RxForSuccess Podcast- David G. Armstrong: The Storyteller

What a pleasure to participate with master interviewer Dr. Randy Cook in this great visit on the Rxforsuccess podcast.

The Anesthesiologist: Cindy Van Praag, MD – Rx for Success Podcast

What happens when a physician realizes she's running all her burners at 110% and something has to change? In this inspiring episode of Rx for Success, host Dr. Randy Cook sits down with Dr. Cindy Van Praag—a board-certified anesthesiologist, integrative medicine physician, health coach, and podcast host of Inspired Mom MDs. Cindy shares her remarkable journey from a childhood fascination with a book called Diseases to a successful career in anesthesia, through periods of burnout, and ultimately to a place of healing and intentional living. She opens up about her transformative experience in the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine fellowship, how meditation and self-care became non-negotiable, and why she co-founded a ketamine infusion center to help those with treatment-resistant depression and chronic pain. Along the way, she offers practical wisdom on setting boundaries, listening to your inner voice, and crafting a life that fits—not the other way around. Key Topics Discussed: Growing up moving across the country and how it shaped comfort with change. The book Diseases as a childhood treasure and early sign of a medical calling. The career counselor who said, "You absolutely should apply to medical school." Why anesthesia? Peeking over the surgical drape and finding the "cool, calm" people. The natural segue from anesthesia to integrative medicine and coaching. Cindy's personal journey through burnout: losing her mother, raising young kids, and pushing 110%. How the Andrew Weil fellowship taught self-care as part of the curriculum. The power of meditation and breath work—starting with just a few minutes. Learning to set boundaries with patients and saying no without guilt. Co-founding Spring Center of Hope: a ketamine infusion therapy center for depression, suicidal ideation, and chronic pain. Why low-dose ketamine is radically different from the doses used in operating rooms. Launching Inspired Mom MDs podcast and why the lessons apply to everyone, not just physician moms. Cindy's three prescriptions for success: focus on what matters, release what you can't control, and listen to your inner voice. Guest Information: Dr. Cindy Van Praag, MD – Anesthesiologist, Integrative Medicine Physician, Health & Wellness Coach Podcast: Inspired Mom MDs Website: inspiredmommds.com LinkedIn: Cindy Van Praag Relevant Links: MD Coaches: mymdcoaches.com Companion videocast: Life-Changing Moments with Dr. Dale Waxman Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine Unlock Bonus content and get the shows early on our Patreon Follow us or Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Amazon | Spotify — There's more at https://mymdcoaches.com/podcast Music by Ryan Jones. Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at ryjonesofficial@gmail.com Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com

Dr. Armstrong’s Prescription for Success:

Number 1: Folks don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care: Show a sincere interest in the person in front of you, not just their problem..

Number 2: Don’t be a what I call a kiss up, kick down kind of person: Be the leader who knows the name of everyone that he or she sees when he or she is walking into work. Those interactions, those relationships are ultimately the most meaningful.

Number 3: Don’t procrastinate: Run your list and if you can get something done now, get it done now.

Number 4: Hard things are hard for a reason: Just because something is hard, doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile. If given the choice between doing that thing that’s hard and clocking out for the day, do the thing that’s hard and you’ll grow because you did.

Number 5: The best gift you can give anyone, besides your love, is perspective: Periodically, step back and try to regard what you’re doing. No matter how great your work, if you regard what you’re doing, you’ll find little bits and pieces you can tweak.

Number 6: Be a collector of mentors and learn from them: Pay them respect by seeking their advice and guidance.

Connect with Dr. Armstrong:

Email: armstrong@usa.net

Website: diabeticfootonline.com

Faculty website: https://keck.usc.edu/faculty-search/david-g-armstrong/

Notable Quotes from Dr. Armstrong’s interview

The greatest gift you can give people is to make them feel better.

A lot of the work we do in tissue repair and wound healing and limb preservation is treating people that do not have the gift of pain. So a lot of times, our success is often measured in millimeters and over months and years, not just in that one patient visit.

Nothing ruins a good surgery, like follow up.

I think, ultimately, we’re not judged by how many manuscripts we’ve written, how many lectures we’ve given and how many countries? How many cylinders are in our car, how many dollars are in our bank account, or how much money we’ve gotten in grants. All that’s great, and it’s fun to keep score on that stuff. But ultimately, it’s a fleeting thing. I think we’re judged by our personal progeny, both your children and your professional progeny.