Ep. 35: Creating Modern Traditions in Healthcare with Dr. Robbie Harriford, M.D.

We need to do a better job of meeting them where they're at and trying to figure out what we can do to help them and understand their culture so we, we can make sure that they are getting the best care that they can.

Welcome to the Prosperous Woman Podcast. I'm Claire Sellers, a business mentor and coach who is absolutely obsessed with helping you create the business of your dreams and your most prosperous life. Tune in for inspiring conversations with extraordinary women that will propel you towards becoming the prosperous woman. Okay, everybody, welcome. We have such a special episode planned today. I'm so incredibly honored and thrilled to have my incredible Dream Accelerator client, Dr. Robbie Harryford, here on the show. She is the founder of Modern Traditions. She is on a mission, a much-needed mission to bridge medicine, culture, and healing. I'm so excited to talk about the incredible legacy business that you're building. Dr. Ravi, welcome. So happy to have you.

Hello. Thanks for having me.

Yay. So tell us, like, your background is just like so amazing. Your story is so amazing. We're going to get into it on the show, but just like give us your, like, who are you? Elevator pitch because you're like so impressive.

Well, thank you. Wow. Where do I begin? I'll try to make it brief if we're going to go into more details later.

Let's hear where you're from first, because that's always interesting.

So I am technically from Kentucky. However, I live in Missouri. I'm an Army brat, so we moved to Kansas when I was younger and my dad retired here and I've kind of been here ever since. So we're in Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City, Missouri is on two sides of the state, so Kansas and Missouri, and I'm on the Missouri side currently.

Amazing. And tell us, like, what do you do now? Tell us what do you do now, and then we'll get into your business and where you're headed. How did you get into medicine? Like, tell us the, tell us the background story, because I think it's important for people to hear, like, especially in industries— like, I've worked with a lot of lawyers and doctors, these these very extensive educational requirements, professions that require extensive education. And—

Yeah.

You know, the mission for you has always been there, but the vision has shifted into something even bigger than what you're doing now. So kind of give us just like where, how you got into medicine and what you've been doing, and then we'll get into where you're headed.

Yeah, so currently I'm the chief medical officer at a clinic.

It's—

they're federally qualified health centers, but it's a clinic for the underserved here in Kansas City. We have 4 locations. It's very culturally diverse, which is amazing, and that plays a big role into, you know, modern traditions, which we'll get into. But it's funny because I have not always thought that I would be a doctor. So I like to call myself the pivot princess because that's really like, what I've done throughout life. It's been a very non-traditional path to get to where I'm at. So, I've always been interested in science, like, since the 4th grade. I remember interviewing a cardiologist and doing a clay model of the heart, you know, super nerdy at an early age. And then went to college and got a degree in microbiology and thought that I wanted to do the research route. So, I moved to Seattle and got a job doing malaria research and hated it. Mm-hmm. Research is very solitary, and anybody who knows me knows that I'm very much a people person and love to be around people, and I'm an extrovert. So just sitting in a lab pipetting and doing that just wasn't for me. But I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I needed to do something that would have some flexibility, but also, at the time, I just had my daughter. And so something that I could still do with her. And I was like, okay, I'm Type A, I like to plan things, but I also like to have a good time and party. Let's be an event planner. So I actually started— I actually started my own event planning business in Seattle and did that for a few years and mostly weddings, but private events, did stuff with restaurants. And then I think it was roughly around like 2008, 2009, I was able to go to South Africa with my now ex-husband.

Hi, Claire Sellers.

And I got to visit a pediatric AIDS hospice, and that was like life-changing to see these kiddos who were so sick and they don't have parents, but they were just genuinely so happy and full of like gratitude. And I feel like we don't necessarily see a lot of that here in the States. So that in and of itself was the experience. But I remember at some point during that trip, I got a phone call from one of my— wedding planning clients, and the voicemail that was left was just her going off about the wrong shade of pink for her napkins for her wedding. And I just had this like, aha moment where I was like, what am I doing with my life? You know, it's like, yeah, that's an important day, don't get me wrong, but I had just seen kind of like the opposite end of that. And that's when I realized that I wanted to become a doctor. Mm-hmm. And so applied and got into medical school, which most people go straight from undergrad. I took basically like an 8-year— How old were you when you started med school? I started at age 30.

Medical?

So I was, yeah. So I was like 6, 7 years older than most of like my classmates.

Wow.

And which is crazy. So I started med school at 30 and I was also at the same time like finalized my divorce. So it was like a whole new world for me.

That is like a whole life thing. How to— wait, this is—

I—

you've told me the event planner thing, but like, I've never heard it in this way. And I'm just like, you are the pivot princess. It's like, I've never heard you say that. You should like write a book called that, honestly. Like, that is— that's so catchy. But this is important for people listening, like, especially those that are Kind of innocent. I think it's so relatable to have an experience. Often, I think, traveling or kind of out of your normal environment, and you have this experience where you're just like, oh my God, like, this is what actually matters, you know, like nothing matters more than like what I'm experiencing right now, right here, and what I've been doing at home feels so trivial. Like, I don't care what it takes, I've got to find a way to, like, shift things around.

Oh, absolutely. I mean, I think it's way more common than people realize. And part of it is that we're always just kind of stuck in our own world, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. But once you are able to leave that bubble, you realize so much about yourself. Like, you come back so much more grateful for things and, and realizing Sometimes it strengthens what you're currently doing, but in my case, it just, it didn't do it at that time. So, um, in each experience that I've had, I've been able to like gain a lot of skills that I'm continuing to use. You know, I used to think that like, oh my gosh, I'm so indecisive. Like, this looks terrible. Like, I'm doing all these changes. Like, people are going to think a certain way, but I've had to like reframe that a lot.

Mm-hmm.

And think of it more as just like, what did you learn? What did you gain from that? And then kind of move on from there. Because honestly, like, wedding planning is very similar to being a doctor.

Really?

Like, patients and— yeah, if you think about it, like, patients and clients, they come to you with— for a reason. And it's your job to kind of sit down with them and talk them through and figure out what they need. And if you can do it, great, and you take on what you can. But you also, like, outsource. So, you know, I'm a primary care provider. So I— if I can't do it, I'll send you to the heart specialist, the orthopedic surgeon, all that. But as like a wedding planner, you know, I have to send you to go talk to people for your flowers or for your stationery. Um, and, you know, patients and clients all have like expectations. And so a lot of it is very translatable, which doesn't seem like it, but it really— it is.

It is very similar. So before, before we keep going on the journey after medical school, how did you— because I think a lot of people struggle with this, even those who've, you know, already started their businesses and then kind of have this realization of like, okay, I started one business, but it's not actually aligned. How did you like find the strength to let go of kind of like the identity and the life that you had built at age 30? Not to say that that's old, but like it was, it, that was a big decision to start medical school knowing it would be like a 7-year journey to get to like a solid career point. So how did you— like find the strength to do that?

I mean, my support system was incredible. I mean, again, not only was I 30, but I was divorcing, divorced, now a single mom. So I had to rely a lot on my family and my friends that were around me. But really, it was kind of out of necessity. It felt like this is something that I really just needed to do at that time. As hard as it was going to be. And so, yeah, I just— I've always kind of been that way, though. Like, I get an idea in my head and if I, like, trust my gut with it, then I'm just going to, like, go with it.

Yeah.

And I had lots of long talks with, like, my sister is, like, one of my closest friends. She's 8 years older. She's a lawyer by trade, but she's also, like, the one person who's very, like, straightforward with me. And she will call me out on my BS, or she's also like, no, this is what you need to do. And in this case, she was very much like, absolutely, yes. This is what you've been meant to do. You just hadn't realized it yet. And so now you need to go for it.

Yeah. And I love this. I heard this somewhere, and I say it all the time the last couple of months. Like, when the energy is there, you'll find a way. You know?

Yeah.

You feel it. You feel it. When you— like, tired doesn't exist. Scared doesn't exist. Like, not enough to stop you. Stop you from doing it. And it's like you were in that zone. And, and I saw you in that zone with, you know, creating Modern Traditions as well. Like that, there were a lot of obstacles and, you know, fears and like, oh my God, like social media, and we'll get into all of that. But, you know, it was the same thing. And I see you now, as you know, you're about to launch your first trip, which we're so excited about. Like, you know, I'm not saying any of it's been easy, but like the energy and the vision are there. So you've just found a way.

Yeah, it really is about like the, the energy and just learning to trust your gut. I feel like when I was younger, I didn't do that enough, and my life is different because of that, which is great and all, but now I really am leaning into like understanding those feelings that I have and like when to act and when not to act, and it makes a big difference. So I think a lot of people need to learn that.

Yes, yes. So Okay, you go to medical school and then tell us like, how did you become a specialist in women's health? Like, how did that happen? 'Cause you ended up in a very niche arena, field.

Very true. So in med school, once again, pivot princess, I thought I was gonna do like emergency medicine 'cause I love like the rush of being in that environment. Then I thought I was gonna do, neurocritical care and neurointerventional radiology. Um, and then I realized that it's just not for me. And then I did my OB-GYN rotation and loved it. I was with a local doctor who was just phenomenal. Um, and that— I've always gravitated towards, like, women's issues in general and, like, life and everything else. Um, but that just kind of solidified it for me. So—

Mm-hmm.

Initially, I actually went to residency in Chicago for OB-GYN because I really wanted to do either like minimally invasive surgery or like complex family planning. In that year in Chicago, I was at an amazing hospital on the South Side, which is not there anymore, unfortunately. But I learned pretty quickly on that that's not exactly how I wanted to do women's health. I miss being in the operating room every single day, but I wanted to be able to have a more like holistic approach to taking care of my patients. Like, I didn't want to just see you when you were pregnant or when you needed your well-woman exam. I wanted to be able to take care of you when you had that diagnosis of diabetes or when you are on the older side and you're starting to like go through menopause and ruling out a bunch of other stuff. So— Yeah. And made the decision to switch. And so I moved back home and got into a program here. And it was better for me with my daughter too, having that family support here. And so I switched into family medicine and then just continued to like subspecialize, so to speak, because it's not technically like a type that you can subspecialize in, but have just been doing women's health for the last 6 years.

And tell us about what your work environment and focus and the type of women that you're working with now, because I think that really started planting the seed for what you created with your business, Modern Traditions?

Yeah, had I not been at this current clinic, Modern Traditions probably would not exist, in all honesty. But it's a really very cool clinic. We serve over 20,000 patients a year, which is a lot.

Wow.

And 63% of our patients are best served in a language other than English. English. So the number one language actually is not English, it's Spanish. We have over 40 languages that are represented. And I remember like the first few months there were languages that were coming in and I thought that they were like wrong. I remember like it said like, "Oh, she's Korean speaking." I was like, "They misspelled Korean. Like what's going on?" And then like the patient walked in, I was like, "This patient is not Korean. What language is this?" So I've learned.

Yeah.

A lot about a lot of different cultures. And I consider myself to be pretty, you know, culturally advanced, I guess you could say. I don't think that's an actual term. Like, I love to travel. I've been, you know, over close to 25, 30 countries. But man, when you're in this environment, it's completely, completely different. And so it's one of those things that, like, I had to learn even more beyond just, like, the medicine part of it. And so this clinic really has made me realize that— Yeah. The medicine we're taught is very cookie cutter, and you can't just apply it to every single person that comes in. So it's been a really, really, really good learning experience for me.

Yeah, it's, you know, I remember on the Dream Accelerator calls, like, you were literally like, hold on, I got to go see a patient. Like, I mean—

I know. Yeah, it was always during my clinic time, which was fine, but it could make it a little bit hard. But yeah. Always trying to like multitasking.

Yeah, I mean, you can, you can just tell, like, you know, the clinic has always come first, you know, like, like the— you're so— you— what you said like 15 minutes ago, like you're a people person. I would— that's like the first way I would describe you. Like you are a people person. Like you're a girl's girl, you're a people person. And like, you know, I just— it was so amazing for me to watch you kind of like balancing the two worlds and like You know, it was— it's just, yeah, it's amazing to imagine you in that type of environment where I honestly can't imagine anyone better, you know, to, to be serving, to serve these women. So, you know, it's also interesting, and I just always love looking at like the butterfly effect, you know, like if you hadn't gotten divorced and you hadn't moved back home, like you wouldn't have found the clinic. And, you know, it's just like, it's all so perfect and connected. And like you said, if you weren't at this clinic, you probably wouldn't have had the idea for Modern Tradition. So what was the problem that you saw?

Yeah.

You wanted to solve?

What I saw was, I mean, kind of like what I mentioned before about how medicine was— is cookie cutter. And specifically, we are— clinic that I'm at is mainly for refugees and immigrants. So we have a refugee clinic. And so we were seeing a lot of patients from Afghanistan coming through. And so we're very strong in OB care. And so we had a lot of pregnant patients coming from Afghanistan, but we were seeing that they just weren't coming to a lot of visits. And like my first instinct as like a Western provider is like, why are you not coming to these visits? You're supposed to come to 8 to 12 per ACOG, yada, yada, yada. You need to do X, Y, and Z. You know, you get frustrated. You don't take it out on the patient, but in your mind, that's like what you're thinking. And so I happened to run across a webinar specifically about prenatal care in Afghanistan, and it was literally life-changing. In their country, on average, they're going to only like 4 visits versus here where you can see be up to 12. And that just really hit home for me that like— Mm-hmm. Why am I assuming that they're coming over here and going to automatically assimilate into our culture when they've gone through something really traumatic in their country? Now they're over here and trying to just figure life out. Like, we need to do a better job of meeting them where they're at and trying to figure out what we can do to help them and understand their culture so we, we can make sure that they are getting the best care that they can. And so that's really when I started thinking about Modern Traditions and the idea of— people who are involved in the medical field or healthcare in general. It could be a CEO of a healthcare organization, but, um, learning about the people that we're treating so that way we can provide better care and gain more trust with our patients.

Did you— were there things that you did, like, over the last several years that have kind of started bridging that gap more consciously? Because it sounds like there wasn't a lot of awareness or programming to meet people from different cultures in the beginning?

Yeah, it's just been a lot of research for myself, doing a lot of reading, taking note of the cultures that are coming into our clinic and really just trying to find papers on indigenous traditions because that's really an area that I love. I have a master's degree in global health and my practicum that I did was about traditional medicine in Bolivia, and, you know, specifically with like labor and delivery type stuff. And so just kind of reaching out and then also just being more mindful when I do travel and seeking out ways that I can be more immersive and in the culture. And even here in my own city, trying to, you know, go to places that have like a lot of culture and just soaking it all in and learning.

So what was your— like, can you pinpoint kind of like a light bulb moment of like, oh my God, I'm going to start a travel company?

I don't know if there was like a, like an aha, this specific thing, but I've done other like group travel trips and I've always loved that idea. And a lot of them are immersive, some, some more than others, that's for sure. But I think just in doing those trips is when I realized that like, this is a really good idea in a way that we can get people out of their element and get them into the element of their patients. And it just kind of happened. I don't think there was one particular trip necessarily.

But what I think is interesting is that all doctors are amazing. I think you're the best because I'm obsessed with you.

Some may argue, but—

But you were going, I would say, above and beyond with researching and, you know, like trying to— you, you connected the dots of like, oh my God, like these women come from a totally different world and we're trying to fit them into ours. Like, how can I meet them in the middle? And you took that upon yourself. And, you know, I'm sure you were doing a lot of that like after hours, you know, like that, that was a, that was a mission that you took upon yourself. You know, I think because you, you care so much about people and you want to be excellent at what you do, but also you have a— a particular interest and passion for other cultures, you know, from the beginning, it sounds like. So what I— what I'm hearing is that you saw the problem was like, okay, I'm only one person. I can only inform so many doctors about what I'm learning. Like, how can I create something that is more scalable, more, you know, can reach a broader audience than just the Wim Hof just the other providers at my clinic.

Exactly. I think a lot of providers struggle with what I was struggling with before. There's just not a lot of resources out there, you know, so this is one way to be able to reach them and try to turn things around a little bit. Because as you know, like, healthcare right now does not have the best reputation, so to speak, you know. And so I think this is one way to try to help reclaim that and get it going in the right direction so that people will start trusting the system again.

I— it's, it's just, it's so huge. So like, tell us about Modern Traditions. Like, tell us about the mission, tell us about the vision. Where are you at with the business now? It's been what, like almost a year since the dream?

Yeah. Has it?

Maybe like—

Actually, yeah.

Is it?

Yeah, I was— I think it was last September is when I Because I remember I was on vacation traveling, go figure. And when we first started having some of the calls, but really Modern Traditions is for right now, specifically for healthcare professionals who want a way to humanize healthcare again. And that's really the key, that word humanize, I think sums us up. And so we curate immersive travel and our goal by the end of it is to just, have more empathy and compassion when we're dealing with our patients. So that way, when you are meeting someone, say, from Mexico, and they have a new diagnosis of diabetes, and they're 60 years old, you're going to have a better understanding after going on a trip to, say, I don't know, Oaxaca, about the typical foods that are there and why certain foods are more popular in that culture. But when you're coming back over here and trying to create a different treatment plan for them, you're going to be able to recognize that and involve their culture more so that way they're more willing to adhere to your recommendations. So it's not realistic to be like, all right, no more tortillas for you, no more beans. They've been eating that for like 60 years. It's more about like, OK, so let's talk about moderation. Let's get this. And that's because you've been there and you've experienced it and you know. Mm-hmm.

It's so— it just feels like the mission. I don't know if you— I sometimes feel like this for you, like your mission feels so big, you know, like, because I was just thinking like, okay, you're creating this experience for, you know, these probably mostly Western doctors, and then they're going into their clinics that have potentially 10,000, 20,000 people. And now they're shape-shifting the way that they care and communicate with their patients. And then those patients go home and instead of feeling, you know, totally overwhelmed or frustrated or, you know, desensitized to any type of medical care, they're like, okay, I'm gonna, you know, change the way that I'm eating because this doctor believes in me and cares for me and communicated with me in a way that I can understand. and then that person is like able to live 10 years longer and see her grandchildren. And I mean, it's like, do you ever think about it that way with like the vastness of what you're doing?

I do, but it can be overwhelming when you think of it like that. It really can. But it is what like fuels me. But you're right. Like, I mean, it's, it's huge and it's literally life-changing in a way, you know?

It really is. So the other thing I just want to speak to, because You know, we'll link Robbie's trip and her website so you guys can get a feel for it. But when you say humanizing healthcare, I think the other piece here is that, you know, I've never been on one of your trips, but I can just imagine that it's gonna be really fun.

Yeah, it's a learning experience, but I also want it to be like a trip for like wellbeing too.

Yeah.

That's really important, especially like, You know, in the medical field right now, we talk a lot about burnout, and burnout is real. As somebody who has gone through it, is going through it, like, it's an opportunity for people to just also, like, relax.

Yeah.

And I think that's just as important as the learning part. And I think the other really crucial part about these trips is that it's not clinical at all. You're not gonna be going into a clinic and doing a visit. You're not gonna be— you already know how to do that, right? It's like what you're doing on a daily basis, or you're— a part of a system that does that. I wanted to be really removed from that so that way you could really just focus on the people and like the social aspects of daily life because 80% of health is actually those social parts. It's not what I'm doing. That's— that is part of it, don't get me wrong, but like understanding somebody's education or somebody's— how they can get to hospitals because, you know, with transportation, that's a bigger part. So going and really experiencing that part of it is really what it's about. Thank you.

Yeah. And, you know, I think let's just take a little detour here and talk about burnout because I think it's burnout. I'm hearing about it, I feel like more now than I ever have, you know, with, with the women that I'm working with. Um, and a lot of my clients, particularly in the Dream Accelerator, they are in a full-time or consulting, or they're in some type of job while they're building their business, you know. And my—

I don't—

I've never experienced, I guess, what I would say, like, true burnout. Um, like, I guess— I don't know if that's a term, but do people say clinical burnout? Is that a thing?

Yeah.

Like, I've never experienced that, but I have witnessed clients who absolutely have. And one thing I really believe Perhaps not when it gets to the, the kind of clinical level, but I think burnout can be alleviated to an extent when you reconnect with the why. You know, when you go back to like the moment in the AIDS hospice, like that changed you on a cellular level.

Mm-hmm.

And I think what you've done is you've created almost kind of an experience that can help healthcare professionals, which I would assume is probably one of the highest burnout fields. I just, I can't imagine it not being, it's so intense and demanding. Like you've, you've created an experience that helps them reconnect to that why, that mission, the, It's always been about the people. And I think, like you said, like, you guys are helping people figure out transportation and dealing with family. I mean, it's almost like it's so easy to lose the thread of the why. But what Modern Traditions does, I think, is it gives people a touchpoint back.

Absolutely. I think I use the term compassion fatigue. When you're in an environment like we are, especially at a clinic for the underserved, like every single day you are giving your all towards people. And sometimes you don't feel like it's reciprocated in any way. So really, these trips are also a way to help alleviate compassion fatigue, to really figure out or to find again that joy in helping people. Hindsight's obviously 20/20, and medicine is you have an idea of what to expect when you're going through it. You know it's gonna be rigorous, but man, it really is like the perfect storm to set you up for burnout because I even have like an 8-year break between undergrad and doing, starting med school. So I can only imagine if you go straight from 4 years of college, 4 years to medical school, anywhere from 3 to 7 years of a residency, like, and I'm talking like 80-hour work weeks. And that's only because they just, you know, over the last few years put in these time limits basically of how many hours a week you can work. It used to be like unrestricted. And so like 80 hours a week for every week for what, 3 to 7 years is insane. So you're getting set up for burnout and there's not really good education, at least not when I was going through it, to help prevent that or recognize it.

Mm-hmm.

It's a lot better now because it is so prevalent and they're trying to make, make it so that you have like mandatory wellness days and stuff. But once you're outside of that and you're on your own, it really is up to you to find those options and those ways. So this is another way to help with that. And again, you're outside of the clinic, right? So you don't have to worry about the clinical aspect. It's just you on a trip to New Orleans or to Guatemala in the future and just learning and having a good time also.

Yeah. And I think, you know, I, I all, as you were saying that, I was also just thinking, you know, one of, one of our expansion ideas for Modern Traditions is to start, you know, an, an education program that will educate healthcare providers. And I'm even just thinking, imagine if you had had like all the, the data that you've uncovered over the years from like your first year in residency.

Right.

You know, on how to serve different communities and different cultures. Like, wouldn't that alone have alleviated a lot of time, effort, stress circle around? You know what I mean?

Absolutely. And you can do like month-long electives. This would be an awesome way to like do that too. You know, like, let's get you set up for this, for this month-long trip there to learn this X, Y, and Z. And, and Have you helped tailor that experience? Because I think that's also really important too, is to make sure that whoever's going kind of has like an idea into what's happening.

Yeah, yeah. You know, you're just like such an amazing example. I always— I mean, I say this like all day, every day, but like your business is bigger than you. Like, this is so much bigger than you, you know?

Yeah.

The mission and the vision of this, like, but you're the like you are the conduit of this mission.

Yeah.

But like the impact, I mean, we've talked about, I mean, it's like thousands and thousands of lives, you know, can be impacted by you having the courage to start this business.

Yeah. Which is crazy to think about, but also really exciting at the same time.

So talk, let's just kind of talk about like your experience inside the Dream Accelerator and like how that helped you bring things to life because it was just like such a joy to watch this thing totally just like take shape inside the program.

Yeah, I mean, I didn't really know much about it at first, and honestly, I learned about you through your first episode of your podcast with Lauren Bates. I love Lauren. I do. I do. I'm a big Wild Terrain girl. But I listened to that and then I started doing like my research on you and I was like, maybe this is something that I need because I had this idea, but I was like stuck. I didn't really know where to go with it. Like, I knew what I wanted to do. I was very specific and, you know, had details, but like, now what? Because it's so different than what I'm used to doing. And then actually, I had reached out to somebody else you've had on your podcast, Christine Chitnis, and she was like, do it. Like, go for it. Claire Sellers is great. So then I was like, all right, because, you know, she's not going to— she's a straight shooter. She's a very straight shooter.

She's been on the podcast too.

And so, you know, with that endorsement, I was like, okay, let me just try. And so we had our call and it just— yeah, it's one of those things again, trust your gut. It felt right. And so I came in and had like the 2 months ahead of time before the actual course started. And I think that was actually really great too, because it was like a slow introduction into it. Which for me with my busy schedule was really great. In fact, like I said earlier, I started when I was on vacation. So, you know, I'm sitting there and that was really great. And then once I was in there, I think you really helped me create a plan and like go with it. And you were also just like, you wouldn't take vagueness for an answer. So you're like, all right, well, when do you want to get this website done? I was like, I don't know, like a couple months. She was like, You were like, maybe X, Y, and Z date. And I'm like, sure, yeah, we'll have it done by like October 15th. And in my mind I'm like, I've never like been quite like that, but it's what I needed is somebody to be like, okay, here's a date. And or like, what are you going to get done over the next 4 weeks? And I'm thinking like, I mean, I don't know, just like stuff with the business. You're like, I need 3 things that you're going to get done over the next 4 weeks. So it really made me just act, which is what I needed. I need someone to like be that constant push so that I would keep that momentum going, knowing that I have this crazy schedule. So I appreciate that more than you probably know, or maybe you do know, I don't know.

You sound just like me. It's so funny. Yeah. You know, I remember, I think the other thing that, that was, I remember as a turning point, cause you came in very clear with your, vision, you know? And I, I think it's helpful for people to hear that even someone who's as accomplished and driven, as successful as you, like, you came in with— you had a vision, like, you know what you wanted to do, but you were just like stuck in the mobilization. And I think like that is something I see with so many women. And once they get in the Dream Accelerator, it takes like a month or two and they're like— They just do it. They've been planning it for years in their head.

Exactly. I think a lot of us are like— when you are like— when people consider you to be a high achiever, that kind of thing, you get stuck in that— and I'm going to mess this whole phrase up— but paralysis by analysis or something like that.

Analysis paralysis.

There we go. But you just overthink things so much, and then you just get stuck. Because you're just like, well, what if I do this? I don't know. And that's kind of where I was. I was like, I wanna do this, but ugh, I'm really scared because like, what if it doesn't work out? So I'm just gonna like think of something else that I could do in the meantime. And so the Dream Accelerator takes you out of that.

Mm-hmm.

It, like you said, it does take a little bit at first, but like after that first month, then you're just kind of like on a roll with things and you get out of your head because you realize that like, no, like what you're doing makes sense. You just gotta like do it.

You just have to do it. Yeah. And I think, you know, it's— when I first started coaching, I was— I was— I wasn't focused on business. But when I— when I shifted into, into, you know, really focusing in on business, I just made a choice that, like, I wasn't going to entertain, like, the vagueness, the wishy-washy, the, I don't know, I'm scared. I was just like, the women that are called to work with me are ready. You know, like the women that are called, I'm not saying you're not gonna have freak out moments, like we all have them, but like my mission is to help you move forward. So like you don't need another month to think about it. You don't need another month to like research web designers, just use mine. You know, like— Which I did and it turned out great. You know, like you used Liz who will link, like Liz works with so many of my clients and she's amazing. You know, it's like, I think that's the beauty of the program is that it's really for the woman who's ready to rock and just who like can't figure out how to get the ball rolling. But once the ball is rolling, like we literally have things up and running in 4 months flat. Like, that's not just like some marketing thing I say. It's true.

You know, it's 100% true. So I think—

Go ahead.

I was gonna say, I think like part of it is just you're really good at when people are in that freakout mode of dissecting it with them so that way they come to that realization themselves. So just a simple, well, why do you feel like that is how it needs to be? Those types of questions really get you thinking. And I saw in other people in our group too where you would just be like, well, why are you scared to do this? You're right. I do know this. And I don't know. There's just something to be said when you can You experience it yourself, but you also see it in other people, so you can see how it's working.

Yeah, it's funny. I was walking home from the coffee shop today, and I was thinking, if I— if and when, I'm sure eventually I'll teach a coaching program for coaches, but I do it automatically. But the way that I work is that somebody says something to me, and I can energetically, logistically, emotionally sense, like, what's underneath that. And I know that until I can get you to realize, like, what's untrue versus what's true, you're gonna be immovable. And so instead of just saying, okay, well, let's just, you know, think about it, or just do it anyway, I actually have to get you to kind of move through your own mental roadblock and disintegrate it. And then on the other side, it's like, okay, well, it's not there anymore, so I'm ready to move.

Yeah, exactly.

And I think that that is, it's something that's happening on the conscious and subconscious level, but we see it, you saw it in the Dream Accelerator, like the success stories in there and what the women are overcoming in there. I mean, it like just humbles me daily because I know how scary it is to start something new. And I also know like how incredible it is to actually have your own business. And so like, we have to close the gap on your fear and your dream. And like, that's, that's the vibe. And it's just, you know, it— I, I love the women in there. And the other thing I'd love you to just share is like, you— I feel like your cohort, like, you had some besties in there and y'all like had done IRL meetups.

That's one of the things like, I was not expecting to get out of this group. But yeah, I mean, me and Alexis are really— we're like Pisces soulmates, we say. Our birthdays are 2 days apart. But yeah, you know, you meet people in the group and then when the time is right and things kind of align, you know, we were able to meet up in Long Beach over like the Christmas holiday and it was just like we had known each other forever. We're just like going back and forth and we talk all the time. We're like scheduling a time that she's busy with her business and obviously I'm busy with mine, but, um, we're scheduling time next week to just like catch up again and just see how we can help each other. And that's the thing too, like we constantly will help each other. She will post about me and vice versa. She's, you know, sent my name out to people about things and, you know, and I'll always do the same for her. And so I appreciate that so much about the group that I had, and I'm sure other people have that too.

And—

Even from some of the other challenges I'm, you know, that I've joined, I've been able to like keep in contact with, with women from there too. So that's an added bonus for sure that I don't think people realize that you get from this. So I also just want to highlight one other thing with you that like, even as confident as I was going through this and towards the end when there was a big shift for me with if I was even going to do my first trip or not, I was very, very nervous about if I should even do it or not, and you took the time to send like a private message, and not even just like a text, but it was like a voice message about like why you believed in what I was doing, and like you really feel like this is the time that I should be doing Modern Traditions, and you know, to keep moving on. And that was a big reason why like I moved my trip, but I didn't completely cancel it. So I think that that was actually a big reason why, it's because you— Thank you. Gave me that little extra, extra push. So it's not just the group stuff. There's the little things on the side too that really help.

Yeah, I remember that moment. It was a big moment. So what's like next with Modern Traditions? Tell us about the upcoming trip because I feel like people are now like, okay, I just want to like go hang out with Dr. Robbi.

Please do.

Tell us, how can they do that?

Yeah, so we have our first trip in September, September 17th through the 24th in New Orleans. And since it's a cultural business, our first one's focusing on African American culture, and we're doing it specifically in New Orleans because A, New Orleans is amazing, and also just has such a rich history for African American culture, which was important for me since I am a Black provider. And so we're gonna start off pretty heavy. You know, we're gonna visit a plantation, but the mood lightens by the end of it, trust me. And we're doing really fun things The schedule isn't like scheduled out every single moment. There's time for free time. We're gonna be going to some amazing restaurants because as you know, a big part of everybody's culture is food. So we're gonna highlight that aspect. And in New Orleans, you can do that in so many, so many ways. So come ready to eat.

Mm-hmm.

But one of the really cool things that we're doing is we're inviting local practitioners of all different types. To come meet with us at the beginning and the end to really talk about their experience firsthand in New Orleans being a provider of color. And then at the end, to hear about the experiences that the travelers have had and what impact the city has had on them and the cultural insights. And I think that'll be really, really worthwhile for everybody. We're doing a lot of really, really cool things. Thank you. I don't want to spoil it all, but you can also go to our website and look at the itinerary and see. But it's going to be an amazing trip.

It's going to be amazing. We're going to link it and like with like a big sign up here because like I want people— I mean, I just— it's like I, I see and feel your vision so much. Like it feels like it's my business too, you know? Like I'm so invested in you. Like You know, obviously I'm not doing any of the work that you're doing, but like, you know, it's just like I feel so invested in what you're doing because I can see the ripple effect, like, yeah, on the world, you know? And it's just like, it's so like, it gives me chills. Like, it's just so huge, you know? Like, it's so huge.

It's been really cool because people who I've never met before have been reaching out to me from like New Orleans even saying like, I'm from here. I don't know why we haven't thought of something like this before. Like, how can I help? Which is mind-blowing to me to think that, like, I started off with this idea, didn't know anybody there. I've done a lot of research on my own, and then through that way I've met people. But, like, having random people reach out to me about this has been really cool. And then also just other people that have started following us on Instagram and even LinkedIn asking, like, well, when are you going to go to X, Y, and Z? Because I'd love to learn about this. And so— That's been really cool to see that they understand, like, what we're trying to do and that there really is kind of like a market for this. And it hasn't even just been doctors. I mean, I had like a dietitian who was asking about this. So it's just, it's really cool to see, like, even though I haven't done much yet, like, it's out there. People know and they want to know more about it.

Yeah. And, you know, I think what you're going to see, I know what you're going to see is, you know, This is, this is your first trip in New Orleans. There's only a few spots left. So it basically like filled instantly, which for everyone who's like, ah, it's a recession and no one's buying and travel industry is hard. Like once again, another case in point, don't listen to that. When your mission is clear and you have a great product, people will buy. Millions of people are going to Disney World every year.

Exactly.

Like, you know, there, there truly are only a few spots left. So if you're interested, like DM Dr. Robbie or just sign up now. But what I wanted to say is like, you know, what you're going to find, and this is, this is the thing that I think people, I don't wanna say mess up on, but they expect the result to come before, or they expect the momentum to come like before they've actually done the thing. And what you've done in the Dream Accelerator is you created the result before the momentum. You know, and now the momentum is kicking in because you had people join, you're going to do the trip and like, I guarantee there's going to be press, people are going to be talking about it. It's going to spread like crazy. You're going to do your next trip. It's going to fill even faster. Like, it's just going to be like a snowball. But you had to almost kind of like manufacture that momentum before you knew people were going to sign up. And that's the, that's the thing that I think really take— you have to dig deep to do that.

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, that's the scary part, right? It's like you're creating something. You have no idea, like, how it's going to be accepted, but you just have to, like, again, the theme, trust your gut and just do it and realize, like, what you're doing is worth it. And once you get to that point, it makes it, makes it a lot easier.

Yeah. So after New Orleans, like, what's the vision? What are you thinking? What can people look forward to?

Well, I wanna grow, grow, grow. I'm starting to plan our next trip just because of the number of people that have reached out. So I kind of put a little teaser out there, but it's gonna be in Guatemala.

Ooh.

And so I'm really excited about that 'cause it's a beautiful country. There's lots to do. We're gonna focus on women's health. And so more specifically like maternal health. And so that'll be a really interesting one.

There's just—

there's so much that I want to do. And so we'll see as the time goes, but going to focus on that for now. And then looking at potentially doing some smaller things that you can get from our website. So like different guides, like cultural guides, different types of like pamphlets and explanations for different women's health, you know, conditions or problems that's broken down really well and in different languages. I think that's also a really important part of this is learning how to communicate with people so that it's not medicalese because that's a whole nother language. And so I think that's a really important aspect for our company is to be able to provide some resources for that and create our own resources, right? And so, yeah, I think that's—

Oh my gosh, I just thought of another idea. We should— it should be— I say we— digital courses. I mean, you've already thought of that, but like digital courses that then can lead people. It's like it's leading— it's a party method for the trips.

There you go. Exactly. Yes.

And then once they go on the trips, it's a party method for your, like, 6-month education program.

Literally writing this down right now. There's your product.

Like, nailed it.

This is amazing.

I love it. I love it. Well, this has just been so fun. I, like, with all of my heart, believe in you as a woman, and I believe in your mission and what you're doing and like just the massive impact that it creates. And it's just been such a joy for me to walk with you on this journey and continue to walk with you. And I am always cheering you on, and I know that everyone's going to be jumping on your trips and following you on Instagram. So we'll link all the ways to find you below. And thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview, and I'm just excited to follow along.

Thank you so much. I love doing this kind of stuff. I love spreading the word. Not only about like my business, but like what you're doing as well. It's really important because the two are linked forever.

So thank you. You're the best, Dr. Ravi.

Thank you.

Thank you for tuning in to the Prosperous Woman Podcast. I am so grateful for your presence and for being a part of this community. Feel free to DM me at @itsclairesellers on Instagram. I I would love to connect with you and hear what resonated with you in this episode. Forget to subscribe to the show. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, leave a 5-star review. Your feedback means the world to me and helps me reach more incredible women just like you. And because I love to spoil you, just DM me a screenshot of your review on Instagram and I'll send you my free Prosperity Guide. Clarity Activation course as a thank you. It's my way of investing in you and your dreams. Thank you.