Meet Gowri Rocco, MD

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gowri Rocco, MD a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Gowri, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

My generosity comes from my childhood. I was born in India in a very impoverished village. When I came to the United States, it made me really grateful to have this opportunity, not just as a woman, but just to have an education. I don’t think I could ever understate how blessed I feel to be American because of the freedoms that come with it.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I practice regenerative medicine, also known as functional or cellular medicine. Post Covid, Medicine seems to have a negative connotation now, but I see it more positively because I believe in the generative properties of the body. I find things in the body that aren’t functioning properly and work with my patients to correct these dysfunctions. This includes lifestyle changes, mostly nutrition, and doing reasonable things that add up over time. I call it “banking your health.” Small, consistent actions, like avoiding processed foods and focusing on clean eating, can make a significant impact on health.

By addressing lifestyle factors such as diet, sleep, and exercise, we can reduce issues with autoimmune diseases, obesity, and insulin resistance. I help my patients feel empowered by making positive changes without relying solely on medications. The exciting part of my work is seeing patients take control of their health and improve their lives through these small, consistent changes.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Adaptability, optimism, and perseverance have been the most impactful in my journey. Adaptability is about adjusting and shifting when things don’t go as planned. It’s essential to be flexible and okay with changes. Optimism allows you to see opportunities even in challenging times. It’s about learning from experiences and maintaining a positive outlook. Perseverance is crucial because many people give up too easily. Just because you face a setback doesn’t mean you should stop trying. Hard work and dedication are key to success. You have to grind and work hard for what you want. Remember, the only place you’ll see success before work is in the dictionary.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I would go full force on strengths. The reason is that we are all imperfect beings, and different seasons bring different challenges. If you have something you’re really good at, give yourself credit for it. It’s easy to be self-critical, especially with social media. Focus on your positive attributes. I encourage people to keep a gratitude journal and write down three things they’re grateful for each day. This helps you realize your strengths and opens up new opportunities.

For those unsure about their strengths, it’s important to strip down and be honest with yourself. Think about what you’re good at and what you enjoy. Brainstorm and journal about your strengths and how they can be valuable. It’s not good to be a jack of all trades because it means you do things halfway. Focus on what you excel at and continue to improve those strengths. Believe in yourself, and your strengths will become your superpowers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.drgowrirocco.com/

Image Credits

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Gowri Rocco / Monique Feil Photography