loader from loading.io

EP325: What If Wiping Out Was the Key to Rising Stronger in Medicine?

BootstrapMD - Physician Entrepreneurs Podcast with Dr. Mike Woo-Ming

Release Date: 12/24/2025

EP326: 2025 Retrospective - What Actually Worked (And Flopped) for Physician Entrepreneurs. show art EP326: 2025 Retrospective - What Actually Worked (And Flopped) for Physician Entrepreneurs.

BootstrapMD - Physician Entrepreneurs Podcast with Dr. Mike Woo-Ming

EP326: 2025 Retrospective - What Actually Worked (And Flopped) for Physician Entrepreneurs.  This episode is sponsored by . Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one. _____________ This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on...

info_outline
EP325: What If Wiping Out Was the Key to Rising Stronger in Medicine? show art EP325: What If Wiping Out Was the Key to Rising Stronger in Medicine?

BootstrapMD - Physician Entrepreneurs Podcast with Dr. Mike Woo-Ming

This episode is sponsored by . Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one. _____________ This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one...

info_outline
EP324 : Why Physicians Are Co-Investing in $55M Deals with a $12B Real Estate Giant show art EP324 : Why Physicians Are Co-Investing in $55M Deals with a $12B Real Estate Giant

BootstrapMD - Physician Entrepreneurs Podcast with Dr. Mike Woo-Ming

This episode is sponsored by . Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one. _____________  This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one...

info_outline
EP323 : Never Split the Difference: The FBI Negotiator’s Playbook Every Physician Needs show art EP323 : Never Split the Difference: The FBI Negotiator’s Playbook Every Physician Needs

BootstrapMD - Physician Entrepreneurs Podcast with Dr. Mike Woo-Ming

This episode is sponsored by . Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one. _____________   This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one...

info_outline
EP322: Who Am I Without the White Coat? Leaving Clinical Medicine Without Losing Yourself show art EP322: Who Am I Without the White Coat? Leaving Clinical Medicine Without Losing Yourself

BootstrapMD - Physician Entrepreneurs Podcast with Dr. Mike Woo-Ming

This episode is sponsored by . Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one. _____________   This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one...

info_outline
EP321: How to Set Your 2026 Goals Now (Yes Now!) - A 6 Week Jumpstart for Physician Entrepreneurs show art EP321: How to Set Your 2026 Goals Now (Yes Now!) - A 6 Week Jumpstart for Physician Entrepreneurs

BootstrapMD - Physician Entrepreneurs Podcast with Dr. Mike Woo-Ming

This episode is sponsored by . Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one. _____________   This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one...

info_outline
EP320: Ten Reasons Why Every Physician Needs a Mentor show art EP320: Ten Reasons Why Every Physician Needs a Mentor

BootstrapMD - Physician Entrepreneurs Podcast with Dr. Mike Woo-Ming

This episode is sponsored by . Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one. _____________   This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one...

info_outline
EP319: Inside the Room - What Really Happens in Millionaire Masterminds show art EP319: Inside the Room - What Really Happens in Millionaire Masterminds

BootstrapMD - Physician Entrepreneurs Podcast with Dr. Mike Woo-Ming

This episode is sponsored by . Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one. _____________  This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one...

info_outline
EP318: Seven Steps to Building a Patient Funnel That Converts (Without Ads) show art EP318: Seven Steps to Building a Patient Funnel That Converts (Without Ads)

BootstrapMD - Physician Entrepreneurs Podcast with Dr. Mike Woo-Ming

This episode is sponsored by . Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one. _____________ This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one...

info_outline
EP317: Five Emerging Business Models for Physician Entrepreneurs show art EP317: Five Emerging Business Models for Physician Entrepreneurs

BootstrapMD - Physician Entrepreneurs Podcast with Dr. Mike Woo-Ming

This episode is sponsored by  Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one. _________ This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You’re an institution. Time to invest like one.

_____________

This Episode is also sponsored by Ryze Health

Every minute counts in medicine—so why waste it on clunky admin work? With Ryze Health, practice management becomes effortless. Our all-in-one platform streamlines scheduling, patient communications, and insurance verification, giving you fewer no-shows, faster check-ins, and happier patients. Free yourself from paperwork and phone tag so you can focus on what truly matters: providing care. Visit http://ryzehealth.com/BootstrapMD today and see how simple running your practice can be.

______________

What if a life-altering accident on the beach redirected your entire career, and a mental health crisis became the catalyst for resilient leadership?

In this inspiring episode of Bootstrap MD, Dr. Mike Woo-Ming welcomes Dr. Scott Ellner, as he shares his journey from witnessing a roadside trauma that sparked his path to medicine, to practicing in New England, facing burnout and suicidal thoughts, and pivoting to executive roles like leading Integris Health Medical Group. Drawing from surfing metaphors, he discusses mental health stigma, the addiction to identity, finding purpose beyond the OR, and practical tips for physicians navigating pivots, startups, and leadership in chaotic healthcare. Perfect for doctors feeling stuck or seeking nonclinical transitions, this conversation offers hope, transparency, and actionable insights on grit, resilience, and reaching out.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

 

  • Embrace Mental Health Openly: Physicians face immense stressors—discuss it like physical health. If you're in crisis (e.g., burnout, cynicism), reflect on purpose: "What intimidates me motivates me." Reach out to a trusted person; a simple "Are you okay?" can save lives, as it did for Scott during a dark night on call.

  • Redefine Purpose Beyond Identity: Don't tie your worth to "surgeon" or "physician"—identity addiction fuels burnout. Pivot by exploring passions (e.g., leadership, startups); spend time journaling or in "executive residencies" to learn business acumen, funding pitches, and health system buy-in for new ventures.

  • Use Surfing as a Leadership Metaphor: Adversity builds grit. Paddle through discomfort like cold water or wetsuits. In healthcare chaos (post-COVID), lead by contributing meaningfully; for pivots, seek VC insights on exit strategies and physician influence (e.g., CMO buy-in) to make ideas stick.

About the Show:

Bootstrap MD is the ultimate podcast for physician entrepreneurs looking to escape traditional healthcare and control their financial futures. Hosted by Dr. Mike Woo-Ming, a successful physician, entrepreneur, and investor, the show delivers actionable insights on starting businesses, creating passive income, and navigating healthcare entrepreneurship. Featuring interviews with industry leaders, physicians, and experts in telemedicine and digital health, it’s your guide to building a profitable, fulfilling career. 

Tune in weekly at  http://bootstrapmd.com 

About the Guest:

Dr. Scott Ellner is a former general and trauma surgeon, now President of Integris Health Medical Group in Oklahoma City. A leadership strategist and TEDx speaker, he transitioned from clinical practice after a mental health crisis, drawing from surgery, surfing, and executive roles to help physicians combat burnout and lead sustainably. He's the author of Wipe Out, Rise Up: A Practical and Deeply Human Guide to Leadership, Grit, and Redefining Success in Medicine.

 

🔗 Connect with Dr. Scott Ellner:

🌐 Website: www.drscottellner.com

📘 Book: Wipe Out, Rise Up

 

 About the Host:

Dr. Mike Woo-Ming has over 20 years of experience as a physician entrepreneur. He’s built and sold multiple seven-figure companies and now leads Executive Medical, a group of clinics specializing in age management and aesthetics. Through BootstrapMD, he mentors physicians in business, content creation, and autonomy.

Let’s Connect: www.https://www.bootstrapmd.com 

 Want to start a podcast? Check out the Doctor Podcast Network!