Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jesus Matos.
Hi Dr. Jesus, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in New York City. During high school, we moved to McAllen, Texas, which is where I truly began to feel at home and where I still consider home today.
McAllen is also where I met my wife, Johanna. We met in high school and have been together ever since. We have now been married for 22 years and have two beautiful daughters, Isabela and Gabriela. My family has been a constant source of love, support, and motivation throughout every stage of my journey.
I attended the University of Texas at Austin for my undergraduate education, followed by medical school and general surgery residency at Indiana University. Eventually, our journey brought us back home to Texas, where I completed my fellowship in Vascular Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
For the past 11 years, I have had the privilege of practicing vascular surgery in San Antonio. I absolutely love what I do. Being able to use my training and experience to improve—and sometimes save—the lives of my patients is something I never take for granted. San Antonio has become an important part of our family’s story, and I am grateful to be able to serve this community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to becoming a vascular surgeon is definitely not an easy one. After four years of college and four years of medical school, my training included a five-year general surgery residency followed by a two-year vascular surgery fellowship. I also spent an additional two years during residency conducting basic science research through a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant. That experience helped make me a stronger candidate for a competitive vascular surgery fellowship, but it also meant an even longer road of training, sacrifice, and long hours.
Those years taught me discipline, perseverance, and the importance of being willing to delay gratification in pursuit of a larger goal. They also taught me that none of these accomplishments happen alone. My wife and family made countless sacrifices alongside me throughout my training and career.
The most difficult challenge in my life, however, has been deeply personal. I lost my brother, Enrique, to suicide. His loss completely changed our family and changed my perspective on life. Grief like that never simply disappears, but it has taught us to appreciate our time together more deeply, to value the small moments, and to prioritize experiences and relationships over things.
It has also strengthened our faith in God and reminded me how precious and fragile life can be. That perspective influences the way I try to live today—as a husband, father, brother, physician, and friend. I try to be present, grateful, and intentional with the time I have and with the people I love.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Texas Cardiac and Vascular Specialists?
I am proud to be a part owner of Texas Cardiac and Vascular Specialists (TCVS), an independent private medical practice. Independent physician-owned practices have become increasingly uncommon, and I believe there is something very special about physicians having the ability to remain closely involved in both the medical and personal aspects of patient care.
Our group consists of five physicians with more than 142 years of combined experience. Together, we are equipped to diagnose and treat the full spectrum of vascular conditions. Each of our surgeons brings specialized expertise and a unique perspective, but one of our greatest strengths is the way we collaborate. Complex cases are not approached in isolation—we draw on the collective experience of the group to determine the best treatment for each individual patient.
Vascular surgery has also changed tremendously over the years. Many conditions that once required major open surgery can now be treated using minimally invasive techniques. Our goal is always to find the right treatment for the right patient, whether that means medical management, a minimally invasive procedure, traditional surgery, or sometimes simply careful observation.
What I am most proud of is the level of trust our patients place in us. People often come to us during frightening or uncertain moments in their lives. We have the opportunity not only to treat disease, but also to educate patients, help them understand their options, and guide them through difficult decisions.
At TCVS, we want our patients to know that they are not simply another case or procedure. We want them to feel that they have a team of experienced physicians who genuinely care about them and are committed to providing thoughtful, individualized care.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something people may not realize about me is how passionate I am about health, discipline, and longevity—not only for my patients, but in my own life.
My mornings start at 4:15 a.m. I spend five minutes meditating, five minutes doing breathwork, and five minutes praying. After that, I do a four-minute cold plunge at about 42 degrees. By 5:30 a.m., I am usually at the gym. Five days a week, I do approximately 45 minutes of resistance training followed by 45 minutes of Zone 2 cardio before starting work around 8:00 a.m.
I am equally intentional about nutrition. I focus on staying well hydrated and eating a diet that is high in protein and fiber and relatively low in fat. For me, these habits are less about appearance and more about maintaining my physical and mental health so that I can perform at a high level for my patients while also having the energy to be fully present for my family.
My evenings have a routine as well. When I get home, my priority is spending time with my family. Later, I typically spend about 20 minutes in the infrared sauna, shower, meditate, put on blue-light-blocking glasses, and read for about 30 minutes before going to bed.
I realize that routine may sound intense to some people, but I genuinely enjoy it. Medicine has taught me how valuable our health is, and losing my brother taught me how valuable our time is. I cannot control everything that happens in life, but I can be intentional about how I take care of myself, how I spend my time, and how present I am for the people who matter most to me.
Ultimately, my goal isn’t simply to live longer. It’s to stay healthy, capable, and engaged for as many years as possible so I can continue doing the work I love and, most importantly, enjoy life with my wife and daughters.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tcavs.com
- Instagram: @tcavs_satx
- Facebook: tcavs.com
