Breaking Free from Stress and Finding Balance with Dr. Robyn Tiger

What if stress didn’t have to control how you feel—and you had simple tools to change it, starting today?

If you’ve been enjoying The Health Feast, I’d be so grateful if you left a quick review on Apple Podcasts. It helps others find the show—and keeps this Feast growing.

Dr. Robyn Tiger knows this firsthand. Years ago, she was a practicing radiologist with what looked like a perfect life on paper—two kids, a great career, a supportive husband. But behind the scenes, her body was breaking down. Migraines, digestive issues, numbness, anxiety… she went to specialists, ran every test, and took every medication. Nothing helped.

The real diagnosis? Chronic stress.

In this powerful conversation, we dive into Robyn’s journey of healing and how she now helps others reclaim their health through simple, science-backed tools. Robyn is a double board-certified physician, certified yoga therapist, life coach, and the founder of StressFreeMD. I met her through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, where she is a leading expert on mind body medicine, and leads breathwork, yoga, and mindfulness sessions.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The hidden ways chronic stress shows up in the body (and why 90% of symptoms seen in primary care have stress as a root cause)

• Emotional buffering—why we numb stress with food, alcohol, or overwork, and how to break the cycle

• The yoga class that shifted everything for Robyn—and why it worked

• Why physician burnout is not a personal failing, but a systemic issue

• Practical, evidence-based tools you can use to feel better now (and yes, she guides us through one of them in the episode!)

Robyn’s story is a reminder that feeling better isn’t just possible—it’s a choice. And sometimes, the first step is simply learning how to breathe again.

Live Well and RAK ON, Dr. Rak 👊🏽 —- 💬 Got thoughts, questions, or topic ideas? DM on Instagram @thehealthfeast or @rakyourlife or here on the Substack.

Guest Bio

Dr. Robyn Tiger, MD, DipABLM, is a double board-certified physician in Diagnostic Radiology and Lifestyle Medicine, a certified life coach, and a yoga and meditation therapist. She is the founder of StressFreeMD, where she helps physicians and other busy professionals reverse the effects of chronic stress using evidence-based, practical tools.

Once a high-achieving radiologist whose own health was unraveling—migraines, digestive issues, anxiety, even dark thoughts—Robyn transformed her life after discovering the root cause was unrelenting stress. Her journey led her to train extensively in yoga therapy, meditation, cognitive behavioral techniques, and lifestyle medicine.

Now, through her coaching, courses, and popular StressFreeMD Podcast, she empowers others to break free from emotional buffering, regulate their nervous systems, and reclaim their health and joy. Online links

• Website: www.stressfreemd.net

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stressfreemd

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyntigermd/

Timestamps:

Timestamps

00:00:00 – Introduction Dr. Rak welcomes listeners and introduces The Health Feast podcast.

00:01:30 – Listener Review Dr. Rak reads a listener review from Apple Podcasts.

00:02:30 – Guest Introduction Introduction of Dr. Robyn Tiger and her work with StressFreeMD.

00:05:00 – Chronic Stress Impact Discussion on how chronic stress affects physical and mental health.

00:10:00 – Personal Health Journey Dr. Tiger shares her own health struggles and the turning point in her journey.

00:15:00 – Yoga’s Role in Healing How one yoga class changed everything for Dr. Tiger.

00:20:00 – Meditation Benefits Exploring how meditation helps regulate stress and supports healing.

00:25:00 – Healthcare System Issues The challenges physicians face in a system that fuels burnout.

00:30:00 – Stress in Medical Training Why stress education needs to be part of medical training.

00:35:00 – Practical Tools for Stress Relief Dr. Tiger shares simple, evidence-based tools to manage stress.

00:40:00 – Guided Breathing Exercise Dr. Tiger leads a powerful breathing technique you can practice anywhere.

00:45:00 – Life Philosophy Dr. Tiger shares the mindset that’s most transformed her life.

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