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PA the FI Way

PA the FI Way

By: Kat PA-C
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About this listen

Becoming a physician assistant (PA) is difficult. But becoming a PA on the way to financial independence (FI) shouldn’t be. Allow the PA the FI Way podcast to be your guide to becoming a physician assistant on the way to financial independence. Unfortunately, even basic personal finance and budget concepts are rarely taught in high school, college or PA school. Then once PA students become certified physician assistants and begin their professional journey practicing medicine, they typically have a heap of student loans just waiting to be paid back. Let’s not only discuss how to prevent large student loan amounts, but also how to pay them back quickly. Let’s discuss how practicing PAs can learn to save and invest for their futures. PA the FI Way’s mission is to provide both future and current PAs alike strategies to not only become financially literate, but to also reach financial independence along the way. Think of it as personal finance for PAs with a financial independence twist. Financial independence provides the freedom to find balance in work and personal life. FI is about creating the life you want to live, choosing when to retire (IF you want to retire early), choosing when to cut back on working, or choosing when to work on another passion in your life. The decision truly is yours, and I hope you decide to join me on the journey to becoming a PA the FI Way.© 2025 @2021 PA the FI Way Career Success Economics Personal Finance
Episodes
  • 159 | Retire Often: Mini Retirements for Burnout Recovery, Well-Being, and Intentional Living with Jillian Johnsrud
    Jun 27 2025
    Why work for 40 years and only retire once? What if you could step away more than once—not to quit, but to live more fully and intentionally? In this episode, author and host of Retire Often podcast, Jillian Johnsrud, joins me to share insights from her new book, Retire Often, which is now available for pre-order. She introduces the powerful concept of mini retirements—intentional pauses from work that can lead to deep burnout recovery, personal growth, and a more fulfilling, values-aligned life. What if you could take time off for family, health, travel, creativity, or simply to rest—without derailing your finances or career? Jillian has done just that, taking multiple mini retirements that not only helped her find balance and purpose, but also enhanced her career in the long run. Now, she’s helping others do the same through practical steps anyone can follow. We explore how mini retirements aren’t about escape—they're a tool for healing, clarity, and even career development. Jillian shares how these breaks helped her recover from burnout, rebuild her health, and live more intentionally. She emphasizes the importance of planning and practicing mini retirements to prepare for a fulfilling early retirement—and how our health, finances, and overall well-being are more connected than we think. Whether you're feeling exhausted, curious about early retirement, or simply craving more freedom and balance—this conversation will inspire you to rethink what’s possible for your life and career. Key Takeaways: Mini retirements can serve multiple purposes: rest, growth, healing, or transition. Burnout recovery requires more than a weekend off—intentional rest matters. Planning and practicing mini retirements prepares you for early or semi-retirement. Life experiences often have expiration dates; act now. Health, money, and well-being are deeply connected. You don’t have to wait for someday—practice living the life you want now. Community support can ease the transition into mini retirements. Learn more about Retire Often and connect with Jillian: ● Website: https://retireoften.com/ ● Retire Often Book: https://retireoften.com/book/ ● Book Purchasing Link: https://lnk.to/retireoften ● Free Opt-In Worksheets:○ Planning: https://retireoften.com/mini/ ○ Negotiating: https://retireoften.com/onemonth/ ● Workbook: https://retireoften.com/workbook/ ● Group Coaching: https://retireoften.com/group-coaching/ Social Media:○ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillianjohnsrud/ ○ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JillianJohnsrud/ ○ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-johnsrud/ ○ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JillianJohnsrud Keywords: Retire Often, mini retirement, burnout recovery, sabbaticals, financial independence, early retirement, personal growth, well-being, career clarity, intentional living, physician associate, healthcare burnout, burnout in medicine, physician assistant, healthcare professional, healthcare provider, burnout recovery, financial independence community, financial independence retire early Are you just beginning your journey to financial independence and want to learn more? Download your free copy of the PA the FI Way Beginner’s Workbook here! Website / Blog: pathefiway.com Follow PA the FI Way on Instagram: @pathefiway https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/ Connect with Kat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255/ Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway Questions or thoughts about the show? Email pathefiway@gmail.com
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    49 mins
  • 158 | The Power of Microhabits: Tiny Changes That Make a Big Impact
    Jun 13 2025

    Wanting to make changes, but feeling too overwhelmed and exhausted to start? You’re not alone—and you don’t need a complete life overhaul to start feeling better. In this episode, I'm diving into the science and simplicity of microhabits: tiny, 2-minute actions that help you regain control of your time, energy, and mental clarity—without adding to your to-do list.

    Drawing from insights in Atomic Habits and lived experience on the frontlines of healthcare, I’ll walk you through how low willpower and motivation are normal—and how designing your day with smart cues and habit-stacking can help you build rhythms that stick. You’ll learn practical, real-life examples of microhabits for different areas of your well-being such as physical, mental, financial, social, spiritual, and professional.

    Be sure to grab your free Microhabits for Healthcare Professionals Cheat Sheet to start putting these ideas into practice today! It’s packed with examples for each health domain and quick tips to get you started today.

    Resources mentioned:

    Microhabits for Healthcare Professionals Cheat Sheet

    Atomic Habits

    Are you just beginning your journey to financial independence and want to learn more? Download your free copy of the PA the FI Way Beginner’s Workbook here!

    Website / Blog: pathefiway.com

    Follow along on Instagram: @pathefiway https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

    Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255/

    Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway

    Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

    Questions or thoughts about the show? Email pathefiway@gmail.com

    Enjoy the show? You can now support the PA the FI Way podcast through Buy Me a Coffee! Thank you for all of your support! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pathefiway

    Keywords: microhabits, atomic habits, physician assistant finances, physician associate finances, physician assistant financial independence, physician associate financial independence, physician associate burnout, physician assistant burnout, burnout in medicine, healthcare burnout, clinician burnout, self-care in medicine

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    20 mins
  • 157 | Rhythmic Renewal: How 5-Minute Pauses Can Transform Your Busy Workday
    May 30 2025

    In this episode, the concept of rhythmic renewal is explored, which is the practice of building intentional, restorative pauses into your day to protect your energy and prevent burnout. You’ll learn how to implement a timing model that works well for your schedule, create your own personalized renewal menu, and discover simple ways to reset—even in the busiest clinical or hospital settings. These small, consistent rhythms of self-care can help you renew your energy, show up with greater presence, and help with burnout.

    Are you just beginning your journey to financial independence and want to learn more? Download your free copy of the PA the FI Way Beginner’s Workbook here!

    Website / Blog: pathefiway.com

    Follow along on Instagram: @pathefiway https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

    Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255/

    Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway

    Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

    Questions or thoughts about the show? Email pathefiway@gmail.com

    Enjoy the show? You can now support the PA the FI Way podcast through Buy Me a Coffee! Thank you for all of your support! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pathefiway

    Keywords: physician associate burnout, physician assistant burnout, burnout in medicine, healthcare burnout, physician burnout, nurse burnout, clinician burnout, self-care in medicine

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    16 mins
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