GI is My Ikigai
I found my purpose in the most unlikely of places: my own gastrointestinal struggles. Since the day I fought for my life as an infant, my existence has been intimately tied to understanding and overcoming the challenges of GI health. This journey, fraught with pain and discovery, has led me to my Ikigai—my reason for being.
I've lived with GI issues for as long as I can remember, a journey that began in the most dramatic way possible when I was just 9 months old. My mother tells this story, her eyes always filling with tears, of a time when I nearly lost my life to severe diarrhea. I was hospitalized at Kanti Bal Hospital, a government children's hospital in Nepal, fighting for each day.
Declared Dead at 9 Months — Revived by a Mother's Love and Bravery
One morning, after my mom stepped out to buy saline for my IV, she returned to a sight that would haunt any parent: me, her baby, covered with a white hospital bed sheet. Confused and scared, she was soon met with the devastating words from a neighboring caregiver, "Doctors said your son is dead."
But my mom, known for her feisty and brave spirit, couldn't accept it. She insisted that I was just asleep before she left. Driven by a mother's intuition, she leaned in to listen for my heartbeat, finding a faint pulse. What followed was a moment of pure determination: she roared, cried out, and let loose a fury of words as she charged into the room where doctors were gathered. Grabbing the doctor who had been checking on me daily by the collar, she declared, "My son is not dead," dragging him to my bedside.
What happened next was nothing short of miraculous. A team of doctors, including a doctor from abroad who took charge, worked frantically to revive me. Despite their efforts, I remained silent, until a gentle tap on my knees elicited a weak cry from me. I was alive.
This moment, as dramatic as it is real, was the start of a lifelong journey with GI issues.
Lifelong Struggles with GI Issues
Growing up, my life was a series of battles against my own body. My digestive system, perhaps weakened by my traumatic start, seemed to rebel at the slightest provocation. A spicy meal wasn't just a meal; it was a risk.
But it wasn’t just the physical symptoms; the emotional toll was equally daunting. The frequent trips to the bathroom, the anxiety of eating out, and the constant need to plan around my GI issues—these challenges shaped not just my diet but my social life and self-esteem.
Surprisingly, my teenage years brought a respite from the constant health battles. I dared to hope that I had outgrown my issues, enjoying a semblance of normalcy that had eluded me in my earlier years. This break, however, was short-lived.
My move to the United States in 2016 marked a turning point. Here, I encountered an unexpected foe: chronic constipation, a stark contrast to the challenges of my youth. This new struggle was baffling, frustrating, and a clear sign that my journey with GI health was far from over.
Deep Disappointment with the US Healthcare System
Just a few months into my life in the United States, I faced a health scare that set the tone for my future interactions with the healthcare system. Discovering blood on toilet paper, I initially panicked, but reassurance from my primary care doctor that it was merely constipation and diet-related seemed overly simplistic in hindsight. This moment marked the beginning of my disillusionment with healthcare in my new home.
When my mental health began to suffer due to the constant worry over constipation, I finally saw a GI specialist, a visit that felt rushed and superficial. There was no deep dive into my diet, stress levels, or lifestyle—factors that could have provided a clearer picture of my condition. Instead, a colonoscopy was suggested right away, sidelining other potential interventions. By the time of my preventative care visit three years into my battle with constipation, and with my ferritin levels low, the same GI specialist recommended a colonoscopy again, this time as a screening for colon cancer. The mention of "cancer" scared me into agreement, despite having no symptoms or family history of GI-related cancers at that point.
The aftermath of the colonoscopy was the pinnacle of my frustration—the procedure, supposedly covered as preventative by my insurance, resulted in $3,700 in bills from various sources. The ensuing battle with collection agencies, endless calls with insurance, and the overall lack of support not only fueled my frustration but also highlighted the systemic failings in patient care and transparency.
Became the Pilot of My Own Health Plane
The ordeal with the colonoscopy sharply awakened me to the reality that I could not depend solely on the healthcare system for my well being. This skepticism drove me to advocate for my own health. Drawing on the wisdom of my mother( You must know more about your disease than your doctor) , I began to educate myself, piecing together a holistic understanding of my condition through research and self-experimentation.
I began to see myself not just as a patient but as a scientist of my own body. I dove into books, medical journals, and reputable online resources, absorbing everything I could about the gastrointestinal system, the impact of diet, exercise, and the mind-gut connection.
This quest for knowledge wasn't just about finding a cure; it was about understanding the complex interplay of factors that contribute to GI health. I learned about the Standard American Diet's pitfalls and how its lack of fiber and reliance on processed foods could exacerbate my condition. I embraced the idea of food as medicine, integrating more whole foods, fibers, and probiotics into my diet, mindful of their role in forming a healthy gut microbiome.
Living Constipation Free and Even Wrote a Book
As I navigated through the complexities of GI health, experimenting and learning, a remarkable shift occurred—I began living constipation-free. This newfound freedom was not a simple victory; it was a liberation from years of discomfort and uncertainty, a testament to the power of informed self-care and persistence.
The journey, however, was too significant to keep to myself. Inspired by the struggles and successes, the insights gained from countless hours of research and self-experimentation, I felt compelled to share my story with the world. And so, I wrote a book.
Living constipation-free and writing a book about my journey was a way to close a chapter on my struggles and open a new one focused on advocacy and education. It was my way of giving back, of turning my pain into a purpose that could help others find relief and hope.
Delayed Starting the Company
I didn’t jump into starting the company right away; it took me three years from 2021. Even though I had learned a lot from managing my own GI health, I was hesitant. I kept hoping someone else would come up with the solution I had in mind. As I watched new health and wellness solutions pop up, I saw many of them were just like the ones that hadn’t worked for me—they treated symptoms but not the root causes, and often seemed more about making money than really helping people.
This was a big problem for me. I saw how the usual ways of treating health issues missed the point of actually healing and preventing illness. My own experiences of figuring things out through trial and error were very different from the quick, surface-level solutions I saw everywhere.
So, I spent a lot of time thinking and learning. I saw lots of "solutions" that didn’t really address the whole picture of health. This made me more convinced that we needed a better way—a way that gives people the information, tools, and support they need to take care of their GI health themselves.
Eventually, I realized nobody else was going to create what I had in mind. I decided it was up to me. I had a unique mix of personal experience and knowledge that could help fill the gap in the current health care approach.Starting the company became about more than just business. It was about using what I had learned to help others. Looking back, waiting wasn’t wasted time; it was an important period to get clear about my goals and how to reach them.
The Catalyst for Action
I decided to start the platform because three major shifts are happening right now:
1. Tech Innovations: Advances in technology, especially Gen AI, are transforming healthcare. They're making personalized care more accessible and enhancing our understanding of health issues in real-time.
2. Medicine 3.0: There's a shift towards healthcare that not only fights diseases but also emphasizes prevention and treats the whole person. This aligns perfectly with my vision.
3. Patient Experience: The possibility of creating a seamless, integrated patient experience is becoming a reality. Advances in technology, coupled with a societal shift towards proactive health management, show me it's the right time to offer a platform that consolidates comprehensive care, support, and education for individuals with GI issues.
These developments are propelling me to act against the limitations of the current healthcare system. They inspire me to leverage my knowledge, experience, and vision to craft a platform that can significantly improve the lives of those dealing with GI health issues.
Embarking on a Mission
The mission is clear: to revolutionize GI health care by creating a platform that not only addressed the symptoms but dove deep into the root causes of gastrointestinal disorders. It is about shifting the narrative from a reactive healthcare model to a proactive, preventive, and personalized approach. I envision a platform that empowers individuals with the knowledge, tools, and community support necessary to take charge of their health, fostering an environment where patients and practitioners can collaborate in true partnership.
As I set forth on this mission, I am acutely aware of the challenges that lay ahead. Changing entrenched healthcare paradigms, integrating new technologies into traditional medical practices, and building a community of engaged and empowered individuals are no small feats. Yet, the drive to make a difference, to offer hope and healing to those suffering from GI issues, is a powerful motivator.
Join the Movement and Create the Future
I know I can't do this alone. Fortunately, I already have team members joining me early on in this journey. While I'm not a doctor, the need for deep collaboration with medical professionals is clear. More patient experiences are crucial because I am but a single data point. Every patient is unique, yet we share common ground in our experiences of pain, even as the conditions and contexts differ for each individual. It requires nuance. Nonetheless, the principles of incrementalism and science-based self-care are universal and transferable. I call upon doctors, nurses, scientists, designers, engineers, and patients to unite and build this platform with me. Together, we can address the widespread challenge of GI issues, affecting ourselves, our friends, or our family members.
As we embark on this mission, let's make GI health our shared Ikigai, driving us to create a future where comprehensive, empathetic care is accessible to all. Join us in transforming the landscape of GI health care, one step at a time.
Bimal Maharjan
Founder and CEO, gutsphere
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