Meet Olabisi Oshikanlu

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Olabisi Oshikanlu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Olabisi, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

From Self-Doubt to Unstoppable Impact

“Confidence isn’t about titles, looks, or achievements. It’s about knowing you are valuable just as you are.”

Leadership was in my DNA. As the eldest of five, I was relentless, ambitious, and driven. Losing my physician father at nine only fueled my determination medicine became my mission.

On paper, I had it all: intelligence, success, a thriving career. But behind the white coat, self-doubt clung to me like a shadow. I was the shortest among my siblings, self-conscious about my looks, and imposter syndrome sat at my table like an uninvited guest.

Then life threw a curveball. A serious medical scare forced me to face my deepest fears. In that moment of uncertainty, I found something greater: faith.

That was my turning point. Confidence wasn’t about proving myself it was about embracing my worth.

“Imposter syndrome is real, but so is growth. So is transformation.”

I dove into personal development, devoured books, sought mentors, and surrounded myself with people who lifted me higher. Through John Maxwell’s leadership program, I unlocked a truth that changed everything: I am valued , I value people, and I added value to people.

That’s when everything shifted.

I stopped playing small. I stepped into new challenges. I redefined my worth not by external validation, but by my God given purpose.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Coaching High-Achieving Women: A Mission Rooted in Experience

I coach high-achieving women in healthcare, helping them step out of their comfort zones, rediscover who they are, and create a life where success meets joy. Having faced similar struggles, balancing career, self-doubt, and life transitions I know the challenges firsthand.

As a board-certified pediatrician, I built two private practices while raising my son as a single mother. Despite outward success, I battled self-doubt until a mentor helped me step into leadership. This ignited my passion for advocacy, mentoring, and empowering women to own their brilliance.

In 2022, I founded Full Hands Ventures, a leadership and training company for women especially those in healthcare who feel stuck despite their success. My coaching is built on real experience, guiding women to redefine their purpose and step into their challenge zones where real transformation happens.

Expanding the Movement: Leading with Purpose

As Executive Director and Trustee of the Empowered for Greatness Foundation, I provide mentorship and financial support to medical and law students in Nigeria, ensuring financial hardship doesn’t silence their potential.

I’m also expanding my impact through keynotes, workshops, and leadership training at healthcare conferences and summits. My Lunch & Learn series covers AI in healthcare, wealth building, confidence, and leadership helping women turn insights into action.

“We are not here by accident, we are here on assignment.”

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities have defined my path:

1. Diligence – “Success doesn’t happen by accident.”
Hard work, discipline, and integrity open doors. Many wait for opportunities to come to them. I learned to create them.

2. Tenacity – “The difference between success and failure is refusing to quit.”
Life threw curveballs—divorce, business challenges, burnout but I never gave up. Persistence is the secret sauce of success.

3. Service – “Leadership isn’t about status it’s about impact.”
I believe in lifting others as I climb. Mentorship, generosity, and adding value to others have been my greatest leadership lessons

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

For years, I looked like I had it all together. Inside, I was often overwhelmed, exhausted, and silently struggling. I didn’t even have the words to describe it. I just knew I was drained.

Over time, I found a way to take control. Here’s what transformed my life:

🔹 Naming the Emotion – “You can’t fight what you don’t acknowledge.”
Instead of reacting, I pause and ask: What am I feeling? What’s triggering this? Naming the emotion gives me back my power.

🔹 Leaning on My Faith – “When I can’t hold it all together, I hold onto God.”
Faith is my foundation. Worship, prayer, and surrendering my worries have brought me unshakable peace.

🔹 Setting Boundaries – “No is a complete sentence.”
I used to be a people-pleaser. Learning to set boundaries changed everything—protecting my time, energy, and well-being.

🔹 Creating a Realistic Plan – “Not everything is urgent, and not everything is mine to fix.”
I used to overload myself. Now, I focus on what truly matters.

🔹 Letting Go – “Peace comes when you release what you can’t control.”
Perfection is a myth. When I stopped trying to do it all, I found more joy, more success, and more peace.

Overwhelm doesn’t have to control you. When you name it, set boundaries, lean on faith, and release what’s out of your control, you create space for the life you were meant to live.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fullhandsventures.com
• Instagram: Olabisi_osh
• Facebook: Olabisi.Oshikanlu1
• Linkedin: Olabisi Oshikanlu MD,FAAP,MBA,CPE
• Youtube: @Fullhandsventures

Image Credits

Ajiboye Oloke Sam-D Photography

Poster -Michael Koku