Sanjiv Jari

Who are you and what do you do? My name is Sanjiv Jari. I am a Consultant Knee, Lower Limb and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Surgeon at Hope Hospital and The Manchester Sports Medicine Clinic www.thekneedoc.co.uk

Morning routine: I usually wake at around 6.30am and have a quick shower. I then help my wife Jennifer get the kids fed and ready for school before heading off to work at around 7.30am.

Favourite childhood memory: Growing up in Kampala, Uganda.

What’s on your iPod? Lots of things really, from Bollywood to Jazz to R&B. It all stems from my days as a DJ at school and university.

Best advice your mother gave you: Whatever you do, be the best at it.

Little birdie tells me you like your cars: Well I suppose that could be said of me! As a teenager, like most kids, you want to drive and own supercars. Now as an adult, I have been fortunate to be able to afford (and lose lots of money on) some great cars. At the moment I have a simple workhorse car, and my wife Jennifer has the flash motor, so I guess you can tell who the boss is at home!

Proudest achievement: To be honest, the birth of my children and seeing them growing up. Nothing makes me more happy, but also somewhat sad, by the fact they seem to be growing up so fast.

How do you relax: I like to play basketball when I get the time, or work out in the gym. As I spend a lot of my time telling my patients to go to the gym, I feel I too should suffer their workout pain!

Saddest moment: Most recently, the death of our black labrador, Spook; he was 13 when he died and was an important member of our family.

Favourite holiday destination: We tend to go to the USA a lot. We are lucky enough to also have a house in Spain. The girls love it, as for them it is home from home and they have made good friends there. It is one of the biggest golf resorts in Europe, but believe it or not, I have got round to playing on it, or should I say I haven’t got round to losing lots of balls on it while admiring the great views.

Biggest gamble you’ve taken: Too numerous to mention. On a more positive note, I decided to go to work for a year in Indianapolis in the United States to do a Sports Medicine Fellowship. It was a pretty big decision, especially with a seven-month-old daughter, but I’m glad to say, it has paid off and helped me get where I am today.

Last book you read: Bounce, How Champions Are Made by Matthew Syed. This is a very interesting look at what makes individuals successful in their chosen fields, primarily sport. It throws out the myth of certain individuals having a god-given talent for a particular sport, and suggests very strongly that it is all about practice and psychology.

Advice for aspiring medics: Don’t do it!

Favourite food: Indian food. As I was brought up on this, I guess it is no great surprise. As a vegetarian, I do find it gives me the best variety of food. I must add that my wife’s cooking is excellent, just in case she reads this!