Root Canals to Real Purpose: Dr. Short’s Journey of Identity & Impact

On episode 150 of The Woodard Report Podcast, Joe Woodard sits down with Dr. Rico Short, an endodontist by profession and a storyteller at heart. While his work is in dentistry, the experiences and insights he shares about identity, purpose, mentorship, and resilience are deeply relevant to professionals in any field. For those navigating challenges, building their careers, or searching for greater meaning in their work, Dr. Short’s story offers both encouragement and direction.

A journey shaped by faith and mentorship  

Dr. Short grew up in Columbus, Georgia, raised in a single-parent household. His mother worked long shifts in a textile mill, and his grandmother stepped in to help care for him. Resources were limited, but love and faith were abundant. Despite early ambitions to be a clown or a reporter, Dr. Short eventually gravitated toward math and science.  

His path shifted significantly when he joined a high school mentoring program and was paired with an African American dentist. This expanded his understanding of what was possible. As he recalled, “You were here on purpose for purpose.”   

That mentorship not only offered encouragement but also a tangible connection between effort and opportunity. For a young student who had never seen professionals in luxury cars or large homes, those moments provided inspiration and a new vision of success.  

Pursuing dentistry with purpose  

Dr. Short went on to earn a full scholarship to Morris Brown College. There, he discovered that his mentor had attended the same school, and many of his professors had taught them both. The support he received gave him the confidence to apply to dental school a year early. He was accepted to the Medical College of Georgia at just 20 years old, where he entered as the only African American male in his class.  

He later completed his specialty training in endodontics at Nova Southeastern University and went on to open Apex Endodontics in Atlanta in 2004, a practice that recently celebrated its 21st year.  

Throughout his journey, Dr. Short stayed close to his faith and committed to mentoring others, just as his mentor had done for him. The visibility and support he received helped change the course of his life, and today, he’s committed to offering that same encouragement and opportunity to others.  

Identity before comparison  

Dr. Short believes one of the biggest obstacles professionals face is not a lack of talent, but a lack of identity. He points out that social media often shows the highlight reel of other people’s lives, while we’re living through our own struggle reel. That contrast, he says, can lead to discouragement and confusion.  

He shared, “There’s no way, no matter how much I prayed and worked out, I can’t be Michael Jordan on the court. But I can definitely be Michael Jordan in somebody’s mouth by doing a root canal.” His point is simple and powerful: purpose is rooted in what is uniquely yours, not in someone else’s path.  

For professionals in accounting or advisory work, this message feels especially relevant. In such a competitive field, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing your progress to others. But Dr. Short encourages listeners to stay focused on their own path and lead with what makes them unique.  

Overcoming adversity with patience and faith  

In 2019, Dr. Short suffered a serious eye injury during a family trip. The accident left him blind in one eye and unable to practice dentistry for seven months. His income stopped, his savings dwindled, and uncertainty set in.  

During that time, he began journaling. The result was In the Eye of the Storm, a book written while he was still in the middle of his struggle. He chose not to polish the language too much because, as his mother told him, readers needed to feel the raw emotion.  

Eventually, he recovered his vision and retrained his hand-eye coordination. He returned to dentistry with new perspective. “You brought me to it. You’ll bring me through it,” he said, reflecting on how his faith carried him during that time.  

Prioritizing what matters most  

Dr. Short’s life includes not only his dental practice and writing, but also parenting, speaking, and mission work. However, he acknowledged that last year, the weight of everything caught up with him. He suffered a series of anxiety attacks and ended up in the emergency room more than once. The cause, he later learned, was overcommitment and a lack of margin in his life.  

He responded by reevaluating how he structures his time. Each day now begins with quiet time in scripture and prayer, followed by checking in with his wife and children, and then focusing on business. He has become more intentional about what he says yes to and is more comfortable saying no.  

“Take your time and be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor were your career, nor were your marriage, and nor were your bank account.” he advised. This philosophy now shapes how he approaches everything from family life to professional decisions.  

What the accounting community can take from Dr. Short  

Dr. Short may not be an accountant, but his story reflects many of the same challenges professionals face in the accounting and advisory space. His experience offers meaningful reminders: 

• Identity drives purpose. Knowing who you are prevents burnout and comparison. 

• Mentorship opens doors. Representation and support can change a life. 

• Faith and resilience go hand in hand. Challenges can refine rather than define. 

• Slow, steady progress leads to lasting impact. Sustainable success is not built overnight.  

For any professional who feels stuck, uncertain, or overwhelmed, Dr. Short’s story is a call to reconnect with identity, slow down, and trust the process. With patience, it is possible to build a meaningful life, one decision at a time. 

Dr. Short recently published his third inspirational book titled Purpose Full, continuing his mission to encourage others to live with clarity, intention, and faith.

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