WellBuilt: Recent Episodes
Jonathan Shooshani
WellBuilt is a video and audio podcast that not only highlights the people and stories behind organizations redefining what it means to live well but also shares the journeys of timeless organizations that, through innovation and resilience, have been well-built to endure and thrive across generations.
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Justin Mares, Co-Founder and CEO of TrueMed, to explore how innovative healthcare incentives can shift the chronic disease narrative in America.
Justin shared his journey from building better-for-you CPG brands like Kettle & Fire, Perfect Keto, and non-aloholic Surely Wines, which now collectively generate over $100 million in annual revenue. These ventures deepened his understanding of systemic flaws in the U.S. food and healthcare systems, leading him to focus on chronic disease prevention and wellbeing.
With Truemed, Justin is addressing a critical gap in healthcare by unlocking the potential of HSA and FSA accounts, allowing consumers to use pre-tax dollars for wellness-related expenses, including exercise programs, supplements, and recovery tools. This model shifts the focus from reactive "sick care" to proactive health solutions, tackling the root causes of chronic diseases like diabetes and metabolic dysfunction.
In the broad-ranging discussion, Justin reflects on the misaligned incentives that have driven poor health outcomes and emphasizes the need for scalable, long-term interventions. The discussion covers the troubling rise in chronic diseases, with nearly 40% of children in the U.S. showing signs of pre-diabetes or diabetes, and highlights how systemic incentives have encouraged unhealthy behaviors.
Make sure to check out TrueMed and follow Justin on X to learn more. Justin also writes a substack newsletter, The Next, which explores what's next, in health, startups, and society.
In this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke with Joe Barsi, President of California Giant Berry Farms.
California Giant Berry Farms is a leader in the berry industry, known for its commitment to quality and sustainability. As a family-owned and operated company, Cal Giant has built a strong reputation for producing high-quality berries while supporting its community and employees.
Joe shares the inspiring journey of Cal Giant, from its humble beginnings 40 years ago in Watsonville, California, to becoming one of North America's largest berry companies. He highlights the company's mission to deliver premium berries and nourish the community, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and resilience in their operations.
The conversation dives into the unique challenges and innovations in berry farming, including the meticulous process of growing and harvesting strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Joe explains how Cal Giant maintains its high standards by working closely with long-term grower partners and investing in sustainable practices.
Joe also discusses Cal Giant's dedication to employee well-being, including their partnership with JOON. He shares how JOON's flexible wellness benefits have positively impacted employees' lives, supporting their diverse health and wellness needs.
This episode offers valuable insights into the agricultural industry, the importance of sustainability, and the commitment to community and employee well-being. Joe's passion for berries and dedication to making a positive impact shine through in this engaging conversation.
In this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Reza Amin, PhD, Founder and CEO of Bastion Health, and Dr. Justin Houman, Medical Director at Bastion Health.
Bastion is at the forefront of transforming men's health care, an area often stigmatized and not prioritized. As a comprehensive men's specialty virtual clinic, Bastion integrates prostate, reproductive, and sexual health services, making strides in how men access and manage their health.
Reza shares his motivation for founding Bastion, driven by his fertility journey and the loss of his grandfather to prostate cancer. Dr. Houman elaborates on Bastion's mission to break traditional healthcare models by offering comprehensive men's health services directly to patients' homes. This approach addresses common physical health issues and tackles psychological barriers to seeking treatment.
Reza and Dr. Houman explore the inherent challenges of delivering specialized menâs health care through telehealth, such as the limitations around physical examinations. They detail how Bastion overcomes these hurdles by leveraging advanced diagnostic tools and establishing a comprehensive network for patient referrals, ensuring that telehealth serves as a robust extension of traditional healthcare services.
They also elaborate on educating patients about the importance of regular screenings and proactive health management, aiming to empower men with the knowledge to take charge of their health effectively.
Bastion Health is revolutionizing the way companies offer health benefits by integrating their specialized men's health services into employer programs. This approach not only enhances accessibility and convenience for employees but also assists organizations in nurturing a healthier workforce, leading to increased productivity and reduced healthcare costs.
Enjoy!
In this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Michael Olaya, Founder & CEO of Dexter.
Dexter is transforming early education by building its own schools that serve as a replacement to the traditional schooling system from preschool to high school.
Michael shares his journey from mechanical engineer and physics enthusiast to educator. His passion for teaching began in Silicon Valley and expanded internationally, influencing his decision to redefine education back in his hometown of Woodshaw Falls. Starting with STEM workshops, Dexter quickly evolved into a full educational program.
The conversation explored Dexter's foundational principles, particularly its emphasis on "correct instruction," which aligns with classical education methods proven to be more effective than many modern educational strategies. Michael emphasizes the importance of direct instruction and rigorous standardization in improving educational outcomes.
Michael criticized the existing educational models, which rely too heavily on failing progressive methodologies and inappropriate technology use in classrooms.
He challenges the effectiveness of trendy educational theories like socio-emotional learning (SEL) and learning styles, which he argues lack empirical support. By discussing how Dexter utilizes evidence-based practices and direct instruction, listeners can better understand the contrast between Dexter's methods and those of traditional public schools. This reinforces the importance of adopting approaches that are scientifically validated rather than simply popular or progressive.
Despite the tech-heavy trends in modern education, Dexter adopts a more measured approach, using technology to streamline operations rather than as a primary instructional tool. This distinction underscores a critical aspect of Dexter's philosophy that technology should support, not replace, human teaching and interaction, which is vital for effective learning.
He argues for a competitive, standardized approach similar to models used in healthcare and aviation, which he believes will drive improvements in education through market dynamics and parental choice.
Additionally, Michael discusses the potential impact of school choice, envisioning a future where education is more about efficacy and less about adherence to outdated norms. He highlights how competition can lead to innovation and better educational practices, much like other sectors have experienced.
Listen to learn about Dexter's role in shaping a future where education focuses on developing critical thinkers and competent problem solvers, equipped to navigate and enhance tomorrow's world.
In this episode of WellBuilt, Jon sits down with Andy Hoang, the innovative mind behind Aviron, the first gaming rower in the world.
Despite his aversion to rowing, Andy has successfully positioned Aviron at the intersection of gaming and fitness, creating a gamified rowing experience that's captivating a new customer who is not your typical fitness enthusiast.
In the conversation, they delve into Andy's journey from his basement in 2016 to steering Aviron through a pivotal pandemic pivot, which skyrocketed the company's growth and solidified its place in the at-home fitness market.
Andy also reveals the unique dynamics of his team, a diverse group of individuals not typically found in the fitness or rowing world, which has been instrumental in shaping Aviron's innovative approach.
Additionally, gain insights into how Andy Hoang's Vietnamese heritage and values instilled by his refugee parents have played a pivotal role in his entrepreneurial journey, fueling his passion and resilience in navigating the competitive landscape of the fitness industry.
Discover how Aviron's unique blend of competitive spirit, gaming mechanics, and fitness challenges is crafting a new category in the fitness industry, pushing the boundaries of what a workout can be.
In this episode of WellBuilt, Jon had the pleasure of speaking with William Hicks, Co-Founder & CEO of Magic Mind.
William shared his journey from creating keto-friendly Italian snacks, called lupini beans at Brami to joining James Beshara at Magic Mind, a coffee alternative and drink aimed at enhancing mental performance without the caffeine crash.
Magic Mind combines adaptogens and nootropics with a lighter dose of caffeine to support focus and productivity. In our conversation, we dug into the brand's evolution, touching on its broader vision for mental performance.
William offered great insights into scaling a wellness brand, the importance of stress management, and cultivating mental wealth.
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On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon chats with Spencer Rascoff, a serial entrepreneur and investor.
Currently, Spencer is the Co-founder and Chairman of several ventures including Pacaso, heyLibby, Recon Food, Queue, dot.LA, and 75 & Sunny Ventures. Before transitioning to his role as a full-time investor/operator, he co-founded Zillow and Hotwire, two major players in the tech landscape.
As Zillow's CEO for ten years, Spencer led the company to impressive heights. Under his leadership, Zillow not only grew to over 4,500 employees and achieved $3 billion in revenue but also reached a market capitalization of $15 billion. Prior to Zillow, Spencer started and sold Hotwire to IAC for $685 million in 2003.
Through his family office, 75 and Sunny Ventures, Spencer now invests in PropTech and a diverse range of other startups.
In the podcast, Spencer delves into the current dynamics of PropTech, especially how fluctuating mortgage rates are affecting real estate and venture capital. He offers valuable insights on overcoming these challenges and underscores the importance of effective management in economic downturns. Additionally, Spencer provides practical advice for entrepreneurs navigating down rounds and the complexities of market dynamics.
The conversation also explores the critical role of company culture in business success. Spencer is also super bullish about HR tech solutions that foster effective and engaging work environments.
Last but not least, Spencer shares his perspective on the potential of the LA tech scene, propelled by the intersection of technology, media, and entertainment. And his renewed commitment to health, emphasizing regular exercise and improved diet, particularly following his father's passing. He highlights the significant role of sleep and healthy eating, including his daily green juice, in enhancing his overall well-being.
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Chip Conley, Founder & CEO of the Modern Elder Academy,a school dedicated to helping people reinvent themselves in midlife. He was also the Former Head of Global Hospitality & Strategy at Airbnb, Founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, and more.
Chip is a world-renowned expert on aging and wisdom. He is also the author of the New York Times bestseller "Wisdom@Work: The Making of a Modern Elder".
Jon and Chip discussed the importance of midlife transitions and how to navigate them successfully. Chip shared insights on the challenges and opportunities of midlife, and how to find meaning and purpose in the second half of life, build new relationships, learning new skills, and even, transitioning to a new career.
Chip also drew on his own experiences as a successful entrepreneur and as a person who has reinvented himself several times throughout his life. He will also touch upon his time as a successful hotelier starting and selling JdV by Hyatt, his work with Airbnb, and his involvement with the Esalen Institute.
Whether or not you are in your midlife, the conversation will be interesting for anyone aspiring to live a meaningful life.
On this episode of WellBuit, Jon spoke to Dugal Bain-Kim, Co-founder and CEO of Lifeforce.
They delved into the evolving landscape of healthcare, discussed the shortcomings of the current system, particularly in preventative care, and LifeForce's mission to establish enduring health partnerships that prioritize proactive wellness.
They discussed the company's strategic founding with luminaries like Tony Robbins and Dr. Peter Diamandis, who have been instrumental in shaping LifeForce's trajectory and broadening its reach.
The conversation also ventured into the future of health memberships and insurance, underscoring the shift towards value-based care models that reward long-term health savings.
Highlighting the critical role of biomarkers in health assessment, Dugal emphasized the need for individualized optimal ranges, especially concerning hormones, to enhance quality of life. He shared his personal health practices, including supplementation based on biomarker data, intermittent fasting, and a blend of hot and cold therapies, reflecting LifeForce's holistic approach.
The conversation also addresses the challenge of behavior change in health, the power of connecting lifestyle adjustments to personal values, and the potential expansion of LifeForce into parts of the wellbeing journey.
Check out Lifeforce and enjoy!
On this special edition episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Michael Bauer, author of Israel Joruney: Eight Days in One of the World's Most Complex Countries.
Michael Bauer a professional educator and tour guide who specializes in geopolitical tours in Israel and has developed workshops on various topics: Israeli-Arab relations, Israel's minority populations, Israelâs borders and neighbors, Middle East politics, and history.
As a field educator and tour guide with 26+ years of experience, he has led adventure tours around Israel, Jordan, the Sinai desert and Turkey, as well as dozens of educational programs in Poland and Germany.
Michael currently teaches Middle Eastern History in several Pre-Army institutes and provides security briefs, lectures, and seminars to a variety of groups and international institutions. He has guided senators and Parliament members from different countries, military intelligence Units, celebrities from the entertainment industry, university students and faculty members and presidents, and more.
Michael served as a commander in the paratroop forces as his mandatory IDF service and for many years on reserves. He is married with five children, and lives with his family on Kibbutz Bet Guvrin in Southern Israel.
This a unique episode and break from our typical programming, but we hope to continue bringing more timely and relevant content to our listeners.
Enjoy
In this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke with Isaac Larian, the visionary Founder & CEO of MGA Entertainment, the worldâs largest privately-owned toy company behind the iconic Bratz dolls.
The journey begins with Isaac recounting his challenging childhood in Iran, marked by poverty and pivotal experiences that shaped his relentless entrepreneurial drive and resilience.
Isaac delves into how he got into the toy industry, sharing the inspiration behind the creation of Bratz dolls, and why he envisioned a fresh, modern, and inclusive alternative to Barbie. The discussion gets intense as Isaac opens up about his grueling legal battle with Mattel, the powerhouse behind Barbie.
With a portfolio of over 100 innovative toy brands, MGA's journey boasts around 14 brands that have each generated sales ranging from $100 million to $10 billion. Isaac's leadership philosophy at MGA is deeply rooted in a culture of 'what's next,' emphasizing innovation and a hands-on approach.
He credits the company's groundbreaking success to this ethos, coupled with a flat organizational structure that eschews corporate politics and encourages individual ownership and accountability.
Furthermore, Isaac's approach to life and business is influenced by his spiritual journeys, particularly his transformative experiences with Vipassana meditation in India. He underscores the importance of mental clarity and inner peace, not just for personal well-being, but for fostering resilience and clear-mindedness in the face of entrepreneurial challenges.
Isaac's profound love for children is the heart of his work in the toy industry, driving his philosophy that the primary purpose of toys is to bring joy and foster imagination in young minds. He firmly believes that when passion leads business, financial success will follow, emphasizing that his legacy lies in resilience, perseverance, and never giving up in the face of adversity.
The conversation wraps up with a reflection on the broader aspects of the power of play, and the importance of strong family and mentorship bonds. Isaac's journey serves as a testament to the multifaceted nature of success, underscoring the significance of passion, persistence, and a deep-rooted love for what one does.
Enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon sat down with Dr. Scott Sherr, a leading physician, founder, and expert in hyperbaric therapy and health optimization.
Dr. Scott shared how he was introduced to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) during medical school, and what spurred his curiosity about its transformative effects in other realms of medicine and wellness.
He shared an overview of how HBOT works and the various ways he's using the treatment in his practice.
Dr. Scott has also founded multiple other health-focused companies and they dug into the way HBOT has impacted his perspective of taking a data-driven approach towards wellbeing as well as other alternative treatments he's used in his practice for health optimization.
For example, Dr. Scott emphasized the importance of caution when taking supplements, advocating for personalized testing to ensure they align with individual health needs and avoid potential imbalances.
Seaking of supplements, Dr. Scott discussed methylene blue and its applications, introducing the concept of a 'tiroche', a product that dissolve between the upper teeth and gum, ensuring near 100% bioavailability. Highlighting the cognitive benefits of certain supplements, Dr. Scott discussed the advantages of nicotine as a cognitive enhancer, and the potential of his focus product, Blue Carnitine.
Enjoy!
In this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Anne Mahlum, Serial Entrepreneur and Founder of SolidCore, Ambition, and Back On My Feet.
They dive into Anne's insights on entrepreneurship and the role of physical exercise in overall health, longevity, and achieving personal goals.
At Solidcores, she had to navigate the intricacies of creating her own type of pilates machine, fundraising, and making pivotal decisions for growth, especially during the Pandemic.
Her successful exit from Solidcore stands as proof of her knack for crafting a brand and fitness concept that truly resonates with people's needs.
Anne isn't one to take breaks or travel. After Solidcore, she's diving right back into entrepreneurship with her new venture, Ambition.
Anne doesn't hold back when discussing body image. She voices her frustration with the fitness industry's hesitancy to address physical goals directly and its failure to help individuals achieve their desired physical appearance.
She debunks myths about weightlifting for women, champions the benefits of strength training, and underscores the significance of hydration for overall well-being.
Beyond fitness, Anne shares her favorite books, products, and a recent impactful podcast episode featuring Scooter Braun. She stresses the importance of genuine friendships and imparts lessons she's learned about gratitude and setting the right expectations in leadership.
This episode paints a comprehensive picture of wellness, spanning from the physical to the mental, and delves into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.
Enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Jason & Colleen Wachob, founders of Mindbodygreen.
đż They journeyed through their personal health stories, from Colleen's experience with a pulmonary embolism to Jason's deep dive into biomarkers and the transformative power of supplements, which shed light on the broader wellness landscape.
đŞ From the yoga wave of the 2010s to the current emphasis on strength training, they discussed the ever-evolving wellness trends. Colleen underscored the importance of building strength for longevity, while Jason emphasized the significance of regular health testing.
đ They gave an exclusive preview of their new book, "The Joy of Well-being," which champions the role of joy and connection in our wellness journey, introducing the concept of "Joy span."
đ The Wachobs shared the intricacies of running a mission-driven business, the importance of profitability, and the nuances of working together as a couple. They also explored mindbodygreen's evolution, from its initial focus on advertising to its innovative ventures into health coaching certificates and supplements.
đĽ A fun tidbit: Jon once tried to send Jason a bag of avocados to his hotel room after spotting him in Westwood, a gesture that speaks to the genuine admiration he has for their work!
đ§ââď¸ Whether you're a wellness guru or just embarking on your health journey, this episode is a treasure trove of insights, personal anecdotes, and actionable advice. Dive in and embrace the joy of well-being with the Wachobs!
In this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to the co-founder of Alaffia, Olowo n'djo Tchala.
Their conversation delves into OT's journey from Togo to the United States, his experiences growing up in a large family, and the cultural values that have shaped him. The story of how he met his partner, Prairie Rose Hyde, in Togo and followed her to the U.S., where he pursued his education and eventually co-founded Alaffia, is shared.
The mission, product, and ethos of Alaffia are explored, focusing on the creation of natural body care products that not only benefit the consumer but also the communities in West Africa where the ingredients are sourced. OT emphasizes the importance of fair trade, community empowerment, and preserving cultural knowledge in their business model.
Listeners will also hear about OT's experiences of learning English, attending community college, and eventually transferring to UC Davis. He speaks about the challenges of balancing family life, education, and starting a business, and how these experiences have shaped his perspective and approach to business.
Finally, the growth and evolution of Alaffia are discussed, from its humble beginnings in a mobile home in Olympia, Washington, to its current global presence. OT speaks about the challenges they faced during the 2008 recession and how they overcame them, emphasizing the importance of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Check out Alaffia, and enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke with Joshua Bonhotal, Founding Team Member at Future and Investor at TXV Partners.Â
In their conversation, they dove into Josh's background as a strength and conditioning coach in the NBA at the Chicago Bulls and in the NCAA at Purdue University. Josh shared how this led the founders of Future to personally recruit him in their early days to build out their coaching operation.Â
They spoke about Future's mission, product, and ethos around building the future of personal training. And Josh's role in develping their coach tools, playbooks, and best practices, as well as how he went about building and hiring a world-class coaching team as full-time employees.Â
Finally, Josh spoke about how his experience at Future led him to the world of investing. Josh has transitioned into a full-time investor role at TXV. TXV is a thematic investment firm focusing on Human Performance, defined as five modalities around: food, sleep, movement, mental health, and work.Â
Check out Future, and enjoy this fun conversation with Josh Bonhotal.Â
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Gigi Brett, Co-Founder of Batelle.Â
Batelle uses a combination of online education and virtual coaching to teach parents how to put their child to bed in 5 minutes and sleep throughout the night.Â
Gigi explains that the biggest influencing factor in children's sleep is the parent, and changing parent behavior is key to improving children's sleep patterns. They got into how Batelle offers a hyper-personalized experience tailored to each family's unique needs and circumstances, taking into account variables like co-sleeping, siblings sharing a room, and multiple caregivers.
Gigi also shared her personal journey and how she transitioned from studying law to focusing on healthcare and education. She discusses the impact of sleep deprivation on parents' careers, mental health, and overall well-being, highlighting the need for a solution to this common problem.
Tune in to learn more about Batelle Sleep School and how they're addressing challenges for parents around children's sleep. WellBuilt listeners and the JOON community can get 15%+ off the Sleep School program here.Â
Enjoy!Â
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon had a blast chatting with his dear friend, Carly Stein Kremer, Founder of Beekeeper's Naturals. Join them as they explored the fascinating world of bees and their vital role in our ecosystem and food supply.
Carly took us on an amazing journey through the history of honey, sharing its significance beyond just its sweet taste. They also delved into the lesser-known but nutritionally dense superfoods that bees produce, from propolis to royal jelly and pollen. And explored how these incredible substances are meticulously crafted by bees themselves and their unique benefits for human health.
They dove into Carly's personal connection with bees and how her own health journey influenced the development of Beekeeper's Naturals' diverse product line. As well as her and their team's commitment to product innovation, and the thoughtful process behind it all.
Carly also shared her expertise on how she and Beekeeper's Naturals approach dosages and how to maximize the bioavailability of bee products to ensure you receive the full benefits of these superfoods.
Finally, they chatted thorugh the sourcing of bee-based products, and Beekeeper's Naturals' environmentally sustainable supply chain practices.
Expect to learn more about the extraordinary world of bees and the profound impact they have on our health and the health of our planet.
Check out Beekeeper's Naturals and enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Ben Mand, the CEO of Harmless Harvest.
Harmless Harvest is a pioneer in the organic coconut water space.Â
They explored the founding story of Harmless Harvest and discussed how Ben, leveraged his extensive consumer packaged goods background, to lead the company through a transformation in terms of their operation, brand, and financial performance.Â
Jon and Ben dug into their path towards regenerative organic and zero-waste practices, and how they decided to introduce coconut yogurt as well as other SKUs to utilize every part of the coconut.
In addition to changes around the supply chain and their operation, Ben also shared his perspective on how they leveraged inclusive practices around employee engagement, company culture, hiring, and pay equity, to improve the company's performance from the inside out.Â
Check out Harmless Harvest, and enjoy!Â
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Jill Koziol, Co-founder & CEO of Motherly.Â
Motherly is a digital platform that aims to empower modern motherhood by providing trusted and inspiring content, community, and commerce.Â
Jill shared her story of why she founded Motherly and her vision for the platform. They also explored the current state of motherhood as well as why we're only at the beginning of an emerging landscape of products and services tailored to meet the needs of mothers.
Jill explained how mothers have purposely been overlooked but are now getting the attention they deserve from both brands and employers because of women's purchasing power, education, and leadership roles in business and the household.Â
Jill also shared insights from Motherly's State of Motherhood Survey, discussed her own wellness journey, and how and why she began prioritizing her own health.Â
Check out Motherly, enjoy, and happy early Mother's Day!Â
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Jason Whitson, Co-Founder & CEO of Wellcore, and Ryan Lester, Physician Assistant and part of the Wellcore Clinical Team.Â
Wellcore provides a hormone optimization program via telehealth. In their conversation, they got into how Wellcore works including their at-home blood draw, virtual consultation to review labs, and the hormone treatment itself.
They delved into Jason and Ryanâs unique backgrounds, and how their respective digital health and clinical experiences, guided the team to combine technology and existing scientific research to create the first-of-its-kind remote hormone optimization program.
They also touched upon their own wellness journeys, and how Jasonâs personal health struggles as well as how he overcame them made this leadership role perfect for him.
WellBuilt listeners can visit this link or use the VIP code WELLBUILT to get their Wellcore Assessment Kit for $19 - $180 dollars off.Â
Check out Wellcore and enjoy!Â
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Dylan Beynon, Founder & CEO of Mindbloom.
Mindbloom provides at-home ketamine therapy.
In their conversation, they got into Dylanâs personal reasons for starting Mindbloom, and how they came up with their telehealth model for helping people combat anxiety or depression, and improve their mental health.
Since ketamine treatments are currently one of the only legal forms of psychedelic-assisted therapy, which other promising psychedelics such as psilocybin and MDMA pending FDA approvals for therapeutic use - many digital and in-person ketamine-focused companies have recently propped up. This increase in access has also led to concerns and critique around potential side effects, addictiveness, and the overall health impact of prolonged use.
Dylan was happy to dive into where the industry stands, unpack some of the critiques in recent hit pieces, and share his thoughts about how we can think about the industryâs goals for long-term safety and efficacy.
It was also great to learn about Dylanâs passion for health and wellness and personal development, as well as how he strives to create a culture of empowerment, accountability, and continuous learning at Mindbloom.
Check out Mindbloom, and enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Starr Edwards, Co-Founder & CEO of Bitchinâ Sauce.
Starr is the creator of the delicious, addictive, fun, and versatile, almond-based dip, Bitchinâ Sauce.
Primarily self-taught in the kitchen and in business, Starr began selling Bitchinâ Sauce with her husband L.A. Edwards in the farmer's markets of San Diego in 2010. Their team has built Bitchinâ into a national brand now available in over 10K stores!
In their fun conversation, they got Bitchin's founding story, their ingredients and formulation, and major inflection points for the brand. They also covered how Starr and their team think about investing in their people and giving back to their communities.
They created Bitchinâ Kids to help their on-site staff with no-cost childcare, giving parents the opportunity to spend more time with their children. And in 2020, they mobilized their team for Bitchin' Givin', a paid volunteer time off program.
Last but not least, they chatted about Starrâs never-ending entrepreneurial bug, and how theyâve leveraged their brand and success, to start a music label, beach club, and coffee company.
Enjoy Jon's bitchinâ conversation with Starr Edwards!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Dr. Ryan Greene, Managing Partner & Chief Medical Director of Monarch Athletic Club.Â
Monarch is reimagining the gym category with a one-stop membership that gives members unlimited access to personal training, physical therapy, and preventive medicine.Â
In their fascinating conversation, they got into the Monarch founding story, the benefits, and vision around integrating these different health and wellness services, how Ryan thinks about health optimization, and much much more.Â
We really enjoyed this chat, and hope Ryan will join Jon for a second round soon, in order to dive deeper into the intersection of wellness and functional medicine.Â
Check out Monarch, give Ryan a follow on Instagram, and enjoy!Â
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Billy Bosch, Co-Founder of ICONIC Protein, a ready-to-drink, grass-fed whey protein company, that also makes protein powders and bars.Â
Billy and Jon are friends and in their fun chat, they got into the story behind ICONIC, all things protein, healthy snacking, exercise, the power of community for wellness, and more.Â
Billy is now venturing into the antiaging space, and we also dug into some of the things he personally does and is excited about to increase health and lifespan.
Check out ICONIC, give Billy a follow on Instagram (@iconiclife), and enjoy! Â
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Anu Thubagere, Co-Founder of iuno.Â
Iuno develops bespoke skincare products tailored to your unique biology. They use an at-home skin prick test to run your proteomics panel and create your formula.
In their conversation, they discussed how Anuâs battle with Leukemia got her to do a deep dive into her health and the protein patterns produced by our unique DNA.Â
Anu also got into how these protein patterns impact outward-facing health conditions such as our skin.Â
Check out iuno and enjoy!Â
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Rachel Sanders, Co-Founder & CEO of Rootine.Â
Rootine leverages data about your DNA, blood, hormones, diet, activity, sleep, stress levels, and more, to understand your baseline health and determine what type of personalized supplementation your body needs to perform optimally.
They discussed how Rachelâs own health issues and wellness journey led her to start the company, how their at-home health testing & personalized multivitamins work, and her vision for building a brand focused on precision nutrition.
Check out Rootine and enjoy!Â
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Dr. Molly Maloof, author of the book, THE SPARK FACTOR: Supercharge Your Batteries for Limitless Energy and a Fitter, Stronger, More Resilient Future.
As a physician and Stanford lecturer, Dr. Molly Maloof has spent her career providing personalized medicine services to high-performing technology executives, billionaire investors, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, and Academy Award-winning actors. What she noticed is that women, specifically, were feeling the spark that once energized their lives beginning to dim. Not just metaphorically but in a measurable reduction in the energy output from their cells.
In response, Dr. Molly developed a science-backed program focused on mitochondrial health, used successfully by her patients, which offered lifestyle changes that target the unique biology of women and provide immediate and long-term benefits--now available in her book The Spark Factor. âThe idea is steady gradual improvement, not perfection. The goal is to help get your spark back, so you can spend the rest of your life empowered, alive, mobile, and resilient,â she writes.
In their conversation, they discussed the ways in which Dr. Molly's roles as a concierge physician, Stanford lecturer, and advisor to digital health companies inspired her new book, which is focused on how women can optimize mitochondrial health and enact lifestyle changes targeted to their unique biology, for immediate and long term improvements on their overall energy and wellbeing.
Molly is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to health optimization, and they also spent a nice chunk of their conversation discussing the importance of relationships and community, and sexual wellness for long-term life satisfaction and health.
Check out the Spark Factor, and Enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Rachel Mack Robinson, Founder & CEO of DotCom Therapy.Â
DotCom Therapy partners with schools and employers to provide virtual on-demand mental health services for children and teenagers. Â
In their conversation, they got into how Rachel's experience as Speech-Language Pathologist drove her to start the business. Surrounded by entrepreneurs in her family, Rachel got into the medical field as a way to avoid that career path, but identified big problems and a huge need as a clinician.Â
They got into the ways she validated a teletherapy-based solution and why DotCom Therapy is needed in the pediatric mental health space. They discussed how the conversation around mental health is evolving for children today, and how the pandemic played a role in that. They spoke about why DotCom Therapy has gone about innovating on the provider front by hiring their therapists full-time.Â
And finally, they chatted about Rachelâs experience with therapy as a kid, her relationship to mental health today, and her perspective on psychedelic-assisted psychedelic therapy treatments for mental health.
Enjoy!Â
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Shane Heath, Founder & CEO of MUD\WTR
MUD|WTR makes a low-caffeine coffee alternative made with masala chai, functional mushrooms like chaga, lionâs mane, cordyceps, reishi, and spices like cinnamon, turmeric, and himalayan salt.Â
In their broad-ranging conversation, they got into the brandâs founding story, and how Shane's health and wellness journey, travel experiences in India, and experience as a graphic designer all played a role in the creation of the company.Â
They discussed the brandâs simple design aesthetic, but how being named after âMudâ as well as creative marketing messages on paid Instagram ads like âWe're not mad at coffee, just disappointedâ led to the brandâs virality and rocketship growth.Â
They got into Shaneâs vision for the brand, in creating not just products, but content and experiences that help people develop better health and wellness habits. They also spoke about his own rituals and morning routines, how he thinks about building and investing in a world-class team with a wellness-focused culture, as well as their commitment to give-back initiatives, notably in the psychedelic space.
Enjoy!Â
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Michael Fenchel, co-founder of Breathe for Change, an online yoga, meditation, and mindfulness-focused education and training platform for educators, students, and their communities.
Besides the fact that Breathe for Change is doing impactful work, and has built a sustainable and profitable multi-million dollar business, Jon wanted to have Michael on because heâs a serial entrepreneur who is passionate about leadership development, wellness, and authenticity.
In their broad-ranging conversation, they discussed what it means to lead from an embodied place. They spoke about Michaelâs firsthand experience training with indigenous wisdom keepers that hold nature-based tools, practices, and modalities to improve life quality, satisfaction, and wellbeing.
They got into specific rituals such as Michael and his partnerâs experience with Vision Quests, a rite of passage in some Native American cultures, and how it felt to spend time immersed and isolated in nature without technology. And dug into learnings from having those types of peak experiences in nature, and how we all might be able to integrate lessons from nature to live more balanced lives.
Last but not least, they got into how psychedelics have played a role in Michaelâs wellness journey, and the practices and questions heâs incorporated into his relationships for deeper connection.
Hope you enjoy this meaningful conversation with Michael Fenchel!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Gurjeet Singh, Co-Founder & CEO of Oma Fertility.
In their chat, they spoke about why Fertility Treatments and IVF are in high demand but still inaccessible to a majority of Americans. And how Oma Fertility has created an innovative technology stack and business model to automate parts of the fertility journey and make treatments more affordable to more people.
Oma Fertilityâs embryologists leverage Omaâs proprietary technology to identify the most promising sperm in every sample and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy for their clients.
Gurjeet is a serial entrepreneur, who previously raised over $100M for a company in the AI and machine learning space, and we discussed the ways this experience led him to building Oma.
Beyond diving into Omaâs founding story, they discussed Omaâs price point and how it compares to the rest of the IVF market. They got into Omaâs key differentiators, technology-driven approach, and why theyâre actually opening their own clinics rather than licensing out their technology.
They discussed how itâs going so far and where theyâre going as a business, how Gurjeet thinks about employer distribution, the biggest misconceptions about fertility and stigma around it, average failure rates of IVF, the future of fertility, and much much more!
Enjoy this fascinating conversation!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Jeff Byers, Co-founder & CEO of Momentous.
Momentous is a newer wellness brand with an innovative suite of products and supplements focused on helping people optimize their health and achieve peak performance. They pair their product offering with expert knowledge to help customers understand the why behind different supplements and how to use them.
Jeff and the Momentous team have a board of scientific advisors including the likes of Andrew Huberman, who Jeff has known for years through the âperformance worldâ. And in their conversation, they got into the nuances of what it means to incentivize these experts with revenue sharing, and what people should look out for when buying âscience-backedâ health products through thought leaders.
They discussed the Momentous origin story, and how Jeff and his co-founderâs brand was called AmpHuman, with a flagship product called PR lotion, still super popular in the world of endurance sports like cycling and triathlons. They bought Momentous with the hopes to create a more inclusive performance-focused brand with a more expansive product line and broader reach.
Outside Momentous, Jeff got into how his grandfather inspired his personal why, his favorite products and brands, and his passion for helping others reach their potential!
Check out Momentous and enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Will Nitze, Founder & CEO of IQBAR.
IQBAR is known for its great tasting, low sugar, low carb plant-based protein bar. IQBAR also recently created IQMIX, a sugar-free hydration blend with electrolytes. Both their bars and electrolytes have functional brain ingredients like Lionâs Mane mushroom.
In their chat, they got into IQBARâs founding story, and how Willâs passion for nutrition and entrepreneurship inspired the brand. They dove into the protein bar space, and why thereâs still a lack of low-sugar, clean-label options.
Will Nitze is an active thought leader in the CPG space, and we mind-melded on his content, and why he began writing on LinkedIn.
They unpacked a few of Will's âMonday Morning Shower Thoughtsâ, got into what itâs like to work with his wife as his CMO, spoke about product formulation in the early days, crowdfunding on Kickstarter, and more.
WellBuilt listeners can get 25% off IQBAR & IQMIX with the code "JOON25".
Try it and let us know what you think, give Will a follow on LinkedIn and enjoy the fun conversation!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Jessica Bell van der Wal, Co-founder & CEO of Frame Fertility.
Frame Fertility offers an evidence-based holistic platform for early identification of fertility risk and care navigation. Their proactive solution empowers anyone that may want children someday to take early action on their fertility, and fill in the care gaps to improve overall health and drive better outcomes.
In their conversation, they got into both Jessicaâs personal and professional reasons for starting Frame Fertility with her co-founder who also happens to be her husband! They both have many years of leadership experience in the healthcare space, and also decided to start a family in their mid 30s, which impacted their fertility journey.
Jessica is also open about her experience with a condition called PCOS, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and how this played into the challenges she and her husband faced when trying to have a baby.
Whatâs really amazing is how they found opportunities to support other people in their own struggle. Their own experience highlighted the major pain points in fertility and family planning, and how this could be solved through a coaching and care navigation solution offered through employers and health plans.
Enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Dr. Lisa Dyson, Co-Founder & CEO of Air Protein.
Air Protein is an innovative food science company on a mission to create a more sustainable meat alternative.
During the 1970s space program, NASA scientists explored a way to feed astronauts on space journeys by transforming elements in the air they breathed into protein. This process was forgotten, but recently rediscovered by Dr. Lisa Dyson, Dr. John Reed and the Air Protein team.
In their conversation they got into Dr. Lisaâs physics background, startup experience, and what inspired her to start this business. They got deeper into how Air Proteinâs technology works, and how it will be combined with modern food-making technology, to create more sustainable, delicious, and nutritious versions of chicken, seafood, and other protein rich foods people love.
Unlike factory farming and other plant-based meat alternatives, Air Protein meat has no hormones, antibiotics, herbicides or pesticides, and can be produced incredibly quickly, with very little water and resources.
Outside of their core technology and brand, they got into the ways in which Air Proteinâs product philosophy finds its way into the company values and culture, and Lisaâs favorite wellness activities, which includes dancing!
Enjoy this fascinating conversation with Dr. Lisa Dyson!
Bonus: For more on Lisa and Air Protein, here's a link to a Ted Talk she did a few years ago.
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Brandon Marshall, former NFL Player, mental health advocate, and Founder of House of Athlete. Their conversation was educational, heartfelt, inspiring, and a lot of fun.
In it, they spoke about Brandon's battle with borderline personality disorder, and how his openness around seeking treatment has moved the mental health conversation forward in sports, entertainment, and mainstream culture.
They got into Brandonâs own wellness practice, and how it includes a combination of physical training, nutrition, recovery, mental fitness, and the importance of intimate relationships and community. Brandon even shared how his own journey has impacted the mental health of his mother, brother, and close family members.
Last but not least, they dove into how House of Athlete is making elite training accessible to anyone who wants to unlock peak performance.
Enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Vinh Pham, Co-Founder of Myodetox.
Myodetox is a modern physical therapy experience bringing a fresh look to the world of movement health.
They provide hands-on myofascial treatment and corrective exercise to reduce pain, improve the way you move, and prevent future injuries.
In their conversation, they covered Vinhâs interesting path to becoming a PT, gaps he saw in the market, and how that led him to starting Myodetox.
They got into the ways in which boutique fitness has both validated and created a bigger need for PT. And spent time talking about his new book, Sit Up Straight, daily morning stretches and ways he recommends counteracting and developing awareness around our bodies natural tendencies to compensate.
Vinh has built one of the biggest and most engaged physical therapy accounts on Instagram. Follow him at VinhRehab, grab a copy of his new book, and check out Myodetox, to learn more.
And, finally, in case your parents didn't tell you, always remember to Sit up Straight!
JOON Benefit Recipients and WellBuilt Listeners can also get 20% off their first Myo session: https://joon.io/partners/myodetox/
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Josh Hix and Mustafa Shabib, Co-Founders of Season Health.
Season is a digital food pharmacy, using âfood as medicineâ to support the management of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and kidney issues.
In their conversation, they got into the relationship between unhealthy diets and healthcare spend, and how bad diets make up a disproportionate amount of our investment in healthcare â ~80% according to Season.
Before Season, Josh was the co-founder of Plated, a meal delivery company that sold to Albertsons, and Mustafa had a technical background working on data in the healthcare space. They both began spending more time with one another and with Dr. Andrea Feinberg who started the Fresh Food Farmacy at Geisinger Health System, and had basically proven out their hypotheses around food as medicine on a smaller scale.
In their chat, they got into how Season is going to market, what Seasonâs user experience looks like (combination dietician, chef, and personal shopper on staff), and how their business model is contingent on them making people healthier rather than taking a cut of the food people buy through their app.
Finally, they got into why the timing is perfect for Season. While there have been decades of investment in the consumer food world to entirely digitize that industry, there has been little to tie it back to healthcare, and Season is on a mission to do exactly that.
Check out Season Health, and enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Eric Ji Sun Wu, Co-Founder of Gainful.
Gainful provides personalized performance products, including protein, hydration, pre-workout, and more, based on your lifestyle and wellness goals. They pair their direct to consumer offering with complimentary 1:1 Registered Dietitian support, so you can better understand what youâre taking, why youâre taking it, and how itâs impacting your body.
Supplements and sports nutrition have traditionally felt like a blackbox full of unsubstantiated claims and ingredients people donât recognize or understand. That intimidating feeling you may have experienced walking into a GNC or other retail store, is exactly why Eric and his co-founder, Jahan, decided to start Gainful.
They and their team believe that technology has the power to transform the industry, peopleâs relationship to nutrition and their bodies, and to overall help consumers achieve better performance and results.
In their conversation, Eric got into Gainfulâs founding story, how their service works, mistakes people make when thinking about protein intake and supplementation, and more.
WellBuilt listeners that want to try Gainful get 40% off their first purchase by visiting this link.
Enjoy!
This episode of WellBuilt, was originally a LinkedIn Live Jon hosted with Russ Laraway, author of a new book called âWhen They Win, You Winâ.
Russ was formerly Chief People Officer at Qualtrics, and is currently CPO at Goodwater Capital.
Before being a People leader he held Go To Market roles at both Twitter and Google. He was also a Commander in the Marine Corps. All this to say, Russ brings a refreshing and interesting point of view to the world of Management.
In his book, Russ touches upon his own experiences, business case studies, and other powerful stories to paint the picture of why âManagers are failingâ and what we can do about it.
He rejects much of the conventional wisdom, for a simpler overview on what primary research and industry findings tell us makes a good manager, and how we can all lead in a way that measurably and predictably leads to more engaged employees and better business results.
You might find that many of the lessons in the book and in our conversation adhere to common sense. A great employee experience leads to a great customer experience, and they can reinforce one another in a virtuous cycle.
But the clarity, passion, and wittiness of his delivery and presentation, and the data he leverages to support his points, made it really fun and engaging conversation and the book an awesome read.
Grab a copy of âWhen They Win, You Winâ, and enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Ankit Gupta, Founder & CEO of Bicycle Health.
Bicycle Health is increasing access to high-quality, integrated healthcare for people with opioid use disorder.
Their virtual care platform provides empathetic, affordable, person-to-person care at scale, including medication management, behavioral health treatment, support groups, and care coordination, supporting patients wherever theyâre at in their recovery journey.
In their conversation, they got into why opioids are over-prescribed and under-managed in the United States, and how this is impacting far more people than most of us realize.
They got into the different types of treatment for opioid addiction, and how Ankit came up with Bicycle Healthâs unique digital solution.
They got into the story, lessons, and culture behind the naming of the company, and why he named it after a bicycle!
And finally, we discussed what building a company focused on addiction has taught him about his own mental health, habit formation, and wellbeing.
Enjoy!
P.S. In preparation for their conversation, Jon read a book he referred to during the podcast, which we and Ankit highly recommend called Empire of Pain.
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Jacob Pechenik, Founder & CEO of Lettuce Grow.
Lettuce Grow makes it easy to grow your own fruits and veggies at home with a self-watering & fertilizing hydroponic vertical tower they call their Farmstand.
In their conversation, they got into how becoming a father got Jacob food-obsessed, and how this passion drove him to pivot his career from tech & entertainment to the food system.
Witnessing issues of food waste firsthand on a farm, and observing how transporting produce not only impacted the foodâs quality and freshness, but that it also is not very environmentally friendly, he began ideating on what the world would like if more people grew their own food at home.
Instead of growing crops to their full maturity, Lettuce Grow sends their Farmstand customers ready-to-plant seedlings. These urban grow operations are localized, which allows them to cut down the delivery time and optimize for the produceâs freshness. Theyâre also more efficient from a real estate perspective, since the plants are smaller in size.
Beyond Lettuce Growâs story, they got into Jacobâs view on financing and pivoting a business, its relationship to parenting, and finally his passion for polo :horse_racing:
Enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Sylvia Hastanan, Founder & CEO of Greater Good Health.
Greater Good Health (GGH) is an innovative primary care model centered around Nurse Practitioners (NPs).
GGH has a bit of a contrarian view when it comes to their business strategy. They are first and foremost optimizing their model for happy and healthy clinicians.
GGH strives to offer an amazing employee experience with generous wellness benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development. They believe doing so will allow them to build a best-in-class patient experience with better health outcomes.
In their conversation, they got into how Sylvia combined her nursing education with a business degree to uniquely identify this gap and opportunity in medicine.
They discussed why healthcare is moving towards value-based care from a traditional fee-for-service model, how weâre at risk if we donât make the transition, and why NPs holistic education is perfectly suited for the future.
Finally, they got into what GGH means when they promote work-life integration rather than work-life balance as part of their cultural values, and tangible examples of this in Sylviaâs personal and professional life.
Enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Alex Lofton, Co-founder & President of Landed.
Landed is a real estate technology company with an interesting model and beautiful mission: They are making home ownership more affordable for essential professionals.
More specifically, they help education, healthcare, and public sector employees buy homes by providing access to funds, trusted partners and guidance.
They have a unique shared appreciation down payment program or coinvestment in a home since theyâve found that many essential professionals are able to afford the monthly payment on a standard mortgage loan but that saving upwards of 20% of the down payment with an expensive cost of living can be nearly impossible.
This program is designed to help these individuals and their families reach at least a 20% down payment, and avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI). In many of their eligible areas, Landed can contribute up to $150k of the purchase price towards the down payment, which brings the homebuyerâs contribution to at least 5%.
They partner with employers as a way to get the word out there about Landed so if you're an organization or belong to a company in education, healthcare, and/or the public sector, and looking to buy your first home, feel free to check them out!
Enjoy
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Dan Freed, Co-Founder & CEO of Thesis. Thesis is a wellness company that makes personalized blends of nootropic supplements. Each of their blends has a different formula or list of proprietary ingredients to help with a specific type of mental state.
In their conversation, Dan shared his life and career journey, his own struggles with attention deficit disorder in school, and how nootropics helped turn things around for him.
Dan went from dropping out of high school to work at Subway making sandwiches to working as a global chef at Club Med to attending Yale in his late 20s and eventually starting Thesis.
Dan openly talks about how psychedelics have positively impacted his life. Thesis is a proud JOON customer, and one of their top goals with their wellness benefits program was to make psychedelic-assisted therapy accessible to their workforce.
Beyond using JOON for mental and spiritual health, Dan spoke about what using our platform says about their broader people and culture strategy. He is very bullish on investing in his teamâs personal and professional growth, and believes everything in building a successful company comes down to the people once you have formulated your product.
Finally, Jon and Dan got into some of Thesisâ team rituals. Every Friday they try a new product from a direct to consumer wellness company, rate it, discuss it, and learn from the brand â this helps them with their own brand, allows them to better understand the market, and to also find new wellness-focused products that add value to their lives.
If youâre interested in trying Thesis, Dan and the team have been gracious enough to give WellBuilt listeners 10% off with the code JOON.
Check them out and enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Bill Evans, CEO of Rock Health.
Rock Health is a multifaceted digital health organization that consults, invests, and gives back.
Rock Health Advisory helps major corporations act on opportunities in digital healthâs evolving landscape through a consulting practice and membership program.
Rock Health Capital is a venture fund that invests in entrepreneurs building digital health businesses.
And finally, Rockhealth.org is a non-profit with the goal of breaking down the long-standing barriers and inequities that exist in healthcare.
In their fun and interesting conversation, Jon spoke to Bill about their mission to bring more humanity to healthcare, how portfolio companies like JOON and Oula Health fit into this framework, and broader trends he and Rock Health are seeing in healthcare and digital health like omnichannel brands, the consumerization of healthcare, and why there are still so much opportunity to make healthcare better.
Bill reverse interviewed Jon for a bit as they discussed the consolidation of point solutions in the employer market and opportunities to simplify and better contextualize employee benefits.
Jon eventually took back the reins and they got deeper into Bill's top three influences for a more positive attitude and state of mind.
If youâre interested in learning more about Rock Health and getting a taste of their thought leadership and content, we highly recommend subscribing to their newsletter, Rock Weekly.
Enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Kent Yoshimura, Co-Founder & CEO of Neuro. Neuro makes functional gums and mints that help support energy and focus as well as relaxation, calm, and flow. They do this by infusing their products with caffeine, b vitamins, l-theanine, gaba and other ingredients and amino acids that support neurotransmitters and your brainâs wellness.
Kent and his co-founder, Ryan, are college friends and started their entrepreneurial journey as elite athletes. Ryan was training with the U.S Paralympic team and Kent was a member of Japan's Olympic Judo team. They were both always searching and experimenting with ways to boost their energy and were sick of traveling with bags of obscure powders so decided to create something that made neuro-hacking easier, convenient, and delightful.
Kent is an interesting and awesome guy. Jon got deeper into his personal why, what heâs reading, and the other activities and roles he enjoys when heâs not working on Neuro. More specifically, Kent is an incredible multimedia artist and muralist.
Check out his work, try Neuro, and enjoy their chat!
BONUS: Kent and Ryan on Shark Tank.
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Michael Brandt, Co-Founder & CEO of H.VM.N, Health Via Modern Nutrition.Â
HVMN is a human performance company best known for their Ketone-IQ, a drinkable ketone designed to be taken daily to support mental clarity, athletic performance, and metabolic health.Â
Ketones are a nutritional primitive, a source of energy that your body naturally makes when doing low-carb/keto diet, exercising, or fasting.Â
Besides providing ketones to hundreds of thousands of everyday people via direct to consumer channels, the brand has also grown through a multi million dollar contract with the United States Department of Defense and by working with athletes in every sport. In our fun conversation, we also got into Michaelâs own experience as a triathlete and marathoner, and how that inspired the company.Â
Check out HVMN and enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Elizabeth Stein, Founder & CEO of Purely Elizabeth.Â
Purely Elizabeth is a natural foods company that makes better for you products like superfood granola, oatmeal, and pancake mixes.Â
In their conversation, they got into Purely Elizabethâs founding story. Elizabeth has been working on her brand for over 12 years, and the way she fell into starting the business was incredible to hear.Â
They nerded out on the ways the natural food industry has changed over the last decade, specific ingredients she avoids, how she thinks about healthy eating, and her continued passion for cooking.
And finally, they got into how Elizabeth thinks about company culture and employee wellness, her vision for Purely Elizabeth as a lifestyle brand, and how that corresponds with the evolution of her own wellness journey.Â
Bon Apetite!Â
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon chatted with Patrick Dossett, Co-Founder & CEO of Madefor. Madefor is a digital program that distills neuroscience, positive psychology, and health physiology research down into simple actionable steps and healthy habits.
In their program, they guide their members through ten 21-day challenges. The foundational practices they help develop are Gratitude, Nature, Connection, Breath, Hydration, Rest, Fuel, Clarity, Vision, and Movement.
Pat is a former Navy Seal, and during his service, he saw how human performance went beyond the physical body and the critical role mental states played in determining peopleâs resilience through strenuous challenges like Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL training.
The idea for their company came about on a surf trip w/ his good friend and co-founder, Blake Mycoskie, who previously founded Tomâs Shoes and is very passionate about personal development. Early on they brought on Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the Department of Neurobiology at Stanford, to lead their Scientific Advisory board.
Check out Madefor and enjoy this interesting conversation with Pat Dossett.
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke to Rikard Steiber, Founder & CEO of GoodTrust.
Rikard is a serial internet entrepreneur and tech executive with experience successfully launching and growing digital businesses at global companies including Google, Modern Times Group, HTC VIVE, and Einride.
When Rikardâs father passed away in the spring of 2020 and the world entered into a state of fear with the pandemic, an interesting and thought-provoking question struck Rikard: do any of us know what happens to our digital stuff when we die?
As Rikard explored this concept further, he discovered that most people have no idea. For Rikard, this was an epiphany and opportunity.
We spend an average of more than six hours connected to the internet every day. We trust countless services with our most treasured content: photos and videos of the family, financial and banking accounts, our thoughts and memories through social media, our communications, and more.
Most people donât like to talk about death. We share this experience with everyone on the planet but itâs borderline taboo. GoodTrust wants to empower people to take action to ensure that their digital legacy isnât lost forever. They also want to help people with every aspect of estate planning and end-of-life directives like creating a free will. They also offer engaging ways for people to share their life stories with their loved ones through a digital time capsule with Future Messages and with new technologies like AI and facial recognition with GoodTrust Memories.
Rikard is an interesting guy - beyond what theyâre doing at GoodTrust, they got into how building a death or life tech company impacts his view of life, his upcoming trip to space w/ Virgin Galactic, and more đ
Learn more by listening FREE to the Amazon bestselling book "Digital Legacy: Take Control of Your Online Afterlife:
- Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/digital-legacy-take-control-of-your-online-afterlife/id1600888420
- Amazon Books: https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Legacy-Take-Control-Afterlife/dp/1736205943/
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke with Robbie Bent, Co-Founder & CEO of Othership. Othership is an interesting omnichannel health and wellness concept.
In their flagship Toronto location, they are doing guided in-person mental health group classes in saunas and ice baths. Here's a cool video of the experience!
Think the Barryâs Bootcamp or Soul Cycle of Hot/Cold. But instead of an active fitness class, youâll sweat in a 40-person sauna, recover and find your zen in the cold, and hopefully come away with some tools to regulate your nervous system and feel more emotionally empowered. This all happens through what Robbie describes as "Peak States".
Othership has also recently launched a breathwork app for guided breathing exercises and meditations.
Robbieâs path to building Othership was fascinating. His wellness journey was spurred by a Vipassana meditation retreat at a low point in his career, which then led him to use psychedelic experiences like Ayahuasca to get sober.
In their broad-ranging conversation, they got into how and why psychedelics helped Robbie and are helping others with their mental health, how he got into bathhouses, the benefits of saunas and cold water exposure, breathwork, and more.
Before Othership, Robbie was the lead of ecosystem development at Ethereum, and he shared what building community in the crypto world taught him about bringing people together in real life!
Check out Othership and enjoy the ride!
Bonus:
- The benefits of breathwork and extreme cold exposure: The Health Stack with Robbie Bent
- Othership is committed to accessibility and will always provide free memberships to anyone who reaches out acknowledging financial stability as a determinant of access. They also maintain 5 free sessions on their app that rotate regularly. Email them at admin@othership.us to learn more.
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke with Dr. Elana Weisberg, Director of Acupuncture at Tia.
Tia is creating a modern medical home for women. Blending in-person and virtual care services, Tiaâs care model integrates gynecology, primary care, mental health, and other evidence-based wellness services to treat women comprehensively.
In their conversation, they got into Elana's journey to acupuncture. Elana was recommended acupuncture because of tendinitis and within a few sessions, her wrist was feeling better, and the treatments also helped with her mood, energy, and anxiety.
They got into how acupuncture can help people find a connection between their body and mind, and how doing so can support mental health. Elana dealt with an eating disorder for years, and how acupuncture helped her get better.
They got into integrating acupuncture into more western medicine to promote whole-person health. Acupuncture is used before and after medical procedures at Tia, and theyâre getting great feedback on their integrated approach and seeing amazing growth!
Here are a few more resources on Dr. Elana and Acupuncture at Tia.
- https://asktia.com/article/elana-weisberg
- https://asktia.com/article/integrating-an-acupuncturist-s-perspective-to-product-development
Enjoy!
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon spoke with Hilary Quartner, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Hilma. Hilma makes natural remedies for health issues like digestion, head tension, immune support, allergies, and more.
Hilmaâs formulations are made with powerful herbs and minerals, created by a team of doctors, and backed by clinical research.
Unlike most over-the-counter options, Hilma is made without drugs, dyes, fillers, preservatives, or artificial sweeteners.
In their conversation, Hilary shared the Aha moment that led her and her co-founders to the creation of Hilma. One of them was struggling with a cold and realized that the Emergen-C Vitamin C supplement they resorted to could be completely reimagined to better align with their values, lifestyles, and modern understanding of nutrition and healing.
Beyond the academic research behind their formulations and hearing her thoughts on incorporating these alternatives with more conventional remedies, Hilary shared:
- Her tips for paying close attention to and focusing on the things in life and your career that get you excited and tapping into that ideally as part of work.
- And her brand recommendation for other moms to be, a maternity company called Hatch.
Enjoy
On this episode of WellBuilt, Jon had the pleasure of speaking with Kristina Saffran, Co-Founder and CEO of Equip.
Equip provides fully virtual treatment to people with anorexia, bulimia, and atypical eating disorders.
Theyâve based their treatment model on the gold standard of care, Family-Based Treatment â a 5-person care team that includes a family mentor, peer mentor, dietician, therapist, and medical provider.
Kristina was diagnosed with anorexia at ten years old. And she and her family were introduced to FBT after four hospitalizations and many relapses.
Kristina basically dedicated her life to this work after getting better. At the age of 15, she started a non-profit with the mission to raise money for patients who did not have financial access to treatment. This got her familiar with the broken system and got her passionate about creating a more accessible model
In their conversation, Jon and Kristina dug into the ways eating disorders have been misrepresented. There are many different types of people dealing with eating disorders that donât get the attention they deserve.
What made this episode even more personal is Jon's own challenges with food and eating. Kristina left him and our listeners with some interesting questions:
-
How often do you think about food?
-
How often do you think about your body and weight?
-
Do you want to think about them less? And what would it do for your mental health, focus, and attention if you could think about other things instead?
Enjoy!Â
Jon had a blast chatting with Juliet & Kelly Starrett, founders of The Ready State.
Their passion, knowledge, and candor around the wellness space as well as their own healthy habits and perspective on what needs to change on the systemic level for us to see positive change was inspiring.
Kelly & Juliet met 21 years ago when they were both professional whitewater paddlers at a world championship. They fell in love and did what any young and fit married couple would do... open a gym.
In 2005, they started San Francisco Cross Fit as the first CrossFit gym in SF, and the 21st worldwide (there are now more than 15K).
Their time in and around their fitness community and Kelly's experience treating members as a physical therapist inspired him to start creating digital content that would help people take care of their bodies and avoid injury in the first place.
This led them to build one of the first online subscription businesses in the world of health and fitness. Kelly focused on taking the practices and routines of high-performance athletes and making them accessible to the everyday person. In many ways, his work actually birthed the "mobility training" part of the wellness industry many of us benefit from today.
Beyond their story, Jon, Kelly, and Juliet covered a lot of ground and got into fun topics like: Why Juliet believes you need to earn the right to measure things like your heart-rate variability, why they're protective over their (and their kids) sleep, their non-profit and the awesome work they're doing with schools, universities, and fire departments, and much much more.
Jon had a great time speaking with Padmasree Warrior, Founder & CEO of Fable, a social platform and digital community for books and stories.
Padma is an impressive technology leader who really embodies her last name. She's had vast business & career experience and has spent plenty of time operating in the trenches.
Before Fable, Padma was the CTO of Cisco and Motorola Solutions, she's on the Board of Advisors for Microsoft and Spotify, and was the CEO of NIO (one of Tesla's main international competitors).
It was super interesting for us to hear Padma's take on reading as a core part of the wellness space. Her thesis is that in 10 years, mental wellness will mean a lot more than therapy and meditation just like physical fitness is no longer tied to the gym and pumping weights.
There were many gems in the conversation but some of our favorite parts were when they spoke about the importance of risk-taking, building teams and recruiting talent, and balancing work and life as a mother.
On the first episode of WellBuilt, Jon had a meaningful conversation about mental health with Zak Williams, Founder & CEO of PYM.
PYM stands for "Prepare Your Mind", and Zak created the company after struggling with his own mental health and trauma after his father, the late Robin Williams, died by suicide. Their first product is a gummy with an amino acid formulation of Gaba, L-Theanine, and Rhodiola that helps promote neurotransmitter health.
Longer-term, Zak and his team want to create a global brand that stands for mental health advocacy. Building an open dialogue and creating greater access to products and practices that can help people feel better.
Enjoy this broad-ranging chat where Jon and Zak geek out on topics adaptogens and dopamine, Zak shares his advice to his 18-year-old self and more.