Dr. Felicia Pasadyn: 4.0 Harvard Swimmer Grad, Ohio State Scholar, And NYU MD Shares How Smiling Became Her Performance Edge — And Her Reminder That Joy And Excellence Can Coexist
The Power of Joy in Motion
In a world that often equates success with strain, Dr. Felicia Pasadyn reminds us that joy — not just grit — can be a performance advantage.
A 4.0 Harvard graduate, former Ohio State scholar, and now a medical doctor from NYU, Felicia recently qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon. But what makes her story so magnetic isn’t just her résumé — it’s her radiance.
She’s the runner who smiles through the miles. Literally.
“I ran 90% of the NYC Marathon with a smile,” she said. “It wasn’t intentional at first — I just couldn’t help it.”
That smile, she explains, wasn’t just a show of confidence or gratitude. It was science in action.
The Myth of “Either/Or”
Athletes and professionals alike often fall into the trap of believing that achievement must come at the cost of joy — that we can either be disciplined or delighted, strong or soft, serious or smiling.
Felicia breaks that myth beautifully.
“There was no option to choose one path for me,” she shared. “The reason why is because there are many aspects of my identity that bring me happiness and fulfillment.”
From her days swimming for Harvard to completing a master’s in bioethics at Ohio State, and then running sub-2:36 to qualify for the Olympic Trials while earning her MD at NYU, she’s proof that the “duality of a woman” is not just possible — it’s powerful.
The Science Behind the Smile
When Felicia Pasadyn smiles, she’s not just being cheerful — she’s leveraging neurochemistry.
“Smiling releases serotonin, endorphins, and minimizes perceived effort. Randomized control trials demonstrate this — it’s evidence-based.”
The physiological response is real: a 2021 Frontiers in Psychology study found that smiling while running can lower perceived exertion by up to 15% and increase endurance performance. Felicia’s approach echoes that — she trains the body, but she also trains the brain.
Harvard Health research also shows smiling boosts serotonin and endorphins — natural mood elevators.
Felicia integrates this naturally:
“When I’m running at 4:15 a.m. and no one’s watching, I smile because I have air in my lungs… arms pumping… legs that are healthy. Gratitude literally changes your chemistry.”
At Strive to Thrive Coaching, we teach the same principle: mindset is physiological, not just mental. The brain and body are in constant conversation, and Felicia’s smile is her way of keeping that dialogue healthy.
From Medicine to Marathon: Applying Science to Self
Felicia’s background as a physician gives her a rare perspective on performance.
“Being someone with a medical background, I’m not as easily influenced by what’s trending online,” she said. “What truly enhances performance is a mix of evidence-based science and what works for your body.”
Her approach to training is methodical yet intuitive — blending carb calculations with gratitude, recovery with reflection. She knows she needs nine hours of sleep, not seven-minute power naps. She eats simply but with purpose. And she views rest not as weakness, but as fuel.
In this, Felicia models a Strive to Thrive principle: self-awareness is the ultimate performance enhancer.
From Pool to Pavement: Reinvention Through Passion
Felicia’s athletic journey began in the water. A five-event U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in swimming and NCAA All-American, she transitioned to running in 2023 — a move that surprised many, but made perfect sense to her.
“After my last swim meet, I felt fulfilled but still hungry for a challenge,” she said. “Running offered that — without needing a pool. It gave me something new to chase.”
Within months, she ran a 1:20 half-marathon. A year later, she’d clock a 2:35:17 at the NYC Marathon, qualifying for the Olympic Trials.
It wasn’t just a physical transition — it was an evolution of mindset.
Running, she explains, became her way to reconnect with herself, her purpose, and her joy.
Facing Burnout: Finding Balance in the “Full Plate” Life
Marathon training before sunrise, long hospital shifts, and radiology residency interviews on top of it all. For most people, that load would be too heavy to carry.
Felicia admits burnout has come close.
“When you begin to wake up without excitement for any part of your day, that’s burnout,” she said. “So I always find my non-negotiable joys — things that bring light no matter how long the day is.”
Those joys might be a patient interaction, a phone call with family, or a sunrise run through Central Park. Her advice mirrors a Strive to Thrive principle: build your days around what lights you up, not just what fills your schedule.
Lessons on Resilience and Self-Comparison
Felicia thrives as “a small fish in a big pond.”
“Imposter syndrome doesn’t exist if you know who you are,” she said. “Only you know how much work you’ve put in to get here.”
This reflects well-established resilience science:
APA research shows self-awareness, preparation, and reframing challenges are core to developing resilience.
Felicia’s mindset reflects the same mentality Strive to Thrive coaches help young adults and professionals cultivate: control what you can, trust what you’ve built, and celebrate others as you rise.
The Mindset of Joyful Ambition
When asked how to “do it all” without losing joy, Felicia’s answer is as simple as it is profound:
“You CAN be all the things you want to be, as long as you build a path to get there sustainably.”
Balance, for Felicia, isn’t about cutting passions — it’s about designing a life where they complement one another.
Her closing words could hang on a Strive to Thrive office wall:
“If you want something badly enough in your heart, you will make time for it and do it well. Discipline builds strength — but love for what you do yields extraordinary greatness.”
Action Steps: How to Smile Your Way to Success
- Reframe stress: When things feel heavy, ask, What’s good about this moment?
- Smile intentionally: Use small bursts of gratitude to shift your physiology.
- Set dual goals: Academic, athletic, personal — they can reinforce each other.
- Build your circle: Surround yourself with people who make you better.
- Rest as rigorously as you train: Recovery is not retreat; it’s readiness.
The Bigger Picture: The Joy–Performance Connection
Dr. Felicia Pasadyn’s story isn’t just about medals or milestones — it’s about the freedom to love your craft fully. She proves that joy and excellence aren’t opposites; they’re partners in sustainable success.
At Strive to Thrive Coaching, that’s what we teach our clients, too — that true strength isn’t stoic, it’s alive. It smiles, it breathes, it dreams big and gives thanks along the way.
Strive to Thrive Coaching provides coaching, mentorship, and wellness support. We do not diagnose, treat, or provide therapy for mental health conditions. Our services are not a substitute for licensed psychological or medical care.