Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD

If your self-care has felt like an afterthought this year, this episode will show you why, and how, to change that.

In this honest solo episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir shares the six self-care decisions that transformed her mental health, physical wellbeing and clarity in 2025. These are not the usual “spa day” strategies. They are the hard, uncomfortable choices high achievers often avoid: saying no to incredible opportunities, stepping away from roles that cause moral injury, investing in real accountability for health, protecting your energy online, creating space for reflection and developing radical clarity about your goals.

What happens when you give people a chance?

Our guests this week are the remarkable mother–daughter team Gabi and Mary Angelini, founders of Gabi’s Powered by Special Abilities, a nonprofit redefining employment, dignity, and purpose for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Gabi, who has Down syndrome, spent years applying for jobs — dressing up, practicing interview answers, and doing everything she was told to do — yet employer after employer told her “no.” One smoothie shop even gave her a full tour… only to later reject her without ever letting her try the job.<...

Three-time cancer survivor Kim Downey turned heartbreak into advocacy. When her physician took his own life, she founded Stand Up for Doctors - a global movement amplifying the stories, struggles, and humanity of healthcare workers.

In this deeply moving conversation, Kim shares how personal tragedy became a call to action, why caring for doctors is caring for patients, and how her work - including the influential book White Coats, Courageous Hearts is helping clinicians and patients alike see medicine through a more compassionate lens.

This episode reminds us that behind every...

Richard Averitte calls himself a “career volunteer.” Today, he leads as Executive Director for the American Cancer Society (ACS) in Central & Eastern North Carolina—bringing decades of hands-on service to research, advocacy, and patient support. In this powerful conversation, Richard shares his personal “why,” the realities of rebuilding post-pandemic volunteer programs, how Hope Lodge changes lives, and why cancer screening must become a habit—especially for men and younger adults.

This episode is part of a special November series on the Power of Giving.

Episode Takeaways:
-Why volunteer roots create resilient nonprofit leaders—and how “time, tal...

Pete Proimos isn’t just surviving cystic fibrosis — he’s redefining what it means to live and give.

Diagnosed at birth with a condition that once carried a life expectancy of only 18 years, Pete turned heartbreak into a mission of hope. As founder and president of the Filotimo Foundation, he’s ensuring that individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis never have to choose between medication and basic needs.

In this deeply personal and moving conversation, Pete shares how decades of uncertainty, fear, and resilience led him to build something rooted in love, compassion, and communit...

Akifa Khattak was not just one of the Miss Universe Pakistan finalists - she’s also a healthcare attorney, biotech entrepreneur, and women’s health advocate on a mission to change how we diagnose and treat endometriosis.

In this powerful conversation, Akifa shares how a rare, life-altering health journey led her to co-found Her Health AI, a FemTech company pioneering non-invasive endometriosis diagnostics and surgical lesion mapping. She opens up about cultural taboos around pelvic health, the unseen financial and family costs of chronic illness, and why pageantry became an unexpected but transformative platform to bridge East and...

In this Bonus Solo Episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir has a special announcement!
 
Finally Live - TEDx talk:  Perfectionism has a solution. It's not what you think.

Please watch the 10:31-minute TEDx talk - intended for everyone, perfectionist or not.
It will help you understand so much of what you or your loved ones might be experiencing.
Please like the TEDx Talk, and in the comments section, please share what came up for you as you listened.
Send this Dr. Shabbir's TEDx talk to your friends, family, peer and beyond. This is intended fo...

Friendship Is Medicine
In this solo episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD, I open up about the friends who carried me through the hardest chapters—burnout, moral injury, postpartum depression, and even the days leading up to my TEDx talk when I felt overwhelmed and full of doubt.

We live in what the U.S. Surgeon General has called a loneliness epidemic, and research confirms that loneliness is more than emotional pain—it’s a public health issue. But friendships aren’t just a comfort. They are biological, emotional, and performance enhancers that literally rewire o...

Living Adventurously: Courage, Awe, and the Pilot Mindset

 In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD, I sit down with Shiraz Dalal, a commercial airline pilot, TEDx speaker, and global explorer whose adventures span all seven continents and all 50 U.S. states.

From flying Boeing 767s to climbing Kilimanjaro, wing walking, free diving, and even swimming with great white sharks without a cage—Shiraz’s life is more than adrenaline. It’s about choosing courage, embracing the unknown, and finding humility in awe-filled moments.

We explore what fear really means, how to...

Storytelling secrets—fails, lessons, and how to truly connect.

 In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, I sit down with Jeff Polish—founder and executive director of The Monti, a live no-notes storytelling series that has lit up stages across North Carolina since 2008.

We explore how storytelling transforms vulnerability into connection, why personal narratives carry the power to heal and unite communities, and what it takes to step on stage with nothing but your truth. Along the way, Jeff shares the tips, the fails, and the lessons learned from curating thousands of st...

In a world full of distractions and endless demands, how do we decide what truly matters?

In this solo episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, I explore the concept of Essentialism—a philosophy of living by design, not by default. Essentialism is not about doing more; it’s about doing less but better. It’s about reclaiming your power of choice, recognizing life’s inevitable trade-offs, and focusing on what matters most.

I share how essentialism contrasts with perfectionism, and why perfectionism often keeps us stuck chasing non-essential goals. Along the way, I’ll provide...

Finding your voice requires courage, persistence, and a willingness to step into the unknown.

In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, I sit down with Tara LaFon Gooch—international TEDx speaker, bestselling author, confidence expert, and the creator of the GRASP Method—to uncover what it really takes to move from self-doubt to the TEDx red dot.

We dive deep into Tara’s personal journey from being terrified of public speaking to becoming a global thought leader, and how she now empowers others to transform fear into confidence, comparison into c...

A quick update on the upcoming episodes of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD. 

Thank you to all our incredible guests for sharing their invaluable insights, research, and very personal stories with us as we unpacked the various facets of perfectionism.

If you have not yet had a chance, please tune in to Episodes 6 - 30 that have explored Perfectionism in great depth. 

About the Host

Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician, TEDx Speaker, with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, an...

Understanding perfectionism requires examining it in complete cultural context.

In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, I sit down with Sahaj Kohli—author of But What Will People Say? and founder of Brown Girl Therapy—to explore how perfectionism shows up uniquely for children of immigrants and those navigating bicultural identities.

We dive deep into why so many high achievers feel “never enough,” how impression management keeps us in a “glass house,” and what it takes to rewrite the narrative with self-compassion, intergenerational understanding, and permission to rest.

Ep...

Have you ever felt paralyzed by your inner critic? 

Trigger Warning: Suicide

In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD we sit down with internationally acclaimed speaker, author, and business strategist Tanya Chernova to unpack the harsh realities of perfectionism, self-criticism, and the damaging inner voice known as "the other girl."

Tanya shares her deeply personal journey through burnout, suicidal thoughts, and a perfectionist mindset and how she learned to reframe failure, develop self-compassion, and redefine success on her own terms.

Topics Covered:

What happens when the pressure to be perfect is inherited?

In this episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, we sit down with Ghalia Aamer to unpack the invisible weight of perfectionism faced by many young adults and especially daughters of immigrants.

At just 23, Ghalia has accomplished what most people only dream of. But behind her accolades lies a deep reckoning with cultural expectations, toxic achievement cycles, and the constant fear of not doing “enough.” This conversation is a must-listen for high-achieving women, first-gen professionals, and anyone navigating self-worth in a hyper-competitive world.

To...

What if the biggest threat to your child’s self-worth isn’t grades or friends, but the silent pressure to be perfect?

In this episode, we’re joined by Caden Vittorni, a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and founder of Vitt Factor, as he shares how a wake-up call in his own life led him to become a powerful voice for youth struggling with perfectionism, comparison, and confidence in the digital age. He explains why kids aren't connecting, what social media is really doing to their self-worth, and how adults can help.

Topics Covered:

What happens when a ballerina becomes a physician and perfectionism fuels both identities?

In this deeply moving episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, we sit down with Dr. Kara Pepper, a primary care internist, executive coach, and former ballet dancer, to talk about perfectionism, burnout, eating disorders, and redefining success.

Highlights:

How does perfectionism impact organizational well-being?

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Dr. Carrie Adair to unpack the toxic link between organizational wellness, perfectionism, burnout, and mental health.

Dr. Adair draws on cutting-edge research and real-world experience from healthcare to explain why perfectionism may actually be sabotaging your success, happiness, and well-being. From institutional culture to self-compassion, this episode offers practical tools for breaking free from perfectionistic thinking and creating a healthier, more human-centered work and life experience.

Topics Covered:

What if perfectionism isn't just a mindset problem but a neurological one?

In this transformative episode of Success Reimagined, host Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Dr. Romie Mushtaq as they unravel the hidden connection between burnout, anxiety, and perfectionism and how to heal from the inside out.

Dr. Romie introduces the concept of "busy brain", a state driven by neuroinflammation and chronic stress, and outlines a science-backed protocol that has helped thousands of high achievers find clarity, focus, and peace. From redefining South Asian cultural expectations to dismantling internalized perfectionism, this conversation is...

What happens when you chase perfection in a world that demands flawlessness, especially as a South Asian woman?

In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, host Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Nishat Uddin, founder of Brown Girls Health and South Asian Care, to unpack the cultural, personal, and professional layers of perfectionism. Nishat shares her journey of veering off the traditional career path, navigating community pressures, and redefining what success and mental health support mean on her own terms.

From breaking the silence around therapy to creating culturally compassionate health platforms, Nishat’s story will re...

What if your greatest impact as a physician isn't inside the exam room but beyond it?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Dr. Kevin Pho, the founder of KevinMD.com, one of the most influential healthcare platforms in the world. Together, they explore the hidden cost of perfectionism, the cultural roots of overachievement, and what it means to redefine success as a clinician.

Dr. Pho opens up about his immigrant upbringing, the emotional toll of medicine, and how his platform, which started as a simple blog, became a home for thousands...

You’ve worked so hard to be successful, but do you actually know how to enjoy it?

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Hala Sabry—ER physician, mother of five, and founder of the Physician Moms Group (PMG) and the National Women Physicians Day—to explore the complex relationship women have with perfectionism, identity, and success.

Dr. Sabry opens up about her journey from being a people-pleasing perfectionist to embracing her power and how letting go of societal expectations allowed her to build one of the most impactful communities in modern medicine. With r...