228. How a Pediatric Expert Balances Life & Loss

What happens when a physician who regularly discusses wellness and burnout finds herself in need of her own advice?

In this personal episode of "Pediatric Meltdown," host Dr. Lia Gaggino candidly shares her journey through an overwhelming period in late 2024, marked by her father's death, her mother's hip surgery and subsequent move-in, and the unexpected loss of her beloved pet. Despite having a strong support system that includes her husband Rodger, adult daughters, and one-year-old grandson George, she acknowledges her exhaustion and struggles with sleep, nutrition, and exercise habits.

This episode is an honest confession of how even wellness advocates can find themselves needing to replenish their own spirit, in other words, to walk the walk in self-compassion. Some deep soul searching led to Lia’s decision to take a month-long sabbatical from the podcast while still ensuring weekly content. You can look forward to surprise episodes specially curated by her team just for you.

Key Takeaways:

1. Self-awareness and vulnerability are crucial steps in addressing burnout, as demonstrated by Dr. Lia's honest acknowledgment of her own struggles despite being a wellness expert.

2. Setting boundaries and making concrete changes (like designated phone-free zones, scheduled exercise, and sleep routines) are essential components of self-preservation during challenging times.

3. A strong support system and a temporary “leave of absence” makes space for her mental health re-boot. Dr. Lia is privileged to be able to take this break, and recognizes that a break like this may not be an option for many, but she offers some baby steps for herself that can be added to your own self-kindness tool-box. Making time for self-reflection may be the key to long-term sustainability in both personal and professional life.

Make sure to tune in all month long for some episodes that you most likely have not heard. They were curated by Dr. Lia, and her team and they hold a special place in her heart.

**TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST**

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