Life Lessons: Don’t Take Anything for Granted, Be Bold, and Stay Authentic

Another Year Older, More Lessons Learned

As I celebrate another birthday, I can’t help but reflect on some of the key lessons I’ve learned this year—lessons that have shifted how I live, how I lead, and how I want to impact the world.

The first one is simple, but often overlooked: Don’t take anything for granted. Hug your loved ones. This is my first birthday without my mom, and the absence hits hard. It’s a reminder of how fleeting life is, and how easily things can change in an instant. Relationships with the people you love are some of the most precious things we have. Whether it's your kids, spouse, friends, or family—hold them close. Let them know how much they mean to you because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

The second lesson is about boldness. Now is the time to swing for the fences. In a world where our healthcare system is struggling, there are so many people with incredible, innovative ideas. If you’re one of those people, this is your moment. Whether you’re young or old, find your collaborators, dream big, and make the magic happen. The future is built by those who dare to push boundaries.

Finally, stay authentic. This has been a huge takeaway for me over the past year. It’s easy, especially in healthcare, to try to fit into a mold, to blend in so you don’t stand out too much. But I’ve realized that the more authentic I am—the more I show up as my true self—the better I feel mentally and emotionally. Staying true to who I am has been the driving force behind so many of my initiatives, from Lionheart to Gyata Nutrition. When you lean into who you truly are, you show up stronger in everything you do.

So, three lessons from this past year: Don’t take life for granted, hug your loved ones, be bold and swing for the fences, and always stay true to yourself.

Here’s to making each moment count.

Dr. K