DR IGGY, DO NOT STOP OPERATING! DO NOT SHOOT YOURSELF IN THE FOOT!!

@doc.iggy

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SoundTikTok sound · Sunlit Serenity

Why it worked

The video resonated by sharing a relatable story of career transition and self-discovery, offering vulnerability and wisdom that appealed to a broad audience facing similar life choices.

Summary

A former orthopedic surgeon reflects on his decision to leave his first job after 15 years of training. He shares the pressures and sacrifices involved, and how he learned to prioritize his well-being and purpose. The video concludes with a message of encouragement for first-generation professionals to redefine success and find their true calling.

Structure

1Leaving a demanding career
2External judgment and doubt
3The weight of responsibility in medicine
4Re-evaluating identity and purpose
5Finding a new path and embracing change
6Encouragement for first-gen professionals

On-screen text

DR IGGY, DO NOT STOP OPERATING! DO NOT SHOOT YOURSELF IN THE FOOT!! LIFE LIFE AFTER LEAVING MY FIRST JOB I WOULD START DRIFTING TOWARDS GRIFTING. FEW MONTHS AGO, YEARS OF CHASING ONE DREAM, COLLEGE, MEDICAL SCHOOL, SIX YEARS OF ORTHOPAEDIC SPINE FELLOWSHIP, COUNTLESS NIGHTS ON CALL, MISSED BIRTHDAYS, MISSED HOLIDAYS, I MADE ONE MY FIRST JOB. AND OVERNIGHT, PEOPLE WHO HAD NEVER THEY KNEW EVERYTHING. SOME PEOPLE SAID I WAS QUITTING MEDICINE. HAD WASTED 15 YEARS OF MY LIFE. SOME QUESTION WHETHER A SURGEON. THE FUNNY THING OF THEM ASKED WHY. WHAT THEY DIDN'T YEARS LEADING UP TO THAT DECISION. THE PRESSURE, THE RESPONSIBILITY, COMES WITH HOLDING SOMEONE'S ABILITY TO WALK, WORK, AND LIVE WITHOUT PAIN IN MEDICINE IS ONE PRIVILEGES IN THE WORLD. NOT CAREFUL, IT CAN QUIETLY BECOME YOUR ENTIRE IDENTITY. A DECISION THAT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE I CHOSE TO PROTECT THE CAREER I SPENT 15 YEARS BUILDING EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. AND HERE'S WHAT WALKING AWAY FROM THE WRONG SITUATION ISN'T THE SAME FROM YOUR CALLING. REST ISN'T WEAKNESS. CHANGING DIRECTION ISN'T QUITTING. AND PROTECTING YOUR FUTURE IS SOMETIMES THE BRAVEST DECISION DURING THOSE MONTHS, ROUTINES I NEGLECTED, MY HEALTH, SPENT MORE TIME WITH STRENGTHENED MY FAITH. SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, I REMEMBERED WHO I WAS BEFORE AND WHO I WANTED TO BECOME NEVER STOP LOVING MEDICINE. FIND THE RIGHT PLACE TO PRACTICE IT. OPPORTUNITY ISN'T ALWAYS YOUR FOREVER OPPORTUNITY. ENVIRONMENT DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE LEAVING YOUR PURPOSE. SO I'M BACK. HAVE SOMETHING TO PROVE, NOT BECAUSE I OWE THE INTERNET BUT BECAUSE THERE DESERVE A PHYSICIAN WHO'S FULLY PRESENT, AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WHO DESERVE TO KNOW. CHANGING DIRECTION DOESN'T MEAN YOU FAIL. SOMETIMES IT MEANS WHERE YOU'RE SUPPOSED THE INTERNET THOUGHT THEY WERE WATCHING YOU'RE REALLY WATCHING. WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT CHAPTER. FIRST GEN PROFESSIONAL CHASING A DREAM AROUND YOU UNDERSTANDS, OR YOU'RE SIMPLY A LIFE YOU'RE WELCOME. AROUND HERE, WE TALK ABOUT MONEY, MEDICINE, WELLNESS, ELSE THEY DON'T I'M GLAD YOU'RE WE'RE JUST G JUST GETTING STARTED.

Original caption

Fifteen years of training led me to one of the hardest decisions of my career. When I left my first job as an orthopedic spine surgeon, a lot of people assumed they knew the whole story. What they didn’t see were the years of sacrifice, the lessons I learned, and the decision to protect a career I hope to practice for decades. This chapter isn’t about proving anyone wrong. It’s about rediscovering purpose, finding the right environment, and remembering that success isn’t always a straight line. If you’re a first-generation professional, you know what it’s feels like to build a life you’ve never seen modeled before. Sometimes you’ll make decisions that nobody around you understands. That’s okay. Not every change in direction is a setback. Sometimes it’s exactly what positions you for the life you’re called to build. Keep going. Stay faithful. Stay teachable. Protect your peace. The dream is still worth chasing. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV) @Tatcha @Samsung US @CeraVe @Water Pik, Inc. @Shark Home @CAMILLE ROSE @ARM & HAMMER™ Toothpaste @One Skin

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Transcript

Life after leaving my first job. I would start drifting towards grifting. Few months ago, after spending 15 years of chasing one dream, college, medical school, six years of orthopedic spine fellowship, countless nights on call, missed birthdays, missed holidays. I made one decision. I left my first job. And overnight, people who had never met me, they knew everything. Some people said I was quitting medicine. Had wasted 15 years of my life. Some question whether I was even a surgeon. The funny thing, almost none of them asked why. What they didn't see were the years leading up to that decision. The pressure, the responsibility that comes with holding someone's ability to walk, work, and live without pain in their hands. Medicine is one of the greatest privileges in the world. But if you're not careful, it can quietly become your entire identity. So I made a decision that didn't make sense to everyone else. I chose to protect the career I spent 15 years building, instead of pretending everything was okay. And here's what I've learned. Walking away from the wrong situation isn't the same from your calling. Rest isn't weakness. Changing direction isn't quitting. And protecting your future is sometimes the bravest decision. During those months, I rebuilt the routines I neglected, took care of my health, spent more time with the people I love. Strengthened my faith. Somewhere along the way, I remembered who I was before and who I wanted to become because of it. I never stop loving medicine. I just needed to find the right place to practice it. Because your first opportunity isn't always your forever opportunity. Leaving the wrong environment doesn't mean you're leaving your purpose. So I'm back. Not because I have something to prove, not because I owe the internet an explanation. But because there are patients who deserve a physician who's fully present, and young professionals who deserve to know. Changing direction doesn't mean you fail. Sometimes it means you finally found where you're supposed to be. The internet thought they were watching me walk away. But they're really watching. Was the beginning of the next chapter. If you're a first-gen professional chasing a dream that no one around you understands, or you're simply trying to build a life you're proud of. Welcome. Around here, we talk about money, medicine, wellness, faith, everything else they don't teach you in school. I'm glad you're here. Because we're just getting started.