#206 How a Physician Became a Media Personality and the Host of American Ninja Warrior ft. Dr. Matt Iseman
In this episode, Dr. Peter Kim interviews Dr. Matt Iseman on his unique journey from medicine to media, and how he landed as host of the hit show American Ninja Warrior. Tune in for an inspiring episode as we explore how Dr. Iseman transitioned from prescriptions to punchlines and became a fixture in the entertainment industry.
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Episode Highlights
Now, let’s look at what we discussed in this episode:
- From Physician to American Ninja Warrior
- Getting Over the First Hurdle
- Eventually Finding Success
- Potential For Physicians to Pursue Passions
- What’s Next for Dr. Iseman and His Advice for Fellow Physicians
Here’s a breakdown of how this episode unfolds.
Episode Breakdown
From Physician to American Ninja Warrior
To start the episode, Peter asks Dr. Matt Iseman about what the show American Ninja Warrior is all about and how he became part of it with his background being a physician.
Matt shares that the show is an obstacle course program where contestants face challenging obstacles, focusing not just on the physical challenges but also on the personal stories of the participants. He talks about how it highlights individuals overcoming significant obstacles in their lives to compete and emphasizes the importance of hard work over innate talent, showcasing a diverse range of contestants with inspiring stories.
And about him being part of the show, he shares how his father’s influence as a doctor inspired him to pursue medicine, but he later realized his passion lay in comedy. Despite the financial challenges, he found success in commercials and chose to pursue his newfound passion. His father supported his decision, acknowledging that he would always be a doctor at heart.
“I, on the other hand, was making six figures in commercials and so all of a sudden, I’m making more money. I found something I think I was really meant to do. ” — Dr. Matt Iseman
Getting Over the First Hurdle
Dr. Matt Iseman recounts his transition from medicine to comedy, highlighting the fear and pressure he faced in leaving a secure career path.
Despite concerns about disappointing his family and peers, he ultimately found support from his father to pursue what made him happy. His medical background equipped him with resilience and a strong work ethic, aiding his success in the challenging and subjective world of comedy in Hollywood.
“Having gone through medicine and having had something that I felt I could point to is like, Listen, I am accomplished, I am worthy. I have done something that made it a lot easier to withstand those” — Dr. Matt Iseman
Eventually Finding Success
In response to Peter’s question about his path to success, Dr. Iseman describes his journey from a stand-up comedian to the host of “American Ninja Warrior.”
His success story began with seizing small opportunities and embracing a “yes” mentality during his career transition. Starting with a hosting job in 2004, he went on to win Celebrity Apprentice, cover the Olympics, and eventually host “American Ninja Warrior.”
Despite the unpredictable nature of the industry, he found success through recognition of his show and his increasing confidence in hosting.
“My philosophy is to say yes until you have to say no.” — Dr. Matt Iseman
Potential For Physicians to Pursue Passions
Dr. Matt Iseman talks about how people, even physicians, can follow their passions through broadcasting and podcasting with easy access to a global audience.
He highlights the need for consistency, quality, and networking in the field. Also, Matt advises using social media to connect with experts for guidance and emphasizes the support available for exploring diverse career paths.
“There’s no single recipe for success, but you’re able to take a look at a lot of people’s different recipes of how they got success and say ‘alright, what suits my skills, what suits my drive, what suits my timeframe’” — Dr. Matt Iseman
What’s Next for Dr. Iseman and His Advice for Fellow Physicians
When asked about Matt’s future plans, he shares how he wants his own show that highlights athletes tied to the Olympics, focusing on their stories of overcoming challenges.
He shares how he is intrigued by those who almost succeeded and enjoys participating in game shows as he was inspired by childhood memories of watching them with his mom.
Dr. Matt Iseman also recalls his experience of being on a game show during residency and winning on Celebrity Apprentice with Arnold Schwarzenegger. From it, he highlights the importance of betting on oneself in pursuing new opportunities.
He mentions his engagement and encourages people to connect with him on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter for updates on his journey.
And to those who want to follow in his footsteps, Matt advises to start a new venture without delay, focusing on regular practice and seeking guidance to improve. He stresses the need to start and build momentum, noting that genuine passion and a positive mindset are key motivators in pursuing one’s goals.
“If you really get hungry, and you really want it, you really want to learn, so many people are going to be willing to help you. But just start doing it. Because there’s never going to be a perfect time.” — Dr. Matt Iseman
