TFSL was created to fill a significant gap in resources tailored to the specific and diverse needs of physician families.
The journey of a physician spouse can be isolating and unpredictable, often requiring significant personal and family sacrifices. The Flipside Life (TFSL) was created to support and connect physician families, helping them navigate these unique challenges.
Founded in 2019 by Hayley Harlock—a registered social worker and physician spouse—TFSL was envisioned as an app to connect physician partners worldwide. The organization transformed during the COVID-19 pandemic into a thriving community where physician families could find meaningful support, connection, and a sense of belonging. Today, it unites physician spouses across Canada, the USA, and beyond, fostering connection, advocacy, and empowerment.
TFSL provides a space for families to share experiences, access support, and push for systemic change in healthcare, particularly around mental health resources. Under Hayley’s leadership, it has gained recognition through podcasts, media features, and publications like the Canadian Medical Association and Physician Family Magazine. More than a community, TFSL is a movement dedicated to helping physician families thrive at every stage of their journey.
Helping physician families thrive
Hayley Harlock is the founder of The Flipside Life and a passionate advocate for physician families navigating the complexities of life in medicine.
Married to a vascular surgeon and a mother of three, Hayley brings lived experience and insight into the often unseen realities physician families face. She understands firsthand how the demands of medicine can affect family life, relationships, and the training and practice journey.
Hayley holds a Master of Social Work degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a recognized leader in physician family wellness. She is committed to raising awareness and fostering critical conversations alongside community and institutional partners. Her advocacy has led to appearances on numerous podcasts and in both local and national media.
She is currently collaborating on two research initiatives at McMaster University: the UnWRaP Study (Understanding the Well-being of Residents and Partners) and its follow-up, the CoWRaP Study (Co-Creating Solutions to Enhance the Well-being of Residents and Partners).
In 2021, Hayley was honoured to be nominated for the YWCA Hamilton Women of Distinction Award in the Pandemic Innovator category, recognizing her efforts to support physician families through the challenges of COVID-19.
Hayley holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Surgery at McMaster University, where her contributions to medical education were recognized with the 2024 Clerkship Preceptor Teaching Award for Professional Competencies.
Hayley Harlock
meet the founder
connecting physician families since 2019
Advocacy & Education
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What We Do
TFSL raises awareness about the impact of medical training and the healthcare system on physician families through media, articles, and collaborations with medical education providers and community partners. TFSL also offer consultations, resource toolkits, and presentations to help institutions and organizations better support physician families.
Connection
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TFSL connects physician partners through virtual Connect Calls and other special in-person and virtual events.
TFSL also connects the community via social media platforms where physician spouses and partners can find mentorship, resources and friendship.
1:1 Support
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Work one-on-one with Founder, Hayley Harlock in personalized sessions perfect for physician partners and physicians who feel stuck personally or professionally, as well as those looking to strengthen their most important relationships. The focus is on thriving, not just surviving!
we've worked with:
Michael Greb, Director and Head, Partnerships, MD Financial Management
"TFSL is a great organization to work with to cultivate connections within the physician family member community.
MD and Scotiabank chose to partner with the Flipside Life (TFSL) because of the support that they bring
to the physician family community, especially physician partners and spouses. Working closely with TFSL
has strengthened our understanding of the physician family community, adding valuable input to the
way we serve our clients."
Julie Petrera
Physician Spouse
"TFSL is more than a community—it’s a lifeline for spouses and partners of medical students and physicians living on the flipside of the white coat.
"I found Hayley and The Flipside Life (TFSL) community through social media during the pandemic, at a time when I was lacking connection and support. Since then, I’ve attended weekly Connect Calls and other in-person and virtual TFSL events that have made a meaningful difference in my life.
TFSL fills a critical gap in medicine by providing advocacy, connection, and unwavering support. In a world that often overlooks us, TFSL ensures we feel seen, validated, and understood. It’s a space where we find strength in shared experiences and a network of people who just get it. We’re not navigating this journey alone—we’re in it together.”
Dr. Catharine Munn, M.Sc., M.D., F.R.C.P.(C), Assistant Dean, Resident Affairs
McMaster University
“Hayley brings all of her skills, knowledge and compassion to the table every time, whether her audience is physicians, medical learners, physician partners or students.
She is a connector – celebrating everyone’s strengths and bringing them together to solve problems, learn, create and support one another. Hayley brings her professional skills, as a social worker, facilitator and teacher, together with her personal skills, as a reflective, warm, and nurturing person, to every encounter and experience. Her ability to ask a good question, to observe and learn from others, and her tremendous communication and story-telling skills, allow her to share her wisdom in helpful, generous and powerful ways. It has been a privilege and pleasure to work with Hayley over the years in teaching and research endeavours. Her grit and commitment to physician partners and physician well-being means that there’s always more challenges on the horizon and work to be done, and she’ll bring you along on the journey.”
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