Life Changing Moments: Listening to the voice inside, Dr. Rebecca Evangelista
Release Date: 11/10/2025
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info_outlineWhat does a general surgeon know about navigating a career that feels misaligned? Everything. In this profound episode of Life Changing Moments, host Dr. Dael Waxman sits down with Dr. Rebecca Evangelista, a surgeon and academic leader who has masterfully shaped her career through a series of thoughtful and courageous pivots.
Dr. Evangelista shares her incredible journey from a gap year working for a surgeon she didn't want to emulate, to a medical student drawn to primary care, and finally to embracing the thriving feeling she found in the operating room. Her story is a powerful lesson in listening to your inner voice and challenging the "shoulds" that can dictate our paths. Discover how to recognize when your work drifts from your core purpose and find the courage to make a change.
In this episode, you'll learn:
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How to identify the signs of misalignment in your career and the courage required to stay true to yourself, even when it means letting go of established roles.
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Why Dr. Evangelista left private practice for academic medicine, prioritizing her passion for medical education and a practice model that fit her values.
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The strategic process behind her recent "conscious uncoupling" from a 20-year clinical position when her trajectory and the organization's direction diverged.
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Practical advice on processing the emotions of major career decisions and the importance of trusted confidants or a physician coach to help you see clearly.
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How embracing non-clinical leadership roles, like her work as an Associate Dean, can open new doors for meaning, impact, and professional growth.
If you are a physician, surgeon, or medical professional feeling "stuck," experiencing burnout, or sensing a disconnect between your work and your purpose, this conversation is an essential guide to writing your own success story and living and leading in a way that feels true.
Keywords: physician career transition, surgeon pivot, academic medicine, medical education, finding purpose in medicine, physician burnout, aligning career with values, Life Changing Moments, Dr. Dael Waxman, MD Coaches, physician coaching, leaving clinical practice, authentic leadership, career fulfillment, inner voice, conscious uncoupling.
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Music by Ryan Jones.
Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at ryjonesofficial@gmail.com
Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com