In this episode of the Medical Fitness Podcast, we sit down with Doug Ribley, a seasoned leader and pioneer in the medical fitness industry with over 40 years of experience. Doug shares his journey from helping to build world-class wellness centers at Cleveland Clinic Akron General to advising health systems nationwide on how to create successful, sustainable wellness programs. He dives into the critical importance of using data-driven strategies to design and operate wellness centers, ensuring they align with market needs while delivering meaningful health outcomes. Doug emphasizes that achieving financial sustainability is not just about reducing costs but also about creating efficient, impactful programs that fulfill the mission of keeping communities healthy and well.

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Doug also explores the key elements that differentiate the medical fitness model from traditional fitness facilities, including medical oversight, qualified staff, clinical integration, and a focus on safety. He highlights innovative strategies such as the “surround wellness” approach to improve access for underserved populations and stresses the growing role of technology and virtual services in the future of medical fitness. This episode is packed with actionable insights for healthcare leaders, fitness professionals, and anyone passionate about building stronger, healthier communities through evidence-based wellness programs. Don’t miss this inspiring and informative discussion!

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We’re excited to share the latest episode of The Medical Fitness Podcast, featuring a groundbreaking conversation with Dr. John Jakicic, an internationally renowned expert in exercise science and obesity treatment. With decades of research and clinical experience, Dr. Jakicic brings invaluable insights into how physical activity can be integrated into modern healthcare to create transformative outcomes for patients.

In this episode, we explore key updates from the 2024 ACSM consensus statement on physical activity and obesity, highlighting why the conversation needs to move beyond weight loss to focus on holistic health and well-being. Dr. Jakicic unpacks the complexity of obesity treatment, emphasizing the importance of personalized care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the vital role of credentialed fitness professionals in bridging the gap between fitness and medicine.

Whether you’re a clinician, fitness professional, or someone passionate about improving healthcare, this episode offers actionable insights and a vision for the future of medical fitness. Don’t miss this engaging discussion that challenges the status quo and inspires a new way of thinking about obesity treatment.

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Episode Title: Breaking the Fitness-Medicine Barrier with Josh Lyons

Are you a clinician frustrated with vague exercise prescriptions that don’t stick? Or a fitness professional aiming to elevate your impact in the healthcare arena? Tune into a game-changing episode where we dive deep with Josh Lyons, CEO of Pinnacle Lifestyle Medicine, as he shares a bold new approach to transforming lives through medical fitness.

🩺 What’s Inside:

• Rethinking Exercise as Medicine: Discover why traditional fitness models struggle to serve chronic health needs and why the “self-serve pharmacy” approach falls short.
• Beyond Sick Care: Josh and our host break down the "false health curve" and the urgent need for a proactive, optimum-health mindset. Are you ready to be part of this paradigm shift?
• A Proven Medical Fitness Model: Get inspired by Pinnacle’s data-driven system, which marries fitness and healthcare to tackle chronic disease head-on—combining precision, accountability, and real health outcomes.
• Metrics That Motivate: Learn how a science-backed approach to goal setting can replace entertainment-based fitness, creating lasting change and high patient satisfaction.
• Bridging the Gap: From Technogym’s revolutionary equipment to real-time patient data, hear how Josh’s team is building trust with medical providers, proving that fitness deserves its place in the continuum of care.

Why You Should Listen: Join us for this insightful conversation and gain actionable advice on how to:

1. Build credibility with medical providers.
2. Design fitness programs that meet clinical standards.
3. Empower clients with meaningful progress and measurable success.

Whether you’re a clinician or fitness professional, this episode will challenge you to rethink, redesign, and redefine your approach to health and fitness!

🎧 Ready to transform the future of fitness in healthcare? Listen now to learn from the best and start making a real difference.

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