15. Living in a Zoo, Healing in Africa: Interview with Dr. Cheryl Stout

In this inspiring episode of The Evolved Vets Podcast, we’re coming to you live from Africa with our new friend (and roomie!) Cheryl, a zoo veterinarian whose career journey has been as wild as the animals she’s cared for.

Cheryl shares what it was like to live and work inside the Bronx Zoo for three years, hand-raising everything from blackbuck antelope to a beloved bison, and even performing a legendary bathtub plug extraction from an alligator named Maggie (now a permanent tattoo on Cheryl’s arm!). But this episode goes deeper than wildlife stories. We talk about burnout, perfectionism, living with purpose, and how to know when it's time to say no to something, even your dream job.

We explore how Cheryl’s unshakable commitment to conservation led her through long hours, underpaid internships, and burnout. And we celebrate how her brave decision to prioritize alignment over prestige is opening new doors, including a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that manifested right here in Africa.

Whether you’ve ever dreamed of zoo medicine or you're simply seeking more clarity in your own life and career, Cheryl’s story is a powerful reminder that you get to define success for yourself, and that rest, healing, and self-awareness are not luxuries but necessities.

Connect with Cheryl:

📸 Instagram: @Cherstout

📱 TikTok: @safari_and_scrubs

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

📗The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

Become an Evolved Vet:

https://www.evolvedvets.com/membership

🔹 Join The Evolved Vets Community:

📸 Instagram: @EvolvedVets

📺 YouTube: Evolved Vets

Let’s evolve together! 💙