, theirguides, their protectors, and
empower them to achieve.
But also protect them from thething that maybe is going to
(15:41):
harm them.
And you had to go head to headwith some people who would
disagree with you.
And you were the only woman inthat group, which must have been
even well, I know from readingyour book, which I'm gonna shake
at people.
I know from reading your book.
In my kitchen and read it inlike speed, Reddit in one
(16:01):
morning half of the time I wasjust standing up'cause I
couldn't put it.
I was like, why am I stillstanding up?
But I didn't wanna stop.
You had all this and you reallyfound your purpose.
But then so many people, whenthey had a moment like that,
then it doesn't translate backto their real lives.
They go back into their box ortheir role.
(16:25):
But I want you to talk about howthat empower you to have that
voice and how you came backbigger.
Dr. Mimi (16:34):
Well, I think the more you flex that courage muscle,
the easier it becomes to do nexttime for sure.
When I left for the expedition,I was having a tough time in med
school.
It was hard.
It wasn't the dream life Iwanted to be living at that
moment.
And on the mountain, I had totake care of my teammates who
were near death and I found thatto be an incredible privilege
(16:58):
and it gave me new purpose inmedicine.
Then, we had the situation wherethey were not getting evacuated
in a timely fashion.
And I had, I was so frustrated,I screamed at the Chinese.
This was still during communistChina.
Not a smart move.
Didn't really help us get outquicker.
But I call it like finding myvoice because I wasn't
(17:19):
intimidated and I was gonna dowhat I needed to do to help get
these men to healthcare.
And you know, it sort of alignswith my purpose to be an
advocate'cause my father was aHolocaust survivor.
It was really important to himto always use his voice to try
to make the world a betterplace.
So, when I got home from theexpedition, I did choose
(17:39):
O-B-G-Y-N'cause it was always mydream to advocate for women.
And that's what I've done as areproductive rights advocate.
And it's never easy, especiallyin today's world where everyone
wants to cancel you.
I always use that there's aJewish phrase if not me, who?
If not now, when?
(18:00):
So, I always say, I have thisknowledge and skills, so if not
me, who?
I've gotta do it, it's myresponsibility.
Allison (18:07):
That's meaningful and I am tearing up.
But I also wanna see, I wannashow you this, that I keep on my
desk.
It says, I don't know if you cansee it.
It says, if I die tomorrow, whowill help women get their books
published, get their bookspitched, and published and
(18:28):
launched and promoted andbeyond.
That this is my purpose.
This is 25 years of Fortune 50work, like promoting products.
I don't care about launchinganother deodorant anymore.
This is why I am here becausewomen account for one book in
(18:50):
10.
That is bad shit.
And we're busy taking care ofother people and we wanna make
sure everybody's taken care of.
And if I hear one more time,over the summer, or I'll take a
sabbatical, or when the kids areout of the house, I'll have
time.
No one will ever not need you.
Especially, if you're therestanding like a servant.
(19:13):
It's the same thing that happensat Thanksgiving when the moms
are in the kitchen.
Like, does everybody have whatthey need?
Does anybody need seconds beforeI have my first?
Crap! Just sit down and eat.
Somebody else can get theirbutter.
Right?
Dr. Mimi (19:26):
Funny.
It's true though.
And I didn't know that statisticof only one in 10 books are by
women.
But also the industry likes topigeonhole.
Who's your target audience?
Who's this book for?
And now, that I've been out withmy book, it's so much broader
than, I have so many men comingto my book talks and relating to
(19:46):
my story where you could callthis a woman's empowerment
story.
It's a people's empowermentstory.
Allison (19:51):
Right?
Dr. Mimi (19:52):
And I guess always wanted to break out of that box
too.
Allison (19:56):
Yeah.
When we oh, big reveal.
Mimi as a client, I helped herenvision what her launch was
gonna be like and what she wasgonna talk about, and make sure
she had everything that sheneeded to feel powerful and
capable and freaking awesomebecause she is.
When you were envisioning whatyou would be talking about I
(20:19):
remember us talking aboutadventure.
And women telling their stories,but we also especially after I
read it, but still just meetingyou.
We talked about resilience andit's not about the plot.
You know, what?
Not only am I not gonna go toEverest, I'm not even going to
go skiing.
(20:39):
I do not, being cold and sweatyat the same time.
I will be in the lodge.
That sounds terrible.
But am a delicate flower.
But your message of resilienceis one that I just feel like is
my armor.
(21:00):
So, your storytelling and you'rehelping people, especially me
because that's what we careabout here is just, how am I
feeling?
Help me understand that all ofthese adventures that we all go
on in life, whether they'remicro or macro adventures.
Help you process become the nextversion of yourself.
(21:25):
So, my question for you is this.
What has been result of yourresilience message and what has
that unlocked you know, in thepeople you meet?
I hesitate to say your audience'cause that makes it sound like
it's one big thing.
But in each person, in eachreader.
Dr. Mimi (21:45):
Yeah.
That I don't think we talk aboutthat enough.
You work so hard on a book, butit's when it's out in the world
and you hear what readers aretaking from your story, that
you're just full of gratitudeand just connection with them.
I just did a book club lastnight.
And you know, what?
People wanna come over to youand tell you how they related to
(22:07):
your book, how their story.
I've had everything from someonesaying, I'm a 300 pound black
woman, but when you wrote aboutyour body, you were writing
about me.
And then, she said, I was onvacation last week and I really
wanted a jet ski.
And I thought, they're gonnalaugh at me.
Who's that fat lady on the jetski?
(22:28):
And I was reading your book andI said, Hey, she did that.
I can do this.
And it was one of the bestexperiences of my life.
That what could be better thanthat?
What could be better than that?
Allison (22:39):
Just sob through your own book events.
Dr. Mimi (22:43):
No, it's, it's so from the smallest things like a man
was afraid he had to move homeswithin the same city.
But really didn't want thatchange in his life.
And he realized, yeah, I canchange, I can evolve, I can do
this next thing that will behard for me.
I read your book and I felt thatway.
(23:03):
I felt like I can do this.
It's such different kinds ofpeople relating to different
parts of the story, but gettingthat message, which was the most
important thing to me is thateven when you're afraid, even
when you're not excited aboutchange, even when you feel
vulnerable and exposed andscared.
You can do it.
(23:25):
And it's gonna be hard, butthere's the other side of it.
There's all the ways you'regonna grow from that.
There's the new opportunitiesyou're gonna get you don't even
know about you.
And when we don't take therisks, the question is, what are
you missing out on?
People don't think about that asmuch.
If I do, just stay here in mylittle comfortable place.
(23:46):
What did I just not experience?
Instead of focusing on, if I dothat scary thing, oh my God,
what's gonna happen to me?
What's gonna happen to you ifyou don't do it?
Allison (23:55):
Oh my gosh.
So I'm full body chills forsure.
And what this makes me think ofis not just also, taking that
going on the jet ski or learningto ride a horse over 50 or
writing and publishing yourmemoir, 25 however many years
(24:17):
after the fact.
It's not like.
Dr. Mimi (24:18):
36.
Allison (24:19):
36.
I can't do math.
I have a journalism degree.
And yet you felt called to putthis out there.
This has been the book of yourheart.
So, even writing the book isalso the thing that was out
there that needed to be done.
So, that resilience of I'm gonnado it, and if it gets knocked
(24:42):
down, it's going to happen.
When you break that open, yousee yourself in a different way
like that woman, I just pictureher on that jet ski owning this
ocean.
But you as well, having yourbook launch at the REI,
mothership in Atlanta instead ofat a bookstore because that they
(25:04):
do sell books.
And just thinking of everythingin a different way.
What is a tip that you wouldgive people who see something
that they want and their mindsetor their view is holding them
back.
Whether it's writing the bookthat they know they're meant to
write, or a big move or a smallmove, or changing careers.
(25:31):
What's something that you canhelp?
Dr. Mimi (25:33):
Well, I don't think I have the most profound insight,
except for of course, smallbites, right?
If you wanna write a book, juststart writing and don't worry
where it's going.
Don't edit yourself while you'rewriting.
Don't think about the publishingindustry, just write.
My book went in directions Icould never have imagined
(25:53):
because I just wrote and then atthe end I had to figure out what
the story is.
How am I putting this together?
What's important?
You wanna change jobs, startdoing research, getting the
skills in the new field youwant.
I know when I changed jobs, Iwas at Emory School of Medicine
teaching medicine in the bestjob on paper.
(26:15):
I was associate professor incharge of a million things,
respected.
I just wasn't happy.
So, I did not take that decisionlightly, I started taking baby
steps, I started consulting onthe side.
Seeing did I like that?
Oh yes, I did like that.
What connections do I have inthat?
Let me make some connections.
And I slowly, while I kept myfirst job, moved into the second
(26:39):
job until I felt comfortableleaving.
So, you know, it can be aprocess.
It doesn't have to all beinstant.
Allison (26:47):
Yeah, there is a pressure of maybe it's external
pressure of, so you're not gonnado this anymore.
So how is that, what's thatgonna look like?
Everything's an evolution.
Let's calm the F down and giveourselves the opportunity to
make a decision.
At least you had a plan.
(27:08):
I quit my big time comfycorporate PR leadership role two
weeks before Covid, without aplan'cause I hit a wall and I
got a new boss who didn't botherto learn anyone's last names.
He was super fun.
And I just thought, I'm gonnaspit nails or I have to leave
(27:30):
'cause I'm too old for this poo.
So, I quit.
He was traveling.
I sent an email.
I never saw him again.
That was it for me two weeksbefore Covid.
And when I did that, I hadstarted helping writers learn
how to pitch media and honetheir pitches for publishers and
(27:51):
agents, which is a book proposaland a query.
People don't know.
They have no idea that that's athing.
But I also was doing a lot ofother things.
If someone said, can you help mewith my manuscript?
I would.
I don't do that anymore becauseI had to.
I'm the type of person that atthe Cheesecake Factory, I like
to read the whole menu before Ihone in.
(28:14):
So, I was listening to, can youdo that?
Can you do this?
Well, as a PR marketing leader,I can do a lot of things.
But do I want to?
And is there a need?
No.
There are a ton of people whocan help you with your
manuscript.
There are very few people whocan help you from beginning to
(28:36):
end, pitch, navigate, launch,and open new doors.
So, that's what I focus on, butif I had come out of the gate
knowing that, I think I would'vebeen extraordinary'cause I
wouldn't have had that input.
Dr. Mimi (28:55):
Yeah, but you took that huge risk of leaving the
job without knowing what youwere gonna do.
That was the big leap.
Allison (29:01):
It was a leap, but it was also indignation and pure
just anger.
Dr. Mimi (29:09):
You were fed up.
Allison (29:10):
I really was.
Dr. Mimi (29:11):
But look what you now, you're doing like your life's
purpose, right?
It opened new.
I do think that when we go toscary places, whether it was
indignation or whatever.
Amazing things can open up.
Same with me.
I quit a job, very demandingjob.
That's how I got to writing thebook.
I drove home.
I couldn't take it anymore.
I quit.
Didn't know what I was gonna dothis last job.
(29:34):
And next day, started writingthis book.
Didn't plan.
It just started pouring outtame.
Again, I think maybe our bodiesknow something we don't know
yet.
They we're heading in a betterplace that we don't know what it
is yet.
Allison (29:49):
Yeah.
Okay.
Different topic because you aresuch a reader and I'm always
compiling my new reading list.
What is a book that we shouldall get our hands on right now?
Dr. Mimi (30:02):
This is a different kind of book that I was reading
for someone else's book club.
And it's more of a philosophicalbook.
It's called Life Worth Living.
But it's sort of these topicswe're talking about because it's
written by the professors of theYale Happiness course.
And it's really about findingout your values and are you
(30:23):
living in according with yourvalues and the different
philosophies about life and thedifferent planes that we live
on, the automatic, and thedeeper and the compassionate.
And what I liked about that bookclub is we had really meaningful
conversations.
So that book has been good forme.
Allison (30:43):
We will share it in the show notes.
And of course, a link to yourbook, tap Dancing on Everest, A
Young Doctor's Unlikely Journey.
And I think that what peoplefind is that their journeys are
unlikely adventure.
Their life can be an adventure,and it is absolutely unlikely.
(31:03):
No one knows what tomorrow'sgonna bring.
Dr. Mimi (31:06):
Exactly.
Allison (31:06):
No one knows when you're gonna feel the fire of
indignation and quit your jobwith no plan.
But the day goes on.
Dr. Mimi (31:15):
Yep.
Allison (31:15):
And you get to choose how you're gonna react or what's
gonna catch your eye.
And listen to your body and the5 million messages that your
body's giving you versus the 50that you know about.
And feel empowered to take thatleap.
(31:35):
Okay, Dr.
Mimi, we're bringing it home.
What do you want people to know,think, or do based on hearing
this today?
Dr. Mimi (31:45):
I want them to take the time to connect with
themselves.
So, that they are more in touchwith their authentic selves.
I want them to know it's okay tobe afraid and still try
something.
We don't have to feel allcourageous and bold to move
forward in new directions.
And that that is how we grow.
(32:08):
And I'm just one of those peoplewho wants to continue growing,
throughout life.
And I think new challenges helpus grow.
And it's great to do that withfriends and community, but it's
great to know yourself andconnect on a deeper level.
Allison (32:27):
So powerful.
I think people think that theyhave to do everything alone.
But what I found is that we allthink that we have to earn our
place.
Maybe it's an American thing of,you can't go to step three until
someone invited you to step twoor you've completed the
(32:47):
requisite.
None of that is true.
This is a choose your ownadventure kind of experience,
especially in writing.
Especially in getting your bookout.
So, that extends to who you askfor an endorsement or a blurb.
Which event you're going toattend or try to speak at.
(33:13):
You can decide.
But if you feel like, oh, I'mgonna work my way up to that,
I'm gonna start small.
I would challenge you.
Listen to what Dr.
Mimi says.
And know that you'reextraordinary.
When you sit with yourself, youcan certainly feel that.
(33:33):
You can take that leap.
But if you do feel like you needsomeone else to grab you by the
shoulders and go, you are a bigeffing deal.
You should do that.
Join a writer's group.
Hop into my next chapternetwork.
If you're thinking like I haveto figure out what my next
chapter is.
Hop in.
Because other people see you andthey go, do you realize that you
(33:56):
should be speaking here, or youcould run a course there?
Seeing yourself through somebodyelse's eyes is so much more
powerful.
Dr. Mimi (34:06):
Yes.
And the other thing is peoplewill feel stuck and in a rut or
depressed or whatever.
And what I have seen and foundis go out and help someone else
that's gonna make you feel sogood and give you the oomph you
might need to get out of yourrut.
And that's true in the literaryworld.
That's true in what you'redoing.
You're helping people.
(34:27):
That's what I see in these booktalks and people have been
amazing choosing my book,inviting me, incredible places.
And it's all unexpected to me.
I don't expect anybody to doanything for me.
They're being generous and itmakes me wanna be generous.
And that's the best feeling bestout of all of it.
Allison (34:49):
That the thing is when we met you were like, my book, I
don't expect it to be big.
I remember you saying, that it'slittle.
And it's not little.
Your book is the pathway to thefuture you.
And now that the future you ishere, what would you say to that
woman who is well, I'm stillworking on edits.
(35:11):
What do you think she needed tohear?
Dr. Mimi (35:14):
What I was told, which was very good advice was if your
book reaches one reader andreally moves them, that's worth
everything.
And that has been a gift for meto reach readers, connect with
them, to have it be aconversation between us.
Not, look at me, look at mystory.
That's not the point.
(35:35):
Point is, what is your story?
How do we connect?
What is the meaning behindeverything we share in life?
That's a gift.
That's what my book is bringingme.
Allison (35:45):
So freaking cool.
I wish we could hang out all thetime.
Dr.
Mimi, where should people findyou?
Dr. Mimi (35:53):
My website is mimiziemanmd.com.
The book is in not manybookstores or libraries, so you
can request it from your localindie or library, or of course,
it's on bookshop.org,amazon.com.
Those bigger places.
Barnes and Noble.
Allison (36:10):
Yes, you can get anywhere.
We understand what onlineretailing is books a million.
You can order a book fromanywhere.
You don't have to order from theBig A, but if you enjoy it,
super do that.
What I wanna say and translatethis to you who's driving
carpool and you're thinking, Ihave three minutes before my
(36:32):
daughter comes out with all ofher friends and she puts on
whatever Chapel Rowan song isgonna pull your heartstrings.
That Pink Pony Club, I'm tellingyou, if you would just read the
lyrics, it's crushing.
So, this is mostly my life, butif your driving carpool or stuck
(36:52):
in traffic and you're thinking,I don't know really what to do,
but this has always been on mymind.
Listen, you don't have to earnyour place to write.
Nobody I work with identifies asa writer, even when they've
written award-winning books.
They might be identify as aphysician, or an A DHD coach, or
(37:17):
a stay at home mom, whatever.
But very few people identify as,I'm a writer or I'm a speaker,
but you are so newsflash.
What you have to say matters.
And there's someone else outthere who needs to hear it.
You don't need anyone tovalidate the pull in your gut
(37:41):
that's saying, it's time.
You are a writer when you put apencil to paper, even if that's
the back of your dry cleaningreceipt, which is how I started.
And I have not written a book,but I've had a hand in many, and
I'm a writer.
So, there.
I think we should all bewearing.
(38:02):
Shirts that say I'm a writer andwith a on it.
If this resonates with you, hitme back, there's a link in the
show notes.
You can send me a text and justwrite, I'm a writer, Allison.
I get it.
I'm a writer.
And definitely ask a questionbecause I will answer it.
On the show, do me a favor too.
(38:25):
Share this with someone whoneeds a guiding light, an
invitation or a shove, gentleand loving, but definitely a
shove to do the thing that youknow that they should be doing.
Just forward it to them.
Because podcasts grow whenpeople share them.
(38:46):
And sometimes you know, youthink, oh, I'll just tell them
about it.
No, forward the freakingepisode.
Take the time.
Do them a solid.
They'll thank you.
And I so appreciate you becauseyou are a big effing deal and
you should be writing.
If you've thought about it, evena 10.
(39:06):
It's time.
Don't put it off.
Even if you carry around like Ido just three by five cards,
then it's no pressure if I havea thought on a three by five
card and then later on I can gothrough them and go, what
sticks?
So, do it.
Take the action, now's the time.
And we'll talk to you next week.
The brain processes 11 million bits of information a
(00:03):
minute, but only 40 to 50 bitsof that are our conscious minds.
That includes things likeswallowing, right?
The body is doing stuff that wedon't have to think about.
But I think our body isexperiencing life.
Our body has memories.
Our body may be thinking in wayswe don't know how it is.
Allison (00:48):
Welcome back to the Author's Edge.
I am your host, Allison Lane.
And you know what?
I'm here for you.
know why you're here, becauseyour book is coming out and you
want it to be a success on doingair bunnies.
If you can't see me, if you'renot watching on YouTube, because
a success is whatever you deem.
And you do have to decide inadvance what success is
(01:11):
otherwise, no matter what kindof big or small or meaningful
that happen for you in yourbook.
You won't recognize it andtherefore you won't be
celebrating.
You won't see yourself as asuccess.
So even if you are thinking Ishould have really right about
that experience I had in mytwenties and like me, you're in
(01:36):
your fifties or sixties.
You can do that now and I wantyou to know that you are
thinking, I do have a story totell and I just dunno how to get
it out there.
Please get in touch.
what I'm here for.
You can hit the link in the shownotes, send me a text and tell
(01:57):
me what you need.
You can also obviously email meat my allison@lanelit.com.
I see them right away and I willemail you back.
Today, we're gonna be talking tosomeone who is super phenomenal
and we've had to reschedule acouple times because probably
(02:18):
because of my schedule and mykid having strep or something.
What I want you to put before Iintroduce her, just think about
the extraordinary things thatyou've done in your life that
you don't tell people about.
And that you maybe don't thinkabout all at once.
(02:41):
I want you to think about whatif you could make sure that the
lessons that you've learned inyour life, in your adventures,
in your trials and tribulationsthat you were giving them to
people because they too couldlearn or connect.
Well, that's what Dr.
(03:01):
Mimi Zieman has done with herbook, tap Dancing on Everest.
A young doctor's unlikelyadventure.
If you can see this, if you'relooking on YouTube, that is her
on Everest in tap shoes.
And somehow happy, even thoughshe's so cold.
Now, Mimi is an OBGYN, she's aphysician, but also a fearless
(03:26):
advocate for women and women'shealth and reproductive rights.
Yay.
And an award-winning author fromdelivering Care on Everest to
launching a memoir at over 50.
I don't exactly know how old sheis.
She's not 20 saying, I've alwayswanted to be an author, like
(03:50):
we've all wanted to be anauthor, but she's here talk
about saying yes through thefear, find purpose in the
adventure that we all are havingin this party called life.
And how storytelling can reallyheal us, but also connect us.
(04:11):
So, please give me someapplause, but you don't really
need to.
If your hands are on the wheeland you're going down the
highway, 10 and two.
Just help me welcome Dr.
Mimi Zieman.
I'm so excited that you're here.
Mimi, we're gonna hop right inbecause I want to get to
something right away that peopledon't talk about.
(04:32):
And then they're super humble,which you know how I feel about
that.
It's boring.
So, let's start with all theawards your book has won.
I mean, tell me about the awardlike submission process and how
they tell you about it and howyou frame that in your head.
Dr. Mimi (04:57):
That's funny.
As you write the book, the innerasshole between your ears is
very strong.
And I have a strong internalcritic.
So, of course, some externalvalidation feels nice.
Also because these awards, theydon't know you.
They're getting random booksfrom a lot of people.
(05:18):
And I like that about theseawards because a lot of the
literary world is about who youknow to get connections, to get
reviews.
That's a whole thing I didn'tknow.
So, it's nice that smallAuthor's like me have an
opportunity to submit to somethings where they can
objectively look at all theirsubmissions and give some
(05:42):
awards.
Allison (05:44):
Okay, let's reframe small authors like me.
You are a big epic deal.
Okay.
Let me reframe that for you.
You are an award-winning author,a celebrated doctor, an
O-B-G-Y-N, and an advocate forwomen's health.
(06:04):
I think there's nothing smallabout you at all.
And if you you need me once aweek, so I can tell you.
Dr. Mimi (06:11):
I that do, Allison.
Can I call?
Allison (06:13):
Great.
You have my number and you cantext me.
Whenever you need a kick in thetookus.
Because you are such a badass.
And then, the thing about badassis they never think their own
bad Assery is something that isextraordinary.
That extraordinary doesn't meanoh, spectacular and you you
(06:36):
should be a celebrity, it's justthat it's extra and not the
ordinary.
It's not ordinary to leavemedical school and be like, time
out.
I'm gonna go, I'm gonna be onEverest for a while.
I'll be right back.
Most people don't do thatbecause you've said yes to some
intimidating things.
(06:57):
Everest being one, and I'm gonnashake your book at you with
Everest for one tap, dancing onEverest.
And also taking tap shoes toEverest and you have
multicolored awesome leggings onand you look happy even you are
cold.
(07:17):
Though I'll get out, I'm sureand that that would make me very
grumpy.
But also your advocacy, beingout in front, and then
publishing a book which isintimidating to a lot of people.
A lot of people leave that ontheir dream list and they don't
move it to their goal list.
(07:38):
And we know what happens aboutdreams, they filter away.
You have to move it to your goalcolumn'cause a goal you can work
toward.
So yeah.
And.
you move forward through thatfear or self-doubt?
Dr. Mimi (07:52):
Yes.
And I just wanna add thatpublishing a memoir in
particular is scary becauseyou're really putting your
personal out there.
And I am someone who likes tomore hide and be in the
background.
And I've thought a lot aboutthis.
What pushes me forward is if I'mpassionate about something and I
feel it in my body, in my gut,when I will face fear and do
(08:12):
something, something internal isdriving me.
I don't do things to check offthe list, you should do this.
Allison (08:19):
Right
Dr. Mimi (08:19):
'cause then I wouldn't, I would just wanna
give up.
Like it wouldn't be like alignedwith my heart and soul as I say.
Allison (08:25):
Yeah.
Dr. Mimi (08:26):
So it's really when you have a passion, and this is
so interesting, Allison, becauseI thought about this a lot when
I was writing the book'cause thebody is so important in my story
and that gut instinct and justthe body is how I got strength
through dance and throughhiking.
And then the body.
I choose to take care of otherpeople's bodies to become a
physician.
(08:47):
And when I think about that gutinstinct driving me, listen to
this, you'll love this fact.
The brain processes 11 millionbits of information a minute,
but only 40 to 50 bits of thatare conscious thought.
And it's our unconscious that'sexperiencing the world too.
And so much of that may be wiserthan we are in any particular
(09:11):
moment.
So when I listen to that bodytelling me something, I think it
can bring you to theseunexpected experiences if we're
willing to listen.
Allison (09:22):
Yes.
Oh my gosh.
Tell me that stat again.
So, 40 bits.
Dr. Mimi (09:29):
So the brain processes 11 million bits of information a
minute, but only 40 to 50 bitsof that are our conscious minds.
So a lot of that includes thingslike swallowing, right?
The body is doing stuff that wedon't have to think about.
But I think our body isexperiencing life.
(09:49):
Our body has memories.
Our body may be thinking in wayswe don't know how it is.
So, when our body has a gutinstinct, there may be a reason
for it that you don'tconsciously understand or know.
I knew my gut instincts told meI needed to be in the mountains,
more than anything else.
(10:10):
And I was gonna work to getthere
Allison (10:13):
Wow.
Dr. Mimi (10:14):
The first time when I went hiking alone in Nepal at
22.
And the second time when I said,okay, yes, I wanna be the
expedition doctor.
Even though I was a little babymedical student who was
terrified of taking on that kindof responsibility.
Allison (10:29):
I wanna reframe the 50 bits versus the 11 million bits
because there are are 50 dropsof water in a spoon.
Like a teaspoon of water.
It's 50 drops.
There are 11 million gallons ofwater in an Olympic pool.
Wait, that's not exactly right.
(10:51):
Like just think of bucks in yourwallet 11 million in your bank
account.
You can't carry 11 million bucksaround.
But if I had 51, so I'd be like,Ooh, stash.
But you be surrounded$11,000,001bills.
I'd be like dollar bills y'all.
That be enough to fill multiplesuitcases, right?
(11:12):
Lots and lots.
And I think that's incredible.
Because even though, example ofthe swallowing.
If you are intimidating, eventhe swallowing is hard.
Dr. Mimi (11:25):
You don't wanna be conscious of that.
You wanna let your unconscioustake care of that.
And you know, I think what I'velearned through this year of
book talks, I've gotten somequestions that have really
stumped me.
What if I've never felt a gutinstinct and I'd be like, oh, I
have something new to thinkabout.
And there's research into thisthat puts it all together also.
(11:48):
There are what I think if you'venever felt that or if you don't
know what I'm talking about,we're talking about intuition.
We're talking about experience,disguises, instinct.
But there are ways to get moreconnected to the body.
That's what this wholemindfulness movement is about.
And the ways that they recommendare literally what I organically
(12:09):
did when I went hiking in Nepal,being in nature, being in
solitude, journaling yourthoughts gets you closer to your
authentic self.
When you're closer to yourauthentic self, you're gonna
feel some of those messagesmore.
And another thing, thisresearcher I came across Erika
Bailey says, is thinking aboutyourself with self-compassion.
(12:31):
We started at our talk.
I'm not always so great at that.
But what she gives examples arethinking about things you've
done and saying, maybe I couldhave done better.
We're all humans.
We make mistakes.
I can try something else.
When you're looking at yourselfthat way, compassionately,
you're also connecting with yourdeeper self more.
(12:52):
Anything you do like that helpsyou connect with your deeper
self is going to help your bodyand mind, I think come together.
Allison (13:01):
So, be in nature, journal, solitude, and you're
not saying solitude while you'relistening to a podcast
Dr. Mimi (13:09):
No.
Exactly.
Allison (13:10):
Taylor Swift.
Dr. Mimi (13:11):
Exactly.
And writing and even talkingwith friends where you're
processing stuff in a real,genuine, and compassionate way.
Allison (13:19):
Yeah.
I learned so much from you everytime we talk, Dr.
Mimi.
When you were practicingmedicine on Everest and
advocating for people, becausewere everyone's guardian, angel
and healer, and protector,really.
How did that empower your voicewhen you came back home to be an
(13:47):
advocate and a physician?
'cause I know you had some mindblowing moments on Everest, but
like sometimes people leave thatpersona behind oh, that was me
on the mountain.
But now I'm gonna go back intomy spot into my role.
And it doesn't seem like you didthat.
Dr. Mimi (14:05):
Yeah, I think being an advocate and using your voice,
especially in today's world,when everyone wants to cancel
you requires some bad assery touse your word.
And I think I do it because it'svalues driven, right?
I believe in it.
Then, I need to do it, right?
My father taught me that as aHolocaust survivor.
He always used his voice for theworld to be better.
(14:29):
And on the mountain, a couplethings happened.
I was having a lot of conflictin medical school.
I found it very hard.
I found on the mountain takingcare of my teammates who were
near death was just gave me sucha lift, like it was such a
privilege to be there for them.
Like it really gave me newpurpose in medicine.
And then, when I tried to use myvoice to help them get evacuated
(14:53):
more quickly, I had to shout atthe Chinese which was not a
smart move maybe, and didn'treally work.
But it made me realize I coulddo that, I could do that.
And my lifelong dream was alwaysto be an advocate for women.
Which is why I did go into OBGYN, which is why I have done a
(15:16):
lot of advocacy for reproductiverights and things.
Allison (15:19):
So, you are practicing medicine, you're advocating for
your teammates are climbingEverest and you're really having
to be their healers, theirguides, their protectors, and
empower them to achieve.
But also protect them from thething that maybe is going to
(15:41):
harm them.
And you had to go head to headwith some people who would
disagree with you.
And you were the only woman inthat group, which must have been
even well, I know from readingyour book, which I'm gonna shake
at people.
I know from reading your book.
In my kitchen and read it inlike speed, Reddit in one
(16:01):
morning half of the time I wasjust standing up'cause I
couldn't put it.
I was like, why am I stillstanding up?
But I didn't wanna stop.
You had all this and you reallyfound your purpose.
But then so many people, whenthey had a moment like that,
then it doesn't translate backto their real lives.
They go back into their box ortheir role.
(16:25):
But I want you to talk about howthat empower you to have that
voice and how you came backbigger.
Dr. Mimi (16:34):
Well, I think the more you flex that courage muscle,
the easier it becomes to do nexttime for sure.
When I left for the expedition,I was having a tough time in med
school.
It was hard.
It wasn't the dream life Iwanted to be living at that
moment.
And on the mountain, I had totake care of my teammates who
were near death and I found thatto be an incredible privilege
(16:58):
and it gave me new purpose inmedicine.
Then, we had the situation wherethey were not getting evacuated
in a timely fashion.
And I had, I was so frustrated,I screamed at the Chinese.
This was still during communistChina.
Not a smart move.
Didn't really help us get outquicker.
But I call it like finding myvoice because I wasn't
(17:19):
intimidated and I was gonna dowhat I needed to do to help get
these men to healthcare.
And you know, it sort of alignswith my purpose to be an
advocate'cause my father was aHolocaust survivor.
It was really important to himto always use his voice to try
to make the world a betterplace.
So, when I got home from theexpedition, I did choose
(17:39):
O-B-G-Y-N'cause it was always mydream to advocate for women.
And that's what I've done as areproductive rights advocate.
And it's never easy, especiallyin today's world where everyone
wants to cancel you.
I always use that there's aJewish phrase if not me, who?
If not now, when?
(18:00):
So, I always say, I have thisknowledge and skills, so if not
me, who?
I've gotta do it, it's myresponsibility.
Allison (18:07):
That's meaningful and I am tearing up.
But I also wanna see, I wannashow you this, that I keep on my
desk.
It says, I don't know if you cansee it.
It says, if I die tomorrow, whowill help women get their books
published, get their bookspitched, and published and
(18:28):
launched and promoted andbeyond.
That this is my purpose.
This is 25 years of Fortune 50work, like promoting products.
I don't care about launchinganother deodorant anymore.
This is why I am here becausewomen account for one book in
(18:50):
10.
That is bad shit.
And we're busy taking care ofother people and we wanna make
sure everybody's taken care of.
And if I hear one more time,over the summer, or I'll take a
sabbatical, or when the kids areout of the house, I'll have
time.
No one will ever not need you.
Especially, if you're therestanding like a servant.
(19:13):
It's the same thing that happensat Thanksgiving when the moms
are in the kitchen.
Like, does everybody have whatthey need?
Does anybody need seconds beforeI have my first?
Crap! Just sit down and eat.
Somebody else can get theirbutter.
Right?
Dr. Mimi (19:26):
Funny.
It's true though.
And I didn't know that statisticof only one in 10 books are by
women.
But also the industry likes topigeonhole.
Who's your target audience?
Who's this book for?
And now, that I've been out withmy book, it's so much broader
than, I have so many men comingto my book talks and relating to
(19:46):
my story where you could callthis a woman's empowerment
story.
It's a people's empowermentstory.
Allison (19:51):
Right?
Dr. Mimi (19:52):
And I guess always wanted to break out of that box
too.
Allison (19:56):
Yeah.
When we oh, big reveal.
Mimi as a client, I helped herenvision what her launch was
gonna be like and what she wasgonna talk about, and make sure
she had everything that sheneeded to feel powerful and
capable and freaking awesomebecause she is.
When you were envisioning whatyou would be talking about I
(20:19):
remember us talking aboutadventure.
And women telling their stories,but we also especially after I
read it, but still just meetingyou.
We talked about resilience andit's not about the plot.
You know, what?
Not only am I not gonna go toEverest, I'm not even going to
go skiing.
(20:39):
I do not, being cold and sweatyat the same time.
I will be in the lodge.
That sounds terrible.
But am a delicate flower.
But your message of resilienceis one that I just feel like is
my armor.
(21:00):
So, your storytelling and you'rehelping people, especially me
because that's what we careabout here is just, how am I
feeling?
Help me understand that all ofthese adventures that we all go
on in life, whether they'remicro or macro adventures.
Help you process become the nextversion of yourself.
(21:25):
So, my question for you is this.
What has been result of yourresilience message and what has
that unlocked you know, in thepeople you meet?
I hesitate to say your audience'cause that makes it sound like
it's one big thing.
But in each person, in eachreader.
Dr. Mimi (21:45):
Yeah.
That I don't think we talk aboutthat enough.
You work so hard on a book, butit's when it's out in the world
and you hear what readers aretaking from your story, that
you're just full of gratitudeand just connection with them.
I just did a book club lastnight.
And you know, what?
People wanna come over to youand tell you how they related to
(22:07):
your book, how their story.
I've had everything from someonesaying, I'm a 300 pound black
woman, but when you wrote aboutyour body, you were writing
about me.
And then, she said, I was onvacation last week and I really
wanted a jet ski.
And I thought, they're gonnalaugh at me.
Who's that fat lady on the jetski?
(22:28):
And I was reading your book andI said, Hey, she did that.
I can do this.
And it was one of the bestexperiences of my life.
That what could be better thanthat?
What could be better than that?
Allison (22:39):
Just sob through your own book events.
Dr. Mimi (22:43):
No, it's, it's so from the smallest things like a man
was afraid he had to move homeswithin the same city.
But really didn't want thatchange in his life.
And he realized, yeah, I canchange, I can evolve, I can do
this next thing that will behard for me.
I read your book and I felt thatway.
(23:03):
I felt like I can do this.
It's such different kinds ofpeople relating to different
parts of the story, but gettingthat message, which was the most
important thing to me is thateven when you're afraid, even
when you're not excited aboutchange, even when you feel
vulnerable and exposed andscared.
You can do it.
(23:25):
And it's gonna be hard, butthere's the other side of it.
There's all the ways you'regonna grow from that.
There's the new opportunitiesyou're gonna get you don't even
know about you.
And when we don't take therisks, the question is, what are
you missing out on?
People don't think about that asmuch.
If I do, just stay here in mylittle comfortable place.
(23:46):
What did I just not experience?
Instead of focusing on, if I dothat scary thing, oh my God,
what's gonna happen to me?
What's gonna happen to you ifyou don't do it?
Allison (23:55):
Oh my gosh.
So I'm full body chills forsure.
And what this makes me think ofis not just also, taking that
going on the jet ski or learningto ride a horse over 50 or
writing and publishing yourmemoir, 25 however many years
(24:17):
after the fact.
It's not like.
Dr. Mimi (24:18):
36.
Allison (24:19):
36.
I can't do math.
I have a journalism degree.
And yet you felt called to putthis out there.
This has been the book of yourheart.
So, even writing the book isalso the thing that was out
there that needed to be done.
So, that resilience of I'm gonnado it, and if it gets knocked
(24:42):
down, it's going to happen.
When you break that open, yousee yourself in a different way
like that woman, I just pictureher on that jet ski owning this
ocean.
But you as well, having yourbook launch at the REI,
mothership in Atlanta instead ofat a bookstore because that they
(25:04):
do sell books.
And just thinking of everythingin a different way.
What is a tip that you wouldgive people who see something
that they want and their mindsetor their view is holding them
back.
Whether it's writing the bookthat they know they're meant to
write, or a big move or a smallmove, or changing careers.
(25:31):
What's something that you canhelp?
Dr. Mimi (25:33):
Well, I don't think I have the most profound insight,
except for of course, smallbites, right?
If you wanna write a book, juststart writing and don't worry
where it's going.
Don't edit yourself while you'rewriting.
Don't think about the publishingindustry, just write.
My book went in directions Icould never have imagined
(25:53):
because I just wrote and then atthe end I had to figure out what
the story is.
How am I putting this together?
What's important?
You wanna change jobs, startdoing research, getting the
skills in the new field youwant.
I know when I changed jobs, Iwas at Emory School of Medicine
teaching medicine in the bestjob on paper.
(26:15):
I was associate professor incharge of a million things,
respected.
I just wasn't happy.
So, I did not take that decisionlightly, I started taking baby
steps, I started consulting onthe side.
Seeing did I like that?
Oh yes, I did like that.
What connections do I have inthat?
Let me make some connections.
And I slowly, while I kept myfirst job, moved into the second
(26:39):
job until I felt comfortableleaving.
So, you know, it can be aprocess.
It doesn't have to all beinstant.
Allison (26:47):
Yeah, there is a pressure of maybe it's external
pressure of, so you're not gonnado this anymore.
So how is that, what's thatgonna look like?
Everything's an evolution.
Let's calm the F down and giveourselves the opportunity to
make a decision.
At least you had a plan.
(27:08):
I quit my big time comfycorporate PR leadership role two
weeks before Covid, without aplan'cause I hit a wall and I
got a new boss who didn't botherto learn anyone's last names.
He was super fun.
And I just thought, I'm gonnaspit nails or I have to leave
(27:30):
'cause I'm too old for this poo.
So, I quit.
He was traveling.
I sent an email.
I never saw him again.
That was it for me two weeksbefore Covid.
And when I did that, I hadstarted helping writers learn
how to pitch media and honetheir pitches for publishers and
(27:51):
agents, which is a book proposaland a query.
People don't know.
They have no idea that that's athing.
But I also was doing a lot ofother things.
If someone said, can you help mewith my manuscript?
I would.
I don't do that anymore becauseI had to.
I'm the type of person that atthe Cheesecake Factory, I like
to read the whole menu before Ihone in.
(28:14):
So, I was listening to, can youdo that?
Can you do this?
Well, as a PR marketing leader,I can do a lot of things.
But do I want to?
And is there a need?
No.
There are a ton of people whocan help you with your
manuscript.
There are very few people whocan help you from beginning to
(28:36):
end, pitch, navigate, launch,and open new doors.
So, that's what I focus on, butif I had come out of the gate
knowing that, I think I would'vebeen extraordinary'cause I
wouldn't have had that input.
Dr. Mimi (28:55):
Yeah, but you took that huge risk of leaving the
job without knowing what youwere gonna do.
That was the big leap.
Allison (29:01):
It was a leap, but it was also indignation and pure
just anger.
Dr. Mimi (29:09):
You were fed up.
Allison (29:10):
I really was.
Dr. Mimi (29:11):
But look what you now, you're doing like your life's
purpose, right?
It opened new.
I do think that when we go toscary places, whether it was
indignation or whatever.
Amazing things can open up.
Same with me.
I quit a job, very demandingjob.
That's how I got to writing thebook.
I drove home.
I couldn't take it anymore.
I quit.
Didn't know what I was gonna dothis last job.
(29:34):
And next day, started writingthis book.
Didn't plan.
It just started pouring outtame.
Again, I think maybe our bodiesknow something we don't know
yet.
They we're heading in a betterplace that we don't know what it
is yet.
Allison (29:49):
Yeah.
Okay.
Different topic because you aresuch a reader and I'm always
compiling my new reading list.
What is a book that we shouldall get our hands on right now?
Dr. Mimi (30:02):
This is a different kind of book that I was reading
for someone else's book club.
And it's more of a philosophicalbook.
It's called Life Worth Living.
But it's sort of these topicswe're talking about because it's
written by the professors of theYale Happiness course.
And it's really about findingout your values and are you
(30:23):
living in according with yourvalues and the different
philosophies about life and thedifferent planes that we live
on, the automatic, and thedeeper and the compassionate.
And what I liked about that bookclub is we had really meaningful
conversations.
So that book has been good forme.
Allison (30:43):
We will share it in the show notes.
And of course, a link to yourbook, tap Dancing on Everest, A
Young Doctor's Unlikely Journey.
And I think that what peoplefind is that their journeys are
unlikely adventure.
Their life can be an adventure,and it is absolutely unlikely.
(31:03):
No one knows what tomorrow'sgonna bring.
Dr. Mimi (31:06):
Exactly.
Allison (31:06):
No one knows when you're gonna feel the fire of
indignation and quit your jobwith no plan.
But the day goes on.
Dr. Mimi (31:15):
Yep.
Allison (31:15):
And you get to choose how you're gonna react or what's
gonna catch your eye.
And listen to your body and the5 million messages that your
body's giving you versus the 50that you know about.
And feel empowered to take thatleap.
(31:35):
Okay, Dr.
Mimi, we're bringing it home.
What do you want people to know,think, or do based on hearing
this today?
Dr. Mimi (31:45):
I want them to take the time to connect with
themselves.
So, that they are more in touchwith their authentic selves.
I want them to know it's okay tobe afraid and still try
something.
We don't have to feel allcourageous and bold to move
forward in new directions.
And that that is how we grow.
(32:08):
And I'm just one of those peoplewho wants to continue growing,
throughout life.
And I think new challenges helpus grow.
And it's great to do that withfriends and community, but it's
great to know yourself andconnect on a deeper level.
Allison (32:27):
So powerful.
I think people think that theyhave to do everything alone.
But what I found is that we allthink that we have to earn our
place.
Maybe it's an American thing of,you can't go to step three until
someone invited you to step twoor you've completed the
(32:47):
requisite.
None of that is true.
This is a choose your ownadventure kind of experience,
especially in writing.
Especially in getting your bookout.
So, that extends to who you askfor an endorsement or a blurb.
Which event you're going toattend or try to speak at.
(33:13):
You can decide.
But if you feel like, oh, I'mgonna work my way up to that,
I'm gonna start small.
I would challenge you.
Listen to what Dr.
Mimi says.
And know that you'reextraordinary.
When you sit with yourself, youcan certainly feel that.
(33:33):
You can take that leap.
But if you do feel like you needsomeone else to grab you by the
shoulders and go, you are a bigeffing deal.
You should do that.
Join a writer's group.
Hop into my next chapternetwork.
If you're thinking like I haveto figure out what my next
chapter is.
Hop in.
Because other people see you andthey go, do you realize that you
(33:56):
should be speaking here, or youcould run a course there?
Seeing yourself through somebodyelse's eyes is so much more
powerful.
Dr. Mimi (34:06):
Yes.
And the other thing is peoplewill feel stuck and in a rut or
depressed or whatever.
And what I have seen and foundis go out and help someone else
that's gonna make you feel sogood and give you the oomph you
might need to get out of yourrut.
And that's true in the literaryworld.
That's true in what you'redoing.
You're helping people.
(34:27):
That's what I see in these booktalks and people have been
amazing choosing my book,inviting me, incredible places.
And it's all unexpected to me.
I don't expect anybody to doanything for me.
They're being generous and itmakes me wanna be generous.
And that's the best feeling bestout of all of it.
Allison (34:49):
That the thing is when we met you were like, my book, I
don't expect it to be big.
I remember you saying, that it'slittle.
And it's not little.
Your book is the pathway to thefuture you.
And now that the future you ishere, what would you say to that
woman who is well, I'm stillworking on edits.
(35:11):
What do you think she needed tohear?
Dr. Mimi (35:14):
What I was told, which was very good advice was if your
book reaches one reader andreally moves them, that's worth
everything.
And that has been a gift for meto reach readers, connect with
them, to have it be aconversation between us.
Not, look at me, look at mystory.
That's not the point.
(35:35):
Point is, what is your story?
How do we connect?
What is the meaning behindeverything we share in life?
That's a gift.
That's what my book is bringingme.
Allison (35:45):
So freaking cool.
I wish we could hang out all thetime.
Dr.
Mimi, where should people findyou?
Dr. Mimi (35:53):
My website is mimiziemanmd.com.
The book is in not manybookstores or libraries, so you
can request it from your localindie or library, or of course,
it's on bookshop.org,amazon.com.
Those bigger places.
Barnes and Noble.
Allison (36:10):
Yes, you can get anywhere.
We understand what onlineretailing is books a million.
You can order a book fromanywhere.
You don't have to order from theBig A, but if you enjoy it,
super do that.
What I wanna say and translatethis to you who's driving
carpool and you're thinking, Ihave three minutes before my
(36:32):
daughter comes out with all ofher friends and she puts on
whatever Chapel Rowan song isgonna pull your heartstrings.
That Pink Pony Club, I'm tellingyou, if you would just read the
lyrics, it's crushing.
So, this is mostly my life, butif your driving carpool or stuck
(36:52):
in traffic and you're thinking,I don't know really what to do,
but this has always been on mymind.
Listen, you don't have to earnyour place to write.
Nobody I work with identifies asa writer, even when they've
written award-winning books.
They might be identify as aphysician, or an A DHD coach, or
(37:17):
a stay at home mom, whatever.
But very few people identify as,I'm a writer or I'm a speaker,
but you are so newsflash.
What you have to say matters.
And there's someone else outthere who needs to hear it.
You don't need anyone tovalidate the pull in your gut
(37:41):
that's saying, it's time.
You are a writer when you put apencil to paper, even if that's
the back of your dry cleaningreceipt, which is how I started.
And I have not written a book,but I've had a hand in many, and
I'm a writer.
So, there.
I think we should all bewearing.
(38:02):
Shirts that say I'm a writer andwith a on it.
If this resonates with you, hitme back, there's a link in the
show notes.
You can send me a text and justwrite, I'm a writer, Allison.
I get it.
I'm a writer.
And definitely ask a questionbecause I will answer it.
On the show, do me a favor too.
(38:25):
Share this with someone whoneeds a guiding light, an
invitation or a shove, gentleand loving, but definitely a
shove to do the thing that youknow that they should be doing.
Just forward it to them.
Because podcasts grow whenpeople share them.
(38:46):
And sometimes you know, youthink, oh, I'll just tell them
about it.
No, forward the freakingepisode.
Take the time.
Do them a solid.
They'll thank you.
And I so appreciate you becauseyou are a big effing deal and
you should be writing.
If you've thought about it, evena 10.
(39:06):
It's time.
Don't put it off.
Even if you carry around like Ido just three by five cards,
then it's no pressure if I havea thought on a three by five
card and then later on I can gothrough them and go, what
sticks?
So, do it.
Take the action, now's the time.
And we'll talk to you next week.
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