Navigating Long Workdays As A New Physician Mom: Coaching Session #3 with Dr. Mary

Shownotes For Podcast Episode 10: Navigating Long Workdays As A New Physician Mom: Coaching Session #3 with Dr. Mary

In this episode of The Holistic Physician Coaching Podcast, Dr. Jessica Singh coaches Dr. Mary in her second coaching session as she prepares for her first day back at work as a new physician mom. Dr. Mary is a family medicine resident physician in her intern year navigating first-time motherhood. 

During this coaching session, Dr. Mary reflects on her transition back to work after maternity leave. Together, Dr. Singh and Dr. Mary explore ways to avoid feeling low during extremely long days away from home, especially when Dr. Mary feels she has missed an entire day at home with her child. For the first time, Dr. Mary vocalizes the inner dialogue that can surface near the end of a long workday, including thoughts about being away from home, missing bedtime, feeling tired, and questioning how sustainable the demands of residency feel.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Singh supports Dr. Mary in slowing down, noticing where these emotions show up in her body, and creating space for a shift in mindset. Dr. Mary builds  the strategy of taking a pause, reconnecting with her purpose in medicine, remembering that her child is cared for, and grounding herself in the values that brought her to family medicine.

The session also highlights practical support for difficult days, including setting a reminder to pause in the afternoon, checking in with home, looking at photos or updates, journaling, breathing mindfully, and bringing nourishing food or snacks to sustain herself through long shifts.

This episode offers physicians and coaches a meaningful example of how coaching can support reflection, self-awareness, and grounded action.. The conversation explores how small, intentional practices can help a physician reconnect with presence, purpose, and self-compassion during demanding seasons of training and life.

Timestamps:

0 - Checking In: Dr. Mary’s Return to Residency After Maternity Leave

6:36 - Session Focus: Navigating Long Workdays Away From Home as a Physician Mom 

23:23 - Dr. Mary’s Mindset Shifts, Supportive Anchors, and Takeaways