Episode 86

The Scary Leap From ICU to Aesthetics (Allie’s Journey)

Published on: 4th September, 2025

✨ Welcome back to Beauty & The Brain with Dr. Chris Croley and NP Jerry Drinkard! In this special episode, we’re joined by our very own nurse practitioner, Allie Ballew, for a candid conversation about her journey from small-town roots to critical care nursing — and eventually into the world of aesthetics.

Allie opens up about:

  • Why she chose nursing school and her early dreams of dentistry 🦷
  • The challenges and lessons of working in the ICU during COVID 🏥
  • Making the leap into aesthetics and her fears of “not having the eye” 👀
  • The steep learning curve of threads, lip injections, and building confidence 💉
  • The importance of patient relationships, empathy, and connection 💕
  • Behind-the-scenes stories of growing with the Skin & Tonic family 🌟

This episode is part inspiration, part real talk, and packed with insights for both providers navigating their own career transitions and patients curious about the people behind the syringe.

🎧 Whether you’re a nurse, injector, or simply love stories of resilience and growth, this episode is for you.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share for more insider conversations on beauty, aesthetics, and wellness!

#NursingJourney #AestheticMedicine #MedSpaLife #BeautyAndTheBrain

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About the Podcast

Beauty & The Brain®
A Deep Dive into Medical Aesthetics
Welcome to Beauty & The Brain, the podcast where we take a deep dive into the fascinating world of medical aesthetics! I'm Dr. Chris Croley, and I'm joined by my co-host Jerry Drinkard, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. Together, we co-own Skin & Tonic, a medical spa that's passionate about providing the latest and greatest treatments to help our clients look and feel their best.

We started this podcast out of our love for medical aesthetics and our desire to share our knowledge and insights with others. Every week, we'll be discussing new trends, sharing our thoughts on controversial topics, and keeping you up to date on the latest technology in the industry. But we won't just be talking to ourselves! We're excited to bring in experts and industry leaders to share their perspectives and insights with our listeners.

Our goal is to provide a podcast that's authentic, informative, and genuinely helpful for anyone who's interested in beauty and wellness. Whether you're a beauty enthusiast or a medical professional, we hope you'll tune in every week to learn something new and join us on this journey of discovery.

So, if you're ready to dive into the world of medical aesthetics, join us on Beauty & The Brain, and let's explore this fascinating industry together!