Q&A With Dr. Jan McBarron, Physician and Public Speaker
Dr. Jan McBarron is a nationally recognized, award-winning both Medical and Naturopathic physician with a drive to help others live their best life possible. She began her career journey as a registered nurse. After working with physicians, she realized she also wanted that level of education and ability to care for patients. As such, while still working overnight as a nurse, she obtained her Medical Doctorate and then specialized in Bariatric medicine. She then obtained her Naturopathic Doctorate.
Dr. Jan McBarron focused her efforts on non-surgical weight loss for the next thirty years. Over time, her knowledge continued to expand, and she shared her insight through many channels. Dr. McBarron, or Doc, as everyone calls her, spent over twenty years on her nationally syndicated radio talk show broadcasting health information to millions. It was and still is her goal to reach as many people as possible.
While Dr. Jan McBarron is no longer seeing patients in private practice, her goals have stayed the course. She continues to develop ways to educate others about healthier lifestyles. As the author of several books and a robust online presence, it is her hope that she can leave a lasting and healthy mark on the lives of others.
Tell us a bit about what you do.
I enjoy doing many things. I specialized as a physician in Medical Bariatrics. I chose this specialty in part because of my own struggles with yo-yo dieting. With a goal of non-surgical weight loss, I have been blessed with the ability to positively affect numerous lives over my long career. Being healthy requires a healthy weight and body mass index. This includes good dietary habits, healthy food choices, and knowledge that helps the whole person, not just their portion control. There is no other feeling in the world like helping people. It remains extremely gratifying to empower people with the knowledge to take responsibility and control of their own health.
While I was seeing patients, I was able to also serve as a nationally syndicated radio talk show host with my husband, Duke. Our call-in health talk show, Duke and the Doctor, allowed me to reach more people with the answers to their health questions. We built on this by developing a YouTube channel as well. Reaching as many people as possible is important to me. I want to know I can help those who need it most.
Currently, I am continuing public speaking, writing various books and publications, and reaching more people than ever thru social media. After more than 30 years of marriage, my husband Duke and I still feel like we are on our honeymoon. We have always worked well together and play hard too, enjoying hiking, weightlifting and traveling.
What gave you the idea for what you do? How did it start?
After several years in nursing, I realized I wanted more education in order to expand my ability to help my patients. Fortunately, I was able to work the night shift as a nurse and attend medical school during the day. I was the only one with active experience in hospitals with patients while being in school. It gave me a unique perspective. I knew that having this degree would enable me to be a better asset to my patients.
During the same time, I encountered the need to see a Bariatric physician. With their help, I was able to change my bad habits and get healthy. The holistic approach left a lasting impact on my life. That impacted my choice of my medical specialty.
What’s your favorite thing about your chosen profession?
My favorite thing has been helping people, many people, live healthier lifestyles. Often when they came into my office, we were able to discuss developing positive habits, eating the right foods, and reaching reasonable weight goals. The best part was that while I was the doctor giving the advice, I could do so with knowledge of a Medical Doctor but also the firsthand experience of having been overweight before. I had been in my patients’ shoes.
What keys to being productive can you share with us?
Create an essential understanding about what your priorities should be. Schedule yourself accordingly and adhere to that schedule like it is crucial, because it is. For example, when I was practicing, I knew every day I essentially punched a clock and had a schedule of events from rising to bedtime. Now that I no longer have those demands, maintaining a schedule is still paramount.
Tell us one long-term goal in your career.
Now that I am no longer tied to private practice, I have the opportunity to create multiple paths to share knowledge and continue helping people. In addition to authoring more books and public speaking I am exploring YouTube options and social media. I am extremely proud of my scholarship campaign (Dr. Jan McBarron Scholarship), and creating new opportunities to reach more people.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through the course of your
career?
I have learned the value of relationships. You can reach hundreds or thousands of people through the radio or podcast, but the relationships you build are extremely valuable. It is important to create the relationships that enable you to help others. I was able to do this both in the office and on the radio. There was and is nothing as fulfilling as knowing you left a conversation being able to help someone get healthier and better than when you began talking to them.
What advice would you give to others aspiring to succeed in your field?
Always put your patients first. Always seek to do good. It is far too easy to get distracted by paperwork, or compliance in billing concerns, or an assortment of other things. If you are always seeking to do well by your patients, you’ll find a way to make the other things happen without leaving their care behind.
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
Well first, I have always enjoyed my work. Working is a big part of our lives and it is important to enjoy it because both work and life are temporary. However, I think balance of work and play is important. When it comes to play, I enjoy spending time with Duke, exercising, reading, comedy, traveling and being with family and friends.
Name a few influential books you’ve read and/or websites you keep up with
that you’d recommend to readers.
I would start with Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. It has been so instrumental in my life that I read it annually. After reading that, any book written by Zig Ziglar would be a good choice to follow with. He is a leader in teaching and sharing positive thinking. I absorb all of that whenever possible and strongly suggest everyone does the same. Positive thoughts are important to a healthy life.
What advice would you give your younger self?
A good lesson I wish I learned when I was younger was not to take things personally. There are times when people are at their worst. It can be difficult not to take their negativity as a reflection upon yourself. The situation could be some struggle they are dealing with and turning outward. Also, don’t take life so seriously. Laugh often, especially at yourself. Laughter is the best medicine.
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