Etched on the wall of our medical school gym was a quote by Marcel Proust:

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”

At first glance, it seemed like an unusual choice for a gym—more philosophy than motivation. But over time, as we pushed ourselves on the treadmill, lifted weights, or found solace in a quiet stretch after a grueling day, the meaning of those words became clear.

Medical school is a system—a relentless, structured path filled with long hours, constant exams, and expectations that can leave students feeling like mere cogs in a machine. It’s easy to fall into the trap of seeing each day as another hurdle, each lecture as another obligation, each clinical rotation as another test of endurance. But stepping into that gym, we were reminded that perspective is everything.

For my husband and me, exercise wasn’t just about fitness; it was about maintaining a sense of self. It was a rebellion against burnout, a way to ensure that we didn’t lose sight of who we were beyond the white coats and textbooks. It still is. The gym wasn’t a place we visited simply to stay in shape—it was a space where we reclaimed control over our own well-being.

Proust’s words challenged us to reframe how we saw our journey. The rigors of medical school weren’t something to escape from, nor were they an endless grind to endure. They were an opportunity: To grow, to transform, to find purpose not by changing our environment but by shifting our perspective. Those rigors didn’t stop as residents and beyond as attendings.

Though the Medical University of Ohio (MCO) became the Medical University of Ohio as we graduated and then the University of Toledo College of Medicine (UTCOM), to us, it will always be “MCO.” The name may have changed, but the memories remain—of long nights studying, of friendships forged in shared struggle, and of that gym, where we learned to see the demands of medical training not as a burden but as a privilege.

In that gym, we learned that discovery wasn’t about waiting for some future where things would be easier or more fulfilling. It was about recognizing that, even in the midst of chaos, we had the power to see things differently—to approach challenges with resilience, to embrace growth instead of struggle, to choose presence over mere survival. As our careers shift and we head toward PGY-20, we go to our own gym, yet Proust’s words remain with us. Medicine is still demanding, the system is still rigid, but we have new eyes. And with them, the real voyage of discovery continues.

Maureen Gibbons has transitioned from a fulfilling career in emergency medicine to one where her skills, training, and passion for teaching yield unparalleled returns—physically, emotionally, and financially.

With over 25 years of mentoring experience across her roles as an athletic trainer, triathlon coach, sports nutritionist, and physician, Maureen founded Active Medical Solutions, a lifestyle medical practice. She also developed a simple yet powerful EMR designed for asynchronous care.

Dr. Moe’s own journey—marked by both successes and setbacks—has created a space for her to guide physicians and other high-level professionals toward improved health and transformative career paths.

She can be reached on TikTok, X @DrMoeGibbons, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and her website, Dr. Moe Coaching.