In this transformative episode of The Authentic Dentist Podcast, Dr. Allison House sits down with Dr. Lauren Yasuda Rainey, a dentist who courageously stepped away from the traditional "successful" practice model to discover what authentic fulfillment actually looks like.

Dr. Rainey shares her vulnerable journey from having what appeared to be the perfect practice—fee-for-service in Berkeley, California, with intelligent, engaged patients—to the devastating realization that she had created an "expensive hobby" with a $275,534 annual write-off. This wake-up call forced her to confront the gap between external success and internal fulfillment, a theme that resonates deeply with The Authentic Dentist's mission of bridging clinical excellence with personal authenticity.

Through candid conversation, Lauren reveals how working with an executive coach helped her shift from being just a provider to becoming a whole person—partner, parent, and individual. Her transformation led her to sell her practice and create a 50/50 split between clinical work and teaching composites, allowing her to be present for her children's lives while building a career that energizes rather than depletes her.

This episode challenges the conventional definition of dental success and offers hope for practitioners feeling trapped in the "golden handcuffs" of ownership. Lauren's story demonstrates that authentic leadership sometimes means having the courage to step off the hamster wheel and create your own path—one that honors both professional excellence and personal fulfillment.