We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Dawn Molina DAOM, PhD, Lac. and have shared our conversation below.
Dawn, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are intentionally unhurried and deeply restorative. I allow myself to linger in the transition from delta brain waves into theta, alpha, and eventually beta, rather than abruptly shifting into productivity. This slow emergence honors the nervous system and sets the tone for clarity, regulation, and presence.
My morning unfolds with meditation, gentle movement, and breath; often followed by yoga to awaken the body with mindfulness rather than force. I also spend time walking my dogs, which grounds me in nature and rhythm, reminding me to be fully embodied before engaging with the demands of the day. We love to ground and get morning sun together!
This deliberate pace is not indulgent; it is foundational. By prioritizing nervous system coherence and mind-body alignment first thing in the morning, I show up to my patients, my work, and my life with greater focus, compassion, and resilience.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. Dawn Ann Molina, DAOM, a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and the founder of Tampa Bay Holistic Wellness in Tampa, Florida. My work sits at the intersection of functional medicine, nutrition science, acupuncture, and nervous system regulation, with a strong emphasis on translating complex physiology into practical, sustainable care.
What makes my practice unique is its depth and integration. I work with patients who are often highly motivated but frustrated; people who have “done all the right things” and still feel unwell. Using advanced lab testing, personalized nutrition therapy, and mind-body medicine, I focus on restoring metabolic resilience, gut and immune health, and nervous system balance rather than chasing symptoms.
My brand is rooted in the belief that true healing happens when science and self-awareness meet. I’m particularly passionate about concierge-style care that allows for time, nuance, and relationship—because health is not transactional. Right now, I’m expanding programs that support long-term behavior change, metabolic health, and neuroinflammation reduction, while continuing to educate patients on how physiology, environment, and mindset work together to shape well-being.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of truly feeling powerful was in 2015, when I became the USPA 52kg Gold Champion, one of the strongest women in the world in my weight class. Standing on that platform, strength was no longer theoretical or symbolic; it was undeniable and earned.
What made that moment powerful wasn’t just the title or the numbers lifted, but the embodiment of discipline, resilience, and trust in my body. It reshaped my understanding of power, not as dominance, but as presence, capacity, and self-belief. That experience continues to inform how I approach healing and leadership today: power is cultivated, integrated, and sustained from the inside out.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me humility, discernment, and compassion in ways success never could. Success can reinforce identity and momentum; suffering strips them away. It forces you to listen: to your body, your nervous system, and the quieter truths you can ignore when things are going well.
Through suffering, I learned that resilience is not the ability to push harder, but the wisdom to adapt, soften, and recalibrate. It taught me patience with healing, reverence for rest, and deep empathy for others navigating invisible battles. As a clinician, that lived understanding shapes how I practice: I no longer measure progress solely by outcomes, but by regulation, trust, and the restoration of agency.
Success builds confidence. Suffering builds depth. And it is that depth that ultimately allows success to become sustainable and meaningful.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is real. It’s simply one expression of who I am. By nature, I’m an introvert, even though my work often requires me to show up as an extrovert. That outward energy is intentional and purposeful, not performative.
I’ve learned that in order to serve others well, I have to first fill my own cup. Solitude, reflection, and restoration are what allow me to be fully present, engaged, and generous in my work. When I honor that balance, the version of me the public sees is grounded, authentic, and sustainable.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When have you had to bet the company?
I had to “bet the company” when I made the decision to walk away from a traditional clinic model and transition into a concierge physician and solo health consultant. At the time, I was a clinic owner, educator, and employer, mentoring interns and care providers. One provider I was mentoring had strong clinical skills and a loyal following, but his behavior raised serious ethical and legal concerns.
I made the decision to separate from him immediately, knowing it would likely cost me patients and momentum. I chose not to disclose the reasons to the clients I had referred to him, even though transparency might have protected my business interests. Protecting professional integrity and patient trust mattered more than preserving short-term growth.
That decision required me to reorganize; intentionally and independently. It was a risk, but it clarified my values and reshaped my work in a way that is now deeply aligned with who I am as a clinician and leader. Betting on integrity over convenience ultimately became the foundation of a more sustainable and meaningful practice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tampabayholisticwellness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawnannmolina
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tampabayholisticwellness
- Twitter: https://x.com/wholebetterlife
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tampabayholisticwellness/
Image Credits
https://dkphoto.net/
