In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Dr. Lara May sits down with Dr. Brett Cordes, a physician who has walked the difficult road of addiction, recovery, and burnout. Once the picture of success as an overachieving medical student, surgical resident, and thriving practitioner, Brett shares how the pressures of perfection, people-pleasing, and tying self-worth to achievements led him into the grip of opioid addiction. Through honesty and vulnerability, Brett opens up about his journey of self-discovery, healing, and what it truly means to recover—not only from addiction, but from the burnout that silently affects so many physicians. Together, they shed light on the hidden struggles behind the white coat, and offer hope, resilience, and inspiration for healthcare providers and anyone navigating their own path of recovery. This episode is a reminder that healing is possible, and that sometimes, our greatest challenges can lead us to our most authentic selves. © Light Body Radio-Podcast, 2025. All rights reserved. This podcast features background music by ScottHolmes Music. We have obtained the necessary licenses for the use of this music. Our license was renewed on May 7, 2024, and we have been using ScottHolmes Music since 2017. Unauthorized use or distribution of this podcast, including but not limited to the background music, is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. For more information or to request permissions, please contact scott@scottholmesmusic.com.