Jimmie Lewis III shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Jimmie , thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
One of my proudest recent moments in 2025 has been passing Part 2 of my board exams after previously struggling with them during medical school. Failing those exams was one of the hardest challenges I’ve ever faced, but it became a turning point in my journey. It pushed me to lean deeper into my faith, and through that, I gained strength, humility, and resilience.
That season of struggle didn’t break me—it built me. It not only shaped me into a stronger person but also into someone who can truly support others walking through similar challenges. To then go on and match into my number one ranked residency program was proof to me that it was all part of God’s will and plan for my life. It was both humbling and affirming, a reminder that setbacks are really setups for something greater.
I carry this pride with deep gratitude, knowing that every step, even the toughest ones, prepared me for the physician I am becoming. And I know that one day, when I’m older, I’ll be laughing with my kids and grandkids as I look back on the moments I once thought might take me out; only to realize they were actually the very moments that lifted me higher.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Dr. Jimmie Lewis III, and I am currently a Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Resident at University of Texas Rio Grand Valley. My journey into medicine has been deeply shaped by both my family and my personal experiences. I am the proud father of twin sons, Marshall and Mason, who inspire me every day to push forward and lead by example. I also come from a close-knit family, my parents and brothers have always been my foundation, supporting me through every step of my academic and professional journey.
I grew up in Houston, Texas, where I attended Strake Jesuit College Preparatory for high school before going on to earn my undergraduate degree in Biology from Prairie View A&M University. I later pursued my doctorate at Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine, where I developed a strong commitment to making a difference in patients’ lives through foot and ankle care.
What makes my story unique is not just the professional path I’ve chosen, but the resilience it took to get here. I’ve faced challenges, including setbacks during my podiatry training, but each obstacle strengthened my faith, sharpened my determination, and ultimately shaped me into the physician I am today.
What makes my journey special is not only the perseverance it took to get here but also the mission I carry forward. As an African American physician, I want to have a real influence on reducing the rates of diabetes complications and lower-limb amputations in people who look like me. Representation in medicine matters, and I believe my presence in this field is part of the solution: building trust, improving access, and educating communities on the importance of foot and ankle health.
But beyond the white coat, there’s much more to me: I’ve traveled to more than 23 countries (and counting!) and developed a love for planning trips so much so that I hope to one day build a side business helping others explore the world. And for a fun fact; each year, I’ve consistently ranked among the Top 500 players in Madden and NCAA Football EA Sports, a testament to my competitive drive and love of strategy.
Whether in the hospital, abroad discovering new cultures, or competing on the sticks, I bring energy, focus, and a desire to make meaningful connections in everything I do.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents taught me the true meaning of hard work. Coming from two very different backgrounds but united by love and family, they showed me what it means to sacrifice and stay dedicated. Watching them build their careers while raising four sons was the greatest example of perseverance I could ask for. Their journey not only shaped me into the father I strive to be for my twin sons, but also into a role model for those who look up to me from all walks of life. Most importantly, they showed me what the word legacy truly means and I carry that lesson with me, instilling it into everything I do in this world
That same lesson of hard work carries over into my professional journey in medicine. As a Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Resident, the hours are long and the expectations are high, but I lean on the values my parents instilled in me to push forward. Whether I’m in the clinic treating patients, in the OR assisting with surgery, or researching ways to improve care, I know that true success requires sacrifice, focus, and resilience.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I didn’t face many struggles growing up if I had a problem, it usually wasn’t too hard to overcome. It wasn’t until medical school that I truly faced my biggest challenges. Surrounded by so many intelligent and accomplished people, I began to wrestle with imposter syndrome.
For the first time, I questioned if I belonged, if I was good enough, and that was a kind of suffering I had never known before. But what I’ve learned is that suffering teaches lessons success never could. Success feels good, but it doesn’t force you to dig deeper, to find resilience, or to truly understand your own strength. Suffering humbles you, strips away your comfort, and teaches you persistence, grit, and faith in yourself. It transforms you in ways easy victories never can.
Even athletes and great leaders echo this truth. Michael Jordan once said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career… I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Similarly, Nelson Mandela reminded us, “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
Those words ring true for me. Failure and struggle have become the foundation of my growth they are what allowed me to push through, become stronger, and ultimately succeed in medicine. Without suffering, I would not have developed the resilience and perspective that now guide me as a new physician, a father, and a man.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The cultural value I protect at all costs is the recognition of my identity and heritage as an African American. Regardless of how the world shifts politically or socially, my skin, my history, and the story of my people will never change. It is a truth that cannot be erased, and protecting it means making sure that the sacrifices and struggles of those who came before me are never forgotten.
For me, this value is rooted in pride and resilience. My ancestors endured pain, injustice, and unimaginable barriers, yet they refused to give up. They worked, they fought, and they paved a way for generations to rise higher. To lose sight of that struggle would be to lose sight of myself.
Protecting this value means carrying myself with dignity, no matter the setting. It means making sure that in every room I enter, I honor those who could not be there. It means speaking with pride about my culture and ensuring that the next generation knows their worth, their history, and their power.
At its core, the cultural value I protect is the legacy of survival, strength, and perseverance. That legacy does not just belong to me… it belongs to everyone who carries the story of our people. And it is my responsibility to protect it at all costs.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
What I’m doing today that won’t fully pay off for 7–10 years is investing in my journey as a resident physician and building the foundation of my brand, J.LewisPodiatry. The journey to become a doctor and residency requires long hours, constant learning, and sacrifices that don’t always come with immediate rewards. But every case I log, every patient I care for, and every skill I sharpen is a seed planted for the physician I’ll be a decade from now.
One of my college professors, Dr. George Brown, always emphasized the importance of delayed gratification: reminding us that the hardest work often brings the greatest rewards if you stay the course. That lesson stays with me daily. The long shifts, the extra effort, and the time I put into shaping my brand may not show results right away, but I know they’re setting the stage for the physician, leader, and mentor I aspire to become.
For me, the grind today isn’t just about now…it’s about building a future where my work, my name, and my purpose pay off in ways that will impact my family, my community, and the generations that follow.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.lewispodiatry
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/jimmie-earl-lewis-iii-a7254a10b
- Other: TikTok: @J.LewisPodiatry
Image Credits
@ForeverTomHanks
@JCPenney Portraits
