Finding Your Pulse: Dr. Shari Andrews on Equity, Wellness, and the Power of Listening to Your Body

Shari Andrews, MD, is more than a board-certified emergency medicine physician. She is also a wellness coach, certified nutritionist, fitness trainer, and the author of Find Your Pulse. Through her work with Peak Pulse and her Teeny Dose blog, she is committed to transforming how underserved communities access mind, body, and wellness education. Her mission remains steady and clear: make complex healthcare topics simple, relatable, and empowering.

“Stop downplaying your discomfort. Intuition matters, and when something feels wrong, it deserves attention.” -Dr. Andrews

Dr. Andrews brings a grounded, compassionate voice to conversations about racial disparities in healthcare, women’s advocacy, burnout, and the myth of work-life balance. She explains that the roots of healthcare inequity run deep, shaped by systemic inequality, implicit bias, and a long-standing disconnect between marginalized communities and the medical system. These disparities are not only about access. They are also about experience. They show up in who is believed, who is heard, and who is valued.

She believes that creating a more equitable system requires cultural humility. Medical professionals must ask questions instead of assuming, and they must listen without rushing. Patients, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, need tools that help them navigate medical conversations with confidence. When both sides work together, care becomes more inclusive, respectful, and impactful.

For women in particular, Dr. Andrews encourages a shift in how they show up in medical spaces. She urges women to stop downplaying their discomfort. Intuition matters, and when something feels wrong, it deserves attention. She recommends bringing notes to appointments, asking for clear explanations, and speaking up with statements like “I need you to take a second look.” Advocacy does not have to be confrontational. It can be steady, confident, and rooted in self-respect. Providers, she adds, must honor that assertiveness with the same level of respect and care.

Dr. Andrews also challenges the culture of constant busyness. She describes hustle culture as glorified exhaustion, a cycle that convinces women their worth is tied to productivity. Burnout is not a symbol of strength. It is a red flag. She believes success should be defined by alignment rather than output, and she encourages women to view rest as recovery, not defeat. This shift was essential in her own journey to finding her pulse, and it remains central to her teachings.

Although many people strive for work-life balance, Dr. Andrews considers it more myth than reality. Life does not split evenly. Some seasons demand more professionally, while others require more personally. Instead of balance, she teaches rhythm. Rhythm is fluid, adaptive, and grounded in self-awareness. It allows people to adjust their energy without overextending themselves or neglecting their needs.

For busy professionals and single mothers, she stresses that wellness is not about perfection. Some days will feel heavy or unproductive, and that is perfectly normal. What truly sustains well-being are small, consistent habits. Drink water before coffee. Move your body for ten minutes. Step outside for fresh air. Laugh with someone who makes you feel lighter. Allow yourself to not be “on” all the time. These gentle practices can support you more effectively than overwhelming wellness routines.

Through her book, her platforms, and her work in medicine, Dr. Shari Andrews continues to guide people toward a healthier, more intuitive way of living. She reminds us that healing begins with awareness and that thriving requires rhythm, humility, and the courage to listen to your body.