Nobody Knew I Was Drowning | Dr. Corey Fish
Key Takeaways
- Burnout in pediatrics often carries a heavy, unspoken stigma that leaves many healthcare professionals suffering in complete isolation.
- Financial risks, such as putting a home up as collateral for an urgent care clinic, can amplify professional burnout to dangerous and overwhelming degrees.
- Transitioning into a venture-backed startup may relieve immediate financial pressures, but it often fails to address the underlying root drivers of physician burnout.
- Developing strict boundaries and embracing self-compassion serve as some of the most durable protections against future career exhaustion.
- True recovery from severe burnout frequently requires professional therapy, lifestyle shifts, and a willingness to confront deep-seated shame.
I've known Corey Fish since he was a trainee in residency at the University of Texas, and getting to have this conversation with him was a real gift. In this episode, he walks me through a career full of bold moves, from rural pediatrics in Montana to starting his own urgent care clinic in Portland, putting his house up as collateral, working 70-hour weeks alone, and eventually landing in the world of venture-backed start-ups. He doesn't sugar-coat how dark it got, and I so appreciate that. What struck me most was how openly he talked about the shame and isolation that came with struggling, something I think a lot of us in pediatrics know but rarely say out loud. He also shares what finally helped: therapy, hard boundaries, and a surprising encounter with a stranger at a music venue in Austin that he genuinely believes changed his life. Corey is on the other side of all of it now, and his perspective on self-compassion and protecting your energy is something I think every physician needs to hear. Takeaways:
- Burnout in pediatrics carries a particular stigma. The depth of physician suffering is frequently invisible to those closest to them.
- Financial risk amplifies burnout to a dangerous degree. Entering a venture-backed startup relieved immediate financial pressure but did not address the underlying drivers of burnout.
- Self-compassion and boundary-setting are the most durable protections against burnout.
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Want more Dr. Corey Fish? Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-fish-405b00132/ Follow the show: Instagram @suedaniels.md and @stillpracticingpod Learn more and get transcripts for EVERY episode at www.stillpracticingpod.com For Sales Inquiries & Ad Rates, Please Contact: Sales@Human-Content.Com Connect with Human Content on Socials: @humancontentpods Produced by: Human Content
Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 1:40 - Why Pediatrics? 6:27 - The Dark Days of Running a Startup
13:47 - Lessons from Venture Capital
26:43 - Setting Boundaries & Finding Balance
38:21 - Japan, Music Snacks & Ski Patrol
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is featured in the 'Nobody Knew I Was Drowning' episode of Still Practicing?
Dr. Corey Fish joins host Dr. Sue Daniels to discuss his challenging career trajectory, ranging from rural pediatrics to running his own urgent care clinic and entering venture-backed startups.
How did Dr. Corey Fish's business ventures impact his mental health?
Taking massive financial risks, such as working 70-hour weeks alone and putting his house up as collateral, led Dr. Fish into deep isolation, shame, and severe burnout.
What helped Dr. Corey Fish recover from physician burnout?
Dr. Fish found his way back through therapy, establishing hard boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and making pivotal lifestyle changes.