Return on Health

Niko Hems and Miguel Medina

Health is full of strong claims, conflicting voices, and bold promises. Most people end up overwhelmed and unsure who to trust. Return on Health aims to bring clarity by listening to every side, asking hard questions, and keeping science and common sense at the center. Hosted by Niko Hems and Miguel Medina Stanivukovic, the podcast takes a clear look at longevity, prevention, performance, and the future of health. We invite researchers, founders, clinicians, skeptics, and innovators, then pressure-test their ideas. Some viewpoints will align. Others will clash. That is the point.

Episodes

  1. Longevity Doctor: The Hidden Power of Metabolic Flexibility

    6 DAYS AGO

    Longevity Doctor: The Hidden Power of Metabolic Flexibility

    Unlock the secrets to lasting health and longevity with Dr. Rhea Kotecha - a physician bridging functional medicine, longevity, and science to transform the way we age. Discover why metabolic health is the underrated pillar of a long, vibrant life, and learn practical strategies that go beyond quick fixes to create real, sustainable change. If you've ever wondered how to assess your true health potential or how personalized medicine can help you avoid the pitfalls of one-size-fits-all protocols, this episode is your essential guide. Takeaways Longevity is not just about adding years but optimizing healthspan.The gap between knowledge and action is where health interventions fail.Personalized protocols based on biomarkers are essential for effective longevity strategies.Metabolic health is a crucial pillar of healthspan optimization.Visualizing future health can motivate clients to adhere to protocols.Functional foods can be both beneficial and a marketing gimmick.A whole food approach is vital for improving health outcomes.Adherence to protocols is often hindered by overwhelming information.Medical education should emphasize holistic approaches to health.The healthcare system needs to adapt to prioritize healthspan optimization. Summary In this conversation, Dr. Rhea Kotecha discusses the multifaceted approach to longevity, emphasizing the importance of understanding healthspan over mere lifespan. She highlights the significance of personalized protocols based on biomarkers, the role of metabolic health, and the need for a holistic view in medical education. The discussion also covers the challenges of adherence to health protocols, the impact of functional foods, and the necessity of visualizing future health to motivate clients. Dr. Kotecha advocates for a shift in the healthcare system towards proactive health management, focusing on optimizing healthspan. Chapters 00:00 Understanding Longevity: A Multifaceted Approach 02:02 The Intersection of Medicine, Psychology, and Nutrition 04:06 The Role of Psychology in Health Interventions 06:03 Functional Foods: Marketing vs. Reality 08:15 Assessing Longevity: The Importance of Individualization 10:15 Key Biomarkers for Longevity Assessment 11:55 Metabolic Health: The Foundation of Longevity 14:57 Microbiome Testing: Promise and Challenges 19:22 Visualizing Longevity: Engaging Clients in Their Health Journey 23:23 Fermented Buckwheat: A Nutritional Powerhouse 27:00 The Importance of Gut Health and Fermented Foods 28:53 Creating a Balanced Fiber and Protein Blend 33:24 Client Readiness and Longevity Protocols 35:29 Improving Adherence in Medical Protocols 40:45 Navigating Evidence-Based Medicine and Experimental Interventions 45:31 Practicing Longevity Medicine in a Traditional Healthcare System 47:17 Misconceptions About Longevity and Healthspan 49:02 The Anthropological Perspective on Longevity 51:14 Bridging the Gap Between Modern Life and Evolutionary Needs 53:27 Key Interventions for Healthspan Improvement 54:08 Overhyped Longevity Interventions to Avoid 54:53 Future of Personalized Supplementation 55:27 The Role of AI in Longevity Medicine 56:03 Reforming Healthcare Incentives for Longevity Follow Rhea:https://www.instagram.com/drrheakotecha/ https://www.drrheakotecha.com/ More about Return on Health: https://returnonhealth.de/ Niko: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niko-hems/ https://www.instagram.com/niko_hems https://nikohems.de/ Miguel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-medina-stanivukovic-857b9720b/ https://www.instagram.com/miguelmedinastanivukovic/?hl=en Keywords longevity, healthspan, biomarkers, metabolic health, functional foods, personalized medicine, adherence, medical education, evolutionary health, anthropological perspective

    57 min
  2. Stanford-Trained MD: Do This to Prevent Chronic Disease

    13 FEB

    Stanford-Trained MD: Do This to Prevent Chronic Disease

    This episode digs into why midlife health quietly shapes your future more than most people realize - and why the healthcare system is structurally bad at dealing with that phase of life. Together with Stanford-trained MD Ali Zaidi, we talk about what actually changes in your body during midlife, which signals people tend to miss, and where medicine often reacts too late instead of setting the right defaults early on. A grounded conversation about biology, behavior, and why “doing nothing until something breaks” is still the dominant strategy in most health systems. Takeaways Midlife health is crucialPreventive care is undervalued in the healthcare system Longevity interventionsTesting for mid-lifers Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Midlife Health06:02 Physiological Changes in Midlife19:02 Personal Health Stories and Biases28:10 Experimental Approaches in Healthcare36:18 Exploring Red Light Therapy and Vision Health Follow Ali:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-zaidi-4a81121/https://www.alizaidimd.com/ More about Return on Health: https://returnonhealth.de/ Niko: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niko-hems/ https://www.instagram.com/niko_hems https://nikohems.de/ Miguel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-medina-stanivukovic-857b9720b/ https://www.instagram.com/miguelmedinastanivukovic/?hl=en

    55 min
  3. What is Return on Health?

    12 FEB

    What is Return on Health?

    In our first episode, we explain why this podcast exists. We talk about how Miguel and Niko met during their Master’s at NOVA SBE, how endless late-night debates about health, medicine, and broken incentives slowly turned into a shared frustration with the system - and why starting this podcast became the only logical step. We break down what “Return on Health” actually means: why most health decisions optimize for short-term comfort, not long-term outcomes;why good intentions fail when incentives are misaligned;and why prevention, incentives, and system design matter more than hacks and biohacking trends.You’ll get a clear sense of: what we will challenge on this podcastwho this is for (founders, operators, builders, and anyone tired of health content that oversimplifies reality)how we’ll approach topics: data-driven, critical, open to uncertaintywhy we will talk to people we disagree withand why some “promising” health ideas never get good evidence — and what to do with that reality More about Return on Health: https://returnonhealth.de/ Niko: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niko-hems/ https://www.instagram.com/niko_hems https://nikohems.de/ Miguel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-medina-stanivukovic-857b9720b/ https://www.instagram.com/miguelmedinastanivukovic/?hl=en

    18 min
  • 3 Episodes

About

Health is full of strong claims, conflicting voices, and bold promises. Most people end up overwhelmed and unsure who to trust. Return on Health aims to bring clarity by listening to every side, asking hard questions, and keeping science and common sense at the center. Hosted by Niko Hems and Miguel Medina Stanivukovic, the podcast takes a clear look at longevity, prevention, performance, and the future of health. We invite researchers, founders, clinicians, skeptics, and innovators, then pressure-test their ideas. Some viewpoints will align. Others will clash. That is the point.

Information

  • Creator
    Niko Hems and Miguel Medina
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Niko Hems and Miguel Medina
  • Show Website
    Return on Health