1. EachPod

Why Founders Fail When They Ignore This with Monica McKitterick

Author
Sabrina Runbeck, MPH, MHS, PA-C
Published
Sat 06 Sep 2025
Episode Link
https://SabrinaRunbeck.com

Burnout isn’t just a clinical issue—it’s a leadership one. And most clinicians-turned-founders are burning the candle at both ends while trying to serve, scale, and stay sane. Monica McKitterick, PA-C, did it differently.

When she stopped leading from adrenaline and started building from alignment, everything shifted—her visibility, her support system, and her ability to scale without chaos.

“You’re doing too much” wasn’t an insult—it was a wake-up call. Monica shares what happened when she created space for actual relief… and why more clinicians need to stop hiding behind their grind.

Listen in to learn how Monica built a sustainable, multi-site practice while helping NPs and PAs claim their space in the DPC world.

Less hustle, more intention. Greater reach, deeper fulfillment. Learn what happens when you lead with your nervous system—not just your ambition.

What You'll Learn:

💠Why leading from nervous system regulation creates scalable clarity

💠The #1 mindset shift Monica teaches clinicians who want to become founders

💠How to build visibility and trust—even if you’re terrible on camera

💠The hidden power of answering questions in Facebook groups

💠What it really takes to grow past $3M (hint: it’s not patient care)

💠How to know if entrepreneurship is right for you


Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Silent signals of burnout and why alignment matters

00:00:59 - Introducing guest Monica McKitterick, NP and DPC founder

00:02:57 - Monica’s story: from NP to direct primary care pioneer

00:05:27 - Burnout and the realization that scaling isn’t everything

00:07:26 - Sabrina on ecosystems: family, mentors, partners, community

00:11:18 - Giving back through boards and community service

00:14:05 - Key lessons from Monica’s book: entrepreneurship readiness

00:17:09 - Marketing, sales, and operations before $3M in revenue

00:19:54 - Redefining worth beyond revenue and patient numbers

00:24:22 - Staying open to the future and embracing change

00:24:40 - Encouragement for aspiring clinician-founders

00:27:48 - Monica’s journey: from provider to community leader

00:28:44 - The power of visibility and selling yourself as a founder

00:29:42 - Episode summary and five key learning points

00:30:41 - The hidden costs of doing it all yourself


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