Beyond The Ordinary Mammoth

No one could have imagined how the COVID-19 pandemic would shape the future of work. The number of people working from home tripled between 2019 and 2021, from 5.7% to nearly 18%, according to 2022 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Many employees would rather quit than return to an office full-time, valuing flexibility and autonomy over higher paychecks. While several employers have adopted a hybrid model to accommodate employees’ preferences, some interactions simply aren’t the same over Zoom. 
As a software engineer in 2017, Renji Bijoy noticed that collaborating virtually was difficult in hybrid settings. This inspired Renji to become the CEO/CTO and Founder of Immersed, a Techstars startup, to enhance remote working environments with virtual reality. It wasn’t until remote work became the norm in 2020 that his company gained traction with Meta and Microsoft to build virtual reality offices. Now, Immersed has raised $12M to date and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
Renji chats with Tommy about the importance of flexibility in a startup environment, the key to selecting a high-performing team, and the role virtual offices will play in the next generation of the workforce.

Key Takeaways

[02:08] - Renji’s entrepreneurial journey.

[07:35] - The DARPA Grand Challenge.

[10:20] - The idea that Renji initially brought to TechStars.

[12:40] - How Renji pivoted to solve a new problem.

[14:34] - How Renji secured a partnership with Meta.

[15:29] - The financial hardship Renji faced in 2019.

[17:23] - Renji’s unconventional approach to hiring.

[20:38] - Renji’s secret to building a top-performing team. 

[23:13] - How crowdfunding works.

[25:57] - How Immerse became a fundraising success.

[28:45] - The virtual reality experience.

[31:37] - The future of virtual reality.

[36:50] -The next step for telepresence.

[39:00] - Renji’s favorite business contractor.

[43:54] - The best way to reach out to Renji.


Quotes
[35:35] - “Immersed is not something that we’re building because we love remote work, it’s something that we’re building because we actually hate remote work. We are trying to unite our world in such a way that actually allows people to get to the same space, regardless of where you’re at.” ~ Renji Bijoy
[43:06] - “Zoom is not the solution for hybrid remote teams now that companies want people in the office and only half of them want to come back.” ~ Renji Bijoy
[45:04] - “You start creating a global workforce as if you had everyone on-site. This is going to be the next generation of the workforce.” ~ Renji Bijoy

Links 

Renji Bijoy on LinkedIn

Renji Bijoy in Forbes 30 Under 30

Immersed on LinkedIn

The Grand Challenge

Sebastian Thrun on LinkedIn

Ryan Yep on LinkedIn

Techstars

Wefunder

U.S. Census Bureau - Working From Home


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Learn more about Mammoth Scientific's Health & Tech Fund 1
When you move beyond the point of making sure your retirement goals are on track, your investment opportunities are wider than just publicly traded funds. Step into the world of investing in venture capital by learning more about Mammoth Scientific's Health & Tech Fund 1. Curated by some of the leading medical and fintech experts, Mammoth's Fund 1 is paving the way for health science and tech innovation. If you're interested in helping patient care, provider insight, and instrumentation go beyond possibility and into reality, check it out today at Mammoth.vc. Visit Mammoth.vc today!

According to the CDC, the percentage of drug overdose deaths has quintupled since 1999. Opioids offer temporary relief from chronic or acute pain, but the drug does not address the underlying causal agent of the pain. Is there a way to heal patients without narcotics? 
Shan Padda, CEO of Harvard MedTech, has been passionate about relieving patients’ pain without using opioids since he studied neurobiology as a university student. Harvard MedTech’s Vx Therapy Program heals patients using virtual reality and helps 80% of patients suffering from chronic pain safely without any risk of addiction. Shan discusses why it’s important to maximize the patient experience, how to build successful relationships with prospective business partners, and why orthopedic surgeons support virtual reality therapy as a solution to chronic pain.
Shan chats with Tommy and Kameron Helmuth, Partner at Vestia Personal Wealth Advisors, about his transformation from a 16-year-old Harvard student to a five-time business owner, Shan’s disruption of the healthcare industry, and his quest to mitigate the country’s opioid epidemic.

Key Takeaways

[03:24] - How Shan became a serial entrepreneur.

[05:27] - Shan’s Harvard acceptance and college experience.

[08:15] - What prompted Shan to start his first company.

[11:06] - How Shan disrupted the home infusion therapy industry.

[14:30] - Shan’s quest to mitigate the country’s opioid epidemic.  

[18:11] - How Harvard MedTech heals patients without narcotics.

[21:38] - Neuroplasticity in the brain and pain resistance.

[24:12] - Why orthopedic surgeons love Harvard MedTech’s Vx Therapy Program.

[27:26] - The physician’s experience using Harvard MedTech. 

[32:58] - Shan’s entrepreneurial philosophy.

[34:40] - The insurance payer’s experience using Harvard MedTech.

[36:44] - How insurance companies proactively promote Harvard MedTech’s Vx Therapy Program.

[39:10] - Why Kameron is excited about Harvard MedTech’s product.

[40:56] - The best way to get in touch with Harvard MedTech.


Quotes
[09:44] - “My vision has always been, ‘how do we maximize the patient experience?’ Because if you have a better patient experience, the patient will get better faster. And that’s ultimately what healthcare is supposed to be about.” ~ Shan Padda
[20:31] - “When a patient has a VR headset with the right type of programming, they don’t feel their pain because their brain has automatically deprioritized it. The level of pain relief it provides is about a 50% analgesic benefit, which is the same exact benefit you would get from taking an opioid.” ~ Shan Padda
[32:58] - “My philosophy is when one is trying to create entrepreneurial constructs, you need to create an environment that adds the most value and creates the least amount of friction for whoever you're trying to partner with.” ~ Shan Padda

Links 

Shan Padda on LinkedIn

Kameron Helmuth on LinkedIn

Harvard MedTech

Vx Therapy Program

Harvard University

Center for Disease Control and Prevention


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Mammoth

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Learn more about Mammoth Scientific's Health & Tech Fund 1
When you move beyond the point of making sure your retirement goals are on track, your investment opportunities are wider than just publicly traded funds. Step into the world of investing in venture capital by learning more about Mammoth Scientific's Health & Tech Fund 1. Curated by some of the leading medical and fintech experts, Mammoth's Fund 1 is paving the way for health science and tech innovation. If you're interested in helping patient care, provider insight, and instrumentation go beyond possibility and into reality, check it out today at Mammoth.vc. Visit Mammoth.vc today!

Humans react in different ways when an emergency strikes. Some people thrive under pressure, but others can’t handle stressful scenarios. These reactions are influenced by the stakes of the situation. In cases where life or death is on the table - such as cardiac arrest - the odds of human error are multiplied. Around 80% of the time, people performing CPR give breaths too quickly, which can lead to hyperventilation. Jon Merrell hopes to alleviate this problem with the Butterfly BVM. 
In this episode, Tommy talks to Jon, CEO of Compact Medical, about the company’s latest product and how it is transforming the CPR space. The Butterfly BVM is a bag valve mask (BVM) that medical personnel can use to ventilate patients that are not breathing properly. Jon’s passion for problem-solving began as an elementary student and grew as he entered his first biomedical engineering class. His passion, adaptability, and effort led him into a challenging career as a full-time entrepreneur. 
Tommy talks to Jon about how he pivoted from physician to entrepreneur, how the Butterfly BVM reduces human error in stressful CPR situations, and how aspiring innovators should approach problems. Learn more at mammoth.vc.

Key Takeaways

[01:49] - How Jon got to where he is today.

[04:49] - Jon’s advice for aspiring innovators.

[06:24] - Jon’s decision to become a physician.

[09:44] - What led Jon back to engineering.

[14:26] - Jon’s inspiration behind Compact Medical.

[17:43] - How Compact Medical earned its first round of funding.

[20:17] - The history of bag valve masks.

[22:11] - What can go wrong with BVM (bag valve mask).

[24:30] - How the Butterfly BVM works.

[25:57] - How the Butterfly BVM minimizes human error.

[27:41] - Information overload in CPR situations.

[30:18] - What phase of development the Butterfly BVM is in today.

[31:31] - Jon’s suggestions for entrepreneurs.

[36:00] - Jon’s shift from physician to entrepreneur.

 [38:02] - How to stay updated on the Butterfly BVM and Compact Medical.


Quotes
[04:49] - “Don't start by finding solutions to things. Your first task is to go find really important problems to solve because a compelling problem will outlive any number of solutions that you may find.” ~ Jon Merrell
[29:02] - “There's a flurry of activity going on in any kind of CPR situation. If you can free up the mental space to be able to focus on what matters most, which is clearly the patient, not only is it a relief to the person who's doing the bagging, but it's also better and safer for the patient.” ~ Jon Merrell
[31:48] - “Build a multidisciplinary team. Figure out where the holes are, what are the skill sets you don’t have, and look for people to fill those holes. People who have those talents, but people who are also going to catch your vision and get excited about what you’re doing.” ~ Jon Merrell

Links 

Jon Merrell on LinkedIn

Compact Medical on LinkedIn

Compact Medical’s Website

The Butterfly BVM

The American Heart Association

The University of Virginia

Eastern Virginia Medical School

Riley Children’s Hospital

Purdue College of Engineering

Operation Smile

Dr. Bill Magee

gBeta


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Mammoth

Tommy on LinkedIn


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Learn more about Mammoth Scientific's Health & Tech Fund 1
When you move beyond the point of making sure your retirement goals are on track, your investment opportunities are wider than just publicly traded funds. Step into the world of investing in venture capital by learning more about Mammoth Scientific's Health & Tech Fund 1. Curated by some of the leading medical and fintech experts, Mammoth's Fund 1 is paving the way for health science and tech innovation. If you're interested in helping patient care, provider insight, and instrumentation go beyond possibility and into reality, check it out today at Mammoth.vc. Visit Mammoth.vc today!

While some cultures prioritize individual contributions, the Zimbabwe ubuntu social philosophy defines a person’s humanity by their communal contribution. This philosophy brings a unique perspective to the conversation about leadership, followership, and finding a voice. Our cultures shape our leaders, and our leaders shape us.
In this episode, Tommy talks with Reward Sibanda, Senior Advisor of Church and Community Relations at World Vision, about leadership development. What started as a conversation at a conference about how Reward met his wife turned into a conversation about Reward’s upbringing, the ubuntu philosophy, and cultural elements of leadership. 
Reward discusses with Tommy the importance of finding your context as a leader and capitalizing on your strengths to best serve the people around you. 

Key Takeaways

[04:15] - An introduction to Reward’s background.

[05:40] - Value systems in ethnolinguistic communities.

[06:33] - Ubuntu social philosophy.

[07:25] - Zimbabwean tribes and high-shame, high-honor cultures.

[12:00] - Negotiating for a bride by honoring her father.

[19:00] - The two aspects of negotiation.

[21:30] - The consequences of failed leadership.

[28:25] - Reward’s core fundamentals of leadership.

[32:33] - The importance of investing in your strengths.

[36:43] - The cultural aspects of leadership.

[37:48] - Community, faith, and discipline in leadership.

[46:32] - The result of Reward’s negotiation. 

[48:33] - How to keep in touch with Reward.


Quotes
[39:37] - “When I'm developing my skills, it's not about me or making more money or me rising to the top. It's about the simple fact that I get to turn around and make the entire culture, the entire country, the entire company better.” ~ Reward Sibanda
[41:43] - “On your path to leadership, you will have to be someone who truly disciplines yourself so that other people can gain.” ~ Reward Sibanda
[41:55] - “You’ve got to believe in something, something greater than yourself.” ~ Reward Sibanda 

Links 

Reward Sibanda on LinkedIn

Reward Sibanda’s Website

Reward Sibanda on Instagram

Reward Sibanda on Facebook

Reward Sibanda on Twitter

Reward Sibanda on YouTube

Ubuntu philosophy


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Mammoth

Tommy on LinkedIn


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Learn more about Mammoth Scientific's Health & Tech Fund 1
When you move beyond the point of making sure your retirement goals are on track, your investment opportunities are wider than just publicly traded funds. Step into the world of investing in venture capital by learning more about Mammoth Scientific's Health & Tech Fund 1. Curated by some of the leading medical and fintech experts, Mammoth's Fund 1 is paving the way for health science and tech innovation. If you're interested in helping patient care, provider insight, and instrumentation go beyond possibility and into reality, check it out today at Mammoth.vc. Visit Mammoth.vc today!

Music influences the way people view the world, themselves, and their circumstances. Musicians have a great power and responsibility to use their talent to shape society and evoke emotions from their audience.
In this episode, Tommy talks with versatile Music Producer and Composer Alexander Hitchens, who produces everything from rap to hip hop to classical music. Alexander worked hard as a teacher at the Monarch Center for Autism before he was able to make music his primary source of income. He attributes his success to working hard, putting himself out there, and getting creative about where his music can live. 
Alexander chats with Tommy about how he was able to make a living practicing his craft as well as the roles that perseverance, patience, and passion played in his transformation from a Cleveland-based violinist to a Grammy-winning music producer and composer.

Key Takeaways

[2:53] - How Alexander became interested in music.

[5:09] - Alexander’s first money-making musical gig.

[7:00] - How music transitioned from Alexander’s hobby to his career.

[10:40] - The story behind Alexander’s big break.

[16:12] - Alexander’s advice for aspiring producers.

[18:50] - How Alexander connected with Christian rapper Thi’sl.

[20:35] - Sound clip produced by Alexander, “I Hate You” by Thi’sl.

[21:57] - Alexander expands his musical repertoire.

[23:59] - Sound clip produced by Alexander, “The Greatest Artist of All Time” by Jefferson Bethke.

[25:00] - Alexander gets invited to compose for Nike.

[30:30] - Sound clip Alexander produced for Kobe Bryant, “Innovation Master.”

[32:53] - How to make a living doing your craft.

[35:07] - Why creativity is essential to being a producer.

[36:54] - The musical revenue model.

[45:04] - The intersection of music and autism.

[47:56] - The best way to keep in touch with Alexander.


Quotes
[09:50] - “I’m a big believer in making peace with the process. You have to lay brick by brick, piece by piece, relationship by relationship until one day, that door knocks.” ~ Alexander Hitchens
[42:41] - “We live in a culture where we always want to pick the fruit the same day we plant the seed. But guess what? That’s not how nature works. You gotta plant the seed and trust it, and in due time, you’ll reap the harvest that you’re supposed to reap.” ~ Alexander Hitchens
[48:28] - “Be a giver. If you plant and give, you’ll always find yourself in the right room.” ~ Alexander Hitchens

Links 

Alexander Hitchens on Twitter

Alexander Hitchens' Website

Alexander Hitchens on SoundCloud

Alexander Hitchens on Spotify

Alexander Hitchens on Apple Music

The Cleveland Orchestra

116 on Spotify

Monarch Center for Autism


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Mammoth

Tommy on LinkedIn


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Apple Podcasts

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Learn more about Mammoth Scientific's Health & Tech Fund 1
When you move beyond the point of making sure your retirement goals are on track, your investment opportunities are wider than just publicly traded funds. Step into the world of investing in venture capital by learning more about Mammoth Scientific's Health & Tech Fund 1. Curated by some of the leading medical and fintech experts, Mammoth's Fund 1 is paving the way for health science and tech innovation. If you're interested in helping patient care, provider insight, and instrumentation go beyond possibility and into reality, check it out today at Mammoth.vc. Visit Mammoth.vc today!

We rarely pay attention to health complications before there’s a need. Our approach to our health is reactive, with doctors focusing more on what to prescribe than what is causing these issues in the first place. How can we adopt a mindset that prioritizes prevention and proactivity?
In this episode, Tommy talks with Dr. Jeff Gladd, Chief Medical Officer at Fullscript. Working as a traditional doctor, Jeff noticed a reliance on prescription medication over exploring the root causes of patients’ health issues. This observation led Jeff to the world of integrative medicine, where an individual’s entire health journey is prioritized over a temporary solution.
Jeff discusses with Tommy misconceptions about functional medicine, how his partnership with Fullscript came to fruition, and the vital role of integrative medicine in preventing long-term health complications.

Key Takeaways

[03:44] - How Jeff’s mindset about medicine shifted over time.

[08:21] - The inspiration behind Jeff’s first integrative clinic, GladdMD.

[11:06] - Misconceptions about integrative medicine.

[14:25] - What separates integrative medicine from traditional medicine?

[17:22] - Jeff’s entrepreneurial transformation.

[18:37] - The story behind Mytavin, the nutrient depletion calculator.

 [19:50] - How Jeff’s partnership with Fullscript started.  

[21:11] - Services provided by Fullscript to integrative medical practices. 

[24:05] - Fullscript's commitment to the highest quality ingredients. 

[28:22] - Jeff's suggestions for maintaining a healthy, proactive lifestyle.

[31:57] - Why integrative practitioners should be screened. 

[34:41] - Jeff's advice for practitioners interested in or already practicing integrative medicine. 


Quotes
[11:05] - “We get a bad rap as integrative medicine or functional medicine as being these super restrictive, unsustainable diets. But it’s really about eating real food.” ~ Jeff Gladd
[14:58] - “We are not just interpreting labs based on the lab reference range, we take what’s optimal. What is the story that your data is telling us? Even more important than the single data point is the trend.”~ Jeff Gladd 
[32:18] - “Patients interested in this path need to screen practitioners to make sure they’re going to find someone you can sync with. Find someone who understands your goals and your budget and can guide you from that perspective. Not all practitioners are the same.” ~ Jeff Gladd

Links 

Jeff Gladd on LinkedIn

Jeff Glad on Twitter

GladdMD

Fullscript

Mytavin

Fullscript Webinars

The University of Arizona

The Institute for Functional Medicine

American Academy of Anti Aging Medicine (A4M)

Fellowship: Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Future of Medicine


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Mammoth

Tommy on LinkedIn


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Apple Podcasts

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Learn more about Mammoth Scientific's Health & Tech Fund 1
When you move beyond the point of making sure your retirement goals are on track, your investment opportunities are wider than just publicly traded funds. Step into the world of investing in venture capital by learning more about Mammoth Scientific's Health & Tech Fund 1. Curated by some of the leading medical and fintech experts, Mammoth's Fund 1 is paving the way for health science and tech innovation. If you're interested in helping patient care, provider insight, and instrumentation go beyond possibility and into reality, check it out today at Mammoth.vc. Visit Mammoth.vc today!