Anne: Hi everybody. It's Anne Duffy and welcome to the Just DeW It podcast. I have a very special new friend, amazing woman on with me today. But before we get started, I wanna tell you a little bit about her. Dr. Valerie Woo is a mom of four, a pediatric dentist, entrepreneur, and consultant who helps leaders grow without burnout.
She's completed an endurance challenge climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest, 29,029 feet. Loves to travel 30 plus countries, and is on a quest to run all seven world marathons. Majors. Please help me welcome a superstar, Dr. Valerie Woo. Hello, Valerie. How are you? I'm doing great. I'm feeling like a slacker though.
I'm gonna tell you I can hardly walk around the block and you're doing these marathons. You got four kids. I just can't even imagine how you do it all and you do it with such grace and poise. Amazing. I wanna know how you got started with the marathons, because I think that's so interesting.
You've got four kids, you're practicing dentist. I mean, where did this all begin? And it's carried through until this day.
Valerie: So I started dabbling in running when I was in college, and that was my way of de-stressing. Mm-hmm. So, I think my first race was like the breast cancer.
5K. you know, back 25 plus years ago. And then when I got into dental school, you know, I went to Harvard, loved Boston. And of course the Boston Marathon always, you know, is a huge race in the city. And so we never have school or every, no one works. And so just to witness the Boston Marathon.
Inspired me to be like, okay, can I one day do a marathon? So I started off with a half marathon and when I was at Harvard during my first year they did their inaugural half marathon in Boston. so I joined that for the first time. And a couple of my other dental student friends, we ran it together.
So then I caught the bug. I did the Marine Corps marathon. Oh wow. 2010. So after I had my third child and I thought that that was my last, I said, okay, I'm gonna train for my first marathon.
So I did it in 2010. And I have since then run. 14 marathons. Oh my gosh. so I've done three out of the seven majors. So I have done all the ones in the United States. I've done New York, Chicago, and then I qualified for Boston. So I ran Boston. And then I'm running one, um, in December.
So I'm doing KIAA Island Marathon. Oh, you're right down the road from us in December. so I'm excited to do that one. I have been to Kiaa and I absolutely love it. And my daughter goes to school in, Charleston, so I have to drive her back home after she's done with her finals.
So I said, well, why not run a marathon first and then I'll drive up?
Anne: Oh my gosh, that's gonna be a lovely, marathon. 'cause it's flat, right? Kiaa, the whole thing is flat. And then you got the sanctuary. I know. I talked to Olivia and she's like, oh, I love the sanctuary. I'm like, well, you know, of course you do darling.
It's so bougie, like your mama. and that just sounds yummy. Yeah. That you guys can share that together. And, um, Do
Valerie: you run every week? I do, I just ran today. So I run about, four or five times a week.
And then tomorrow I've shifted my long runs to Fridays because now I have to find my rhythm instead of balance. I fly up to Connecticut almost every week to see my son play college football.
Anne: you gotta do that, right? that is so funny. Where is he going to school? He plays football for Wesleyan in Connecticut.
Okay. Wesleyan. Oh my god, that's a dear friend of mine. Went to Wesleyan when they opened it up for females. Yes. Years and years and years ago. that's such a great school, you know? Yeah. Just Ivy League ish and all of that. you know, that's the thing about parents, I tell young moms, I said, you know, the kids.
They love it when you're there. 'cause our son played basketball at Vanderbilt. So we went, we went to all the games. I mean, he was glad we were there and we had fun. And it was, just a wonderful four years I think though we did not wanna miss anything. that's the thing the moms don't realize.
It's like the kids are okay, the kids are just fine. They're having fun. But. As a parent, it goes so fast and you just wanna be there and just enjoy the, fun of all that competitive play.
Valerie: Yes. So we're leaving Saturday to see him play because on Friday I have another son who plays varsity football in high school.
Anne: so this just tease me up for the first question. The real question I have is, how do you balance being a mom of four with running businesses and pursuing big personal challenges like marathons? How do you do it?
Valerie: It's not a perfect split, for me it's really not about balance, it's more about rhythm. Okay? for me, I look at my schedule and I'm very intentional with my time. Because some seasons my kids need me more and other seasons it's my team or my project or a client. And so I'm very, very intentional as you can see with my calendar and being able to say no to what doesn't align in that season for me.
running just seems to be that constant for me because that's my moving meditation where it clears my head, it keeps me grounded. And then it obviously helps me show up better for my family and my work, my clients. And I love whenever I can to involve my kids wherever I can. Whether it's bringing them to the events, like for instance, Olivia will be there at Kiawa, along with my husband.
I'll do training runs. Like when I went to Aruba with my son over the summer, we just had a one-on-one mother, son trip together. We trained together and we ran. You know, I wanna be able to show my kids that they can have big goals and not lose who they are. In the process and like even when I was training for a Boston Marathon and I would train really early in the morning while the kids were still sleeping, and so by the time I was done with the run, they would be waking up and when the kids were younger.
They would then meet me, at the door with, you know, a protein shake and like, ready to go, like before I brought them to school that morning. So I really like to incorporate all of it together because it's meaningful to me that I know that as I am pursuing my dreams, I'm also like leading as an example to show my kids that, whatever that you're wanting to do in life, you can definitely do it.
Oh my
Anne: gosh. When I hear stuff like this, I mean, IR kids are awesome, but I, say maybe I could have done a little bit better job of that. You know, like I'd love to see somebody meet me at the door with a protein shake that would just make me fall over. also, Olivia's coming to the do retreat this year.
So I mean, again, just sharing the joy of how much dentistry is so beautiful and why her mom is so involved in all the amazing women. So, you know, kudos to you. That makes a lot of sense. And I didn't know that backstory of all of that, so that's just wonderful. You're doing a great job. It also makes me think, you know, when you say you're, you're walking the walk, but you're running the run.
Ah, there you go. I like it. You really are. That's. Just super cool. I don't know why no one's ever said that before, but I think I'll coin that. 'cause that's, what dues do. They're not walking. We really are running, I feel like, and to bring joy to that and purpose is just wonderful.
And that's why we were laughing before we got started. So you are a strengths certified coach and so strengths is a big part of Do and 11 is the first time strategic turns up on me, so I never think about putting things in place in my life. I just go fast. But with, you got futuristic.
That is such a strategic thing. You can look and that's why you have, everything kind of mapped out in your head and your calendar, that makes perfect sense how you can accomplish those things with intention. Yeah. Life to me has pretty much happened. my intention, strategic part of it, I need some help.
So I'm, learning from you right now. This is just really, really cool.
Valerie: I love it. you know, when we bring up Olivia this summer, I mean, we had spent so much time together, not just as mother daughter, but you know, you obviously saw her in Philadelphia. Mm-hmm. She went on a dental mission trip with me, just a couple of weeks ago to Guatemala and I went to her school to teach young entrepreneurs, my business framework that I use.
And so it's just been Such a joy to not only spend time with her as a mom, but also, you know, we're creating something together. And so it's been just phenomenal.
Anne: That's so beautiful. So is it one daughter and three boys? It is. Okay. Okay. We just love our boys, but there's nothing like a daughter as well, so that's just so beautiful.
So beautiful. If a leader feels overwhelmed, and you work with leaders, you're a coach, and they're overwhelmed and stuck, which part of the leads, and I want you to talk about that framework, should they focus on first and why? So Valerie, explain what leads is and then explain to us the framework.
Valerie: Sure. So leads is a framework that I created after working and building my business for the past 20 plus years. And it's all of, you know, the wisdom from all these amazing thought leaders that, you know, wrote amazing books and coaches that I've worked with throughout the years. You know, as you think about I'm a visionary and that I can create things, I pulled all the best of the best and I created this framework that I have coined as the least framework.
Mm-hmm. And so it first starts with L, which is, your leadership leading with intention. and then there's e for empowerment, which is not only empowering you, but also empowering others, which is your team.
A is attraction. So that's the marketing. So attracting opportunities and attracting the right client or patients, depending on what kind of business that you have.
D is for developing systems, right? So whether it's your operational systems, clinical back, whatever your systems are, and then s. Super important is the sustainability. So sustain yourself so that self care in order to be your best self. So I've incorporated into all as the leads framework and to answer your question and what I feel that they should focus on first and why.
I think that it should be l is that lead with vision, because I think with overwhelm that often means that you've drifted from your clarity, Reacting to what's urgent instead of focusing on what's important. So by having that vision, that vision creates a filter. So if something doesn't move you.
Towards your vision it's an easier way to say no or not right now 'cause it's not aligning with your vision. So when you're clear on where you're going, decision making can get a lot easier. Priorities start to fall into place, and then you instantly feel more in control instead of being overwhelmed.
So for instance, I once worked. With a dentist client who, was drowning in tasks, once we clarified what her vision was, she was able to like ask that question, is this part of my vision? Is this part of my core focus? And so she was able to then not feel so overwhelmed in her task and was able to prioritize appropriately.
Does that make sense?
Anne: Yeah, it does, because I think as women we, wanna please people, especially if you're a people pleaser, then you say yes to everything. Whether it's aligned with your vision or not. Then you're overwhelmed. You get nothing done, you get burnt out and just to focus. And then it gives you permission to, to put some guardrails up.
Yeah. Create those boundaries. And it's out of love. I mean, it's not out of, you know, so many people feel like they're hurting somebody or that they don't feel worthy, that they can put guardrails up. you know, I'd like to think that the future of women in business and in in life will understand that guardrails are really important, necessary, and it's a blessing to give somebody your guardrail to let them know what their, your boundaries are.
Yes. You know, with love, so that they understand. It's not that they're against you, this is just something that doesn't align with their vision, I think the clarity is help. Someone gain Yes. Working with you? Yes. You can see it for them. And so often when you're, down in the muck of all of it, you, can't see it for yourself.
Valerie: Right, Because an outsider can be able to give you better guidance because they're able to observe what you're not able to see.
Anne: Yeah. It's lovely in all aspects of, leadership, whether you're leading a team, you're leading your family, you're leading, you know, uh, you business. It's so important and we also need help.
Right. And it sounds like you've had a lot of help. I mean, I, think most coaches have been coached. A lot and they see the value of coaching. absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. I love that coach.
Valerie: Probably from the beginning of when I started my practice I've always had a coach, different types of coaches.
I'm currently working, with a mindset coach now. so love that. 'cause she just really helps me put things into perspective and just see things differently.
Anne: How do you find your coaches? is it word of mouth referrals? if you're looking for a coach, how would you go about
Valerie: doing that?
I'm in part of a lot of groups. You know, when, when I was practicing dentistry. It can be very easy to be in your own little bubble. Mm-hmm. besides having my own coach. because of my kids, I was in a very small bubble because at that point, I didn't feel like I had the bandwidth to then be a part of other groups.
but because I brought in my perspective and I saw the value of joining like, you have to put yourself out there in order to grow and be surrounded. By other like-minded, potentially just women, but like-minded people around. Mm-hmm. for me, it helps even make me become more creative because when you work with other people's strengths, then you can obviously see that so many things are then limitless when you surround yourself with other people.
I just grew my circle more.
Anne: Mm-hmm. And
Valerie: I had to. Believe in myself as well because I thought I considered myself an introvert and at times I am. But when I believed in myself and I knew I could go out there, then you create this energy and then you start to attract other people that have similar like-minded beliefs.
Anne: that'll push you a little bit when you get a little stuck and they've, got their arms wrapped around you and then you feel like you're contributing to their success as well, because that's an endorphin, I think, when you're just like, oh, look, I'm helping somebody.
And isn't that a lovely thing, How long have you been so involved in strength? how did that come about?
Valerie: so I worked with Laura Brenner. She was one of the coaches too. after I sold the practice and I started working with her.
We just started talking about, I did some energy work with her and again, I just followed the breadcrumbs and when we, first met and we talked about Clifton's strengths, it was just like a sign for me to be like, oh my gosh, like, how is Clifton like coming into my world? Yeah.
And so I just felt so drawn to it that I just bit the bullet and I said, you know what? I wanna be a Clifton strengths coach because I believe so much in its power and. Just learning so much more about yourself and understanding people better. Yeah. Because you know that these are literally their God-given strengths, and everyone is so unique and has something to offer into this world.
And when you look at people through that lens
It's just. Phenomenal.
Anne: Yeah.
Valerie: You just have a different perspective and so that's what I love when we come to your events that everybody writes their strengths, because I think it's just an invitation to be like, this is who I am and these are my strengths, and we can collaborate, we can, be together. It's great. Yeah.
Anne: And out, out of all of them, they're all great. and it's like I have other gifts, right. we coined that, or Lee and Burnett coined that in one of our retreats. Like, you think that you're maybe not be able to do it, but you just have to have help from others that have different strengths.
and they're all wonderful because they're. Having said, as you know, you and I talked about before, and why do you believe that, knowing that is just as important as fixing your weaknesses? Because a lot of people, they focus on their weakness and we, and you, we focus on our strengths.
Valerie: Yeah. I think your strengths are where your greatest impact lives, right? Weaknesses, sure. Do they matter, but if you focus all of your energy on fixing them. You actually stay in the slower lane. Where Clifton strengths taught me that leaning into what I naturally do best boosts my confidence, my productivity, and my results.
And when you continue to do that with others, then you're boosting that as well. And so when you build a team around complimented strengths. Your weaknesses become somebody else's superpower, right? Yes. That's when the magic really happens.
Anne: cool. I love the way you frame that too, because it's like you get a circle of people and you know, you go around and you, You have a superpower. Yeah. When you recognize it, everybody's got something to give. That's really important. And then. You know, and how that makes people feel so much better about themselves. That's what I say. I, think when I really found out my strengths, which was 17 years ago now, and it totally changed my life.
And it's kind of like, why doesn't everybody know about this? This is so cool. I fell in love with myself again, and I really have been on a. Trajectory. I know that I can, what I'm doing now is what I'm supposed to be doing, and I need a little bit of strategic help and, uh, futuristic, if you will to help me get to the finish line, which is, where coaches come in, which are you coming in?
Valerie: at the do retreat, if we found let's just say there's 35 strengths and we found seven people with the five, like all the different 34 strengths. Imagine like what that superpower would be in that room, because everybody's ringing the top four strengths.
In one group. Oh
Anne: yeah. We gotta figure that out. there's so much to figure out for the retreat. We're so looking forward to it. Oh my gosh, I can't wait
thanks again for speaking at, nachos when we were there. did a great job there in enlightening all of us in the room. I mean, it was just a wonderful group of females, honestly.
But, this, what we do here flows out into our, our boys. I, you know, I I think you're just like me. I know. I, I just love my husband to death and we just celebrated 50 years and I've seen you and your hubby together, and we love our men and we love our sons, but it's something, fun to just, get. The women in the room, the answers in the ladies room, and to find some commonality among all of us there. Valerie, I know that women that are listening here probably are saying to themselves, I could use a little Valerie, I could use the leads program. How do they get in touch with you? Going forward?
We'll have it in the show notes, but tell us how anyone can get in touch with you.
Valerie: either through my website, dr valerie Woo.com, or you can find me on LinkedIn, Dr. Valerie Woo, or even on Instagram at Dr. Vale Woo. Super simple. That is super simple, and you're
Anne: a woo. I'm a woo. That's num number one.
And I love that we were talking about that. I was so bummed when I found out I was a woo though, I was like, oh my God, that just seems so insincere and shallow. But I try to stay in the balcony of Woo and once I was aware of that, I whip slash for later.
Yeah. Yeah, I know. I just love people. I'm like a little, golden retriever, I guess. But it has helped me bring women together and, opening the door. I think it, lends itself to hospitality and I think that's something that, ws have in, common. So I just adore you. I'm so happy that we know each other.
I can't wait to give you a hug, an Olivia hug at the DO retreat and, we will see all of you there. There's, seats left, but we are gonna have 250 women in the room, powerhouses like, Dr. Valerie w So please join us, check us out on do DW life and, the most important thing.
And Valerie, I know you agree with me. Keep doing you. Thank you so much. Any parting words,
Valerie: Valerie? No, I am super excited to be at the retreat. It's my first retreat. love the Mastermind, the Do Mastermind, and there's going to be a special Woo jacket being in the fashion show.
Anne: I heard you've got your own jacket. OMG. can't wait to see it. I'm gonna have to get one of those too. ' I have one of these, my name is not on this. Okay. So I'll have to talk to Deb Carey about that. That's super cool. You got a woo jacket. You guys are, but you
Valerie: might wanna put Woo, since Woo is part of your Clifton strength.
You could put Woo in the back.
Anne: I should definitely do that So anyway, Valerie, thank you so much. Let's keep doing us. Okay? That's the thing. We'll keep doing us. Alright, thank you. See you soon.
