By Gianluca Cerri, MD
When most people think about a doctor’s life, they probably imagine long hours in the hospital, constant stress, and a relentless focus on patients. And while that is part of the job, there’s another side that often goes unnoticed—what we do outside of work to stay balanced and grounded. For me, that balance comes through physical fitness and hobbies like sport biking, motocross, and weightlifting. These activities aren’t just a way to unwind; they have had a profound impact on my ability to practice medicine effectively and maintain my own health, both mentally and physically. The synergy between sports and medicine has shaped who I am as a doctor, a leader, and a person.
The Importance of Physical Fitness in Medicine
In Emergency Medicine, we are constantly on our feet, responding to critical situations, making split-second decisions, and dealing with intense stress. It’s no secret that the job can be physically demanding. For years, I’ve seen colleagues who struggle with burnout, chronic fatigue, and the physical toll that the medical profession can take on the body. Physical fitness, for me, is not just a hobby; it’s a necessity.
Weightlifting, biking, and motocross help keep me in shape, but they also prepare me for the rigors of the emergency room. When your body is strong and your stamina is high, you’re able to think more clearly, react more quickly, and endure the long hours that are often required in healthcare. Physical fitness improves endurance and resilience—two qualities that are vital in Emergency Medicine, where shifts can be long, and the stakes are high.
Furthermore, staying fit is a constant reminder of the advice I give to my patients every day. It’s difficult to preach the importance of a healthy lifestyle if you don’t live it yourself. By prioritizing fitness, I’m able to lead by example. When I talk to patients about managing their weight, blood pressure, or overall health, I speak from experience, not just from medical textbooks. This helps me build a rapport with patients who see that I’m not just telling them what to do; I’m living it.
The Mental Benefits of Sport Biking and Motocross
Sport biking and motocross are often seen as extreme or high-adrenaline hobbies, but they offer much more than just a thrill. These activities have taught me discipline, focus, and mindfulness—qualities that I use every day in my medical practice.
When I’m on my bike, whether on a winding mountain trail or racing on a motocross track, there’s no room for distraction. Every movement requires precision, balance, and awareness. This level of focus is similar to what I experience in the emergency room, where every decision can have life-or-death consequences. The ability to concentrate fully on the task at hand, to remain calm under pressure, and to manage risk has been honed through years of riding. These same skills translate directly into my role as a physician, where staying calm and focused is essential to making the right decisions for my patients.
Additionally, the mental release that comes from these activities is something I cherish. In medicine, we deal with human suffering, trauma, and high levels of stress on a daily basis. It’s essential to have a way to decompress and clear the mind. Biking and motocross provide that escape for me. They allow me to push my body and mind in a different way, to step outside the constant demands of medicine and recharge my mental batteries. This makes me more present and effective when I return to the hospital.
Building Resilience: Lessons from the Track
There’s a certain level of resilience that comes from engaging in sports like biking and motocross, where falls, injuries, and failures are part of the process. Over the years, I’ve faced my share of setbacks on the track—falls that left me bruised and broken, races where nothing went according to plan. But each time, I’ve gotten back up, learned from the experience, and improved.
This resilience is crucial in the practice of medicine, especially in Emergency Medicine, where not every case has a happy ending. Despite our best efforts, outcomes are not always favorable, and we’re often faced with situations that are out of our control. Just like in motocross, where you can’t control every variable on the track, in medicine, we can’t control every factor that influences a patient’s health. What we can control is our response—how we pick ourselves up after a tough shift or a difficult case, how we learn from our experiences, and how we support our team through the highs and lows.
The persistence I’ve built through sports has been invaluable in helping me navigate the emotional and psychological demands of medicine. It has taught me that setbacks are part of the process, and that growth comes from pushing through challenges, both on the track and in the emergency room.
The Balance Between Work and Play
One of the greatest challenges for physicians is maintaining a balance between work and personal life. It’s easy to become consumed by the demands of medicine, especially in fields like Emergency Medicine, where the work never really stops. But hobbies like biking and motocross remind me that it’s essential to carve out time for myself, to step away from the hospital and focus on something completely different.
This balance is not just about preventing burnout—it’s about maintaining joy and fulfillment in life. Medicine is my passion, but it’s not the only thing that defines me. When I’m riding my bike or lifting weights, I’m able to reconnect with a different part of myself, to find enjoyment in the physical challenges and the sense of accomplishment that comes from improving in a sport. This balance allows me to return to medicine with renewed energy and focus, ready to give my patients the best care I can offer.
A Holistic Approach to Medicine and Life
At the end of the day, my approach to medicine is deeply intertwined with my approach to life. Physical fitness and sports aren’t just extracurricular activities—they’re part of the holistic balance that keeps me grounded, healthy, and effective as a physician. Biking, motocross, and weightlifting have taught me resilience, focus, and the importance of staying active, both physically and mentally.
As healthcare providers, we often emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle for our patients. But it’s just as important for us to practice what we preach. By staying physically active and pursuing hobbies outside of medicine, I’ve found that I’m not only a better doctor but also a more balanced person. The lessons I’ve learned on the track and in the gym have made me a more effective leader, a more resilient physician, and ultimately, a healthier and happier person.