25. What to Do When You're in a Low Season (And How to Climb Out)

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on something real—those moments when life feels heavy, and you feel totally “off.” Even if everything is actually going well on paper. 

Ryan opens up about hitting one of the lowest mental points he’s faced in a long time—while still running a thriving dental practice and showing up for his family. Chase shares how easy it is to fall into habits that numb us instead of helping us grow (cereal, anyone?), and how the smallest mindset shifts can bring you back to life.

This isn’t a “tough it out” episode. This is about recognizing when you’re stuck, admitting you need a reset, and actually doing something about it.

We cover:

• What it feels like to be “on” all day and still feel empty
• Why burnout shows up quietly—and how it messes with your habits
• How Ryan reconnected with his purpose through a dusty old manifesto
• The power of one positive interaction (even a single LinkedIn like!)
• Why personal development beats business goals every time
• And the truth: no amount of money or success can fix misalignment
  
  

This episode is for any dentist (or human) who feels like they’re giving their best to everyone else—but forgetting how to take care of themselves.

🎧 Tune in now and hear the exact steps Ryan took to start climbing out—and how you can too.

LINKS:

Connect with us: https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute: 

• 00:00 – Kicking off with cereal, kids, and motivational podcast dad jokes
• 01:00 – Why our teams often get the best of us—and our families get what’s left
• 02:30 – Coming home exhausted after a long day of dentistry
• 03:30 – The cereal spiral: how snacking became a metaphor for burnout 😂
• 05:00 – Ryan opens up about hitting a mental low point this year
• 06:15 – Realizing how mindset and routine affect your mental health
• 07:30 – Rediscovering a forgotten manifesto and reconnecting with purpose
• 08:45 – The turning point: deleting social apps, reconnecting with a coach
• 10:00 – How one LinkedIn like changed the entire week
• 11:00 – Finding hope again through coaching and new habits
• 12:30 – Why dentistry can leave you feeling like a “loser” if you let it
• 13:30 – “Make the choice”—simple steps to reset when you're in a funk
• 14:30 – Personal development > practice growth
• 16:00 – The truth about money, success, and why hitting goals won’t heal you
• 18:00 – Living in alignment: Ryan’s take on happiness and fulfillment
• 20:30 – Why we compare ourselves and how that breeds guilt/shame
• 22:00 – The money trap: making more but still feeling empty
• 24:00 – What to do when you’re out of integrity with who you want to be