As I step into the Memphis airport, I’m reminded how the locum tenens lifestyle allows professionals like me to pursue financial freedom through real estate investing.
A Day in the Life of a Locum Tenens Urologic Surgeon
As I step into the bustling Memphis airport, the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the crisp morning air. The sun streams through the expansive windows, bouncing off the polished floors as I wheel my carry-on toward security. It’s 5:30 a.m., and while most people are still snoozing under their comforters, I’m gearing up for another day as a locum tenens urologic surgeon — one part doctor, one part traveler, and one part real estate investor.
Somewhere between the airport espresso and my gate check, I realize how this unusual mix has become my “new normal.” My life oscillates between scrubs and spreadsheets, between operating rooms and property deals. And surprisingly, it works.
This is what a day in the life looks like when you trade a traditional hospital contract for the freedom of locum tenens work and start building wealth one flight (and one investment) at a time.
The Rise of Locum Tenens Lifestyle
A decade ago, the idea of physicians working short-term contracts was seen as unconventional, maybe even risky. Today, locum tenens work has become a thriving movement in medicine.
Why? Because flexibility is priceless.
For physicians who value autonomy, variety, and the ability to craft their own schedules, locums work provides exactly that. Instead of being tied to one hospital or one call schedule, you get to choose when and where you work.
But beyond the professional perks, there’s something even more powerful happening: this flexibility opens the door to financial diversification. Many doctors are using the locum tenens model to carve out time for side ventures, from consulting to real estate investing, which has been my own vehicle toward long-term freedom.
The Journey Begins: Navigating Airports and Flights
Memphis airport is a bit of an underrated gem — clean, spacious, and rarely crowded. The only downside? The lack of direct flights. Today’s route takes me first to Detroit, then onward to Ohio. Years ago, the thought of connecting flights would’ve made me groan. Now, it’s just part of the rhythm of my workweek.
Frequent travel has its own perks. Over time, I’ve collected enough airline loyalty points to unlock the small luxuries that make travel sustainable: Sky Club lounges, seat upgrades, and the occasional glass of decent airport wine. Little comforts like these turn what could be a grind into something enjoyable, even energizing.
In-Flight Productivity (and the Art of Rest)
You’d think planes would be the perfect mobile office. Unfortunately, smaller regional jets often come with spotty (or nonexistent) Wi-Fi.
At first, this frustrated me. All those hours in the air with nothing to do but stare at clouds. But I’ve come to see it as a gift. In a profession where mental load runs high, these midair stretches have become sacred downtime.
I’ll close my eyes, slip into a light nap, and recharge, which is the surgeon’s version of a power nap between cases. A little rest at 30,000 feet can do wonders for productivity on the ground.
The Delta Sky Club: My Traveling Office
When I land in Detroit, I make a beeline for the Delta Sky Club, my unofficial office on the road.
The lounge hums with quiet efficiency: the soft buzz of conversation, the whir of espresso machines, and the glow of laptops. I grab a coffee, settle into a booth, and open my laptop.
For the next hour, I’m not a surgeon; I’m a real estate investor. I review property deals, communicate with partners, and sometimes even work on capital-raising efforts.
Recently, I’ve been diving deeper into passive real estate opportunities through Cereus Real Estate. a company I helped found to make real estate investing accessible for busy professionals. For physicians like me, who barely have time to eat lunch during clinic days, finding a trustworthy passive investment vehicle is a game-changer.
These lounge hours are where many of those investment ideas take shape; fueled by caffeine, curiosity, and a belief that financial freedom isn’t just a dream reserved for “someday.”
On the Road Again: Cars, Calories, and Compromise
After landing in Cleveland, I pick up my rental car. Normally I go for something practical, such as a small SUV, maybe a hybrid. But today, a shiny red Mustang is calling my name.
Life’s too short not to indulge once in a while, right?
As I zip down the highway, I feel that rush of freedom that made me fall in love with locum work in the first place. The open road, a good playlist, and no pager buzzing at my hip. It’s a beautiful kind of temporary solitude.
But travel has its challenges. Somewhere between hospital shifts and airport transfers, healthy eating becomes aspirational. I cave and pull into a Burger King drive-thru. Not exactly part of my long-term health plan, but as every traveling physician knows, convenience sometimes wins over kale.
Hotel Life: Familiar Comforts, Hidden Costs
By the time I reach my hotel, the reliable Hyatt Place, it’s been a seven-hour trek door to door.
The front desk clerk greets me by name, which is both comforting and slightly concerning. I’ve become such a regular that I’m basically part of the furniture.
My room overlooks a dimly lit parking lot. Not exactly a sweeping skyline view, but at this point, I’m just grateful for a clean bed, decent Wi-Fi, and blackout curtains.
The exhaustion of travel hits hard, but there’s also a quiet satisfaction. Every journey, every patient, every property deal, they’re all bricks in the foundation of a life I’m intentionally building.
The Dual Life of a Surgeon and Investor
When I tell colleagues that I balance surgery with real estate investing, I usually get one of two reactions: admiration or confusion.
“How do you find the time?” they ask.
The truth? You make the time.
Locum tenens work gives me the breathing room to pursue my financial goals without sacrificing my medical career. It’s not easy — juggling travel, work, and investments requires discipline and structure — but the rewards are immense.
I’ve come to see this lifestyle not as “unconventional,” but as adaptive. The world of medicine is changing, and physicians are realizing they don’t have to be confined to one hospital or one income source forever.
For me, investing, particularly through platforms like Cereus Real Estate, represents more than just passive income. It’s a safety net, a growth engine, and a ticket to the kind of financial freedom that allows me to practice medicine on my terms.
Lessons from the Road
Here’s what I’ve learned after hundreds of flights, dozens of hotels, and countless hours in between:
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Freedom has a price. Locum work offers flexibility, but it also comes with fatigue, unpredictability, and long travel days. You have to weigh the trade-offs carefully.
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Downtime is productive. Whether it’s a layover or a flight without Wi-Fi, use that time to rest or reflect. Your mental health will thank you.
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Diversify early. Don’t wait until burnout hits to explore new income streams. Whether it’s real estate, entrepreneurship, or creative pursuits, start building now.
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Connection matters. Even on the road, stay grounded! With family, friends, and colleagues who remind you why you started this journey.
Final Thoughts: Choosing Freedom Over Routine
The locum tenens lifestyle isn’t for everyone. It demands flexibility, resilience, and a willingness to live outside the medical mainstream. But for those who crave autonomy and who see their career as one part of a bigger life vision, it can be transformative.
For me, this path has been more than a career choice; it’s been a mindset shift. A realization that financial and professional freedom doesn’t arrive by accident: it’s built, one deliberate decision at a time.
So if you’re a physician, engineer, attorney, dentist, entrepreneur, or business professional wondering how to reclaim your time, expand your opportunities, and maybe even start investing in something beyond your 401(k), consider this your sign. Explore, invest, and take that next step toward the life you actually want.
Because financial freedom isn’t a dream, it’s a decision. Let’s get there together.
