We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mani Saint Victor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mani, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

You know, back when I was two years and two weeks deep into my psychiatry residency, I found myself at this weird crossroads. Picture this: I’m in the thick of learning how to unravel the mysteries of the human mind, something I genuinely loved. But here’s the kicker—I’d already taken two detours into the world of software development and entrepreneurship before. Yeah, once right after undergrad, and then again after med school. I wasn’t just dabbling; I was building businesses, consulting, getting my hands dirty in the tech world.

So, in 2008, with one foot in psychiatry and the other itching to sprint back to tech, I made a move that felt a bit like jumping out of a plane—exciting and terrifying all at once. I left my residency to join a startup. Sounds crazy, right? Starting from scratch in lower-level programming gigs, building a portfolio piece by piece, it was a humbling pivot. Fast forward sixteen years, and here I am, having ridden the software and video game development wave for over a decade. But the story doesn’t end there.

I’ve taken another twist, merging my love for technology with my roots in psychiatry to step into the world of authenticity coaching. Using everything from my psych training to hypnosis (yeah, I got trained eight years ago), I’m on this mission to help folks break through the invisible barriers that keep them from living a life that’s genuinely theirs. And recently, I’ve cooked up this thing I call the Authenticity Awareness Quiz. It helps people see the stories they tell themselves and how those stories shape their lives and their worth.

Speaking of detours…back to my jump from my medical career path.

So, there I was, knee-deep in my psychiatry residency, and something just didn’t sit right. Don’t get me wrong, psychiatry was fascinating—like being a detective of the mind. But I had this nagging feeling, like wearing a shoe that’s just a tad too tight. You see, before med school had its hooks in me, I was out there in the tech world, building stuff, solving puzzles in a way that felt like playing but was actually work. Rough, high-pressure play, yes. I loved it.

After doing this dance between medicine and tech twice, I stood at the edge of a massive decision in 2008. Quitting my residency in its third year, I dove headfirst into the tech pool again, joining a startup that had big dreams and the bank to chase them. It was a leap of faith—leaving the familiar path for the thrill of creating something new in software development. I had to start from the bottom again, proving myself one line of code at a time.

This rollercoaster brought me to where I am today. After a solid stint in software, I’ve kind of come full circle but with a twist. Now, I blend my psychiatric know-how with tech to help people peel away the layers of their lives that just don’t fit. With a dash of hypnosis training under my belt, I’ve been focusing on authenticity coaching. It’s about getting real with yourself, digging deep to find what makes you tick, and chucking away the rest. My latest creation? It’s the Authenticity Awareness Quiz I developed to help people figure out the stories they’ve been telling themselves and see how changing those narratives can flip their world upside down—in a good way. I use it as a quick way to not only help my clients gain insights but also to give us a shared starting place for our work in authentic self-development together.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a bit of a career chameleon, having transitioned from a budding psychiatrist with a Harvard University degree in biology—prepped and primed for a lucrative, secure career in medicine—to a software developer, and now, an authenticity coach. My journey’s been anything but linear, but that’s exactly what makes it so exciting. I’ve always been fascinated by the potential of the human mind, whether it’s in healing, creating, or empowering. This curiosity led me from the prestigious halls of Harvard into the dynamic world of tech and, eventually, into the realm of personal development. How I Got Here:
My path kicked off in the world of psychiatry, where I delved deep into the intricacies of the human psyche. However, my parallel passion for technology and entrepreneurship pulled me in a different direction—twice. After undergrad and then again after medical school, I stepped away from the expected trajectory of medicine to explore the possibilities within software development and business. These weren’t just side quests; they were foundational experiences that shaped my understanding of problem-solving and innovation. In 2008, I made the bold decision to fully pivot into software, joining a startup and beginning a new chapter that would span over a decade, effectively sidestepping the conventional use of my degree and the safety net it provided.
What I Do Now:
Today, I merge my diverse background to offer a unique service: authenticity coaching. Drawing from my psychiatric training, tech experience, and hypnosis skills, I help individuals break through subconscious barriers to lead lives that are truly aligned with their values and aspirations. My main tool? The Authenticity Awareness Quiz, a creation designed to help clients uncover and rewrite the narratives that hold them back.
My Offerings:
Authenticity Coaching: Personalized coaching sessions that dive deep into your subconscious, helping you uncover and dismantle the stories that limit your potential.
The Authenticity Awareness Quiz: A proprietary tool that provides insights into your inner narratives, offering a starting point for transformative work.
Workshops and Seminars: Group sessions focused on authenticity, personal development, and leveraging your unique strengths in both personal and professional contexts.
What Sets Me Apart:
My eclectic journey through psychiatry, software development, and coaching equips me with a unique perspective on problem-solving and personal growth. I approach challenges not just from a psychological standpoint but with an innovative, tech-savvy mindset that seeks out-of-the-box solutions. The decision to diverge from a traditional path, despite the weight of a “designer brand” degree (and let’s not even talk about the student loans), underscores my commitment to forging a career defined by passion, innovation, and genuine fulfillment.
What I’m Proud Of:
I’m most proud of the courage it took to continually step into the unknown, whether it was leaving a secure path in medicine, diving into the competitive world of tech, or launching my venture into authenticity coaching. Each leap was fueled by a desire to grow, to contribute, and to find that sweet spot where passion and purpose intersect.
For Potential Clients/Followers/Fans:
If you’re seeking transformation, not just surface-level changes, and you’re ready to explore the depths of your authenticity, I’m here to guide that journey. My work is for those who dare to ask the tough questions, who are ready to rewrite their stories for a more fulfilling, aligned life.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

If I had the chance to do it all over again, my answer would be a resounding yes. I would still choose the same profession and specialty. However, with the benefit of hindsight, I would make one significant alteration: I would complete the last two years of my psychiatry residency. Back then, I underestimated the pace at which technology would evolve; I feared missing out on the tech boom and, ironically, ended up facing the tech bubble pop and the financial crisis of 2008 head-on.

Finishing my residency would have provided me with a more stable income and a smoother transition into the tech world, leveraging my medical background for credibility rather than starting from scratch. The depth of knowledge and understanding gained from psychiatry and medical education is something I deeply value. It has enriched my approach to software development and authenticity coaching in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

Looking back, I wish I had been more cognizant of the stresses and uncertainties inherent in the world of entrepreneurship. The journey has been far from predictable, filled with highs and lows that have tested my resilience and adaptability. Additionally, I realize now that there might have been pathways to integrate my love for technology, particularly artificial intelligence, more directly with my medical career. This blend could have allowed me to explore the technological innovations shaping the future of psychiatry and medicine.

Despite these reflections, the journey has taught me invaluable lessons about risk, passion, and the importance of pursuing a career that aligns with one’s values and interests. The experiences I’ve gathered from both worlds have shaped me into the professional I am today, offering a unique perspective that bridges the gap between medicine, technology, and personal growth.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There was this stretch of time, a good four years after my youngest was born, when life just bottomed out for me. Depression wasn’t new to me, but this was different—it was like being stuck in a fog so thick I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. Everything felt empty, like I was moving through a world stripped of color and sound. During this spell, the idea of keeping up with my software gigs or learning anything new in tech was laughable. I just couldn’t do it. My business tanked, and my marriage didn’t survive the storm.

Then, as if things weren’t tough enough, my ex-wife got sick with cancer. It hit her hard and fast, spreading to her brain before we really had time to grasp what was happening. Watching her health decline, knowing I was still lost in my own sea of depression, was a nightmare. And then she passed away. Suddenly, it was just me and the kids. She had always been the one who kept our lives running like a well-oiled machine, and without her, I felt even more unmoored.

But you know what? Somehow, through all that darkness, there was a sliver of light. It didn’t happen overnight, and there were days I didn’t think I’d make it through, but slowly, things started to get a bit brighter. I clawed my way back to being someone my kids could rely on, to finding bits of joy and purpose in the day-to-day. It’s been four years since we lost her, and while the pain hasn’t disappeared, we’re finding our way through it together. My youngest, now nine, is doing pretty great most days, all things considered. And my oldest, at nineteen, is nearby, carving out his own path in the world. We’ve got this bond, you know? It’s strong, and it’s gotten us through some of the toughest times.

So yeah, resilience? It’s been my silent partner through all of this. It’s about getting back up, no matter how hard life hits you, and finding a way to make the next day a little better than the last

Contact Info:

• Website: https://manisaintvictormd.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asylumpapillon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrManiAuthenticityCoach
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manisaintvictormdauthenticitycoach/