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What do you do when you’re a successful physician, but something just feels off?
For Dr. Ryan Smolarz, the answer came while paddling in the ocean with friends. He realized that although he had a thriving career as an ENT surgeon, he had zero control over his finances—and worse, he didn’t even know where his money was.
That moment sparked a transformation.
In our latest episode of the Next Level Income Show, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Smolarz about his journey from a financially anxious physician to an empowered investor and entrepreneur managing over $30M in assets.
Mindset First, Mechanics Second
One of the most powerful takeaways from our conversation is Dr. Smolarz’s belief that financial freedom starts with mindset. His “Liftoff Now” framework focuses on shifting from a consumer mindset to an investor mindset.
“I want to solve real problems, not just consume solutions,” he said. “When I made that shift, everything started to align—purpose, passion, and freedom.”
This framework is especially helpful for professionals like doctors, who are trained to minimize risk and focus on deep, analytical work. While those traits can be assets, they can also hold you back when it comes to thinking big-picture about money and freedom.
Business, Purpose, and Family
Dr. Smolarz hasn’t just stopped at investing—he’s launched multiple ventures including an assisted living facility, a smell-retraining company, and even a reflux medication backed by several patents. And he’s done all this while continuing to practice medicine and raise a family.
His upcoming book, Heal Thy Wallet, and his podcast, The Medicine and Money Show, both aim to help other physicians follow in his footsteps—by building wealth with intention and protecting what matters most.
Why You Should Listen
Whether you’re a medical professional, an entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to break free from the 9–5 grind, Dr. Smolarz’s story is packed with inspiration and practical wisdom.
Listen To The Podcast Here:
To learn more about Dr. Ryan Smolarz’s work, explore his resources, or join his growing community of like-minded professionals, visit www.themedicineandmoneyshow.com or medmoneyshow.com. You’ll find episodes of The Medicine and Money Show, insights from his Liftoff Now framework, and updates on his upcoming book Heal Thy Wallet.
I hope you found this episode valuable. Check out https://chris-larsen.mykajabi.com/coachingprogram to learn more about our coaching program and read some testimonials from our previous students. You can also book a call with us to learn more and find out if this program is good fit for you.
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Christopher Larsen is the founder and Managing Partner of Next-Level Income. Since “retiring” after 18 years in the medical device industry he dedicates his time to helping others become financially independent through education and investment opportunities. Chris has been investing in and managing real estate for over 20 years.
While completing his degree in Biomechanical Engineering and M.B.A. in Finance at Virginia Tech, he bought his first single-family rental at age 21. Chris expanded into development, private-lending, buying distressed debt as well as commercial office, and ultimately syndicating multifamily properties. He began syndicating deals in 2016 and has been actively involved in over $500M of real estate acquisitions.
In addition to real estate, Chris has invested in equities, oil & gas, and small business lending, as well as being active in Venture South, one of the nation’s Top 10 Angel Investing groups. Chris lives with his wife and two boys (and Viszla, Lucy!) in Asheville, NC where he loves spending time with them in the outdoors and enjoying the food and culture that the region has to offer.
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