Dr Tissa Joseph – Ambassador for Change

Meet Dr Tissa Joseph as part of our series “Inspirational You, Awesome Sisters United” about women in medicine achieving incredible things in today’s world. Read on and learn about her impressive achievements.

IYASU met Dr Tissa Joseph in 2022 when she volunteered to be a model for our first photoshoot in Glasgow. Since then, Tissa’s inner and outer beauty have catapulted her to achieve the title of Mrs Asia Great Britain. Crowned earlier this year in London, Tissa is determined to use this platform to empower young people to pursue their own dreams.

This is the story of Dr Tissa Joseph,

• GP
• Mother
• Dancer
• Mutilinguist
• IYASU Model
• Winner of Mrs Asia GB 2023

I am Dr Tissa Joseph, originally from Kerala, South India. My father was a doctor, and my mother was a teacher. Their work commitments took us to many different parts of the world, so I grew up in Nigeria, Bulgaria, and India.  As a child I enjoyed traveling and learned valuable lessons from many cultures. I have always been an adventurous individual, and that spirit continues to drive me to this day. When my parents eventually settled in Kerala, I took a bold step and decided to pursue my medical studies in Bulgaria. My medical school was filled with a wonderful diversity of students from Greece, Macedonia, Turkey, and Bulgaria. Despite our different backgrounds we formed a strong bond, learned much from each other, and shared unforgettable experiences.

Living in various countries has had a profound impact on me. I’ve learned to appreciate and respect the differences in customs, traditions, and ways of life, fostering an open-minded and an accepting outlook. Adapting to new environments and facing challenges has become natural, and I’ve gained a greater tolerance for others’ uniqueness. Embracing these opportunities outside my comfort zone has contributed significantly to my personal growth.

I have a passion for learning new languages. I am fluent in English, Malayalam, and Bulgarian, and I can comprehend Hindi and Russian.

Dancing is another activity I enjoy, and during my free time, I dance to music from various regions around the world. I am self-taught and find great joy in expression through movement.

After finishing medical school in Bulgaria, I worked in Kerala for over two years. Following this enriching experience, I made the decision to move to the United Kingdom to pursue my career. Currently, I reside in Glasgow with my husband and our 10-year-old daughter. I work as a locum General Practitioner in Ayrshire.

Throughout my life, I have harboured a deep passion for holistic beauty, fashion, health and wellbeing. During my college years, I actively engaged in various fashion shows and pursued modelling. However, as my educational and marital responsibilities took precedence, modelling had to take a back seat. So, when a chance came to model doctor’s bags for IYASU, I grabbed it with open arms.  Soon after, I wholeheartedly embraced an opportunity to participate in the Mrs Asia Great Britain 2023 pageant, reigniting my passions and aspirations.

Mrs Asia Great Britain is a non-conventional beauty pageant which focuses on inner beauty. It aims to empower Asian women to raise their voices and become leaders. Organised by AGLP enterprises Limited UK, Miss Asia Great Britain has been running for more than five years. 2023 marked the debut of Mrs Asia Great Britain.

Participation in the competition requires attendance at compulsory training sessions which are held every weekend in London.

The training encompasses a wide range of essential skills including:

• enhancing basic personality traits
• effective communication
• social etiquette
• knowledge of diet and nutrition
• instruction on catwalk techniques
• power dressing
• microphone utility
• dress rehearsals
• thorough preparation for the “Questions & Answers” round

It was far from easy for me to navigate the balance between commitment to the pageant, my work and family life. Despite the challenges, I managed to travel to London from Scotland every weekend for the rigorous training, during which we were continually assessed by our mentors and judges. The crown I now proudly wear stands as a testament to the immense hard work, unwavering dedication, and unyielding passion I poured into this competition.

The experiences I gained throughout this pageant are beyond measure, and the lifelong friendships forged are invaluable treasures that I will forever hold dear.

This process has enabled me to raise my voice and become an ambassador for change. As a GP I am acutely aware of the increasing numbers of young people with mental health conditions. I eagerly look forward to collaborating with charitable organizations, becoming a vocal advocate for critical social issues, and empowering individuals to fearlessly chase their own dreams.