Dr. Lea Kreszinger, Dr. Ines Jović and Dr. Iva Šmit: Athletes in Scrubs—Croatian Vets Who Go the Distance

In this fourth episode of the VetMore Podcast, host Dr. Vassiliki Sathopoulou engages with three remarkable veterinarians from Croatia—Dr. Lea Kreszinger, Dr. Ines Jović, and Dr. Iva Šmit—exploring their diverse backgrounds, passions, and the unique intersection of veterinary medicine and sports. The conversation highlights their professional achievements, personal stories, and the resilience they find in balancing their careers with athletic pursuits. Listeners are invited to discover how these dedicated professionals navigate their roles as veterinarians, educators, and athletes, while also being mothers and community leaders.

Chapter Notes

00:00 Meet the Guests: Inspiring Veterinarians
00:36 Early Aspirations: The Journey to Veterinary Medicine
05:34 Cultural Perspectives: Attitudes Towards Veterinary Medicine
08:38 Mentorship and Influence in Veterinary Education
10:54 The Shift in Knowledge Sharing in Veterinary Education
11:57 Coping with Pressure in Veterinary Practice
13:43 The Emotional Toll of Veterinary Medicine
15:14 Letting Go: A Challenge for Veterinarians
17:04 Support Systems in Veterinary Practice
18:49 The Burden of Responsibility in Veterinary Care
20:24 Coping with Grief: The Role of Psychologists
22:01 Mental Well-Being Initiatives for Veterinarians
23:20 Team Dynamics and Respect in Veterinary Work
25:09 Burnout: Recognizing and Addressing the Signs
26:31 Finding Balance: Sports and Mental Health
28:06 Individual Sports: A Personal Journey
29:50 The Role of Sports in Stress Relief
35:28 The Dynamics of Running Relationships
36:40 The Healing Power of Water
38:26 Lessons in Resilience and Limits
39:32 The Importance of Weight Training for Women
41:14 Personal Growth Through Athletic Endeavors
42:30 The Role of Family in Athletic Life
44:28 Navigating Motherhood and Career
46:21 Defining Success and Self-Care
54:41 Building a Supportive Team Environment
59:59 The Importance of Support in Preventing Burnout
01:02:41 Building a Supportive Veterinary Community
01:05:53 The Role of AI in Veterinary Medicine
01:09:16 Personal Reflections and Quickfire Questions

Listen on Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vetmore-podcast/id1809206363

Stream on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0RaHkqIhnpa6RYJN2joTTe?si=52e37a024730410b

Watch the full conversation on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@VetMoreOrg

Let us know what you think of this episode by engaging with us on our social media accounts @vetmoreorg on IG, Meta, TikTok, Threads, and YouTube.