The Weight You are Meant to Carry - Part two of the series
Ever step out of a case feeling like you just survived a pressure cooker then forget to celebrate the fact that you crushed it?
In this episode, Lisa and Cindy break down the truth high performers often miss: pressure isn’t punishment. It’s proof you’re trusted. They unpack the mindset shift that turns anxiety into adrenaline, stress into strategy, and responsibility into fuel for career growth.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of expectations, this one reframes it as the privilege it truly is and shows you how to step into pressure instead of shrinking from it.
Episode Chapter Markers
00:00 Introduction
01:38 Recap of Last Week's Episode
02:00 Understanding Pressure as a High Performer
02:31 Embracing Pressure in Medical Device Sales
03:25 The Privilege of Pressure
04:09 Quotes and Philosophies on Pressure
05:33 Acceptance and Alignment with Pressure
08:12 Reframing Pressure as Growth
10:32 Three Key Takeaways on Pressure
12:30 Practical Tips for Managing Pressure
Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments
Pressure as Proof – Why the weight you feel isn’t a warning sign it’s evidence someone believes in you and your capabilities.
Trust Over Tension – Understanding that when a team calls you, not your competitor, that’s a clear sign of trust.
Proximity to Purpose – Pressure shows you’re not in the stands; you’re on the field, seated at the table, part of the decisions that matter.
Reframing the Feeling – How to distinguish between anxiety and adrenaline and let it work for you.
Simplify Under Stress – Why cutting decisions down to what matters “right now” keeps you calm and confident.
Breathwork for Breakthroughs – Using intentional breathing and awareness to stay collected in high-stakes moments.
Walking Into the Heat – Why high performers don’t run from pressure they step into it, even when it scares them.
Celebrate the Weight – Recognizing pressure as a sign you’ve earned your place in the room, with people who trust you deeply.
Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode
““Pressure follows the capable, not the comfortable.” - Cynthia Ficara
“ If you don't feel that weight that you're carrying, maybe you're not the one that's meant to be holding it..” - Cynthia Ficara
“Pressure isn’t pain, it's privilege.” - Cynthia Ficara
“You don’t get pressure from small dreams; only big ones bring that level of heat.” - Cynthia Ficara
“High performers step into pressure, and some even smile while doing it.” - Cynthia Ficara
“Pressure is gonna follow those who are capable.” - Cynthia Ficara
“Pressure isn’t the enemy, it's the evidence that someone believes in you.” - Anneliese Rhodes
“The greater the burden you carry, the stronger you become.” - Anneliese Rhodes
“If you push away pressure, you’re also pushing away growth.” - Anneliese Rhodes
“You’re not a spectator in this industry, you're playing on the field.” - Anneliese Rhodes
“Accept the responsibility like a gift, not something to run from.” - Anneliese Rhodes
“Engulf yourself with that pressure, but allow it to drive you forward” - Anneliese Rhodes
Mentioned in the episode:
The Five Seconds That Define You (Part 1 of the series)
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Blog Transcript:
Note: We use AI transcription so there may be some inaccuracies
Anneliese Rhodes: Welcome everyone to another episode of Secrets and Medical Device Sales, brought to you by the Girls of Grit. And today we are, finishing out our two part series. This is the second part in our two part series. and I really like this topic. I think this is, I don't know, this is really awesome because it reminds you of something so precious that we all, I think, kind of take for granted and sometimes even complain about sometimes.
The Privilege of Pressure
Cynthia Ficara: It's, that's well said. So if you forget last week or you haven't listened to last week, please go back and listen to the episode. And we really talked about split second decisions. You have five seconds to decide. Your reputation, your career, like everything comes on the line right then, so that's when you feel pressure.
But what we wanted to do today is talk about how, as a high performer, how you look at pressure maybe differently. Because to be honest with you, you really only feel pressure when there's a purpose. If everything was easy, would we wanna do it? So if you feel that weight. It's not a bad thing, it's a good thing.
It means you're leading because pressure's not just gonna go follow a crowd of people that don't wanna be bothered with things. Pressure is gonna follow those who are capable.
Anneliese Rhodes: that's such a good point, Cindy. And when I, said that we take it for granted sometimes and we complain about it, I mean, how many times have you gotten out of a case, you know, that like, it was super tense and you were like, oh.
And it was so much pressure at the time. It was like a little pressure cooker and then you get out and you're like, oh, I feel so much better now. You know? That was so tense. That was just so, was that, and you weren't actually celebrating that. You did it well, you weren't celebrating the fact that you were able to.
Think quickly and tell them a quick decision and do that five second decision making. You were more saying, Ugh, it's so tough. I hate all the pressure. I wish my job wasn't so tough. and all the things when what you just said was so good. Because where there is pressure, there is purpose.
I mean, that's medical devices. Like I said to you right before you and I started recording. You guys, physicians live in this pressure world every day. Like this is what they live for, right? Like they live in the pressure cooker. they're eating in it. They're swimming in it. They're sleeping in it, they live it.
And it is our jobs as medical device reps to live in it too and to accept it with open arms. And a lot of times I think we forget that it's a privilege.
Cynthia Ficara: And for years I thought pressure. Was something you really needed to manage or you need to run from. But the truth is, pressure is actually the proof.
That you're being trusted and just what you said, everything that you just mentioned about how you feel after case, oh my gosh. you almost feel like you're being punished, right? It was like, oh my gosh, I did this. It was so hard. But I want you all to think differently because pressure in high performing jobs is not a punishment.
It's actually a privilege.
Anneliese Rhodes: It is. All right. I have a good saying. So we were talking about this you guys before we recorded, and I was like, Cindy, I know there's these like great quotes out there and we ran through a few, but I really liked this one and I'm totally like, I'm not gonna be able to pronounce this poor guy's name correctly, but I'm gonna try.
But this is the quote, the quote says, the greater the burden a man or a woman takes upon his or her shoulders, the stronger he must be to carry it. So basically, the bigger the burden, the stronger you are expected to be. And the person that wrote this, you could do it to try to say it is Bjorn. Bjornsen.
Okay. Say that three times. Forward to back group fast. Listen, he's a Norwegian writer. You can look it up. It's like BJO with a slash through it. You know, O-R-N-S-T-J-E-R-N-E. I'm really sorry to him. I will just, I will profusely apologize, but it was such great, great, great profound statement. Right. Yeah.
and it's like, and that right there reminds you, you know, the greater the power, the greater the responsibility. If you have this pressure on you, you have great power. So accept it with open arms. Oh, you did? I did it again.
Pressure Isn’t the Enemy It’s Proof You’re Ready
Cynthia Ficara: Yes. Lisa is revealing our secret for Juda. So can you guess what it is exactly?
It is acceptance. You just accept this pressure when you stop trying to push it away and you stop trying to fight it and stop trying to look at it like it's working against you. I mean, wow, that's a good, what if you align with it and what a difference that can make. I mean, I think that's really exciting.
So this. Secret is accepting that sometimes it's a unbelievable privilege to stop for a second and look where you are. We get so wrapped up in everything that we're doing and what you have to do for the day. And if you're like me making a list, gotta go here, gotta go. That, you don't ever step back and say, wow, I am so lucky that I work in a job that allows me to have so many balls moving, so many things I'm working on and I want.
Of you guys to really embrace it, because if you don't fight it, it might work for you.
Anneliese Rhodes: Such a good point. And we're not saying this is an easy thing to do, but what we are trying to do is maybe, change your mind frame a little bit. Have you look at it in a different, light it's more positive and you can be more accepting of it.
think if you try and avoid that pressure, you to some degree are also avoiding growth, right? You're avoiding growth within yourself. You're avoiding growth within your territory, but also like in general, if you are pushing away any type of greater responsibility, you are in essence saying, well.
I can't do that. I can't accept that. And you're not gonna grow from that. I mean, anybody that wants to grow be a high performer. There is a certain amount of this pressure that you have to take on and you gotta welcome it with open arms. And again, it's not easy all the time, but it is proof that you are ready to take that responsibility.
Cynthia Ficara: And I think that you said it great and I think what you can do is, kind of think of it this way, what Lisa just said. That's really like. Why we misread, maybe that's the word I'm looking for, or misinterpret pressure. Like you said, most people wanna avoid it, but that's also avoiding growth. I think another.
Point behind like why we would misread this or why we think that way is when we get that like tight chest feeling like maybe we talked about in the last episode. It's not anxiety. It means you're ready. if you're prepared, if you followed the secret last week and you had a moment and you get a little bit of that pressure that don't think of that as anxiety, that like, oh no, it's not gonna go right.
No. It's just your body telling. You got this, you are ready. Yeah, it can be. I mean, it's, I think it can be read wrong.
Anneliese Rhodes: You can read it like it's instead maybe some adrenaline, right? Yeah. Like that's coming through instead, you know, instead of it being like, oh God, I can't, I can't do this. It's adrenaline coming through instead and driving you to that next level.
I'm so glad we're talking about this today because I think it's really important. one of the things that we need to remind ourselves is pressure is not the enemy. It is the evidence that someone else believes in you, that anybody else believes in you or you believe in yourself because maybe you're putting the pressure on yourself, but it's not the enemy.
It's something that I think we need to take embrace and let it drive us forward instead of being like, ah, I don't want it, or complaining about it, or running from it. Instead, we need to accept it and know that it can actually drive us forward.
Pressure Means Trust, Proximity, and Purpose
Cynthia Ficara: So let's just take this a step further. We've said a couple times pressures privilege, so let's kind of reframe that and take the thoughts out of your mind that what if I mess up?
This is confusing. I'm not confident. Let. All that. Leave your mind and let's just take a minute and go through a few things. I think like just three things that we could break down. Very simple. You know, I like threes. I love what you said about pressure's the enemy or isn't the enemy. Say that again. That was really good.
Say that one more time. It's not the
Anneliese Rhodes: enemy, it is the evidence that someone believes in you or you believe in yourself. Right.
Cynthia Ficara: Awesome. Okay, so that leads to three things to follow up with that quote. I would say number one, pressure means trust. Okay. I know this sounds so crazy 'cause we're flipping how you think about things, if you're in the OR because a surgeon or a team, they've called you about a case, or they've called you to use you and your product, that means they trust you.
They are not going to, Give that opportunity to somebody that they don't believe is capable of supporting them.
Anneliese Rhodes: That's such a great point. So that is such a great point that they're calling you and not your competitor. Like they're giving you the ball. They're not giving it to your, partner down the road or your competitor down the road.
They're giving you the ball and saying, Hey Cindy, I need you to take this, run with it and go score. Like, it's a big deal. You know? It's, they're trusting you. that's such a big deal, right? Because you never want your competitor to take something that you absolutely can do.
Cynthia Ficara: Exactly. So, yeah, so number one, I would say pressure means trust. And number two, it's kind of a weird way to say it, but I guess the best way I can frame this is pressure also can mean like proximity. So you are in the. Wavelength, the surroundings of pressure. Where decisions matter. So you get to be on the playing field, not on the sidelines.
So if you think about it that way, like you're not up in the stands, you're on the field where the pressure is where the game matters, right? So pressure means proximity. You get to be with them. Lisa said it, surgeons every single day work at that level. They have so much pressure. You have the privilege of sharing some of that pressure with them that day.
You know? How about this?
Anneliese Rhodes: Go, go, go, go. You have a seat at the table. Oh yes. Right. Proximity. You get to sit with how many times with them? Yes. Do we talk about taking your seat at the table? Pull up that chair and sit down at the table and have the conversation with the other board members. We don't sit in the back of the room.
We're sitting right there with our doctors planning cases, taking control, being on the team, helping make decisions. That is pressure, yes, but we are gladly going to pull that chair away from the table, sit down and push it back in, and pull up the seat. I love it. Yes, totally. Just came off the top of my head.
Oh my God, that was so good.
Cynthia Ficara: So I make the third thing, 'cause I said three things. So pressure means trust. Pressure means I use the word proximity. I love the way you define that. And third. I love thinking this way. Pressure means purpose because the bigger the goal, the heavier that is, that's what's gonna keep you grounded.
Just like Lisa's quote, because if you don't feel that weight that you're carrying, maybe you're not the one that's meant to be holding it. That's good weight. Like we said, we did that in our title. Mm-hmm. That's why we said this. Really, really thinking about pressure in a different way. It's the weight that you want to carry.
You have earned that. You've accepted that, Hey, I'm ready to play at this level, and
Anneliese Rhodes: you want that
Mindset Shifts That Turn Pressure Into Power
. I love that. I love that. All right, well, let's just think of some quick ways to kind of like refocus your brain a little bit, right towards pressure. Instead of pushing it away, let's pull it towards us instead.
Don't let it crush you. You know, don't let it defeat you so that you're gonna complain about it. Let's accept it and move forward and use it to then propel you forward. So I think one of the first things is obviously you need to think about. You know, it's confidence in that moment. It's confidence in knowing everything.
The reason why you're feeling pressure is because they're depending on you to know the data, your products, the cases, knowing exactly what's gonna happen, and the, the bigger the surgery, the higher the weight is. Mm-hmm. Gonna come along with those products. And you need to know all the reasons why behind it.
You need to prepare. For it. You can't just sit back. We talked about this in our episode last week, where you need to prepare every day for that five second decision. You need to prepare to carry that weight, the pressure of that, because over time, after you do it, you know people complain about it, but like it becomes part of your every day, right?
Mm-hmm. You're like, yeah, okay, so what? I have these big decisions, but this is part of what I do and I love it.
Cynthia Ficara: Yeah, and the little mindset shifts can help you a little bit and it's not, pressure isn't pain and annoying to you. It's really a privilege. So, yeah. Have you ever heard people say, um, you know, I don't wanna start this day by saying I have to do it.
There's some people that say, I get to do,
Anneliese Rhodes: it's written. It's written on my gym wall that I never go to. Are you serious? Yes, it does say, you know, have to with the, uh, half crossed out and it says I get to work out today.
Cynthia Ficara: I love that. And if you're a rep that can, like, in your mind, reframe that, then um, it, it's a good way to, to stay focused instead of being afraid and having fear kick in where you get paralyzed and can't speak about it.
So reframe your mindset about.
Anneliese Rhodes: Yep. I love that. Also, you know, and on with that, right? If you are starting to freak out, uh, the next best, best thing is to control it by like slowing your breathing. Be a little bit more, um, you know, thoughtful in the way you're gonna present something. Like if you are feeling the pressure of a big decision or delivering a big message, or you're presenting before the board, like take some time, exhale, like, really?
Engulf yourself with that pressure, but allow it to drive you forward versus make you nervous, anxious, and kind of like, ah, I can't, you know, I can't deliver the message, or I can't, I can't do this job anymore because it's just so much pressure, you know, maybe take a step back and be like, okay, let me understand this.
Let me, let me see if I can communicate this a little bit better in a more easily relaxed way.
Cynthia Ficara: And then after you exhale, remember to take an inhale and continue to breathe and don't lose your breath like we talked about
Anneliese Rhodes: that. I know in the last episode she said she, her breath. I'm like, oh my
Cynthia Ficara: gosh, I hold my breath.
The Gift of Pressure Accept It, Don’t Run From It
Um, I think the next thing is what Lisa said. So. Well in our episode, and that's why I wanted to, to bring this forward today, last week she said was simplifying. And what I mean by that is when you're under stress, just simplify your choices. Um, I, I struggle with this sometimes and I'm very guilty of making things too detailed and I don't need to.
But in moments and in high pressure moments and at times, you really have to just make simple choices. What matters. Right now, not what matters later. And to make your decision very clear. Um, and when you state it that way, make it very clear and decisive. And when you speak that way, I think it also helps your body simplify and calm down to make the next decision or to get to the next step, you know?
Yeah,
Anneliese Rhodes: I agree. No, I agree with it. It's, it's what is that the physiological thing, right? Go back and forth. True. My act like you
Cynthia Ficara: belong there and you will, I forget who quoted that.
Anneliese Rhodes: Yes.
Cynthia Ficara: That's
Anneliese Rhodes: not act like you belong there.
Cynthia Ficara: I forget who said that. I should look that up. That's a great quote. Not my words, but well said.
Yeah, seriously.
Anneliese Rhodes: And then the last thing is, and we talked about this a little bit, but like don't shrink away from the pressure. Walk into it, accept it. Open arms, you. Are being given this great gift of responsibility. Accept the gift. Don't shrink from the gift. Let the gift drive you. Can it make you nervous?
Can it make you anxious? Can it make you scared? Absolutely. That's why you slow it down, but don't shrink away from it. Move into it. It's the only way that you're gonna find courage to not only get through it, but then go to the next level. Right? Exactly. And that all builds confidence. And we constantly are talking about confidence.
Cynthia Ficara: I think you're right and you know, um. I just like the way you said that because the reps that in this industry in, or higher stakes, high performers really are the ones that do not hide or run from pressure, even if they never thought about it. Yeah. But if they look back and, and they can realize, oh wait, maybe I didn't run from that.
High performers are ones who step into it and guess what? Even some of them smile. Yeah, when they have to. So I'm
Anneliese Rhodes: so glad that we did this today, Cindy. I love this two part series. And again, if you guys didn't listen to part one, I think it's so important because it goes right along with talking about, um, number two, which pressure is a privilege, especially medical devices.
And you know, I just hope that maybe by us talking about it today and just like acknowledging the fact that we all do this right, we all can get overwhelmed with it. We all can complain about it. We all can say, oh, you know, why me? Why, why do I always have to have such a high pressure job? Well, I mean, the truth is if you don't enjoy it day in and day out, maybe it isn't something that you should be doing.
But if you find yourself, you know, really like wanting to be that person, that trusted confidant, the person that the surgeon's always gonna call on, always gonna turn to, to say, Hey. I need your help in this situation. That is the pressure that you've earned. You need to take the moment and celebrate it and know that it's a privilege to be working side by side with some of the most amazing people in this world.
I mean, healthcare, medicine, it's, it's amazing and it is constantly evolving and I think we take for granted sometimes what we get to do every day, and especially when we've got this really high pressure job. I think it's really easy a lot of times to just complain about it. Versus look at it the other way and say what a privilege it is.
Cynthia Ficara: And pressure is proof that you, you are being trusted with something very important. You know, it's, it is the privilege of being in, you said seat at the table. I'm thinking bigger arena. You know, you're not watching from the seats. Yeah. Um, you don't get pressure from small, small dreams. You just get 'em from big ones.
Anneliese Rhodes: I love it. Yeah. You're playing in the football game. You're not sitting in the stadium watching the game. You're not a spectator. You're a player. I love it. All right. What's our call to action? Cindy?
Cynthia Ficara: You know what I, I was really, I really had fun in these two episodes. I think it's something different. I would love the call to action for any one of you to DM us and give us one of your best pressure to privilege moments, because I wonder if.
You knew this, but just never came to attention. So we want to hear, when did pressure make you proud? Go ahead, send us a message. We'd love to hear it. Thanks, everybody.
Anneliese Rhodes: Declutter. This is our snippet. Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry. No, you can do it.
Cynthia Ficara: Do you wanna go first, Lisa? We can swap it. No, you go. You go. Okay. De Cutter, here's our snippet.
You ever notice how the higher you climb, the heavier it feels? More responsibility, more eyes, more moments. You can't afford to get wrong,
Anneliese Rhodes: and at first you think, I just need to handle it better. But the truth is, pressure isn't something you need to handle.
Cynthia Ficara: It's something to honor because pressure is the proof that you're trusted with something that matters.
Anneliese Rhodes: So today we're revealing the secret behind pressure and why it's the greatest compliment you will ever get.
