Episode 64

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Published on:

20th Oct 2025

Ep. 64: Breaking Free from Perfectionism: Ilana's Road To Strength, Confidence, and Freedom Around Food

An honest, hopeful conversation with Dr. Ilana Coetzee—ER physician and mom of two—on breaking free from decades of body image pressure and “earn your food” rules. Ilana shares how a six-year-old’s first selfie-judgment spiraled into binge–restrict cycles, coffee diet pills, and chasing aesthetics through bodybuilding… and how a ski injury—and later, The Fit Physician—shifted everything toward strength, freedom, and longevity. We talk PRs (hello, bodyweight back squat and ~300-lb hip thrusts), ditching macro obsession for protein + fiber focus, injury-proof running, and the mindset that lets you keep up with your kids (and joy) at 46 and beyond. If you’ve ever felt “I should have this figured out by now,” this episode reminds you: you’re not broken, you’re not alone—and you can rewrite the story starting today.

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About the Podcast

The Fit Physician
Are you a busy woman in medicine looking to take your fitness and nutrition to the next level to thrive in all aspects of your life? Look no further! Welcome to The Fit Physician podcast.

As women in medicine, it’s your nature to care for others, often at the expense of your own physical and mental well-being. This can go on for months, even years. It’s time to put an end to this narrative, for all women physicians! And it starts now, with you, and The Fit Physician podcast!

Hosted by Jake Wright, BSc, a women’s fitness specialist with over 15 years of experience and joining him is, Dr. Suzanne Rutherford, MD, a practicing physician with an undergraduate degree in nutritional sciences. You’d be hard pressed to find two experts more passionate about empowering women physicians to live life to the fullest through prioritizing health and fitness.

Suzanne & Jake have dedicated the past 6 years transforming the lives of 100s of women in medicine such as yourself. Their passion for inspiring physicians shines through every episode, sharing stories, insights, expert advice, and providing actionable steps to prioritize yourself guilt-free.

So, if you're a busy woman physician ready to break free from the constraints of guilt, elevate your health, and become the best version of yourself, join Jake and Suzanne on The Fit Physician podcast. They're not just coaches; they're your partners in this transformative journey towards a life where you thrive, unapologetically.

Dr. Suzanne Rutherford, MD (Instagram: @slmmd1976)

Search the globe and it will be hard to find someone more dedicated to women physicians health & well-being than Suzanne.

A practicing physician, Suzanne combines her medical expertise with a foundation in nutritional sciences from her undergraduate studies.

Her passion lies in evidence-based nutrition and empowering fellow women physicians to embrace strength, health, and confidence in their own skin.

Suzanne doesn’t just talk the talk. After completing medical school and welcoming her second child into the world, she found herself facing personal health and fitness challenges that left her feeling like a stranger within her own body.

Determined to make a change, Suzanne rekindled her knowledge of nutrition while introducing strength training into her weekly routine.

The result? She lost over 30 lbs, has kept it off, and feels better in her 40s than she did in her 20s!

Now she spends the better part of her professional career helping other busy women physicians to achieve similar life-altering results.


Jake Wright, BSc

(Instagram: @thefitphysiciancoach Facebook: Jake Wright Facebook page: The Fit Physician Coach)

Meet Jake, also known as The Fit Physician Coach.

Jake’s experience includes a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology, over 15+ years as a women's fitness specialist, along with several advanced certifications in strength and condition, nutrition, and joint health.

For the past 6 years and counting, Jake has spent his career dedicated to inspiring busy women physicians to overcome barriers with time, energy, and the demands of their profession, to build a sustainable fitness routine that delivers life-changing results.

What separates Jake from the pack is not his education or his experience but his compassion.

Jake's gift is guiding women to discover strength they never thought possible. In turn, helping them to build confidence in the gym, in their bodies, and in every other aspect of their life.

About your host

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Jake Wright