This episode is sponsored by PearsonRavitz– a friend and advocate for physicians with their insurance needs.  In this interview, Dr. Cassie Smith discusses her journey in medicine, particularly in the field of endocrinology. She initially wanted to be a doctor to help people but became frustrated with the limitations of pharmaceutical-based treatments. She eventually decided to focus on a holistic approach to healthcare, emphasizing healthy lifestyle choices and reducing dependency on medications.  Dr. Smith also highlights the need for better education on nutrition and exercise, especially for children. She mentions several influencers and podcasters she follows for health and wellness advice and encourages patients to seek credible sources for information. Looking for something specific? Here you go! 00:03:30 Focus on holistic, non-pharmaceutical health.  00:05:03 Integrative approach to medicine.  00:13:39 Chronic disease requires lifestyle changes.  00:18:30 Healthcare system needs preventative measures.  00:20:43 Importance of health education.  00:27:06 Choose positive and informative content.  00:31:57 Chronic inflammation is multifactorial.  00:32:43 Inflammation stems from lifestyle choices.  00:38:48 Hormone replacement is important.  00:42:50 Hormones are crucial for health.  00:48:27 Testosterone can help with fibromyalgia.  00:53:44 Questioning pharmaceutical industry influence in medicine.  00:57:24 Doctors are hesitant to prescribe estrogen despite its potential benefits. 01:02:09 Inflammation and lifestyle affect thyroid.  01:09:13 Lifestyle changes are key.  01:14:57 Prioritize self-care for overall well-being.  01:16:17 Take care of yourself first. About Cassie Smith:  Dr. Cassie Smith is a dual board-certified physician by the ABIM in Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Internal Medicine who is an active member of seven different physician societies and associations in her specialty. She did her undergraduate and medical school at the University of Missouri Kansas City, which is one of three colleges in the country with a combined undergraduate and medical degree program completed in six years. She then transitioned to working on a dozen major clinical trials centered around diabetes care in fellowship at the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center in Oklahoma City. After fellowship, her insights in research and forward thinking made her a nationally sought-after public speaker for numerous international pharmaceutical companies for which she has presented hundreds of talks locally and nationally, on topics such as diabetes and thyroid disease. Dr Smith went into private practice in March 2020 after practicing for a large health system for several years following fellowship. Despite starting her practice just prior to COVID 19, she is the fasting growing private practice endocrinologist in Oklahoma City. Her knowledge, experience, and compassion won her a place on the Top Doctor List of 2022 in the 405 Magazine, and has placed her as a sought-after local specialist. She has also become a thought leader and expert in the field of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. In 2022, Dr. Smith also began serving on the Medical Advisory Board for BioTe, a national industry-leading company with emphases on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. In this role she educates physicians and practitioners nationally on how to diagnosis, administer, and treat patients with hormone and vitamin deficiencies. In November 2022, Dr. Smith decided to expand her practice and Modern Endocrine was born. She plans to continue using a holistic approach to treating patients with industry leading hormone therapy, comprehensive laboratory testing, preventative care, lifestyle modifications, and restorative medicine practices to personalize patient care and treatment plans for autoimmune and chronic diseases. As an expert endocrinologist, her goal is to help patients struggling with overwhelm make lifestyle changes to rebalance hormones and a