Dr. Audrey Wystrach: Creating Seats at the Table
Our eyes filled with tears—not quite crying, but enough to know this moment mattered. And the truth is, it wasn’t just about us. It was about something bigger—a movement for women in vet med.
Audrey sat next to us as we reflected on the day we first connected—the day she made space for us at a leadership meeting with some of the top voices in our industry. She didn’t just invite us in; she created seats for us at a table we weren’t even sure we deserved to be at. (Spoiler: That was our imposter syndrome talking.)
As we sat there, the conversation deepened. What does it really mean to create new seats at the table? How do we, as veterinarians, pay it forward and open doors for the next generation? The sense of community, belonging, and women supporting women in that moment was undeniable.
That day, we made a commitment—to keep building, to keep making space, to keep pulling up more chairs. And this conversation with Audrey was a reminder of why that mission matters so much.
We’ll never forget this interview, and we definitely can’t wait to have her back on The Evolved Vets Podcast again.
Dr. Audrey J. Wystrach, DVM, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Petfolk, is a visionary leader, serial entrepreneur, and trailblazer in reimagining veterinary care. With over 30 years of experience, she has consistently challenged the status quo, integrating technology and hospitality to deliver radically different, customer-centric care. Growing up on a ranch in Arizona, Audrey’s passion for animals began early, shaping her journey from rural house calls to founding multiple successful ventures. At Petfolk, her mission is to make pet parenthood effortless through seamless, tech-forward platforms, beautifully designed spaces, and operational excellence. With her bold vision and dedication to innovation, Audrey is transforming the future of veterinary medicine by setting a new standard of excellence that resonates with pets, their people, and the entire care experience.
Some conversations hit deeper than expected. Audrey’s was one of them.
We interviewed her at a bar at VMX—but not in the way you might think. It was 3 PM, the bar was closed, and behind us, staff were clinking glasses, dumping buckets of ice, and prepping for the evening. Basically, they were tearing the place down and putting it back together—a fitting backdrop for a conversation about building, rebuilding, and making space for others at the table.
And that’s exactly what Audrey does.
From the moment we started talking, it was clear—Audrey doesn’t do surface-level. We dove straight into leadership, resilience, imposter syndrome, courage, and joy. The big stuff. The things that make her not just a successful mom, wife, and entrepreneur, but a force.
Audrey’s energy is magnetic. When she gets fired up, you feel it. And when she talks about who and what inspires her, especially her mom—a powerhouse in her own right—you understand why she’s built the kind of life she has.
Of course, we had to ask the questions we were dying to know, like “What’s your morning routine?” Turns out, it starts at 3:30 AM. No, that’s not a typo. Audrey starts her day before the sun with a mix of sunshine, caffeine, salt (electrolytes), and a no-phone policy, all anchored by one hour of movement. She ruthlessly prioritizes “Audrey time” first thing in the morning—because when her energy is full, she can give it back tenfold.
And that energy? It’s contagious.
Her approach to life is simple but powerful: “If it's not an incredible yes, it's a no.” That mindset is how she stays focused on what truly matters. It’s why she goes after what she dreams about with relentless commitment. It’s why she’s never waited for permission—she’s the “ask for forgiveness later” kind of leader.
Audrey created seats at the table for us. Now, she’s doing it for young leaders—giving them space to rise, empowering the next generation at Petfolk, and shaping the future of vet med.
The interview was packed with wisdom, but here are a few of our favorite Audrey Mantras:
💥 “I’m not the ask-for-permission person, I’m the ask-for-forgiveness person.”
💥 “Do it with exuberance, joy, and commitment.”
💥 “GSD: Get Shit Done.”
💥 “Watch out, boys—here we come!”
Audrey chooses joy, even when the work is hard. She’s disciplined, whether it’s early morning workouts or showing up fully for her team. She’s the definition of grit, having faced failures head-on and come back stronger every time.
And despite her packed schedule at VMX, she made it clear: being on our podcast was an “incredible yes.” No hesitation. Just conviction. For that, we’re so grateful.
By the end of the conversation, we weren’t just inspired—we were ready to GSD (get shit done!!). We know you’ll feel the same.
Audrey, thank you for showing us what it means to lead with joy, resilience, and exuberant energy. We’ll be carrying this one with us for a long time.
💫 Trust us—you don’t want to miss this one. Listen here.
