From the NHS to NYU: How Dr Anjelli Wignakumar Matched into General Surgery in America

From the NHS to NYU: How Dr Anjelli Wignakumar Matched into General Surgery in America

What does it actually take to pack up your life, leave the NHS, and rebuild your medical career from scratch in the United States? In this episode of The Brown Girl Blueprint, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Anjelli Wignakumar, a British doctor who successfully matched into general surgery at NYU. We dive deep into her journey from completing her foundation training in London to navigating the intense USMLE exams, securing a research fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic, and ultimately conquering the US Match process. What You’ll Discover: - Mastering the USMLE Exams: Practical advice on the best resources, how to effectively use Anki, and why consistency beats cramming every time. - Navigating the Match Process: A behind-the-scenes look at the interview trail, including why you should always check your junk mail and what programme directors are really looking for. - Building a Life Abroad: The realities of moving across the pond, from dealing with initial anxiety and finding your "US family" to navigating the cultural differences in American dating. If you have ever considered taking a massive leap in your career or if you just need a reminder that your hard work will eventually bear fruit - this conversation is for you. Connect with Anjelli Wignakumar: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjelli-wignakumar-85437b164/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dr.anj_w?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] Follow The Brown Girl Blueprint:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/browngirlblueprint?igsh=Y2E5b2hsc2o4Njc4] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebrowngirlblueprint?_r=1&_t=ZN-937ZExqtgU2] Connect with Tulsi: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dr.tulsipatel] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.tulsipatel?_r=1&_t=ZN-937ZJCacrh8] The Brown Girl Blueprint is produced by Urban Podcasts [https://urbanpodcasts.co.uk/].

The UK’s First Sikh Female Pro Boxer: How to Rewrite the Rules with Charan Dhesi

I love conversations like this because they remind me what real commitment actually looks like. In this episode of The Brown Girl Blueprint, I sit down with Charan Dhesi, the first Sikh female professional boxer in the UK, and honestly, her story stayed with me long after we finished recording. From starting out as a shy kid in Hull to becoming a national champion and now stepping into the professional boxing world, Charan shares what it really takes to pursue a dream in a space where you don’t often see people who look like you.  What You’ll Discover - From Shy Kid to Champion: How Charan went from standing quietly at the edge of a boxing gym to becoming number one in England by her fifth fight.  - The Reality of Elite Discipline: Four training sessions a day, strict routines, and the sacrifices required to compete at the highest level.  - Faith as Fuel: How her Sikh faith grounds her, drives her resilience, and keeps her focused through setbacks and pressure.  What really stood out to me in this conversation is the contrast between who Charan was and who she’s become. There’s something incredibly powerful about hearing someone describe themselves as the “quiet girl” at school, someone who kept to herself, and then seeing the strength, clarity, and confidence she carries today. But what’s even more inspiring is that underneath all of that is still humility, discipline, and a deep sense of purpose. This isn’t just a story about boxing. It’s about identity, sacrifice, and believing in yourself even when the path isn’t obvious. If you’ve ever doubted whether you have what it takes to pursue something big, this episode will challenge that. Connect with Charan Dhesi Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/charan.dhesi/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@charankaurdhesi] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/charankaurdhesi]. Follow The Brown Girl Blueprint:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/browngirlblueprint?igsh=Y2E5b2hsc2o4Njc4] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebrowngirlblueprint?_r=1&_t=ZN-937ZExqtgU2] Connect with Tulsi: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dr.tulsipatel] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.tulsipatel?_r=1&_t=ZN-937ZJCacrh8] The Brown Girl Blueprint is produced by Urban Podcasts [https://urbanpodcasts.co.uk/].

From Beyoncé to Buckingham Palace: How Jasmine Dotiwala Built Impact Beyond the Spotlight (Part 2 - The Legacy)

I’ve been really looking forward to sharing this second part of my conversation with Jasmine Dotiwala, especially as we mark International Women’s Day. In this episode of The Brown Girl Blueprint, we go beyond the headlines and accolades to talk about what success actually looks like behind the scenes. From receiving an OBE to juggling life, work, and caring for loved ones, this is an honest, emotional, and deeply human conversation that I know will resonate with so many of you. What You’ll Discover - The Reality Behind Recognition: Jasmine shares what receiving an OBE really felt like, including the complex emotions around identity, representation, and what that honour truly means. - The Hidden Load of Caregiving: From red carpets to hospital corridors, we explore the unseen reality of balancing high-profile careers with caring for ageing parents. - Stop Apologising, Start Owning Space: A powerful reminder that women need to stop shrinking themselves and start speaking up with confidence in every room they enter. What stayed with me most from this conversation is just how universal these experiences are, even when they look completely different on the surface. Jasmine’s honesty about the pressures, the patience required, and the emotional weight of caregiving really hit home. It’s a reminder that no matter how successful someone appears, there’s always more going on beneath the surface and a lot of strength that doesn’t get seen. If you’re navigating your own version of this, whether it’s career pressure, family responsibilities, or just figuring out how to take up space without apology, I hope this episode makes you feel a little less alone and a lot more empowered. Connect with Jasmine Dotiwala Website [https://jasminedotiwala.co.uk/], Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminedotiwala/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jasminedotiwala/] and X [https://x.com/jasminedotiwala]. Follow The Brown Girl Blueprint: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/browngirlblueprint?igsh=Y2E5b2hsc2o4Njc4] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebrowngirlblueprint?_r=1&_t=ZN-937ZExqtgU2] Connect with Tulsi: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drtulsi.patel?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.tulsipatel?_r=1&_t=ZN-937ZJCacrh8] The Brown Girl Blueprint is produced by Urban Podcasts [https://urbanpodcasts.co.uk/].

From Beyoncé to Buckingham Palace: How Jasmine Dotiwala Built Impact Beyond the Spotlight (Part 1 - The Journey)

I was genuinely excited for this conversation. Jasmine Dotiwala has spent more than 25 years at the heart of music, media and culture, interviewing some of the biggest names in the world and helping shape the stories we see on screen. In this first part of our conversation on The Brown Girl Blueprint, Jasmine joins me to reflect on her journey from growing up in West London navigating identity and belonging, to building a remarkable career across MTV, the BBC, Channel 4 and Netflix. We talk about how she carved out space in an industry that didn’t always reflect people like her and the experiences that shaped the voice she brings to media today. What You'll Discover - Identity and Roots: Jasmine shares how growing up British with Parsi Zoroastrian heritage shaped her perspective on culture, belonging and storytelling. - Building a Media Career: The early steps that led her from West London into the world of broadcasting and interviewing global music icons. - Representation That Matters: Why Jasmine believes visibility and opening doors for others is essential for the next generation coming into media. What I loved about this conversation is Jasmine’s honesty about the journey behind the headlines. The big interviews and industry recognition are impressive, but what really stands out is her determination to stay authentic and lift others along the way. This is just the first part of our conversation, and it sets the stage for even more insights in part two. Connect with Jasmine Dotiwala Website [https://jasminedotiwala.co.uk/], Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminedotiwala/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jasminedotiwala/] and X [https://x.com/jasminedotiwala]. Follow The Brown Girl Blueprint:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/browngirlblueprint?igsh=Y2E5b2hsc2o4Njc4] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebrowngirlblueprint?_r=1&_t=ZN-937ZExqtgU2] Connect with Tulsi: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dr.tulsipatel?igsh=MTJneDJhdHN5NzNvNg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.tulsipatel?_r=1&_t=ZN-937ZJCacrh8] The Brown Girl Blueprint is produced by Urban Podcasts [https://urbanpodcasts.co.uk/].

How to Find Your Voice in a Male-Dominated Industry with Krishna Mistry

In this episode of The Brown Girl Blueprint, I sit down with Krishna Mistry, an award-winning Technical Programme Manager recognised as one of The Manufacturer’s Top 100 and recipient of the Asian Women of Achievement Award. With an impressive career in automotive engineering, including roles at Bentley Motors and McLaren Automotive, Krishna has led high-performance projects from concept through to launch — all while carving her path as an Asian woman in a male-dominated industry. We dive into what it really takes to find your voice, build confidence, and create financial and professional freedom in spaces that weren’t designed for you. They talk about navigating workplace culture, challenging stereotypes, and the importance of mentoring the next generation of women in STEM. We talk about building financial freedom, finding confidence in male dominated spaces, and using your voice boldly when you’ve earned a seat at the table. This episode is such an inspiring deep dive into about what it takes to thrive in a male-dominated industry, the power of representation, and how Krishna’s carving her own blueprint for success — and helping others do the same. Connect with Krishna: LinkedIn [LinkedIn] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thefutureisamistry?referrer=grok.com] Follow The Brown Girl Blueprint:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/browngirlblueprint?igsh=Y2E5b2hsc2o4Njc4] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thebrowngirlblueprint?_r=1&_t=ZN-937ZExqtgU2] Connect with Tulsi: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dr.tulsipatel?igsh=MTJneDJhdHN5NzNvNg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.tulsipatel?_r=1&_t=ZN-937ZJCacrh8] The Brown Girl Blueprint is produced by Urban Podcasts [https://urbanpodcasts.co.uk/].