How to Advocate for Yourself at the Doctor

30 Sep 257: How to Advocate for Yourself at the Doctor with Ritha Belizaire, MD

Posted at 07:00h in Business, Entrepreneurship, Life, Mindset, Podcast by AJ Wallace

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Ever left a doctor’s office feeling unheard or dismissed?

You’re not alone—and you’re not overreacting. In this powerful episode, I sat down with Dr. Ritha Belizaire to talk about the importance of advocating for yourself in medical settings. Whether you’re navigating complex health issues, chronic symptoms, or just trying to get answers, Ritha shares grounded, real-world tools for standing in your power and getting the care you deserve.

From preparing for your appointment to asking the right questions to dealing with gaslighting in the exam room—this conversation is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt like something was “off” but weren’t sure how to speak up.

In this episode, we cover:

How to prep before a doctor’s appointment so you feel clear and confident
What to say when you feel dismissed, downplayed, or rushed
How self-advocacy can be a key to better outcomes and more compassionate care
What doctors wish more patients knew
The importance of building a healthcare team that truly sees and hears you

Featured Guest: Dr. Ritha Belizaire

Dr. Ritha Belizaire is a dual board-certified general and colorectal surgeon, and the founder of Houston Community Surgical. After years of burnout and feeling undervalued in academic healthcare, she made the bold leap to start her own solo practice—on her own terms. As a single mom by choice and passionate advocate for accessible care, Ritha empowers high-achieving women to reclaim their worth, shift damaging thought patterns, and design professional lives that align with their values.

RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE

Ready to strengthen your voice and trust your inner knowing—even at the doctor’s office?

Inside The Gutsy Collective, we’re done second-guessing ourselves. This is a space where women come to reconnect with their power, speak with clarity, and advocate for what they need—whether that’s in their business, their relationships, or their health.

If you’re craving more confidence, support, and real tools to back your bold voice, come join us inside The Collective. You don’t have to do it alone.

👉🏻 Join The Gutsy Collective at https://lauraaura.com/gutsy-collective/

Mic Drop Club is a supportive space for women to practice public speaking, whether in a conference room, on a virtual presentation, or on stage. Join at https://micdropworkshop.com/club

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📲 Follow LauraAura on TikTok: @ThatLauraAura

🔥 Join The Gutsy Collective: Learn More

💡 Work with LauraAura: www.LauraAura.com

NOTEWORTHY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE

“You don’t have to be rude to advocate for yourself, but you do have to be direct.”

“A second opinion isn’t betrayal—it’s a form of self-respect.”

“You are the expert of your own body. A doctor may have the credentials, but you live in your body every day.”

CONNECT WITH RITHA

Customized GPT where you can discover which practice model is right for you and which doctors are in your area that can help with your specified problem or concern

https://chatgpt.com/g/g-687eb62e97908191822c3c90df8d4e10-which-practice-model-is-right-for-you

Ritha’s Savvy Patient Playbook Pilot course – learn to advocate for yourself at the doctors

https://ritha.systeme.io/savvypp

Ritha’s Private Practice

Ritha’s Instagram