We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sno Rajwani a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sno, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience has been the foundation of my life, built from the ground up through relentless hard work and perseverance. As a first-generation immigrant from a middle-lower-class family, challenges were never an exception—they were the norm. My family owned mom-and-pop stores, and from middle school through college, I worked 70 to 80 hours a week, where long hours and little sleep became second nature. Hard work was not optional; it was a way of life. Getting into medical school was no easy feat—I took my prerequisites while working full-time as a middle school teacher at a GT academy, managing around 200 students. Then came my master’s in medicine, a grueling year of MCAT preparation after being out of school for so long, and finally, the dream-come-true acceptance into medical school. But joy quickly met even more relentless hours—adapting to studying for 13 to 14 hours at a stretch, truly understanding what it meant when they said medical school is like trying to drink water from a fire hose.
Even in the midst of this, life didn’t slow down. I planned my wedding, DIYing most of the decor while juggling med school. And just when things seemed to settle, life threw me its hardest challenge yet—we became pregnant, only to suffer the devastating loss of our first baby in my second trimester. In the whirlwind of a move, back-to-back exams, and a miscarriage complicated by severe hemorrhage and sepsis, I found myself in tears, realizing how close to death I had been. It was in that moment that I leaned on my faith in the universe, put on a smile, and summoned a strength I didn’t even know I had—emerging, once again, like a diamond in the rough. Now, after surviving another pregnancy, not without its own complications, I look at my beautiful baby boy and feel a deep sense of gratitude. Life’s journey has been both beautiful and torturous, but I have learned that no matter what, I will always rise—stronger, wiser, and ready for whatever comes next.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am currently on maternity leave from medical school and still open to exploring various areas within the medical field. My passion for learning extends beyond academics—I have a deep love for education, which is why I am eager to homeschool my children. I want to give them a rich, personalized learning experience while also cherishing as much time as possible with them before they grow up and set off on their own. My hope is to raise happy, well-rounded young adults who are confident in themselves and the world around them, and homeschooling offers me the opportunity to be deeply involved in their growth and development. Balancing my studies with my dedication to family is a challenge I welcome with open arms, as both pursuits fulfill me in profound ways.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are resilience, time management, and adaptability, along with maintaining a positive mindset. Resilience has been essential in overcoming the many obstacles I’ve faced, from balancing multiple responsibilities to navigating personal and professional challenges. It’s helped me stay grounded and motivated, even when things seemed impossible. Time management has been equally crucial, especially while juggling the demands of medical school, working, and handling personal hardships. Being able to organize and prioritize my time has allowed me to meet deadlines and still make space for what truly matters. Adaptability has been key, whether adjusting to new learning environments, unexpected life changes, or shifting my approach to challenges. Lastly, I firmly believe that maintaining a positive mindset is essential in shaping your path. I truly believe that when you project positive emotions and stay focused on the good, the universe returns that energy in abundance.
For those early in their journey, my advice is to nurture these qualities intentionally. Resilience can be built by seeking challenges and learning how to handle setbacks as opportunities for growth. Time management is something you can start refining right now—take control of your schedule, set realistic goals, and learn to prioritize your energy. Adaptability comes from being open to change, embracing discomfort, and trusting that every experience, even the tough ones, will help shape you into someone more capable and versatile. And remember, cultivating a positive mindset is an invaluable tool—project positivity and watch the world around you reflect that back to you.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My husband has been my rock throughout this entire journey. Without him, I wouldn’t be able to achieve any of this. His unwavering support, encouragement, and practical help have allowed me to focus on my goals and push through challenges. Whether it was balancing school, managing personal hardships, or simply being there when I needed someone to lean on, he has been the steady force in my life. His belief in me has given me the confidence to keep moving forward, and his love and partnership have been essential in building the resilience and strength necessary to succeed. I had never dreamed of being loved so hard before and I work every single to be able to see myself through the lense in which he sees me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/snowmed_journey/profilecard/?igsh=ZGJteWtwY3k4YjEx
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sno.raj?igsh=YTN6amFyZjA5MmNj&utm_source=qr
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