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.
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Connect with me:
- Website: www.healthierforgood.com
- Instagram: @MeganMeloMD
- Email: megan@healthierforgood.com
- Bookshop.org Book Shop: https://bookshop.org/shop/meganmelo
Ending Physician Overwhelm
Cynicism vs Clear-Eyed Realism
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 reason to feel cynical.
But here's what we're NOT going to do: We're not going to gaslight ourselves into pretending everything's fine. And we're also not going to drown in cynicism.
What You'll Learn:
- Why cynicism is a protective mechanism (and why it backfires)
- The critical difference between cynicism and clear-eyed realism
- How to set boundaries without abandoning your patients or yourself
- Where to put your limited energy when everything feels like a five-alarm fire
- Why "doing less" isn't failure - it's survival
The Truth About Cynicism: Cynicism tells you: "If I expect nothing, I can't be disappointed." But you know what? You're still getting hurt. You're just getting hurt while also becoming passive, disengaged, and spreading negativity to everyone around you.
Clear-Eyed Realism Says:
- The system is broken AND I choose how I respond
- I can't fix everything AND I can decide what's worth my energy
- I'm under-resourced AND I won't compromise patient safety
- Things are hard AND I deserve to take care of myself
Your Reality Check: When you're short-staffed and expected to maintain full productivity, something has to give. You're not making up for systemic failures with your personal exhaustion. That's not noble - it's unsustainable.
Bottom Line: You're not broken. The system is. Your job is to decide how you'll navigate that reality without sacrificing your humanity in the process.
Let's Connect
Need more support? Schedule a coaching consultation at https://calendly.com/healthierforgood/coaching-discovery-call
Connect with us:
- Website: healthierforgood.com
- Email: megan@healthierforgood.com
- Instagram: @meganmelomd
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share with a colleague who might benefit!
To learn more about my coaching practice and group offerings, head over to www.healthierforgood.com. I help Physicians and Allied Health Professional women to let go of toxic perfectionist and people-pleasing habits that leave them frustrated and exhausted. If you are ready to learn skills that help you set boundaries and prioritize yourself, without becoming a cynical a-hole, come work with me.
Want to contact me directly?
Email: megan@healthierforgood.com
Follow me on Instagram!
@MeganMeloMD