From CPAP Confusion to Confident Nights: Carissa Hankins on Reinventing Sleep Care

Send us Fan MailWhat if CPAP success isn’t about willpower, but design? We sit down with nurse practitioner and founder Carissa Hankins to explore a coaching-first model that finally makes therapy tolerable, personal and effective for people living with obstructive sleep apnoea. From the first “why does this mask leak?” to the moment the data actually matches how you feel, Carissa shows how small, human-centred changes create big, sustainable wins.We start with crystal-clear foundations—what apnoea and hypopnoea are, how CPAP works as an air splint, and why one in three midlife adults may be affected. Then we pull back the curtain on the real barriers: poor mask fit, suffocating airflow sensations, rushed setups, and a numbers-first mindset that ignores lived experience. Carissa’s virtual approach blends education, data interpretation and practical troubleshooting, turning download graphs into a story you can act on. You’ll hear how platforms like SleepHQ, smarter ramp and pressure strategies, and patient-led tweaks can turn “I can’t do this” into calm, steady nights.Looking ahead, we explore new paths for people who won’t or can’t tolerate masks. GLP‑1 therapies that drive weight loss have already shown meaningful AHI reductions, and a potential combination drug (often referred to as AD109) aims to stabilise airway tone. Carissa explains how these options might complement CPAP, and why ongoing monitoring and re-titration will matter as bodies change. Along the way, she’s candid about building Hello Sleep Health without insurance friction, the challenges of being a team of one, and her plan to add on‑demand courses and group education so more people get help, faster.If you’ve felt unheard, overwhelmed by “squiggles,” or ready to give up, this conversation offers a different path: clear language, tailored guidance and practical steps that respect both your data and your day-to-day life. Listen, learn, and if it resonates, share it with someone who needs a better night. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what CPAP roadblock you want us to tackle next.👤 Guest BiographyCarissa Hankins is a board-certified nurse practitioner and the founder of Hello Sleep Health, a virtual coaching service dedicated to helping CPAP users overcome treatment barriers and finally get the sleep they deserve. With over a decade in sleep medicine and pulmonary care, Carissa now offers highly personalized post-diagnosis support that bridges the gap between clinical prescription and real-world success. Her work combines deep clinical knowledge with warm, human-centered coaching—making her a true innovator in modern sleep care.Website: hellosleephealth.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563567624576YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hellosleephealthLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrissa-hankins-msn-aprn-fnp-c/About Dr Andrew GreenlandDr Andrew Greenland is a UK-based medical doctor and founder of Greenland Medical, specialising in Integrative and Functional Medicine. With dual training in conventional and root-cause approaches, he helps individuals optimise health, performance, and longevity — with a focus on cognitive resilience and healthy ageing.Voices in Health and Wellness features meaningful conversations at the intersection of medicine, lifestyle, and human potential — with clinicians, scientists, and thinkers shaping the future of care.💌 Join the mailing list for new episodes and exclusive reflections: https://subscribe.voicesinhealthandwellness.com