Dr. Jillian Rigert didn't just survive perfectionism. She nearly died from it. And now, she's turning that pain into a lifeline for others.
A Martha Beck Wayfinder Master Coach, Air Force veteran, oral surgeon, and physician, Jillian has walked one of the most demanding paths imaginable, only to discover that the very drive that carried her there almost destroyed her. In this raw, courageous, and deeply moving conversation, Jillian opens up about how perfectionism spiraled into suicidal ideation, anorexia, and a medical discharge from the military, and how finding her voice became the first step toward reclaiming her life.
This is a conversation about what happens when high achievement stops serving you, and what it truly means to start over with compassion, authenticity, and purpose.
⚠️ Trigger Warning This conversation explores trauma and strong mental health themes including suicidal ideation, eating disorders, and perfectionism.
Episode Takeaways:
- How perfectionism starts as a badge of honor and how it quietly becomes a cage
- The moment Jillian realized achievement wouldn't fill the emptiness and what happened next
- The intersection of perfectionism, shame, and suicidal ideation in high-achieving environments
- How anorexia became a coping mechanism and what it truly represents beneath the surface
- Why eating disorders are so widely misunderstood, even within medicine
- The one attending who modeled her humanity and saved Jillian's life
- What helpers get wrong and what actually supports someone who is struggling
- How shame heals in relationship, not in silence
- What success looks and feels like when you finally strip away perfectionist
About the guest:
Jillian Rigert, DMD, MD, ACC, TIPC is a Martha Beck Wayfinder Master Coach and Trauma-Informed Professional Coach who partners with high achievers navigating life and career transitions. She has had an expansive career, holding degrees in dentistry and medicine with a specialty in oral medicine and head and neck cancer. She is also an Air Force veteran.
Jillian is currently completing a master's degree in marriage and family therapy with focus in trauma and is an advocate for approaching holistic wellbeing through a systemic, biopsychosocial and spiritual lens.
Connect with Dr.Jillian Rigert:
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@JillianRigertDMDMD Website:
https://jillianrigertcoaching.com/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 Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.
Connect with Dr. Shabbir
📸
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/
📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx Talk
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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