We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Iman Hypolite a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Hypolite, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

Moving to Atlanta at the age of 17 to attend Clark Atlanta University was a defining moment. I always knew that I wanted to attend an HBCU, inspired by School Daze, A Different World, and my family’s attendance of HBCUs. Seeing the diversity of experiences and expressions of Blackness not only in the Atlanta University Center (AUC), but in the city of Atlanta, was a truly eye-opening and inspiring experience. I took full advantage of being a student of the AUC and a biology major with plans to become a physician by taking most of my pre-medical courses at Morehouse College. Receiving the support of both CAU and Morehouse played a pivotal role in shaping the physician I am today.

Dr. Hypolite, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a double board certified psychiatrist with 20 years of experience and owner of a women’s mental health practice specializing in holistic care for professional women of color ages 25 to 65. I started my private mental health practice because I recognized an unmet need within my personal and professional circles. We tend to have a narrow view when we think of what defines “underserved communities”, but as I repeatedly saw the same patterns of experiences emerge within varying circles of Black and women of color leaders, executives, academicians, and other “high-achievers”, I recognized that women of color leaders are largely underserved. Because professional women of color are often called upon and required to serve as caretakers and leaders in their professions, communities, families, and homes, we often don’t recognize that they have needs as well. Our humanness and vulnerabilities as Black women often go unrecognized. We don’t see where and how women of color leaders need help, tenderness, and support. Many of us suffer in silence as a result. Many of us have achieved great success, but it has come at great cost to our emotional, physical, and relational wellbeing. I created my private practice with these exact women in mind.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I would say the most recent is Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey. Prior to reading that book, I felt like a lone wolf standing against grind culture and ‘preaching’ the merits of a softer and more compassionate way to life for the Black community, as well as communities of color. This is where my moniker, The Soft Life MD, came from. I believe that hustle and grind culture, the misrepresented definitions of success, and the ever illusive American Dream have blinded communities of color from the true meaning of life, success, and wealth; and it is robbing us of our emotional, mental, physical, spiritual, and overall wellbeing. I believe in success, but I no longer believe in striving for it at all cost. Rest, peace, love, and joy are my greatest guiding principles and values., and they influence my holistic approach to mental health.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn the American Dream or generally held views of success and learn that those are illusions that can quickly become a costly nightmare if one is not mindful or grounded in deeper values and principles. The concept of the American Dream comes with a constantly moving and more costly target attached. It puts productivity, achievement, and profit before all. It creates a narrow definition of what success looks like, and it is so deeply ingrained in our psyches that we let it live rent free, without question, as though it is doctrine. I specialize in treating high functioning depression, high functioning anxiety, and professional burnout. In my work with high achieving professionals, especially those of color, as well as in my personal experiences, I have seen the never ending quest for Black excellence, success, achievement and productivity increasingly come at great cost to one’s health and wellbeing. I see what it is doing to otherwise healthy communities and families. We were created more than just to produce. Our identities are more than our jobs, education, the vacations we go on, and the things we possess. I believe in rest, play, work life balance, and health in all areas of life. I take this approach personally and professionally, and I help my clients redesign lives that align with their deepest values and principles.

Contact Info:

• Website: DrHypolite.com
• Instagram: @SoftLife.MD
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imanhypolitemd

Image Credits
Iman Hypolite