Meet Krista Gonzales | Mom, Physician, and Burnout Survivor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Krista Gonzales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Krista, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Prioritizing my passions, bringing my why to the forefront of my mind with any big decision, reclaiming my time, reinforcing boundaries, and reinvesting in myself and my own physical and mental health are the many ways I am now able to achieve a more sustainable work life balance. Like many physicians, my life was my work. I had a stark imbalance between life and work. Unfortunately, like many health care providers, I burned out during the pandemic. I fit the physician burn out profile to a T: Young, Female, and a new Mom. The new role as a Mom was the tipping point.
I felt suffocated and buried by work, overwhelmed by home duties, and inadequate as a Mom, Wife, Doctor, Daughter, and Sister. However, from the ash I transformed, pivoted, and thrived! I have always been a bit of a chameleon in that I can readily adapt. This time, I went in an entirely different direction with the goal of never burning out again! With the help of my mentor, I decided to take back my time, and start my own consulting business.
She taught me how to schedule work around my top priority, my family! Instead of the other way around. I achieved my work-life balance by staying true to my top priorities and reflecting on my Why with each ask. Learning to say no to things that did not fulfill me and yes only to what I was truly passionate about.
I love the new balance this brought to my life. I now feel more present with my family and my patients. I am reinvigorated in my work and feel more capable and empathetic then when I started my journey in medical school. Sadly, many lose their empathy and passion over time. As a mom and wife, I now feel capable of handling any curve ball, competent, happy, and fully present. Part of the balance is knowing when to claim time for yourself! Knowing when to invest love, time, money, and grace into your own development and health.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Only 5.8% of physicians in the United States are Hispanic and only 2.4% are Hispanic Women. I am a Triple Board Certified physician in Obesity Medicine, Endocrinology, and Internal Medicine. There are only 8,263 physicians that are certified in Obesity Medicine in the United States and Canada which is a very small fraction of the total number of practicing physicians. I am proud of taking the path less traveled and am excited to serve those in the most rapidly growing populations in our country and to urge others to do so as well! Hispanics are the fastest growing population in the United States! Unfortunately, obesity is at an all-time high. More than 40% of Americans have Obesity and it is projected to be 50% by the year 2030. It was not an easy path growing up. I have overcome challenges of racism, socioeconomic challenges when compared to my peers, decreased access to certain resources, and just plain lack of knowledge and experience from those I looked to for guidance as my path was not a common one chosen in my community. My parents may not have known how to guide me through college applications, SATs, and various other key obstacles on this journey, but they whole heartedly believed and supported me through it all! Immeasurable Love was what got me to where I am today and is what led me to change my path when I myself became a Mom. Along the way I truly learned that everything works out the way it is supposed to. As long as you have a strong team of support and those around you to love and be loved, anything is possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Although I currently reside in Florida, I am from Southern California. If I were to go on a week-long trip, it would be a road trip that starts in Temecula! There I would eat lunch at the Pinnacle Restaurant at Falkner Winery while enjoying a breath-taking view of the vineyards. I would stop in Old Town to enjoy delicious and authentic Mexican food, music, arts/crafts and a family friendly atmosphere. I would then drive towards the Ocean to tour the sea caves of La Jolla, drive PCH up to Santa Barbara and walk along the beach there after a day out touring nearby Solvang.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Husband, Parents, and Sister have given me limitless love and support throughout my journey. My husband has always believed in me fully, at times more than I believed in myself, he is my best cheerleader. My Mom and Sister have reminded me, many times, to stay grounded in my why and have promoted the incorporation of self-care in my life even when I have forgotten to do so in the past. My Mom has always been amazing at teaching me one of life’s valuable lessons, ” In order to better care for others, you must first care for yourself.” Love and support are the reasons I am able to adapt as readily as I do. Love is my why! I love my children enough to change my world for them! My mentor, Dr. Danielle DonDiego has believed in me and cheered me on through every pivotal moment in my career since residency. Her positive influence, kindness, her own resilience, boldness, and reach for the stars mentality are contagious! Before she became my mentor she was my friend and I feel my life is better just by knowing her!

Instagram: @DrKristaGonzales

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-gonzales-md-abom-7252b872?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Twitter: @EndoMDLife

Youtube: @DrKristaGonzales

Other: TikTok: @DrKristaGonzales

Image Credits
Photographer: Albert Acosta Hair/Makeup Artist: Joaquina Hormilla Family Photo Photographer: Marlyne Cardenas