Stop Following the “Shoulds”: Lauren Fine on Career Pivots, Coaching & Leadership

What happens when you achieve the career you worked so hard for—and realize you may want something different?

On this episode of the South Florida Leaders Podcast with Brian Fay, Brian sits down with Lauren Fine, a physician, medical educator, and life coach who helps high achievers slow down, get clear about what they really want, and take steps toward meaningful change.

Lauren shares her own journey from practicing medicine to discovering a passion for medical education and coaching. For years, she followed the path she thought she “should” follow. Eventually, she realized that making a change did not mean throwing away everything she had worked for. Her experience, knowledge, and skills could become part of the next chapter.

Brian and Lauren discuss why people often wait until they feel completely ready before making a big change—and why that moment may never come. Lauren explains that sometimes you have to take the first step before you feel ready.

She also shares her “fact versus story” approach. When fear, stress, or self-doubt takes over, Lauren encourages people to separate what they actually know to be true from the stories they are telling themselves about what might happen.

The conversation also explores leadership. For Lauren, great leadership is not about standing in front of people and telling them what to do. It is about walking alongside them, helping them grow, and sometimes letting them receive the credit.

Lauren also shares her view of success, why asking for advice can sometimes be a way of asking for permission, and why South Florida offers exciting opportunities for people ready to build something new.

Lauren continues to practice medicine as an allergist-immunologist while working in medical education and growing her coaching practice.