Send us a text In this episode, we explore career pivots, real-world behavior change, and navigating life’s curveballs with Val Silfee: exercise physiologist, behavioral scientist, and principal consultant helping digital health teams build interventions that actually work. Val shares how a single keynote at SBM cracked open her sense of what was possible beyond academia, the culture shock of moving to industry, and the six-month ramp it took to feel fluent. We also go deep on resilience: buying a house, getting laid off days later, a toddler ER visit, and a year-long mystery illness, plus how therapy, medication, and mantras helped her rebuild. Finally, we talk about Evolve Consulting, co-leading the IGNITE Bootcamp with Dr. Christine May, and why behavior change happens outside the app. In This Episode, You’ll Learn The “lightbulb” moment that sparked Val’s academia→industry jumpWhy six months of imposter feelings is normal (and what speeds up the ramp)How to survive (and grow from) layoffs, health uncertainty, and caregiving overloadPractical scripts for asking “basic” questions in corporate settingsWhy behavior change doesn’t live in your product—and how to design for real lifeA simple mantra for decision-making under uncertaintyConsulting mindsets: scoping to constraints, selling value, staying flexibleWhat academics consistently undervalue (and how to translate it for industry)Featured Guest: Valerie Silfee Val is a behavioral scientist and exercise physiologist with experience across health systems (UPMC), consumer weight management (WW), and digital therapeutics. Today she consults with digital health orgs on evidence-based interventions and co-leads IGNITE Bootcamp to help academics/clinicians navigate industry transitions. Highlights & Takeaways Normalize the ramp: Expect ~6 months to feel fluent in a new org’s language and priorities—ask “What does that acronym mean?” early and often.Design beyond the app: The decisive moments (what to eat, when to move, how to cope) happen in kitchens, commutes, and grocery aisles—build supports that meet people there.Translate your edge: Your superpower is synthesizing complex evidence into clear, actionable narratives for design, product, and leadership. Own it.Work the uncertainty: “I can only work with the information I have today.” Pair therapy/skills practice with tools (meds, movement, meditation) to lower cognitive noise.Consulting muscle: Start with constraints (time/budget), propose right-sized options, and stay flexible as priorities shift.Resources & Mentions Evolve Consulting with Christine MayWorkshops for Academics Connect with Val on LinkedIn Support the show Get in Touch Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design. Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation.
