Episode 51: Leaders, It's Time to Talk About Infertility: with Dr. Angie Beltsos of Vios Fertility
“We have an opportunity on social media to empower and educate and to really just kind of loosen it up a little bit so people can hear some of the opportunities to become parents.” - Dr. Angie Beltsos
Failed it! Fam, we have an incredible, selfless guest who helps bring humans into the world. Literally. She recognizes the power of social media to help educate and normalize infertility. Please give a warm welcome to Dr. Angie Beltsos!
In today’s episode, Dr. Beltsos talks to us about:
How she educates and normalizes infertility on social media
Three forces to take leadership to a new dimension in culture
The importance of creating safe spaces internally and externally
How to share your “gifts” with the world
Links from show discussions:
About the Guest: Angeline N. Beltsos, MD is the CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Vios Fertility Institute. She is double board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI). Dr. Beltsos completed medical school at Michigan State University. Shen then went on to do her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Loyola University in 1995 followed by a fellowship in REI at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, completed in 1997. Dr. Beltsos is also part of the Clinical Research team at Vios and participates in a number of research projects and scientific publications. She has received numerous awards in teaching and has been honored as “Top Doctor” from Castle Connelly for several years. She is a popular speaker, both nationally and internationally, and a frequent media resource on the topic of infertility. Dr. Beltsos is the executive chairperson for the Midwest Reproductive Symposium International, an international conference of fertility experts.
She helps educate future OB/GYN doctors as the previous REI Division Education Director for the Obstetrics and Gynecology residency programs of Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Lutheran General Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital Chicago, and Mercy Chicago. She is also a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Illinois at Chicago. She continues to mentor REI doctors as well as students of all stages of education.
About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award.
This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre.
When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl.
You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We can’t wait to connect with you online!
Episode 51 Transcription
Erin (00:00):
Hey friend, are you a leader who is career-focused, goal-driven, and possesses a lifelong learner mentality? Do you dream about achieving your goals and spend hours Googling how-tos and gurus? Does a side effect of your awesome might I add personality include perfectionism, the dreaded imposter syndrome and the ever-present fear of failure? Well, you've landed in the right place. We just became virtual BFFs. I'm Erin Diehl, the founder of the improv training company improve it! And a recovering perfectionist turned failfluencer. Inspired by the improv rule, there are no mistakes, only gifts, this podcast is the creative outlet you need to not only motivate you, but the people that you lead. Through interviews with corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and even comedians, you'll walk away becoming a more empathetic boss by realizing that failure is a part of the journey and you must fail in order to improve. In the scene of life, we all have our own unique gifts that we bring to the world, and it is our mistakes that help to unwrap them. Welcome to failed it!
Erin (01:20):
Hey, failed it! Fam. I wanted to start this show as your recovering perfectionist turned failfluencer, virtual BFF and let you know that I am letting go today of control of all things perfection. That's right. We had some technical difficulties during the recording of this show and it is such an important and special show to me. You're going to hear from Dr. Angie Beltsos of Vios Fertility. She is the woman who essentially made me a mother and helped me through my IVF and fertility journey. There was like I said, some technical difficulties. So bare with us, but there is so much great information here for you. I'm letting go. Let's do this. Welcome my failed it! Fam. Failed it! Fam today's guest is a woman who is near and dear to my heart. I would say I would do anything for her, really anything like give her my first born, but surely she gave me mine. I would like to welcome to the show Dr. Angie Beltsos!
Dr. Beltsos (02:34):
Here we are.
Erin (02:35):
Here we are. This is a dream come true for me. I am so excited to have you here and honored, and I'm going to start by reading just a quick bio quick bio. You have so many accolades, so I'm gonna sum them up for the failed it! Family. That's what we call our audience, the failed it! Fam. So Dr. Angie Beltsos Is the CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Vios Fertility Institute. She is a board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility practicing medicine since 1991. Dr. Beltsos completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Loyola University in 1995 followed by a fellowship in REI at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, completed in 1997. Dr. Beltsos is also the Clinical Research Division Director at Vios and participates in a number of research projects and scientific publications. She has received numerous awards in teaching and has been honored as “Top Doctor” from Castle Connelly for several years. She is a popular speaker, both nationally and internationally, and a frequent media resource on the topic of infertility. Dr. Beltsos is the executive chairperson for the Midwest Reproductive Symposium International, an international conference of fertility experts. Okay. Just a few things on the resume.
Dr. Beltsos (04:17):
You're so funny.
Erin (04:19):
You're so funny. I'm so honored to have you here.
Dr. Beltsos (04:23):
Thank you for having me.
Erin (04:25):
Oh my God. Well, if you are new to the failed it! Fam, if you go back to episode 49, you will be able to hear this infertility journey that I went on and why this woman is so special to me and to so many other women. I want to ask this question and then I have another, I have a follow up question. Do you know how many babies you have actually brought into the world? Do you know the number just from you?
Dr. Beltsos (04:53):
I tried to count at one point how many, and we got to like five to 7,000, something like that a few years ago. So I'm going to have to like recalculate.
Erin (05:07):
Oh my God, you have to.
Dr. Beltsos (05:08):
But it's just pretty amazing.
Erin (05:12):
It's so fantastic. I literally wouldn't be a mother. Really, I wouldn't, I would not.
Dr. Beltsos (05:20):
Well, it's really you know, such a gift to have met you and your husband and be part of your story and thank you for, for allowing that.
Erin (05:31):
Of course. And we'll, we'll, we'll talk about that a little bit, but I wanna, I wanna start with some fun, we're going to ease in. Okay. So we're going to ease in. So what's one fact about you. We just read this awesome bio what's one fact that we couldn't find out about you from your resume, your bio, your LinkedIn, all the profesh things. What's a fun fact?
Dr. Beltsos (05:52):
I would say that in the bio that you get on the medical side, I used to have a dance troupe and I danced with you know, in my past life I was a performer. So I did study voice and theater and I danced with the national dance troupe of Greece for a year. And and I was the master instructor of my dance troupe in Ann Arbor for many years. And and so here, here we are still love to dance. Okay.
Erin (06:26):
This is a fact I wish I knew three years ago. Do you know, I was a dancer and also I lived in Michigan for high school. So we're in, this makes a lot of sense because now I'm seeing a lot of these dance moves, Angie, on TikTok and Instagram.
Dr. Beltsos (06:40):
It's true.
Erin (06:47):
So this is something, this is something that's happened like in the past year, you've really kind of jumped into this digital space. You're a doctor educator speaker. You're a mother of four, right?
Dr. Beltsos (06:59):
Mother of four. Yes. And yeah, different ages too. They, they span from a couple in college to the little one is six in kindergarten.
Erin (07:14):
God bless you! When I think my day is stressful with a toddler, I think about you. I'm like holy crap. Well, okay. I want to forget that piece. Forget that piece. That's amazing. But I want to know, how did this TikTok, you and I were kind of talking about it before we started recording. How did this happen? How did this, because you were getting so many people finding you and finding bios from TikTok and social media.
Dr. Beltsos (07:43):
Well, we were looking at just how much social media I think has evolved over the last, I would say three to five years. You know, most of our patients would find us, you know, by a Google search or using that kind of interplay between a doctor and maybe the OB GYN doctor when people will go for their pap smear. And they would say, well, I'm trying to get pregnant. And the doctor would refer like, that's a mainstay of how people find a fertility expert. And now I think Instagram and Facebook are very powerful ways direct to consumer if you will, where you're talking to patients through their phone and through their computers and really trying to normalize, I think some of these very delicate topics we were saying that some of the stuff we talk about, you know, people share in their first meeting with me, things they don't ever really talk about with their friends.
Dr. Beltsos (08:54):
They may not even ever said them out loud to their spouse. And here we are diving deep into the intimate area and sometimes a painful area for some couples in many different stories. But I think that, you know, we do have this opportunity in social media to empower and to educate and to really just kind of loosen it up a little bit so people can, can hear some of the opportunities to become parents.
Erin (09:23):
I love that. And I know you've used a little levity, if you will, a little fun, which is my jam. And I love that that's helped kind of soften the conversation when people come in to me, because I, as a person who went through and fertility know that it's an emotional and physical journey, but it's a lot of emotions before you even walk in the door to your office. So to have that connection with you in such a fun way, I think is from the beginning a really cool thing. Okay. So I just like to keep it real for the failed it! Fam. So Angie, we just had a huge technical fail and now we're back where we're doing it in a different location and then on a different platform. So you're patient and I love you for it. Thank you.
Dr. Beltsos (10:15):
Oh my gosh. We are all enjoying all the technology that now is like in our face on a daily basis. So we're, we're good, living and learning.
Erin (10:25):
That's it. That is it. Okay. Well, so we, we are now realizing you are this TikTok star. You are finding people from all over. Have you found anybody who's not in Chicago? I know we have so many different locations now, but are you finding people who are from just all over the place, finding you through social media?
Dr. Beltsos (10:46):
Oh yeah. From all over the country and world, we have people watching from all different continents and they are flying over a lot of clinics to get to Vios. And it's really interesting how many people you can reach through these these wavelengths, you know.
Erin (11:05):
This is so cool. I'm so, honestly!
Dr. Beltsos (11:08):
It's amazing.
Erin (11:09):
It really is. And I mean, I, so I started with your practice, I think 2018, if I go back and just even thinking, then I don't even remember, like you have a social presence, but you went like turned it up since then and it is so fun. I love it. When I see a video in the actual like transfer room, I'm like, been there done that, got a kid, you know, not a t-shirt and kid from it. So we're talking about this whole infertility awareness week and I shared my infertility journey on a show, like I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, and I want you, if you haven't listened to it, go back to episode forty-nine, we'll link to it in the show notes. And I said this in the up front of the show, but you really are the reason I am a mom and you took a chance and you believed in my and John's story. And this was the first time in my personal infertility journey that I felt seen, I felt heard. And I know that this isn't something that, you know, you have to work on. This as engrained in Dr. Angie Beltsos, this is who you are. So why do you think this notion of empathy is so important when it came to cultivating a team and building bias? Why is that so important?
Dr. Beltsos (12:42):
People ask about culture. And I think that it starts at the very top and it goes all the way through the sides of the organization, laterally and vertically, but culture is very delicate and it must be very intentional. You know, we talk about failed it and the concept as women leaders corporate America, but you can be owning your own business. You might be doing something incredible in your business and in your world. But I think when we look at these opportunities to be successful in our careers and you talk about empathy and compassion, but I think it requires three very different dimensions. Number one is humility and being humble. Ironically, the other side of that is being very confident and in the midst, the other third dimension is kindness. So I think if you can combine those three forces, which are seemingly very different, but very, very tied together, those allow for leadership to take new dimensions. And what I feel you get from your team is a culture where there is empathy and support of our customer, which is a patient trying at some point now, or maybe in the future to have a family. And you need people to come to work, not just for the money, but because they really believe in your mission of, and your purpose.
Erin (14:22):
That is so true. And I, I spoke about this and the show that I did on my own, but I really felt that every single step of the way you can tell that your process is really thoughtful and it's, so it's just, it was perfect Angie, but it was so.
Dr. Beltsos (14:43):
Thank you for saying that.
Erin (14:43):
No, it was, I mean, I'm not just saying it because you're here. I mean, it, like, I will tell anyone who, I know how I was treated at Vios, which was with the utmost care. And I could tell too. I remember. So there was a long journey to find you and lots of calls to many clinics to try to find somebody to help us. And Talisha is that right?
Dr. Beltsos (15:12):
Yes. Talisha is still there.
Erin (15:16):
Okay she was just from the moment I talked to her, I was like, there's something different about this place. And she was so kind and so empathetic. What is her title?
Dr. Beltsos (15:28):
She is in the new patient call center and she helps you know, ambassador people into our practice. Okay.
Erin (15:37):
She's the perfect person for that job.
Dr. Beltsos (15:39):
I mean, she is so lovely.
Erin (15:43):
I was drawn to her. And so from her first initial call and then getting into see you and just, I'll never forget it. We walked in and it just felt so homey. You had chips and like little granola bars and waters in the waiting room, and then you go to the consult room and it just felt really nice with couches, even more, like coffee and pure eggs in your room. And then I'll remember from that first meeting all the way through the process to the embryo transfer, you had a playlist for the transfer. I think it was Roberta. Is that right?
Dr. Beltsos (16:23):
Yes! Our ultrasound tech that helps with our procedures.
Erin (16:32):
I'll never forget. I can never listen to KC and Jojo all my life and not think that that moment. And then he gave us the little goodie bag filled with all kinds of cute things after the transfer. And I'll just never forget that experience. And the moment I felt walking in your door, and the moment I found out I was pregnant. Just all of the things that you did to make someone who is going through such a tough time in their life feel seen and heard. So I want to ask this, why do you think.
Dr. Beltsos (17:04):
Thank you.
Erin (17:04):
Of course, I mean, I, it's not lip service. It is from the depth of my soul. Like I mean it, so let me ask you this. Why do you think it's so important to, so what I say, all these things, I think of safe space, as soon as I walked in the door, it felt like a safe space. Yeah. So why do you think it's so important to create these safe spaces for not only internally, right, for your team and for the people who work at Vios, but for the people that you're serving, why is that so important?
Dr. Beltsos (17:39):
I think you really touched on something so important and hit the nail on the head that we do need. When we're going through these times of medical care and people examining us and blood draws and all these things, you do want to make sure that you feel confident in the, the care that you're getting. And it is multi-dimensional, you know, you have a physician, but you may not see that physician at every visit. You have care providers that may be the blood draw person, the phlebotomist, the ultrasound tech, even that front desk, and the people that answer the phone, we say, you can hear a smile, you know, over the phone and people talk now about, you know, your, your eyes, that you can see the smile with a mask on, but it is very important. And I think that as we talk about physician leaders and, and, and in my world and corporate America, these, these incredible business people, men, and women, you want to be when you're going through your own business development, thoughtful about what it looks like. There was a great article in the Harvard business review about furniture and how it's positioned in a practice or in a, in a place because where you put your furniture creates behavior and the behavior creates a culture. So we want to be very thoughtful that it's centric around who you are and what your mission is. So, for us, it's really about, and has to always start in the, in the middle and at the end of their visit with us, it always has to be patient centric.
Erin (19:37):
Oh my gosh, I love that. And of course it was thoughtful and it was in the Harvard review. Like, of course, of course, because I felt it, I mean, the moment we walked in the door, we were like, this feels right. And that made such a difference. And we had gone through so much to get to you. So by the time we got to you, we were, you know, we had been what felt like dragged through the mud and then, you know, sort of like slapped around. That's an awful analogy.
Dr. Beltsos (20:06):
You feel beaten up, you know? Yeah. Especially when you are with some practices where it's not, you know, it's not about you, it's about multiple, you know, other attitudes, decision-makers, stakeholders who suddenly on a whim decide that something could intervene in their mind or in their heart that puts a huge block in your road suddenly. And had they, that wasn't something that they thought of before, but that is where culture and, and misdirection and misfires can really compromise your experience and what you want to get out of something. So I think when you keep things very clear, your why, why do you do what you do? And your mission allows you to have clarity and as a business person, how you want things to look, and this is a delicate moment. It's such, it should be a romantic moment when you're having your, your moment that you'll become pregnant.
Dr. Beltsos (21:15):
And so it shouldn't be clinical, and it shouldn't be cold with a white room and a cold speculum, you know, it should be romantic and you should try to recreate a little bit of this very delicate and incredible miracle that's going to happen. Like Jackson, like are like, is there anything more precious? And so you do want all the senses as much as one can to tend to create something tender.
Erin (21:49):
Oh my God, I literally have tears in my eyes right now. Nobody can say that us, but it is so true. And it's, it's such a rewarding thing to think about, I'm sure for you. Cause it's when I think of my journey, I don't care that it was outside of the box because you made it feel so special. So that true. I mean that, so tears, tears.
Erin (22:14):
Hey, failed it! Fam. Do you have what the kids call zoom fatigue? Are you sick of logging on zoom and hearing things like, can you see my screen? Oh, you're muted. You're muted. And, Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry. I'm late. Are you working from home in your bedroom slippers and business mullet like me, which I'm talking about wearing a business top and yoga pants on the bottom, feeling like it's Groundhog's day, every single day. Do you need some laughter, levity and fun in your Workday to change things up while remote? How about a laugh break? That's right. It's called laugh break and it's improve it!s newest virtual Offering. Laugh breaks bring seasoned Chicago and Charlotte based improvisers into your virtual conference call for a little taste of short form improvisation. In each session, improvisers engage on live on the spot games based on your team's laughter and suggestions. Now whether your team needs a quick 15 minutes of laughter or a more substantial 30 minute break improve it! Has got your back, you can go to www.learntoimproveit.com/laugh-break, or just click on the link in our show notes to book yours on demand today. Again, that's learntoimproveit.com/laugh-break. Get ready to sit back, relax and grab some giggles because we could all use a little laugh break right now. See ya on the zoom.
Erin (23:46):
Okay. So this wouldn't be the failed it! Podcast, by the way, failed it! Fam Listening and this is our third technology round. We've had some mishaps that we're editing out just to give you a better listening experience, but we're all about failing it on this show. And Angie, I know you love some improv comedy. Now I know you have this dance and musical theater, like what I knew none of this before. But one of the biggest rules is there are no mistakes, only gifts and you are no stranger to improv you even hired improve it! For your team. I want to talk about in your personal experience, it can be professional personally. What is one of the biggest quote unquote gifts that you've received or that's happened to you in the past couple of years and the lesson you learned from that?
Dr. Beltsos (24:34):
Thank you for making me think about you know, some key moments that have led me to who I am as a founder CEO as a woman and you know, different lessons we take from that. And I think one thing that I reflect on and I was blessed to be allowed to be managing partner in my different business and, and different opportunities and clinics. And there I realized how delicate culture can be and people can take advantage of an opportunity and not realize how important it is to appreciate others. And I think that can be something that both in all the relationships that can happen that you work with and those are colleagues and those are people that work for us. We do think calling are the people that work with us, not necessarily just employees, but team members.
Dr. Beltsos (25:57):
And it takes this whole, you know, group of people to deliver this service in a way that's consistent. And it is a little bit like world peace. You know, it's something you continually try to refine. And I know some patients that have been with us may say, well, you know, this was an issue or that was an issue. And, and they're real you know, as people grow and companies get busy, I think you try to remember those core values and continually drive that appreciation for your team, remembering how important it is to educate our team members. And so I think there was a lot that I learned from my past that I brought forward. And I would say number one, remember to keep the patient as the focus when that doesn't happen, the wheels fall off because you start to make decisions about what's good for you and not, what's good for the person you're here to serve.
Dr. Beltsos (27:01):
The second thing was that your relationships with your coworkers are also like a marriage and they're your, your work spouses, if you will. And that you have to continually work on those relationships and respect each other and listen to each other and what's important today and tomorrow for those team members. And finally, the third thing was something Nelson Mandela had said that, you know, the most powerful way to change the world is education. And, and that goes not only for ourselves, but also all the different layers of our team, you know, someone said, well, you know, this part of the team, isn't that relevant to the services we deliver. And I was like, you've gotta be kidding. This is like one of the most important, although they may not be the person that's doing surgery, you know, people that are on the admin team are as important, you know, at delivering some of this the services that we provide.
Erin (28:04):
Oh my God, I see it. And this is not only do I find you just so refreshing from a medical standpoint, but I find you so refreshing from a leadership standpoint, you really see full picture, which I think isn't an, I don't want to call it an anomaly in the medical space, but you see so much.
Dr. Beltsos (28:24):
Thank you. Well, I I appreciate that big compliment coming from you. And I do think that being an entrepreneur and being in business and being a servant of medical care and they do all co-exist in a way that, you know, if you practice good medicine, the rest will sort itself out. But on the business side you know, managing people and, and experiences is something that we at Vios don't take lightly. And again, something that we continuously work on sometimes we miss the mark and sometimes, and hopefully often that feels that the patient felt like she was well cared for in that, or he, so those are really important driving forces.
Erin (29:21):
Yeah. And I will say this, I can tell you, because I didn't see you every visit. Right. I saw a lot of your team and I can tell you without a doubt that they all adore you and it shows with every cause you have all women's staff, right? You have...
Dr. Beltsos (29:37):
There are a lot of women that's for sure. I have some amazing men that are with us, but mostly you know, mostly women physician and and a lot of women leaders in our organization.
Erin (29:53):
Which I love as, you know, improve it! Female, female founded and operated. Love the male facilitators, but also very true to us. So I want to ask this question because I could really feel that love from your team in everything that I saw. Would you, what would you say to a leader listening who wants to create this sort of going back to this kind of notion of a safe space? What would you say to somebody listening who is a leader of a team? Maybe it's big, maybe it's small, what's the magic sauce and you get, you did allude to this, but if you could pinpoint one thing that you think for yourself every day, when you walk in, no matter what office you're in, what would that magic sauce be?
Dr. Beltsos (30:41):
I think for for those listening in this family of failed it!, That the secret sauce is what I had kind of alluded to before. There's a great book called Conscious Leadership by the gentleman who started and founded Whole Foods, but it is something where you are a leader, but it comes with humility and and kindness, those, those elements together.
Erin (31:15):
I love it. And we're going to link to that book in the show notes for everybody listening here too. Now this is sort of off topic, but I know a lot of women who have asked about my own experience, but I want to ask, what would you say to a woman who's listening today, or male, whoever, a family who is listening and they think they're failing it because they're having to go through something like IVF or some type of infertility journey. What would, what would be something that you would say to them today that could help them just understand that they're not alone?
Dr. Beltsos (31:55):
No matter where you're at in this journey, you might be in the beginning. You might be almost there. You might be in the midst of an IVF cycle or two or three, but my one message to you is don't give up. If this is important to you and you dream of having a family, then know that there are so many options for you. And there's so much technology, and it's an amazing mix of medicine and science and the miracle of life. And they all come together to help us help you. So, you know, be exploring your options and don't give up, don't lose hope.
Erin (32:40):
I love that, Oh my God. And when you just spoke, I was teary eyed again. I'm like, why is this happening again? But I know it's so special because I hope somebody listening today will take that. And it will resonate because I felt so alone. And I didn't after I felt like a number in a big sea of people who I didn't know were going through the same thing, but I felt so empowered after I went to your practice. And I'm so grateful every single day I really am. Okay. So I have this question. This is a fun one. What would you say your mantra is, or a particular quote that you use to motivate you? And there's going to be a bonus point for you if it's in a hashtag.
Dr. Beltsos (33:27):
#Lifeisforliving. That's, that's my hashtag, you know, I sat struggling to make a big decision. Do I leave where I was and medical director and very stable and, you know, in a, in a good job and do I jump and make Vios. And in the end, you know, you, you have to self reflect when your shift doing that shift and pivot in your life. But follow your heart. And, and for me, it was like, you know, is this the time should I just stay where I'm at? But you have your whole life ahead of you. So the time is going to pass, whether you stay where you are, and that might be fantastic. Or if you're dreaming of something else and you're not getting it where you are, man, rip it off, just go for it. And life is for living. Look in your heart, see what you want to do and jump in and give it your all wherever you are, whatever you're doing, give it your all.
Erin (34:37):
Okay. I'm going to say, and I'm going to, we're going to hashtag the crap out of that in this episode, okay. Life is for living people, listen up. I mean, okay, this is why I love you. Cause I feel like it's just always fun. Let me ask you this too. What would you do even if you knew that you might fail?
Dr. Beltsos (34:58):
I was thinking about that question. Like just what, what would you do? And I'm kind of doing it.
Erin (35:07):
Yeah, I like that. I like that.
Dr. Beltsos (35:10):
I know that's such a canned answer, but I, I you know, thought that exact question is how I approached it. I said, well, if I fail at this, well, we might have to move. We might not be able to buy the things that we wanted or expected to buy. I was a waitress in college, so maybe the kids will have to help pay for their college. And you know what, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Because it gives you tenacity teaches you a little bit of roll up your sleeves and get in there and, and balance out your life and use executive functioning skills when you have to figure out how do I get to my job and hockey and my classroom, I, I of course want to provide as we all do for our children. But I figured, you know what the, this is this is up to me to win and it's up to me to fail.
Dr. Beltsos (36:13):
And if I'm willing to risk it, and some people are risk averse I go back to, you know, what worst case you're going to be fine. And you know what, the really, the only thing you're going to have to fear is fear itself. Just get her done and you know what you need to do to be successful in your job. You're brilliant. You're amazing. You're smart. You're experienced. So don't be afraid of the future. Just jump in. And you know what? Failing is really important. Failing is where you really learn. So they, they are opportunities. And I think you'll miss a hundred percent of the shots you never take, but you gotta just shoot the puck. You know, you just got to go for it. So whatever you're thinking about, whether it be personal or professional jump in.
Erin (37:12):
Oh my God. So many good little juicy chicken nuggets in there. Get some dipping sauce, get all the nuggets in there.
Dr. Beltsos (37:24):
You are so funny.
Erin (37:25):
I love it. Okay. This is the final thing, Angie. Okay. This is called our fail yeah lightning round. It's super fast. It's very fun. There's a little improv, a little thinking quickly on your feet. Okay. So now every time I say improv people like, Oh, it's just, you could just say a one word answer. So I'm going to ask you a series of questions and I want you to respond as fast as you can with only one word answers. And no, you can't fail. But if you say more than one word, I'm going to give you a fail yeah. Yeah. Fail yeah. We can do it. We can do any or fail yeah. And then basically it's just me firing questions at you in a rapid fire round. And you say one word answers. Are you ready?
Dr. Beltsos (38:09):
Ready!
Erin (38:10):
Here we go. Okay. One word to describe your early career.
Dr. Beltsos (38:16):
Fun.
Erin (38:17):
One word to describe where you're currently at in your career.
Dr. Beltsos (38:22):
Crazy.
Erin (38:25):
One word to describe your future self.
Dr. Beltsos (38:28):
Energized.
Erin (38:30):
One word to describe your favorite boss.
Dr. Beltsos (38:34):
Brilliant.
Erin (38:35):
One word to describe your least favorite boss.
Dr. Beltsos (38:37):
Abstinent.
Erin (38:40):
One word to describe your parenting style.
Dr. Beltsos (38:42):
Compassionate.
Erin (38:42):
And one word to describe your dancing style.
Dr. Beltsos (38:55):
Tiktok!
Erin (38:55):
I liked the sound effect before that. Okay. And one word to describe this interview.
Dr. Beltsos (39:00):
Emotional.
Erin (39:04):
Oh, I would. I would that snaps to that. Okay. So Angie, how can we find you tell everybody where they can see these fun TikToks all the things or your website. Oh, how, how can somebody who needs your services find you and enjoy the joy that is Dr. Angie Beltsos.
Dr. Beltsos (39:22):
Thank you for having me. My website is viosfertility.com and you can find me on Instagram AngieBeltsos B E L T S O S. And TikTok the same. So thank you.
Erin (39:38):
Thank you. We're going to link to all of that in the show notes, but I just want to thank you again for coming on the show today.
Dr. Beltsos (39:45):
Thank you so much for this honor and privilege to be on such an amazing podcast with such a brilliant woman. And it was, it was awesome. Thank you.
Erin (39:55):
Well, thank you. And I want to tell you, myself and family are living proof that what you do matters so much. Okay? So you help create a life. You give me an even greater purpose when I wake up each day and John Jackson and I are forever grateful to you, the team and the mission of Vios. Thank you. Failed it! Fam fail yeah to you. Fail. Yeah.
Erin (40:22):
Hey friends, thanks for tuning into failed it. I am so happy. You were along for the ride. If you enjoyed this show, please head on over to iTunes, leave us a five star review and subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Now, if you're really feeling today's show, please take a screenshot and tag me on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl and share it to your stories. So we can bring more people to the failed it! Family. I'll see you next week, but I want to leave you with this thought, what will you fail at today and how will that help your future successful self? Think about it. I'm so proud of you and you are totally failing it.