In this on‑camera interview, host Speaker A talks with Dr. Tonya, an oncologist who attended New York Fashion Week 2018. Dr. Tonya describes how saying “yes” to the invitation let her check a bucket‑list item off, sit front‑row on the runway, and gain behind‑the‑scenes access to designers and models. She explains that the experience pushed her out of her medical comfort zone, provided inspiration for her research into entering the fashion/apparel industry, and served as a stress‑relieving break from clinical work. The conversation also highlights that three volunteer doctors joined the trip, underscoring the rarity and value of doctors taking time for personal passions. Dr. Tonya ends with a motivational message encouraging others to make bucket‑list goals and seize opportunities when they arise.
Chapters
We are so lucky to have Dr. Tonya in the house. And, you know, I remember when you said yes to coming to New York Fashion Week. Is it everything you thought about?
It is definitely everything I thought about, actually a little more. I've learned a lot since being here. This is a completely different world for me. You guys know that I'm an oncologist by trade, and this is something completely out of my comfort zone. And I wanted to do something different, learn about a new industry. And this was the perfect opportunity to do that.
And I heard you had a really big highlight yesterday. What was that?
I actually got to sit in the front row.
Oh my God! On the side of the stage?
On the side of the stage, front row, right up against the runway. Got some amazing views, some amazing footage, and got to see things that I never would have dreamed.
That experience sounds mind-blowing.
Yes, it was.
So was it one of your fantasies that came true?
Yes, it was a bucket list item. New York Fashion Week has been checked off of my bucket list, so I'm I'm thinking that this is probably something that I will return to.
Oh, excellent. Oh, great. And you could bring some friends with you too. Luckily, you have a lot of friends with you on this trip, which makes it even more fun, right? And tell me, why did you say yes? It was on your bucket list, but still, like, it's a work week. You're usually in the office. Clients are waiting and patients are waiting, but you still took care of yourself. And what was that like for you?
I mean, it's always great to make time to do the things that are important to you, that you want to do, that actually destress you and get your mind on other things. But in a, in a way, this has actually worked for me too because I'm doing research, right? I'm doing my research and development on possibly getting into the fashion industry and apparel. So this gives me some insight onto some of the back-end things that happen in the industry. So I'm really enjoying that too.
Excellent. Well, you get to see behind the scenes. We were just upstairs where the models are getting dressed. and where the clothes are laid out from the designers. And who gets access like that? Yes. I mean, I feel really lucky that we both got to do that together. So is there anything else you'd like to add about this experience?
You know, I just want to tell you, tell everyone really, that if this is something that you're thinking about, that you're dreaming about, you know, always, you know, make your bucket list of items that you want to do and make time to do them. And when those opportunities present themselves, Say yes to those opportunities.
I love it. So of all the people that we brought yesterday, actually 3 of the volunteers that came are doctors, and they're unusual to be able to take time out from their busy careers to say yes. But I love that each one of you did and that when you came, it fulfilled a dream. So thank you for saying yes, and thank you for being part of this, and I enjoyed spending so much time with you. Yay!
