"I was Fatboy Slim's special guest during his UK tour!"
Most doctors want to relax after a long shift at the hospital but for Dr Kishan Bodalia, he is usually performing an all-night DJ set at a top London club.
The medic has spent the last five years leading a double life as a DJ and physician.
It comes after medical regulators revealed that more doctors are cutting their hours to improve their “work-life balance”.
The General Medical Council warned that the resulting staffing shortages will put patients at risk unless there is urgent action to tackle the trend.
Dr Bodalia said he recently finished an A&E shift at 1 pm before immediately flying out to Ibiza for a 6 pm DJ set.
He returned for his shift the next day at 8 am.
Dr Bodalia admitted that his “non-stop” lifestyle makes it difficult to find the “perfect balance”.
However, he is “proud” to have made “both dreams a reality”, claiming practising mindfulness, getting plenty of sleep and drinking no booze helps him recover between jobs.
The doctor said: “Ever since I was a child, it was my dream to become a doctor and have a successful music career but I didn’t know if it was actually possible.
“I bought my first set of decks during my teenage years and at university, I decided to take it a little more seriously.
“During my third year of medical school, I entered a DJ competition. And I won… this changed my life overnight.
“From that point on, I signed record deals with labels like Sony Music, performed at clubs and festivals around the world and toured with icons.
“I was Fatboy Slim’s special guest during his UK tour!”
He is currently on “rotation”, working as an obstetrics and gynaecology hospital doctor as part of his training to become a GP.
Dr Bodalia’s highlights include performing on a bus with his face on it for 500,000 spectators during London’s New Year’s Day Parade and making it to Ocean Beach in Ibiza.
He said: “I’ve performed at Tomorrowland and Camp Bestival on the main stage to 15,000 people immediately before Becky Hill, who was the headliner.
“I’ve also headlined ValeFest in Birmingham, performed at Pangaea Festival in Manchester, Godiva Festival Starfields and many others.”
But he confessed that finding a balance can be hard as a doctor with long shifts.
Dr Bodalia said: “Finding the perfect balance has been a real challenge but I’ve had to find a way because this is a life I always dreamt of.
“Irregular shift patterns, long days and night shifts in hospital can really take it out of you and it doesn’t leave much in the tank for DJ life, which itself is busy with travelling, networking and late nights.
“My greatest struggle is finding the time or space to unwind.
“I do my best to practice mindfulness, meditate and do things that help me recover, like seeing family.”
“I am also very disciplined with my workout routines, sleep and nutrition because these are the foundations to optimum health, allowing me to perform at my best in everything I do.
“There was a time when a hospital put me down to work an ‘on-call’ shift even when I’d already given three months’ notice to have the day off for a major festival show.
“But after a lot of negotiation, I managed to get this sorted.”
Dr Bodalia stated that he is selective about where he performs.
The doctor explained: “It’s also been a challenge getting the music industry to take me seriously… as they know I’m a doctor, it’s like they think my music is just a small hobby or something.
“I’ve gotten good at switching from DJ to doctor mode.
“When I’m in hospital, I’m fully there for my patients.
“When I leave work… the party starts!”
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