Ep 54: Resiliency in Medicine (Part 1/2) (Jason Brooks, Anne-Marie Friesen)

Recorded on January 19, 2025.

Join us this week where Dr. Jason Brooks, a performance and personal development coach, and Dr. Anne-Marie Friesen, a PGY-4 anesthesia resident at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, discuss a wide array of topics related to performance, adaptability, and resiliency in medicine.

Over the last 20 years as a mental performance coach, Jason has collaborated with outstanding performers in diverse fields—from elite athletes, performance artists, physicians and tactical law enforcement officers, to business leaders and entrepreneurs. Through these experiences, Jason has observed how these individuals develop unique sets of beliefs and practices that equip them to thrive in demanding performance settings, and that contribute towards them living their best life. He continues to share and expand on these ideas through his coaching practice, and also through the many talks and seminars that he conducts across North America.

Dr. Anne-Marie Friesen is a senior anesthesia resident based in Saskatoon. Originally from Ottawa, she began her career as an intensive care nurse before transitioning into medicine. Outside of her medical career, Dr. Friesen has a strong passion for fitness, with her athletic journey beginning in powerlifting, where she competed at the provincial level. She has since transitioned to bodybuilding, now competing at the national level with the goal of earning her pro card. The discipline and focus she’s developed through both her medical and athletic pursuits have shaped her approach to overcoming challenges, always striving for continuous growth in both her personal and professional life.

Dr. Friesen also has this to say about Dr. Brooks:

"I first met Dr. Jason Brooks as a medical student, balancing my passion for powerlifting with an emerging interest in performance psychology during a challenging time in my life. The loss of a close friend to suicide, just before the COVID pandemic, left me grappling with grief and tough questions. It was in those moments of uncertainty that I began to explore the power of my inner narrative, learning that hope and change are always within reach. Dr. Brooks played a pivotal role in that journey, guiding me to see that transformation is possible and that we can achieve far more than we often believe. Thank you, Dr. Brooks."

Please note that while this podcast is run by healthcare professionals, it is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing beats care that is individualized to your own unique medical needs, so if you have any questions about content covered in this podcast that relates to your own health, please speak with your doctor today.

Additionally, the views expressed on this show are our own and do not necessarily represent those of the USask Department of Anesthesiology.