Mental roadblocks wearing veterinary professionals down

In this episode of The Resilient Vet: Mind and Body Strategies for Success, hosts Aaron Shaw, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS; and Jennifer Edwards, DVM, ACC, CPC, ELI-MP explore how everyday thought patterns, which often go unnoticed, can drain energy and keep veterinary professionals feeling stuck. Designed as a rapid-fire but actionable conversation, the episode breaks down 3 common roadblocks in veterinary medicine: unspoken expectations, assumptions, and self-judgment. Drawing on coaching experience and life in practice, Edwards and Shaw offer simple ways to recognize these patterns in real time and create more sustainable, intentional responses at work.

Partial transcript:

Edwards: Have you ever had a situation where you keep trying, but you just can't seem to change how it is or how you experience it? You try and try, but somehow you end up with another version of the same thing. Today, we are going to do a very brief dive into thoughts and beliefs that might be standing in your way.

Shaw: Yes, a very brief but yet deep dive. This concept definitely hits home for me, so I'm excited to hear what you have to say. And I know you talk about this with a lot of your coaching clients, really identifying the beliefs and viewpoints that get in their way, kind of help people be stuck. So Jennifer, what are some of these hidden roadblocks, and what can people do to start being aware of them?

Edwards: Yeah, so these roadblocks, we call them “energy blocks.” And basically, it's those thoughts, those viewpoints, the beliefs that keep us stuck in unconscious patterns of behaving, interpreting, feeling, and experiencing our lives. It's, you know, we keep trying and trying, and we just can't seem to fill in the blank. What happens is that we end up with an emotional friction. We get discouraged, we feel disempowered because it really starts to feel like, no matter what, I just can't create what I want.

The good news is...

Transcript has been lightly edited for improved clarity.