The journey to creating Whole Body Optimism began with my experiences as a trauma surgeon and my growing awareness of the challenges faced by healthcare professionals. In the high-pressure environment of trauma surgery, I witnessed first-hand the toll that demanding healthcare roles can take on physical and mental health. Despite the focus on caring for others, many healthcare professionals often neglect their own well-being.

The turning point came when I was diagnosed with infertility, which I contribute largely to prolonged stress and neglect of my own personal health. I had a fellow surgeon tell me: “there are many surgeons out there for the patients, but there will only be one that can be the mother to your future babies.” I had to take a step back and prioritize my health, mentally and physically. I realized that I needed to “clean up” what I was doing all around me. If I expected different results, I needed to develop a more intentional and clean practice of taking care of my mind, body, and soul. 

I then realized that while medical training equipped us to care for others, there was a significant gap in how healthcare professionals cared for themselves. This gap was not just in physical health, but also in mental and emotional well-being. Witnessing the burnout, stress, and lifestyle-related health issues among my peers, I felt compelled to take action outside of the traditional healthcare system.