Dr. Lea Kreszinger, Dr. Ines Jović and Dr. Iva Šmit: Athletes in Scrubs—Croatian Vets Who Go the Distance
In this fourth episode of the VetMore Podcast, host Dr. Vassiliki Sathopoulou engages with three remarkable veterinarians from Croatia—Dr. Lea Kreszinger, Dr. Ines Jović, and Dr. Iva Šmit—exploring their diverse backgrounds, passions, and the unique intersection of veterinary medicine and sports. The conversation highlights their professional achievements, personal stories, and the resilience they find in balancing their careers with athletic pursuits. Listeners are invited to discover how these dedicated professionals navigate their roles as veterinarians, educators, and athletes, while also being mothers and community leaders. Chapter Notes 00:00 Meet the Guests: Inspiring Veterinarians 00:36 Early Aspirations: The Journey to Veterinary Medicine 05:34 Cultural Perspectives: Attitudes Towards Veterinary Medicine 08:38 Mentorship and Influence in Veterinary Education 10:54 The Shift in Knowledge Sharing in Veterinary Education 11:57 Coping with Pressure in Veterinary Practice 13:43 The Emotional Toll of Veterinary Medicine 15:14 Letting Go: A Challenge for Veterinarians 17:04 Support Systems in Veterinary Practice 18:49 The Burden of Responsibility in Veterinary Care 20:24 Coping with Grief: The Role of Psychologists 22:01 Mental Well-Being Initiatives for Veterinarians 23:20 Team Dynamics and Respect in Veterinary Work 25:09 Burnout: Recognizing and Addressing the Signs 26:31 Finding Balance: Sports and Mental Health 28:06 Individual Sports: A Personal Journey 29:50 The Role of Sports in Stress Relief 35:28 The Dynamics of Running Relationships 36:40 The Healing Power of Water 38:26 Lessons in Resilience and Limits 39:32 The Importance of Weight Training for Women 41:14 Personal Growth Through Athletic Endeavors 42:30 The Role of Family in Athletic Life 44:28 Navigating Motherhood and Career 46:21 Defining Success and Self-Care 54:41 Building a Supportive Team Environment 59:59 The Importance of Support in Preventing Burnout 01:02:41 Building a Supportive Veterinary Community 01:05:53 The Role of AI in Veterinary Medicine 01:09:16 Personal Reflections and Quickfire Questions Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vetmore-podcast/id1809206363 Stream on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0RaHkqIhnpa6RYJN2joTTe?si=52e37a024730410b Watch the full conversation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VetMoreOrg Let us know what you think of this episode by engaging with us on our social media accounts @vetmoreorg on IG, Meta, TikTok, Threads, and YouTube.