Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr Michal Waldman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dr Michal , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

I am blessed to have so many impactful heartwarming stories in my career. One story in particular, occurred at my office North Tampa Foot Care, and involved a gentleman who was diagnosed with a terminal medical condition. Understanding that his time here is limited, he and his wife sold their home and decided to travel the world. The problem is that he had also been suffering from a chronic pain condition affecting his legs and feet for over 13 years and it started to greatly impact his ability to travel and enjoy his time with his wife during his last few years. He had seen numerous other doctors and tried almost everything. He had all but given up hope that he would be able to enjoy whatever time he had left. His wife convinced him to visit me at my office. He travelled from outside the country to come see me and when he came to my office his said his goal was simply to be able to take 3-4 non painful steps on the beach and feel the sand under his toes, an experience that most of us here in Florida take for granted. He was an exceptionally challenging case with multiple medical and social contributing factors. But after about 6 weeks of seeing me and undergoing my treatment regimen, he was significantly better. He cried when he last visited me in my office, telling me that for the first time in years, he was able to feel the sand under his toes and walk 3 miles on the beach holding his wife’s hand. He completed his treatment with me just less than 1 year ago. We still keep in touch and he recently told me that he is preparing to hike the Inca Trail in Peru.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I earned my undergraduate degree in medical anthropology and public health from Brandeis University. On the advise of one of my professors, I decided to pursue medicine as my career because it would enable me to combine my interests in a hands-on way. I chose to pursue foot and ankle medicine and surgery because I had a particular interest in the Diabetes epidemic. Diabetes has a huge impact on the foot and ankle and I learned that there was a massive need for specialists in this field. My background in medical anthropology and public health allowed me to relate to people of all ages, ethnicities, and cultures and empathize with their experiences while my medical education allowed me to provide them with much needed top-quality care.
Interestingly, during my experience working with diabetic individuals, I realized that many of them suffer from a chronic and debilitating pain condition known as peripheral neuropathy, an incredibly dangerous and progressive condition that is often ignored. I then learned that peripheral neuropathy can and does affect non-diabetic individuals as well. I could not understand why this severe, progressive, chronic, and debilitating pain condition was largely being ignored by physicians, researchers, and medical institutions. When I would inquire about it I would always get the same answer, “There is just nothing that can be done.” This response was and remains unacceptable. I started to take research that had been done and combine it with my own experience and education. Thinking outside the box for a solution became an obsession for me. Then after a while people who had been suffering from peripheral neuropathy, believing that there was no hope, started seeking help from me. Other physicians started referring their peripheral neuropathy patients to me. I work with my patients to determine what kind of treatment regimen might be successful for them. We are a team. And you know what, so far, every patient who has completed treatment with me for peripheral neuropathy has achieved success. People come into my office in tears from their pain and leave crying tears of joy and hope. It is an immensely powerful feeling knowing that I have changed somebody’s life for the better, and at the same time frustrating that more physicians and research institutions have little to no interest. Over time, my pain management expertise has expanded to treating other chronic pain conditions including, but not limited to, arthritis, tendinitis, neuritis, and pain from previous injuries. Treating these are just as satisfying! I am so humbled that people are referred to me from all over the world for treatment of their chronic pain in their lower extremities. It is an honor to be included in their medial care.
Piggy-backing off of that, I also own a non-invasive medical spa. In addition to an awesome weight-loss program, which significantly improves people’s overall health and reduces chronic pain of the hips, knees, ankles, and feet, we offer unique facials, permanent makeup, microneedling, and other non-invasive services that are safe and effective in boosting people’s confidence, skin, and appearance. We also offer medical manicures and pedicures. Our services are safe for all individuals. Many people who suffer from immunosuppressive medical conditions, or are going through medical treatment that suppresses their immune system, like chemotherapy for example, are given strict instructions to refrain from getting spa services like certain facials, manicures, and pedicures. But at my medical spa, Tampa Total Body Care, everything is done by a fully licensed, highly skilled, experienced medical esthetician under the direct supervision of a physician. Each of the products are used on just one client, so you as the client will never be sharing an instrument, lotion, nail polish, etc. with any other person. Everything we use is organic and we follow strict protocols and guidelines to ensure top quality care while still very much enjoying the relaxing environment. At the end of the day, I just want each person to walk out of my business and feel like the best version of themself from head to toe…literally!
Outside of the office, I am passionate about activitism, particularly advocating for women’s rights and advocating against anti-semitism and racism. I could talk about those two issues all day!

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

There is not just one single thing that is most helpful for success in business or a career. Of course training and knowledge are important, but even those I might argue are not the most important. For one thing, believe in yourself. I know it sounds cliche, but if you don’t truly and deeply believe in yourself, your skill set, your product, then you cannot reasonably expect your clients to believe in you.
Resilience and flexibility. These are big ones. I have met a lot of business owners who run into an obstacle and crumble. Obstacles are going to happen in your career. Every day I feel like I have at least 2-3 fires that I have to put out. Recognize that there is a fire, but instead of running for the exit, figure out how to put the fire out and then repair the burn and smoke damage. Once you identify how the fire started, make sure you do what you have to do to prevent it from happening again. This may mean that you have to pivot and be flexible. Your original plan on how you achieve your goal may not happen the way you thought it would, but the unexpected detours in the plan’s pathway often provide the best lessons. I often remind myself that the best way to learn a new city is to get lost walking around in it.
Be realistic and have an exceptional work ethic. Honestly, it is very unlikely that somebody is sitting on their couch at home wondering if you have a business. YOU are going to need to do the work to market and put yourself out there. Get your name out there. Is it always fun, no. Would you rather spend your free time hanging out with friends and family? Probably. But if you want to start a business and have it be successful, you have to put the work in.
Have patience. I think this is the hardest one because we all want immediate gratification. But Rome wasn’t built in a day and your business success likely won’t be either. Stick with it, it will happen!
Authentic and top quality services/products. If you are not authentic, your clients will eventually realize it and leave you. Provide top quality services and products and your business will start to sell itself.
Finally, an awesome support system. Whether its friends, family, a business networking group or anything else, pursuing a long-standing career and opening up and maintaining or growing a successful business is stressful. As mentioned before, there will be obstacles and fires. And as much as you may believe in yourself there will likely be times when you question yourself too and question your next steps. Having other people you can vent to, seek advice from, or drink with is no less important that any of these other helpful tips.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I provide top quality skills and services to my patients in my medical office, North Tampa Foot Care, and to our clients in my medical spa, Tampa Total Body Care. But the truth is, that is not enough. I pride myself on being fully authentic, transparent, and having open communication and dialogue with my patients and clients. There is no such thing as a stupid question. There is no such thing as “bothering” me. There is no reason why any client or patient of mine should ever feel like they can’t express their deepest concerns. And I am going to give you the same respect back. I am not here to waste anybody’s time. It is not about money. It is not about pride. I would rather have you get the correct treatment somewhere else than fail at providing you with what you truly need. My clients and patients know this and appreciate it. Being truly authentic and having open communication is priceless.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.tampatotalbodycare.com, http://www.northtampafootcare.com
• Instagram: @michalwaldmandpm, @tampatotalbodycare
• Other: tik tok: @michalwaldmandpm