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

Hi Olivia, thanks for joining us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

I was in my last year of medical school – I had studied incessantly with a consistent schedule and weekends full of exam prep, group study sessions, early mornings and late nights at the library. I had passed all my exams up until this point until I came to my last exam of medical school – the practice exam my school required us to take prior to sitting for the national medical board exam. I took the exam, and failed it. I took it again, and failed it. I took it again, and failed it again. I took the exam 4 more times and failed it 4 more times. After failing the exam seven times, it was a shock to be dismissed from medical school. My heart was heavy, and my spirit was crushed. A week later, the COVID-19 pandemic shook the world, and the hopes of returning to any medical school were overshadowed by uncertainty and fear. I ended up applying to a handful of other medical schools, and each of them said I’d have to redo my 3rd and 4th year. With no backup plan—and no desire for one outside of medical school—I decided that if redoing my third and fourth years was my only option, I was going to go for it. The day before sending in my new applications, I received an email from my medical school giving me one more shot at taking my exam and of course I took it! I ended up passing the exam, sitting for the medical boards and received my medical degree! During these months of uncertainty and doubt, I started writing a book. By the time I was in residency, my book was published, and I began speaking nationwide at medical schools, conferences, and to undergraduate STEM students, normalizing the topic of failure and how to turn setbacks into comebacks. What began as a way to process my own struggles turned into a mission to inspire others, proving that even the hardest moments can lead to incredible opportunities.

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.

Growing up, my mom was a physician who saw many cases of unwanted teen pregnancies and sexual assault in her work. Determined to prevent these outcomes, she made it a priority to educate my sister and me about our bodies and sexual health. Her dedication to equipping us with knowledge and empowering us to advocate for ourselves laid the foundation for my comfort and passion for these topics.

Because of this, I became the go-to person in my family for my younger cousins. When they got their first period and didn’t know how to use a tampon, needed help getting birth control, or had questions about masturbation, orgasms, and sex, they came to me. I approached these conversations naturally because I had both the comfort to talk about them and, as a physician myself, the medically accurate knowledge to provide them with the right answers.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that not everyone has someone they trust to turn to for this kind of guidance. If my cousins had me, who did other girls have? Where were they going for this information? That’s when I decided to launch my YouTube channel, GlamourPuss, MD, to make this kind of education accessible to everyone.

What sets me apart is my ability to combine medical expertise with an approachable, relatable tone. I bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and real-life questions, creating a safe space for people to learn without judgment. Through GlamourPuss, MD, I address topics that are often stigmatized, from sexual health to relationships, empowering people to take control of their bodies and their lives.

What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built—a place where people feel seen, heard, and safe asking questions they’ve been too embarrassed to ask before. The main thing I want people to know about my work is that I’m here to break down taboos and help them embrace their health, their sexuality, and their confidence. I’ve taken my passion for education and turned it into a platform that champions honesty, empowerment, and real, medically accurate conversations about topics that matter.

In addition to GlamourPuss, MD, I recently launched Docfluencer, MDO, a platform designed to unite doctor-influencers (Docfluencers) with a mission to create meaningful change in healthcare. Through this initiative, I aim to rally doctor-influencers to advocate for important healthcare causes, influence policy, and amplify their voices to drive systemic change. Whether it’s improving access to care, tackling public health challenges, or promoting health education, my goal is to leverage the collective power and influence as Docfluencers to create a global impact.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Navigating the field of medicine often feels like playing a game that isn’t always fair. Many people outside the profession are surprised (though those within it are less so) to hear that medicine can feel cult-like at times. While the work is deeply rewarding and intellectually challenging, the journey can also be filled with frustrating obstacles. There are rotations where you spend hours shadowing without truly learning anything, and the profession demands significant time and energy.

Even as a practicing physician—a role I’m incredibly fortunate to have—our healthcare system is often exasperating. Physicians frequently lack the autonomy to make critical medical decisions for their patients, as these decisions can be overridden or denied by insurance companies. It’s disheartening to see the knowledge and skills we’ve worked so hard to acquire being undermined by systemic barriers.

Medicine remains a career I would choose again, and I encourage others to pursue it. However, I believe it’s vital to enter the field with a dual mission: to care for patients and to actively work toward changing and improving the system for future generations.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Absolutely! A key book that has influenced me is How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. One of the most valuable lessons from the book—though it might seem intuitive—is that people love to talk about themselves. By asking thoughtful questions and genuinely showing interest in others, you can build meaningful connections and leave a positive impression.

Another transformative experience for me was participating in a three-day seminar called the Landmark Forum. It helped me uncover blind spots—hidden beliefs or patterns of behavior that were holding me back from reaching my full potential. By confronting these, I gained clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of possibility. This experience was pivotal in empowering me to create my YouTube channel, GlamourPuss, MD, deliver two TEDx talks, author a book, and speak to sororities nationwide about topics I’m passionate about. It completely reshaped how I approach challenges and opportunities in life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.droliviarichman.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glamourpussmd/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/droliviarichman/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyYXlip57uh1rL_mzVnG51w
• Other: book on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thrivers-Guide-Medical-School/dp/1637304226/ref=sr_1_1?crid=FGE3YOEX6A5T&keywords=the+thrivers+guide+to+medical+school&qid=1642545660&sprefix=the+thrivers%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1