Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Girish Kalva. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Girish, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

I have worked as a hospital physician from 2005 to 2014 managing critically ill patients.I left that job for a much less stressful job taking care of patients in rehabs, care facilities. This was accompanied by me getting a green card which unshackled me from being tied up to an employer.

I had freedom to do what I want in one of the best first world countries in the world. This led me to discover my passions, my interest in health prevention, learning the importance of diet, exercise, nutrition which collectively can address all the western medical illnesses.

I set up 2 groups in social media apps(WhatsApp and Telegram). I started educating others about making lifestyle changes.I stopped dairy products which improved my recurrent sinus infections. I decided to stop taking antibiotics and started using natural methods to get my health better.I have not looked back since then. I trained in Functional Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutrition, Obesity Medicine from 2015 to 2020.

Opportunity came knocking in the form of Sharlene Watson and her team at Rising Health clinic – joining this clinic has been a life changing opportunity for me to realize that there are so many people looking for alternate ways to heal themselves rather than using pharmaceutical drugs, surgeries which lead to long term complications and do not heal the body from inside out.

Girish, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I finished Medical School in South India after taking MCAT in 1989, after which I graduated and worked in local hospitals for 3 years. I then moved to Jamaica, West Indies as an employee at the Government Hospital in Downtown Kingston. I passed the Medical Boards there and was promoted to a Senior Medical Officer. I had been preparing to get into Internal Medicine Residency all along during my work. Once I was able to join a community hospital in Brooklyn, NY, it was a life’s dream as I was financially broke, married and barely able to buy tickets to fly from the Caribbean to New York City just after the Twin Towers attack in 2001.

I finished my 3 year residency, had to join a job immediately as I was on a work visa. Luckily, I got an offer in Salt Lake City, UT. I jumped on it and quickly accepted the offer to work as a hospitalist. Me and my wife moved in January 2005 and have been here since then. We have made Utah our new home.

I am an out of box thinker. I always feel there is another way to tackle any health issue as long as you can find the right source, person or resource who can guide you to the right path. I take care of adults, teens with all kinds of medical issues that span over a wide spectrum of illnesses – it’s my passion through and through,.

I have made my life’s mission to tackle the most common western medical diseases like hypertension, obesity, sleep apnea, diabetes and autoimmune disease head on. So far, I’ve helped my clients lose 5000 lbs over the past 6 years. I am an expert in taking care of thyroid problems, weight issues, nutritional deficiencies, candida overgrowth, environmental toxicities especially.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I come from a middle class family in South India. My parents lost all their savings and had to bet on me to come to US and provide them financial support. Although they are elderly and in their late 70s now, and I still send money for their daily living even today. I had to face lot of hardships and hurdles to become what I am today, but I wouldn’t trade any of it.

For example, the MCAT exam which I passed in my second attempt was administered to 42,000 students and I was ranked 254 among them which helped me get through medical school on a full scholarship. This was huge for my family as they were penniless.

I have learned one important thing from all the hardships I faced – be focused and determined in what you want in your life, be good to others and the universe will get you what you want sooner or later. I feel the tough times I’ve faced in my childhood, youth and my early years of practice have made me rock solid to face all adversity with utmost confidence and a positive attitude.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

In today’s world, nobody has time nor the patience to listen to anything that does not scare them or enthrall them or genuinely convince them.

I feel the internet, food industry and the drug industry have inundated public with so many unhealthy habits,sedentary lifestyles, drug addiction, sugar binges,enormous stress and a total lack of self care.

I feel that being aggressive with your messaging, speeches,marketing and providing the right sound bytes as well as remain persistent with your clients to keep pushing them to higher limits will help me or any wellness practitioner to succeed in my field.

I feel that one on one health visits are a dying art and group health visits,educating general public using social media, smart apps and using technology to bio hack our clients daily eating,lifestyle habits will fetch dividends for anyone who can jump through the hoops that drown the right noises.Those few special healers will be the winners in the wellness arena in my opinion .

Contact Info:

• Website: risinghealthspecialty.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risinghealthslc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RisingHealthSpecialty
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rising-health-specialty-center

Image Credits
These are my personal pictures.