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33 years old, starting Medical School

Alex Mostella

21,466 views

At 33 years old, I’m starting over and changing careers to go to medical school.

In this video, I talk honestly about what it feels like to walk away from one career path and commit to something completely different

...especially with a wife, kids, responsibilities, and an entire life already built.

This decision wasn’t impulsive. It came from years of reflection, growth, uncertainty, and realizing that meaningful work matters more to me than comfort.

If you’re considering a career change, chasing a long-term goal, or feeling behind in life because your path looks different than everyone else’s…I hope this video reminds you that it’s not too late to build a life that feels aligned with who you are.

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This channel documents my journey to becoming a physician — from medical school to daily life, family, fitness, books, and everything in between.

Subscribe to follow along.

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💬 Comment below: If you could switch careers, what would you want to pursue?

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Starting Over at 33
00:33 - Leaving My Previous Career
03:11 - What Do I Do Now?
07:11 - Pokemon (Ash Catchem Mindset)
12:00 - Advantages of Being in My 30's
18:48 - Plasticity & Beginner's Mind

#MedicalSchool #CareerChange #Premed #FutureDoctor #MedicalStudent #LifeUpdate #Vlog #NonTraditionalStudent #MedSchoolJourney

20 Comments

@Wrappedshrink 7 days ago

Graduated med school at 36, now retired after 40 years of practice. You can do it. Best of luck.

@93drizzit 8 days ago

33 year old ms1 here! I did a career change at 24, and it took me 10 years to get pre-reqs, research, and clinical experience knocked out while simultaneously working full time. Everyone has their own speed and time. We got this!!

@apngeram 9 days ago

I started at 31 and I just submitted my residency application. You got this!

@MMR3260 5 days ago

33 years old, just starting to pursue nursing with the goal of having a doctorate. Thank you for sharing!

@Perpetualneutrality 4 days ago

I started dental school at 25 after working in sales for 3 years. Dental school, was a lot easier for me after having worked. I was also not wondering if the grass was greener on the other side because I had already been there and it wasn’t. I feel sorry for people that don’t get time off before they go to doctoral programs, especially if they suffer from anxiety and depression related to their career choice.

@jennnnnn-n3j 7 days ago (edited)

I’m 30 years old first year. Thank you for this

@bettyrey32 3 days ago

I also started at 33. Now an M2. It's never too late. You've got this!

@Baiji-xu8jc 9 days ago

I started at 36.

@ManuelDomínguez-j3i 9 hours ago

i thought starting physics and math at the age of 26 was too late... thank you so much for your inspiration!!!

@ivanfomin8430 13 days ago

Bro, I’m 32 MS1, and it’s crazy how similar our thought processes and life situations are. I’m married with two kids as well! Good luck with the studies, man. I’m definitely starting to feel the heat right about now! 😂

@DrBrandonBeaber 8 days ago

From someone who started medical school at age 21, good luck. Having a prior career and real-life experience is very significant. I always had a lot of respect for the non-traditional students. One of my former classmates started at 51. One of my good friends in med school was in his early 30s and had 3 children during med school. He ALREADY has had a long (and ongoing) career.

@ZanMei20s 12 hours ago

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@MargieLeigh3 2 days ago

i’ll be 28 when i start! i’m excited and trying to not overthink the time of it all. it’s my dream and i will achieve it. i get questions often about going to school so late but who really cares at the end of the day. you got this!

@dr.qeshta8740 2 days ago

I came to the U.S. just two years ago, and now at 33, I’m going back to medical school to study medicine all over again, starting from the beginning.

What surprises me is how much more motivated I am and how much better I understand medicine—maybe 10 times better than in my twenties. Improving my English played a big part in that.

Thank you for the video

@svellah4388 4 months ago

I'm in my 3rd year in a 6-year MD program at 30. I always wanted to be a doctor, ever since I was a child, but life happened. I knew that if I hadn't gone to med school, I would never have been happy. I decided to take that step, and now I am finally at peace. Good luck to you!

@gabrieldutton4041 9 days ago

Thank you for making this video! I graduate this December with my BSN and become an RN at 26. But I have a deep calling to pursue more, so I’m starting the rest of my prerequisites this winter. Good luck with med school!