Preventive Cardiology, Direct Care Models & Physician Wellness | DMD # 73

Dr. Troy Badger, an interventional cardiologist with over a decade of experience, joins host Dr. Peter Crane to discuss his evolution from high-acuity procedural work to preventive and performance medicine. Drawing from his own atrial fibrillation episode triggered by stress and metabolic issues, Dr. Badger shares how he founded Cardio Strong MD, a concierge-style practice focused on lifestyle interventions, risk factor management, and athlete-specific cardiac evaluations. The conversation covers the realities of building a cash-based model, the importance of physician presence on social media to combat misinformation, the rise of direct primary and specialty care, and insights for mid-career physicians seeking balance amid burnout. They emphasize adapting traditional roles, collaborating with innovative health models, and prioritizing personal health to sustain a meaningful career in medicine. Episode Highlights Dr. Badger's backstory: Training at University of Utah, practicing in Idaho, and developing an interest in preventive health after a personal AFib episode Personal health journey: Recognizing metabolic risks, sleep deprivation, and the need for lifestyle changes as a busy interventionalist Founding Cardio Strong MD: A concierge preventive cardiology practice blending longevity medicine, nutrition, exercise physiology, and wearable monitoring Balancing dual roles: Maintaining an employed hospital-based job with travel accommodations while pursuing a passion project Social media's impact: Combating misinformation, building a physician voice, and reaching patients influenced by algorithms Direct care challenges: Marketing, patient recruitment, non-competes, EMR selection, and financial sustainability in cash-based models Preventive cardiology's growth: Integrating cardiorenal perspectives, lipid management, and early interventions in primary care referrals Patient education and access: Addressing vaccine hesitancy, telemedicine trends, and the need for personalized, evidence-based care Advice for physicians: Finding the right employer fit, blending traditional and innovative models, and pursuing passion projects for fulfillment Future of healthcare: Role of venture capital in longevity medicine, importance of physician involvement in tech-driven innovations Top 3 Takeaways Prioritize your own health: Early stress, sleep, and metabolic factors can lead to personal crises; use them as catalysts for preventive focus and practice innovation. Build a sustainable career: Blending employed stability with passion projects like direct care models, while navigating challenges like marketing and non-competes through community learning. Engage on social media authentically to counter misinformation and scale impact. Patients value physician expertise for evidence-based guidance in a algorithm-driven world. About Dr. Troy Badger Dr. Troy Badger is an interventional cardiologist practicing in Idaho, with a passion for preventive health and performance medicine. Trained at the University of Utah, he has over 10 years of experience in high-acuity cardiology. After a personal health scare with atrial fibrillation, he founded Cardio Strong MD, a concierge practice offering personalized preventive cardiology, lifestyle coaching, and athlete evaluations. Dr. Badger balances his hospital-based role with this niche work, advocating for evidence-based care amid social media influences. He shares insights on Instagram and his website to educate patients and peers. Instagram: @cardiostrong_md Website: www.cardiostrongmd.com About the Host: Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch. Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible. About the Show: Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine. In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole. Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com LMC Series Note: Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations.   The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.