Tiffany Moon, M.D. is a mother, wife, entrepreneur, anesthesiologist, TV personality and author of the new book "Joy Prescriptions". She graduated from medical school at the top of her class at the age of 23 and currently is an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology. She has garnered numerous accolades, including the Dennis Landers, MD, PhD Faculty of the Year Teaching Award, has been recognized as a Distinguished Educator by the Society for Education in Anesthesia and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. She is also the CEO of Aromasthesia Candles, Three Moons Wine, and LeadHer Summit.
Jane McGarry is a National Gracie Award winning journalist, speaker, emcee, and event moderator. Jane is President of JaneMcGarryMedia.com, where she specializes in teaching executives how to effectively communicate on camera. She sits down with Dr. Moon to talk to her about her new book, Joy Prescriptions.
Your new book, "Joy Prescriptions" is about choosing joy over perfectionism. Was there a point in your life when you had to do that?
In my mid-thirties, after graduating from medical school I felt I had checked all the boxes: the right schools, the right residency, but I felt a deep sense of loneliness and emptiness. The problem with trying to seem perfect is you don't let your guard down to let friends in.
What will a reader who wants to find more joy take away from your new book "Joy Prescriptions"?
It's a memoir with a self-help angle. I wanted to offer the reader lessons I had learned in my own life, so it's personal, and each chapter ends with a prescription for joy that I've found helpful in my own life.
You have a name that's well known in Dallas but I don't think a lot of people know you are part of the Sam Moon family! What's a "must buy" at Sam Moon?
I get my vacation earrings, shaped like a flamingo, that I would never wear in the operating room, and it's great for the clear handbags I need for my kids' cheer competitions. I even have a clear "birkin" that cost $26.00.
Was there anything you ever refused to do as a cast member of Real Housewives of Dallas?
I don't think I knew I could refuse, until I caught another cast member refusing! As the "newbie", and a people pleaser and recovering perfectionist, I literally did everything the producers told me to. The whole chicken foot incident blew up because I was doing what a producer told me to, which was to continue to encourage a cast member to eat a chicken foot even when she didn't want to.
If we could peek inside your life, what's something you do that we might not expect?
I have a late night snack habit. I eat "Shrimp Chips" in bed. They're very smelly and my husband hates them. But my dog, Mindy, loves them and she's my little vacuum cleaner.
"I wanted to offer the reader lessons I had learned in my own life..." Dr. Tiffany Moon