40. Burnout or Misalignment? Reinventing the Career You Built - with Katrina Azer
In this episode, I sit down with Katrina Azer, a pharmacist from New Zealand, author, artist, and self-described "queen of weird," for a deeply honest conversation about burnout, reinvention, and what it truly means to live an unscripted life.
In this episode, we cover:
* Katrina's 18-year career journey across community pharmacy, government advisory roles, and policy — and why reaching the top of the mountain still left her feeling empty.
* The wake-up calls she couldn't ignore: two life-threatening infections (including septic shock), a complete professional breakdown, and the moment she finally stopped.
* How the body communicates stress, unfulfillment, and unhealed trauma — and what it took for Katrina to finally listen.
* The "scripts" that keep healthcare professionals trapped: external judgment, imposter syndrome, the myth that you need to know the full path before taking a step.
* Why Katrina took a solo trip to Italy, Greece, and Scandinavia at her lowest point… and how getting lost in the Mediterranean changed everything.
* The role of creativity in healing: how writing, dancing, and embracing being "mediocre at something new" reconnected her to herself.
* Her book Unscripted on Purpose: what it's about, why she almost abandoned it mid-trip, and the letters to pharmacists she wrote at the end.
* Giving yourself permission to reinvent without quitting your career.
Connect with Katrina Azer:
* Book: Unscripted on Purpose: A Journey and Purpose-Driven Guide for Pharmacists Who Feel Called to More [https://www.amazon.ca/Unscripted-Purpose-Journey-Purpose-Driven-Pharmacists-ebook/dp/B0G34CDPZK]
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-azer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-azer/]
* Website: https://www.katrinaazer.com/ [https://www.katrinaazer.com/]
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Replenished in Healthcare (formerly known as The Collective Rx) is a wellness and personal development podcast for women in healthcare who want to feel more grounded, resilient, and fulfilled in their personal and professional lives.
Hosted by Julie Doan, pharmacist and certified life coach.
Let's connect:
* Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecollectiverx/@replenished.in.healthcare [https://www.instagram.com/replenished.in.healthcare]
* LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliedoanhealth/]https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliedoanhealth/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliedoanhealth/%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0]
* Calm in the Chaos: free stress management toolkit: https://www.juliedoanhealth.com/toolkit/ [https://www.juliedoanhealth.com/toolkit/]
* Recovery Room for Clinicians (free monthly gathering): http://juliedoanhealth.com/recovery-room [http://juliedoanhealth.com/recovery-room]
* Replenish Rx, resilience program: https://juliedoanhealth.com/replenish-rx [http://juliedoanhealth.com/replenish-rx]
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* Website: https://juliedoanhealth.com [https://juliedoanhealth.com]
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