Push, Then Breathe: Trauma, Triumph, and the Making of an American Doctor

The only limits to what you can do are the ones you impose on yourself.

From fond memories of growing up in her native Romania and the social changes of the communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu to shocking captivity and abuse at the hands of her father in the United States, Dr. Kiprono details her eventual escape to freedom, independence, and success.

Once free of her father, Dr. Kiprono’s hard work, determination, and positivity allowed her to overcome circumstances that most people cannot imagine. Dr. Kiprono’s message of hope and positivity to all women is that they are worthy, their goals matter, and the only limit on them are the ones they impose on themselves.

As proof of this, Dr. Kiprono fulfilled her life-long dream of becoming a doctor and now specializes in high-risk pregnancies. She now shares the knowledge and wisdom she gained with the world and women—especially women who have felt the weight of evil and isolation. Her memoir and debut work will stun and inspire readers in equal measure.

“We may be marked by our past, but we are not defined by it . . .Dr. Luissa K relentlessly pursued her own pathway.  Now, she realizes a magnificent reality of doing something for others . . . Accept her invitation to stop sifting through the ashes of events of your life and follow her as a reliable guide to the construction of a new you.  Her heroism and bravery are infectious. Catch them!”

—Scott Wiggins, Brigadier General, USAF (Ret)

“Luissa’s inspiring story invites us to follow the life of a young and beautiful woman who is both tested and encouraged . . . “

—Amy Cathey, Ph.D. Dean, Graduate & Executive Education, Haslam College of Business, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

“ . . . Her journey provides a roadmap to all who suffer and offers a way out through a deep commitment to an inspirational vision.”

—Roger Saillant, Ph.D. Author of The Power of Being Seen, Entrepreneur, Executive Leader

“Push, Then Breathe challenges and inspires readers with its unflinching honesty and heartfelt grace . . “

—Brian Lawrence, PhD. MEd, MA, Keystone School, San Antonio, TX

From Push, Then Breathe

"... the walls I had raised within my soul were built out of something stronger than brick and mortar and meant to protect the single most beautiful seedling left: hope. A belief that one day I could achieve the only dream left unbroken, unspoiled, unhurt. These walls were built out of my beautiful childhood and adolescence in Romania, the daily normalcy, the simple truths, the sun’s bright light, the wishes made with every New Moon—Craiul Nou. The multicolor of the fragrant roses I strolled by, the green of the trees I rested under, the dewy grass I walked on barefoot by the riverbanks of the Danube, the church mass songs I prayed, the Habanera aria I hummed, the carefree laughs, and the peaceful dreamy nights. All these experiences intertwined with the love poured over me for the first eighteen years and eleven months of my life in Romania to keep me from crumbling. And once everything seemed lost, I created anchors in my new life: the 59-second lifelines with Mom, the letters, the recipes, the college classes, my little Suzette, the two brief trips home. These experiences continued to feed my living walls to keep me sane, focused, and hopeful. This was meant to be my walk through the valley of the shadows, and I would make it to the other side.”

Luissa Kiprono is passionate about helping women believe in and achieve goals that seem impossible to reach. She is a physician and high-risk pregnancy specialist, as well as the founder of World Gateway Perinatal Consultants & TeleMed MFM, which provides virtual medical care for high-risk pregnancies. Luissa is the founder and CEO of Dr. Luissa K humanitarian foundation. She is on a mission to Empower Women Everywhere to find their voice and fight against inequality, violence and abuse, and prevail against injustice. She is an avid triathlete, multiple long-distance Ironman® races finisher, and mother of two. Luissa lives In Texas with her husband, mother, two sons, and their two cats, Skylar and Tigress.