DGM #054: Not Another Burnout Story: How Dr. Nikia Smith Reclaimed Her Life Outside the OR

Hey Doc!  Burnout doesn’t always hit like a freight train—it often creeps in quietly, disguising itself as “just a rough week” or “just part of the job.” 

In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Nikia Smith, an anesthesiologist and life coach who knows exactly what it feels like to be successful on paper and completely depleted behind the scenes. We talked about the version of burnout no one sees coming, what it looks like to start over while still in medicine, and how she found her way back to herself—through community, coaching, and choosing ease.

Dr. Nikia is the kind of woman who gets it. She’s been in the OR during the worst of COVID, supervised by mid-levels, navigating the microaggressions and systemic mess that come with being a Black woman in medicine. But instead of letting it take her out, she used it as a launching pad.

Now, she’s building group coaching spaces and retreats that center healing, softness, and connection—especially for high-achieving women who’ve forgotten what it feels like to want something for themselves.

We talked about what it means to rest without guilt, how to trust your desires again, and why building a new way of working doesn’t always require a dramatic exit—just a different kind of courage.

If you’ve ever said, “I’m tired, but I don’t have time to slow down,” this one’s for you.

Follow Dr. Nikia Smith on Instagram: @sheisfireforged

Send Dr. Nikia Smith an email on: hello@sheisfireforged.com

Check out my website here: Kimberlybrownmd.com
Follow me on Instagram: @drkimberlyb