World Mental Health Day 2025
A personal reflection for World Mental Health Day on balance, family, and the activities that keep us grounded. A reminder to make time for wellbeing and to be kind to yourself and others.
World Mental Health Day — A Personal Reflection
Today, 10 October, is World Mental Health Day — an important reminder that our mental wellbeing matters just as much as our physical health.
Surgery is stressful, and life is stressful. We cannot always change those circumstances, but we can change how we respond to them. For me, my greatest source of grounding comes from my wife and daughter. They centre me, remind me of what truly matters, and bring joy into every day.
Outside of family, I rely on the activities that keep me present and balanced — Brazilian jiu-jitsu, weightlifting, and playing guitar. These are the things that create space, reduce stress, and give me a sense of peace and fulfilment.
Whatever keeps you grounded, make time for it. Spend time with the people who matter. Protect your mental wellbeing. Be kind to others — and just as importantly, be kind to yourself.
Why I Deadlift for Longevity — Not Ego
Three deadlift sets for strength and longevity — not ego. A reflection on why smart, consistent training supports long-term health, independence and wellbeing, both inside and outside the operating theatre.
Why I Deadlift for Longevity — Not Ego
Strength is one of the most important investments we can make in our long-term health. These sets — 130 kg, 150 kg and 170 kg — aren’t about chasing numbers. They’re about chasing longevity.
Deadlifts build whole-body strength, improve bone density, support balance, and help maintain independence as we age. For me, training like this is about staying strong for my family, for my work, and for my future self.
As a vascular surgeon, I see firsthand how strength, mobility and muscle mass influence long-term health outcomes. Smart, consistent training is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect our healthspan.
Whatever your training looks like — lifting, running, cycling, BJJ or even daily walks — the goal is simple: stay strong for life.
How I Tape My Fingers for Jiu-Jitsu
A personal look at the finger-taping method I use to stay injury-free in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Practical, non-medical tips from a vascular surgeon and fellow grappler focused on longevity and smart training.
How I Tape My Fingers for Jiu-Jitsu
Finger injuries are almost a rite of passage in Brazilian jiu-jitsu — but they don’t have to end your training. As both a vascular surgeon and someone who has been on the mats for years, I’ve experimented with many ways to protect my fingers while rolling.
This video shows the taping method that works best for me. It gives my joints support, reduces strain during grip fighting, and helps me keep training consistently without flare-ups.
This isn’t medical advice — just a practical approach that I’ve found helpful as a grappler who also needs his hands in the operating theatre.
Whether you train gi, no-gi, judo, wrestling or any grappling art, protecting your fingers is part of training smarter and staying on the mats for the long term.
Train hard, stay safe — and enjoy your rolls.