Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kiran Dintyala. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kiran , thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
One of the most defining moments in my life occurred on March 13, 2007. I vividly remember sitting in my tiny dorm room, overwhelmed by a wave of despair. My hands were trembling, my heart was racing, and my mind was consumed with anxiety. I had just received devastating news that threatened to derail my lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. It felt like everything I had worked so hard for—years of effort, confidence, and hope—was crumbling before my eyes. The financial strain, the fear of failure, and the thought of letting down my family and friends were suffocating.
But that day, amidst the chaos, something extraordinary happened. I discovered the transformative power of calmness. It’s both an immediate revelation as well as a gradual realization that by anchoring myself in a state of inner peace, I could navigate even the most challenging situations. Over the next three months, a series of seemingly miraculous events unfolded. Opportunities appeared, my visa issues were resolved, and I secured a position in a prestigious residency program—something that seemed impossible under normal circumstances.
This experience taught me that calmness is not just a state of mind, it’s a catalyst for overcoming obstacles and achieving success. It’s the foundation upon which I’ve built my life’s work, and it’s the message I strive to share with others: that no matter how insurmountable a problem may seem, finding calm in the midst of chaos can unlock solutions and lead to a brighter future.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Dr. Kiran Dintyala, also known as Dr. Calm, and my life’s mission is to help people dissolve stress and reclaim their joy, balance, and well-being. My journey into stress management began with my own struggles—moments of despair and overwhelming challenges that taught me the transformative power of calmness. These experiences inspired me to create the Stress-Free Revolution and develop the P-E-T System, a practical method to dissolve stress instantly and promote lasting calmness.
Through my work, I offer a range of services, including keynote speeches, workshops, one-on-one coaching, and my bestselling book, Calm in the Midst of Chaos. I specialize in addressing professional burnout, chronic stress, and emotional overwhelm, helping individuals regain control of their lives, improve their health, and achieve their full potential. What sets me apart is my unique blend of evidence-based medical knowledge and timeless wellness practices, delivered with warmth, empathy, and a touch of humor.
I’m most proud of the lives I’ve transformed—helping people find peace, joy, and resilience even in the face of adversity. My message is simple: calmness is a superpower, and with the right tools, anyone can unlock it to thrive in every aspect of life. Let’s embark on this journey together!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
It was 2014… an early morning in April. I received a phone call from my
uncle in India conveying the news that my father had expe-
rienced a life-threatening accident. I immediately flew to
India. When I arrived, I found my dad fighting death after
an accident that resulted in severe bleeding and multiple
fractures. After two months of enormous struggle, his con-
dition finally started to improve. With great relief, I booked
a flight back to the United States. By that time, I had already
been on a leave of absence from my job for more than two
months. It was important that I return to the United States
as soon as possible and resume my job right away.
In addition, my savings were running low, and I desper-
ately needed to go back to work and make some money.
That night, after paying a farewell visit to my family
members, I departed for the airport. It was around mid-
night. I walked toward the airline kiosk, dragging three
pieces of heavy luggage. The airline staff, after asking me
a few questions, denied my departure that night. They
said they couldn’t let me fly because of a problem with my
travel documents and visa. I was aghast at hearing that.
“What the hell? What’s going on here? I never ran into
this kind of problem before,” I protested. My prolonged
discussions with the airline personnel were not fruitful.
All night, I was running around to work things out,
but my efforts were in vain. Finally, mentally and physi-
cally exhausted, around 4 a.m., I decided to return home.
I had to cancel my trip, and I was concerned whether my
employer would allow me to extend my leave of absence.
I came home and urgently applied for a new visa that
morning. Usually, it takes four to five days to get a visa,
but for some strange reason, my case was prolonged. I was
informed that my case was sent for administrative pro-
cessing and that it might take up to eight weeks before a
final decision was made!
Negative thoughts enveloped me like a storm: “Usually,
it only takes a few days to grant a visa. Why is this taking
so long? What happens if my visa gets rejected? What
happens if I’m not allowed back into the United States
again? My seemingly prosperous career that I have built
over many years will end abruptly.”
While I was in the middle of dealing with this diffi-
cult issue, I received a message from one of my clients that
they couldn’t wait anymore for me to return to the United
States and were withdrawing from a joint venture that was
a golden opportunity for my career. A few other mishaps
occurred successively, one after another around the same
time, that didn’t give me any breathing room to recover.
All these challenges (there were six major challenges I was
facing at that time, with many other minor problems also
trying to wrest away my peace of mind) were occurring as
if to test my resilience and my capability to remain calm
in the midst of chaos. It’s as if I had vanquished one stress
tiger only to find that there is another leaping on me from
behind, and then another and then another. I was being
pushed to the limits.
At that time, I counseled myself, “It’s all right! We can’t
control all the events in life. Life is a roller-coaster ride.
There are times you will be at the peak of the ride and times
you will be at the bottom. Just enjoy the ride. Do not let
the momentary ups and downs in life destroy your confi-
dence, strength, and faith. Just sit tight and let the situa-
tion pass. Allow your mind to be quiet. Allow the negative
thoughts to pass and vanish. If you allow yourself to be calm
through these tough times, soon the downturn will pass,
and the upturn will arrive. Just enjoy the ride.” With that
self-counsel, my mind found the quiet it needed. I wrote
down the list of things to be done, including which issues
were under my control and which I did not have control
over. Those things I couldn’t control, I had to let go. Those
things I could control, I worked on. The visa situation got
resolved within a few days (instead of the four to eight
weeks according to the original notice). Those few days
were extra time to spend with family. My work situation
turned out to be fine, too. In the end, everything was okay.
Once again, although life tested me very severely
throughout those three extremely tough months, it also
proved to me that with strong willpower and a calm
mind, you can overcome the challenges. And it is possible
because we are innately resilient as human beings.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Beyond training and knowledge, the most critical factor for success in my field is cultivating deep calmness and understanding the science of inner happiness. This isn’t just about managing stress—it’s about mastering it. Calmness allows you to think clearly, make better decisions, and connect authentically with others, even in high-pressure situations. It’s the foundation for building trust and delivering impactful results.
Equally important is having a genuine passion for helping others. In stress management, you’re guiding people through some of their most challenging moments. Empathy, patience, and the ability to truly listen are invaluable. These qualities not only set you apart but also create lasting transformations for your clients. Success in this field is as much about heart as it is about skill.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://drcalm.world
- Instagram: @HappyWellTribe
- Facebook: HappyWell Tribe
- Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/In/DrCalm/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/drcalm
