151: Why Do I Still Feel Like Such an Imposter? (This Is What Getting Better Feels Like). With Dr Marie Holowaychuck, Dr Kerry Nelson and Dr Rob Webster
Am I a useless vet?
Sounds like a silly question that a new grad might ask, right? But imposter syndrome doesn't care about your credentials.
It whispers that you're a fraud, that you got lucky, that one day everyone will realise you don’t belong.
Or maybe you don’t feel like an imposter - but you beat yourself up after a case goes wrong. You replay every missed diagnosis. You hold yourself to an impossible standard, and when you fall short (even slightly), the inner critic shows no mercy.
Sound familiar?
In veterinary medicine, where perfection often feels like the baseline and the emotional toll runs deep, these patterns can be exhausting.
But here’s the truth: you’re not the only one who feels this way.
In this raw and honest conversation, we unpack:
- Why imposter syndrome isn’t just a new grad thing - it can resurface anytime you step into something new, no matter how experienced or accomplished you are (Just keep listening if you don’t believe me)
- What confidence really looks like - not knowing everything, but being willing to try, learn, and grow
- Why perfectionism is often at the root of imposter - and what to do about it
- Making peace with the inner-critic
- Why vulnerability matters
- A simple mindset shift that can make all the difference
- And practical strategies to manage imposter feelings
You’ll hear real stories, mindset tools, and the reminder that feeling “useless” says nothing about you.
If you’ve ever questioned your abilities or felt like you're just pretending to hold it all together - this episode is your mirror.
You belong here. And it’s time you believed that too.
Our guests are:
Dr Marie Holowaychuck - a board-certified emergency and critical care veterinarian and the founder of Reviving Vet Med, a global initiative dedicated to equipping veterinary professionals with practical tools for mental health, resilience, and work–life balance, and the author of A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means to be a Veterinarian.
Check out her new book here.
Dr Kerry Nelson: Experienced ER vet, mentor and former medical director. First time mom-to-be! (She has an epic blog about over-achieving - here.)
Dr Rob Webster: Co-Chief Executive Officer of Animal Emergency Australia, the leading veterinary emergency-care group down under, where he oversees clinical standards and consults on complex emergency and critical-care cases. A board-certified specialist in emergency and critical care since 2014. Jiu-jitsu tragic.
Check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at cutabove.supercast.com, or go all in on surgery with our collaboration with Sydney University's CVE Surgery Course.
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Topics and Time stamps
04:28 You're not alone
09:56 What is a syndrome?
15:49 Defining Imposter Syndrome
19:44 Maybe It's Just Kinda Normal?
22:10 So What Can We Do About It?
27:22 The Eternal Internal Critic
30:22 Talk It Out
35:59 Vulnerability As A Weapon Against Imposter
39:03 This Is What Getting Better Feels Like
40:18 Perfectionism - The Root of Imposter
49:28 At Least You'er Not a Psychopath!
51:04 The Best People Are Filled With Self-Doubt
51:56 Mistakes Happen
