Med Spa CEO Podcast Episode Summary
Title: 10 Leadership Rituals That Help Me Succeed as a CEO
Host: Heather Terveen
Release Date: July 9, 2025
In Episode 10 of the Med Spa CEO Podcast, Heather Terveen delves into the "10 Leadership Rituals That Help Me Succeed as a CEO." Aimed at boutique, results-driven med spa and aesthetic practice owners, this episode provides actionable insights and personal strategies to enhance leadership effectiveness while maintaining personal well-being.
1. Building a Support Team at Home
Heather emphasizes the critical importance of having a robust support system outside of work. Early in her entrepreneurial journey, she felt overwhelmed balancing her family's needs with her business demands. Attending a mastermind event in Cabo San Lucas was a turning point for her.
"If you don't have support at home, you're always gonna have a glass ceiling on your business." (04:35)
Key Points:
- Delegation: Hiring a housekeeper, nanny, and handyman to alleviate household stress.
- Flexibility: Suggests affordable alternatives like trading babysitting with friends or scheduling periodic housekeeping.
- Impact: Since expanding her home support team, Heather has observed significant business growth and personal relief.
2. Building Your Support Team at Work
Just as support at home is essential, Heather underscores the necessity of a strong support system within the workplace. By investing in a dedicated production team and an operations business manager (OBM), she has enhanced her business's operational efficiency.
"I brought on a production team, shout out to Dani and Brianne and the good in media. They are my podcast production team." (12:20)
Key Points:
- Specialization: Hiring experts to handle specific aspects of the business, such as podcast production and project management.
- Efficiency: Delegating tasks to prevent burnout and maintain high-quality outputs.
- Collaborative Growth: Leveraging team support to scale business operations seamlessly.
3. Incorporating Movement
Physical activity plays a vital role in Heather's leadership ritual. She has always prioritized movement, and recently, she has engaged a personal trainer to maintain accountability and consistency.
"Movement, exercise, fitness helps with anxiety, it helps with stress levels. It helps with motivation as well." (17:45)
Key Points:
- Health Benefits: Regular exercise reduces anxiety and stress while boosting motivation and clarity.
- Accountability: Scheduled personal training sessions ensure adherence to fitness routines.
- Enhanced Productivity: Physical well-being directly correlates with improved work performance.
4. Somatic Nervous System Regulation
Heather highlights the significance of regulating the nervous system to maintain mental and emotional balance. She incorporates various somatic techniques, including breath work and physical movements, to achieve this.
"A lot of us suffer from dysregulated nervous systems, leading to anxiety and heightened cortisol levels." (22:10)
Key Points:
- Techniques: Practices like biofeedback, breath work, and nervous system check-ins.
- Impact on Leadership: A regulated nervous system enhances problem-solving abilities and decision-making.
- Accessibility: Encourages listeners to explore simple, time-effective somatic practices.
5. Continuous Investment in Coaching
Heather is a strong advocate for ongoing coaching across multiple facets of life and business. She believes that coaching accelerates personal and professional growth by providing external perspectives and accountability.
"Don't do it alone. If you need help in a certain area that you know that you want to get better in, why not shortcut it by investing in coaching?" (32:05)
Key Points:
- Diverse Coaching: Engages in business coaching, parent coaching, fitness coaching, and nervous system regulation coaching.
- Benefits: Coaches help identify blind spots, set goals, and maintain focus.
- Personal Growth: Continuous learning and self-improvement through professional guidance.
6. Engineering Safety Around Big Moves
When pursuing significant business initiatives, Heather ensures she creates a safe and supportive environment to handle potential stressors effectively.
"How can I engineer safety around these big moves? So that my nervous system feels that safety and you can show up and enjoy the experience even more?" (40:50)
Key Points:
- Preparation: Informing family and team about upcoming big projects to garner support.
- Support Systems: Delegating responsibilities to team members to handle technical or logistical challenges.
- Mindfulness: Utilizing journal prompts to stay connected with the mission and purpose behind major initiatives.
7. Saying No More Often
Heather stresses the importance of setting boundaries by declining commitments that do not align with her core goals or drain her energy, even if they are enjoyable.
"Say no to the things you don't enjoy doing. Say no to the things that are energy sucks." (47:30)
Key Points:
- Prioritization: Focus on high-impact activities that align with business objectives.
- Energy Management: Avoid overcommitting to preserve energy for essential tasks.
- Personal Well-being: Reducing stress by limiting engagements that do not add significant value.
8. Treating My Body Like a Temple
Physical nourishment is pivotal for Heather. She meticulously plans her meals and hydration to ensure her body remains energized and her nervous system regulated.
"If I'm hangry, no somatic technique is gonna help when I'm hangry. Maybe it's gonna help a little bit, but like, why not just fix the hangry part of it and make sure that I'm nourishing myself." (53:15)
Key Points:
- Nutrition Planning: Prepares meals and snacks to maintain consistent energy levels.
- Hydration: Utilizes strategies like adding electrolytes to water to increase intake.
- Holistic Health: Balances physical health with other leadership practices to enhance overall performance.
9. Scheduled Breaks and Times to Recharge
Acknowledging the temptation to constantly work, Heather advocates for intentional breaks to recharge and maintain mental clarity.
"Taking the moment to pause and recharge is something we need to do more of." (58:40)
Key Points:
- Delayed Gratification: Balances ambition with the need for rest, inspired by the marshmallow study.
- Practical Implementation: Incorporates staycations and short breaks to rejuvenate.
- Cognitive Benefits: Regular breaks prevent burnout and sustain long-term productivity.
10. Intentional Belief Creation with Thought Work
Heather combines thought work and intentional belief creation to shape her mindset and drive her business vision. This involves journaling and reframing thoughts to foster a positive and productive mental landscape.
"Your thoughts create your reality. Your thoughts create your perception of the world that's happening." (1:05:10)
Key Points:
- Journaling: Uses morning journaling to declutter thoughts and focus on intentional beliefs.
- Thought Reframing: Shifts perceptions to enhance emotional resilience and drive meaningful actions.
- Empowerment: Encourages taking control of one's mindset to influence both personal and professional outcomes.
Conclusion
Heather Terveen's "10 Leadership Rituals" offer a comprehensive framework for med spa and aesthetic practice owners to lead effectively while maintaining personal well-being. By integrating support systems, prioritizing physical and mental health, setting boundaries, and fostering a positive mindset, Heather provides a roadmap for sustainable success without sacrificing personal happiness.
"The joy in finding the peace and the calm and the contentment in running your business means that there's no way you won't succeed but because you won't end up giving up." (10:00)
These rituals not only empower leaders to enhance their business operations but also ensure they enjoy the entrepreneurial journey, balancing ambition with personal fulfillment.
Notable Quotes:
- "Don't do it alone. If you need help in a certain area that you know that you want to get better in, why not shortcut it by investing in coaching?" (00:40)
- "Your thoughts create your reality. Your thoughts create your perception of the world that's happening." (1:05:10)
For med spa owners seeking to elevate their practice without the accompanying burnout, Heather Terveen's insights provide valuable strategies to achieve both business growth and personal well-being.