

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chinaza Ndukwu.
Hi Chinaza, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After graduating from Penn State University and earning a Bachelor of Science, I was eager to embark on the postgraduate quest of “finding myself.” I feel many students arrive at the same crossroad when going through that phase. Don’t you find it interesting that a majority of young adults misconstrue the concept of life as a journey of finding one’s self? When in actuality, it’s that of becoming and growing into your purpose and true self. Throughout my undergraduate career, I worked with the intention of becoming a healthcare provider. In the early stages of my post-graduate years, like many of my peers, I had to find where I fit. I shadowed different clinicians in many fields of healthcare while taking advanced science courses. When Covid hit, I experienced so much, good and bad. I grew tremendously in maturity and academics, and my interest in science shifted into the human-centered aspects of medicine. After working as a Perioperative RNs’ Assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center, I fell in love with the Operating Room; most specifically, the scope of the Anesthesia practice. In response, I am a student again working towards my Nursing Anesthesia Doctorate (CRNA). It is a long way ahead, but my preparation for this path began with my belief in humanism, compassion, and service. This path came forth from ditching the idea that I had to fully “find myself” right away. Instead, I granted myself space to develop. I followed what I felt most passionate about while keeping an open mind, exploring areas that sparked my interest, developing skills in specific areas, and now using those skills to contribute to something greater than myself.
“Finding yourself” is not really how it works. You aren’t a ten-dollar bill in last winter’s coat pocket. You are also not lost. Your true self is right there, buried under cultural conditioning, other people’s opinions, and inaccurate conclusions you drew as a kid that became your beliefs about who you are.” ― Emily McDowell.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No journey is easy but you have to stay steadfast in your path. I believe my biggest obstacle was finding a balance in all aspects of my life– career, work, school, fitness, family, and personal life. It can be a slippery slope juggling everything, and it can also get a bit overwhelming. The late Kobe Bryant once said. “This is the moment I accept that the hardest challenges will always be behind me and in front of me.” This is something that I have accepted and live by.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Apart from my academic and healthcare endeavors, I am also very proud of my work as a fitness enthusiast and developing healthy habits in and outside of the gym. Fitness changed my life! Not only my physical state, but it has done wonders for my mental health and also aids in keeping me grounded with life and my goals. When I fully immersed myself in training, I noticed a shift. The more consistent I was with my workouts, the more motivated and disciplined I became.. and that began to infiltrate into other areas of my life. I also occasionally document and create content around my fitness journey that can be viewed on my Instagram.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brownsugar_chi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chinaza1994ekpere/