The Fit Physician

In this episode, Suzanne reflects on her recent experience completing a half marathon at nearly 50 years old—an accomplishment she never expected to pursue again after swearing off long-distance racing more than a decade ago. What began as a tribute to her late mother, an inspiring runner who completed marathons and half marathons well into her 80s, became a journey of self-discovery, gratitude, and healing.Along the way, Suzanne shares lessons about letting go of perfectionism, finding joy in the process rather than the outcome, and appreciating what our bodies are capable of at every stage of life. She opens up about the unexpected role the training played in helping her process grief after the loss of her mother. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that growth often comes from embracing the journey—not just the destination.--👉 Click here to learn more about The Fit Physician Coaching

At 70 years old, Joan McDonald was facing high blood pressure, declining health, and the very real possibility of losing her independence. What started as a tough conversation with her daughter, fitness coach Michelle MacDonald, became the catalyst for a complete transformation. In this inspiring episode, Joan shares how she lost over 50 pounds, discovered strength she never knew she had, and built a life that looks dramatically different at 80 than it did a decade ago.Joan opens up about overcoming fear, navigating the gym as an older beginner, recovering from surgery, and the mindset that helped her stay consistent when things felt hard. We also dive into aging, resilience, independence, and why she believes women are far stronger than they've been led to believe. Whether you're 40, 60, or 80, Joan's story will provide inspiration that it's never too late to get stronger, reclaim your health, and create a future you're excited to live.---📲 Click here to follow Joan on Instagram

In this conversation, Jake Wright and Suzanne discuss the challenges of fat loss, the importance of preserving muscle mass, and the impact of menopause on body composition. They emphasize the need for sustainable approaches to fat loss and debunk the myth of inevitable weight regain. They also highlight the importance of strength training and adequate protein intake. The conversation concludes with a message of empowerment and self-worth.--👉 Click here to learn more about The Fit Physician Coaching

In this week’s episode, we dive into a fascinating study exploring the connection between leg strength and brain health in women as they age. Researchers followed female twins over a 10-year period and found that women with greater leg power performed significantly better on memory and cognitive testing years later.We break down what the study actually means, why strength training may play a powerful role in protecting cognitive function, and how building stronger legs today could impact your quality of life for decades to come. If you needed another reason to prioritize resistance training… look no further.--👉 Click here for the full study👉 Click here to learn more about The Fit Physician Coaching

For too long, women’s sexual health has been overlooked, misunderstood, or simply not talked about. In this eye-opening conversation, we sit down with world-renowned sexual health researcher Dr. Lori Brotto to unpack the science of desire, what really changes during menopause, and why so many women have been led to believe they’re “broken” when they’re not. We explore spontaneous vs. responsive desire, why low desire is often deeply misunderstood, and how mindfulness may be one of the most powerful and overlooked tools for improving sexual well-being.We also dive into pain with sex, the role of hormones and relationships, and how women (and clinicians) can start having more open, shame-free conversations about sexual health. This is a practical, compassionate, and deeply validating episode that sheds light on a topic that impacts quality of life in profound ways but rarely gets the attention it deserves.--💪 Click here to learn more about The Fit Physician Coaching

Meet Michelle, a rural family physician who spent nearly three decades caring for her community while her own health slowly took a back seat. Between long shifts, motherhood, and the loss of her fitness community during COVID, she found herself feeling isolated, deconditioned, and unsure how to move forward. As menopause began to shift her body in ways she didn’t recognize, she knew something had to change—but didn’t know where to start.Michelle shares how she rebuilt her strength, confidence, and energy—achieving things she never thought possible, like a 175 lb back squat at 56. We talk about navigating menopause, recovering from surgery without losing progress, and what it actually looks like to prioritize yourself in a demanding career. Her story is a powerful reminder that no matter how the odds feel stacked against you, it’s possible to feel strong and confident in your body as a busy woman in medicine.---💪 Click here to learn more about The Fit Physician Coaching 

Hot flashes, night sweats, and disrupted sleep are some of the most frustrating symptoms women face during menopause—but what if one of the most powerful solutions isn’t found in a prescription.In this Science Snack episode, we break down a randomized controlled trial exploring the impact of resistance training on menopausal symptoms. The results are surprising! We walk through the study design, key findings, limitations, and—most importantly—what this means for your own menopause journey.---💪 Click here to learn more about The Fit Physician Coaching Study references:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31239119/ https://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(26)00033-2/abstract

For the woman physician who feels like she's constantly being pulled in a million different directions. In this episode, Suzanne gets real about what consistency actually looks like inside a physician's life, the mindset shifts that changed everything, how to ditch perfectionism, her approach to nutrition without spending Sunday doing full meal prep, and other tools that have helped hundreds of Fit Physicians ditch the food noise for good.This episode is full of real world strategies that has actually worked for busy women in medicine to regain control of their fitness and nutrition, feel good in their body, and finally stop letting the chaos of their career be the reason they put themselves last, you've come to the right place.--💪 Click here to learn more about The Fit Physician Coaching

In this episode of the Fit Physician Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Mamta Gautam, psychiatrist, speaker, and founder of PeakMD, to explore the realities of physician burnout, moral injury, and the hidden cost of caregiving in medicine. With over 35 years of experience supporting doctors, Dr. Gautam shares why none of us are immune to the pressures of practicing medicine. From the “mental health continuum” to the cultural stigma around seeking help, this conversation is both validating and deeply practical.We dive into the identity challenges physicians face, the guilt that keeps many from prioritizing themselves, and the five key pillars of resilience Dr. Gautam has seen transform lives. This episode will leave you feeling seen—and equipped with actionable tools to protect your well-being without sacrificing your purpose.--👉 For more from Mamta, visit PeakMD.ca

In Part 1 of this two-part Fit Physician Podcast series, Suzanne & Jake sit down with sleep coach and Sleep Is A Skill host Mollie Eastman to explore why sleep is often the missing pillar in health and performance — especially for busy, high-achieving women physicians. Mollie shares her personal journey through insomnia, the cultural normalization of burnout in medicine, and how sleep acts as a powerful barometer for stress, energy, and overall wellbeing. The conversation highlights common sleep mistakes, the challenges of shift work and midlife changes, and the growing idea that sleep isn’t just something you have — it’s a skill you can build.---📲 Click here to follow Mollie on Instagram🎧 Click here to listen to the Sleep Is A Skill Podcast💤 Click here for Mollie's Sleep Is A Skill Resources---📲 Click here to follow Mollie on Instagram🎧 Click here to listen to the Sleep Is A Skill Podcast💤 Click here for Mollie's Sleep Is A Skill Resources

In this episode, Suzanne shares a refreshingly realistic approach to travel, vacations, and staying grounded in your health without sacrificing joy. She breaks down how to approach fitness, nutrition, and mindset while traveling—whether for work or rest—through the lens of sustainability, self-compassion, and long-term consistency. She offers practical, physician-proof strategies for staying energized on the road, enjoying food without guilt, and most importantly, mastering the “comeback” after vacation so a few days away don’t turn into weeks off track. If you’re a woman doctor who wants to travel, rest, and live fully without derailing your health goals, this episode is for you!--👉 Click here to learn more about The Fit Physician Coaching

Every year, we’re promised a new shortcut to health. A new supplement. A new rule. A new device that claims to change everything. And yet, most people feel more confused, more guilty, and further away from real results than ever. In this episode, Dr. Suzanne Rutherford and Jake Wright cut through the chaos of the modern wellness industry and explain why the obsession with optimisation is quietly sabotaging your health. From vibration plates and hormone hype to overthinking nutrition, cardio, and strength training, they reveal what actually works, why the basics are so hard to stick to, and how high-performing professionals can rebuild a simple, sustainable approach to fitness that lasts. If you’re exhausted by contradictory advice and ready to stop chasing hacks and start building habits that hold up in real life, this conversation will change how you think about health in 2026.---Click here to learn more about The Fit Physician Coach

In this powerful masterclass episode, world-renowned spine biomechanist Dr. Stuart McGill joins Jake and Dr. Suzanne to break down how the spine truly works, why most back pain isn’t “mysterious,” and how understanding tissue tolerance, load management, movement patterns, and assessment can completely change outcomes for patients and clinicians alike. He explains common injury mechanisms, why activities like heavy deadlifting can both build strength or create damage depending on context, how to identify specific pain generators instead of labeling symptoms as “non-specific back pain,” and the importance of personalized strategies over generic rehab advice.--Click here for all Stu McGill resources including books, certifications and more