Devika Majumder: Dr. Chadha, let’s start with something intriguing—the twist in your professional journey. Could you tell us how that began?

Dr. Chadha: The twist started when I ventured into the profession of reducing medications rather than prescribing them. I focused on something foundational: lifestyle. You see, lifestyle is essentially what you do every day—your routines and habits repeated over time. When you make intentional changes to these patterns, you can prevent, manage, or even reverse certain diseases. That realization led me to work closely with my patients to not only improve their health but also reduce their dependence on medicines.

Devika: That’s so refreshing and unique! It’s incredible how you’ve combined two seemingly unrelated passions. So, you have to create a signature dance just for us at Global Influencers.

Dr. Chadha: Absolutely! I’d be happy to. Let’s plan it out.

Devika: Amazing! Now, stepping back, tell us how it all began for you. What inspired you to become a doctor?

Dr. Chadha: Honestly, I became a doctor by default. Back then, the options were straightforward—become a doctor or an engineer. Fields like commerce or the arts were often looked down upon. Coming from a family of doctors, the path felt almost inevitable.

Interestingly, my parents did give me a choice, at least on paper. They even took me to an engineering class once. But after sitting through a four-hour mechanics class—and bolting at the two-hour break—I knew engineering wasn’t for me! I decided to pursue medicine instead, and the preparation for MBBS began.

Devika: And once you were in the thick of it, how did you find the experience?

Dr. Chadha: I enjoyed studying and practicing medicine, but once I completed my MBBS, I felt under confident about handling the responsibility of treating patients. The medical oath of “do no harm” weighed heavily on me. The idea of unintentionally hurting someone terrified me, especially when I observed the quick decision-making required in emergency and ICU settings.

So, I decided to step away from clinical practice and pursued an MBA in healthcare management instead. It felt like a safer way to stay connected to healthcare while learning about the broader system.

Devika: That’s an interesting pivot. What happened after completing your MBA?

Dr. Chadha: After finishing the MBA, I worked at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai for a year in healthcare management. While it was a valuable experience, something felt incomplete. Despite being on the management side, I found myself drawn to the clinical aspect. Even during patient rounds—where managers aren’t required to delve into medical details—I couldn’t resist asking questions.

That made me realize I missed the direct connection with patients. So, I left Hinduja and joined my parents’ practice in Navi Mumbai as a junior doctor.

Devika: And what was that transition like? Did it feel like coming full circle?

Dr. Chadha: In a way, yes. As a junior doctor, my primary role was to take patient histories—understanding why they came, noting their medications, and asking basic lifestyle questions. It’s funny now, but back then, I didn’t fully grasp the importance of lifestyle in medicine. I would ask simple questions like, “What do you eat?” or “Do you go for walks?”

But I noticed something interesting. When patients followed the small changes I suggested, their health metrics—like blood sugar and cholesterol—began improving. My dad, who handled the primary treatment, started reducing their medications. That was when I realized the power of lifestyle medicine, though it wasn’t yet a recognized field.

Devika: That’s fascinating. It seems like you were ahead of your time! How did you continue building on that realization?