From pioneering in the operating room to pioneering in executive coaching, Dr. Kerstin Brehm is a name synonymous with reinvention done right. A former cardiac surgeon turned leadership mentor and founder, Dr. Brehm is on a mission to help high-achieving professionals—especially ambitious women—lead with clarity, presence and longevity. At Dr. Kerstin Brehm consulting, she brings the same surgical precision and resilience that once saved lives into a new realm: transforming careers and empowering leaders to thrive, not just survive.

Her clients range from medical professionals to C-level executives and her impact is rooted in her belief that success should never come at the cost of well-being. Through her SPARK framework, she’s turning burnout into breakthroughs and legacy-building into a lived daily reality.

We caught up with Dr. Kerstin Brehm to dive deep into her mindset shifts, the essence of executive presence and how she empowers others to claim their full potential with intention, clarity and energy.

TFS: Dr. Kerstin, thank you so much for joining us today. It’s an honor to speak with someone who has lived both the high-stakes intensity of cardiac surgery and the nuanced complexities of executive coaching. Before we dive into the questions, can you tell us briefly what inspired the birth of Operation Success?

Dr. Kerstin: Thank you for having me—what a pleasure! Operation Success was born out of a very personal transformation. After years in cardiac surgery, I realized that while I had built a prestigious career, I was craving impact of a different kind. I wanted to help people not just survive under pressure, but truly thrive—and to do it sustainably. I saw too many leaders burning out, making fear-based decisions and losing themselves in the pursuit of external success. Operation Success became my answer to that. It’s where I bring together science, strategy and heart to help people lead with clarity, conviction and presence—without sacrificing their health or joy in the process.

TFS: From the operating room to the boardroom—what mindset shift surprised you the most during your transition?

Dr. Kerstin: The most surprising mindset shift? That no one dies from a bad Zoom meeting.

I know that sounds a bit cheeky, but after years in the operating room where a single misstep could cost a life, the contrast was stark. In surgery, decisions are immediate, the stakes are undeniable and there’s no room for fluff. You either act decisively—or you risk everything. When I stepped into the business world, I was floored by how much time people spent spinning in indecision: over-analyzing, asking for more meetings, waiting for permission to act.

But here’s the truth: even though the stakes might not be life-or-death, they’re still deeply personal. For my clients, it’s not about survival anymore—it’s about legacy versus regret. I had to learn to hold both truths: that urgency can be healthy when paired with purpose and that even in a lower-stakes environment, the impact can still be life-changing.

TFS: How has making life-or-death decisions in surgery shaped the way you help clients make career-defining ones?

Dr. Kerstin: Surgery taught me the art of focused, rapid decision-making under pressure—and most importantly, how to trust that decision once it’s made.

When clients come to me, they’re often mentally stuck. They’ll ask, “Should I quit?” “Is it too late to start over?” “What if I fail?” These questions swirl around without resolution, creating a fog of self-doubt. That’s where my surgical training kicks in.

I help them clear the noise, get radically honest about the outcome they want and then reverse-engineer the path to get there. Just like in the OR, we don’t strive for perfection—we aim for precision. We assess the risks, build structure and move forward with confidence. Whether it’s a career pivot or a high-stakes negotiation, my clients learn to make bold, informed decisions—without second-guessing every step.

TFS: You speak about helping people thrive rather than survive. What’s the most common survival-mode habit professionals need to unlearn?

Dr. Kerstin: Believing that being “busy” equals being valuable.

This is the badge of honor I see most often—especially among high-achievers. They fill their calendars, work through lunch, answer emails at midnight and think, “I’m doing great. Look how much I’m getting done.” But underneath, they’re exhausted, disconnected and often resentful.

I teach my clients to shift the question from “How much can I do this week?” to “What few things will actually move me forward?” If your calendar is full but your soul is empty, that’s not commitment—that’s collapse in slow motion. Thriving means being strategic with your energy, your time and your boundaries.

TFS: If resilience were a muscle, what would be its most overlooked daily workout?

Dr. Kerstin: Preparation.

Resilient people aren’t winging it—they’re planning for it. They don’t just have a plan A; they’ve thought through plans B through Z. Because when life throws a curveball—and it will—they don’t freeze. They adapt quickly and stay in motion.

Think of it like this: you can’t change the traffic, but you can decide how to use that time. Most people spiral in frustration. But resilient leaders? They reframe it. Maybe they turn on a podcast, call into a meeting or just take a breath. That small pivot—that mental agility—is what builds long-term resilience.

TFS: You emphasize executive presence. What are some subtle behaviors that silently erode a leader’s authority?

Dr. Kerstin: Over-explaining. It’s subtle, but powerful.

Imagine a leader shares a strong idea—but then spends five minutes justifying it, apologizing for it or trying to be overly agreeable. That dilutes their authority. Other examples? Responding to every message instantly. Entering meetings like they’re just happy to be included. These aren’t just habits—they’re signals.

Presence doesn’t mean dominating the room. It means showing up with clarity, boundaries and certainty. Every micro-behavior speaks volumes about your leadership—even when you think no one’s watching.

TFS: In high-pressure corporate environments, how do you help leaders build clarity amid chaos?

Dr. Kerstin: I ask one powerful question: “What’s the actual goal here?”

Not the task. Not the presentation. Not the meeting. The goal. When leaders lose sight of that, they get swept up in noise—endless action with no direction.

So we strip everything back and ask: What problem are we solving? What does success look like? What’s the next right move? Once we define that, everything else becomes easier to prioritize. We restructure the week, build in buffer time, eliminate distractions. Clarity isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you decide on.

TFS: What traits do great leaders consistently share, regardless of industry?

Dr. Kerstin: Three things: self-awareness, strategic focus and courage.

Great leaders don’t pretend to know it all. They’re curious. They ask smart questions. They own their strengths and confront their blind spots. They move with intention—and they don’t wait for the perfect moment. They act with courage, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. They create safety for others by leading with clarity and conviction, not by avoiding risk.

TFS: What health optimization habit has quietly revolutionized your clients’ energy?

Dr. Kerstin: Sleep. Hands down.

In a world that glorifies hustle, sleep is still seen as optional. But it’s not. It’s foundational. Your brain, your mood, your decision-making—none of it functions without rest.

I also teach my clients to schedule micro-breaks throughout the day. These aren’t rewards. They’re strategy. Step outside. Stretch. Breathe. It’s not about doing less. It’s about staying sharp enough to do the right things with more impact.

TFS: “Having it all” is your motto. In the real world, what does “balance” actually look like?

Dr. Kerstin: Balance isn’t symmetry. It’s intentionality.

You won’t always spend equal time on work, family, health and hobbies. Some seasons are heavier than others. What matters is whether you’ve built a life you don’t need to escape from.

To me, having it all means your work fuels you, not drains you. Your career grows with you, not against you. You can shift priorities without guilt. That’s not balance—it’s freedom with design.

TFS: If leadership burnout had a warning light, what would be the earliest flicker?

Dr. Kerstin: Micromanaging.

It’s rarely about control—it’s a cry for help. When leaders begin nitpicking details they used to trust others with, it’s often because they’ve lost confidence, clarity or energy.

It starts with midnight Slack messages, rewriting someone’s work or sitting in on every meeting. I help leaders catch this early—not with surface-level solutions, but by reworking how they make decisions, delegate and recharge.

TFS: You empower ambitious women. What’s one myth about ambition in women that frustrates you most?

Dr. Kerstin: “Work hard and you’ll be noticed.”

Hard truth? That’s not enough. Visibility matters. And especially for women, it’s the missing piece. You can’t build a powerful brand in the dark.

I see brilliant women hiding in the shadows—messaging me privately about a post instead of commenting publicly. I appreciate the message, but I also want to say: if you’ve got something to say, say it. Visibility isn’t arrogance. It’s leadership. You’re not “too much.” You’re ready. Let the world see you.

TFS: What would you say to the high-achieving woman who secretly fears success might cost her joy?

Dr. Kerstin: I’d say you’re asking the wrong question.

Don’t ask “What will success cost me?” Ask “What will playing small cost me?”

Because shrinking yourself doesn’t protect your joy—it suffocates it. I’ve seen brilliant women stay in roles they’ve outgrown because they fear disruption. But joy and success aren’t enemies. They can coexist. The key is designing a life where your values lead the way—not fear.

TFS: What’s one SPARK moment with a client that still gives you goosebumps?

Dr. Kerstin: One client came to me after losing her role as a Managing Director. She wasn’t just jobless—she was unanchored. Her entire identity was wrapped up in her title.

Each coaching session was heavy. She was stuck. But within four weeks, something clicked. She got her fire back. She rebuilt her brand, launched her business, secured clients and embraced a new version of herself.

Seeing her confidence bloom—her photoshoot, her website, her voice—it gave me goosebumps. She didn’t just rebuild a career. She remembered who she was. That’s the power of this work.

TFS: You talk about presence as much as performance. How do you teach clients to show up fully without burning out?

Dr. Kerstin: Presence starts with ownership.

You can’t command a room if you’re questioning whether you belong there. So we work from the inside out: mindset, clarity, identity. Then we address the outside: posture, tone, boundaries.

And boundaries? They’re not walls. They’re filters. You don’t need to give everyone everything. Just your best energy—to the right people, at the right time.

TFS: If your consulting practice were a prescription, what would be its active ingredients—and what side effects should clients expect?

Dr. Kerstin: Active ingredients? Clarity. Strategy. Resilience. Power moves. And truth—with a lot of love.

Side effects? Saying no to things you once tolerated. Charging what you’re worth. Designing your life with intention. Feeling lighter, bolder and more aligned.

Warning: You may be asked, “What changed about you?” Best response? “I did.”

TFS: Dr. Brehm, thank you for this rich, deeply inspiring conversation. Your journey and insights are not just powerful—they’re transformational. Before we wrap up, any final thoughts you’d like to leave our readers with?

Dr. Kerstin: Just this: You don’t need to wait until you’re burnt out or broken to build a better life. You can redesign it right now—on your terms, with your values and in your power. You deserve a career that energizes you and a life that reflects who you really are. Let’s build that—together.

TFS: Beautifully said. Thank you once again, Dr. Brehm. We’re excited to see how Operation Success continues to spark transformation across industries—and lives.