The Wiggly Path

In this episode, award-winning emergency medicine specialist Dr. John Chang shares the astonishing story of how he became a doctor. John grew up struggling to read and write because of undiagnosed dyslexia. As a teenager, he was told by a teacher that he was intellectually incapable of getting into university and should consider becoming a garbage collector instead. It is a testament to John’s indomitable spirit that he never took this discouragement to heart. Passionate about serving the disadvantaged, John was determined to pursue a career in medicine, come what may. 

And what a pursuit it was! After graduating from secondary school at the bottom of his class, John got into a pre-med programme on a probationary basis and spent 13 years sending applications to medical schools in a single-minded mission to become a doctor. Over that period, neither poverty, nor hunger, nor more than 300 separate rejection letters could dissuade him from chasing his calling. 

John only received his dyslexia diagnosis after he was finally accepted into medical school, at around age 40. But by that point, his unwavering commitment to serving others had proved to be better than any prescription. Looking at his accomplishments today, one would never guess John had ever been written off as ‘slow’ or ‘stupid’. In 2023, John was named Middlesex District Medical Society's Community Clinician of the Year for his outstanding contributions as a healthcare worker. Still practicing in his eighties, he currently serves as one of the Board of Directors of Urgent Care Medicine in the United States. 

We share John’s story in honour of World Dyslexia Day, which falls on October 8th this year. Roughly 700 million people around the world have dyslexia, a learning difficulty that is caused by differences in the way the brain processes language. The condition affects reading and writing skills but has no bearing on intelligence. Unfortunately, most dyslexic individuals are not diagnosed until adulthood, like John, or not diagnosed at all. The good news, however, is that it is never too late to get help.

Music composed by: Justin Yau

 Host and co-creator: Barbara Shaw

 Audio editing: Jai Rane

To learn more about dyslexia please visit: ⁠https://dyslexiaida.org/dyslexia-basics/

In this episode, we talk to alpine skier Audrey King, who in 2022 became the first female skier born and raised in Hong Kong to represent Hong Kong in the Olympic Games. Coming from a warm, snowless city, Audrey knew from the start that she would be at a disadvantage in competitive skiing. However, she refused to let geography put a lid on her dreams. Determined to reach her sport's biggest stage, Audrey began training and competing around the world as a teenager, braving homesickness and near career-ending injuries for a chance to pursue her passion. Even when a back bruise left her temporarily unable to move her body, her resolve could not be shaken. Tune in to hear her amazing go-getting story.

Composer: Justin Yau

Interviewer and co-creator: Barbara Shaw

Audio editing: Barbara Shaw and Jai Rane

In this episode, we listen to lawyer and later-in-life triathlete Mayank Vaid share his incredible wiggly path to winning the Enduroman Arch to Arc Triathlon in 2019. Formerly unhealthy and overweight, Mayank went from barely being able to swim a lap, to becoming the first Indian to win the competition. Today he is also the world record holder for the shortest time taken to complete 10 marathons in 10 days on a treadmill. Mayank's resilience, determination and can-do attitude are a testament to the power we all have within us to strive harder, reach further and fulfill the hidden potential lying beyond our self-doubt. Tune in to learn how he made it all happen.

Co-creator: Barbara Shaw

Interviewer and Co-creator: Jai Rane

Composer: Justin Yau

Thank you to Christoper Reichert for his help with the audio editing!

We dedicate this episode to the countless early career medical professionals across the globe who have had to brave the unenviable transition between medical school and the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join us as we talk to Esther Yewpick Lee Millennium Scholar and Oxford University DPhil Candidate Timothy Tipoe about his experiences during this transformative moment in medical history. Dr Tipoe, or 'Tim', as he is known to his friends, graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2019 and was a medical intern when the pandemic began. His actions while working at Prince of Wales Hospital in 2020 are exemplary of the extraordinary courage that has been shown by thousands of early career healthcare workers the world over. Tune in to learn about the impact these last few years have had on new doctors and how many like Tim have found strength in such challenging times. Please have a listen to show your support.

Music composed by: Justin Yau

In this episode we introduce you to Cliff Scipione, a man whose extraordinary coming out story proves that it is never too late to be who you truly are. At the age of 56, after over three decades of marriage and many years struggling to come to terms with his sexual orientation, Cliff made the brave and difficult decision to tell his wife and kids that he was gay. Now, over twenty years after coming out, Cliff is happily married to the person who helped him make that life-affirming decision. Tune in to hear Cliff share his long and inspiring journey to love and self-acceptance.

Host and Co-creator: Barbara Shaw

Composer and Lead Audio Engineer: Justin Yau

Learn more about the podcast on our website. 

Follow us on Instagram (@thewigglypathpodcast) to keep updated about future episodes.

We talk to renowned ballet dancer Linda Fung, who was one of Hong Kong's first Chinese ballerinas. An alumna of the Royal Ballet School in London as well as the Juilliard School in New York, Linda served as a principal dancer at the Hong Kong Ballet for many years and remains a prominent figure in the Hong Kong ballet scene. Looking at her credentials, few would guess that she had initially faced the disadvantage of having started her training at the relatively 'late' age of twelve. Even fewer could imagine that the seemingly effortlessly graceful Linda was once dismissed as being entirely the 'wrong' frame and build for ballet. Yet both these things are true. Linda's path through the world of ballet and eventually to the art of Tai Chi has been a very wiggly one. 

In this episode Linda describes how she managed to build her career in dance despite her father's objections. She recounts the unexpected way motherhood led her to discover the way of life of Tai Chi, and how the philosophy of Tai Chi helped her navigate the grief of her husband's passing. Her reflections on dance and family, chinese philosophy and martial arts emphasise the importance of marrying mental health with physical health. We believe that Linda exemplifies the ability to achieve a balance of motion between the two. 

Host and Co-creator: Barbara Shaw

Composer and Lead Audio Engineer: Justin Yau

Learn more about the podcast on our website. 

Follow us on Instagram (@thewigglypathpodcast) to keep updated about future episodes.