So when I was in my early 30s, I was working at Glenwood Hospital in West Monroe as a hospitalist—and I was at one of my many peaks of self-loathing. I was tired all the time, bloated, none of my clothes fit, I was depressed. I knew something was wrong. I was going to cardio classes with my work bestie …

Hi. I’m Dr. Jaya McSharma. And this is the part where I’m supposed to introduce myself like I’m on Oprah’s couch. So I’m gonna keep it real with you—just like I would with my girl O. I never wanted to be a doctor. That was actually the first line of my residency application. My program director, Dr. Michael Harper, even …