Episode

Ep 67. Eating Disorders, Perfectionism, and Military Mindset: Dr. Jillian Rigert on Healing and High Performance

Podcast
Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD
Published
May 31, 2026
Duration seconds
2386
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https://share.transistor.fm/s/88476b38
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https://media.transistor.fm/88476b38/41066db5.mp3
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Summary

Dr. Jillian Rigert didn't just survive perfectionism. She nearly died from it. And now, she's turning that pain into a lifeline for others. A Martha Beck Wayfinder Master Coach, Air Force veteran, oral surgeon, and physician, Jillian has walked one of the most demanding paths imaginable, only to discover that the very drive that carried her there almost destroyed her. In this raw, courageous, and deeply moving conversation, Jillian opens up about how perfectionism spiraled into suicidal ideation, anorexia, and a medical discharge from the military, and how finding her voice became the first step toward reclaiming her life. This is a conversation about what happens when high achievement stops serving you, and what it truly means to start over with compassion, authenticity, and purpose. ⚠️ Trigger Warning This conversation explores trauma and strong mental health themes including suicidal ideation, eating disorders, and perfectionism. Episode Takeaways: How perfectionism starts as a badge of honor and how it quietly becomes a cage The moment Jillian realized achievement wouldn't fill the emptiness and what happened next The intersection of perfectionism, shame, and suicidal ideation in high-achieving environments How anorexia became a coping mechanism and what it truly represents beneath the surface Why eating disorders are so widely misunderstood, even within medicine The one attending who modeled her humanity and saved Jillian's life What helpers get wrong and what actually supports someone who is struggling How shame heals in relationship, not in silence What success looks and feels like when you finally strip away perfectionist About the guest: Jillian Rigert, DMD, MD, ACC, TIPC is a Martha Beck Wayfinder Master Coach and Trauma-Informed Professional Coach who partne…