Ep105: The Mindset of the Entrepreneurial Physician with Dr. Ryan Smolarz
- Dr. Disha
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
Welcome back to the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast with Dr. Disha Spath. Today’s guest is Dr. Joseph Ryan Smolarz, M.D., M.B.A.—a board-certified surgeon turned social entrepreneur with a powerful story of reinvention. In this episode, Dr. Ryan shares his candid financial journey, from the operating room to business school, and how embracing entrepreneurship led him to a more fulfilling and financially secure life.
Dr. Ryan Smolarz unpacks the mindset shifts that helped him navigate early mistakes, the surprisingly simple logic behind self-storage investing, and how his net worth transformed through calculated risk-taking and education.
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Key Topics Covered:
1. From Medicine to Money Mastery
How Dr. Ryan’s physician journey ignited his interest in financial literacy.
2. Why Self-Storage Stands Out in Real Estate
Breaking down the complexity of commercial real estate—and why self-storage is the simplest entry point.
3. Learning Personal Finance from Scratch
How Dr. Ryan Smolarz went from financially overwhelmed to confident and capable.
4. How Dr. Ryan Smolarz Dealt with His Transition from Being a Physician to Entrepreneurship
The reactions he received from fellow physicians when he chose the entrepreneurial route.
5. Tracking the Financial Transformation
How his net worth shifted as he embraced entrepreneurship, business school, and smart investing.
Listener Takeaways:
Why commercial real estate—especially self-storage—might be worth exploring
 How to start your financial education, no matter where you’re at
 What to expect when you pivot from clinical work to entrepreneurship
 Real talk on the personal and financial growth that follows bold decisions
Resources Mentioned:
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Host: Dr. Disha Spath, The Frugal Physician
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This episode is brought to you by:
Earned Wealth: Earned's unique Doctor Wealth Playbook includes tax planning, investing, insurance, career advisory, and more. It’s a holistic approach from advisors who get the financial pressures of your profession. And for a limited time, Frugal Physician listeners can visit Earned.com/Frugal for exclusive access to this comprehensive planning at a discounted rate.