Flying through the air in a helicopter that's "so much smaller than you think," Sophie Fuller works to save lives as a critical care flight paramedic. In this captivating conversation, she reveals the unexpected journey that led her to becoming a lifesaving flight medic who transports critically ill patients by air.

Sophie's path wasn't always clear. Seeking something beyond the hospital walls to satisfy her "super ADHD" personality, she discovered emergency medicine through a friend who was a paramedic. This sparked a multi-year educational journey through EMT school, advanced training, and finally paramedic certification—all while working as a firefighter and in 911 services. Her love for medicine and adrenaline eventually led her to the skies as a flight paramedic, where she found her perfect professional home.

The reality of flight medicine comes alive as Sophie details her daily routine: the two-and-a-half-hour commute, the extensive safety protocols, and the remarkable teamwork between paramedics and nurses that makes airborne medicine possible. She vividly describes the complex dance of managing patients in a confined, noisy space where "we tend to communicate with our eyes more than our mouth." From blood coolers to helmet communications, every aspect of this specialized care environment serves a critical purpose.

But Sophie's story goes deeper than medical procedures. She candidly shares how burnout nearly drove her from the profession entirely before she found renewal through an unexpected source: sharing her experiences online. As "Paramedic Sophie," she built a community that reignited her passion for emergency medicine and eventually led to co-hosting the Life and Sirens podcast, where she and colleagues share everything from clinical education to tales of "haunted stations" and unforgettable patient encounters.

Whether you're considering a career in emergency medicine or simply fascinated by these "quiet heroes" of healthcare, Sophie's story offers a powerful reminder of the extraordinary people who stand ready to help on our worst days. Ready to explore emergency medicine for yourself? Sophie encourages everyone from high school students to healthcare professionals to take advantage of ride-along programs and experience firsthand the "chaos and excitement" that makes emergency medicine unlike any other healthcare specialty.

Paramedic Sophie (Instagram)
Life and Sirens Podcast (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Website)

Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. At Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and secure your place in medicine.

Check out our pre-health resources. Great for pre-med, pre-PA, pre-nursing, pre-therapy students or anyone else with an upcoming interview!
Mock Interviews: shadowmenext.com/mock-interviews
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What does it take to completely reinvent your career path at age 30? Ryan Foley knows exactly how daunting this journey can be. Starting as a construction worker with a vocational high school background, Ryan made the bold decision to pursue medicine, beginning with remedial college classes and reverse engineering his way to becoming a physician assistant.

Ryan's approach was brilliantly methodical. Rather than rushing straight toward PA school, he first became a registered nurse—a decision that provided clinical experience, financial stability, and professional connections. "I had a goal in mind and engineered it backwards," he explains. This reverse-engineering process not only made his dream achievable but gave him invaluable perspective that continues to shape his practice today.

The conversation dives deep into the cultural differences between emergency medicine and other specialties. Ryan offers a memorable analogy: "When you're comparing the ED versus the ICU, it's the ADD kids versus the OCD kids." This perfectly captures how emergency medicine professionals thrive amid constant shifts in attention and priorities, yet paradoxically find calm during critical moments. "For as chaotic as a trauma can be, everyone's just very calm, knows their role... It kind of hits that flow state," he shares.

Perhaps most valuable is Ryan's insight on patient communication. Despite sophisticated diagnostics and technology, he emphasizes that simply asking patients what they think might be wrong and truly listening to their stories remains the cornerstone of effective medicine. "When patients feel listened to, they're going to trust you more," Ryan notes—a simple but profound reminder that medicine, at its core, is about human connection. Whether you're considering a career change, curious about emergency medicine, or simply fascinated by healthcare journeys, Ryan's story offers both practical guidance and genuine inspiration.

Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. At Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and secure your place in medicine.

Check out our pre-health resources. Great for pre-med, pre-PA, pre-nursing, pre-therapy students or anyone else with an upcoming interview!
Mock Interviews: shadowmenext.com/mock-interviews
Personal Statement Review: shadowmenext.com/personal-statement
Free Downloads: shadowmenext.com/free-downloads

Want to request a guest? Shoot me an email: ashley@shadowmenext.com

A sarcastic whisper describing the tools used in the operating room changed everything. Meet Alyssa Ellis, the Certified Surgical Technologist and First Assistant whose educational videos have captured the attention of surgeons, students, and curious patients alike. With her trademark straightforward delivery and deep expertise, Alyssa pulls back the curtain on what really happens when you're under anesthesia.

Find Alyssa @beyondassisting on all social medial platforms and check out her website https://www.beyondassisting.com/ for more information!

After 16 years spanning nearly every surgical specialty, Alyssa brings unparalleled perspective to what makes an operating room function. Her journey began unexpectedly - working retail jobs as a young mother, she enrolled in surgical tech school on a friend's suggestion. When those friends quit two weeks later, her determination to finish what she started launched a remarkable career that would touch countless patients' lives.

Throughout our conversation, Alyssa shares invaluable insights about the true dynamics of surgical teamwork. She explains how four essential roles (surgeon, anesthesiologist, RN circulator, and surgical tech) form the foundation of every procedure, while revealing the critical importance of communication, respect, and knowing when to admit what you don't know. Her philosophy - that acknowledging limitations is a strength, not a weakness - stands as a powerful lesson for anyone in healthcare.

What makes Alyssa's story particularly compelling is her commitment to education and improvement. After years of documenting surgeons' preferences, optimizing workflows, and mentoring colleagues, she's now building a comprehensive platform to share her knowledge with the world. Her mission to reignite passion in healthcare comes at a crucial moment when burnout and disillusionment challenge the field.

Whether you're a pre-health student considering surgical specialties, a healthcare professional looking to understand OR dynamics, or simply someone curious about what happens during surgery, this episode offers rare and valuable perspective. Subscribe now and join us for more conversations with the remarkable people shaping modern medicine.

Virtual shadowing is an important tool to use when planning your medical career. At Shadow Me Next! we want to provide you with the resources you need to find your role in healthcare and secure your place in medicine.

Check out our pre-health resources. Great for pre-med, pre-PA, pre-nursing, pre-therapy students or anyone else with an upcoming interview!
Mock Interviews: shadowmenext.com/mock-interviews
Personal Statement Review: shadowmenext.com/personal-statement
Free Downloads: shadowmenext.com/free-downloads

Want to request a guest? Shoot me an email: ashley@shadowmenext.com