Dr. Kim Foster on Redesigning Identity: Recognise, Redesign, Ritualise

Host Dr Russell Thackeray interviews Dr. Kim Foster, an MD and former family doctor now living on Vancouver Island and spending summers in London, about identity and change. Foster explains identity as the “I am” stories people tell themselves, often inherited from parents, teachers, or society, and argues even positive labels can be limiting. She shares her own shift from being “the artistic one” to embracing science and medicine, and describes her current work as an author, speaker, YouTube creator, coach, and educator. Foster outlines her three-step process—recognise, redesign, ritualise—emphasising building “identity evidence” through small daily actions rather than affirmations, illustrated by her learning golf in her 50s. They discuss gendered identity pressures around work and motherhood, the risks of over-identifying with diagnostic labels, and her new book, "Redesigning You: Change Your Inner Story, Transform Your Health," plus her website drkimfoster.com. 00:00 Welcome and London Intro 00:31 Canada UK Summer Life 02:07 From GP to New Career 05:10 What Identity Means 06:59 Identity Shifts in School 08:58 Reclaiming Your Identity 10:47 Building Identity Evidence 12:18 Golf and Bridge Identities 14:30 Gender and Role Identity 19:20 Three Rs Framework 21:51 New Book Redesigning You 24:39 Labels and Being Unwell 26:55 Client Success Story 29:04 Where to Find Kim 29:39 Closing Thanks You can contact us at [email protected] Resources can be found online or link to our website https://resilienceunravelled.com