⚠️Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of death, divorce and postpartum depression. Listener discretion is advised.
We don’t know how to allow grief in our modern society.
You can keep achieving, stay productive, and appear completely fine, but that does not mean you are not grieving.
In this deeply honest conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with certified grief support specialist and Grieve Leave founder Rebecca Feinglos to explore why high achievers often feel they are not allowed to pause, fall apart, or acknowledge loss.
Rebecca explains that grief is not limited to death. It can accompany divorce, illness, career changes, identity shifts, graduation, motherhood, and even positive life transitions. She shares how losing both of her parents, ending her marriage, and stepping away from work for a year forced her to stop trying to outperform her pain and finally make space for it.
Together, Dr. Shabbir and Rebecca examine the powerful intersection between grief and perfectionism, including the pressure to appear strong, grieve “correctly,” and return to normal as quickly as possible. Rebecca also offers practical advice for supporting someone through loss, from what to say instead of “everything will be okay” to why specific offers of help are more valuable than “let me know if you need anything.”
This conversation is a compassionate reminder that grief is not weakness, sadness is not its only expression, and healing does not require you to leave your loss behind.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why grief can arise from any meaningful loss or life transition
- How high achievement and perfectionism can become forms of emotional avoidance
- Why there is no correct timeline or “right” way to grieve
- What not to say to someone experiencing loss
- How to offer practical, specific support instead of placing the burden on the grieving person
- Why checking in months or years later can be more meaningful than reaching out only during the immediate aftermath
- How accepting grief can create more authenticity, connection, and emotional freedom
About Rebecca Feinglos
Rebecca Feinglos is a certified grief support specialist, founder of Grieve Leave, and host of the podcast Grief’d Up. After losing her mother as a teenager, her father suddenly in 2020, and her marriage in a drawn-out divorce, Rebecca took a year-long “grief sabbatical” — a journey that sparked a global community helping thousands make space for loss with honesty, humor, and practical support.
Today, Grieve Leave reaches millions worldwide through education, storytelling, and workplace training, all aimed at building a more grief-informed world. Rebecca’s work has been featured in TIME, LA Times, Fortune, Slate, and more for her raw, relatable voice on grief. A former educator and senior policy advisor, Rebecca holds degrees from Duke University and the University of Chicago. She splits her time between Durham, North Carolina, and Montreal, with her senior dogs, Daisy Duke and Ralphie.
About the Host
Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Workplace Wellness, Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.
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❌ Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.
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What is Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD?
Are you tired of chasing goal after goal, only to feel empty once you get there? Do you appear successful on the outside but feel unfulfilled on the inside? Or are you wondering how to even begin your journey to success?
Welcome to Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD—the podcast that challenges traditional definitions of success and explores what it truly means to thrive at the intersection of ambition and well-being.
Hosted by Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC—Founder and CEO, Dual Board-Certified Physician, and a fierce advocate for mental health. With advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, Behavior Change, and Leadership Development, Dr. Shabbir brings deep expertise to every conversation. She’s also a sought-after Professional Speaker and proud Super Mom to two young girls. Drawing from her multifaceted roles, she offers a fresh, honest perspective on the realities of ambition, success, and sustainable well-being.
Each episode delivers practical, evidence-based strategies to help you break free from burnout, perfectionism, and the endless chase for external validation. You’ll walk away inspired and empowered to build a life that aligns achievement with deep personal fulfillment.
If you're ready to reimagine success with intention and courage, hit subscribe, rate, and review the show—and start your journey to a more joyful, aligned life today.
Connect with Dr. Amna Shabbir:
Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx Talk
Perfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md
Instagram: instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir
Facebook: facebook.com/dr.amnashabbir.md
Website: https://success-curated.com/
YouTube: youtube.com/@Dr.AmnaShabbir