Episode 30: Denette Cooke: Burnout and Boundaries, from Chemist to Vet

<p>In this episode of the Six Figure Chicks Podcast, host Mel C sits down with Denette Cooke, veterinarian, entrepreneur, author, and founder of Cooke Veterinary Medical Center, for an honest conversation about career pivots, caregiver burnout, boundaries, and building a business rooted in purpose. Denette almost became a chemist before making a major career change and entering veterinary school at 32, eventually building her own animal hospital and spending more than two decades combining Western medicine with integrative and energy healing.</p><p>Denette opens up about the connection between being a lifelong caregiver and struggling with boundaries, including how being “parentified” early in life shaped the way she showed up for others. She shares the important difference between supporting someone and over-supporting or controlling them, and why setting boundaries isn't a one-time decision but an ongoing skill.</p><p></p><p>She also gets candid about burnout and how pouring yourself into your work can sometimes be a way of avoiding what is happening in your personal life. After 24 years in veterinary medicine, Denette is now using her experience to help address the mental health crisis within the veterinary profession through a nonprofit focused on supporting veterinary professionals.</p><p>This conversation is a powerful reminder that burnout is not a badge of honor, and that taking care of yourself, setting healthy boundaries, and leading with purpose can ultimately make you better at caring for everyone else.</p><p></p><p>In this episode, you’ll hear about:<br />• Denette’s journey from chemist to veterinarian later in life<br />• Building an animal hospital rooted in integrative and holistic care<br />• The connection between being “parentified” and becoming a lifelong caregiver<br />• The difference between supporting someone and over-supporting or controlling them<br />• Why boundaries are an ongoing skill rather than a one-time fix<br />• How pouring yourself into work can become a way of avoiding your personal life<br />• Caregiver burnout and mental health in high-stress professions<br />• Why prioritizing people and pets over the bottom line can lead to better business results<br />• Denette’s nonprofit focused on mental health support for veterinary professionals<br />• Why making people aware of mental health resources is just as important as having the resources available<br />• Building a business and career rooted in purpose over profit</p><p></p><p><b>Connect with Denette:</b></p><p><b>Veterinary Practice:</b> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cookevet.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">Cooke Veterinary Medical Center</a><br /><b>Author Website:</b> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://drcookevet.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">Dr. Denette Cooke</a><br /><b>Facebook:</b> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/denette.cooke?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">Denette Cooke on Facebook</a><br /><b>YouTube:</b> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@drcookevet?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">Dr. Cooke on YouTube</a></p><p>Part of the Six Figure Chicks book collaboration series.</p><p></p><p>Want to be a featured author in the next Six Figure Chicks book? Learn more at the Six Figure Chicks website. <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://sixfigurechicks.com" target="_blank">https://sixfigurechicks.com</a></p>