In this episode of Precision Medicine Made Simple, we’re joined by Dr. Rich Joseph, a physician with a rare blend of expertise as both a strength and conditioning specialist and a competitive athlete. Dr. Joseph is the founder of VIM Medicine and the Board Chair of Vital Connections. He’s also a faculty member at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where he focuses on preventive medicine.
Dr. Joseph’s unique approach integrates performance medicine, which he defines as the capacity to bring energy and attention to what matters most in life. His philosophy blends athletic mindset and proactive health practices to help people achieve peak performance in all aspects of life—physical, mental, and emotional.
In this episode, we dive into his journey from athlete to physician, how he started VIM Medicine, and how performance medicine can optimize health and longevity. We also discuss the importance of mindset, recovery, and behavior in achieving long-term wellness.
Key Takeaways
- The concept of performance medicine and its relevance to overall well-being.
- How performance-based healthcare goes beyond disease treatment to emphasize proactive, personalized care.
- The importance of behavioral grounding and experimentation in health optimization.
- How to use performance metrics like VO2 max and strength to monitor and improve health.
- The evolution of health insurance and its role in a more proactive, patient-centered care model.
- The growing field of longevity and the need for more balance in the conversation around aging
In This Episode
- [00:00] Introduction to Dr. Rich Joseph’s approach to performance medicine
- [05:15] Transitioning from athletic training to a medical career
- [10:00] The importance of a mindset focused on progress over perfection
- [14:30] Starting VIM Medicine and the integration of exercise into healthcare
- [20:00] The role of recovery and mindset in optimizing longevity
- [25:00] Exploring peptides, supplements, and managing the noise in health trends
- [30:00] Biomarkers: What should you focus on for long-term health?
- [35:00] The difference between functional medicine, longevity medicine, and personalized care
- [40:00] Vital Connections and the effort to address healthcare inequities in Boston
- [45:30] Dr. Joseph’s vision for the future of healthcare and his practice’s growth
Notable Quotes
- “Health is an asset, something you have to strategically manage and invest over the long term.” – Dr. Rich Joseph
- “You can’t just treat the symptoms; you have to optimize performance to live well.” – Dr. Rich Joseph
- “Prevention is not sexy, but performance is something everyone can get behind.” – Dr. Rich Joseph
- “You have to pair stimulus with recovery to create adaptation.” – Dr. Rich Joseph
Our Guest
Dr. Rich Joseph is a Harvard-trained internist, founder of VIM Medicine, and Chief Medical Officer at Restore Hyper Wellness. With a background in strength and conditioning, he has created a unique model of Performance Medicine that combines athletic principles with healthcare. His approach emphasizes proactive health strategies, personalized wellness, and performance optimization. Dr. Joseph also leads Vital Connections, a nonprofit focused on improving health equity and community well-being.
Resources and Links
Dr. Rich Joseph
