#248 From Reality TV Star to Chief Medical Officer ft. Dr. WIll Kirby
In this episode, Dr. Peter Kim interviews Dr. Will Kirby, a dermatologist, entrepreneur, and former reality TV star who has carved an extraordinary path from winning Big Brother to becoming the Chief Medical Officer of one of the nation’s leading aesthetic dermatology companies. Dr. Kirby shares his journey of embracing failure, taking unconventional risks, and redefining what success truly means.
You’ll hear how his early struggles shaped his resilience, what drove him to leave a traditional medical residency for reality TV, and how he found his way back to medicine with a unique focus on aesthetics. Tune in!
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Episode Highlights
Now, let’s look at what we discussed in this episode:
- Embracing Failure and Finding Resilience
- The Big Brother Leap
- Pivoting Back to Medicine
- Leading LaserAway’s Growth
- Personal Branding and Manifesting Opportunities
- Crafting an Ideal Life
Here’s a breakdown of how this episode unfolds.
Episode Breakdown
Embracing Failure and Finding Resilience
Peter begins the podcast by asking Dr. Kirby to share his amazing journey from reality TV to becoming a CMO.
He shares his unfiltered story of how he got to where he is today—and how it’s not the typical doctor story. He talks about his early jobs, like working at a fish store, construction, and even Del Taco, which, while tough, taught him resilience and the ability to handle failure. He openly shares that medicine wasn’t even on his radar until his senior year of college. Even then, he didn’t take the straightforward route, delaying school and making decisions along the way that seemed unorthodox but worked out in the end.
Dr. Kirby reflects on how failure is a great teacher. He recalls, “Nothing can be worse than those failures,” which shaped his mindset of embracing challenges.
Adding to his story, Dr. Kirby explains how different his journey was compared to his peers in medical school. While many had family ties to medicine, he says he “fell into it backwards” and figured things out as he went. He admits to scrambling to get into medical school and even delaying a year to live in sunny Florida.
The Big Brother Leap
Dr. Kirby’s life took an unexpected turn when he decided to quit his radiation oncology residency at the last minute to appear on Big Brother. This bold decision wasn’t made lightly but came from his feeling burnt out and unfulfilled in medicine.
On the show, he not only gained fame but also won $500,000, which he used to pay off his medical school loans. However, Dr. Kirby quickly realized that money and fame weren’t the ultimate goals.
He shares his perspective on wealth, explaining that it’s not just about finances. “There are different types of wealth—love, mental health, fun,” he says, sharing how life isn’t just about career success.
His time on Big Brother taught him to rethink what he valued most in life.
Dr. Kirby’s reflection on this time in his life is eye-opening. He went from being an unknown resident to having national fame almost overnight. But he admits, “I was uncomfortable with the fame,” showing that even success comes with its own challenges.
Pivoting Back to Medicine
After trying his hand at various ventures like restaurant ownership and reality TV, Dr. Kirby decided it was time to return to medicine—but in his own way.
He found his passion in aesthetic dermatology and went back to pursue a dermatology residency. This wasn’t an easy road. He took an unpaid residency spot, supported himself through income from his other businesses, and worked hard to specialize in what truly excited him.
Dr. Kirby describes this time as one of learning and perseverance. He recalls, “I worked as a resident for free, supported by my restaurants. It was unconventional but worth it.” His determination to align his career with his passion led him to become a leader in the aesthetics field.
He also shares how he began exploring entrepreneurship during residency. Dr. Kirby opened laser tattoo removal clinics on weekends, hiring other residents to work with him. While this business grew quickly, he learned valuable lessons about managing rapid expansion and finding the right business partners. These experiences helped him refine his approach to combining medicine and entrepreneurship.
Leading LaserAway’s Growth
As Chief Medical Officer of LaserAway, Dr. Kirby has played a pivotal role in expanding the company from 22 clinics to over 80 nationwide.
He talks about the decision to leave his own business, Dr. Tatoff, and join LaserAway, calling it the best decision he ever made. The move allowed him to focus on what he loves—education, innovation, and leadership—while being part of a company that shares his vision for making aesthetic treatments accessible.
Dr. Kirby emphasizes the importance of fostering a positive company culture. “We’re 97% female and pride ourselves on diversity and inclusivity,” he says, describing LaserAway as a vibrant and innovative team. His role involves creating policies, testing new devices, and educating staff, which he sees as the core of his mission as a physician.
Reflecting on his career shift, Dr. Kirby shares how leaving his old company wasn’t easy but ultimately led to greater success. “I took my best employees and favorite clinics and started fresh,” he recalls, sharing the value of aligning with the right people and organizations.
Personal Branding and Manifesting Opportunities
Dr. Kirby shares his passion for personal branding and how he carved out a unique identity as a physician. He encourages others to actively seek opportunities, whether it’s writing for publications, being on social media, or connecting with reporters.
He shares, “There’s no such thing as a prodigy. Success comes from purposeful practice.”
He speaks about embracing vulnerability and asking for feedback as key steps to growth. Also, Dr. Kirby recalls how he built relationships with reporters and editors by starting small, writing for free, and continually improving his skills. Over time, this persistence turned him into a go-to expert in the aesthetics space.
“You have to be the hero of your own story,” he says, inspiring listeners to take control of their careers and lives. Whether through writing, teaching, or practicing, Dr. Kirby’s journey shows how being proactive can open doors.
Crafting an Ideal Life
As the episode ends, Dr. Kirby reflects on his current life, which he describes as “awesome.” Balancing his roles as Chief Medical Officer, public speaker, and family man, he has created a life he truly loves.
But he emphasizes that this didn’t happen by accident. “I crafted this,” he says, reminding listeners that intentionality is key.
He encourages others to write their own stories, make bold decisions, and not let societal expectations dictate their path.
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