From Isolation to Growth: How I Left My Island Behind

As orthodontists, many of us know what it feels like to be "on an island." You might recognize it too—the feeling of running a practice, isolated from colleagues, dealing with the day-to-day challenges without much interaction with others who truly understand your struggles. Over time, this isolation can foster loneliness, apathy, and even a creeping negativity that clouds how we see our practices. What was once a beautiful, fulfilling career can start to feel like a burden.

I know this all too well because I’ve been there.

For years, I operated my practice in a vacuum, disengaged from my peers. I was hesitant to reach out because I thought I was the only one feeling this way, stuck in a cycle of self-doubt and monotony. This led to an uninspired practice experience, a disconnect in my personal life, and a general feeling of being adrift.

Then, COVID hit, and everything changed.

The pandemic forced me out of my comfort zone. With the world around us shaken, I finally reached out to colleagues—some from my residency, others from professional networks—and began to have real, honest conversations. Those connections became my lifeline, helping me navigate not just the professional challenges of the time, but the emotional ones as well. What I found was transformative: I wasn’t alone. Many others were feeling the same way.

Emerging from that experience, I felt like a new practitioner. I realized that change, the very thing I had resisted for so long, was exactly what I needed. In fact, I was built for it. Incremental change, made over time, yields incredible results. As I began to interact more with peers, I stayed current, gained new perspectives, and rediscovered my love for this profession. I became a better orthodontist, a better person, and my practice began to thrive like never before.

Since that time, my practice has quadrupled in size. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I’ve developed a solid exercise routine, improved my diet, and become a voracious reader of business, leadership, and personal development books. My relationships—with my wife, kids, and work staff—are at an all-time high. I have more clarity on my path and purpose in life than ever before.

Looking back, I see now that it shouldn’t take a global pandemic to shake someone out of a life funk, but it did in my case. In many ways, I consider myself fortunate because that experience propelled me forward in ways I never could have imagined.

Now, I want to help others avoid needing such drastic events to trigger their growth. That’s why I created Evolve Orthodontic Education—to serve as a resource for orthodontists who, like me, have felt isolated or stuck in their practices. My goal is to help you find connection, inspiration, and the tools you need to evolve both professionally and personally. Along the way, I hope to continue growing myself as well.

So let’s get started with the journey. Together, we can leave the island behind and create something better.