What if you could leave the grind of full-time clinical practice without losing your identity, impact, or income, and actually increase your leverage?

In this episode of the E Forge Podcast, Cory Long sits down with Dr. Calvin Johnson, a highly respected orthopedic surgeon who performed 26,000 surgeries and spent decades treating complex injuries, athletes, and everyday patients. But instead of “starting over” after stepping away from the operating room in 2021, Dr. Johnson made a strategic pivot into medical expert witness work and independent medical exams (IMEs), supporting attorneys, courts, insurance carriers, and legal teams in high-stakes injury cases.

This conversation breaks down what expert witness and IME work really looks like, how surgeons translate clinical expertise into credible medical-legal authority, and what most physicians misunderstand about causation, reasonable treatment, record review, and objective reporting. If you’re a physician, operator, consultant, or high-skill professional exploring a career transition, consulting, authority-based services, or expert work, this episode shows how to reposition your experience into your next chapter, without abandoning excellence. Learn how credibility is built, how a neutral third-party mindset works, and why your experience may be your most valuable asset.

Highlights:

→ Dr. Johnson shares how decades of orthopedic surgery sharpen your ability to spot patterns in back pain, knee injuries, rotator cuff tears, and complex trauma, then convert that into clear medical-legal communication.

→ You’ll hear the real difference between diagnosing/treating vs. causation, and why objective reporting matters when insurers, employers, and attorneys all want answers.

→ He explains what goes into a high-quality IME: deep record review, detailed physical exams, imaging interpretation, and building a team that catches what others miss.

→ You’ll also get practical longevity advice from a surgeon’s perspective, nutrition, strength training, injury prevention, and how staying active protects bone density and quality of life.

Want to learn more about Cory Long? Check out the links below.

Ai Authority Engine https://invisibletoinvinciblechallenge.com/aiengine

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@therealcorylong

Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e-forge-with-cory-long/id1823417933

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4aZD9YaIr5OttNLce5iGOm?si=7149ceb9ed9c4819

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/therealcorylong/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/therealcorylongEforge/

Disclaimer -

This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed tax professional or financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.