Vitals & Values: Concierge Medicine of West Michigan

Concierge Medicine Of West Michigan
  • 5.0 (7)
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Science Over Hype.  Values Over Virality. Vitals & Values is where evidence-based health meets unapologetic truth. Hosted by Dr. Lara (@lbaat), a concierge MD reshaping modern medicine, and David Roden (@Fit_DRock), a transformation coach who lost over 200 pounds and lived to tell the tale, this podcast isn’t here to go viral—it’s here to tell the truth. Every episode dives deep into: 🧬 Medicine & Metabolic Health🥦 Nutrition & Sustainable Weight Loss🏋️‍♂️ Fitness & Habit Formation✝ Christian Faith & Spiritual Stewardship💭 Mental Health & Lifestyle Resets 📅 Weekly Format: Vitals Check – Clinical clarity from Dr. LaraValues in Focus – Real-world forces behind health: mindset, faith, emotions, relationships, identity, and environmentThe Honest Table – Candid convos & unfiltered guestsThe Real Takeaway – A lifestyle or mindset challenge for the week This isn’t wellness theater. It’s not guru culture. It’s a movement for people who want to think critically, live intentionally, and take their health personally. 🎧 New episodes every Friday 📲 Follow @lbaat & @Fit_DRock on Instagram/TikTok 💼 Brought to you by Concierge Medicine of West Michigan – @cmwestmichiganThe information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your personal physician before making changes to your health routine.

  1. 1h ago

    Healthy Habits in Marriage: What Changed in Our First 4 Months

    Send us Fan Mail Nearly four months into marriage, Lara and David get honest about what it actually takes to build healthy habits as a couple. One of them comes at health from the clinical side and the other from the anti-diet, biology-over-willpower side. Most of the time that works beautifully. Sometimes it turns into a negotiation over the snack cabinet. They cover workout routines and personal preferences, meal prep, handling sweets and snacks at home, the sleep boundaries that keep the peace, managing stress, and why shared values, including faith, make everything else easier. It's not a picture-perfect version of marriage. It's a real one, with routines that bend, chores that get divided, and a lot of growing along the way. In this episode: Building healthy habits in a brand-new life stageAligning values and handling differencesExercise routines, daily movement, and doing it your own wayFood choices, meal prep, and what happens when sweets are in the houseSleep habits and the boundaries that protect themStress, emotional health, and communicationSpiritual health and shared valuesStaying flexible with routines and household choresChapters 0:00 Introduction to Marriage and Routine Challenges 1:59 Creating Healthy Habits in a New Life Stage 4:08 Aligning Values and Managing Differences 7:06 Exercise Routines and Personal Preferences 9:59 Balancing Physical Activity and Daily Movement 13:10 Food Choices, Meal Prep, and Dietary Preferences 17:02 Handling Sweets, Snacks, and Food Accessibility 20:58 Sleep Habits, Boundaries, and Adjustments 25:10 Stress Management and Emotional Well-being 27:54 Communication, Spirituality, and Shared Values 31:59 Routines, Household Chores, and Flexibility 33:52 Reflections on Growth and Future Plans 35:05 Conclusion and Next Steps in the Journey of Marriage What's your household's biggest health disagreement? Tell us in the comments or leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Concierge Medicine of West Michigan at cmwestmichigan.com. Vitals & Values is for educational purposes only and is not individualized medical advice. Talk with your physician about your own health.

  2. Sep 22

    Are Your Hormones Really Out of Balance? — Cortisol, Testosterone & Menopause Myths

    Send us Fan Mail Hormones have become one of the biggest targets of health misinformation online. High cortisol. Low testosterone. Hormone imbalance. Estrogen dominance. Perimenopause. But how much can a blood test actually tell you — and when is hormone testing really necessary? In this episode of Vitals & Values, David sits down with Dr. Lara Baatenburg to separate hormone fact from social media fiction. They break down what cortisol actually does, why Cushing syndrome is far different from simply being “stressed,” what testosterone numbers can and can't tell us, and why diagnosing perimenopause isn't always as simple as ordering a hormone panel. Dr. Lara also explains an important principle that often gets lost online: medicine isn't just about treating a number on a lab report. It's about understanding the patient, their symptoms, their history, and the clinical context. In this episode: What cortisol actually does in the bodyWhy high cortisol doesn't automatically mean something is wrongCushing syndrome and why it's relatively rareWhen cortisol testing is actually appropriateTestosterone levels and misconceptions around TRTWhy a single hormone test doesn't always give you the full pictureHow physicians evaluate perimenopauseWhen hormone testing can help guide treatmentStress, obesity, and their relationship with hormone levelsWhy social media makes hormone health seem simpler than it really isChapters 00:00 — The hormone testing myths taking over social media 02:14 — What cortisol actually does 05:17 — Cushing syndrome: what it is and how rare it is 08:07 — Normal vs. abnormal cortisol 12:12 — Testosterone, low T and TRT misconceptions 17:28 — Perimenopause: symptoms, age and diagnosis 22:39 — When hormone testing is actually necessary 26:33 — Using hormone tests to guide treatment 30:17 — Why hormones are more complicated than social media suggests 36:19 — The misinformation problem Vitals & Values — Science Over Hype, Values Over Virality.

  3. Sep 15

    Our Top 5 Fall Foods — And the Ones We Think Are Overrated

    Send us Fan Mail Fall is here — which means chili, fresh Michigan apples, pumpkin baked goods, roasted vegetables, pot roast…and apparently a butternut squash plant that has completely taken over our garden. In this lighter episode of Vitals & Values, Lara and David share the fall foods they look forward to most, debate the foods that might be a little overrated, and talk about why eating seasonally can be both fun and good for adding more variety to your diet. They also get into food fear, why enjoying pumpkin bars or cobbler doesn’t make your diet “bad,” the benefits of shopping local and eating fresh produce, and why David still feels personally attacked by Lara’s opinion of people who eat the same foods every day. From chili and Honeycrisp apples to pumpkin bars, butternut squash and pot roast, this one is less about creating the perfect diet and more about enjoying food, embracing variety, and making room for the foods that make each season great. What fall food did we miss?

  4. Sep 8

    DO YOU REALLY NEED THE ER? | The $350 vs. $2,000+ Healthcare Problem

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Todd Chassee, Dr. Lara Baatenburg and David discuss the innovative model of Right Care Clinic, its benefits over traditional emergency rooms, and how it aims to transform healthcare delivery in West Michigan. They share personal experiences, the clinic's unique features, and insights into healthcare cost management. In this episode, we explore the innovative model of Right Care Clinic, its challenges, and future plans. Our guests share insights on healthcare delivery, marketing, insurance complexities, physician wellness, and the impact of media on medical practice. Key  Topics The origin and mission of Right Care Clinic Differences between urgent care, ER, and the Right Care model Cost savings and patient experience improvements The clinic's unique features like expanded labs and imaging Physician ownership and its impact on care quality Challenges and surprises in launching the clinic The model and growth plans of Right Care Clinic Challenges with insurance reimbursement and patient billing Physician burnout and wellness strategies Marketing and community outreach for healthcare services Partnerships with specialists and hospital systems Media influence on perceptions of emergency medicine Future expansion and sustainability of healthcare clinics Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Right Care Clinic and its mission 00:01 Introduction to Right Care Clinic and Guests 01:57 Dr. Chassee's background and the clinic's origin 03:58 How the clinic differs from traditional emergency rooms 04:13 The Model and Growth Plans of Right Care Clinic 06:53 Personal experience with the clinic and cost comparison 08:06 Challenges with Insurance and Patient Billing 10:01 Services offered and conditions treated at the clinic 11:53 Physician Wellness and Burnout in Emergency Medicine 13:02 Financial model and insurance considerations 15:59 Surprises and lessons learned after two years of operation 16:14 Marketing Strategies and Community Outreach 17:53 Marketing, target audience, and future plans 20:00 Partnerships with Specialists and Hospital Systems 23:52 Media Influence on Emergency Medicine Perceptions 27:57 Future Expansion and Sustainability of Healthcare Clinics

  5. Aug 26

    The Truth About MMR: What Actually Changed (and What Didn't)

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the complexities of vaccine information, media portrayal, and public perception, focusing on the MMR vaccine and recent debates. Our experts clarify misconceptions, review historical data, and discuss the influence of social media and political figures. Key Topics History of the MMR vaccine from 1963 to present Vaccine efficacy and safety data over 50 years Misconceptions and misinformation about vaccines The influence of social media and political figures on vaccine perception Recent changes and proposals in vaccine recommendations The importance of reading full research and context How headlines can mislead public understanding The role of healthcare professionals and public accountability Chapters 00:00 Introduction to vaccine misinformation and headlines 01:53 History of the MMR vaccine and its development 03:58 Vaccine efficacy, safety, and common misconceptions 06:06 The influence of social media and political figures 08:02 Recent changes in vaccine recommendations and proposals 09:58 Misinterpretation of research and headlines 12:02 Current measles outbreak and vaccination rates 14:05 The importance of reading full research and context 16:09 Public trust, media portrayal, and accountability 18:01 Healthy skepticism versus misinformation 20:01 How to critically evaluate vaccine information 21:55 Final thoughts on vaccine communication and trust

  6. Aug 18

    Why Your Pain Keeps Coming Back: What Manual Therapy Can Find

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Melissa shares her unique journey from massage therapy to manual therapy and physical therapy, emphasizing the importance of manual techniques, patient trust, and the shift from volume-based to results-oriented care. Discover how her holistic approach and personal passions influence her practice and patient outcomes. In this episode, experts discuss innovative approaches to physical therapy, manual therapy, muscle activation, and personalized patient care, emphasizing the importance of intuition and experience in treatment. Key  Topics Melissa's progression from massage to physical therapy The role of manual therapy and bodywork Differences between insurance-based and cash-based models Building patient trust and personalized care Manual therapy techniques and their applications The importance of patient education and communication Shifting from volume to results in healthcare Melissa's personal passions and their influence on her practice Muscle activation and inhibition techniques Manual therapy and manual releases Patient-specific treatment strategies The role of intuition and experience in therapy Addressing chronic pain and systemic issues The importance of personalized therapy plans Differences in treatment approaches for men and women The challenge of diagnosing and treating complex conditions The value of manual therapy as an art form Building tolerance and long-term patient outcomes

  7. Aug 11

    10 Health Mistakes We Made Trying to Be Healthy

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, David and Lara share their personal health journeys and debunk common myths about nutrition, sleep, and fitness. They emphasize the importance of humility, adaptability, and understanding science to make sustainable health choices.  Key  Topics Personal health journeys and lessons learned The teachability index and willingness to change Common misconceptions about sleep, supplements, and diet The role of carbs, fasting, and calorie intake in health The importance of humility and adaptability in health choices  Sound Bites "I've almost taken away almost every single supplement" "Running is not the only way to stay healthy" "Eating less isn't always the answer" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to common health misconceptions 02:02 Personal health journeys and lessons learned 04:10 The myth of supplements and whole foods 06:21 Undervaluing sleep and its impact 09:06 The truth about water intake and overhydration 12:25 The evolution of running and exercise habits 14:36 Myth of low carb diets and carbs as fuel 17:02 The dangers of restrictive eating and cheat days 19:18 Fasting, intermittent fasting, and their misconceptions 22:30 The obsession with eating less and body image 27:09 Health is not solely determined by weight 28:18 Embracing humility and continuous learning in health

  8. Aug 4

    The Testosterone Boom: Who Actually Needs TRT?

    Send us Fan Mail People are talking about testosterone more than ever—but who actually needs it? In this episode of Vitals & Values, David shares his personal six-month experience on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) while Dr. Treisenberg separates science from social media. Together they discuss:  The real symptoms of low testosterone  Why so many younger men are seeing lower testosterone levels  Who should (and shouldn't) consider TRT  How testosterone affects energy, mood, muscle, libido, and mental health  Fertility concerns every younger man needs to understand  The truth about heart disease and prostate cancer risks  Injection vs. cream vs. pellet therapy  How doctors safely monitor testosterone therapy  Whether estrogen blockers are actually necessary  The growing popularity of peptides like BPC-157 and what the evidence really shows Whether you're simply curious about testosterone or actively considering treatment, this episode offers an evidence-based discussion designed to help you make informed decisions instead of following internet trends. Low testosterone is diagnosed using both symptoms and lab work.  Free testosterone often matters more than total testosterone.   TRT isn't appropriate for every man.   Lifestyle changes should accompany hormone therapy.   Testosterone can improve energy, mood, muscle mass, libido, and quality of life for the right patient.   Fertility is an essential discussion before starting TRT.   Regular blood work is critical during treatment.   Heart disease and prostate cancer fears are often overstated when therapy is appropriately monitored.   Injection therapy tends to be the most reliable delivery method.   Pellets and creams have important limitations.   Estrogen management should be individualized—not automatic.   Not everyone responds dramatically to testosterone.   Peptides remain promising but are still an evolving area of medicine.   Evidence should always outweigh testimonials.

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Science Over Hype.  Values Over Virality. Vitals & Values is where evidence-based health meets unapologetic truth. Hosted by Dr. Lara (@lbaat), a concierge MD reshaping modern medicine, and David Roden (@Fit_DRock), a transformation coach who lost over 200 pounds and lived to tell the tale, this podcast isn’t here to go viral—it’s here to tell the truth. Every episode dives deep into: 🧬 Medicine & Metabolic Health🥦 Nutrition & Sustainable Weight Loss🏋️‍♂️ Fitness & Habit Formation✝ Christian Faith & Spiritual Stewardship💭 Mental Health & Lifestyle Resets 📅 Weekly Format: Vitals Check – Clinical clarity from Dr. LaraValues in Focus – Real-world forces behind health: mindset, faith, emotions, relationships, identity, and environmentThe Honest Table – Candid convos & unfiltered guestsThe Real Takeaway – A lifestyle or mindset challenge for the week This isn’t wellness theater. It’s not guru culture. It’s a movement for people who want to think critically, live intentionally, and take their health personally. 🎧 New episodes every Friday 📲 Follow @lbaat & @Fit_DRock on Instagram/TikTok 💼 Brought to you by Concierge Medicine of West Michigan – @cmwestmichiganThe information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your personal physician before making changes to your health routine.

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