Vitals & Values: Concierge Medicine of West Michigan
Science Over Hype.
Values Over Virality.
Vitals & Values is where evidence-based health meets unapologetic truth. Hosted by Dr. Lara (@lbaat), a concierge MD reshaping modern medicine, and David Roden (@Fit_DRock), a transformation coach who lost over 200 pounds and lived to tell the tale, this podcast isn’t here to go viral—it’s here to tell the truth.
Every episode dives deep into:
- 🧬 Medicine & Metabolic Health
- 🥦 Nutrition & Sustainable Weight Loss
- 🏋️♂️ Fitness & Habit Formation
- ✝ Christian Faith & Spiritual Stewardship
- 💭 Mental Health & Lifestyle Resets
📅 Weekly Format:
- Vitals Check – Clinical clarity from Dr. Lara
- Values in Focus – Real-world forces behind health: mindset, faith, emotions, relationships, identity, and environment
- The Honest Table – Candid convos & unfiltered guests
- The Real Takeaway – A lifestyle or mindset challenge for the week
This isn’t wellness theater. It’s not guru culture. It’s a movement for people who want to think critically, live intentionally, and take their health personally.
🎧 New episodes every Friday
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💼 Brought to you by Concierge Medicine of West Michigan – @cmwestmichigan
The information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your personal physician before making changes to your health routine.
Vitals & Values: Concierge Medicine of West Michigan
“Profit vs. Patients?” A Real Conversation About Big Pharma
Summary
In this episode of "Vitals and Values," David Roden and Dr. Lara delve into the complex relationship between patients, healthcare, and the pharmaceutical industry. David shares his personal experiences as a patient needing medication and discusses the common blame placed on Big Pharma for health issues. The conversation challenges the stigma surrounding pharmaceutical companies, emphasizing that while profit is a primary motive, it does not equate to a desire to harm patients. They explore the significant costs of research and development in the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting that many drugs fail to reach the market, and the companies must recoup losses from successful products.
The discussion shifts to the broader context of health, where David argues that lifestyle choices play a crucial role in chronic diseases, often overshadowed by the focus on pharmaceutical solutions. They emphasize the importance of personal responsibility in health management, advocating for lifestyle changes over solely relying on medications. The episode concludes with a call for a balanced view of the pharmaceutical industry, recognizing both its contributions to health and the need for critical scrutiny of its practices.
Takeaways
Big Pharma's primary goal is profit, but that doesn't mean they want to harm patients.
Lifestyle choices significantly impact health and chronic diseases.
Pharmaceutical companies invest billions in R&D, with many drugs failing to reach the market.
Patients often blame Big Pharma for health issues without considering their own lifestyle choices.
Wellness influencers can profit similarly to pharmaceutical companies, yet criticize them for profit motives.
