Dr. Rasna Gupta says pageantry boosts her confidence and improves her work-life balance
Beauty pageants were never part of Dr. Rasna Gupta’s life plans. Yet stepping onto the stage in recent years has given her a new sense of purpose beyond medicine.
The medical oncologist maintains a busy schedule working at the Windsor Regional Hospital, teaching at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and spending quality time with her family.
She also knows the value of a meaningful hobby for her wellness, which ultimately led her into the world of pageantry.
“I’ve been dedicating my life to caring for others and providing the best care. But pageantry has taught me that I also need to take care of myself,” she told the OMA.
For Dr. Gupta, pageantry began as an unexpected way to practise what she preaches in her role as physician peer support lead at Schulich’s Windsor campus: having a life outside medicine.
When she was first asked to enter a beauty pageant, she hesitated, largely because of her busy schedule and previous ankle injuries that discouraged her from wearing heels.
After some consideration, she decided to take a leap of faith and entered her first competition in 2024, despite not knowing much about pageantry.
“I had to do a lot of self-learning because, in Windsor, we didn’ t have any structured programs or guidance that we could get. I also learned a lot through YouTube, including the model walk,” she said.
Picking up this hobby has come with some sacrifices. Dr. Gupta jokes that she hasn’t watched TV in three years, choosing instead to spend her free time preparing for pageants, exercising or enjoying her other passions, including embroidery and growing flowers.
Her determination has paid off. So far, she has won Ms. Canada Spirit in 2024 and Ms. World Universal Spirit in 2025, among other titles.
“It's not just about wearing a crown for me. It's about using that crown and leading with compassion, resilience and service to my community.”
Dr. Gupta is usually the only physician among the contestants, but says she never feels out of place because she’s surrounded by accomplished women.
A big misconception about pageants is that they only focus on physical beauty, she added.
“There is an emphasis on looks, but there is also a focus on advocacy and service,” she said. “Most pageant queens are passionate about certain topics, like mental health, education or cancer awareness.”
This summer, Dr. Gupta is experiencing pageantry from a new perspective: as a judge for Ms. World Universal in Cambodia, Mrs. Canada and USA World Pageants, among others.
“Pageants allow me to recharge, maintain balance and grow as an individual,” Dr. Gupta said. “There are so many new skills I have learned as a pageant queen, and I feel I am able to provide better patient care.”
She adds that wellness is not only about managing stress but also about finding purpose and increased confidence.
“It's not just about wearing a crown for me. It's about using that crown and leading with compassion, resilience and service to my community,” she said.
Physicians are always telling patients to prioritize their health and wellness, Dr. Gupta says, but they don’t always follow their own advice. She emphasizes that a hobby doesn’t require several hours a day to become a passion.
“The goal is not to add another responsibility,” she said. “We already have a very busy schedule as doctors, but the goal is to create moments where we can reconnect with ourselves.”
Dr. Kim Zhou, chief of pediatrics at North York General Hospital and an accomplished pianist, talks about how playing piano supports her wellness.