Actor, doctor, and comedian Roland Bull, 40, shares his experience taking steps to pursue self-care for the first time. After so many years of intense medical training, health crises themselves left Bull with no choice but to prioritize his own health and happiness. It’s his original phrase that, “First do no harm begins with self-care.” He carried this motto like a badge of honor through the course of his last year of medical school. His academic studies as well as rigorous demands of his chosen profession took a toll. In response, he took important actions to restore his energy.
During his last year of medical school, Bull experienced alarming, disruptive changes to his body. It became too much with the stress and pressure of finishing his degree. Even with his dedication and experience in patient care and self-care advocacy, he started hitting the wall physically and mentally. After only two shifts in a clinical environment, Bull reached a breaking point. In order to continue, he knew he had to address his health issues.
Taking Time for Recovery
Roland Bull did not shy away from facing his health challenges. He took the difficult decision to defer his placement by three months to allow him to focus on his recovery. After some tests, a diagnosis revealed he had a previously undiagnosed, benign tumor growing at the base of his brain. This tumor must have formed at least one to two years prior to doctors detecting it. This was a powerful and personal revelation for Bull. He had been so busy taking care of everybody else that he neglected taking care of his own health — and his own heart.
Relocating to Queensland to heal, Bull turned to family for support during this difficult period in his life. The transition wasn’t short of its trials. Shortly after settling in, he needed to prepare for Cyclone Alfred. In spite of these challenges, Bull was still dedicated to his rehabilitation journey, working self-care into his everyday life.
“First do no harm begins with self-care.” – Roland Bull
In that time post-injury recovery, Bull’s commitment shone through. A specialist congratulated him for passing his board exams after going through tremendous health adversity.
“You deserve the university medal for getting through exams with all this going on.” – Roland Bull’s specialist
Balancing Multiple Roles
In addition to his practice as a physician, Roland Bull has developed a parallel career as a comedian and freelance writer. He uses humor as a way to process his trauma and hopes to motivate others with his story. With such diverse shoes to fill, it’s no surprise that his journey has provided him with unique insights into self-care and mental health. He knows their value, both personally and professionally.
As a mature-aged student, Bull’s experience in medical school was different from many of her younger classmates. He had further challenges, trying to forge life experiences with academic pressures. Vitale’s exceptional perspective gives him a different understanding of healing and self-advocacy, and helps him extract potent lessons from suffering.
Bull’s story resonates with many who struggle to prioritize self-care amidst life’s responsibilities. His ability to articulate these challenges through writing and comedy has established him as a relatable figure in discussions surrounding mental health and well-being.
Looking Ahead
Being a finalist has already inspired Roland Bull to continue taking steps in the right direction. He’s excited to take his story to a bigger stage. He hopes to inspire those in medicine and outside of it to appreciate the value of taking time for self-care first. He’s very transparent about his journey. He wants to contribute to a culture where seeking help and taking time away when needed aren’t looked down upon, but rather accepted practices.
