The Start of Something Bold

Imagine facing a life-altering sports accident that sets you on a path to become a surgeon and eventually an entrepreneur. That's exactly my story, and I'm excited to share this journey with you in the inaugural episode of "On the Cutting Edge of Success." 
As I recount my transformation from an aspiring physician to surgeon and business owner, you'll hear about the pivotal moments that fueled my passion for medicine—moments that led to my specialization in general surgery, trauma, and critical care. But this podcast isn't just about my professional life, I also open up about my personal world.  
In this first episode, I outline future topics on entrepreneurship, healthcare insights, and practical strategies for balancing career and wellness.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:13

Welcome to the very first episode of On the Cutting Edge of Success. This is your place for personal growth, professional success and optimal health. I'm Dr Joel Strel, a surgeon, entrepreneur, husband and father. This podcast is about stepping out of your comfort zone, pursuing your vision and building confidence, whether that's in your career, business or personal life. This podcast isn't about me, but I did want to take a couple of minutes for those of you who don't know me and share my journey.

Speaker 1: 0:49

I've wanted to be a physician since I was young, but that aspiration was solidified in high school when I had to undergo emergency surgery after a sports accident. That experience sparked my interest in surgery and motivated me to pursue this path throughout high school and college. Between college and medical school, I conducted both pharmaceutical and cancer research, further affirming my passion for medicine. During medical school, I realized that surgery, particularly general surgery, trauma and critical care, was the right fit for medicine. During medical school, I realized that surgery, particularly general surgery, trauma and critical care, was the right fit for me. I chose general surgery because it allowed me to interact with patients and be hands-on, which I love, since I enjoy working with my hands. The technology used in surgery also excites me and keeps me curious. Trauma surgery, on the other hand, fuels my love for adrenaline and the quick, decisive thinking it requires. Altogether, these specialties offer a perfect combination of complexity, challenge and reward.

Speaker 1: 1:48

I'd also like to take a minute to share a little bit about my personal life. I'm married to the love of my life, who also happens to be my business partner. Together, we have a blended family with four amazing children two of mine who are 15 and 12, and two stepchildren who are 14 and 17. You'll get to meet my wife, brittany, in a later episode, and I can't wait for you to hear from her. She's an incredible nurse practitioner, a talented injector and the practice manager of our med spa. Nurse practitioner, a talented injector and the practice manager of our med spa. She's also a perfectionist who balances her professional excellence with being a loving mom and wife. Outside of work, I find my peace in the great outdoors. Whether it's golfing, snowboarding, hunting or backpacking, being in nature is where I decompress and recharge. Traveling is another huge passion of mine. I love exploring new places and creating memories with my family.

Speaker 1: 2:42

After completing 16 years of education and training, including college research, med school residency and fellowship, I began my general surgery practice. But once I settled into that role, I found myself searching for a new challenge. That's when I started to see the exciting opportunities in opening up a med spa. I chose to become an entrepreneur and start a med spa because I've always envisioned running my own practice. However, when I became hospital employed, I lost much of the control over the day-to-day operations that I always valued. Combining my passion for aesthetics with my drive to be an entrepreneur, I decided to found Eternal Wellness.

Speaker 1: 3:22

There are three main reasons I started Eternal Wellness. First, I wanted to take on a personal challenge and push myself in a new direction. Second, I wanted to offer an extremely high level of customer service, creating a space where clients feel truly cared for. Lastly, I wanted to offer an extremely high level of customer service, creating a space where clients feel truly cared for. Lastly, I wanted to provide an excellent work environment for my employees while immersing myself in the world of aesthetics, which I love. I was fortunate enough that I did not have to give up my responsibilities as a general surgeon and hospital employee in order to start Eternal Wellness and hospital employee in order to start Eternal Wellness. This, however, did require a lot of late nights and long weekends working on my desires to have a successful med spa. Much of what I was able to accomplish was because I had the right people around me at the right time. I have learned so much along the way and I want to dive into some of those lessons learned in future episodes. It can be a challenge, trying to balance all the responsibilities on my plate, but because I love what I'm pursuing, it makes it significantly easier.

Speaker 1: 4:27

Over the next couple minutes, I'd like to walk through with you what you can expect to gain from this podcast. We will be covering a variety of topics designed to challenge, motivate and guide you. Here's what you can expect Personal and professional growth. I'll share stories from my own journey from becoming a surgeon to building a successful med spa. We'll discuss the struggles and successes along the way, focusing on how to keep growing and learning, no matter where you are in your career or personal life. We'll also be featuring conversations with a variety of successful individuals from diverse walks of life, whether they've achieved success in business, health or family life. These guests will share their unique journeys, lessons learned and practical advice. We will be talking about entrepreneurship and leadership lessons. Running a business isn't just about numbers. It's about people, vision and resilience. Whether you're just starting out or you've been in the game for years, I'll share the lessons I've learned about building a team, managing challenges and creating a work environment that thrives on excellence and integrity.

Speaker 1: 5:32

We'll take a look into the medical field and aesthetics industry. As both a surgeon and med spa owner, I've gained unique insight into these industries, from cutting-edge medical technologies to the trends shaping the world of aesthetics. I'll share what's happening behind the scenes and how it impacts you as a professional, entrepreneur or consumer. We will be giving practical advice for stepping into new opportunities, because stepping out of your comfort zone can be intimidating, but it's often where the biggest growth happens. I'll provide strategies to help you take calculated risks, embrace change and pursue new opportunities with confidence.

Speaker 1: 6:09

We will be giving a lot of sound advice for your health. As a physician, I understand the importance of a holistic approach to health and wellness. We'll talk about strategies to prioritize your physical, mental and emotional well-being in the midst of a busy professional life. That might sound like a lot, but these are all topics that I am highly interested in. You may ask yourself who is this podcast for?

Speaker 1: 6:32

This podcast is for professionals looking to grow in their careers, entrepreneurs seeking inspiration and guidance and anyone interested in improving themselves personally and professionally. If you're curious about how to improve your overall health, challenge yourself to reach new heights, or simply find motivation to take the next step, you're in the right place. Each episode will be packed with stories, insights and actionable advice to help you succeed. Whether you're tuning in during your commute, workout or a quiet moment at home, my goal is to provide you with value and inspiration every time you listen. If this sounds like something you'd love to explore with me, hit the subscribe button.

Speaker 1: 7:13

Also, I'd love to hear from you. What topics would you like me to dive into? You can reach out to me on Instagram at drstrell. That's d-r-dot-s-t-r-e-h-l. Please join me on the next episode of On the Cutting Edge of Success, where we'll be exploring overcoming professional comfort zones. So stay tuned. I want to thank each and every one of you for joining me on this new journey. I'm excited to grow and learn together with all of you. Until next time, remember your vision starts within. You can make it a reality.