A career in functional medicine should feel fulfilling, not exhausting. So how do you build a practice that supports both your patients and your well-being?   I sat down with Lisa McDonald, founder of Integrated Connections, to talk about what it takes to create a sustainable career in personalized medicine. Lisa’s own journey—from struggling patient to industry leader—shaped her passion for helping practitioners find roles that align with their values and prevent burnout. With over 15 years of experience in recruitment, she’s seen firsthand the challenges and opportunities in functional and integrative medicine.   Burnout is a real risk when you care deeply about your work. Lisa and I discuss why setting boundaries and building the right support system is essential, especially for those working with complex, chronically ill patients. We also explore how group visits and collaboration can create better outcomes for both patients and providers.   If you’re thinking about making the leap into functional medicine or looking for ways to protect your energy while doing meaningful work, this episode is for you!   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Transitioning from Conventional to Functional Medicine 02:06 Tips for Building Your Own Practice 03:20 Lisa McDonald’s Journey 07:06 The Impact of Practitioners on Patient Lives 09:02 Importance of Boundaries and Self-Care for Practitioners 11:23 Lisa’s Personal Compass for Well-being 14:41 Embracing Imperfection in Creativity 18:01 Differences Between Burned Out and Thriving Practitioners 23:08 Advice for Burned Out Practitioners 24:23 Tips for Starting Your Own Practice 29:06 The Reality of Starting a Functional Medicine Practice 32:09 Integrating Functional Medicine into Mainstream Healthcare 33:31 Innovative Ideas for Future Healthcare Practices 35:58 Designing Support Systems in Your Practice 38:04 Growth and Demand in Functional Medicine 40:01 The Backend Work of Integrated Connections 42:08 Connecting Childhood Activities to Adult Life   Links Connect with Lisa McDonald: Website: https://integratedconnects.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisapmcdonald/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integratedconnections/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/integratedconnections   Book a Brainstorm Session (Coupon code - PODCAST): https://drlarasalyer.as.me/discovery   Connect with Lara:  Website: https://drlarasalyer.com The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst Instagram: @drlarasalyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor     Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm