Episodes

  • Ep8: Dr Hubert Hiemstra - Practicing with HEART goes a hell of a long way

    Ep8: Dr Hubert Hiemstra - Practicing with HEART goes a hell of a long way
    Jul 26 2023
    “PRACTICING with HEART goes a hell of a long way.”YOU HAVE A GIFT. A natural gift, and the gift of having your degree. How are you going to use it for your own benefit and to make the world a better place?In episode 8 of the VETERINARY HUMANS podcast I welcome Dr Hubert Hiemstra, the host of the insanely popular veterinary podcast “The Vet Vault”. If you’re a listener of The Vet Vault and want to know more about your host, then listen in…In the first 10 years of vet work Hubert didn’t enjoy being a vet. He said “I wasted opportunities to be happy”. He learnt that it was up to him to do something about it, he either had to change his mindset, or change his life situation. He did both. Hubert took sole responsibility for his life; he started a business and began to consume podcasts and books with a positive/ growth mindset. So, who is Hubert now… He says “I am a work in progress”.Hubert gave me so much to think about…• Students, listen in for Hubert's tips on how to create a better life. • The dangers of discharging parts of yourself even in an all-encompassing vet degree. • What riders and elephants have to do with the cognitive and emotional brain. • What open loops have to do with goal setting. • Giving yourself room to geek out. Hubert pulled me up on the dangers of expecting to “save lives”. It is simply not realistic. What I should be doing is LOOKING FOR MOMENTS OF IMPACT… the moments that CHANGE lives, PROVIDE RELIEF, COMFORT and REASSURANCE. Hubert left you with two things to ponder…
    1. An activity... to look at the things that upset you and think about how you can ACT WITH HEART, not out of fear.
    AND
    1. A quote… “Step one, don’t sweat the small stuff. Step two, everything is small stuff.”
    TCV <3
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    59 mins
  • Ep7: Jack Berry - Journey from a high school dropout to Vet Student

    Ep7: Jack Berry - Journey from a high school dropout to Vet Student
    Jul 6 2023
    “I had to withdraw all my subjects.”Jack Berry has changed my life. There have been challenges in his life many of us will never understand.He didn’t have a stable upbringing and he dropped out of school in year 8.When he was 15 years old, he looked up at the ceiling and had an epiphany. “I wanted to do something with my life.” He opened his QTAC book and saw Vet Science OP1. He didn’t know what a vet did, but he wondered “What is the kind of person that would get an OP1”. From that moment Jack decided he would take care of himself, would be dedicated, work hard for something that is purposeful, and wanted to make something of himself. He wanted a challenge.For Jack, it was vet OR a life of no purpose. A life of no substance. A life that was making him unhappy.Now he has a purpose and a passion… for lower-income communities and servicing people who would otherwise have no hope.Listen to Jack’s journey and flip your perspectives on your Vet life. We also cover:
    • Social anxiety and whether what we reflect onto others is what we want to reflect on them.
    • Jack explains why he doesn’t feel safe at vet school.
    • That the key to loving the vet industry is to stop breaking it down in the first place.
    • The importance of having clear personal goals. “Without a clear goal, I wouldn’t have gotten out of bed when I was 15.”
    • Looking back on your challenges and using them as a source of pride to know that you CAN do vet science.
    Jack feels a deep sense of value by saying “I’m here with you guys”. I get a deep sense of value by saying “Jack is here with us”.Enjoy this ep,TCV <3
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    41 mins
  • Ep6: Dr Lilli Glass - Be a hype woman!

    Ep6: Dr Lilli Glass - Be a hype woman!
    Jun 3 2023
    Be a hype woman! This episode feels alot like the conversations I have been having whilst sitting next to vets on an out-call. Dr Lilli's purpose is to be a part of her FAMILY and FRIENDS lives! She values support and trust. This episode feels REAL.
    • We expose the fact that "MAKING A MISTAKE isn't the end of the world" and that when you do "there is always someone there to support you."
    • What to do when your peers aren't as enthusiastic as you are.
    • Why you should BACK YOURSELF that "you are doing the best you can."
    • WHY YOU SHOULD COMPARE YOURSELF to your PAST SELF.
    • Why the more clients KNOW, the more they are going to TRUST you.
    • How there are POSITIVES IN EVERYTHING you do regardless of whether it is a good outcome or bad outcome... even in EUTHANASIA!
    • WHAT A GOOD DAY ON THE JOB FEELS LIKE? "the best days are when clients give affirmations at unexpected times." Lilli says "times like this are one of the best feelings." It reminds her that "what I'm doing actually IS IMPORTANT!"
    Lilli ended by saying that you should be HAPPY FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S SUCCESSES... congratulate them and let them know they are doing well! "BE THEIR HYPE WOMAN!" TCV <3
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    28 mins
  • Ep5: Anemie Fourie- If you lose your passion then what's the point?

    Ep5: Anemie Fourie- If you lose your passion then what's the point?
    May 16 2023
    If you lose your passion then what's the point? Nemo is a veterinary technician on a mission to "push everyone to KEEP THAT FIRE GOING, to improve their overall work well-being and have a balanced life so much so that they are happy coming to work".
    • This conversation was hugely impactful for me and I know it will be for you too. We talk about...
    • The two people that had the BIGGEST POSITIVE IMPACT on Nemo's career and her life.
    • Nemo's BIG REALISATION that she didn't do her first year right and how she thinks it happened for a reason... "It's how you take it and what you do afterwards."
    • How to become COMFORTABLE with NOT HAVING CONTROL and that sometimes "it is what it is..."
    • Using your BREATH to stay cool, calm and collected in stressful situations.
    • Using EXERCISE to take control of your life
    I see Nemo's passion radiate the most when she talks about her TEAM. In this episode she wanted to remind you not to "underestimate everything you do for these animals." Her message is clear... "love yourself, and remind yourself that you are doing alot, you are amazing and to let yourself know that." Best wishes, TCV <3
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    42 mins
  • Ep4: Dr Lauren Taylor- What if you don't know?

    Ep4: Dr Lauren Taylor- What if you don't know?
    Apr 9 2023

    What if you don't know?

    What if you don't find the answer?

    YOUR NOT ALONE, EVERYONE WANTS THE BEST FOR THE PATIENT, even specialists more than 5 hours away!

    This episode I am joined by Dr Lauren Taylor, a new graduate rural mixed animal veterinarian. If I had to describe this conversation in three words, they would be… Raw. Relatable. Transparent.

    I ask Lauren the questions put forward by veterinary humans that have reached out to me on @the.conscious.vet.

    We dive into how INDEPENDENCE was the gateway to Lauren saying “I found myself. I became who I wanted to be. I proved that I CAN do it".

    We talk about the importance of TAKING A STEP BACK and finding the space between the action and the reaction.

    I also share my insight into COMPASSION fatigue, why it’s a slippery slope and the importance of changing your thinking patterns so that you can reach COMPASSION SATISFACTION.

    TCV <3
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    39 mins
  • Ep3: Chantal Worsfold- Should you take a GAP YEAR?

    Ep3: Chantal Worsfold- Should you take a GAP YEAR?
    Mar 20 2023
    There is a PERSON behind your colleague. My guest Chantel has a captivating energy, so when I met her a few weeks ago I wondered why I had never seen her before. That’s because she took a TWO-YEAR GAP YEAR during vet school. I had so many questions for her but I kept them all for this podcast… Find out:
    • WHY she took a gap year
    • What she LEARNT in the gap years
    • Whether it was WORTH IT
    • If she had any REGRETS
    • Did she FORGET EVERYTHING after 2 years off
    • IF YOU should be considering taking a gap year
    Chantel is the perfect example of a VETERINARY HUMAN.She is someone that wants others to FEEL WORTHY. She wants you to realise there is MORE TO BEING A VET than you might think. She wants you to AVOID FEELING LOST when we see other people that seem like they know exactly what they want. I left our conversation feeling INSPIRED. Chantel was hitting me with some HARD TRUTHS that I cannot wait for you to hear... Here’s a snapshot of a few quotes from some other topics we covered: “The human element is so crucial to what we do.” “Appreciate things for what they are outside of being an exam…” “If you only define yourself by one thing you miss out on everything else life has to offer.” “What I do doesn't define me but how I treat people does.” “I said yes to everything that makes me nervous." I know you are going to get a lot out of this, TCV <3
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    33 mins
  • Ep2: Dr Abby- New Graduate Wildlife Veterinarian - Remember WHY you are doing this!

    Ep2: Dr Abby- New Graduate Wildlife Veterinarian - Remember WHY you are doing this!
    Mar 6 2023

    In this episode I am excited to introduce Dr Abby, a new graduate, wildlife veterinarian! As Abby embarks on her exciting new journey in her DREAM JOB, I learn about how she deals with her challenges. Some not so familiar, like her van breaking down multiple times whilst living in it during her final year, to more familiar challenges including living up to her families sometimes crippling expectations of her.

    Join me as I learn how to deal with falling short of the high expectations we have for ourselves, and the importance of understanding that vets are first and foremost PEOPLE.

    Dr Abby defines herself as an animal lover, a curious person and a good friend. NOT a VET.

    We touch on what a successful day looks like, hear her “I GET TO” statements, learn how to take advantage of veterinary school, the importance of FINDING FAMILIARITY with your colleagues experiences and how Dr Abby went from memorising content to saying “THIS IS SO COOL! I’m actually loving this aspect of a medical procedure…”.

    TCV <3
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    31 mins
  • Ep1: My Story - What am I doing here?

    Ep1: My Story - What am I doing here?
    Feb 20 2023

    In this episode I open up about MY STORY. I have been sharing the tools I use to manage myself on @the.conscious.vet instagram for around 6 months... but with no real context. With this episode I want you to understand why I started The Conscious Vet and why I believe so strongly in the tools I use. I open up about my challenges with my mental health, the period of time that had me at breaking point and express my journey with complete vulnerability. I share with you how I turned my mindset around. I want to share this because with my vulnerability I hope that others will feel motivated to do the same; so that we can learn from each other and that we realise it is okay to be a veterinary HUMAN.
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    34 mins