Eric Recker: How to Overcome Burnout

Redefining success and overcoming burnout.

Bio:
Dr. Eric Recker is a dentist, husband, father, keynote speaker, Elite Success Coach, author, pilot, mountain climber, and former triathlete. He is committed to helping people become their best selves and learning to #WINtheNOW.

Links

• Website: https://ericrecker.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-recker-583849278/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eric.recker.1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/docrecker/

Episode Highlights:
Raised in Pella, Iowa, Dr. Eric shares how early rejection and adversity shaped his drive. His struggles with burnout led him to reassess his life, highlighting the importance of relationships, self-care, and finding joy in the journey. He emphasizes resilience, purpose, and gratitude.

Quotes:

• "I believe that our journeys don't happen by accident. Our journeys happen so that we can help other people on their journeys."
• "I think if you never have any rejection, then you are just building up to this horrific experience when you get your first rejection."

Childhood Incidents:
As a child, Dr. Eric was repeatedly rejected from kickball games, shaping his belief in inadequacy and fueling a relentless drive for success. This eventually led to burnout, nearly making him sell his dental practice. He reflects on how words spoken in childhood have lasting effects.

At an eighth grade party, dressed with confidence, he faced five consecutive rejections while asking girls out, ultimately learning the importance of resilience.

Influential Groups:
Faith has been a cornerstone of Dr. Eric’s life, reinforcing that he is never alone. Family traditions, such as Sunday afternoons at a lake, created cherished memories.

As a triathlete, he valued deep connections within his training group. His professional growth continued through the Academy of General Dentistry, where he built strong relationships.

His mission work in India, Guatemala, and The Bahamas, along with climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, reinforced his commitment to serving others and being part of something larger than himself.

Personality and Temperament:
A naturally curious child, Dr. Eric developed anxiety tied to school and rejection. He dreaded Mondays, a feeling he calls the "Sunday scaries."

Joining his father’s dental practice provided career stability but also immediate pressure, contributing to burnout. Initially believing hard work was the solution, he later learned the value of self-care, relationships, and gratitude. He now finds meaning in guiding others from chaos to hope.

Cultural Epiphanies:
One stressful Monday, his colleague had an accident, leaving Dr. Eric alone with a full schedule. Unexpected support arrived, his mentor as his first patient and his associate showing up unprompted. This experience reinforced the profound value of relationships and support systems.

Soapbox Moment:
Dr. Eric urges people to live with hope. His website offers resources like "Refueling Hacks" with 50 self-care strategies and a seven-day Knockback Burnout Challenge. For personalized coaching, he welcomes conversations with those seeking growth.

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