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What’s the best way to start pursuing multiple passions — like medicine, filmmaking, writing, acting, and ambassadorship — while still giving enough focus to my main career path in medicine How can I grow in all these areas without burning out or losing direction??

Hi everyone! I’m starting college this Friday to study medicine — becoming a doctor has always been one of my biggest dreams. But I’ve also had a deep love for storytelling, creativity, and leadership. I hope to one day produce films and documentaries that inspire people, write books, act in meaningful stories, and serve as an ambassador representing positive change.

Sometimes I wonder how to balance these passions with my main focus on medicine — and how to begin each journey without feeling overwhelmed. I really want to make an impact in every field I’m passionate about, so I’d love some advice from those who’ve walked a similar path! 💫

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Madeleine’s Answer

Hi Adaeze,

As a freelance writer and reporter, I want to offer some advice that might be useful. When studying medicine, it's important to focus on that as your main career. Although freelancing hasn't made me wealthy, I find great joy in spending time with my family and being a grandmother. We all have different paths in life, and I have friends in filmmaking who could be helpful to you. You might want to connect with Buddy Moorehouse, an instructor at Hillsdale College, on LinkedIn. He could offer guidance in filmmaking.

Additionally, you can learn from Benedict Gillis, a photographer on LinkedIn, who might help you understand what makes a great shot. Even though they aren't in the medical field, their skills could be beneficial.

As you pursue medicine, consider keeping a journal of your ideas for the future. Enjoy life, follow your passions, and you might come up with some amazing ideas.
Thank you comment icon Wow… thank you so much for this. 🥹 I honestly didn’t expect such a thoughtful response. The fact that you not only encouraged me but also gave names of people I could actually reach out to in filmmaking and photography… that means more than I can say. I really feel seen and supported. I also love the idea of keeping a journal for my ideas — it feels like a safe place to hold all my dreams while I work on medicine. And your reminder to enjoy life and follow my passions really hit me. I’ll carry that with me as I figure out how to balance everything. Thank you for taking the time to write something so personal and encouraging. 🤍 Adaeze
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Greg’s Answer

Hey Adaeze! You're one of the luckiest in the world, but you're right to worry. (And smart to ask and plan!)

As a fellow "multidiscipliner" I can tell you it's not easy. But it's one of the most rewarding things. What I found to be key is not treat multiple interests in isolation. The "aha!" moment for me was when I realized how much stronger I can become by finding the synergies between different interests. In your case, you would not be "just" a doctor, you'd be a "storyteller doctor" - something unique to you, the way you use one interest to enrich or innovate in another.

It's hard work, don't think otherwise, and you'll most likely be a pioneer: what worked for others might not work (as well or at all) for you because of the ways different interests can impact each other. But that's also the beauty of it: you can create something new, break new ground. Finding your place at the intersection of different interests is a challenge, but the best kind, because it not only makes you satisfied and proud, but it makes each interest better and deeper in the process for all.

Above all, find joy in the process. That's paramount, because results will be harder to get. But it's worth it, I promise.
Thank you comment icon Wow… I don’t even know where to start. Your words really hit me in a way I didn’t expect. 🥹 The idea of not treating my passions separately but letting them strengthen each other — and calling it a “storyteller doctor” — honestly made me see my future in a completely new light. I know it won’t be easy, and that thought still makes me nervous, but reading this gave me both hope and excitement. I feel inspired to embrace every part of myself and find ways my passions can feed into each other, instead of feeling like I have to choose. Thank you for taking the time to write something so thoughtful and encouraging — it really touched me, more than I can say. 🤍 Adaeze
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Thomas’s Answer

Hello there!

Find an instructor and/or take a course that'll improve your skills! Being multi-talented is a gift people should use wisely!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! 💫 That really encouraged me . I’ll definitely look into finding an instructor or taking a course to start building my skills in the other areas I’m passionate about. And you’re right, being multi-talented really is a gift — I want to make sure I use it wisely. 😊 Adaeze
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James’s Answer

I think it is wonderful that you are interested in more than one thing. Yes, it can be hard to balance medicine and other passions, but many physicians do so successfully. You will probably have to do a bit of give and take along the way, but while you are in college is a great time to assure you get the pre-requisites and excellent grades you will need to get into medical school, but also to take other courses and enjoy extra-curricular activities that fulfill your other joys. I would guess that your medical school application will stand out if you can speak to your filmmaking, your writing, or other things.
Medicine is a great career for people who want to make a positive difference. You may gravitate towards hospital or health plan leadership. There are physicians in state and federal government. There are many who work internationally to help those with less access to care than we enjoy in first-world countries.
Enjoy your journey.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for this thoughtful advice! 🤍 It really means a lot to hear that it’s possible to balance medicine with other passions. I love how you mentioned that my creative side could even help my medical school application stand out — I never really thought of it that way before! I’ll definitely keep your advice in mind as I focus on my pre-med courses and still make time for the things that bring me joy, like writing and film. Thanks again for the encouragement — it really gave me a boost of confidence for the journey ahead. 🌸 Adaeze
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John’s Answer

Sounds like you’re off to a great start. I can never recommend filmmaking as a ride-or-die profession. It's too difficult, and success isn't necessarily tied to your skill or experience. But if you want to integrate your other passions with it, I say go for it!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for your honesty! 💫 I really appreciate your perspective — I understand that filmmaking can be tough and unpredictable. I love that you encouraged integrating it with my other passions instead of seeing it as all-or-nothing. That really helps me feel like I can pursue it meaningfully alongside medicine without putting unnecessary pressure on myself. 🤍 Adaeze
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Linda’s Answer

Adaeze,
You've gotten some excellent answers already. What I can add are the names of a few famous writers who also practiced medicine. Not that you're looking for fame! But you'll recognize, for instance, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Anton Chekhov, and Michael Crichton. Others who perhaps aren't as well-known by young people but were great novelists who practiced medicine are Somerset Maugham and Oliver Wendell Holmes. Some eventually gave up practicing medicine to focus on their writing; in some cases, their medical experience informed their writing. My point is that you have a long, exciting career ahead in which you can emphasize different talents and passions at different times. I really like that you know your main focus. Many creative people, as they get older, regret that they didn't pick one thing and rather tried to juggle and dabble in multiple career possibilities. Unfortunately, one lifetime is often not enough to accomplish all we're passionate about. But I have a hunch that you'll be one of those people who has the balance and focus to take on the challenge successfully!
Thank you comment icon Oh wow… I can’t even express how much your message means to me. I read it with the biggest smile and honestly felt tears in my eyes. The way you mentioned those incredible writers who also practiced medicine — it gave me such hope and excitement for my own journey. I love how you reminded me that it’s possible to live fully in both worlds, and that balance isn’t about giving something up, but growing through each passion. Your words touched something deep in me — they made me feel seen, inspired, and so grateful. Thank you, truly, for taking the time to share this. I’ll be holding on to your words for a long time. 🤍 Adaeze
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Derick’s Answer

Hi there! I think it's great to focus on one main path, like medicine, and spend small, regular amounts of time on other interests. You can build skills in filmmaking, writing, or acting during breaks or weekends. Remember, taking your time and finding balance keeps your passion strong and exciting!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for this! 💫 I really appreciate your advice about finding balance and giving time to my other passions. I recently learned that my medical schedule won’t really include breaks like other students, so hearing this reminded me to still look for small, meaningful moments to keep those passions alive. It’s encouraging to know I can grow at my own pace. 🤍 Adaeze
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