Blog

In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and practice management goddess Stephanie Goss talk about the feelings of isolation that plague so many practice leaders. Whether you are a clinic owner, a practice manager, head technician, medical director or lead CSR – if you have ever wondered if others who lead feel alone, this episode is for you.

Love this podcast? You need to be in Uncharted! Head over to www.unchartedvet.com to get registered!

In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss talk about summer mayhem and how to schedule to handle it. This episode does not discuss how long appointments should be but instead focuses on how to schedule appointments to reduce stress and build in flexibility.

If you’re ready to join the Uncharted community, head over to www.UnchartedVet.com and register to be a member!

By Melanie Kramer, RYT 200

Two years ago I was in a pretty low place. After having two kids in two years, both through necessary C-sections, my body was not strong. My mind was riddled with post-partum anxiety and the daily stress of working full-time and being a mom to two kids under two was getting to me. 

I got help for my post-partum anxiety, but let’s be honest, sleep was a precious commodity that just wasn’t available to me with two small children. I needed an outlet. I had isolated myself with my work from home job and my two little ones with various constant needs. I needed to get out of the house and out of my head. 

Returning to a workout routine outside of my home felt like a mountain I wasn’t ready to climb. Still craving that mind and body strength I decided to inch up that mountain and took a beginner’s class at yoga studio very near my home. It was tough. I couldn’t hold a plank at all, or even a down dog for very long. The encouragement from the teacher was great and she didn’t push me, but gave me the space I needed to grow into a practice that worked for me. I kept my knees on the ground during planks, I used props to help my body better fit into proper alignment and I kept coming back for more. 

The difficulty of trying to get my body to try new things combined with deep breathing in and out of the poses began to work wonders on my anxiety-riddled brain. So I kept coming back for more. And I kept coming back. 

Two years later my anxiety is manageable. I can feel it coming on and am sometimes able to manage it with breath and exercise. My body feels strong and able to do things I never thought I would do again. Most of all, some of the poses I’ve been able to reach like headstand, tripod and backbends, bring back an almost childlike feeling that gives me tremendous joy. 

Becoming a registered yoga teacher and being able to teach a weekly class inside the Uncharted Community felt like the next natural step for sharing the joy and community I was able to find. 

My hope for you is to experience that strength for your mind and your body. I don’t want you to push yourself to injury. There are modifications and props available to help you reach the level you want to reach. You don’t need to have a headstand, or go into plow pose – my only hope for you through our weekly yoga classes is that you feel calm, comfortable and are able to get out of your head for a little bit each week. All you need to do is start where you are.  

Uncharted Yoga Classes are held on Thursdays at 6:30 am Eastern Time on our Zoom platform. To sign up for an Uncharted Membership and attend weekly yoga classes, join our Coffee Club Chat, Culture Club, Book Club and more register here.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Unchartedvet.com editorial team.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melanie Kramer is a registered yoga teacher. She teaches online and in the Little Rock, AR area. She is also the editorial director for Dr.AndyRoark.com and the director of live events for Uncharted Veterinary Conference.

We invite you to take a peek into part of what makes the Uncharted Veterinary Community so unique: our members! We sat down to interview some of the amazing people who have joined us on our amazing journey since the first conference in 2017. Our first interview was with Dr. Jay Thrush, a veterinarian from Ontario, Canada! Enjoy!

For anyone who doesn’t know you, could you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a small animal vet, practice owner (who is currently “between practices” having just sold mine ?), father, and all-around cool dude. No, really. People call me that all the time. You can ask around. I currently live and work in southern Manitoba, but will soon be moving to southern Ontario. Apparently that’s where the action is. Well, that’s where my fiancé lives – so yeah, that’s where the action is… I love performing surgery (orthopedics is my jam), building positive team culture (which I learned about through Uncharted ?), and my Uncharted family. I am the creator of What A Vet Sees (shameless plug) which is my way of sharing a veterinarian’s unique perspective on the world. Google that sh*t. It’s on Instagram, Facebook, and the interweb. My superpowers are learning, kindness, and understanding.

What were you looking for when you joined Uncharted? 

When I first signed up for Uncharted, I was looking for and hoping to find ways to improve myself – both personally and professionally. As a vet. As a leader and manager. As a person. To say that I found what I was looking for through Uncharted is a gross understatement. Not only did I find ways to improve myself in all of those areas, but so much more. I found camaraderie, friendship, vulnerability, connection, support, mentorship, community, family and love. Uncharted literally changed my life.

Who is one of your favorite people you’ve met through Uncharted and why? 

Again, this is so hard to pick, because there are so many great people in Uncharted. An obvious choice would be the love of my life, Lisa Milan (yes, I’m totally going for brownie points). On another note, however, I would have to say, Dave Nicol. While Dave is not an active member of the Uncharted Workplace Community, he has been a much-loved speaker at Uncharted conferences. The man is just so damn smart! He has such great positivity and energy, and he’s just an all-around terrific human being. Dave is an inspiration to me, a mentor and I’m proud to say he’s become a good friend.

What is one thing you never thought you could do (or were afraid to try) that you’ve done since joining Uncharted? 

Until Uncharted I never envisioned myself developing a “personal brand.” Becoming involved with Uncharted has given me the inspiration, the motivation, and the tools & resources I needed to do just that.

What is one thing you believe all veterinary professionals can do RIGHT NOW to make Vet Med even better? 

Be kind. For me, it all boils down to kindness. I’m a firm believer in the saying: “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.” Be kind to your patients (obviously), be kind to your clients and be kind to yourself. But most of all, be kind to your peers. Be an agent for positivity and kindness in our profession. Respect, support, uplift and celebrate one another – in doing so, you will elevate our profession as a whole.

What is your end-of-workday guilty pleasure? 

Hmmm… there are a few things I could pick here. I would say watching me a little Netflix or Amazon Prime – although I usually make myself run on the treadmill while I watch something so that I feel less guilty about it… and I enjoy a good glass of bourbon now and then.

Tell us a story of how another Uncharted Member has helped you. 

The amazing Phil Zeltzman provided me with advice, direction, inspiration, motivation and a good ol’ push (which is to say he continuously harassed me) which helped me to get my website and blog for What A Vet Sees up and running. Now I just have to keep everything up to date – which I’m bad at. (How about another push, Phil?)

Do you have a dream for your career? What is it? 

My current dream is to get moved to Ontario so that me and Lisa (my fiancé – who just happens to be an incredible practice manager – and did I mention that she’s the love of my life? I did? OK, good – I just wanted to make that clear…) can begin our take-over of the veterinary world. Who knew the epicenter would be in southern Ontario? Never mind – you’ve been given fair warning. I would love to grow and develop an amazing practice (or several practices) with her, as well as to find a meaningful way to give help and support to others in our profession – something that I’m sure Uncharted will play no small part in.

You can join the Uncharted community and meet people like Jay by visiting www.UnchartedVet.com and registering to become a member!

In this episode, Dr. Andy Roark and practice manager Stephanie Goss respond to a practice manager who his struggling to keep her head above water as she does her job… and some other peoples’.

Do you love the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast? If so, you NEED to check out the Uncharted community. Learn more at www.UnchartedVet.com