This video is not meant to tell anybody how to live their lives. If you have a dream, chase it. Don't let me or anybody else dissuade you from it. Best of luck to everybody

Santiago: You are absolutely right as we should always build our path the way we want. But as a 44yo IMG, I would like to give you an advice: as an ECFMG-certified IMG, do not lose this chance to be US-trained. Medicine will always provide you a decent income. Internet may be tempting, nowadays, but the is no guarantee lifelong. Think about it. Best of luck for you.

This video really resonated with me. During my final year of med school (I studied in Europe so it’s a bit different than in the USA) I was already 6 years deep into medicine. I decided to study medicine because I genuinely love it and my grades reflected that. I was on top of my class. However, being a pathological perfectionist took a big toll on me and once I was done with all lectures and clinical rotations I was completely burnt out. I had no will power to prepare exams and to study from huge books. It kinda lost the meaning and I didn’t have the passion I used to have. Also, still being financially dependent on my parent put a burden on my mind (even though they were more than happy to help me through school). That was when I picked up drawing again, after more than 15 years. It was a great vent and I was able to express other side of myself that I neglected for years. Little by little, I started gaining more social media attention and people wanted to buy my art. I quickly gained financial independence and I was fulfilled, because I had a purpose again. I decided to slowly get back to preparing exams and I did eventually finished med school with very high average grade. Once I finished the school, the whole new world opened to me. Suddenly, I didn’t have this burden that was pressing onto me for few years. Even though doing art liberated me on one hand, on the other I had this huge pressure and that was my unfinished med school. And I think that’s always the case with us who love medicine. We can try to quit it, but one way or another we will get back to it. Because love for medicine is strong and being a doctor is not just a regular job, for many it’s a calling and a life-long dedication. At this moment in my life I can’t Imagine not working as a doctor. But I also can’t imagine my life without doing art as well. Right now, I’m learning German in order to start working in Germany. It is a long process that requires additional time, but after all these years I can sacrifice another one to learn the language and finally start my medical career. I will definitely choose a specialty that will let me have a better work-life balance, because I’ve learnt that balance is the key to a happy life. And I wish you, and all of you who’ve read this, a happy and a well balanced life.

A humble advice: Please do your residency and after that take up duty hrs of your desired time. That way you can manage both your content and youtube. But please don't quit medicine altogether, don't let your years of hard work go to waste. We can't see you going that way!

I can empathize with this… I also went through med school thinking I was heading in a different direction, then the entrepreneur bug took over when I was in my 3rd year and at that point, the desire to practice was gone and the desire to build a business was all I could ever consider. Appreciate you sharing this… I think there are a LOT of med students (many that we work with tell us) that aren’t passionate about medicine but feel like they’ve worked so hard to make it and now just need to do it due to expectations. It’s good to see others who are willing to follow their passion rather than just doing what is expected of them. Again, thanks for sharing! (From Dr. Paul)

Hi. I am a second year neurology resident in South Korea. In my opinion, no one is truly happy as a trainee of medicine, especially in fields that have a lot of emergencies, night shifts, and where patients can end up dying or live with severe disabilities. The characteristic of the job requires a LOT of sacrifice, and I fully support your decision to pursuit your career based on your values. But to unhappy trainees who cannot quit/are not quitting for any reason like me, I like to think of my job as like a great coffee, where it tastes incredibly bitter with miserable workload but is amazingly fragrant, and like any good coffee the bitterness will not last, only the complex but pleasant aftertaste. Of course it is extremely bitter now, look for those scents of good memories with patients/coworkers/yourself, I am sure you will be surprised.

Hey Santiago, so I finished a Neurology residency in the US this year, and I am going to be graduating from my current fellowship next year and start my first job. Your message resonated because yes, your life perspective changes over time. I got married during residency, had a daughter, and reconnected with my high school friends. I now find the relationships in my life the most rewarding, and I saw how much of an effect of the hours I put into training during medical school and residency had affected that. This really influenced the career path I'll be taking next year, which would be a flexible remote job, in order to free up the time to invest in my relationships and hobbies. You could definitely have a flexible medical career to engage in part of yourself that drew you to medicine in the first place, as well as pursue your other interests. You are a smart guy, I would say you only have one life to live, don't let others tell you how to live it.

This sadly applies to most careers, NOT just medicine. I studied hard for my career, got my PhD and travelled the world for my career. Sadly by the time I decided to become a mum my fertility had decreased and couldn't conceive for several years. They say girls should study and stand on their own feet but it comes with a price. Now I have two kids and work part time as I want to spend time with my kids and be there for them. Sadly when you have kids your career goes out the window and one says why study so many years if I was just going to be a stay at home mum? Society doesn't support professional mums. You have to sacrifice your free time or sleep time to finish a paper or finish a work task. No pain no gain.

This was a very emotional video for me. I've been in medicine in the US for 20 yrs as a staff MD. I've gone through all these thoughts during those last 20 yrs. I've loved days... I've hated days. I've looked at alternatives... I've looked at maintaining. But most of all, I've looked at the rest of my life and what I want to do. I truly love PARTS of what I do... but I have grown bored with the largest part of what I do. Would I do it again? Today the answer would be No. Medicine took a huge amount of my time just to be able to actually work as a MD. But then again, I think of all the patients who smiled at me after I'd helped them. I think about alternatives for tomorrow... and I have no answer.

I feel ya. I am leaving medicine for IT after getting acceptance. My journey to acceptance was very gruesome and realized the schools only care about money and don't take the health of their students into consideration. I cannot join a club that doesn't do as they teach.

This is the best video you've created! I'm here struggling with my life because getting into a medical residency was my dream but now it doesn't feel that way anymore!

Great video! Talking from Brazil. I'm currently studying to become a psychiatrist, but it wasn't my first option for medical residency. In fact, I started this year in gynecology and obstetrics residency and ended up leaving after only two months. I did not find myself in the specialty and even doubted my choice of medicine. It was a rough time. But then I tried to give a second chance to medicine, kept working in clinics and remembered how I love med. I found out that I enjoy internal medicine, talking to patients and helping. I got motivated again and got back to the studies por the application. Every residency, every training period is difficult and it's not the dream job, but as we say in Brazil "there are two happinesses in the residency: when it starts and when it comes to an end." Whish you best, from Brazil!

I am a long time viewer and you channel is my favorite on KZfaq. I am really happy for you, and I hope you are proud of yourself! Thanks for all that you do with this channel.

Take guts to make this video! I can totally relate as a Second year IM resident who feels burnt out. Last year I was gun ho about specializing in cardiology or critical care. Things changed in my life and now I’m trying to figure out what to do after residency so I can have a balanced life. Thank you for the video

This video is extremely encouraging. I went to pharmacy school in the states, obtained a pharmacy residency and dropped the residency after 6 months because I had lost my dream for clinical pharmacy in a hospital setting. I started pursuing music full time as a producer and singer, and I actually got a part time job working as a clinical pharmacist in an internal medicine clinic. Thank you for sharing your story! You have gained a sub.

I actually emailed you about this (if you remember) about your timeline for us residency. Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts and reflections. Rooting for you that you will succeed as a content creator! I am one of those med students who benefited so much from your videos- I have been and will continue to look forward to them. Your reflection makes me think of how I should prioritize and value my time for the things important to me than just merely following the norm of the narrow medical path. Life is too short! Thanks once again!

I'm also on the verge of quitting medicine after doing all the USMLE exams, but unlike you i dont have a backup plan. So kinda lost as to which way to head. But good on you for taking that courageous decision and pursuing what you love to do!

Voy a comentar en español. Te deseo muchos éxitos en esta nueva etapa Santiago 🤍 sin duda alguna sí hiciste y estás haciendo la diferencia con tu existencia, con el contenido que creas. Muchas gracias por haberme ayudado tanto (y seguir haciéndolo) con temas tan complejos, por haberme sembrado un poquito de amor por la medicina interna aunque aún me falte mucho camino por recorrer. Fuiste muy valiente al tomar esa decisión. Tu felicidad, tu tiempo y lo que consideres más importante para tí es completamente válido. Lloré cuando contaste que al querer jugar con tu abuelo el ya no podía por sus manitos, me sentí muy identificada con mi abuelito que ya no está en este mundo y hubiese querido aprovechar más el tiempo con él en lugar de haber estado estudiando y estudiando. Como bien dijiste, lo más valioso que tenemos es nuestro tiempo... Me hiciste cuestionar mucho, gracias por abrirte con nosotros, por ser tan transparente. Que todo lo bueno te acompañe y aquí estaremos muchos apoyándote siempre 💌

Takes guts to be honest and it’s a good reminder of the hard sacrifices that medicine calls for. I think many of us don’t think about this. Thank you for posting this and good luck with everything as well.

Every single medical student influencer ends up quitting medicine. Hahaha. Really curious to see how all of this pans out in a decade.

All the best ❤️. You changed my life. No doubt in my mind that you will make it big 😉

I am an IMG, cleared UK licensing exam recently. I have always had the same feelings like you. I have a passion for learning Trading and be a full time trader. I want to travel and trade. But medicine makes all the obstacles for me. Unlike you I haven't been able to conquer my fear yet. Hopefully one day I can buy all the time and happiness for me and my family at an exchange of sacrificing my medicine career. Best wishes for your new journey.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 love it!!!! While I was studying for the steps I felt guilty for even trying to read a book that had nothing to do with medicine. Let along spending time with my family. My mom passed away while I was preparing for the first step and it kills me to think of all the time that I didn’t spend with her because I had to study. I decided to quit medicine in the US and go back to my country to be with my family and enjoy them while I can. The moment I decided to quit medicine I felt like a could breath again. It felt amazing

This is a nice video to watch; I have been considering med-school for psychiatry and it is making me evaluate my values. There is a lot that goes into it and the sacrifice involved is intimidating to me. I too have been considering content creation, but my reason being is to start up extracurricular work as well as keep myself fresh in the material I learned as well as to even network. Anyway thanks for sharing!

Yep, you can pretty much kiss your 20s goodbye. But I still managed to get married and have a kid. Once you hit your 30s, though, and start building your practice, it's worth it. I love what I do (ophthalmologist).

You are a brave guy, you have the right to choose what is best for YOU, thank you for inspiring us, God bless you Santiago, wish you all the best !!!!!😇🙏🏻🇨🇴

Desde que entre a la universidad me he dado cuenta de que uno de los grandes modelos a seguir para todos has sido tu, cientos de estudiantes de medicina en tu universidad, y seguramente miles de estudiantes en el mundo han visto tu trayecto y pensado que quieren hacer eso con sus vidas. Ha sido algo muy lindo ver como desde el video de la rotación en estados unidos empiezas a cuestionarte si realmente vale la pena gastar nuestra vida en una carrera que muchas veces no nos permite ser feliz. Pasaste de ser un modelo a seguir dentro de la medicina a ser un modelo a seguir respecto a la vida en general. Y espero que todos los que seguiremos con el camino que nos ayudaste a empezar logren ser tan felices como lo eres y serás. Mucha suerte!

This is so shocking to me!! I've followed your path for the last three years, and you have no idea how much you inspired me with your Experiencias IMG videos, and all the super top videos giving us many tips to get prepared for the USMLE journey. I used to think I couldn't wait the day to see you as an IM PYG-1. But life can really change in a blink of an eye and it's important to always hold on to what really makes us happy.. and family, friends and me time will always be essential! Estoy muy feliz de que estés feliz! Y GRACIAS TOTALES por todo lo que nos has enseñado! ❤️

I'm having the same thoughts as a 3rd year medical student... But I'm choosing to do something like family medicine where it is not all-consuming. It really depends what you choose to specialize in it seems. Hats off to those doing internal medicine and surgery, you won't be doing much else. :)

Perdon si comentó en español, me alegra saber que tomaste decisiones que te hacen sentir feliz contigo mismo , a mi como espectador sin duda me deja un vacío grande, es como si alguien que hubiera entrenado fútbol gran parte de su vida se enterara que Messi se retiró, que el futbol quizas no lo llenaba tanto. Siento que como estudiante se me mueve el piso, y está bien porque ahora veo que existe vida fuera de la residencia. Pero no deja de ser raro, como que me inspiraba en los momentos pesados de la carrera viendo tus entrevistas a médicos en otros paises, y ahora que te retiras de la medicina siento que mi propio camino en la medicina se tambalea, sé que debo vivir mi propia experiencia y en eso tomar mis propias decisiones, pero sin duda que alguien como tú deje este camino me deja con sabor amargo en la boca. Gracias por leerme, un abrazo.

a small advice that I think goes a long way is" to go where you're needed the most", measure your self, know what you can offer and what you cant, and regardless if it was medicine or something else, where you're mostly needed, is where fulfillment resides.

Can we as a society stop shaming people for choosing medicine and then changing their minds. Obviously none of us in the comments are doing that but it is a very common thing I see within our field. Personally, nothing else would make me as happy as being a surgeon so I don’t see myself ever changing but we need people in EVERY field and if everyone who wanted to be a doctor at one point actually became one, then we’d be doomed.

Hi, I’m a medical student and you helped me so much with ranking different resources to study for Step 1! The content you create is invaluable and will indirectly affect the care of so many patients because you help med students pass boards. Thank you so much and I’m happy you can continue to make the best content to help us succeed 😊

Congratulations for having the courage to do what makes you happy! Medicine is full of sacrifices and sometimes those sacrifices are just not worth losing some of the most important moments of life.

Thank you for being brave enough to listen to yourself and to intervene and to make this video to express what many cannot. Subscribing to continue to root for you! Good luck!

You have got balls brother. Loved your confidence, your clear thinking and outlook towards your life. Somehow, everybody here knows you will ace in any field you'll put your step in. All my good wishes to you. ✌️

Students are expected to commit to medicine at such a young age and after making that premature/uninformed decision you are basically crippled into staying via debt/obligations/fear/etc. I commend you for your bravery. Best of luck Santiago!

Happy for you. Im applying into a lifestyle specialty and am very excited. I admire and respect your decision, and hope you find the time and peace you seek. Thank you for all your content - it has helped a lot of people

Not everybody gets balls bigger than bulls. Best wishes for your next endeavor. You are always a big inspiration.

Santiago, you are a ridiculously talented medical professional and let me tell you, you can and will be able to balance residency and ID fellowship with your other passions. Even your content will get a huge refresh when and if you enter residency!

Don't quit bro. Your video helped me a lot. Don't do it. That's the emotional part of your brain speaking

Its soo good to see someone who is at the peak of his game choose his happiness over making a fortune. Massive Respect brother 🙌🏻♥️

I just wanted to let you know that I really admire your outlook and wisdom in deciding to quit medicine. It takes a lot of courage and self-awareness to make a decision like this, and I have full confidence that you will be able to find a path that brings you happiness and fulfillment. Remember that your happiness and well-being should always be your top priority, and I know that you will be able to create a life that aligns with your values and passions. Keep being brave and true to yourself, and do what you feel fulfills you. We only have one life.

after 22 years practice in pharmacy as a clinical pharmacist at VA , i did quit my job all of sudden at age of 53 . I simply could not tolerate the micro management anymore .I could NOT take so many BS anymore . BUT , I established my pension and my ..social security and a good 401 K ..... so my advice to people watching this , make sure that you get some social security and pension plan, Medicare plan and 401 k so when you get to age of 62 you are not homeless ..... DO NOT QUIT EARLY BEFORE YOU ESTABLISHE THE ABOVE .ITS A BIG BIG BIG MISTAKE TO QUIT EARLY LIKE HIM ......HE MADE A HUGE MISTAKE ......DO not do the same mistake he did

Hey Santiago I really appreciate your courage and I believe you’ve made the right decision. It’s really hard to do medicine and focus on other areas of life at the same time…we sacrifice so much pursuing medicine without noticing what we have lost 😢 just wanna say I love your videos and they helped me a lot! You’re a talented person and I believe you will do an excellent job no matter in what field 🎉

its not only medicine. it's life. no one who is successful has a chill life.

I’ve been following you for the last year and always admired you since the first video I saw, today’s no exception. I’ll still watch your amazing videos and thank you for encouraging me to pursuit challenges I didn’t even considered!

Medicine is a tight rope. Everything you do from the MCAT to boards is high stakes, and it often feels like the outcomes aren’t entirely up to us. I left medical school in 2020, class of ‘22. I’m a wildland firefighter now. I’m thinking about returning and finishing my degree. This morning I’m considering what the best use of time is. I’m really happy with fire & wilderness medicine. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

I knew something was up, when ur videos were at home not in USA . I LOVE U BUDDY…UR GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL, AND WILL ALWAYS BE UR FANS IM OBGYN , IN RAT RATE NOW, BUT WILL START MY OWN BUSINESS SOON’love u and love u more buddy’

The first time I came across your videos was when I started studying for USMLE step 1, your tips and tricks helped me establish my baseline and work on myself. Whenever, I felt like I will not be able to achieve it I went through your videos and you motivated me to push ahead. I kinda wanted to be just like you. Thank you for all the motivation and good luck on all your future endeavours!

I almost left nursing until I discovered independant contract nursing I make as much money as my friend whose a physician assistant, I make my own schedule and I’m my own boss basically

Imagine in 10 years when he's working long shifts in Spain getting a paycheck and spending it to support his family, then realizing he's making less money than a nurse makes in the US.

I don’t particularly comment anywhere on media or with any unsolicited opinion: but this….oh this. From a standby perspective….I think you’ve overthought this problem to the death….and you, who is obviously an incredibly intelligent person, are getting in your own way. Content creation is not a boat that will leave….but the medical residency is one that will go further each year. With your scores, programs will sign you even with minimal experience-that is the solid truth, and I speak it with a good bit of gravitas, as I’m signing an early contract this Monday with my top choice, and far less scores. Perhaps you need a break, yes. But in a few years, residency is over, and there is a great deal of security from having a skill that is so difficult to acquire-and life returns back to a much, much better sway. ID is a good choice in that, it’s not interventional cardiology or critical care. You will always have the freedom to create, and that craft can be developed at any time and tide, but of the reception and market value, you have no control. Millions today, pennies tomorrow, a constant popularity contest. It is good to have a solid tool in the shed, even if that is not your future. Love for anything is not….how you feel about it all the time, not even what you think of it come today or this month. It’s a commitment with a meaning behind it, a reason that is more undeniable than than any feeling can shake. The things that are good for you…don’t always feel good. Especially when you have let the other burners out of balance for them. My saying anything here has no meaning, I know….but I do believe it’s unfair to blame medicine for not having a life, when it is perhaps the pursuit of perfection that has taken that. If you don’t have a good reason why to do it-and how you feel is never a good enough reason, because that will inevitably change-…and I have been there, before I found my reason…then it cannot make you happy, no matter what profession it is.

I’m following your channel Santiago and find it very helpful. Shocked that you made the decision to leave medicine. I’m sure that it was very tough and also very awakened decision. Time is the most precious capital we can have, so it should be invested with care and careful consideration. Wish you the best in everything. I’m sure you will excel in anything you will decide to pursue.

I am happy to have finished my residency before the onset of the internet, social media and all the distractions. Trained in "no sleep" NYC hospitals and once becoming organized and efficient residency became very cool. You really had to surrender to it and become one with it. Resistance is futile LOL. Looking back those were great years, intense immersion in the fire and learning skills that last a lifetime. Great camaraderie, with exceptions duly noted.

Medical school and residency are emotional and physical drags. But overtime as an attending there is more flexible, simply because of your seniority and increased flexibility with controlling your schedule, but also because your salary allows for greater social flexibility. Don’t give up on medicine. It gets better.

Este video me cayó como anillo al dedo. Soy de ingeniería y me di cuenta que no quiero ser ingeniero, hubiera amado ser dr, pero tengo un miedo terrible a que se me pase la vida solo estudiando, considerando que empezaría la carrera a mis 25 y me he sentido todo el año justamente como vos, con una muro en frente infranqueable y estoy tratando de descubrir como superarlo por que me sentía super estancado. Este video resonó muchísmo! En especial lo de pensar que uno perdió los últimos 8 años estudiando algo para luego no ejercerlo... Gracias por compartir el video, hace que uno se sienta menos solo.

Your honesty with self is something that makes you stand out and that’s the same quality that is going to make you successful in whatever you undertake ! It isn’t easy to take a decision as such considering the energy and time and money invested but the fact that you have shows that you have thought everything through More more power to you Santiago ! I hope all your dreams and more come true ❤

Can’t give enough likes to this! Your path is unique! Cuba suerte!

Pursing a residency and fellowship is no joke. It requires years and years of dedication. I see where you are coming from Santiago. Best of luck!

Damn, this is exactly how I feel. 5th year med student, I come from a family of doctors with many relatives also working in medical field. I never realized how difficult it all is until I started uni myself. I can now see why mom got fed up and quit her job and how my dad is always tired and has to go to work earlier and come home later just to finish all the paperwork. Idk, after knowing that this is what awaits me in the future, I don't want to be a doctor anymore in this reality. I love the medicine itself, but not the fact that everyone expects doctors to not have a personal life and just work-sleep. And older doctors also enforce this mentality to the younger ones. Our teachers have told us on numerous occasions that medicine is a sacred field and you need to sacrifice everything to practice it. Dudes, no. It's just a job, like any other. I want to finish my job at 4pm, go home and forget about it till the next morning at 8 am. Idk, I am currently getting a second degree in English, so maybe I will do something that's not medicine in the end

The ultimate goal is to be happy regardless the situation. I am happy that you found your vocation. The medical field is beautiful and revealing, but you sacrifice a lot to get there. I am trying to get to dermatology btw 😅 so hopefully I can feel that it is my place. I had to go through other specialties working as a medical assistant after I graduated from med school in venezuela. BUT I DID FEEL FOR A MOMENT THAT MEDICINE WAS NOT THE ONLY THING I WANTED IN MY LIFE. I pursued them and now I am in peace of what my life is. I ended up working as a mohs dermatologist medical assistant and I am happy to see it every day. And I think that is what matters.... The journey not the goal. Because you will always want more.

Hello from Brazil. I’m a doctor currently studying to apply for orthopedics but I am honestly not sure what to expect from the future: I’ve never seen my worklife as sth that could bring me joy, but just a way of make a living. And maybe that was a mistake. So I’m still trying to figure out the next steps of my life… that really hard for me.

I can very much relate to what you talk about since I am on a similar path /transitory phase in my life. Good luck on and with your path!

Man, this is a huge news for all your followers ,but it's your journey and you decide how to live it.We support your decision.💪

You made the best choice! No one knows better your struggles and strengths than yourself. You are more than right, Santiago, we are the writers of our story. You are already changing so many lives from being your best self. People have different callings, and I think you just found yours. When you ever think about regretting, just remember what Santiago from now would tell you. 🥰

Proud of your courage to stand for what u believe in 💛 It may not be an easy path but I know that if ur passionate enough to pursue your craft, you will be able to live the life you dearly love.

¡Hola! ¡Espero estés bien! Quiero agradecerte por toda la ayuda que nos has dado a lo largo de nuestra preparación para estos exámenes, también por las técnicas de estudio y por los otros videos. También muchas gracias por todo el tiempo invertido en enseñar a otras personas a estudiar mejor, y por compartir tus experiencias. Indiferentemente si decides otro rumbo para tu vida siempre van a haber personas que te admiren por lo que haces, por quien eres. Eres una excelente persona, y para ser sincero creo que con tus capacidades y habilidades puedes llegar muy en lo que sea que quieras hacer. ¡Gracias por todo! ¡Saludos amigo!

Here is an option: medicine in europe, especially Scandinavian countries like Norway. Doctors have way more time as they arent pushed to work ober 40 or 50 hours, let alone 70, holidays are paid, days off are paid to some extent, maternal leave and all sorts of stuff that contribute to a better quality of life. If ur still into medicine, check these options Best of luck

This realization probably happens frequently, sadly the thought of loans, the social and intrinsic pressures, and fear of the unknown hinder students from making the best decision for themselves.

GARY'S wife Sherrie here. You are so right about your life, I was a Nurse for 40 years and I retired and decided that I was finished. I decided that Nursing and healthcare are all consuming. Work life balance is so important!

Santiago thank you for sharing this journey with us. I used all of your videos to pass my steps and they truly helped keep me motivated through those really hard moments in life! I wish you all the luck, and always do what makes you happy and come alive because that is what life is all about!

For what it's worth,your videos single handedly challenged me to improve my learning how to learn together with your skillshare course and a thankyou would be an understatement. All I could wish you is all the best in your future endeavors and God bless you.

Santiago, this video is incredibly relatable to me. I am Miguel. Currently PGY-5 Cardiology fellow at UTHSC Memphis. Best of luck my friend!

I was in my third year of medical school, when i realised that working as a full time doctor for the rest of my life simply wasn't what i wanted to do even tho my grades were good enough. My thought was maybe working part time but the more i thought about if, the more i realised that unless you go in with the right mindset you'd simply do a disservice. This is why i changed to biochemistry.

Desculpe por comentar em portugues. Acabei de me graduar em Medicina aqui no Brasil. E ao longo da faculdade me questionei sobre as mesmas coisas que você disse no seu video. O que mais me impactou foi ver o quanto minha família envelheceu nos anos que fiquei fora estudando. Portanto, decidi parar de sacrificar o tempo com minha família e com meus amigos, parar de sacrificar as coisas além da medicina que eu quero. Escolhi me especializar em psiquiatria, que vai me dar uma estabilidade financeira para ter a vida que eu quero viver, sem deixar o trabalho tomar conta da minha vida inteira.

Medicine will be there forever but youtube won't be forever!!

I swear this must be a sign from a higher power bc I've been struggling with the decision to either keep on my current path or take a new path while I still have a chance. I studied health sciences in college in order to pursue a career in the medical field and thanks to scholarships, budgeting, and commuting to a local university, I was able to get a bachelor's degree in health sciences with no loan debt. I picked a career path sort of on a whim bc I felt directionless and I think I became more focused on getting accepted into the grad program I would need that I lost sight of my long-term goals and desires. I was more enamored with proving a point to myself and those around me that I was good enough to be accepted into a program rather than the career itself. I began having doubts even before I took the necessary entrance exam and subsequent application but I pushed through and told myself I was doing the right thing. Now I'm staring down the barrel of tens of thousands of student loans in order to attend a program that truthfully, I don't really feel any excitement or enthusiasm for. The more I've reflected on it, the more I've realized I did what I did to prove a point. My ego was bruised and I wanted to show that I could do it, and technically I have. I was able to get through undergrad debt free and seeing the way my parents struggled with debt makes me reluctant trap myself with the same burden. I did more research on my potential career and was disappointed to find that the return on investment (monetarily speaking) was nowhere near what I thought it'd be. I'd have to work extra hard to pay back the money and that would interfere with the things I'd still like to do in life. I wholeheartedly agree with your point about freedom and autonomy. I want the work the life balance but perhaps more importantly, I want the ability to walk away and do something new if I so choose. That likely wouldn't be attainable bc even if I left the job, I'd still owe money. I'm in my mid 20s with no major responsibilities or anyone relying on me so I if I'm gonna make a change, I should do it now. I figure if I was 100% sold on what I was doing, I wouldn't be having such strong 2nd thoughts. I was so hyper focused on getting in, I don't think I did my due diligence and really explored my options in healthcare. I've been pleasantly surprised recently by the amount of options there are and how close they are to me. I think I'm gonna take time to investigate these options and find something I like. I deeply desire that work life balance and don't wanna work myself to death for something I'm just not as enthusiastic about as I thought I'd be and then be trapped. Anyway, thanks for this video. It's comforting to know that I can change my path and pursue happiness elsewhere

My brother I appreciate your decision but looking at how smart you are I expect you to know the various options available in medicine. You could become a diagnostic radiologist and work remotely sometimes

So many good students end up being bad doctors. We’re seeing more and more people graduating med school at the top of their class, failing at clinical work, then attempting to reinvent themselves as administrators or teachers.

I'm now almost starting my 5th year of medicine, have 2 years left to get my MD Degree and i'm also thinking about quitting med school. Maybe programming would be an option for me. I have 25 years old right now. All the sacrifice and life/death desitions that a doctor has to face makes me think if I really want to follow this path... Maybe i should finish med school and look for another path after that, i don't know. I completely agree with you that medicine gives you a certainty an only path that you have to follow to get a stable job. I tried to quit medicine but i started feeling all this fear and thinking about if the Web Development course that i was doing was the correct between a ton of other similar courses and it made me come back to med school... Maybe i should have more guts and understand that every path has its pros and cons as you said, and do what i think is better for my life... but its not too easy. I wish the best for your life, thanks for the video that made me realize that i'm not the only one that have this thoughts.

Parce viví en Estados Unidos y estoy acá en colombia por 2 meses. Llevo un día y me recuerda los sacrificios culturales queue toman ser no solo doctor, sino solo un ser humano en ese país. No estudio para ser doctor mi amigo que está estudiando para serlo quería que viera esto. Suena como que has tomado una decisión súper inteligente.

If a doctor becomes a doctor because they already gave a lot of their time to it and have “expectations” that’s not a good doctor, not someone I want watching over my health. Heath workers and such should have. A passion for that work, you are dealing with peoples life’s. The doctors last words to me before my grandma died 20 minutes after calling my mother saying “i don’t feel good” My mother told the doctor and his response instead of checking up on her was.. “if she can call you she’s fine” Died 20 minutes later while we where on the way to bring her soup. If you don’t have passion for healthcare get out cause we don’t need people who just want a paycheck at the cost of peoples lives

Yo he pensado todo lo que mencionas en este video, y estoy en 10mo semestre de medicina. Me quedan dos años y medio con el internado y me he dado cuenta cada vez más que no quiero ejercer una carrera ni en una especialidad que demande todo mi tiempo y salud. Me gusta es aprender, por esto me gusta ademas medicina interna, pero no para ejercerlo, solo para saciar la curiosidad.

I know you can still make a difference Santiago! Totally understand your decision. The pay as a doctor in the US is good, but unless you’re a surgeon, or in one of the highly competitive residencies, you most likely will get burned out. Healthcare here is the US is so broken, that it doesn’t make sense to sacrifice the life that we want. There’s so much politics within and outside the system and you don’t have control over it. I’ve seen many colleagues becoming desensitized towards patients and other colleagues; and that’s a really sad place to be. You feel stuck and miserable. I remember seeing a doctor lash out at those difficult patients, because even though you go through the years of education and training, you will still get mistreated by people. However; You feel like you have to do this. Worse of all is being on call and handling individuals who cuss you out and literally will harass you for medications. The winners here in the US are the pharmaceuticals and insurance companies, trying to lower their compensations on various procedures so that they can keep the most bank 💰

Dear Santiago, I wish you all the best on your new path. Life is long, we can change our minds and succeed in different journeys. If in the end your change your mind, there is always a way to go back and be fine. Looking forward to seeing where your decisions take you.

The reason I decided to become a nurse was because I discovered the power of creative problem solving. Your story reminds me to stay true to being myself as both an artist and aspiring healthcare professional. Thank you for being yourself with the world. 🌟✨☀️

i did not see this coming. this feels like a break up for some reason. but glad for you to having come to a decision that fulfills you.

Life is short. Love your dreams. Time is your greatest asset

So happy that you found the best path for you! Thanks for all that you've done for us students and may all the best of success come your way!

I went through something similar and dont regret it one bit. I have the time, money and energy to enjoy a balanced life, have a family I spend quality time with, and enjoy pursuing multiple hobbies. I wondered for the first several years after making the career shift if i had made the right choice. Almost 30 years later, I can say that I made the right choice. Congratulations to you for trusting your instincts and choosing a path that works for you, even if it may not have aligned with the popular opinion.

helluva video. glad you posted. My parents are Indian, but I was born in America. They wanted me to be a doctor and I wanted to be a good son. I had no other goals...so why not? My own fault. I've gotten straight As my whole life. So....I got in and went to medical school all 4 years. Failed my final exam. Failed it 2 more times (repeating my final year EACH TIME)....so that's SIX years in medical school, not four. Mandatory academic year off for a three-time loser like me. Decided to not return to medical school, (age 31)after a 6 year investment (with 4 more years to go). Why was I so old (31)? i took some off after college to (1)join the Peace Corp/AmeriCorps (2) become a forest firefighter --.went to work in frickin fire-fighting helicopter, not a firetruck, babee) Parents disowned me. Dad called me a "jerk." He never once called me a name my whole life....but i guess there's a first time for everything. What a mess: I tried to make my parents happy, couldnt do it, changed my mind, they disowned me for trying. Disowned ME....obedient, Peace Corps, Forest Firefighter. Havent spoken to them since. That was 16 years ago. Hell with them. I started my own business. Now I make 6 figures and work only 8 months/year. It's not doctor money, but i live in a tiny swanky condo, fitness nut at 49 years old, and own a 1967 classic Corvette convertible. I visit Dublin, Ireland 4days/year EVERY christmas (just to drink and touch base with my jujistsu family) and have spent WEEKS-Years vacationing /living on every continent but one. IF I ever saw my parents again (they're probably dead....i dont know. They'd be near 90 by now)....i KNOW they'd think my salary, house, car, LIFE (highlighted above) could have been better if I went back, took the test (1 year), took the USMLEs exams (1) year and then residency (2 years).....(only four more years to go!) and become a doctor so they can brag to their Indian friends. Is the MD worth it? For some, yes. For others.....the pursuit of this degree can ruin lives.

Ví tu video y me recordó mucho a un youtuber que admiro mucho también, llamado Ali Abdal, el dejó la medicina después de empezar su canal de youtube, está teniendo mucho éxito y se le ve muy feliz, espero que te vaya de lo mejor a tí también, que vivas una vida en la que cada mañana te sientas orgulloso de tus logros, sabiendo que sea el camino que elegiste, lo hayas hecho siguiendo a tu corazón 🥰

Thanks Santiago for sharing. I am a doctor too and I am literally exhausted from burn out. I started my KZfaq channel and basically trying to get a path for myself in the online space. This is inspiring. This coming year is really a make or break point for me because I dread having to go back to those hospital shifts and call if this fails. Thanks 🙏 again for sharing your journey.

Thank you Santiago. Your videos has helped many IMG doctors. You are a very kind person and keep making these videos.

Hi, I've been watching your videos during the time I was preparing for my step exams, but I had taken an eerily similar detour like you. I would definitely advise you to reconsider as, you've already cleared the hard part with the exams and the CV. The thing is, the entrepreneurship path does not suddenly close when you go to the US. It remains open, and very much so, I would argue that you have ten fold the opportunity in view of the the connections and network that comes with staying in America for the same things you want to pursue. Think again. Take something somewhat in line with your interest's and pursue your hustle on the side.

Santiago, you're right and wrong... Lol. When I was 17, I decided to become a dietitian, because I thought that I'd be successful if I were the best. Well, I entered the best university here in Brazil (I'm Brazilian), studied hard, got my degree, but, when I realized I'd have to "play the game" by prescribing nutritional supplements to people who didn't need them, just because they wanted, I backed off. So, I decided I'd become a scientist. I got my master's and PhD degree in physiology in the same university. Again, I worked hard, I published articles and... It didn't paid off. I ended up with no job having to apply for another scholarship, what is frustrating, because I wanted a job. So, I talked with my P.I. and he suggested I should enter the medical school. Today I'm an intern going to the last year, and I feel much safer than before, because I know that I'll have a job when I get my degree. I'll apply for a medical residency, which doesn't pay much; however, when I become a full doctor, I'll be able to earn around 18 times more than I did from my PhD scholarship and I'll work less. You see? I get one should follow their dreams, but after all money and a stable lifestyle matter. I surely am losing precious time with my parents and family, but I think it'll pay off in the future. Not all my friends have had the same chances I have and I see how frustrated they've become as dietitians. I'm sure you won't change your mind, but just think twice and good luck 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

watching ur videos sounds like hearing how bad is owning bugatti chiron, man don't waste the chance, just keep going and after u r done with residency do whatever u want, but not now, thats ur golden chance u got one of the highest usmle scores, everything indicates that u'll be a brilliant doctor, don't get overwhelmed by social media.

Amazing Thank you for sharing this! You just told my story. I'm exploring other paths now and it was extremely difficult to leave medicine after many years of investing it. I'm a 30 year old , mexican woman who quit being a physician, and I'm reconstructing myself again. Thank you. I don't feel so alone in this journey.🎉

I really respect your decision. I've read a book before named this is going to hurt wrote by a doctor who was in his last year of obs residency which made me question myself that maybe one day I might not complete this pathway even though I'm graduating in a week, but it is a very scary thought. I wish you the best 🖤