Dr. Gargi Kulshrestha's remarkable journey from medical student to published author shows how writing can heal wounds and build bridges between traditional medicine and overall wellbeing. Her story begins with writing her first book at just 15 years old, continues through medical training in Russia, and blossoms into her current role as an author and mental health counselor.

"I loved writing since I was a child. My teachers always praised my work," she remembers. Her early success in school essays, along with seeing her father's printing business up close, planted the seeds for her future as an author.

Growing up, she watched books being made firsthand: "My father worked in the printing business... I saw how we helped Mr. Bharat Dokhcha, a social worker. His book was published, and I watched the whole design process." This early peek into publishing gave her valuable insights.

Her first book, written between 7th and 10th grade, told her grandfather's life story. He was a government school principal who inspired many: "I thought I should write about him since everyone praised him so much. His stories could inspire others." Though this book was printed rather than formally published, it marked the beginning of her writing journey and found a permanent home in her school library.

This early foundation in writing, combined with her later experiences as a doctor facing mental health challenges, would shape her unique approach to using words as medicine.

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Dr. Gargi's path weaves together serious medical training with a lasting love for writing. After finishing her medical degree (MBBS) in Russia, she juggled the intense demands of becoming a doctor while keeping her dream of writing alive.

"I wanted to become an author and write. But I was deep in academics, so I kept getting pushed toward studies, and my dream had to take a back seat," she shares. Medical school was incredibly demanding: "Every day was an exam. They didn't teach us, they just tested us daily."

Her early writing accomplishments included:

• First book written between ages 13-16

• Her grandfather's life story

• Placement in her school library

• Personal copies printed

• Early recognition of her talent

Medical Training Challenges:

• Daily evaluations

• Intense academic pressure

• Time management struggles

• Professional demands

• Balancing with writing passion

"I struggled with anxiety. I had mental health issues because of my profession, and I didn't recognize my true passions at that time," she reveals. These challenges would later shape the direction and purpose of her writing.

Professional Growth:

• Completed medical degree (MBBS)

• Trained in Russia

• Earned mental health counseling certification

• Developed holistic healing approach

• Combined medical and wellness perspectives

Her medical background gave her unique insights: "As a doctor, I got lost in technical language while writing. So I made the book really complex at first, then simplified it by removing a lot of material. I tried to present it in simple, everyday language anyone could understand."

This period of professional growth, while challenging, built the foundation for her special approach to combining medical knowledge with easy-to-understand writing.

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Dr. Gargi's serious writing journey began because of personal mental health struggles and the unexpected opportunity created by the COVID-19 lockdown. This worldwide pause became a moment of personal transformation.

Mental Health Challenges: "I struggled with anxiety. I had mental health issues because of my profession, and I didn't recognize my true passions at that time," she shares openly. This personal struggle became the spark for deeper exploration and, eventually, healing through writing.

The Lockdown Opportunity:

• Found writing workshops online

• Engaged with an Instagram ad

• Joined a webinar

• Enrolled in a three-day workshop

• Gained publishing knowledge

Journey to Healing: "I found my voice, and my book became that voice," she explains. Her approach to healing included:

• Daily journaling practice

• Reading self-help books

• Personal reflection

• Writing as therapy

• Developing clearer thoughts

Professional Growth: The experience led to additional qualifications:

• Mental health counseling certification

• Holistic healing practice

• Coaching skills development

• Integration of medical knowledge

• Simplified communication approaches

Writing as Therapy: "I started with journaling, then got into self-help books because of my struggles. I read and then started writing... once you start writing, you get much clearer thinking."

This period marked a crucial shift from seeing writing merely as a creative outlet to recognizing it as a powerful tool for personal healing and helping others.

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Her publishing journey evolved from early printing experience to professional publication:

Early Experience:

• First book printing at age 15

• School library placement

• Family printing business exposure

• Basic understanding development

• Self-publishing exploration

Professional Publication: "It really depends on what kind of book you're writing and what impact you're aiming for," she explains about choosing between self-publishing and traditional publishing.

Decision Making Process:

• Impact assessment

• Reach consideration

• Professional support needs

• Quality requirements

• Distribution goals

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