“I already appreciated Doc G’s calm and effective interviewing style .
Then had even more respect for his frank discussions about the weaknesses of the FIRE movements- because I think it’ll make the movement stronger.
But what I appreciate most is his vulnerability in sharing about the shame he felt as a physician.
As a fellow health care provider, I resonated with the deeply. Lower on the totem pole of hospital hierarchy, I was sometimes on the receiving end of harsh criticism from physicians. But I always sensed the deep insecurity and pain beneath that.
Ive since quit my profession and, if I’m honest, one of my strongest motivations to reach FIRE is to never have to work in health care again.
That’s a sad thing to admit. It’s sad for our patients, it’s sad for our healthcare system, and it’s sad for the healthcare providers going through the emotional trauma of caring for the sick and dying without enough emotional support.
I appreciate that Doc G had the guts and emotional intelligence to speak these hard truths out loud.
FIRE is not a solution for emotional trauma- I think sometimes we hope it will be.
But with some introspection, I think FIRE can be a wonderful step off of the path of toxic societal norms- and onto a path that makes the most of this brief life we’ve been given.”
MA Travel Dreamer via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/20/21