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Transcend Fear: A Blueprint for Mindful Leadership in Public Health
A fascinating look into the life of a state surgeon general and how his public health decisions provide a blueprint for fearless leadership and better national health policy.
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo shares the inspiring story of how he came to be who he is. After experiencing abuse as a child, Dr. Ladapo was incapable of connecting emotionally with other people. He was dissociated from virtually everything in his life and numbly powered through college, medical school, and residency to become a doctor and university professor. It wasn’t until he fell in love with his wife that he was forced to come face-to-face with the enormous emotional and spiritual disruption caused by his deeply buried trauma. Just before the pandemic, Dr. Ladapo worked with a former Navy Seal who used a mix of ancient disciplines and modern techniques to help free him from this trauma—and subsequently, his fear.
When the pandemic hit Los Angeles, Dr. Ladapo found himself well-equipped to observe the panic and fear that overtook the hospital where he was working—and the country—without becoming part of it. From this state of emotional clarity, he recognized that it was too late to take any public health measures that would significantly change the deadliness of the pandemic, and that it was more important to face the challenge squarely and focus on building capacity to treat patients without destroying society in the process. His message that panic, fear, and politics were fueling harmful decisions—like disavowing the possibility that hydroxychloroquine could effectively treat COVID-19—made him the target of fierce criticism.
In Transcend Fear: A Blueprint for Mindful Leadership in Public Health , Dr. Ladapo describes his views on public health restrictions, early home treatment, and COVID-19 vaccines, along with how Florida officials made public health decisions that set it apart from other states—and nations. Based on this experience, Dr. Ladapo explains how states can make better public health decisions in the future, recommending that health officials obtain training in decision analysis and expand their consciousness of how fear can shape perspectives and create dangerous outcomes—particularly during a crisis.
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo shares the inspiring story of how he came to be who he is. After experiencing abuse as a child, Dr. Ladapo was incapable of connecting emotionally with other people. He was dissociated from virtually everything in his life and numbly powered through college, medical school, and residency to become a doctor and university professor. It wasn’t until he fell in love with his wife that he was forced to come face-to-face with the enormous emotional and spiritual disruption caused by his deeply buried trauma. Just before the pandemic, Dr. Ladapo worked with a former Navy Seal who used a mix of ancient disciplines and modern techniques to help free him from this trauma—and subsequently, his fear.
When the pandemic hit Los Angeles, Dr. Ladapo found himself well-equipped to observe the panic and fear that overtook the hospital where he was working—and the country—without becoming part of it. From this state of emotional clarity, he recognized that it was too late to take any public health measures that would significantly change the deadliness of the pandemic, and that it was more important to face the challenge squarely and focus on building capacity to treat patients without destroying society in the process. His message that panic, fear, and politics were fueling harmful decisions—like disavowing the possibility that hydroxychloroquine could effectively treat COVID-19—made him the target of fierce criticism.
In Transcend Fear: A Blueprint for Mindful Leadership in Public Health , Dr. Ladapo describes his views on public health restrictions, early home treatment, and COVID-19 vaccines, along with how Florida officials made public health decisions that set it apart from other states—and nations. Based on this experience, Dr. Ladapo explains how states can make better public health decisions in the future, recommending that health officials obtain training in decision analysis and expand their consciousness of how fear can shape perspectives and create dangerous outcomes—particularly during a crisis.
- GenresNonfictionScienceHealth
168 pages, Hardcover
Published August 23, 2022
27 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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November 10, 2022Everyone should read this book. He knew and wrote about what wool was being pulled over our eyes.
January 11, 2023
A must read for all of humanity that wishes to survive onwards ! Truly enlightened leadership and critical thinking demonstrated by Dr Ladapo (and his new FL boss)
September 16, 2023
Transcend Fear is a blueprint for excellent leadership that is firmly grounded in scientific precision and wisdom rather than political correctness.
In Transcend Fear, Dr. Ladapo fearlessly employs critical thinking to deliver unvarnished truths in public health, to awaken not only the public but also the medical community. The good doctor communicates common-sense arguments supported by a wealth of robust data and informed by extensive clinical expertise.
In these times, we must cultivate and support more leaders of his caliber – leaders who courageously embrace the realities of our world. A highly recommended read.
In Transcend Fear, Dr. Ladapo fearlessly employs critical thinking to deliver unvarnished truths in public health, to awaken not only the public but also the medical community. The good doctor communicates common-sense arguments supported by a wealth of robust data and informed by extensive clinical expertise.
In these times, we must cultivate and support more leaders of his caliber – leaders who courageously embrace the realities of our world. A highly recommended read.
November 12, 2023
I had the opportunity to hear Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo M.D. Ph.D. speak and meet him in person. I immediately read his book. As a healthcare professional, I find his book and message to be sincere, refreshing and action based. His perspective of the public health community response to COVID, lessons learned and his recommendations going forward, pertain not only to healthcare professionals and policy makers but all citizens.
January 2, 2024
I think highly of what Ladapo has done as Florida's surgeon general but didn't think highly of this book.
April 19, 2024
I very much appreciated Dr. Ladapo’s work in this book!
I appreciated Dr. Ladapo’s style of writing, getting to know him as a doctor and person. His ability to stay humble and grounded throughout his writings (his letters and book), were incredibly generous and brave—dealing with what all has been deeply dividing in the U.S.
I not only learned about Public Health and the facts behind the decisions made during COVID, but how far and wide the Scientism is embraced. It was refreshing to hear how sane Dr. Ladapo remained while so many around him became so hypnotized by their own Ego (or BS).
I appreciated Dr. Ladapo’s style of writing, getting to know him as a doctor and person. His ability to stay humble and grounded throughout his writings (his letters and book), were incredibly generous and brave—dealing with what all has been deeply dividing in the U.S.
I not only learned about Public Health and the facts behind the decisions made during COVID, but how far and wide the Scientism is embraced. It was refreshing to hear how sane Dr. Ladapo remained while so many around him became so hypnotized by their own Ego (or BS).
May 29, 2023
3.5/5
The book is an interesting personal account for the posterity, when we will analyze what the hell happened to us, collectively and individually, in the 2020-2022 period (pls god, make it so it ends this year).
Also, I decided to be less petty and not nick the rating for stuff that usually aggravates me - his chi stuff, Providence or religious takes - as he sounded reasonable otherwise.
The book is an interesting personal account for the posterity, when we will analyze what the hell happened to us, collectively and individually, in the 2020-2022 period (pls god, make it so it ends this year).
Also, I decided to be less petty and not nick the rating for stuff that usually aggravates me - his chi stuff, Providence or religious takes - as he sounded reasonable otherwise.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews