This is StRest! Kerstin Lindquist sits down with John Woods — founder of Upright Africa, medical humanitarian, and longtime orthopedic spine surgery first assist — for a powerful conversation about purpose, service, faith, and what it means to follow a calling into the hardest places on earth. John shares how a 2011 trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo changed the course of his life, why he left a successful career in Manhattan, and how his work has expanded into Zambia.

John explains what it looks like to bring modern medicine to some of the most underserved communities in Africa — from identifying surgical patients in remote villages to performing 20 to 30 surgeries a day with limited infrastructure. He opens up about surviving a near-fatal bout of malaria, the emotional toll of watching patients suffer when resources run out, and why he believes commitment and faith are what keep him going.

Then the conversation turns personal and practical: family sacrifice, raising a child while being gone much of the year, what poverty and front-line medicine have taught him about healthcare, how nutrition and whole foods help him function in the field, and how listeners can support Upright Africa’s mission. Kerstin also shares why this episode matters to anyone wrestling with calling, purpose, and whether it is time to take a leap of faith.

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CHAPTERS

(00:00) Saving Lives in Congo

(01:47) Why This Episode Matters

(07:18) Meet John Woods

(11:00) Purpose Over Paychecks

(14:10) Malaria and Life in Congo

John Woods Left Manhattan to Perform 1,200 Surgeries a Year in Congo