What Our Rhino Conservation Trip to Africa Taught Us About Vet Med, Purpose, and Perspective

It’s been a few weeks since we got back, and we're still trying to stabilize back into society, back into our jobs, and back into some version of routine. But this trip changed us. And like all meaningful experiences, we’re sitting with the question: How do we integrate what we’ve learned and use it to make our lives and other vets’ lives more meaningful?

It started as a somewhat last-minute opportunity through our friend Chloe, the Jungle Doctor: veterinarians were needed for a rhino dehorning mission in South Africa. We, of course, said hell yes without knowing exactly what we were getting into, just trusting that it would be big. It was!

Shalsee’s story is a powerful reminder that we’re often far more capable than we give ourselves credit for, and that it’s absolutely possible to build a career and a life that truly feel good.

In this episode of The Evolved Vets Podcast, we sit down with Maya Shaposhnik Cadena, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Vetted, to explore the intersection of courage, innovation, and mindset in veterinary medicine. Maya shares her unconventional journey into vet med and how personal loss inspired her to empower pet parents through proactive, preventative care. She opens up about leadership, fundraising, and the power of manifestation to shift how we show up in our lives and careers. This conversation is packed with real talk about fear, burnout, and the importance of building with clarity and intention. Whether you're a veterinarian or an aspiring founder, you'll walk away with fresh perspective—and a serious courage boost.

If it’s not an incredible YES, it’s a NO. That’s how Dr. Audrey Wystrach leads—with boldness, intention, and zero hesitation. Here’s a sneak peak from our podcast interview where we dive into imposter syndrome, leadership, discipline, and creating seats at the table for the next generation.

As a veterinarian, no amount of color-coded planners or productivity hacks can save you when your energy is tapped out. What you need isn’t better time management—it’s better energy management.

It’s the power of women supporting women to inspire real change in veterinary medicine.

Think: boundaries that actually work, emotional resets after tough shifts that don’t involve crying in the car (we’ve been there), and building resilience for the long haul of your career in veterinary medicine.