To Overcome Challenges and Promote Personal Growth Pursue Joy

Interview with Dr. Chrissie Ott – Episode 422

In this interview with med-peds physician and coach Dr. Chrissie Ott, we discover how to pursue joy as a means to overcoming challenges and to pursue personal growth.

[fusebox_track_player url=”https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/physiciannonclinicalcareers/To_Overcome_Challenges_and_Promote_Personal_Growth_Pursue_Joy.mp3″]

Dr. Ott worked in a traditional practice for 2 years. She then took a bold step in 2008, opening a solo micropractice at a time when few physicians were doing the same. She eventually left that practice and worked as a Med-Peds hospitalist. She then became interested in physician coaching, pursuing several certifications in the field.

Since then, she has coached more than 300 physicians through wellness initiatives and developed a philosophy she calls solving for joy. She helps clients focus on meaning, alignment, and delight rather than surface-level happiness.

Our Episode Sponsor

If you’re a physician with at least 5 years of experience looking for a flexible, nonclinical, part-time medical-legal consulting role…

…Dr. Armin Feldman’s Medical Legal Coaching program will guarantee to add $100K in additional income within 12 months without doing any expert witness work. Any doctor in any specialty can do this work. And if you don’t reach that number, he’ll work with you for free until you do, guaranteed.

How can he make such a bold claim? It’s simple, he gets results… 

• Dr. David exceeded his clinical income without sacrificing time in his full-time position.

• Dr. Anke retired from her practice while generating the same monthly consulting income. 

• And Dr. Elliott added meaningful consulting work without lowering his clinical income or job satisfaction.

So, if you’re a physician with 5+ years of experience and you want to find out exactly how to add $100K in additional consulting income in just 12 months, go to arminfeldman.com.

Our Sponsor

We’re proud to have the University of Tennessee Physician Executive MBA Program, offered by the Haslam College of Business, as the sponsor of this podcast.

The UT PEMBA is the longest-running and most highly respected physician-only MBA in the country. It has over 900 graduates. And, the program only takes one year to complete. 

By joining the UT Physician Executive MBA, you will develop the business and management skills you need to find a career you love. To learn more, contact Dr. Kate Atchley’s office at (865) 974-6526 or go to jurica.buzzmybrandtoday.com/physicianmba.

For Podcast Listeners

• John hosts a short weekly Q&A session on topics related to physicians’ careers and leadership. Each discussion is posted for you to review and apply. Sometimes, all it takes is one insight to take you to the next level of your career. Check out the Weekly Q&A and join us for only $5.00 monthly.
• If you want access to dozens of lessons dedicated to nonclinical and unconventional clinical careers, you should join the Nonclinical Career Academy MemberClub. For a small monthly fee, you can access the Weekly Q&A Sessions AND as many lessons and courses as you wish. Click the link to check it out, and use the Coupon Code “FIRSTMONTHFIVE” to get your first month for only $5.00.

Transforming 300 Physicians Through Coaching

Dr. Chrissie designed and led a wellness program that guided 300 clinicians through 12 weeks of coaching, combining individual sessions, small groups, and teaching. Assessments before and after the program showed significant gains in physical health, professional growth, creativity, and relationships.

The response was overwhelming: 120 physicians applied for just 60 spots in the pilot, highlighting the urgent demand for physician wellness resources. Many participants made life-changing decisions, launching new projects, leaving unsustainable jobs, and realizing they don’t have to believe every thought they think.

A Tool for Quieting Rumination

For physicians caught in loops of negative thinking, Dr. Chrissie shares a simple but powerful writing exercise. Set a timer for 5–10 minutes and answer three prompts:

• What are my most frequent thoughts about this issue?

• What are my hidden or unspoken thoughts about it?

• What are my most aspirational thoughts about it?