The Underdog Physician Podcast

In this episode of the Underdog Physician Podcast, host interviews Dr. Ryan Grant, a neurosurgeon, healthcare executive, educator, and serial entrepreneur behind venture-backed startups including Vori Health and Nomad Health. Dr. Grant shares early inspirations for medicine and entrepreneurship, emphasizing a mindset of courage, adaptability, learning from failure, and a “healthy disrespect for the status quo.” He encourages people stuck in analysis paralysis to start, confront fear and discomfort, and avoid future regret. Dr. Grant explains the inception of Vori Health as a 50-state medical practice addressing widespread non–evidence-based musculoskeletal care and high rates of inappropriate spine surgery, arguing that surgeons are often the wrong first specialists for conservative management. Vori’s model employs non-operative specialists (PM&R/sports medicine), physical therapists, and coaches, with physician and PT conducting history and exam together, combining medical and functional diagnoses and using a biopsychosocial approach that prioritizes what matters to patients. The conversation covers team-building principles focused on self-awareness, hiring people who complement founders’ weaknesses, prioritizing culture, and interviewing for collaborative traits. Dr. Grant discusses venture funding as a function of desired scale, advises seeking “smart money,” and stresses that founders must always be selling their vision to investors, talent, customers, and patients through clear storytelling and a concise pitch refined through feedback. He also describes how a CEO’s role shifts from doing everything to delegating, managing metrics, confronting brutal facts, and ensuring the company builds what customers want. Dr. Grant closes with a legacy goal of using what he’s learned to help others, improve healthcare, and remain both a teacher and student.

00:00 Meet Dr. Ryan Grant: Neurosurgeon, Executive & Serial Entrepreneur
00:52 Why Medicine? Early Curiosity, Service & the Pull Toward Neurosurgery
01:47 First Businesses & the Entrepreneurial Mindset
04:20 Beating Analysis Paralysis: Books, Fear, and ‘Just Start’
06:21 Why Worry Health Exists: Fixing Broken MSK Care & Inappropriate Spine Surgery
08:55 The New Care Model: Right First Specialist + Integrated PT/Physician Team
11:25 Patient-First MSK Care: What Matters to the Patient, Not Just the Diagnosis
14:17 Building a Startup Team: Self-Awareness, Hiring for Culture, Avoiding Ego Traps
18:13 Venture Funding & Networking: Always Be Selling + Choosing the Right Investors
23:25 Founder-to-CEO Evolution: Delegation, Metrics, Feedback & Product-Market Fit
26:09 Legacy & Closing: Teaching, Learning, and Leaving Healthcare Better

In this episode of the Underdog Physician Podcast, we interview Dr. Amit Gir, an internal medicine physician turned logistics innovator. Amit shares his journey from developing a medication reminder app to founding Phox Health, a company revolutionizing the delivery of prescriptions and medical supplies. He discusses the challenges and lessons learned in entrepreneurship, the importance of branding and problem-solving, and the unique aspects of handling high-value medical logistics. Amit also explores the balance between family, career, and startup life, offering insights into funding, perseverance, and the mindset required for entrepreneurial success. The episode provides valuable lessons for anyone interested in the intersection of healthcare, technology, and entrepreneurship.

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Amit Gir and Fox Health
00:45 Amit’s Journey from Medicine to Logistics
01:53 The Birth of Phox Health
02:31 Challenges and Failures in Early Ventures
05:13 The Importance of Branding and Marketing
06:04 Mindset and Transition to Full-Time Entrepreneurship
09:30 Bootstrapping and Funding Insights
12:49 Unique Logistics Model of Phox Health
16:17 Long-Term Vision and Mission of Phox Health
17:32 Balancing Entrepreneurship and Personal Life
21:58 Final Thoughts and Legacy

In this episode of the Underdog Physician podcast, host Anish interviews Dr. Aditi Joshi, a trailblazing emergency medicine physician and telehealth innovator. Dr. Joshi shares her journey from emergency medicine to pioneering roles in telehealth. The discussion covers her experiences with burnout, her involvement with the early stages of Doctor on Demand, and the broader impacts and challenges of telemedicine in improving healthcare access and equity. Additionally, Dr. Joshi provides valuable advice for early-stage physicians and residents on finding purpose, the importance of mentorship, and effectively building a brand. The episode also covers her transition to consulting and writing a book on telehealth success, offering frameworks for establishing telehealth programs. The conversation encapsulates the evolving landscape of digital health and the vital role of empathy in remote care.

00:00 Introduction to the Underdog Physician Podcast
00:13 Meet Dr. Aditi Joshi: From Emergency Medicine to Telehealth
00:36 Journey into Emergency Medicine
01:43 Transition to Telehealth
02:54 Finding Purpose in Medicine
05:37 Challenges and Opportunities in Telehealth
07:20 Global Perspectives and Mentorship
12:34 Building a Telehealth Program
21:36 Balancing Career and Stress Management
24:09 Final Thoughts and Advice

Amazon book- Telehealth Success: How to Thrive in the New Age of Remote Care
https://www.amazon.com/Telehealth-Success-Thrive-Remote-Care/dp/B0CBM31HGQ

In this episode of the Underdog Physician podcast, host speaks with Dr. Jennifer Linder, a trailblazer in dermatology and skin cancer surgery, and founder of Linder Health. Dr. Linder shares her journey from engineering to dermatology, emphasizing her love for sciences, the cadaver lab, and procedural components of her field. She discusses her unexpected path in the entrepreneurial world, including her significant role as Chief Scientific Officer at PCA Skin. Dr. Linder opens up about the challenges and strategies in starting and growing her skincare company, which was eventually sold to Colgate, and her current venture, Linder Health, focusing on innovative chemical peels that control inflammation and support mitochondrial health. The conversation also covers topics like the importance of culture in business, balancing medical and aesthetic practice, and the impact of lifelong learning and education in advancing one's career. Additionally, Dr. Linder talks about her advocacy work, particularly in women's education in Africa, and offers advice for budding med spa entrepreneurs. Her insights on managing risks in business, the evolving landscape of skincare with emerging technologies, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance while raising three daughters provide a comprehensive view of her multifaceted career and life.

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Jennifer Linder
00:39 Journey into Dermatology
01:51 Chief Scientific Officer at PCA Skin
07:11 Entrepreneurial Insights and Challenges
08:59 Founding Linder Health
10:17 Innovations in Chemical Peels
14:34 Advice for Aspiring Aesthetic Practitioners
27:56 Balancing Personal and Professional Life
32:17 Legacy and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Underdog Physician podcast, we interview Dr. Ali Amiri, a double board-certified physician in lifestyle medicine and health and wellness coaching. Ali is the founder of Ali Amiri Health Inc. and creator of the Core Five Protocol, aimed at helping high-performing professionals reclaim their energy after major health scares. The discussion covers Ali’s shift from traditional medicine to lifestyle coaching, the evolution of chronic disease treatment, and the benefits of addressing root causes through lifestyle changes. Ali also shares insights on effective team building, the impact of mentors, and how entrepreneurs can grow their businesses while maintaining personal health. Additionally, he highlights the role of AI in healthcare and the significance of being methodical in both health and entrepreneurship.

00:00 Introduction to the Underdog Physician Podcast
00:43 Dr. Ali Amiri’s Journey into Lifestyle Medicine
03:37 The Rise of Chronic Diseases in Younger Populations
07:13 Core Five Protocol for Sustainable Lifestyle Change
17:34 The Role of Technology and AI in Health and Wellness
20:07 Daily Strategies for Managing Stress and Productivity
22:17 The Importance of Mentorship and Methodical Planning
24:04 Final Thoughts and Legacy