The Start Up Support Surgery
Introducing the Start Up Support Surgery hosted by Dr Jo Watkins —a podcast tailored for medics and healthcare heroes ready to blend their medical expertise with entrepreneurship. Dive into a world where you juggle your medical calling with building a business or side hustle, carving out flexibility amidst the chaos of work and family life. Discover a new realm of aiding others beyond the NHS's constraints. Starting a venture isn't a walk in the park—it's a wild ride of emotions and learning curves. With two decades of balancing medicine and business as a GP, I'm thrilled to share my experiences, insights, and conversations with experts and fellow healthcare professionals. Join me on this journey of growth, exploration, and empowerment—because your entrepreneurial story starts here.
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Episode #29 - Dr Olga Morton - Empowering Women To Thrive in Menopause (Case Study)
03/31/2025
Episode #29 - Dr Olga Morton - Empowering Women To Thrive in Menopause (Case Study)
Dr Olga Morton has been practicing medicine in the UK for over 15 years her mission is to empower women with effective lifestyle changes so they can thrive through menopause, with or without HRT. We met at the BSLM conference in October and year ago and have been working together since. Olga has three busy boys and lives in Glasgow. In this podcast we hear about Olga’s journey into business and the struggles along the way. Olga shares her tips and why she is so passionate about what she does. She enjoys sharing her knowledge at monthly Masterclasses online and has appeared as a guest on podcasts and in-person events. Dr Olga offers 1:1 and group online "Menopause with (Life)Style programs. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. Resources Instagram Website
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Episode #28 - Dr. Shubhendu Kulshreshtha - Thriving Through Transitions (Expert)
03/24/2025
Episode #28 - Dr. Shubhendu Kulshreshtha - Thriving Through Transitions (Expert)
In this episode of The Start Up Support Surgery Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Dr. Shubhendu Kulshreshtha—better known as Shub. Shub is a certified executive coach and emergency physician with a unique ability to empower clinical leaders to navigate complex transitions and craft impactful, non-traditional careers. With a rich professional background spanning seven organizations, six cultures, and two countries, Shub blends his frontline medical expertise with executive coaching skills to help leaders thrive under pressure, enhance decision-making, and develop resilience. In our conversation, Shub shares: His journey from emergency medicine to executive coaching. How he discovered his Ikigai and turned it into a passion for helping others. Actionable strategies for thriving in high-pressure environments. Insights on building leadership effectiveness and transitioning into new roles. Whether you’re a clinical leader navigating change, exploring new career paths, or simply curious about thriving under pressure, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical takeaways. Shub combines his medical background with coaching expertise to offer: - Insights on thriving under pressure - Rapid, actionable distillation of information - Empathy for challenging situations Shub's passion for coaching was ignited during his own journey to making a greater impact through understanding his own Ikigai. He understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with evolving roles in new organisations, new cultures and high-pressured environments. If you’re a clinical leader, reach out to Shub today! Details are below. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. Resources LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/s-kulshreshtha Email: [email protected] / [email protected] www.coachwithshub.com
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Episode #27 - Dr Alice Thomson - From Dentist to Health and Wellbeing Coach in the Scottish Highlands (Case Study)
03/17/2025
Episode #27 - Dr Alice Thomson - From Dentist to Health and Wellbeing Coach in the Scottish Highlands (Case Study)
Alice Thomson is a certified lifestyle medicine practitioner, health coach, and former dentist with a passion for empowering outdoor-loving women to connect, relax, and reclaim their lifestyle. Grounded in science, her coaching approach is simple, actionable, and tailored to help women cultivate confidence, health, and vitality—no matter their circumstances. Her work focuses on exploring the transformative power of movement in the great outdoors, nutritious food, restorative sleep, and relaxation. A cornerstone of her philosophy is the belief that community and connection are the "bread and butter" of a happy and fulfilling life. In the past year, she found herself feeling a little lonely and isolated in her new role as a self-employed coach working from home. This inspired her to create "Fresh Fridays," a unique in-person networking event with a wellness twist for outdoor-loving businesswomen. These events combine hiking in the stunning Scottish countryside, enjoying good coffee, and prioritising health—because, as she puts it, "that's smart business!" This fusion of business, personal development, and health has been an exciting journey for her, and she is continually expanding her offerings in this space. Outside of her work, she is passionate about team sports, trail running with her dog, wild swimming, singing, and being the best mum to her three children. She lives on a farm in rural Fife, Scotland, with her husband, whom she lovingly describes as "long-suffering yet super lucky." To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. Resources Instagram LinkedIn
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Episode #26 - From Stethoscope to Start Up (Solo Episode)
03/10/2025
Episode #26 - From Stethoscope to Start Up (Solo Episode)
I have had some incredible guests on this podcast. I have had some brilliant experts, some fantastic case studies of medics and entrepreneurs. With this episode, though, what I thought I'd try and do is a couple of solo episodes just sharing some of my experience, some of my thought processes, some of the stuff that I do behind the scenes within my program and within my work, one to one with doctors. I just want to be able to support anybody that's out there that's not sure what next step to take. Um, if you're not ready to reach out and maybe work in a group or maybe work one to one, you might just get the one or two snippets of advice from these sessions that will help you be able to move forward with your idea. Anything is possible. But I am not here to tell you that it's easy. I'm here to give you real life insights, real life thoughts and practical solutions and suggestions and to how you go about doing this, how you go about venturing into this new world of entrepreneurship that is so very, very different to the world of medicine that we are used to. I hope you enjoy. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. Resources: 1. Tanya Lynch - Journal with Ease 2. Hatty Fawcett - Crowdfunding information -
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Episode #25 - Dr Andrew Threadgold - From Council Estate To Retiring at 46
03/03/2025
Episode #25 - Dr Andrew Threadgold - From Council Estate To Retiring at 46
From a council estate upbringing to retiring from medicine at 46, Dr Andrew Threadgold’s journey is anything but ordinary. After earning his place at St Bartholomew’s and excelling in both surgical and GP training, Andrew became a GP practice partner and Clinical Director of an Out of Hours organisation. But it was a career-defining challenge—a GMC investigation—that sparked his pivot into entrepreneurship. Now, Andrew is a multi-business owner with ventures spanning healthcare, property, and security. He’s built a multimillion-pound property portfolio, acquired a private physiotherapy clinic, a 23-bedroom hotel, and Norwich’s fast-growing security firm, Security Solutions Yes Ltd. Managing over 50 staff and six-figure monthly overheads, Andrew has mastered the art of scaling businesses while navigating life’s inevitable setbacks. In this podcast, Andrew shares his raw, unfiltered insights on building wealth, overcoming adversity, and finding success beyond the conventional path. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or just curious about what it takes to pivot and thrive, Andrew’s story will inspire and challenge you in equal measure. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. Andrew can be found here:
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Episode #24 - Betty Bertels - Helping Entrepreneurs with Ease, Fun - and Flow! (Expert)
02/24/2025
Episode #24 - Betty Bertels - Helping Entrepreneurs with Ease, Fun - and Flow! (Expert)
Betty Bertels is a mother, singer, wife and therapist Heal your Past. Grow your Business. Change the World. She helps people Heal the beliefs that they think they can't and to relax as they grow an ethical business with greater ease, fun & flow and impact. Betty uses a combination of RTT and coaching to support entrepreneurs and change makers get to the root cause of their behaviours. I’ve worked with Betty over the past year, she’s just amazing and has offered a free discover call to anyone in this community. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. Betty can be found here: Book a 45 min Gift Session: Website - Tad Hargreaves -
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Episode #23 - Dr Anisha Patel - Creating & Building An Audience With Digital Content (Expert)
02/17/2025
Episode #23 - Dr Anisha Patel - Creating & Building An Audience With Digital Content (Expert)
Anisha Patel is a paediatric pharmacist turned podcaster and digital creator who's passionate about showcasing the limitless possibilities within healthcare careers. Through her podcast "The Pharmacist Diaries" (172+ episodes strong! 🎙️), she shares stories of innovative pharmacists worldwide while building a community that breaks free from traditional career moulds. After 14 years in clinical practice, including stints as the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix pharmacist and working in emergency services in the UAE, Anisha has embraced entrepreneurship to help other healthcare professionals find their voice through podcasting. When she’s not recording episodes or coaching aspiring podcasters, you'll find her planning global adventures with her family or sharing insights about designing a life of impact and freedom 🚀 This chat covers so much. Entrepreneurship, change, family, passions in business, finding time for business and so much more. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. Resources Website: YouTube: LinkedIn: Newsletter: Ready to launch a podcast in 2025? Email: [email protected]
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Episode #22 - Dr Richard Pemberton - Looking at the causes of lifestyle diseases (Expert)
02/10/2025
Episode #22 - Dr Richard Pemberton - Looking at the causes of lifestyle diseases (Expert)
Today I am chatting with Dr Richard Pemberton.. Richard is co-founder and director of Hexagon Health Ltd, he is a certified lifestyle medicine physician, occupational physician, GP and has dedicated his career to improving the health and well-being of others. His passion for promoting healthy lifestyles has led him to study the causes of lifestyle diseases and to treat them using a lifestyle approach rather than relying solely on conventional medical or pharmacological methods. In this episode we discuss everything from starting the business to the expansion and taking on of team members. We discuss Richard’s advice to his early entrepreneurial self and the need for persistence, sacrifice and faith in the process. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. You can find Richard and Hexagon Health here:
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Episode #21 - Dr Katya Miles - Tackling Burnout, Imposter Syndrome and Money, and Come Out On Top
01/27/2025
Episode #21 - Dr Katya Miles - Tackling Burnout, Imposter Syndrome and Money, and Come Out On Top
In this podcast we discuss difficult topics like burnout, money, imposter syndrome and hear some fantastic top tips. We can do hard things is my take home Katya statement. Hope you enjoy. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. Katya is a GP and Occupational Health Doctor turned Leadership Trainer, Careers Coach & Specialist in Workplace Wellbeing. Having journeyed through Burnout, she resolved to empower Healthcare Professionals to avoid the mistakes she made, andthrive in work. This passion drove her to set up where she uses her insights & personal experience to deliver inspiring coaching and training programmes for overstretched professionals. She has worked at the Mayo Clinic, USA & in the UK as a GP for both civilians & the Armed Forces; as well as in Occupational Health. She currently works across several roles alongside the Working Well Doctor. She is Head of Training at Joyful Doctor and a Shapes Toolkit Associate. She loves a good natter on a podcast & is often found sharing ideas in her regular email newsletter Website. Sign up for Thrive Well News. Career Coaching. Bespoke Leadership and Resilience Training. Insta - @theworkingwelldoctor Facebook - Linked in -
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Episode #20 - Dr Caroline Gibson - Bringing Lifestyle Medicine To As Many People As Possible (Case Study)
01/27/2025
Episode #20 - Dr Caroline Gibson - Bringing Lifestyle Medicine To As Many People As Possible (Case Study)
Lifestyle medicine, coaching, community and running a business. This podcast features Dr Caroline Gibson talking about all of this and more. Dr Caroline Gibson, MBChB DFSRH MRCGP DipBSLM/IBLM UKIHCA-RHC. GP, Lifestyle Medicine Physician, Health Coach & Coaching Supervisor. Caroline is co-founder and director of LifeMed Community which is an online community for all healthcare professionals and health coaches, we aim to bring the benefits of Lifestyle Medicine to as many people as possible using a coaching approach, via our community of inspired, enthusiastic and confident healthcare professionals and coaches. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. You can find LifeMed at Caroline also has a coaching & coaching supervision practice at Castle Health and Coaching, she offers both health coaching to individuals and supervision to health coaches working across any health-related field of coaching practice, you can find her at or via Instagram @drcarolinegibson. Caroline works clinically as a GPwER in Lifestyle Medicine, Clinical Lead for the Persistent Conditions service at County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, sessional GP work, GP mentor, and coach & coaching supervisor for the Practitioner Support and Wellbeing Unit for NHSE North-East Deanery. SPECIAL OFFER Podcast listeners (and any other clients you would like to share this with) can use the code JOWATKINS at checkout to save up to 50% off membership on the annual plan.
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Episode #19 - Alice Faulkner - An Honest Journey Into Yoga (Case Study)
01/20/2025
Episode #19 - Alice Faulkner - An Honest Journey Into Yoga (Case Study)
An honest and frank reflection on her journey. Dr Alice Faulkner joins me to discuss how she is now working in the woods, gets a bit of an unwell feeling when I suggested a yoga studio and is a huge advocate of one of my favourite mantras. "Just send the email" Dr Alice Faulkner is an Locum Emergency Medicine Registrar who runs her own business called Yoga In The Woods. Alice is a Hatha, Vinyasa, Trauma-Informed Restorative Yoga Teacher, and Reiki Practitioner based in Leeds. We met at the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine Conference in 2023 when she joined the Start up support programme. Alice is spending this Winter in Kenya; where she will be returning to her birthlands, and offering Yoga and Reiki at the Kilifi Wellness Festival and eco lodges - as well as enjoying some travelling, and a well deserved break! To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. Alice can be found here
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Episode #18 - Charlotte Ellis Maldari - Getting The Clients To Come To You (Expert)
01/13/2025
Episode #18 - Charlotte Ellis Maldari - Getting The Clients To Come To You (Expert)
Charlotte Ellis Maldari has spent nearly 20 years helping leading creative businesses find their ideal clients and build lasting authority. Charlotte believes you should establish yourself as the authority in your field, and then automate your outreach—so clients come to you, ready to invest. Charlotte and I met nearly a year ago through a group programme with Gemma Gilbert and I was fascinated about what she was offering. Charlotte has sales and marketing in her bones and in this episode we have a rich and informative conversation that will help anyone who is ready to go in their business and ready to reach a wider audience. Her reflections and analogies such as ‘teach a man to fish’ and the importance of not labeling ourselves as one thing or another really resonated with me. We discuss marketing, sales, brand and building a business that works for you as a busy parent and Mum. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. Charlotte is active on Linkedin and her profile is Sign up for her FREE TRAINING: 3 Simple Ways to Get Leads from LinkedIn Without Content, Ads, or Cold Calling Fathom - three months of premium for free with this link: Sales Navigator:
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Episode #17 - Richard Powazynski - Supporting Entrepreneurial Doctors (Expert)
01/06/2025
Episode #17 - Richard Powazynski - Supporting Entrepreneurial Doctors (Expert)
Richard is an entrepreneur who is now supporting doctors on their entrepreneurial journey. In this episode we share our experiences of working with doctor and the struggles we have specifically around starting and scaling our businesses. We discuss vision, mission and values, establishing our authority and getting used to selling. There are so many transferable skills between medicine and business that we also discuss. A bit about Richard. After experiencing burnout, a little over a year ago, Richard rediscovered himself through reflection, journaling, and stillness. This transformative journey, coupled with over 10 years of experience as an entrepreneur and helping his husband build his own business, kick-started his path to assisting other doctors in building their own businesses and personal brands. As the founder of the Doctorpreneur Network, Richard supports medical doctors on their entrepreneurial journey—whether they’re exploring possibilities, navigating unfamiliar terrain, or scaling their ventures. With a proven, systems-driven approach, he empowers doctors to find clarity, build confidence, and create self-sustaining businesses that unlock their full potential. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. Resources:
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Episide #16 - Kate Toon - Navigating The Path To Success With Your Online Business (Expert)
12/30/2024
Episide #16 - Kate Toon - Navigating The Path To Success With Your Online Business (Expert)
Kate Toon is honest, funny, straight talking and just the energy you need as you get started and moving in business. In this episode we talk about all things online business. Starting, scaling, funnels, social media, building an audience, offers, books, passive income and building the thingies. It’s brilliant. More about Kate: Kate Toon is a British born business mentor and award-winning digital marketing coach who now lives in Australia with her partner and teenage son. She is a brilliant online entrepreneur success story and has been a huge inspiration to me. Straight-talking, copywriting coach, educator, speaker, author and podcaster. There is not much Kate can’t do! Kate describes herself as a misfit on a mission: to help other business humans create their own version of online success. She’s also a bumfluencer in the online world as her bottom has been the focus of much media attention in recent years! Books In Six Figures While You Sleep I explain how you can transform your service-based skills into lucrative online products &– from coaching and courses to digital downloads, memberships and masterminds. I walk you through the positioning, processes, pricing and profile building, explaining the tech, the marketing, the sales tactics and how to keep customers coming back for more. Six Figures in School Hours I share practical and doable tips for parents to run a successful business, make serious money and not burn themselves to a frazzle in the process. Six Figures in School Hours is a smart, honest business self-help book that gives you the skills, the tools and the confidence to never again need to choose between a successful business and a happy family life. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. Resources: Kate’s Books: Kate also runs her membership along with various courses and off the shelf content for those businesses wanting to expand and learn about SEO and copywriting
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Episode #15 - Dr Annie Padget - A Living Example Of Working For It All, And Having It All (Expert)
12/23/2024
Episode #15 - Dr Annie Padget - A Living Example Of Working For It All, And Having It All (Expert)
Annie Padgett joins me this week on the Podcast. She is someone I have never spoken to before but we met last week on social media and we set up a call to chat. We decided to hit record. She is quite literally wonder woman. Annie has 4 businesses and is a GP Partner plus she is mum to 5 children under the age of 10. We connected on social media, sent some voice notes to each other and then jumped on this call. Let’s see what came up in our conversation. Some GREAT take homes here. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. Find Annie Padgett via Facebook Instagram Website
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Episode #14 - Emma Presern: The Return! (Case Study)
12/16/2024
Episode #14 - Emma Presern: The Return! (Case Study)
Dr Emma Presern is back for a second episode! We first spoke in Episode 9 of the first series which was recorded in March 2023. This was before Emma launched her first cohort of Rebellious Medics. Now she has navigated a successful launch and is about to go for the second cohort. Emma is a GP who has had a real journey. She has suffered with burnout and is now supporting others who feel the same. She has taken time out of programme and she has completely changed her life and lives in the hills in North Wales. She is an incredible role model to so many now and has so much to give other Medics. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. You can find Emma on or on social media @rebelliousmedic
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Episode #13 - Dr Aileen Alexander - Lifestyle Medicine leading to sustainable weight loss (Case Study)
12/09/2024
Episode #13 - Dr Aileen Alexander - Lifestyle Medicine leading to sustainable weight loss (Case Study)
Aileen Alexander is a medic who has done what so many medics hope to do. She’s now running an incredibly successful online lifestyle medicine business with clients across the globe. In this episode we talk about how she started off on this path as a bit of an accident but has had the same struggles and hurdles as us all along the way. Pricing, imposter syndrome, failed launches… Her story will inspire you to keep moving forward one step at a time. Dr Aileen Alexander is a former NHS GP who left in 2019 to pursue a career in Lifestyle Medicine specialising in sustainable weight loss and food freedom for women. She began her entrepreneurial journey in 2016, and navigated crippling imposter syndrome before hiring mentors to scale her business and replace her GP income and ultimately making the leap to leave the NHS! Since then, Aileen has worked with hundreds of patients across the UK and internationally, guiding them toward long term health improvements. Supported by a close knit team of four, she balances her career with family life as a stepmom of two and is currently expecting her own child! Aileen is a firm believer in work-life balance and ease over hustle. She has demonstrated that with the right systems, processes and mindset you can run a successful and growing business while working less than 35 hours a week! Aileen's expertise has reached a wide audience through a TEDx talk in 2022, an article she was invited to write for Hello!, and features in publications like Stylist, Prima, and Fabulous. She’s grateful for the chance to share her passion for lifestyle medicine and connect with people who are looking for a sustainable approach to health. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. Aileen can be found here: LinkedIn: Instagram: Website: Email:
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Episode #12 - Dr Sui Wong - Finding your inspiration in the creative process (Case Study)
11/11/2024
Episode #12 - Dr Sui Wong - Finding your inspiration in the creative process (Case Study)
I can think of no better way to wrap up the first series of the podcast than with a case study episode from one of my founding members. Dr Sui Wong is an expert in her field. Working within the NHS and private sector splitting her time along with her research post and running a business… and writing books! She’s amazing. In this episode Sui shares, warts and all, her journey into business. The highs, the lows, the struggles and the things she’d do differently now. Some incredible advice to her early entrepreneurial self Find what inspires you and enjoy the creative process and the impact that has on your joy of the day job See business as one big experiment The learning is in the doing. Take action. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. To get in touch with Dr Sui Wong Sign up to her regular newsletter via If you would like to catch up on past newsletters, she has posted extracts of them here: INSTAGRAM: And here are the list of her books with links: Mindfulness for Brain Health: Break Free from Migraines Naturally: Sleep Better to Thrive: Quit Ultra-Processed Foods Now: NEW!! Launch 11/11: Sweet Spot for Brain Health:
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Episode #11 - Jo Randall - Setting up a website that suits you (Expert)
11/04/2024
Episode #11 - Jo Randall - Setting up a website that suits you (Expert)
Jo Randall is a website designer who create stunning and strategic Squarespace websites for savvy female service-providers who are ready to make an impact. She started out in design many years ago, but of a different kind (interiors), veered wildly off-path into the corporate world and recently returned to design, this time focused on websites, which feels like coming home for her. Jo spends most of her time most days on Squarespace but, when she’s not doing that, she loves hiking and camping with her dog, and also has a side-hustle creating mosaics and running mosaic workshops. She has audits, power hours and comprehensive packages available on her website. Instagram LinkedIn Website www.jorandall.co.uk To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration.
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Episode #10 - Shannee Baker - Get some legal back up and getting the basics in place (Expert)
10/28/2024
Episode #10 - Shannee Baker - Get some legal back up and getting the basics in place (Expert)
Something a little bit different today as we chat with a lawyer who lives and breathes the issues around Medics and GP’s. As Medics we tend to avoid lawyers like the plague. Shanee Baker is a strong corporate commercial lawyer, having qualified at the Bar of England and Wales. She has held a number of senior roles in large corporations including Capita PLC and the British Medical Association as Senior Counsel to the General Practitioners Committee. She is the founder and creator of LMC Law and has grown, what started as a small consultancy, into a business that covers almost three quarters of England in terms of Healthcare clients. An expert in her field, she brings her strong commercial background into the healthcare arena, as well as advising a number of commercial clients. Her practical, no nonsense approach and her understanding of the needs of her clients is paramount to the ethos of the business. In this episode we discuss the importance of having the legal back up and basics in place. Shanne and her company LMC Law will offer a free hour long call to discuss any needs of Medics and their own businesses or their GP partnerships. Website: Drop her a line via her website for any further information and to book your free consultation. To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration.
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Episode #9 - Emma Presern: A Journey from burnout to Role model (Case Study)
10/21/2024
Episode #9 - Emma Presern: A Journey from burnout to Role model (Case Study)
My guest today is Emma Today I am sharing something a bit different. People have been telling me to do a Podcast for a little while and I when we were in Canada during the winter I decided to just get on and DO it. So, I asked one of my clients, Emma Presern to be my first guest. She said yes and we hit record while I was in my Zoom office which is a switched off sauna while we are in Canada during the winters. This was very unplanned. I had a vague idea of hanging the interview off some pillars but it was really just a good chat. Emma is a GP who has had a real journey.She has suffered with burnout.She has taken time out of programme and she has completely changed her life now. She is a role model to so many now and has so much to give other Medics. I wanted to share this conversation as there are so many important aspects to it. You can find her on Or on social media @rebelliousmedic To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration.
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Episode #8 - Rosie Khan: Going with your gut, and being consistent (Expert)
10/14/2024
Episode #8 - Rosie Khan: Going with your gut, and being consistent (Expert)
Chatting to Dr Rosie Khan is always a pleasure. She is a calm, knowledgable and inspirational GP who has followed her gut and her own path out of full time GP and into a world that has given her skills such as coaching, NLP, hypnosis and lifestyle medicine. Rosie gives an honest account of what it takes to move into the entrepreneurial space and shares her reflections. We discuss the use of AI and showing up on social media. Rosie talks about the importance of taking the right advice at the right time from others. Rosie;s advice to her early entrepreneurial self was very sound: - Do something that lights you up. - Take consistent action. It can be overwhelming running a business and there are so many things to think about. You hold a lot in your head, so you need to get an organisational system in place. Rosie uses the free version of Asana! - Look after yourself. - Might be hard and might be stressful - Figure out your non-negotiables and stick to them! - You need the energy. Find Rosie at her website or on Instagram or Linkedin. Instagram @drrosiekhan To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration.
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Episode #7 - Tanya Lynch: The Power of journalling (Expert)
10/07/2024
Episode #7 - Tanya Lynch: The Power of journalling (Expert)
Tanya Lynch is a therapeutic journalling coach and expert retreat facilitator. Her company Ease Retreats specialises in collaborating with all sorts of authors, both well known and first timers on her writing retreats. She is most alive when supporting people in their journaling and making real life experiences rich and rewarding for others. Tanya and I connected via Twitter over 9 years ago, we met, had a coffee and have remained firm friends ever since. Tanya is a cheerleader and genuine positive energy on the end of an email, a substack post or instagram and her personality is infectious. In this episode she explains how journaling can help us as parents, healthcare professionals and entrepreneurs. Her half hour sessions in our monthly evening call within the Medics and healthcare entrepreneurs community are always really popular. If you want to know more about Tanya or her journaling reach out to her via her website Tanya writes regularly on Substack Email her at To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration.
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Episode #6 - Dr Rebecca Ryell: Building a travel business while being a GP Partner and having three busy boys (Case Study)
09/30/2024
Episode #6 - Dr Rebecca Ryell: Building a travel business while being a GP Partner and having three busy boys (Case Study)
Dr Rebecca Ryell, Bex, is one of my clients yes, but more importantly, we go back a long way, she is a great friend and inspiration to me and my family. Becs helped give us the push we needed to decide to take a year out and travel with the kids back in 2017 which led to me wanting to work more remotely to fit it around more travel in our lives. Now, 7 years later she’s on her own journey doing just that alongside a medical career that she also loves. Bex is a GP partner, a trainer and a medical educator at Swansea University. Recently, Bex and Pete and their family, three boys at time of filming they are 15, 11 and 8 have been adventuring all over the place including in Sri Lanka recently and she has blown me away with her energy, tenacity and humour on the way via regular social media posts. They backpacked from their doorstep in South Wales to Sri Lanka and back via Frankfurt and Bangalore on the way there and Frankfurt to save money on flights and transport costs for a 3 week adventure. No airport parking. No shuttle buses. No door to door airport transfer (that’s our go to) No day to recover at the end before normal life resumes. They all live life to the full and more. Squeezing every little bit out of their annual leave. This chat is likely to inspire you to do the same. She is amazing. If you are someone who is wanting to travel more adventurously then she is your girl. Jump on a call and have a chat with her and be inspired to see and do even more than you thought was possible. Website Book complimentary call via website. Regular Masterclasses - Next one 21st October 2024 - link on website Instagram: @rebecca_ryell_travel To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration.
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Episode #5 - Rachel Harington: How to start and scale an online business (Expert)
09/23/2024
Episode #5 - Rachel Harington: How to start and scale an online business (Expert)
I first connected with Rachel back in January 2018 when I went to a networking event at Allbrights in London. She was offering an online training programme to get people doing their first 10km run at the time and we connected as I was asking her about software. She jumped on a call with me in August 2019 with me when I was weighing up my options and introduced me to Kajabi the software I continue to use today. At the time we were operating a local business with no online element but it was on the to do list. In Dec 2019 we invested in 3 months of coaching with Rachel to get started and up and running with Kajabi and our first online course. She was amazing and taught me everything I know about Kajabi and online business and email marketing. She has been there ever since cheering me on, helping with pivots and bumps in the road and always happy to help me and my clients. She is a regular expert on the Masterclasses within my programme and from October she will be doing a monthly slot within the Digital Doctor Membership as a resident coach for those wanting to grow, scale and reach more ideal clients. Rachel Harington @iamrachelharington James Wedmore Rachel is on James Wedmore’s Next Level Coaching Programme and has been to his live events in Sidona and knows him well. James’ Podcast is often recommended in the modules. Mind Your Business Podcast To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration.
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Episode #4 - Nerys Frater: How to take a group NHS programme that you are passionate about into the online space and the mindset shifts this takes (Case Study)
09/16/2024
Episode #4 - Nerys Frater: How to take a group NHS programme that you are passionate about into the online space and the mindset shifts this takes (Case Study)
Nerys has a story that every GP who wants to embark on an innovative service within their own practice, GP cluster or in a private capacity needs to hear. In this discussion Nerys talks us through her own journey from securing some funding for a group NHS project through to running a successful online business for patients with pre diabetes and diabetes. Nerys didn’t wake up one morning wanting to be a business woman but she found a problem when trying to help her patients and was passionate enough about a solution to put the work into make something happen. That led her to growing a group programme and subsequently reaching out to me in January 2022 for support in the next stage of her growth.. Nerys’s advice to someone entering this space is sound. She suggests that all medics entering into this world need a coach and a mentor and need to invest in learning about sales and marketing and NOT more medical courses. This is where I come in. The Start Up Support Programme and The Digital Doctor Membership give you just that. Combining formal learning in recorded videos and accompanying workbook with live coaching, mentoring, hand holding and encouragement. As a special offer in September I am offering these two programmes as a bundle to celebrate the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine conference in Newcastle. The first 20 people to sign up will also receive a free 45 minute 1:1 session with me and a guaranteed place on my online VIP Masterclass Day on Monday 30th September. Please click on the link in the Show Notes for full details. Nerys Frater Social Media @thelifestyleclnic BSLM Special Offer To find out and connect with Jo: From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration.
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Episode #3 - Portia Gibson, the Post Op Nurse: From nearly giving up on business altogether to a sell out workshop (Case Study)
09/09/2024
Episode #3 - Portia Gibson, the Post Op Nurse: From nearly giving up on business altogether to a sell out workshop (Case Study)
Portia is innovative, relentlessly passionate about helping others and a pleasure to work with. Portia has been a part of The Start Up Support Programme and The Digital Doctor Membership for 9 months and has been on every twist and turn along the way. This interview tells us more about this and the mindset it took to keep going. Portia shares her sound advice and top tips and is always looking for ways to learn, develop and grow personally and professionally. I hope you enjoy this chat as much as I did! You will find Portia at Website Social Media @postopnurse.portia Email: Resources: To find out more information about Jo and her work - From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration.
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Episode #2 - Tracy Jones from Inspire to Outstand: Do I really need CQC and where do I start? (Expert)
09/09/2024
Episode #2 - Tracy Jones from Inspire to Outstand: Do I really need CQC and where do I start? (Expert)
This is a question I get asked over and over again. It is a minefield, a hot potato, a can of worms and every other possible analogy. Tracey Jones from Inspire to Outstand helps us understand a little more about the process and may well have the answer to any questions you have. Tracey has been on both sides of the CQC as she has her own aesthetics clinic and works now with a previous CQC inspector to get businesses approved. You will learn about the process, the pitfalls and the costs that are involved but also the reasons why this is so important as a medic venturing into the world of operating as a business. I will also be interviewing Kate, Richard and Vian from Hexagon Health on the Podcast soon but if you are considering whether or not either of these organisations can help you I would suggest just picking up the phone to talk to them. Inspire to Outstand Tracey Jones (CQC - Inspire to Outstand) Hexagon Health Alliance - Kate, Vian and Richard have put together a great option for those that are looking for a different way of getting around the inevitably of needing CQC as a doctor. Please reach out and talk to them about whether they have an option that can help you. CQC Website To find out more information about Jo and her work - From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration.
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Episode #1 - Dr Sara Lou Wylie: Starting up a coaching business as a doctor (Case Study)
09/09/2024
Episode #1 - Dr Sara Lou Wylie: Starting up a coaching business as a doctor (Case Study)
Well this is EXCITING! I figured that my first ever Podcast should be with one of my first ever members. Dr Sara Lou Wylie is a powerhouse of a Mum, GP and now an Overwhelm Coach to women up and down the country. When we connected she was just embarking on her journey and had started the Transformational Life Coaching Diploma with Tom Dillon. She jumped into The Start Up Support Programme and The DIgital Doctor Membership with both feet and has taken small, imperfect, forward moving action every step of the way. This is a lively and honest chat about the ups and the downs of entrepreneurship. Warts and all. We talk about traveling and work, carving our own path in life and share insights. Her top tips on entrepreneurship at the end are spot on and food for thought for anyone taking this route. Sara Lou can be found here: Website Her Freebie is available on her website - 5 Ways to Beat Overwhelm Sara Lou Linkedin: Sara Lou Instragram: Resources: To find out more information about Jo and her work - From ‘Stethoscope to Start up’ free PDF giving you the blueprint for getting started as a Medic becoming an entrepreneur. How to find the time, money, people and resources that you need. This will also give you access to a weekly newsletter, offers and inspiration. Tom Dillon Transformational Life Coaching for Doctors
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Coming Soon - The Start Up Surgery
09/03/2024
Coming Soon - The Start Up Surgery
The Start Up Support Surgery is a podcast to inspire medics and healthcare professionals who want to take their medical skills, passions or interests and start a business or side hustle alongside their busy day job and family life which creates flexibility and freedom along with a completely different way of helping people outside of the limitations we are all facing in the NHS today. Getting started in business is not easy. It is a huge learning curve and offers a rollercoaster of emotions along the way. As a doctor who has been learning about business over the last 20 years alongside my career as a portfolio GP it is a huge honour and privilege to be able to share with you my insights along with interviews with experts and case studies from other medics and healthcare professionals that I have worked with over the last few years.
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