Ending Physician Overwhelm
I'm Megan Melo, board-certified Family and Obesity Medicine Physician and Physician Coach. In this podcast we talk about the many ways that burnout shows up in our lives, and what we can do about it. I'm on a mission to help Physicians take steps towards to heal burnout by unlearning the habits of perfectionism, people-pleasing and limiting beliefs so that we can lead healthier, happier lives. The healthcare system is broken; but you don't have to wait until it's fixed to feel better. I'm here to help. Thank you for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review. Until next time, take care. Connect with me: Website: www.healthierforgood.com Instagram: @MeganMeloMD Email: megan@healthierforgood.com Bookshop.org Book Shop: https://bookshop.org/shop/meganmelo
Episodes
You’ve been told to “just take a deep breath” more times than you can count.
Usually by someone who doesn’t realize you’ve been holding your breath since pre-med.
This week on Ending Physician Overwhelm, we’re talking about something deceptively simple — breathing. Not the kind of “calm down” breath that makes you want to throw a stethoscope, but intentional, physiologic breathing that actually changes your body ch...
This week, we’re getting a little leafy. In Week 2 of our 10-Week Recharge Challenge, we’re focusing on feeding your cells from the inside out. No, you don’t need to become a kale evangelist — but yes, your mitochondria are begging you for some help.
As physicians, we’ve been trained to care for everyone else first. We run on caffeine, cortisol, and guilt, and we convince ourselves that “real” self-care can wait until ...
Hey friend — can we talk about the badge of busyness for a minute?
That invisible medal we wear to prove our worth?
In medicine, we’ve turned endurance into identity. We work through exhaustion, chart through dinner, and treat rest like a reward we haven’t quite earned. But that constant hustle for worthiness isn’t just costing us our joy — it’s literally aging us faster.
In this 200th episode of Ending Physician Ov...
You're Not Broken. You're Just in a Broken System.
After four years of coaching women physicians, I've noticed patterns; patterns that show up again and again in brilliant, capable doctors who feel like they're barely holding it together.
If you've ever felt like a hot mess inside while everyone thinks you have it all figured out, this episode is for you.
What You'll Discover in Th...
What if you gave yourself permission to dream bigger?
We spend so much time answering questions about our patients, our practice, our responsibilities. But when was the last time someone asked you questions just about you? Not you as a physician. Not you as a professional. Just... you.
In this episode, we're doing something different. I'm inviting you to sit down with me—imagine we're in a cozy space...
How to keep showing up when the system keeps breaking down
Recording from my car today because perfectionism can take a back seat - we've got more important things to talk about.
Let's not sugarcoat this: Healthcare is a dumpster fire right now. Between government officials spreading vaccine misinformation, declining reimbursements, inadequate staffing, and the general chaos of October 2025, you have every rea...
The question that reveals everything about why you're stuck (and how to get unstuck)
Before we dive in, I want you to do something. Right now, finish this sentence: "If I had more help, I'd..." Don't filter it. Don't edit it. Just let your brain complete that thought.
What came up for you? Was it "see more patients" or "finally start that exercise routine"? The answer re...
When you're stuck in a grumpy spiral and can't seem to shake it off
We've all been there - that Sunday afternoon where everything feels irritating, you're snapping at people you love, and you just can't seem to pull yourself out of the funk. This week, I'm sharing the exact process I used to work through my own "petty pity party" and how you can use these same tools when you&apos...
What are you waiting to give yourself permission to do?
Let me guess. You want to leave work on time. Say no to that extra committee. Cut down your FTE. Set an actual boundary with that colleague who dumps last-minute requests on you.
But you're waiting. Waiting for someone in authority to tell you it's okay. Waiting until you've "earned" enough loyalty points. Waiting until you feel expert enou...
Death by a thousand paper cuts.
You know exactly what I'm talking about. Those small, repetitive frustrations that chip away at your energy every single day. The outdated dot phrase you keep meaning to fix. The cluttered workspace that makes you cringe. The workflow that slows you down every. Single. Time.
We tell ourselves these things shouldn't bother us. That we should have figured this out already. But her...
Ever wonder why setting boundaries as a physician feels like trying to learn rocket science? You're brilliant, you've mastered complex medical concepts, yet saying "no" to one more request feels impossibly difficult. Here's the truth: You weren't taught how to set boundaries – you were actively trained to sacrifice yourself for others.
The Car Manual Revelation
Picture this: I'm s...
Welcome back to Ending Physician Overwhelm! As we head into the last week of August 2025 and prepare for back-to-school season, it's time to think about something we do constantly as physicians: learning.
The Evolution of Medical Learning
You've been a professional learner your entire career. Medical school, residency, fellowship, boards, CME requirements - you've mastered the art of absorbing inform...
Last week, we talked about the toxic assumptions that make everything worse when crisis hits. This week, we're diving into what to actually DO instead - because bad things will happen in your medical career, but they don't have to destroy you in the process.
The Framework That Changes Everything
When something goes catastrophically wrong - termination, disciplinary action, devastating outcome - you need a diff...
⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses challenging topics including job loss, disciplinary actions, and references to physician suicide. While this episode is not about physician suicide specifically, these topics are mentioned in the context of understanding how certain thought patterns can contribute to physician mental health struggles. Please prioritize your wellbeing - if this feels too heavy today, consider ...
The strategic art of dialing friction up and down to protect your sanity
Friction Management?
Friction management is the work of boundaries, and it might just be your secret weapon against overwhelm. In this episode, we dive deep into how technology has reduced friction in ways that are actually making your life harder, and what you can do about it.
The Problem: When "Convenience" Creates Chaos
Epic Chat, T...
How to return to self-care and self-kindness when you're struggling
What’s in This Episode
You're not failing at self-care; you're navigating something unprecedented. As we hit the end of July (yes, summer is flying by!), it's the perfect time to remember how to come back to taking care of yourself when you feel like you've been struggling.
Drawing from Dr. Julie Smith's book "Open When...
Recording live from the Washington coast - because sometimes the best content comes from breaking your own rules.
The Big Question That Changes Everything
Last week we talked about what's NOT possible - all those unrealistic expectations we carry. This week? We're flipping the script. What IS actually possible when you stop following rules that don't serve you?
Breaking the Rules (Starting with M...
When "Impossible" Becomes Your Superpower
You know that feeling when you're drowning in demands that feel completely unrealistic? When you're staring at a schedule that would require 26.7 hours in a 24-hour day? When you're being held responsible for things that are literally impossible for one person to handle?
We've all been there. And today, we're talking about a simple but powerful...
The Epic List You've Been Waiting For: What Women Physicians Are DONE Caring About
Welcome back to the revolution, my friends. This is Part 2 of our "We Do Not Care Club" series, and today we're sharing the crowdsourced, unfiltered, absolutely brilliant list of things that women physicians are officially done caring about.
But first, let's give proper credit where it's due:
This entire movem...
What if you could stop wasting your precious brain energy on things that don't deserve it?
Welcome to a very special edition of Ending Physician Overwhelm, where we're diving deep into the revolutionary concept of the "We Do Not Care Club" – specifically designed for perimenopausal women physicians who are DONE with burning themselves out for a system that doesn't value them.
Shoutout to Melani ...
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