Courage to be limitless.
The Courage to Think Beyond Ourselves: Dr Meena Julapalli’s Call to Joy.
Every week I ask my Brave New Girls podcast guest how they define courage. This is how Dr Meena Julapalli, a pediatric dermatologist, founder of Bluebird Dermatology & Chief Joyologist at The Joyful Path, thinks of it:
"When you recognise that you no longer thrive in your current environment, know that you have the power to create the environment that you will thrive in. It takes courage to be greater than what your mind is telling you, what your body is telling you, what your environment is telling you. When you're no longer afraid of that unknown and instead excited about it, the world is filled with endless possibility, and you truly feel limitless."
Dr. Meena's definition of courage emerges from her own transformative journey. After experiencing professional burnout and her mother's sudden illness, she faced the daunting decision to leave her established career path to create a practice aligned with her values. This required not just professional bravery, but the courage to reimagine healthcare delivery.
Her approach demonstrates that courage isn't about the absence of fear, but about choosing to move forward despite it. It's about recognising when something isn't serving you and taking action to create change, even when that change seems overwhelming.
For Dr. Meena, this meant creating an integrative dermatology practice that addresses not just physical symptoms, but emotional and social wellness too. She showed courage in challenging conventional medical practices, incorporating meditation, nutrition, and joy into her treatment approaches.
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Dare to do things differently, for a happier, healthier, impactful life.
Here are practical ways to embrace courage & support a healthier, more sustainable world:
10 Actionable Steps to Build Courage:
1. Challenge Your Current Reality - Assess whether your environment supports your growth and values
2. Open Yourself to New Possibilities - Embrace uncertainty as an opportunity for growth
3. Unite with Others - Build supportive communities that encourage brave choices
4. Recognize Your Power - Acknowledge your ability to create positive change
5. Accept Discomfort - View challenging moments as opportunities for strength-building
6. Give Yourself Permission to Change - Let go of others' expectations
7. Embrace Your Authentic Self - Honor your true values and desires
8. Stand Firm in Your Convictions - Maintain your vision even when faced with skepticism
9. Take Small Steps - Break down big changes into manageable actions
10. Express Your Truth - Share your journey to inspire others
The courage to create change often starts with small steps that gradually build momentum. Dr. Meena began by questioning traditional medical practices, then explored alternative healing modalities, and finally created her own unique approach combining both. Each step required its own kind of courage, from challenging established norms to trusting her instincts.
Her story reminds us that courage often manifests in everyday choices - choosing joy over fear, connection over isolation, and growth over comfort. It's about recognising that while we can't always control our circumstances, we can control how we respond to them.
True courage lies not in being fearless, but in choosing to create positive change despite our fears, one small step at a time.
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