Revolutionizing Health and Wellness: Insights from Dr. Ryan Greene of Monarch Athletic Labs

In this exciting episode of Medicine 3.0, host Dr. Jared Pelo sits down with Dr. Ryan Greene, founder of Monarch Athletic Labs, to discuss the future of health, wellness, and longevity. Dr. Green shares his journey from aspiring sports medicine orthopedist to pioneering a new model of integrated health and fitness.

The Birth of Monarch Athletic Labs

Dr. Greene's vision for Monarch Athletic Labs emerged from his realization that the resources and knowledge typically reserved for college and professional athletes should be accessible to everyone. He saw an opportunity to create a "one-stop shop" for health and wellness, combining exercise facilities with comprehensive medical care, physical therapy, nutrition counseling, and recovery services.

Key Features of the Monarch Model:

1. Integrated Approach: Monarch combines fitness, medical care, physical therapy, nutrition, and recovery services under one roof.

2. Community-Focused: Clubs are designed for 200-300 members, fostering a sense of community and accountability.

3. Comprehensive Onboarding: New members undergo thorough medical assessments, physical therapy evaluations, and strength assessments.

4. Ongoing Support: Quarterly check-ins and regular performance testing ensure members stay on track with their health goals.

5. Multidisciplinary Team: Physical therapists double as strength and conditioning coaches, providing a unique blend of expertise.

Success Stories and Transformations

Dr. Green shared impressive outcomes from Monarch's approach:

• Significant improvements in metabolic disease risk factors

• Enhanced physical performance, including strength gains and improved mobility

• Successful rehabilitation, often helping members avoid surgery

• Overall improvements in quality of life, energy, cognitive performance, and sleep

The Importance of Strength and Mobility

Both Dr. Greene and Dr. Pelo emphasized the crucial role of strength and mobility in healthy aging. They noted that maintaining these physical capacities is essential for independence and quality of life as we age.

Future Directions

Monarch is expanding its services to include mental health support, including neurofeedback and potentially psychedelic-assisted therapy in the future. They're also developing a virtual platform to integrate various health data sources and provide a comprehensive health management tool.

Takeaway Message

The key to longevity, according to Dr. Pelo, is a simple equation: freedom from disease combined with building and maintaining muscle, strength, and mobility for as long as possible. Monarch Athletic Labs is providing a innovative model to help people achieve these goals in a supportive, community-oriented environment.

For those interested in bringing a Monarch facility to their area, Dr. Green encourages reaching out to explore potential partnerships and investment opportunities.

This episode of Medicine 3.0 offers a fascinating glimpse into the future of integrated health and wellness, showcasing how innovative approaches like Monarch's can help people live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

Key Time Points:

• 0:57 - Dr. Greene's background and journey to founding Monarch Athletic Labs

• 8:54 - The concept behind Monarch and its unique approach

• 14:48 - Locations and expansion plans for Monarch

• 21:55 - The onboarding process for new Monarch members

• 32:34 - Success stories and transformations seen at Monarch

• 37:03 - The importance of mental health in overall wellness

• 38:35 - Discussion on the crucial role of strength and mobility in aging

Listen to this episode on your preferred platform: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music

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Return to Performance: Insights from Taylor Heppner, a Sports Recovery Expert

In the world of sports and fitness, injuries are an unfortunate reality. Whether you're a professional athlete or someone who enjoys staying active, knowing how to properly recover and return to performance is crucial. Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with Taylor Hepner, a strength coach and massage therapist who specializes in helping people return to peak performance after injury.

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The Space Between PT and Strength Training

One of the most interesting aspects of Taylor's work is how she bridges the gap between physical therapy and strength and conditioning. She helps people determine whether they need formal PT or if they're ready to start training again. This unique position allows her to provide tailored guidance to everyone, ensuring they're on the right path to recovery.

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The Importance of Consistency

A key takeaway from our conversation with Taylor was the importance of consistency in recovery and performance. She emphasized that even after initial pain or issues are resolved, it's crucial to maintain progress. This approach helps prevent recurring injuries and ensures long-term health and performance.

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Avoiding the "Zero to 100" Mentality

Taylor highlighted a common misconception among people recovering from injury or starting a new fitness routine: the desire for quick results. She cautioned against the "zero to 100" mentality, stressing the importance of gradual progress. This approach not only reduces the risk of re-injury but also leads to more sustainable long-term results.

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Movement as Medicine

An interesting point Taylor made was how views on movement for recovery have evolved over time. In the past, rest was often prescribed for injuries. Now, movement is seen as medicine. Of course, this doesn't mean pushing through pain, but rather finding appropriate, pain-free movements to aid recovery.

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Working Through Pain

When it comes to pain management during recovery, Taylor has a structured approach. She asks clients to describe their pain in detail and uses a pain scale to gauge intensity. This information helps her determine the appropriate level of activity and when to modify or progress exercises.

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Finding the Right Expert

For those seeking professional help with recovery or performance, Taylor offered valuable advice on finding the right expert. She suggested looking at credentials, specialties, and experience with specific sports or activities. She also emphasized the importance of clear communication between the client and the professional.

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Conclusion

Whether you're recovering from an injury or simply looking to improve your performance, taking a gradual, consistent approach guided by knowledgeable professionals can make all the difference. Remember, your body is unique, and your path to peak performance should be tailored to your specific needs and goals.  

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Listen to some of the key moments in this week’s episode:

0:00-0:37 - Introduction of Taylor Hepner, a trainer and massage therapist who specializes in return to performance after injury

1:55-2:27 - Taylor describes her background and current role as director of performance recovery at a sports performance company

4:35-5:03 - Taylor explains how she occupies a space between physical therapy and strength/conditioning, helping people figure out if they need PT or how to start training

11:38-12:36 - Discussion of the importance of consistency and maintaining progress even after initial pain/issues are resolved

15:26-15:51 - Taylor talks about the problem of people wanting quick results and taking a "zero to 100" mentality instead of gradual progress

19:46-20:21 - They discuss how views on movement for recovery have changed over time, with movement now seen as medicine rather than rest

22:51-24:35 - Taylor explains her approach to helping clients work through pain, including having them describe the pain and using a pain scale

26:43-28:50 - Taylor gives advice on how to find a good expert for rehab, including looking at credentials and specialties

31:41-32:01 - Taylor provides her contact information for those interested in working with her

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Medicine 3.0 | Ep 15 | Precision Medicine and AI: Reshaping the Future of Healthcare with Dr. Adam Carewe

In this episode of Medicine 3.0, Dr. Jared Pelo sits down with Dr. Adam Carewe, a family medicine physician and informaticist, to explore the exciting intersection of technology and healthcare. Dr. Carewe shares his journey from tech-savvy medical student to healthcare informatics leader, offering valuable insights into the future of medicine.

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From Walkie-Talkies to EHRs: A Technologist's Journey

Dr. Carewe's fascination with technology began in childhood with his grandfather's cool gadgets, like brick-sized walkie-talkies. This early interest evolved through medical school and residency, where he volunteered to help transition from paper to electronic health records (EHRs). This experience marked his entry into informatics and eventually led him to Kaiser Permanente, where he became deeply involved in optimizing EHR systems for clinicians and patients.

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The Challenge of Healthcare Software

The podcast delves into why healthcare software often lags behind consumer technology in user experience. Dr. Carewe points out that early EHRs were designed primarily for billing and compliance rather than user-friendliness. However, he notes that recent developments in ambient AI are starting to make healthcare technology more invisible and user-friendly, potentially revolutionizing how doctors interact with patients and records.

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AI: Enhancing, Not Replacing, Physicians

Both doctors express optimism about AI's potential to transform healthcare. They predict that AI will enhance physicians' capabilities rather than replace them. Dr. Carewe envisions a future where primary care physicians might manage 10,000 to 20,000 patients while still providing personalized care, thanks to AI assistance.

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The Promise of Personalized Medicine

The conversation touches on the exciting possibilities of personalized medicine. Dr. Carewe discusses how genomic data could inform more precise treatment decisions, such as choosing the most effective blood pressure medication based on an individual's genetic profile. This level of personalization could significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce trial-and-error in treatment.

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Addressing Public Health Challenges

The doctors don't shy away from discussing pressing public health issues, particularly the rise in childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes. They emphasize the need for better food policies and innovative approaches to make healthy food more accessible and affordable for everyone, highlighting the complex interplay between healthcare, policy, and societal factors.

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Reimagining Healthcare Delivery

Dr. Carewe predicts a significant disruption in healthcare delivery in the coming years. He suggests that improved preventive care and personalized medicine could reduce the need for frequent hospitalizations, potentially leading to a decrease in the number of large hospitals. This shift could fundamentally change the healthcare landscape as we know it.

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Advice for Future Healthcare Innovators

The podcast concludes with valuable advice for those entering the healthcare technology field. Dr. Carewe stresses the importance of understanding both clinical needs and technological capabilities. He argues that the most successful health tech solutions will come from those who can bridge this gap, combining medical knowledge with technological expertise.

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Looking Ahead

Both doctors agree that we're on the cusp of a healthcare revolution. While challenges remain, particularly in areas like public health and healthcare economics, the potential for AI and other technologies to revolutionize patient care is immense. As Dr. Carewe puts it, we're approaching a future where we might be able to prevent diseases like heart disease entirely, fundamentally changing the focus of healthcare from treatment to prevention.

For those inspired by Dr. Carewe’s insights and wanting to follow his work:

• Connect with him on LinkedIn (but please, no product pitches!)

• Check out his Substack at rusi.com for blog posts and his NerdMDs podcast

As medicine continues to evolve at a rapid pace, staying informed about these technological advancements will be crucial for healthcare providers, patients, and anyone interested in the future of health and wellness. This episode of Medicine 3.0 offers a fascinating glimpse into that future, highlighting both the challenges we face and the immense potential of technology to improve patient care and outcomes.

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Key Takeaways

0:47 - Dr. Carewe’s background and journey into healthcare informatics

• Early fascination with technology

• Transition from medical school to informatics

7:26 - Identifying and solving problems in healthcare IT

• Observation of communication gaps in EHR usage

• Development of training programs for clinicians

13:42 - Why healthcare has struggled to achieve user-friendly software

• Initial focus on billing and compliance rather than user experience

• Regulatory constraints in healthcare software development

20:58 - Predictions about AI's impact on healthcare in the near future

• AI enhancing rather than replacing physician capabilities

• Potential for primary care physicians to manage larger patient populations

28:34 - The importance of embracing AI in medical practice

• Comparison to the adoption of smartphones in business

• Physicians who embrace AI will likely outperform those who don't

32:51 - Exciting developments in personalized medicine and genomics

• Potential for more precise medication choices based on genetic profiles

• Shift from trial-and-error medicine to data-driven decisions

37:55 - Addressing public health challenges, particularly in nutrition

• Rise of type 2 diabetes in children

• Need for changes in the food industry and public health policies

42:17 - Ideas for incentivizing healthier lifestyles through insurance models

• Potential for health insurance to reward healthy behaviors

• Comparison to life insurance models

43:51 - Where to follow Dr. Adam Carewe’s work

• LinkedIn presence

• Substack blog and NerdMDs podcast at rusi.com