How Dr. Ryan Nordell Beat Chronic Illness and Changed the Way He Practices Medicine

Get to know Dr. Ryan Nordell, a physical therapist turned entrepreneur, as he shares his journey through the pitfalls of traditional medicine and his path to functional medicine and longevity. Host Eric Stopper dives into the realities of the insurance-driven healthcare system, actionable health advice, and the future of wellness.In this episode, you'll learn:How Dr. Nordell's personal battle with ulcerative colitis transformed his career and perspectives on healthcareThe limitations and frustrations of the traditional insurance and healthcare modeThe importance of root-cause medicine, nutrition, and seeking out functional medicine solutionsPractical steps for navigating healthcare when you're not a physician, especially as an entrepreneurThe vision behind the Mana app and Elite Care Concierge for accessible, transformative health informationShow Notes – Ryan Nordell: Healing, Entrepreneurship, and Reinventing HealthcareIn this powerful episode of The Pulse Ox Podcast, host Eric Stopper welcomes Dr. Ryan Nordell—a doctor of physical therapy, entrepreneur, and longevity/functional medicine expert—to share his remarkable transformation from traditional healthcare to trailblazing health solutions and business ventures.Key Takeaways from the Episode:From Track Star to CEO:Dr. Ryan Nordellkicks off with his background as a Division 1 athlete at Baylor, his pivot to physical therapy, and the frustrations he faced in the constraints of the insurance-driven healthcare model.A Personal Health Crisis: After being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 32,Dr. Ryan Nordellshares the harrowing story of battling constant symptoms, an onslaught of medications, and facing radical surgery options—all while being a husband, father to three young kids, and a rising executive.A New Approach to Healing: The turning point comes when a functional medicine approach reveals a misdiagnosis: a severe gut biome imbalance—not ulcerative colitis—was causing his problems. Through dietary changes, supplements, and clearing bad gut bacteria, he becomes symptom-free, sparking a career-defining passion.Reinventing Healthcare:Dr. Ryan Nordelldiscusses the shortcomings of traditional medicine—insurance protocol limitations, lack of nutrition education, and the overreliance on symptom management and medication. He explains how his personal health journey ignited a shift into functional medicine, longevity research, and entrepreneurship.Empowering Change with Technology: Hear about his latest venture, Elite Care Concierge and the Mana app, designed to democratize access to high-quality, practical health and longevity information—helping people make empowered choices regardless of insurance or income.Actionable Tips & Systemic Change: The conversation turns to practical steps for listeners—how choosing organic food impacts personal health AND disrupts the profit models of big ag and pharma, and whyDr. Ryan Nordellbelieves systemic healthcare change must begin with education.For Entrepreneurs and Everyday Listeners:Eric Stopperdigs into how these lessons apply to anyone frustrated by chronic health issues or the current medical system—especially self-starters and those paying for care out of pocket.Connect with Dr. Ryan Nordell:Find the Mana app in your favorite app store for resources and personalized guidanceInstagram: @Dr. Ryan NordellEmail: DrNordell@EliteCareConcierHealthJoin the Movement:If you’ve ever felt let down by the healthcare system or wondered how to take charge of your own well-being, this episode is for you. Give it a listen, share with a friend, and don’t forget to subscribe!Like what you hear?Rate us on Spotify and join the community for more insightful conversations at the frontlines of health, entrepreneurship, and innovation.“I’m glad I went through that, because if I hadn’t, I’d probably be pretty miserable at this point in my life.” – Dr. Ryan Nordell