The drive for success often means juggling high-stakes decisions, long hours and constant pressure. Yet, in the pursuit of excellence, many leaders may find themselves becoming victims of their own success.
Curtis Chastain, MD, director of Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group Men’s Health and Executive Wellness Center, understands this paradox well.
“There’s a relationship between an individual’s success and their mental health stressors,” Dr. Chastain says. “But executives do not have to sacrifice their well-being for their careers.”
At the Men’s Health and Executive Wellness Center, Dr. Chastain and his partners — Tyler Boudreaux, MD, and Oscar Shoenfelt, MD, see firsthand how the relentless push for achievement can take a toll on mental well-being, leading to stress, anxiety and even depression. They treat executives who often struggle with these hidden health issues linked to their lifestyle and work demands.
A Model That Provides Time to Listen
Dr. Chastain’s growing concierge practice offers personalized and comprehensive care for its members, with a focus on prevention and early detection of health problems. The prepaid model eliminates some of the friction that comes with traditional healthcare.
The result is an environment that provides a genuine sense of trust, connection, longer visits and greater access to the physicians. The clinic is designed to put men at ease, with a home-like atmosphere where they can discuss vulnerabilities and challenges without judgment or embarrassment.
“We have the time to educate men about their conditions,” Dr. Chastain says. “We just don’t pass out medication and click computer buttons. We treat them like our friends, our clients. And they therefore feel a strong connection with us.”
Tips for Improving Mental Health
Dr. Chastain’s approach to enhancing executives’ mental health involves attentive listening, identifying root causes and providing tailored, practical solutions. These often start with small, actionable steps rather than immediate medication.
1. Acknowledge the Problem: Many executives struggle to admit when they’re not OK. Giving yourself permission to feel off is the first step.
2. Share and Relate: Dr. Chastain often shares personal experiences or common anecdotes with his patients, helping them know they are not alone.
3. Prioritize Sleep: Addressing sleep deprivation significantly reduces stress and anxiety. Establishing good sleep hygiene, like limiting screen time and avoiding alcohol before bed, can lead to dramatic improvements.
4. Exercise Regularly: Physical activity is a powerful tool for mental well-being. Dr. Chastain encourages even exercise-averse executives to find simple, manageable routines.
5. Limit Unhealthy Behaviors: Identifying and reducing behaviors that contribute to mental health issues, such as excessive drinking or overworking, can make a big difference.
Connect with the Clinic
Executives feeling overwhelmed don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. Dr. Chastain’s clinic offers personalized care tailored to their unique needs, including a comprehensive screening exam that looks for major underlying health concerns, such as cancer and heart disease.
“Taking care of your mental health is not just beneficial — it’s essential,” Dr. Chastain says. At Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group Men’s Health and Executive Wellness Center, executives can find the support they need to thrive both personally and professionally.
