Trauma Surgeon, Navy SEAL, Gymnastics Champion, Breakdancer, Dr. Christopher J. Burns, MD, FACS 10,000 NOs

Dr. Christopher J. Burns is a trauma surgeon in Boston and a member of Harvard Medical School’s faculty. Before that, he was a US Navy SEAL. But the reason he is on 10,000 “No”s is that before that he was one of my best friends at Boston College.
 
Burns’ life reads like the script of Forest Gump and this conversation runs the gamut from two old friends reminiscing and busting chops to ample amounts of wisdom being dropped by a man who has been exposed to the extremities of the human experience both as a soldier and a surgeon.  At the very least, it will leave you wanting to join us for linguini with white clam sauce in Boston’s North End. 
 
SHOW NOTES: 
Having a first impression of Chris as a leader while we met at BC, (5:15). Clarifying his role as an instructor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, (11:42). “There are certain phrases and teachings my dad has given me through the years, and he has always said, ‘You don’t actually know something until you can teach it.’”, (18:05). Describing his childhood activities and moments with family, (19:37). Recalling the start of his gymnastics team experience at age 6, (24:10). Knowing that he wanted to be a doctor since he was 5, (26:40). Discovering break dancing in his youth, (29:10). Completing over 20 operations on a Marines medic after taking a shot in Afghanistan, (36:36). Operating on pilots after being shot down by an RPG, (38:30). Being born with fluid in his ear making him hear almost as if he was underwater, (40:50). Relearning how to speak while seeing a speech pathologist, (41:30). “I had a problem and the surgeon fixed it. That was a very real tangible for me, and I thought I want to be a surgeon because I want to take a problem and fix it. I knew that at age 5.”,(44:06). Aspiring to become a fighter pilot prior to the release of Top Gun, (47:07). Describing how a SEAL officer leads from the front of the lines, (50:35). “I had my silly little reserve ID, and I said, ‘My name is Chris. I think I want to be a SEAL. Can I talk to someone?’”, (52:45). “These are not superheroes; These are just men who can do super things.”, (56:20). Relying on his religion to cope with encountering death in both the fields of a SEAL and surgeon, (1:03:46). “There are a few moments in my life where I have been privileged to be a fly on the wall. I happen to be in the room for a reason, but really I was a fly on the ball because I was basically irrelevant.”, (1:16:00). Recalling moments where he only listened to a conversation with SEAL Team 6, (1:16:20). “People talk about the new normal. By day 3, I’m getting my ego shoved down my throat and getting completely beat up. Walking through the front door isn’t as exciting anymore.”, (1:24:20). “Sacrifice hurts to the bone. To some degree, I may tell myself, ‘You have no idea how hard it is going to be because it is far harder than I thought it was going to be.’”, (1:41:58). 
 
GUEST LINKS: 
Website: Boston College 
Website: Harvard Medical School 
Website: Brigham and Women's Hospital 
Website: South Shore Hospitalg 
 
SHOW LINKS: 
Purchase 10,000 "No"s Apparel Here to Support the Show 
Matt's Amazon Influencer Page (shop thru this site for items mentioned in interviews to support 10KNos at no extra cost to you.) 
 
FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PROMO VIDEOS OF WHO'S NEXT, FOLLOW:  
Instagram:  @mattydel 
Twitter:  @MatthewDelNegro 
Facebook:  Matthew Del Negro Fan Site 
LinkedIn:  @MatthewDelNegro 
Email us feedback, guest suggestions or to be added to our MAILING LIST  
RELATED PAST EPISODES OF 10,000 “No”s: 
Ep 90: Melissa Ponzio, Teen Wolf's Mama McCall: Honesty and Authenticity on  the Journey to Being a Professional Actor 
Browse Our Episode Archives at 10000nos.com 
 
Disclaimer:  Because of the nature of our relationship and the tenor of this interview, I cu