What would make Dr. Dianah Lake, a successful ER physician, walk away from a secure job, a pension, and a six-figure salary?

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Lake shares how a personal fitness transformation led her to become an online entrepreneur, and why she chose passion over a paycheck. Her story is bold, inspiring, and packed with insights every doctor and high-achieving woman needs to hear. If you've ever wondered what’s possible beyond the walls of medicine, this is your moment.

Dive in now to learn how Dr. Dianah Lake built a business, and a life, on her own terms.

Episode Video

From ER to Online Entrepreneur - How One Doctor Found Freedom and Fitness Success

Imagine dedicating over a decade of your life to becoming a doctor, years of schooling, sleepless nights, and constant sacrifice, only to feel stuck, burned out, and undervalued. Sound familiar? For many physicians, this is reality. You go from medical school into a demanding job, only to find your career controlled by contracts, policies, and endless red tape.

That’s where you might find yourself today, tired, stretched thin, and wondering if there’s something more.

In this episode of Doctors Online Success, you'll hear the true story of a board-certified ER doctor who turned a personal passion into a full-time online fitness coaching business for professional women. Her journey proves that you can build a profitable and fulfilling life beyond the hospital walls, even without a business degree.

Why She Left Medicine Behind (Sort Of)

After a major personal fitness transformation, including competing in a bodybuilding competition, this doctor returned home with more than just a trophy, she came back with clarity. While balancing life as a full-time ER physician and mother of two, she figured out how to take control of her health. Soon, colleagues began asking how she did it. That’s when the lightbulb went off: she could help others do the same.

But there was a catch. Her hospital employer wasn’t thrilled about her new side hustle. When leadership found out she was coaching women in wellness and fitness, even outside of her physician role, they threatened her with contract violations. She was told she’d have to go part-time or leave entirely. Instead of backing down, she made a bold move: she left.

The Price of Freedom, and Why She Paid It Anyway

She wasn’t just walking away from a job. She had to repay a $75,000 retention loan that was supposed to keep her locked into that job for seven years. At just 3.5 years in, she owed the rest, and she paid it. She even withdrew $30,000 from her 401(k) to make it happen. While her peers stayed stuck, fearful of the financial penalty, she chose autonomy.

And what happened next? She doubled her income within a year by working locum tenens contracts and launching her business.

From Doctor to Online Entrepreneur

Starting her online business wasn’t easy. She knew nothing about marketing, sales, or tech, but she was determined. So, she did what most doctors are afraid to do: she asked for help.

She joined a 10-month coaching program that taught her the basics of building an online brand, from live streams and call-to-actions to setting up lead magnets and nurturing prospects. She studied, practiced, and launched. Every mistake taught her something new.

And she didn’t wait until things were perfect. She sold her program before she created it. Each lesson she taught live became part of her course, and over time, her fitness coaching program evolved into a powerful, scalable system, with eight years of recorded content and 35 hours of CME.

Challenges of Being a Doctor Online

Getting visible online was one of her biggest hurdles. Like many doctors, she wasn’t used to being on camera or marketing herself. Learning how to speak confidently on video took time and repetition. But she kept going, even when it felt awkward.

Another challenge? Letting go of the perfectionist mindset. She had to learn that every "no" was a step closer to a "yes," and that progress always beats perfection.

Her advice to others: get coached, stay curious, and take action even when you're scared.

The Secret to Doctors' Online Success

If you’re a doctor dreaming of launching an online business, you need more than just knowledge. You need mindset. You need to believe that you can do hard things, because you already have.

From medical school to managing critical cases in the ER, you've already proven that you can rise to the challenge. Creating a website or going live on YouTube? That’s not hard. You've done much harder.

You also need community. This doctor emphasized that she couldn’t have done it alone. Coaching gave her the clarity, tools, and structure to keep going. Whether it was learning how to craft offers, lead group programs, or structure a launch, mentorship made all the difference.

Scaling Online

What started as 1-on-1 coaching eventually turned into group coaching programs, online memberships, and a full curriculum based on five pillars: mindset mastery, nutrition, physical fitness, self-care, and menopause wellness. Each live session was recorded and repurposed into valuable content, creating a scalable, evergreen program.

About Dr. Dianah Lake

Dr. Dianah T. Lake, also known as Dr. Di, is an emergency medicine physician, fitness competitor, wellness expert, speaker, and founder of Dr. Di Fit Life, where she helps busy professionals take control of their health and happiness through a holistic approach to fitness and wellness. With over 60,000 patients treated in her medical career, Dr. Di combines her deep clinical experience with her passion for disease prevention, nutrition, and sustainable lifestyle change. Inspired by personal challenges, she transformed her life and now empowers others to do the same. Through books, speaking engagements, and online programs, she teaches high-achievers how to create fit, vibrant lives rooted in mindset, movement, and mindful living.

Final Thoughts

Dr. Dianah Lake’s journey from a full-time ER physician to a thriving online entrepreneur is a powerful reminder that your medical degree doesn’t have to limit you; It can launch you. Her story proves that with the right mindset, a clear purpose, and a willingness to ask for help, you can build a life that aligns with your passion and values. Whether you're feeling stuck in burnout or simply craving more autonomy, the path to freedom is possible, and it starts with one bold step forward.

As a physician, you’ve already done hard things. Building an online business isn’t harder; it’s just different. If you’re ready to take control of your time, your health, and your future, take a page from Dr. Di’s playbook: get clear, get coached, and get started. Your next chapter could be the one that truly changes your life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can doctors really succeed as online entrepreneurs without business experience?
   Absolutely. Many doctors start with no business background. With the right coaching, support, and mindset, you can learn everything you need to launch and scale online.

2. How do I start a fitness or coaching business as a physician?
   Start with your story and your transformation. Get clear on who you help, what problem you solve, and how you solve it. Then, invest in a coach to help with structure, marketing, and scaling.

3. Is it safe to leave a secure job with benefits to go independent?
   There are risks, but there are also major rewards. Like this ER doctor, many physicians double their income after going 1099 or building their own brand. Start with a plan, get help, and take small steps forward.

4. How do I build an online audience as a doctor?
   Use platforms like YouTube to create evergreen content. Focus on solving real problems and sharing your story. Over time, consistency builds credibility and attracts your ideal clients.

5. What’s the biggest mindset shift needed to succeed online?
   Let go of perfection. Take messy action. Remember, you've done harder things in medicine, building an online business is just a new skillset. Be open, be coachable, and stay consistent.

Ready to take control of your career, diversify your income, and connect with like-minded doctors? Doctors Online Success is a thriving community designed to help you turn your medical expertise into impact, growth, and financial freedom.

Join us today at Doctors Online Success and start transforming your career