StaffDr. Jedidiah Ballard is an assistant professor in emergency medicine for the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. After earning his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Des Moines University in 2010, the Montana native came to Georgia for a three-year residency in emergency medicine at MCG. Following Army Ranger School and Special Operations Battalion Surgeon experience, Ballard returned to Augusta in September 2015. His active lifestyle helped elevate him to celebrity status, when he was selected as the 2016 Ultimate Men’s Health Guy.
1. How did you become Men’s Health magazine’s Ultimate Guy?
Because the way the shifts work, I was up one night at home at 2 or 3 in the morning. I read the magazine regularly. Flipping through, I saw the contest. It was about your whole life story – community service, what you’ve done career wise, and a fitness component, and I thought I’d give it a shot. Each time I made another cut, I was kind of surprised, honestly, and here I am.
2. What do you like most about being an ER doctor?
People come to me a lot of times when they’re at their worst. I’m able to form deep interactions in a very limited amount of time. It’s a real honor to help them.
3. What advice would you give to people who are struggling to get started with fitness?
You really can make happen what you want to; it’s just that you need to be willing to give up other things to get there. A lot of times your biggest fear is not getting what you’re going for, which will happen anyway if you don’t try.
