Meet Sep Pouresa | Dentist, Kinesiologist and Natural Men’s physique Competitor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sep Pouresa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sep, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
As healthcare workers, we often forget and neglect our own wellbeing for the health of our patients. Working in health, just like any other profession, requires you to also commit to a lifetime of learning and personal growth, which can sometimes be overwhelming.

Anyone who competed in any form of bodybuilding show can tell you how much time and discipline it takes to meal prep 6-10 meals a day and stay consistent in both your resistance training and cardio sessions. Having to prepare for many Men’s Physique fitness competition while battling the challenges of dental school and residency allowed me to learn the true value of time: every minute, every second spent in a day. The more busy your schedule is, the more cautious you are on how to spend your time.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Growing up, I have had teachers laugh at me when spoken about my dreams. There was one in particular that once told me after a chemistry exam that you can “drop the idea of being a dentist.” These movements really do scar you…especially when moments like these happen repeatedly and are still ongoing. I think it was later in high school that I learnt the mindset of working relentlessly in silence and let the outcome of your work organically rise up the surface.

I started off as this little kid from Canada with no guidance, but a dream in hand. Today, I am extremely blessed and fortunate to have earned a kinesiology degree along with the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal, a dental doctorate and finished residency. These were all accomplished while competing in both the INBA (International Natural Bodybuilding Association) and the IDFA (International Drug-Free Association) as a Natural Men’s Physique Athlete.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
San Francisco itself offers some of the most diverse and immaculate sceneries in California, but to answer that question, our day would be comprised of a full day of biking. We would start off our morning at the local Bluestone lane for some coffee followed by a stop at the local Woodlands Market to pick up cut-up fruits and vegetables. We would then bike to the Golden Gate Park for a picnic and music.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Sometimes you need to take a step back and remember those who were there for you when you needed them the most. These magazine features humble me greatly, but would have not been possible without my parents, sister Sahar, mentor Dr. Allen Wong and dearest friends.

Instagram: dr.spouresa

Other: Research Paper we recently published for the Health & Fitness Journal of Canada: https://hfjc.library.ubc.ca/index.php/HFJC/article/view/817/408 The Prestigious Lieutenant Governor’s Medal: https://www.mcgill.ca/education/channels/news/sep-pouresa-isabelle-leduc-cummings-receive-lieutenant-governor-quebec-medals-268091