The Catalyst Way™: Creative Strategies for Women in Medicine to Flourish

Make a Nope List and Watch Your Energy Soar

The simplest act of self-care? Saying no. It protects your time, preserves your energy, and keeps your productivity focused on what matters most.
 
In this episode, I’m talking about the “nope list,” a simple but powerful way to guard your time, energy, and attention. I’ll share why women in medicine are especially prone to overcommitting, how chronic yeses chip away at intuition, and why naming your no’s can be as game-changing as chasing your yeses. You’ll hear stories from my own life (including why a hot air balloon ride will never make my bucket list) and real examples from women in my Catalyst Studio who’ve traded guilt for boundaries, whether it’s declining misaligned patients, skipping unnecessary speaking gigs, or refusing to double-book their schedules.
 
If you’ve been stretching yourself thin in the name of getting it all done, this episode will show you how a simple shift can free up your time, boost your productivity, and give your self-care the priority it deserves.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 The Fantasy of Saying No
00:33 Creating Your Nope List
02:30 Recognizing Your Inner Nope
02:52 Burnout in Women Physicians
05:24 Why a Nope List Protects Your Energy
07:13 Neuroscience of Intuition and Boundaries
09:20 Real-Life Examples of Saying No
12:09 Avoiding Schedule Overload
14:04 Aligning Your Life with the Nope List
16:04 Catalyst Question and Takeaway
 
Links
Choose Your Gift
Catalyst Studio™ Mentorship
 
Connect with Lara: 
Website
The Catalyst Way
Instagram 
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
TikTok
 
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Vinny’s 3 Steps to Transform Jitters Into Joy

Have you ever stood at the edge of a big decision and wondered if what you’re feeling is fear holding you back or excitement nudging you forward? I’ve been there more times than I can count. What I’ve learned is that the difference between dread and a breakthrough isn’t always in the situation. It’s in how we choose to frame it.
 
I’m sharing how I navigate those pivotal moments by listening to my body and reframing fear into curiosity and creativity. I’ll tell you the story of Vinny, my colorful mannequin who has been my silent coworker through every twist in my practice, and how he became a symbol for embracing play, even when things felt uncertain. I’ll also walk you through the three-step ritual I use to turn fear into fuel so you can approach transitions with clarity, energy, and a little bit of fun. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in hesitation, this episode will give you a new way to understand what your body is telling you and how to move forward with confidence.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:32 Navigating Big Decisions and Transitions
01:06 The Story of Vinny and Embracing Change
02:34 Fear or Excitement? The Neuroscience of Norepinephrine
06:24 Harvard Study: How Saying “I’m Excited” Boosts Performance
08:32 The Three-Step Ritual to Reframe Fear
12:16 Choosing Play Over Panic in Business
14:52 A Catalyst Question for Your Next Transition
 
Links
Archetype Quiz
Right Brain Rescue Book
Brainstorm Session
Catalyst Advantage Session 
 
Connect with Lara: 
Website
The Catalyst Way
Instagram 
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
TikTok
 
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Triggered? Good. Then listen to this.

Triggers can feel inconvenient, even overwhelming, but I’ve come to see them as powerful clues pointing toward something deeper we need to notice.
 
In this episode, I’m sharing how emotional triggers can actually help us grow, especially as women in medicine try to find more grounding, clarity, and sustainable productivity. I’ll walk you through what’s happening in the brain during those reactive moments and offer some ways to pause, get curious, and shift the pattern.
 
Have you ever found yourself overcommitting or people-pleasing just to feel seen? Are there situations that reliably throw you off your game? I’ll introduce you to the Catalyst Archetypes, which are tools I use with my clients to better understand their nervous system responses and where their biggest growth edges are.
 
Self-care isn’t always pretty or convenient. Sometimes it’s the quiet work of paying attention to what’s underneath our habits. What might change if you gave yourself a little more space to feel before reacting? What could productivity look like if it came from a place of alignment rather than pressure?
 
Let’s explore that together!
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 How Everyday Triggers Reveal Deeper Patterns
01:29 Using Food Cravings to Understand Emotional Reactivity
03:39 What the Limbic System Can Teach Us About Self-Regulation
05:03 The Power of Sitting with Discomfort
11:05 How to Pause Before Reacting and Rewire Your Response
14:30 Catalyst Archetypes: Recognizing Your Default Patterns
15:01 Fervent Flame, Wise Wind, Reflective River, and Resolute Rock Explained
19:58 Turning Triggers into Tools for Grounded Self-Care
21:11 Your Catalyst Question: What Are You Avoiding?
 
Links
Brainstorm Session: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery 
Catalyst Studio™ Mentorship: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst/#studio
 
Connect with Lara: 
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor
 
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Creating Your Inner Medicine Bag: Tools for Thriving in Life and Medicine

Your productivity isn’t powered by hustle but by the deeply personal tools you carry in your inner medicine bag.
 
What helps you feel grounded when everything feels chaotic? What small rituals or comforts help you reset and keep showing up? In this episode, I’m sharing the idea of the inner medicine bag, a collection of items, habits, and practices that support your well-being in ways no planner or productivity hack ever could. I’ll walk you through how mine has changed over the years, from med school to motherhood to where I am now, and how those shifts reflect the different seasons of life.
 
I’ll also introduce you to the four Catalyst Archetypes (Reflective River, Fervent Flame, Wise Wind, and Resolute Rock) and offer insights into the unique tools each one can lean on to stay grounded, clear, and connected to what really matters. Whether your version includes a playlist, a sticky note, a favorite tea, or something beautifully unexpected, my hope is that this episode gets you thinking about what truly helps you thrive and why giving yourself permission to honor those things matters more than checking another box on your to-do list.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 What Is an Inner Medicine Bag and Why It Matters
03:01 How Your Inner Medicine Bag Evolves Through Life Stages
08:44 Introduction to the Four Catalyst Archetypes
09:04 Reflective River: Tools for Emotional Grounding
11:23 Fervent Flame: Rituals for Energy and Focus
14:14 Wise Wind: Grounding Practices for Visionaries
17:16 Resolute Rock: Finding Lightness and Joy in Structure
20:30 Reframing Self-Care and Creativity as Essential, Not Optional
21:15 Catalyst Question: What Do You Truly Need to Thrive?
 
Links
Catalyst Archetype Quiz: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/archetype 
Catalyst Advantage: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst/#Advantage 
"What Kind of Healer Are You"? https://drlarasalyer.com/2024/11/01/episode-136-what-kind-of-healer-are-you-how-to-evolve-your-unique-self-expression/
 
Connect with Dr. Lara Salyer:
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor
 
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Resentment Is a Sign: How to Restructure Before You Burn Out

Resentment gets a bad rap, but what if it’s actually a guidepost?
 
This episode is a look inside one of my recent Catalyst Studio mentoring sessions, where a brilliant practitioner found herself loving the work… and hating how it made her feel. Sound familiar? She wasn’t burned out, yet, but the resentment was building. And it wasn’t loud. It was quiet, chronic, and easy to ignore. Until it wasn’t.
 
We talked through where that resentment was coming from, how it tied to people-pleasing, guilt around pricing, and the belief that overdelivering somehow proves your worth. We named it. We mapped it. And then we got to work.
 
Inside this episode, I share the tools and scripts I gave her to start protecting her energy and time, without shrinking or apologizing. We talk about boundaries (internal and external), membership models, and why policies aren’t just for your practice… they’re for your passion.
 
If you’ve been carrying silent resentment, feeling overextended, or struggling to hold your own boundaries, this one’s for you.
 
Let’s talk about what needs to shift, before burnout makes the decision for you.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Resentment as a Burnout Warning Sign
05:00 The Pressure to Be Liked and Its Hidden Costs
08:13 Scripts for Saying No
10:12 Public vs. Private Boundaries
15:05 Self-Abandonment and Internal Boundaries
16:10 Practicing Discomfort
18:00 How to Spot Quiet Resentment
20:14 Building Structure for Sustainable Care
22:04 Final Reflections and the Catalyst Quiz
 
Links
https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/archetype 
https://drlarasalyer.com/shop 
https://rightbrainrescue.com/p/membership-magic-design-your-3-tier-functional-medicine-membership-to-grow-and-scale
https://drlarasalyer.com/2025/07/11/episode-154-the-big-comeback-ten-rules-that-changed-my-practice-and-life/ 
 
Connect with Dr. Lara Salyer: 
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor
 
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

The Big Comeback: Ten Rules That Changed My Practice and Life

I’m back with a new season of The Catalyst Way, and I’m not picking up where I left off. I’m starting from a very different place, one shaped by change, growth, and a reminder that joy has to lead the way.
 
In this episode, I’m sharing why I paused the podcast and what brought me back. A lot has shifted, personally and professionally, and I want to be honest about what that looked like. I’ve been through some big transitions lately, and like many of you, I’ve had to untangle parts of my life that felt stuck so I could reconnect with a sense of creativity and authenticity that feels true to who I am now.
 
This season, I’m bringing that energy to the podcast. I’m sharing the ten Catalyst Codes I live by, my personal ethos that’s helped me design a more aligned, sustainable way of practicing and mentoring. These aren’t tips or tricks. They’re values that came from lived experience: mistakes, grief, intuition, and a whole lot of unlearning.
 
What you’ll get is the real me, talking from my home office, maybe with a barking dog in the background, maybe in the same outfit as last week. I’ll be sharing stories from my own life and from the incredible women in my Catalyst Studio, with takeaways that actually make a difference in how you move through your day.
 
If you’ve been carrying a calendar that doesn’t feel like yours… if you’re craving a new way to work, live, and lead… I hope this season gives you the space to breathe, reflect, and start imagining something better. Let’s get into it!
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Welcome to a New Season of The Catalyst Way
01:50 What Is Time Alchemy
05:02 From Burnout to Creative Mentorship
08:05 What to Expect This Season
12:41 The 10 Catalyst Codes
16:49 Flow Over Hustle
23:32 Catalyst Question: What Stopped Being Fun
24:12 Navigating Personal Transitions
 
Links
https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst/#Advantage
https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery
https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/archetype
 
Connect with Dr. Lara Salyer: 
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor
 
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

#Catalyst Replay: Unplugged: Never Dread a Discovery Call Again (How to Set up a Membership Model)

I used to dread discovery calls. Before switching to a membership model, I felt like I was constantly chasing patients, trying to get them to use their remaining visits, and repeating myself over and over again. But once I transitioned to a membership model, everything changed. I started attracting patients who were just as enthusiastic as I was about finding the root causes of their health concerns. Instead of feeling like a salesperson, I became a true partner in their healing journey.
 
Membership works because it’s clear, structured, and provides the ongoing support that functional medicine truly requires. Packages might seem like a simple solution, but they don’t set you—or your patients—up for long-term success. Functional and integrative medicine is complex, and true progress happens with consistency, feedback, and real partnership. That’s why I developed a membership model that serves both me and my patients, and today, I’m sharing exactly how you can do the same.
 
The process is easier than you think. It starts with identifying how long your patients typically work with you, listing out all the services you provide, and organizing those into structured tiers. When done right, a membership-based practice invites your patients to become co-creators in their own health journey. If you’re tired of the unpredictability of packages and want to build a sustainable, rewarding practice, this episode is for you!
 
Quotes
“When you are looking at ongoing medical support and you are unraveling complex processes, packages don't work.” (3:31-3:38 | Dr. Lara)
“There are no two memberships alike, and you're allowed to take what you like, leave the rest and tweak it so that it reflects your own values and personality.” (7:45-7:53 | Dr. Lara) 
“The thing about innovative healthcare is creating this ecosystem and environment for patients to thrive and lowering that barrier for them to experiment with some of these modalities is key.” (16:16-16:27 | Dr. Lara)
“People underestimate the need for community.” (17:38-17:42 | Dr. Lara)
“Really all a membership is, is the promise that you'll be there for a minimum amount of months and they have flexibility to continue after that.” (18:49-18:58 | Dr. Lara)
 
Links
Schedule a 20-minute Brainstorm Session: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery
 
Connect with Lara: 
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor
 
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

The Future Forecast in Functional Medicine Jobs

A career in functional medicine should feel fulfilling, not exhausting. So how do you build a practice that supports both your patients and your well-being?
 
I sat down with Lisa McDonald, founder of Integrated Connections, to talk about what it takes to create a sustainable career in personalized medicine. Lisa’s own journey—from struggling patient to industry leader—shaped her passion for helping practitioners find roles that align with their values and prevent burnout. With over 15 years of experience in recruitment, she’s seen firsthand the challenges and opportunities in functional and integrative medicine.
 
Burnout is a real risk when you care deeply about your work. Lisa and I discuss why setting boundaries and building the right support system is essential, especially for those working with complex, chronically ill patients. We also explore how group visits and collaboration can create better outcomes for both patients and providers.
 
If you’re thinking about making the leap into functional medicine or looking for ways to protect your energy while doing meaningful work, this episode is for you!
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
01:14 Transitioning from Conventional to Functional Medicine
02:06 Tips for Building Your Own Practice
03:20 Lisa McDonald’s Journey
07:06 The Impact of Practitioners on Patient Lives
09:02 Importance of Boundaries and Self-Care for Practitioners
11:23 Lisa’s Personal Compass for Well-being
14:41 Embracing Imperfection in Creativity
18:01 Differences Between Burned Out and Thriving Practitioners
23:08 Advice for Burned Out Practitioners
24:23 Tips for Starting Your Own Practice
29:06 The Reality of Starting a Functional Medicine Practice
32:09 Integrating Functional Medicine into Mainstream Healthcare
33:31 Innovative Ideas for Future Healthcare Practices
35:58 Designing Support Systems in Your Practice
38:04 Growth and Demand in Functional Medicine
40:01 The Backend Work of Integrated Connections
42:08 Connecting Childhood Activities to Adult Life
 
Links
Connect with Lisa McDonald:
Website: https://integratedconnects.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisapmcdonald/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integratedconnections/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/integratedconnections
 
Book a Brainstorm Session (Coupon code - PODCAST): https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery
 
Connect with Lara: 
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor
 
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Can You Pass This Entrepreneur Intuition Test?

Trusting your gut in business isn’t magic. It’s a skill you can develop, and once you do, decisions feel clearer, opportunities stand out, and success starts to flow.
 
I’ve learned firsthand how powerful intuition is for entrepreneurs. Have you ever felt pressured to chase an opportunity that looked great on paper but didn’t sit right with you? I’ve been there. When I was encouraged to start an agency, it seemed like a smart move. But something felt off. So instead of jumping in, I used my 48-hour snooze rule—a simple pause that helps me check in with my intuition. When I came back to the idea, I knew it wasn’t the right path.
 
Some opportunities may be lucrative, but are they truly aligned? I believe creativity and individuality matter more than rigid systems, and that applies to both medicine and business. Intuition isn’t just a hunch. It’s a skill you can strengthen, just like Oprah Winfrey did when she turned down a major role and built something even bigger.
 
I’ll share how you can train your intuition to work for you. I’ll walk you through simple practices like journaling and small intuitive risks that build confidence in your decision-making. If you’ve ever second-guessed yourself or felt stuck between logic and instinct, this episode will help you trust yourself more fully and build a business that truly fits you.
 
Quotes
“You can sign up with a business that will promise to deliver a website and funnels and all of these things, but if they’re not working with you to find your own hidden gems, your own hidden superpowers, the ways where your brain is more in flow or contradictory, the ways that you’re self-sabotaging yourself, you’re not going to get very far.” (06:43 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“The system is only as good as your creativity. And it’s only as good as if it fits your authenticity and your mission.” (07:15 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Only you know how you want your work-life masterpiece to feel. You know that feeling. And you can trust that when you start making decisions that are pulling you in the right direction, it gets easier to do that.” (11:13 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Small intuitive risks. Not everybody’s going to see it. You’re going to learn that you can survive a momentarily embarrassed moment, or maybe the captions didn’t record, or you stumbled over a word or whatever.” (18:40 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
 
Links
Book a Brainstorm Session (coupon code PODCAST): https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery
Free Micropractice Assessment: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/to/P56ItjWi?typeform-source=drlarasalyer.com
Upcoming Membership Magic workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/dr-lara-salyer-do-ifmcp-14966663375
 
Connect with Lara: 
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor
 
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Cognitive Crafting: Heuristic to Catalyze Time Management

Your brain makes thousands of decisions every day. Why not make the process easier?
 
In this episode, I share how heuristics, or “life rules” can lighten your cognitive load, simplify daily choices, and free up energy for what actually matters. I’ll walk you through practical shortcuts like the one-touch rule, theme days, and energy matching to help you work with your brain instead of against it. I’ll also share how a simple mindset shift, “everything is art,” transformed my approach to home design and decision-making. 
 
What life rules could help you bring more ease, creativity, and flow into your day?
 
Quotes
“Heuristics are systems of mental shortcuts. They’re simple, they’re efficient rules, and sometimes you learn them, or you might just create them, and it becomes something in hindsight that you realize you’ve had these systems your whole life.” (04:57 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Flow neuroscience works a little differently than what you were taught. So the energy matching is basically assigning the most challenging or most creative tasks that will require a lot of brain power to your energy times.” (10:10 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“That’s the interesting juxtaposition of a heuristic. It does give you control so that you can let go… Because you’re controlling a preset decision matrix, shall we say, a shortcut of your thinking, so that you can let go and let flow.” (15:19 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
“Your work shouldn’t be all you do. It shouldn’t be your life. You have a work-life masterpiece that blends colors and textures and overlaps, and you should be proud of what you do, but it shouldn’t be your only identity.” (17:17 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
 
Links
Book a Brainstorm Session: https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery
Magic Membership workshop mentioned in this episode: 
https://rightbrainrescue.com/p/membership-magic-design-your-3-tier-functional-medicine-membership-to-grow-and-scale
Right Brain Rescue Book: https://www.amazon.com//dp/B08JCKBWK5/
 
Connect with Lara: 
Website: https://drlarasalyer.com
The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst
Instagram: @drlarasalyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer
TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor
 
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm