Paulos, M2 at University of California Davis School of Medicine | Med School Years Podcast

Ready to bet on yourself, even when the odds seem impossible? Join hosts Deana and Carlos as they sit down with Paulos Flores, an M2 at UC Davis School of Medicine, whose journey to medicine is anything but typical. Paulos spent nearly a decade as a professional poker player and a long-term caregiver for his mother before deciding to pursue medicine in his 30s. He shares the raw reality of starting over as a high school dropout with a transcript full of "C" grades, proving that with the right study habits and a "don't-quit" work ethic, any academic history can be rewritten. Learn how he balanced being a first-time father during interview season, why he chose UC Davis for its mission, and his "poker-player" approach to clinical decision-making. Whether you're a non-traditional student, a parent in medicine, or someone feeling "too old" for the dream, Paulos’s story is a masterclass in resilience and authenticity. What You’ll Learn:

1. The transition from professional poker to the "relentless" schedule of an M2.
2. How to handle the emotional and financial burden of long-term caregiving.
3. The strategy for overcoming a "bad" academic transcript through humility and work ethic.
4. Why authenticity is the ultimate "X-factor" in medical school applications.
5. Balancing fatherhood with the demands of a competitive medical curriculum.
6. Dealing with the negativity of online forums like SDN and choosing to "block the noise."

If Paulos’s journey inspires you, hit Like, share your thoughts in the comments, and Subscribe for more insider advice on thriving in med school and beyond. Explore additional resources: Main website: https://medschoolyears.com Listen on Spotify: https://spotify.com/medschoolyears Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...#MedSchoolYears #UCDavisHealth #NonTradMedStudent #PremedAdvice #MedicalSchool #ParentInMedicine #PokerToPhysician #FirstGenMD