#226: How to combine your interests into one beautiful life with PA Mirela Bruza, Assistant Professor, family med PA, global PA advocate, and research scientist with NCCPA!

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Mirela and I met years ago when I was involved with PAs for Global Health, and our paths crossed again when I read an article where she was quoted about burnout. I had no idea she'd taken a job with NCCPA, our national PA certification program (I haven't met anyone who works with them) and I was very curious about how she landed the job and what she does there. Mirela also balances being a mom, devoting a lot of time to International PA Educators and PAs for Global Health as well as teaching (she has her doctorate!) and still working (how the heck?!) in family medicine. Listen to our conversation about how to create a life that has all the flavors of the things you most love and avoid burning out. Take home points: Start noticing coincidences—they’re happening all the time, but you have to be open and curious to see them. Doing a career 360 isn’t easy, but sometimes a challenge is exactly what you need to grow into the next version of yourself. Let your interests guide you with how you spend your time and energy outside your job.  Instead of asking, “What’s in it for me?” try asking, “How can I help?” It shifts everything. When something rare or unexpected shows up, take it! You don’t have to have all the answers right away. Ask yourself how you can craft a job with Pieces of your heart—what you love and what you’re good at— Happiness, not fame or status, should be the goal; identify what truly brings you joy and move toward it. Burnout often stems from systemic issues; while institutional change is slow, personal empowerment can start today. We must teach PA students and early-career clinicians to recognize burnout, seek help, and reject the “just push through” mentality. Balance is not a permanent state—it’s a daily practice, and even the most seasoned professionals struggle at times. Mirela's Facebook and Linked In And for those of you who need more Hope in your life, there's still time to sign up for my clinician mastermind series on overcoming burnout and overwhelm. Starts mid-Jan, meets weekly, super affordable and lasts 8 wks. Go here for more info. If you want more free resources or to sign up to be the first to hear about my burnout book release, sign up on my website (book being edited now). Want to be a podcast guest, sponsor, or just want to reach out? My email is hope.cook@gmail.com Love, Hope