I am proud to be someone who overcame childhood obesity. It was not an easy feat. Growing up, I always sat in some corner reading, because I loved to read. My parents never encouraged me to go outside and play because education and academic achievement are very important to them. In elementary school, I was one of the biggest children in terms of size, and I would get teased for that often. One day it was very bad to the point where I started crying because one of my peers said to me “Wow you eat so much.” The funny thing is we had the same amount of food on our plates. This influenced me to stop eating, and I did get skinnier, but I also became weaker because my body was not receiving enough nutrients. I was skinny in middle school and for part of high school which made me incredibly happy. I finally achieved my lifelong goal of losing weight and being one of the skinnier girls at school. This is when my relationship with food improved. Instead of starving myself, I would eat three meals a day. However, my BMI was still on the higher side and because of this, my pediatrician would always tell me to lose weight and to be more active. My BMI also impacted the quality of healthcare I was receiving. The number on the scale impacted whether or not my healthcare problems would be treated as legitimate or as a byproduct of being overweight. Determined to lose more weight, I fell back into my unhealthy habit of not eating, and during COVID, I was just laying in bed, weak, with no energy. What motivated me to get out of bed and improve my health was when I looked in the mirror, I did not recognize the girl staring back at me, and it really made me want to do a 360 and change my life. I aimed to take at least 10,000 steps a day and eat well-balanced meals with protein and vegetables. I started meal prepping to ensure I am getting the nutrients my body needs. Meal prepping also made it easy for me to not just go to sleep without eating because there was food prepared in the refrigerator, so I did not have an excuse to not eat. When I started college, I started going to the gym with my good friend who motivated me to get out of my comfort zone and encouraged me whenever I seemed to fail. I made it a part of my weekly routine to go to the gym to do some cardio and weight lifting to strengthen both my body and my mind. Instead of feeling as though I cannot lose weight and I am not good enough, I learned to love myself for who I am and recognize that I am doing whatever I can to stay in shape. I am determined to keep up with these changes in my health and not fall back into old habits to make five-year-old Jessica proud of how far she has come in her journey of not just a healthy lifestyle, but also of self-love.

I believe that healthy eating habits offer numerous benefits, such as improved nutrient intake, weight management, and positive effects on physical and mental health. Like many American adults and children, I too struggled with poor dietary choices in the past. However, I am now determined to make positive changes and incorporate healthy eating habits into my daily life. During my childhood, I faced challenges related to being overweight and inactive, which became concerning due to a family history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. I vividly recall watching my grandmother be restricted by what she can and cannot eat due to this unwanted combination of health issues. Her health continued to deteriorate as she aged because she did not make the necessary lifestyle changes, such as improving her diet, to help with her health problems. Learning from her mistakes, to counter these genetic factors and mitigate their potential impact on my health, I have committed to consuming well-balanced meals, incorporating fruits, and vegetables into my diet. Embracing a healthy diet has had a significant impact on my overall well-being. I now feel more active and motivated throughout the day. Previously, my habit of skipping breakfast and delaying my first meal until around 2 pm had negative consequences. It led to weight gain, irritability, low energy levels, and lethargy, all of which negatively affected my academic performance. However, since adopting a protein-rich breakfast and balanced lunches and dinners, I have experienced increased energy levels and improved focus, resulting in better academic performance and increased confidence in my appearance. Moreover, practicing healthy eating has positively influenced my mental health. I no longer feel compelled to compare myself to others in terms of appearance or academic achievements. Instead, I am focused on achieving my personal goals steadily and making progress toward them. This shift in mindset has significantly improved my mood and overall happiness in life, a crucial aspect often overlooked by many. Additionally, knowing that I can take charge of my health through lifestyle changes has provided a sense of empowerment and assurance that my family's history of diseases will not significantly impact my well-being in the long run. Overall, embracing healthy eating habits has been transformative for me. Not only has it improved my physical health and appearance, but it has also positively impacted my mental well-being and sense of fulfillment. I am now more motivated, content, and equipped with the knowledge to safeguard my future health. Embracing a healthy lifestyle has proven to be a vital and rewarding investment in my overall quality of life.

I am a first-generation, rising senior at Villanova University pursing a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology. I am deeply passionate about medicine because I would like to use my skills and abilities to help make a positive impact on other people's lives. From a young age, I have been drawn to the idea of making a difference in people's lives during their most vulnerable moments. Through my volunteer experiences, I have been able to make a slight impact on a few people's lives. I have volunteered at a hospice and a local children's hospital. My time at the hospice was cut short due to COVID; however, I obtained a better understanding of what it means to cherish life and to treat those around you with kindness and respect because life is very short. By volunteering at the hospice, I was able to spend time with those who are separated from their families and placed in foreign environments. I tried my best to make them feel less lonely by engaging in activities they enjoy, like taking a stoll outside or reading a novel. At the children's hospital, I aimed to provide comfort to both the patients and their children. I offered them snacks and made small talk with the parents to take their minds off their children's pain. These experiences have exposed me to the challenges faced by individuals in need and have reinforced my commitment to improving their lives. As I progress in my medical career, my goal is to make a positive impact on a global scale. In the field of medicine, I recognize the significance of addressing systemic issues and advocating for change. Whether it is by providing quality healthcare to underserved communities, researching innovative treatments, fighting for justice and equality, or reforming existing policies, I aim to contribute to the betterment of society. I am motivated to do so because I have watched my immigrant family members struggle to gain access to healthcare, and when they did receive that care, it was not up to ideal standards. They faced bias due to their inability to speak English properly, and many were hostile to the men in my family due to their turbans, which are religious. Because of this, my aim is to be an advocate for my patients, to ensure them the best possible care in a bias-free environment. I am hoping that this small difference can make a huge impact on someone's life. I firmly believe that my strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and dedication to lifelong learning will enable me to connect with patients/clients, understand their unique needs, and provide them with the utmost care and support. I am committed to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in medicine and continuously honing my skills to ensure that I can provide the best possible outcomes for those I serve. Ultimately, my driving force is the belief that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, and I am determined to be an advocate for positive change. Through my medical career, I hope to empower individuals, contribute to the well-being of communities, and help shape a more just and compassionate world. I know it will not be an easy task, but it is one that I am determined to work my hardest to fulfill. Thank you for considering my aspirations to make a positive impact through my medical career. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and the chance to contribute to the betterment of society one step at a time.

In May 2017, my depressing life turned around when my baby cousin was born. He brought joy and warmth to all of our hearts. My grandfather had been diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer around April, and I was heartbroken because the man who raised me had only a few months to live. In Indian culture, we believe that when someone passes away around the time a child is born, their spirit lives on with the child. Today, I do not feel the absence of my grandfather because he is present and living with us through my baby cousin.

Growing up in an Indian household where mental health issues were considered an excuse to be lazy or were considered a shameful illness to have, I had trouble expressing my feelings and creating long-lasting relationships with others. Throughout my life, I shut people out because I felt as though they wouldn’t understand what I am going through, or that they would invalidate my feelings. If I ever complained about anything that bothered me, everyone would tell me that I have no right to feel the way that I do because I have a comfortable life with little to no responsibilities, but these people that told me this does not fully grasp the struggles of a first-generation person of color. We have so much at stake because our parents struggled a lot to help give us the best life that they can, but this gift turns out to be a punishment in the end because we are only supposed to live to please them regardless of the mental toll that it would take on us. This toxic mindset helped me realize that I needed to do whatever I can in my power to break that mold. I have learned to love myself for who I am and the baggage that comes with me. My goals in life are to seek help when needed because mental health dictates many different circumstances in a person’s life. If I am not happy with myself and my current situation, then I will not be able to focus on the other joys that life provides me. I will simply be living in my dark, desolate mind hoping that one day I could become “normal” like everyone else. Through my challenges, I have realized that many people struggle to cope with mental health issues. The one thing that people need to realize is that everyone who is silently suffering needs to get the help and support that they need because mental health plays a huge role in guiding not only their own lives but the lives of their loved ones as well.