Meet Laura Gabayan | Physician Researcher & Author

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

Hi Laura, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I am a physician, researcher, scientist, and Number 1 Bestselling Author, who changed my career course in 2013. I will equate writing my new book, “Common Wisdom” (2024) that is based on my new study, The Wisdom Research Project, to starting my own business. After practicing medicine for 14 years, my new mission is to bring people more peace, happiness and success by sharing the life-changing insights uncovered in my study and book, “Common Wisdom”. By learning from the 60 wise adults in the study, readers can learn about how to live a more meaningful life.

A physician can pursue clinic practice only OR clinical practice and science. I am a physician and a scientist

As a physician-scientist, I conducted many projects and published papers in academia, until my life was turned upside down as my body started to fall apart in 2013. As a result of my health challenges, I noticed that western medicine could only treat a “condition” or “diagnosis” and physicians were often not able to think outside the box. Western medicine did not view disease with a wide lens. So I decided to study the “wise” as I knew they looked at life differently.

I immediately realized that the information we had about wisdom was anecdotal and subjective. While I knew nothing about wisdom, I did know how to investigate a topic. So I created a study about wisdom to uncover new perspectives.

Searching for insights, I created The Wisdom Research Project, and interviewed 60 individuals ages 50-79 years old across North America. Based on these interviews, I was able to scientifically define wisdom as 8 elements that together contribute to wisdom, including: Resilience, Kindness, Positivity, Spirituality, Humility, Tolerance, Creativity, and Curiosity (in that order).

These secrets are now shared in my new book: “Common Wisdom: 8 Scientific Elements of a Meaningful Life” to help others think differently. Each of the 8 elements has a separate chapter, and the book has been called, “insightful, motivational, inspirational…and exceptionally reader-friendly” by the Midwest Book Review and thought of as an “intuitive debut” by the BookLife Reviews.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an emergency physician and researcher, who is a physician-scientist. And according to the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges), “While all physicians receive training in medical science, physician-scientists are those who are trained to conduct independent scientific investigation in the laboratory, clinic, or other setting.”

I was always very interested in controlling my environment. I was the valedictorian of my high school so I could attend a good college. I was also the valedictorian of my college so I could attend a renowned medical school. I then pursued emergency medicine so I could learn about all conditions and how to manage them. Control was very important to me.

Then my body started to fall apart in 2013. When this change happened, I realized that wanting control was an illusion and a result of living in fear. Doing well in school was not easy, but I was afraid of not succeeding. My fear was the driving factor. I have since come to realize that one should live life in faith and not in fear. By going through this life change, I now focus on having a positive attitude and know that “things will work out”.

As a scientist, I am most proud of my desire and ability to remain objective in all situations. By being open to all findings and viewpoints, I am able to stick to the facts and never take sides. I am able to understand and connect more with people.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The strength of Los Angeles is that it’s a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities. It is also a city committed to health and well-being. In addition, it is a city with numerous natural riches such as the beach and mountains. In a week, a person can go to many parts of the city and get a feel for the essence of Los Angeles. Below is a sample one-week itinerary for friends visiting:

Day 1 – Venice Beach – This includes visiting the Venice Board Walk, which has patrons and vendors that are diverse.
Day 2 – Hollywood Blvd – This world-famous street has people from all walks of life. It also has the Hollywood stars, which are historic and pay tribute to well-known entertainers. A visit to Hollywood would not be complete without touring the Chinese Theatre, which has been in operation since 1927 and has numerous iconic films and premieres.
Day 3 – Temescal Canyon – This area includes a street called Temescal Canyon Boulevard that on one side feeds into the Santa Monica mountains and numerous hiking trails, and on the other side connects to the beach. This street reminds a visitor of the natural beauties that Los Angeles has to offer.
Day 4 – DTLA – While it may not be beautiful for some, Downtown LA is the heart of Los Angeles and is a must-see. A person going to downtown should schedule it so that they are able to see a free concert on Pershing Square as that is where the diversity of LA will come to life.
Day 5 – Museums – I recommend visiting any of these museums if time permits: the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Natural History Museum, La Brea Tar Pitts, or the Griffith Observatory. Each one has its own special charm, and can serve as a greater teacher.
Day 6 – Marina Del Rey – This harbor is not only beautiful, but it also shows visitors the love LA has of water. Ideally, one should take the water taxi offered in the summer and also attend a free concert by the sea at the Burton Chase Park.
Day 7 – Universal Studios – The entertainment industry and Hollywood serve as the foundation of Los Angeles and Universal Studios does a great job of showing visitors a behind-the-scenes perspective.

I do want to say that while Los Angeles is rich with things to do, it is very important that one enjoys being in this city more than doing. As a note, one always remembers how they felt after an experience and not what they did.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
While I can’t identify one person as being responsible for my “Common Wisdom” book, study, and mission to help others live a more meaningful life, it was all the people along the way that contributed to who I am today. I grew up as a happy child, was born in Iran, and emigrated to this country at the age of 6. My father was a doctor, who got me interested in the medical field at a very early age. Being a physician in an unusual way pointed me to do this project. As a scientist, I learned to question all that I was told and then plan to answer the age-old question of “What is Wisdom?” My condition, while emotionally difficult, was the gift that allowed me to write “Common Wisdom”.

Website: https://lauragabayan.com

Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/commonwisdombook

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauragabayan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commonwisdombook

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWisdomResearchProject

Image Credits
Phil Cass Photography