Skydeck Strength in Suffering
Sep 18, 2025
In this engaging discussion, John Travers, an author and physician who traded a business career for medicine, shares his inspiring journey. He reflects on his early volunteer work in Kolkata and Ghana, which fueled his passion for helping the vulnerable. Travers delves into his research on frailty and its surprising links to psychological resilience. He emphasizes the power of storytelling and active listening in patient care, revealing how these elements can transform diagnosis and foster a deeper understanding of resilience.
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Kolkata Moment That Redirected A Career
- John traveled to Kolkata after college and promised himself he'd return to help vulnerable people after seeing extreme inequity.
- That experience planted the seed that later propelled him from a corporate career toward medicine.
Resilience Emerges Under Pressure
- John observed a universal human gift: resilience that surfaces at life's lowest moments.
- People often find inner strength they didn't know they had when facing severe illness or adversity.
A Child's Quiet Resolve
- John met Raj, an eight-year-old who lost his home to bulldozers and calmly said, "We'll begin again."
- Raj's composure and focus on family became a vivid example of quiet human resilience for John.
