During my grief, it felt as though I was at a personal and professional crossroads. It took a long time, but I eventually realized I could no longer be the kind of physician I wanted to be within neurosurgery. Changing specialties meant leaving my training “family” within neurosurgery and finding a new path. I have been lucky to be supported along the way, but it was still a long and tough journey. I eventually found my calling within a specialty that resonated with me. You can imagine my shock when as a vascular surgeon, I received a call that my mother had suffered a stroke and was in intensive care out of country. In some ways, our family was catapulted back in time... for something that could have been prevented since her stroke was directly caused by undiagnosed diabetes. Through my patients and their families, plus these personal experiences, I have seen firsthand the impact of these events on everyone’s lives. We need a better way.
As the years have passed, I have begun exploring opportunities for prevention. I see the transformation in myself and others. While the program involves metrics that guides people towards greater health, there is also a mental side. Ancient practices are ways to unearth the “old knowledge” that lies deep within us. By building contemporary bridges between what we know and what we experience, we can implement a process to achieve our maximum healthspan. Simple tools for body and mind are part of the 60k intelligent design to ensure we see effective change for the whole person.
This brings me to the last point. I believe life is also about taking balanced risks and recognizing that there must be joy along the way. It’s different for each of us. For some, it might be about taking a thoughtful approach to risk during adrenalin sports and activities (as I do for mountaineering, surfing, and motorcycle riding) or simply acknowledging and then deciding to indulge with our favourite food or drink (as we all do). It’s crucial that we enjoy life along the way.
Ultimately, I share my story to let you know that it has shaped 60khealth. From my non-linear path, I have insights connecting the dots from my experiences. These insights uniquely stem from my understanding of the connection between our gut, nervous system, and the 60,000 miles of blood vessels necessary for every aspect of health. It means I understand that life is a process with highs and lows. However, as someone who believes in intelligent wellness, it means I know the difference between what is preventable, what is not, and balanced risk. It also means I know what wearable device metrics mean, how they intersect on health, and how to harness them for improving healthspan. Lastly, I understand that life doesn’t work with rigid “prescriptions”. There must be a balanced approach and fun along the way!
A fundamental element of 60khealth is that it is informed by academic and real-world inputs. As a result, I am not alone. My husband is Cameron Foster – a veteran athlete with over with 20 years coaching experience in rugby, mixed martial arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, women’s self-defence, and hockey. With a background in engineering, he sees solutions from a different angle. Most importantly, Cameron has an intuitive way of distilling down key messages and sport fundamentals to achieve success. 60khealth blends our approaches AND it WORKS.
