Rejections and Successes of High Achieving Masters' Students Part 1/2 (ft. UCalgary Master of Management Cohort '25-26)

Rejections and Successes of High Achieving Masters' Students Part 1/2 (ft. UCalgary Master of Management Cohort '25-26)

Author: Valeria Rusnak, BSc. Neuroscience, Mental Health Advocate & Speaker August 16, 2026 Duration: 1:50:18

In this special two-part episode series, I’m joined by 12 Master of Management students to talk about rejection, uncertainty, success, failure, and figuring out what comes next.

Across these conversations, we explore how to:

  • See rejection as feedback rather than a reflection of your worth or ability
  • Take action instead of waiting for the perfect moment
  • Trust yourself through uncertainty and keep going
  • Lean on your community and celebrate your successes
  • Your value extends far beyond your job, achievements, and accomplishments
  • Remember that one rejection or bad experience does not define what comes next

Most importantly, rejection is something we all experience—and there is no way around it. You have to go through it.

Thank you to all 12 Master of Management students who shared their experiences, perspectives, and insights on rejection and navigating uncertainty. Please connect with them on LinkedIn if any of their stories resonated with you. Their names are listed below in order of appearance:

  1. Peyton Charest
  2. Carson Ell
  3. Marium Sheikh
  4. Aleksandra Dobrzelecka
  5. Mohit Thaker
  6. Earl Joshua Ubalde
  7. Pratit Mohar
  8. Lorenzo Cabaron
  9. Feyre Gezahegn
  10. Fiona Dong
  11. Hajra Anwar
  12. Mohamad Hemadi

Resources Mentioned

Hindsight: The Promise and Peril of Looking Backward (Book by Mark Freeman)

📢 Connect with Us:

NEW WEBSITE: https://therejectedpremedpodcast.com/

📸 Instagram: @the_rejectedpremed_podcast

☕ Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/valeriarusnak

Would you like to join a community where you can share your rejection stories and support others along the way? We all have those stories—now it’s time we learn from them and maybe help others too: https://www.facebook.com/groups/466124329823199/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal, medical, or professional advice.


It’s a familiar sting: you’ve poured everything into a plan, only to have a door shut firmly in your face. While The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast: For Anyone Who’s Faced Rejection grew from that specific experience of a medical school application denial, its conversations have expanded into something much broader. Hosted by Valeria Rusnak, who holds a BSc. in Neuroscience and works as a mental health advocate and speaker, this podcast digs into the universal human experience of setback and redirection. Each episode moves beyond simple consolation to explore the practical and psychological work of building resilience. You’ll hear honest discussions about navigating self-doubt, processing the grief of a changed future, and actively redefining what a meaningful, successful life can look like-whether in medicine, the arts, business, or any other path. The show creates a sense of community for those feeling adrift, offering not just stories but frameworks for cultivating inner peace amid uncertainty. It’s about making the best of rejections, not just getting over them. By focusing on mental fitness and cultural narratives around success, this podcast serves as a compassionate guide for anyone rebuilding their confidence and crafting a new plan forward, one honest conversation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 16

The Rejected Pre-Med Podcast: For Anyone Who’s Faced Rejection
Podcast Episodes
From Rejection to Resilience: My Story & How to Bounce Back Stronger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:45
Struggling to bounce back after rejection? In the episode, I dive into how I've built resilience after facing rejection and share practical tips to help you navigate challenges with confidence. Drawing on my experiences…
How I Found Happiness After Rejection (And How You Can Too) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:36
Feeling stuck after rejection? Wondering how to find happiness again? In this episode, I share practical resources and personal advice on staying happy and navigating life after feeling rejected. Drawing from both resear…
My Med School Rejection Story & Why I Started This Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:51
Rejected from Med School? My Story & Why I Started this PodcastRejection hurts—especially when it’s your dream on the line. In this episode, I open up about my experience being rejected from medical school and writing th…