#169: Dr. Lynette Charity: Fixing People & Lifting Them Up
- Dr. Charity was one of the first African Americans to attend a white high school in Virginia. She was also a first generation college student and went on to become a doctor.
- Her goal was family practice. She did an externship in anesthesiology and went into OB and Neuro anesthesia. She was an Army captain and eventually joined a private practice. Dr. Charity's motto: adapt your career to the times.
- She knew medicine was her calling. She also knew it wasn't supposed to kill you. Her coping mechanisms were uprooted and her depression blew up.
- After forty years as a private practitioner, Dr. Charity was fatigued and frustrated. As a result, she became a standup comedian talking about anesthesiologist comedy, what it's like being a black female and depression.
- Dr. Charity believes it's cathartic to share self-deprecating humor and to realize the world is okay if you can laugh.
- She began giving TED talks to let physicians know about the realities of depression and having suicidal thoughts.
- Physicians are not exempt from suicidal ideation. Dr. Charity shares how hearing her mother's voice in her head broke her cycle of depression.
- As you make transitions from healthcare into other arenas, you need coaching to learn from others who went before you. Coaching is key to anything you want to do.
- As budding entrepreneurs, figure out what you can do, get coaching and understand the business aspect.
- From comedy, Dr Charity transitioned to public and keynote speaking. Her advice is to put yourself out there. Have a good website, a demo reel showing what your niche is and a message that resonates with people.
- She started with a boutique speaking bureau and learned the business of public speaking. During COVID, Dr. Charity has transitioned to podcast interviews and virtual presentations.
- Bring your passions to light. Don't be a slave to the bedside. Access credibility by sharing knowledge.
- Learn what your message is, put it in a format that's understandable, add some humor, and tell a story about yourself.
- Dr. Charity talks about her book "Seven Strategies to Become a Healthier, Happier Healer" as she advises people to move out of their own way and to navigate far away from the naysayers.
- Don't listen to the voices in your head and get help for yourself—only then can you dedicate yourself to helping others.
- Investing in coaching, gaining confidence and marketing yourself are keys to being a successful entrepreneur.
- There are so many other things out there you can do if you're feeling burned out, unhappy and unfulfilled.