In this episode, Dr Rui Ariyapala speaks with Dr David Barra. Dr Barra went to Northeastern University for his undergraduate degree while simultaneously being in the ROTC military program. He went to Tufts University School of Medicine under a health professional scholarship program, before completing his anesthesia residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He is currently completing a fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic in Anesthesia and Critical Care. We discuss his experiences in the military and how this taught him resilience in residency. We then explore the ebbs and flows of medical training and how to stay focused over many years before reaching the coveted attending role. During his residency in anesthesia, Dr. Barra was a member of the Northeast Track Club. For over 2 years he competitively raced everything from the mile to the marathon whilst being a resident. Dr Barra shares his serendipitous story of how he became an elite runner, which ultimately became his wellness outlet. We delve deep into developing a growth mindset, which has now become the foundation for the positive outlook he has on life.