Podcast Summary: CHEERS! with Avery Woods
Episode: EP 43 | Bedside Chat with ScrubHacks
Release Date: September 9, 2024
Introduction and Guest Background
In Episode 43 of CHEERS! with Avery Woods, host Avery Woods welcomes Lindsay, also known as ScrubHacks, a prominent creator within the nursing community on social media. The episode focuses on unveiling Lindsay's life beyond her online persona, delving into her childhood, nursing career, struggles with body image, and entrepreneurial ventures.
Childhood and Early Life
Lindsay shares her upbringing in Sand Springs, Tulsa, Oklahoma, highlighting the challenges of growing up in a small town. She met her husband in college, marking the beginning of a decade-long marriage. Reflecting on her early life, Lindsay mentions, “[00:44] B: Yeah. I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma...”
Nursing Career and Challenges
Both Lindsay and her husband are ICU nurses specializing in adult intensive care units. Lindsay candidly discusses her journey into nursing, initially viewing it as a "plan B" due to her indecision with majors. “[02:29] B: ... taking care of people is the easy part. It's all the other stuff we have to deal with as care workers.”
She recounts her early career experiences, including traveling as a nurse during the onset of COVID-19, which she does not recommend: “[02:55] B: ... started traveling shortly after. I was only a year old nurse. I don't recommend doing that.”
Transition to Social Media
Lindsay explains her motivation to pivot to social media, driven by past struggles with body image and a desire to create lighthearted content amidst the demanding nature of nursing. “[08:17] B: ... people don't know. They just think you made a video one day and it took off.”
Avery adds her own perspective on transitioning from nursing content to a broader lifestyle focus, emphasizing the audience's appreciation for her authentic self: “[09:26] A: ... people are gonna like me or follow me if I leave nursing.”
Dealing with Haters and Online Negativity
The discussion turns to the challenges of handling negativity on social media. Lindsay shares her evolving perspective, ultimately viewing haters as unconstructive and irrelevant to her self-worth: “[23:35] B: I'm getting better at what my opinion is because... haters are stupid.”
Avery echoes this sentiment, stressing the importance of self-worth and ignoring baseless criticism: “[25:06] A: ... use it as constructive criticism or change what other people want to hear or see. You'll never please everyone.”
Relocating to Arizona and RV Life
Lindsay and her husband recount their nomadic lifestyle, including living in an RV for nearly four years while moving across states. The episode highlights the challenges of maintaining relationships and finding a stable home base: “[13:12] B: ... living in RV almost four years...”
They ultimately settled in Arizona, seeking a balance between climate and community, while both transition to per diem nursing roles for greater flexibility: “[14:29] A: Yep. ... looking at more per diem positions.”
Entrepreneurial Ventures: Scrubster App
Lindsay introduces Scrubster, a platform developed by her husband to allow healthcare workers to rate and review hospitals and agencies. This initiative aims to provide a transparent space for professionals to share their experiences: “[15:35] B: ... Scrubster is a platform for healthcare workers to rate and review their workplaces.”
The app recently secured investment, propelling their entrepreneurial efforts forward: “[15:35] B: ... just signed with some investors, which is really exciting.”
Body Positivity and Plastic Surgery Journey
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Lindsay's personal struggles with body image stemming from her modeling past. She shares a harrowing experience with multiple breast surgeries that initially went wrong: “[40:43] B: ... got my first set of boobs. I went to the local plastic surgeon...”
Despite setbacks, Lindsay emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself in medical procedures and ultimately finding satisfaction after corrective surgeries: “[47:05] A: ... I think it's important to hear stories like that because it just shows you have to advocate for yourself.”
Personal Life and Decision Not to Have Kids
Lindsay discusses her and her husband's choice not to have children, influenced by their upbringing in a strict religious environment and practical considerations related to their demanding careers: “[27:20] B: ... we sat down, I was like, I am scared to tell you this, but I don't think I want kids.”
They express confidence in their decision, highlighting the importance of personal fulfillment and mental well-being over societal expectations: “[31:19] A: ... Kids don't deserve that. [31:50] B: ... we had no reason that we wanted one.”
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Avery and Lindsay wrap up the episode by reinforcing the value of authenticity, self-confidence, and pursuing one's passions beyond predefined roles. They encourage listeners to embrace their multifaceted identities and prioritize personal happiness over external judgments: “[39:34] A: 100. And that's, like, what I was talking about earlier was I thought people only were interested in me because of my nursing career.”
Lindsay promotes her Scrubster app and shares her social media handles, inviting listeners to connect and support their ventures: “[48:27] B: My app is Scrubster...”
Notable Quotes:
- Avery Woods [02:29]: “I don’t, I still am not super sold on it, to be honest. I tell everyone it’s my plan B.”
- Lindsay (B) [08:29]: “I was online for at least a decade trying different things because modeling wasn’t working out the way I wanted.”
- Lindsay (B) [23:35]: “Haters are stupid. They don't take enough time. They don’t have brain power to use.”
- Avery Woods [25:06]: “If you leave nursing, you’re almost like exiled.”
- Lindsay (B) [31:19]: “If I had children at that age, I probably would have traumatized my kids.”
- Avery Woods [39:34]: “I thought people only were interested in me because of my nursing career.”
This episode of CHEERS! with Avery Woods offers an intimate look into Lindsay's multifaceted life, balancing her nursing career, social media presence, personal struggles, and entrepreneurial aspirations. Listeners gain valuable insights into the resilience required to navigate both the medical field and the complexities of online fame.