How to Build Strong Credit and Avoid Common Money Traps with Dr. Zwade Marshall

Becoming a doctor takes years of hard work, long nights, and little rest. We learn how to care for others but no one really teaches us how to care for ourselves. Once the white coat is on, the outside world begins to matter more, our time, our peace, our money.

Many doctors stay quiet about the weight they carry, especially when it comes to money. We are trained to heal people, not to handle debt or grow wealth. But learning those things matters just as much. Without that knowledge, even a great career can lead to stress and burnout.

It is time to start talking about money, real estate, freedom, and building a future we can be proud of. These are not selfish goals. They are smart. They are necessary.

Being a doctor should not mean losing yourself. It should mean creating a life that works for you, not just for your patients. True success is not only found inside the hospital. It is also found in the life you build beyond it.

Dr. Zwade Marshall is an Emory and Harvard-trained, double board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain management specialist. He serves as Chief Medical Officer of Regenerative Spine and Pain Specialists. With a background in Economics from Emory and clinical training from Harvard, Dr. Marshall co-founded Doc2Doc Lending to create physician-focused financial solutions after recognizing how traditional banks often misjudge the risk profile of early-career doctors.

In this episode of Time Out with the Sports Doctor, I’m joined by Dr. Zwade Marshall for another round of Money Mondays. We’re breaking down student loans, how to borrow smart, manage repayment, and avoid common mistakes. Tune in as we share practical tips and real talk to help you take control of your financial future.

"Just because you have the loan money doesn't mean you have to spend it all." – Dr. Zwade Marshall

Topics Covered:

(00:00:00) Welcome to TimeOut with the SportsDr Podcast

(00:00:53) Introducing our guest, Dr. Zwade Marshall

(00:02:23) The financial literacy gap

(00:04:04) Stewardship over student loans

(00:05:23) Borrow only what you need

(00:08:36) Is debt always bad?

(00:10:14) How to better manage your debt
(00:12:04) Credit score blind spots

(00:14:05) Myth: Credit cards are bad

(00:15:42) What truly builds your credit?

(00:16:32) Advertisement: Struggling with your finances as a young physician? Doc2Doc Lending is here for you. Founded by doctors, we offer loans tailored to your unique career path—crediting your certifications and specialty training. Visit https://www.doc2doclending.com/ today.

(00:18:28) Automate your life

(00:19:16) The DIRE Framework for Physicians

(00:21:33) When can you start making qualifying payments for loan forgiveness?
(00:24:17) The importance of finding a bank that believes in you

(00:26:07) Why Doc2Doc is different

(00:29:44) How to access Doc2Doc Lending

Key Takeaways:

"There's not enough financial literacy out there for doctors. It's not a part of the medical school curriculum, resident curriculum, and of your fellowship curriculum."

"Don't borrow more than you need. Borrow only what you need at that moment in time."

"Debt is not necessarily bad, depending on how you're using it."

"Very important to automate your life, especially during residency and med school, where your primary focus is studying and taking care of patients and survival."

"Retirement planning should start as early as possible so that medicine is something you do voluntarily, not because you have to earn a check."

Connect with Dr. Zwade J. Marshall:

Website: https://partner.doc2doclending.com/thesportsdr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doc2doclending/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doc2doclending

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doc2doclending

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/doc2doclending/

Connect with Dr. Derrick Burgess:

Website: https://www.drderrickthesportsdr.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drderrickthesportsdr/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimeOut.SportsDr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-burgess-72047b246/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.derrickburgess243

Email: thesportsdoctr@gmail.com

This episode of TimeOut with the SportsDr. is produced by Podcast VAs Philippines - the team that helps podcasters effectively launch and manage their podcasts, so we don't have to. Record, share, and repeat! Podcast VAs PH gives me back my time, so I can focus on the core functions of my business. Need expert help with your podcast? Go to www.podcastvasph.com