We recently had the chance to connect with Fabius Santos and have shared our conversation below.
Fabius, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Something that makes me incredibly proud is watching my daughter Anya grow as a soccer player and as a person. This year, she scored five goals in a single game, which was an amazing moment, but what truly made me proud was seeing how much she improved from her first year to her second. She committed herself, worked hard, and built confidence along the way.
Seeing her develop that resilience and determination reminds me that Rome wasn’t built in a week! I’m proud of who she is today and genuinely excited to see the person she continues to become.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Fabius Santos, and I’m a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. I’m the founder of Optimal Psychiatry & Wellness in Perry Hall, which we’ve been growing since 2020. We specialize in psychiatric medication management for patients aged 14 and up, and what truly sets us apart is our commitment to taking the time to fully understand each patient’s unique story.
At Optimal Psychiatry, we recognize that medications are just one component of a larger puzzle. Mental health is shaped by many factors—nutrition, exercise, relationships, interpersonal stressors—and addressing these alongside medication is key to achieving lasting wellness. We pride ourselves on offering a holistic, patient-centered approach that goes beyond just prescribing treatment.
Most recently, we’ve started offering Spravato (intranasal esketamine) as a treatment for severe depression, and the results have been promising. It’s an exciting new option for patients who haven’t responded to traditional treatments, and we’ve seen significant improvements in some of our most challenging cases.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One of the biggest moments in my life was becoming a father. For a long time, life was centered around myself.. my goals, my growth, and what I wanted to achieve. I wasn’t thinking as much about others as I could have.
Meeting my wife and having two amazing children completely shifted my perspective. It grounded me and gave me a deeper sense of purpose. I’ve learned to be more present, to value what truly matters, and not get so caught up in chasing success or financial milestones.
Becoming a father has made me genuinely grateful for the life I have. Having a loving family is something I never take for granted, and honestly, it’s all I ever wanted. It’s hard to ask for anything more meaningful than that
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be that everything is going to be okay—that one day it will all work out. Growing up as an only child, I had to figure a lot of things out on my own, and there were many moments when I wished I had someone to turn to. I wasn’t the smartest kid, or the most athletic, and I spent a lot of time just wanting to fit in and be accepted.
I was a nerdy kid and it took me years to come out of my shell and build the confidence to be the person I wanted to be. I always believed in myself, but I also relied heavily on external validation. Over time, I’ve learned that one of the lifelong challenges for many of us—and certainly for me—is shifting from seeking external approval to building strong internal validation.
It’s a lesson I’m still applying, but one that has made me a stronger, more grounded person both personally and professionally.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cultural value I will always protect is self-reliance. Growing up as an only child, I had to navigate many things on my own, and that shaped who I am today. As an adult, I’m very comfortable being alone and I value the time I get to spend recharging just by myself.
I’ve learned that, at the end of the day, you have to have your own back. It sounds cliché, but no one is coming to save you—you have to show up for yourself. Life can get really tough, but I believe people are incredibly resilient and powerful. We’re built to handle challenges, to grow, and to push through anything that comes our way. That mindset has guided me throughout my life and continues to ground me to this day.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What false labels are you still carrying?
I believe childhood has a profound impact on who we become as adults. For me, the challenges I faced early on created a deep drive to keep proving myself. It feels almost like I owe it to my younger self to stay motivated and keep pushing forward—as if I’m still carrying that kid inside me who no one really believed in.
As an adult, that’s turned into an insatiable appetite for growth and purpose. I want Optimal Psychiatry to continue expanding so we can reach and help as many people as possible. I want my wife and kids to thrive and accomplish everything they dream of. And I want the people I love and care for—personally and professionally—to achieve everything they’re capable of.
That motivation comes from a genuine place: turning past challenges into fuel, and using that drive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Optimal-Psychiatry.com
