Mel Ona, M.D.

08/04/2025

He was told he’d never make it.
Rejected by every med school he applied to.
Failed board exams.
Questioned everything, from his identity to his calling.
But he didn’t quit.
He redefined success, through music, martial arts, medicine, and mentorship.
Today, Dr. Mel Ona is a board-certified gastroenterologist, a lifelong creative, and
the author of Fail It Till You Make It a raw and inspiring memoir about choosing
purpose over perfection.

He’s proof that you don’t need a perfect resume to live an impactful life.
You just need the courage to rise after every fall.

Read Fail It Till You Make It, now on Amazon.

08/01/2025

I never stopped singing, even when no one clapped.
Music gave me permission to feel.
It reminded me I was more than a white coat.
This book isn’t just about medicine.
It’s about rediscovering the soul beneath the scrubs.

Tap the link to hear my story!

07/30/2025

I failed tests.
I failed courses.
I failed to meet expectations.
But I didn’t fail forever.
This book is the message I needed back then.
Now I’m giving it to you.

Know someone struggling in school?
Share this. Gift this.

07/28/2025

I failed boards.
I failed to match.
I failed to believe in myself.
But each failure taught me what med school never did:
How to be human.
How to rise.
How to serve.

This book is for anyone who thinks they’re too broken to succeed.
You’re not.

Book now available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJ849H6K

07/25/2025

Dr. Jerome Groopman didn’t just let me into his lab.
He saw potential when I didn’t.
That one yes lit the way.
This book is a love letter to the mentors who save us.

Tag a mentor who changed your life!

07/23/2025

I stayed late. I skipped meals. I cared too much.
Burnout wasn’t sudden, it crept in until I didn’t know who I was anymore.
But healing is possible.
This book is for those who are exhausted from pretending they’re fine.

Tag a healthcare friend who needs rest, not shame.

07/21/2025

I was rejected from every U.S. med school I applied to.
I nearly gave up… until one door cracked open.
That crack became my career.
That pain became this book.
This is not a story of flawless success. It’s a guide for anyone who’s ever been told
“no.”

Read Fail It Till You Make It, for the comeback in you.
Link in bio.

07/17/2025

You studied hard. You followed the rules.
You gave it everything.
And somehow… you're still wondering if it was enough.
Whether you’re a med student facing rejection, a healthcare professional drowning
in burnout, or a dreamer chasing purpose through chaos, you’re not alone.
In Fail It Till You Make It, Dr. Mel Ona shares the raw, unfiltered story behind the
white coat:
Med school rejections
Confidence crushed
Burnout, breakdowns, and near-quit moments
The one “yes” that changed it all

Grab your copy today on Amazon.

02/05/2025

https://youtu.be/br3LkzYqDe8

Sharing my LIVE colonoscopy without sedation!

I decided to share this journey with you to highlight the safety of this procedure. Most patients opt for sedation, which is absolutely appropriate. Sedation helps with comfort during the 20-30 minute procedure.

As I’ll explain, the procedure is not necessarily painful - but can feel uncomfortable if the scope stretches/distends the colon.

So you can imagine that the endoscopist’s skill in navigating the twists and turns gently can minimize discomfort.

Thanks to Dr. Joseph Manlolo for your expertise and willingness to help me in this journey.

Note: a couple of weeks ago, I experienced several days of painless bright red bleeding during bowel movement - this procedure will assess for possible causes such as hemorrhoids, diverticular disease, vascular abnormalities (such as angiodysplasia), and yes, even neoplasm/cancer 😳.

Hoping for the best and thank you for following my personal health journey! 💩🙏

Sharing my LIVE colonoscopy without sedation!I decided to share this journey with you to highlight the safety of this procedure. Most patients opt for sedati...