Episode 52: Daring to Dream: Women Physician’s Retreat in Botswana with Dr. Weili Gray
Wed Jan 21 2026
In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes sits down with Dr. Weili Gray, a sleep physician, mom of three, and founder of Dare to Dream Compass, to explore identity, burnout, and what it means to design a life that feels expansive—inside and outside of medicine.
Dr. Gray shares her journey from idealistic medical student to attending physician who nearly walked away from medicine altogether. She opens up about becoming pregnant during intern year, losing touch with herself amid career and family demands, and the wake-up call that forced her to reevaluate her life.
Travel became the catalyst for transformation, helping her reconnect with her values, find her voice, and ultimately create Journey of Becoming, a transformational retreat for women physicians in Botswana.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
Burnout and loss of control in medicine
Why stepping away can bring clarity and courage
Letting go of guilt around time off
How travel accelerates personal growth
Follow Dr. Weili Gray here:
https://www.instagram.com/dreamphysician/?hl=en
https://www.daretodreamcompass.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/weili-gray-md/
Use code RXTRAVEL for a special offer on Journey of Becoming: A Southern African Retreat for Women Physicians.
https://www.daretodreamcompass.com/retreat-sa-2026
Find Dr. Courtney Downes here:
https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/
https://www.instagram.com/prescriptiontotravelmd/
https://www.youtube.com/@PrescriptiontoTravelMD
Prescription to Travel MD- Doctor’s Lounge
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3717624291786190
Get Free Credit Card Consultation Here:
https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/credit-card-consultation-form
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In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes sits down with Dr. Weili Gray, a sleep physician, mom of three, and founder of Dare to Dream Compass, to explore identity, burnout, and what it means to design a life that feels expansive—inside and outside of medicine. Dr. Gray shares her journey from idealistic medical student to attending physician who nearly walked away from medicine altogether. She opens up about becoming pregnant during intern year, losing touch with herself amid career and family demands, and the wake-up call that forced her to reevaluate her life. Travel became the catalyst for transformation, helping her reconnect with her values, find her voice, and ultimately create Journey of Becoming, a transformational retreat for women physicians in Botswana. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Burnout and loss of control in medicine Why stepping away can bring clarity and courage Letting go of guilt around time off How travel accelerates personal growth Follow Dr. Weili Gray here: https://www.instagram.com/dreamphysician/?hl=en https://www.daretodreamcompass.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/weili-gray-md/ Use code RXTRAVEL for a special offer on Journey of Becoming: A Southern African Retreat for Women Physicians. https://www.daretodreamcompass.com/retreat-sa-2026 Find Dr. Courtney Downes here: https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/ https://www.instagram.com/prescriptiontotravelmd/ https://www.youtube.com/@PrescriptiontoTravelMD Prescription to Travel MD- Doctor’s Lounge https://www.facebook.com/groups/3717624291786190 Get Free Credit Card Consultation Here: https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/credit-card-consultation-form