Dr Lerumo Motla's path from rural Limpopo to becoming a specialist trauma surgeon is a story of resilience, unexpected turns, and the healing power of medicine. In this medical career interview, we explore surgical training, trauma surgery, and healthcare in South Africa.

After losing his mother at age 7, Lerumo was raised by his aunt and grandmother while his father operated taxis. A high school teacher's suggestion to consider medicine over chemical engineering would change everything. But the medical education journey wasn't smooth - student politics led to academic failure, a risky career move from Wits to SMU after just two months, and years of grueling surgical training.

Today, Dr Motla works in one of South Africa's busiest trauma units, where the volume of penetrating trauma cases exceeds what entire European countries see in a year. He shares the harsh realities of surgical training, the emotional toll of losing patients, and why honest communication with families is crucial even in the darkest moments.

This episode explores the true cost of becoming a surgeon, the gap in psychological support for medical professionals, and Dr Motla's advice for young people considering medicine careers. We also discover his unexpected passion for jazz music as therapy and his philosophy on work-life balance for healthcare professionals.

Topics covered: medical training, surgery careers, trauma medicine, South African healthcare, medical education, surgical residency, doctor mental health, medical career advice, general surgery, trauma surgery training.

A powerful conversation about sacrifice, purpose, and what it really means to dedicate your life to healing others in the medical profession.

🎙️ Why Did I Become A Doctor shares honest, unscripted conversations with doctors, dentists, healthcare professionals, and other inspiring individuals who are shaping the future of healthcare and beyond.

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Dr Mary Dawjee, daughter of the legendary Prof Dawjee, shares her transformative journey from repeatedly quitting dental school to pioneering holistic dentistry in Cape Town. In this candid conversation, she reveals how a life-threatening burnout led to profound personal growth and a revolutionary approach to patient care.

This episode explores themes of family legacy, professional burnout, diabetes management, and the courage to redefine success on your own terms. Dr Dawjee's story offers hope and practical wisdom for anyone feeling trapped by expectations or seeking to align their career with their authentic self.

Key topics: Medical family dynamics, burnout recovery, holistic healthcare, facial analysis in dentistry, and the importance of putting yourself outside your comfort zone.

🎙️ Why Did I Become A Doctor shares honest, unscripted conversations with doctors, dentists, healthcare professionals, and other inspiring individuals who are shaping the future of healthcare and beyond.

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Dr Warren King's story defies every career convention. From growing up on a Brixton council estate to becoming a doctor at King's College London, to abandoning medicine entirely for music production in South Africa - this is a conversation you won't forget.

Warren's journey began as a teenage musician touring with major artists like Sugababes and Destiny's Child. But when gigs dried up, he literally Googled "highest paid jobs in the world" and decided to become a doctor. After seven grueling years of medical training and 18 months working in the NHS, he made the shocking decision to leave medicine behind.

In this episode, we explore:

• Growing up in poverty during the Windrush generation
• The brutal honesty of choosing medicine for money
• Life as a mature medical student at prestigious King's College London
• The harsh realities of working as an NHS doctor
• Why he left medicine after just 18 months
• Moving to South Africa sight unseen during COVID and load shedding
• Building a new career as "English the Producer"
• The differences between UK and South African healthcare systems

Warren's raw honesty about systemic issues in medical education, workplace dynamics, and finding your true calling makes this essential listening for anyone in healthcare, considering a major career change, or questioning conventional paths to success.

Find Warren's music: Search "English the Producer" on Spotify and Apple Music Connect: @english_the_producer

#Medicine #CareerChange #Healthcare #SouthAfrica #MusicProducer #NHS #KingsCollege #Podcast

🎙️ Why Did I Become A Doctor shares honest, unscripted conversations with doctors, dentists, healthcare professionals, and other inspiring individuals who are shaping the future of healthcare and beyond.

💬 Enjoyed the episode?

Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it really helps us grow and inspire the next generation.

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What happens when childhood bullying leads to a life-changing transformation that sparks an entire career? Meet Dr Rohini Bisaal - a dentist, former model, and social media influencer with over 100K followers who proves that our greatest challenges can become our greatest purpose.

In this inspiring episode, Dr Bisaal shares how being called "Bugs Bunny" and bullied at school led her to get braces - a transformation so profound it redirected her entire life toward dentistry. But her story doesn't stop there. During dental school, she pursued modeling as a side hustle, and those photos are still being used in advertisements worldwide today!

In this episode, we explore:

• How childhood bullying and orthodontic treatment changed her life forever
• Her journey through dental school at UWC and the challenges she faced
• The unexpected modeling career that continues to this day
• Building an authentic social media presence with 55K Instagram and 108K TikTok followers
• The reality of being a female content creator online - both the positives and dangers
• Her patient-centered philosophy: "I'm attracted to the person behind the tooth"
• Why vulnerability and authenticity matter more than perfection
• The business side of social media and brand partnerships
• Practical advice for aspiring dentists

Powerful moments you'll hear: "When you smile more, you release more endorphins. I was just such a happier person."

"Vulnerability is strength. People think it's a weakness."

"I'm being authentically me. I'm not trying to put up a facade to please anyone."

Dr Bisaal's story is a masterclass in turning pain into purpose, embracing multiple passions, and staying authentic in the digital age. Whether you're interested in dentistry, social media, or simply love transformation stories, this episode will inspire you to see challenges as redirections toward your calling.

Follow Dr Rohini Bisaal: Instagram: @rohinibisaal TikTok: @drrohinibisaal

Connect with Why Did I Become A Doctor South Africa: Website: whydidibecomeadoctor.com Instagram: @whydidibecomedoctorpodcast TikTok: @why.did.i.become Email: [email protected]

Subscribe, rate, and review to help us share more inspiring stories from South African healthcare professionals!

#Dentistry #SouthAfrica #Transformation #SocialMedia #Authenticity #Healthcare #Inspiration #BullyingAwareness #PersonalGrowth #ContentCreator

🎙️ Why Did I Become A Doctor shares honest, unscripted conversations with doctors, dentists, healthcare professionals, and other inspiring individuals who are shaping the future of healthcare and beyond.

💬 Enjoyed the episode?

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What does it take to break through systemic barriers and build lasting wealth? Prof Dilip Garach shares his remarkable journey from being thrown out of university registration for refusing to wear a tie, to becoming South Africa's Financial Planner of the Year.

In this candid conversation, Prof Garach reveals why most professionals - including doctors and dentists - struggle to build real wealth despite high incomes. He shares invaluable insights on tax planning, wealth preservation, and the critical mistakes healthcare professionals make with money.

Episode Highlights:

• The untold story of Indian professionals during apartheid
• Why selling time will never make you truly wealthy
• The 70% tax trap facing high earners in SA
• How to structure wealth for generational success
• The inside story of transforming SARS
• Why SA's financial literacy crisis threatens our future

About Our Guest: 

Prof Dilip Garach is a Chartered Accountant, former Head of Tax at UKZN, and founder of Garach Corporation. Named Financial Planner of the Year in 2004, he served 16 years on the SARS Advisory Board and advised ministers Trevor Manuel and Pravin Gordhan. He specialises in high net worth wealth management.

Connect with Prof Garach: Website: www.garach.co.za Email: [email protected]

This episode is essential listening for any professional serious about building and preserving wealth in South Africa.

🎙️ Why Did I Become A Doctor shares honest, unscripted conversations with doctors, dentists, healthcare professionals, and other inspiring individuals who are shaping the future of healthcare and beyond.

💬 Enjoyed the episode?

Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it really helps us grow and inspire the next generation.

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“South Africa is my home. I’ve lived here for 30 years..."

In this episode, Dr Yash Naidoo and Dr Yak Lindy sit down with orthopaedic surgeon Dr Hooman Eshraghi for a conversation that blends surgical precision with deep personal reflection.

Dr Eshraghi shares the moment he fell in love with orthopaedics, how mentorship shaped his career, and why he’s proud to call South Africa home.

From padel injuries and parenting to Persian identity and accidental Discovery Vitality adverts — this is a story about community, humility, and belonging.

If you’ve ever wondered what drives a surgeon to keep showing up — this one’s for you.

Follow the journey on Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, TikTok & WhatsApp Channel.

#WDIBAD #OrthopaedicSurgeon #DoctorPodcast #SouthAfrica #Mentorship #ImmigrantVoices

🎙️ Why Did I Become A Doctor shares honest, unscripted conversations with doctors, dentists, healthcare professionals, and other inspiring individuals who are shaping the future of healthcare and beyond.

💬 Enjoyed the episode?

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In this special episode of Why Did I Become a Doctor, host Dr Yash Naidoo sits down with someone who has quietly shaped his life and inspired countless others — his father-in-law, Dr Gitesh Rampersadh.

A specialist gynaecologist and former obstetrician, Dr Rampersadh speaks with rare humility about the early days of private practice, the strain it placed on his young family, and the financial pressures and difficult decisions behind the scenes.

This isn’t just a look back — it’s a message forward. He shares what patients often don’t see, what young doctors should know, and what he would do differently if he had the chance.

Whether you’re a clinician, student, parent, or simply someone navigating big life choices, this episode will leave you reflecting on what truly matters.

🎙️ Why Did I Become A Doctor shares honest, unscripted conversations with doctors, dentists, healthcare professionals, and other inspiring individuals who are shaping the future of healthcare and beyond.

💬 Enjoyed the episode?

Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it really helps us grow and inspire the next generation.

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In this episode, Dr Yash Naidoo speaks to one of South Africa’s most respected orthodontists — Dr Mark Wertheimer.

They explore:

• His path from childhood dental fear to global orthodontic leadership

• The realities of specialist training in South Africa

• The ethical crossroads facing modern dentistry

• Leadership insights from SASO, SADA, and beyond

• How commercial pressures are reshaping patient care

It’s a candid, thoughtful, and often humorous conversation that reveals what really lies behind the clinical smile — from Sandton to the world.

🎙️ Why Did I Become A Doctor shares honest, unscripted conversations with doctors, dentists, healthcare professionals, and other inspiring individuals who are shaping the future of healthcare and beyond.

💬 Enjoyed the episode?

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KC Makhubele never became a doctor — but today, he leads the doctors and dentists of South Africa.

In this episode, KC sits down with Dr Yash Naidoo and Dr Yak Lindy to reflect on the journey that took him from herding cattle in Matiyani village, to studying medicine at UCT, to ultimately becoming CEO of the South African Dental Association (SADA).

KC speaks candidly about leadership, failure, faith, and finding his purpose — even when the plan didn’t go according to script.

 🎧 Expect real stories, raw moments, and reflections on what it truly means to serve.

🎙️ Why Did I Become A Doctor shares honest, unscripted conversations with doctors, dentists, healthcare professionals, and other inspiring individuals who are shaping the future of healthcare and beyond.

💬 Enjoyed the episode?

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From grassroots public health to flying on private jets with Bollywood royalty — Dr Neeraj Mistry has lived a life of extraordinary contrasts.

In this wide-ranging conversation with Dr Yash Naidoo and co-host Dr Yak Lindy, he shares candid insights on ego, masculinity, influence, privilege, and the realities of changing systems from within.

From early lessons at men’s health clinics to strategic communications in Washington D.C., Dr Mistry’s journey reveals what it really takes to move people, policies, and perceptions.

🎙️ Topics covered:

• Global Health Leadership

• Masculinity and Men’s Health

• Power, Privilege, and Systems

• Strategic Communications and Influence

• Storytelling That Drives Change

🎙️ Why Did I Become A Doctor shares honest, unscripted conversations with doctors, dentists, healthcare professionals, and other inspiring individuals who are shaping the future of healthcare and beyond.

💬 Enjoyed the episode?

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🚀 Want to collaborate, support the show, or find out more?

Visit whydidibecomeadoctor.com or email us at [email protected].