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Career Opportunities In Corporate Wellness | EP 84
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Career Opportunities In Corporate Wellness | EP 84

Introduction to NTI Pod Talk

Overview of the Podcast

  • Diane Kaylor introduces herself as the director of Nutrition Therapy Institute and explains the purpose of the podcast, which is to engage in conversations about nutrition, food, and health.
  • The podcast aims to inspire prospective students from within and outside the NTI community to pursue their passion for nutrition.

Guest Introduction: Emma Textra

Background on Emma Textra

  • Diane welcomes Emma Textra, a global health consultant and independent health researcher with a background in actuary consulting.
  • Diane expresses excitement about having a conversation that offers a unique perspective not previously covered in the podcast.

Understanding Actuary Consulting

What is an Actuary?

  • Emma explains that actuaries study risk, often working with insurance companies and pension plans.
  • She describes her role in helping employers determine how much money they need to invest for pensions based on life expectancy.

Transitioning Focus

  • Emma shares her realization that she was more interested in understanding people’s needs rather than just numbers related to pensions.
  • After 25 years at a global insurance broker, she shifted her focus towards healthcare due to personal experiences with her son’s health issues.

Personal Journey into Health Research

Motivations Behind Health Research

  • Emma discusses her motivation stemming from her son's diagnosis with Asperger's and ADHD, alongside her own health challenges.
  • She emphasizes the importance of data analysis in making informed decisions about health care rather than relying solely on medical prescriptions.

Applying Data Analysis

  • Emma highlights how actuaries can synthesize data effectively, contrasting this skill with typical misunderstandings by doctors or journalists regarding statistics.
  • Her goal became applying these insights into corporate consulting to improve employee health outcomes significantly.

Understanding Health and Wellness in Corporate Settings

Insights from Work History

  • The speaker reflects on their work history, emphasizing the importance of viewing health from a statistical perspective to gain insights into health and wellness.
  • They recount an experience with a well-known company that conducted health risk assessments, revealing that 60% of employees had suboptimal cholesterol levels.

Misconceptions About Wellness

  • During an HR meeting, the focus was on making statins more affordable rather than addressing underlying health issues, which horrified the speaker.
  • The speaker argues that relying solely on medications like statins and flu shots does not equate to true wellness; foundational aspects such as good nutrition are essential for overall health.

COVID-19 Experience

  • The pandemic highlighted differences in how various countries managed health crises, with some using supplements effectively while others relied heavily on pharmaceuticals.
  • The speaker felt frustrated by the U.S. approach, which prioritized drugs and vaccines over nutritional strategies for maintaining health during COVID.

Shift Towards Preventative Care

  • This realization led the speaker to advocate for a paradigm shift towards preventative care rather than reactive measures after illness occurs.
  • Employers often view reducing pharmaceutical costs as a primary strategy for lowering healthcare expenses but overlook comprehensive wellness programs.

Integrating Wellness into Healthcare Plans

  • The discussion emphasizes that employers need to integrate wellness initiatives even when employees have existing diagnoses instead of treating them separately within conventional healthcare plans.
  • There is recognition among employers about high pharmaceutical costs; however, they still tend to separate sick employees from wellness initiatives.

Rethinking Employer Strategies

  • Many companies treat wellness programs as secondary compared to traditional healthcare plans, leading to insufficient attention and resources allocated toward employee wellness.
  • The speaker advocates for a holistic approach where nutrition and lifestyle changes are recognized as scientifically valid methods for reversing diseases alongside conventional medicine.

Conclusion: A Call for Change

  • Employers should lead with education about true prevention strategies rather than treating wellness and healthcare as isolated entities.

Wellness Programs: Are They Effective?

The Role of Mindset and Industry Influence

  • Discussion on the prevalence of non-evidence-based wellness practices, questioning if this is the sole reason for skepticism towards alternative care.
  • Acknowledgment that many believe medications are more effective than alternative diets and supplements, influencing perceptions of wellness programs.

Components of a Comprehensive Wellness Program

  • Emphasis on measuring ROI (Return on Investment) in wellness programs; lack of integration makes it hard to justify spending.
  • Importance of holistic integration in wellness philosophy versus merely treating symptoms; strategies should include diverse programs aimed at reversing diseases.

Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

  • Highlighting the necessity for leadership involvement from CEOs to HR teams in fostering a culture of wellness within organizations.
  • Need for employee feedback through focus groups and surveys to tailor wellness initiatives effectively.

Technology and Communication Strategies

  • Integration of technology with HR systems is crucial; effective communication about available programs ensures employee engagement.
  • Continuous education and communication are vital; annual enrollment announcements alone are insufficient for program awareness.

Measurement and Adaptation in Wellness Programs

  • Ongoing measurement is essential to assess what works or doesn’t, allowing companies to adapt their strategies over time.
  • Recognition that successful corporate wellness programs exist but often fall short due to philosophical limitations regarding disease reversal.

Trends in Corporate Wellness Initiatives

  • Inquiry into how prevalent comprehensive wellness initiatives are among large corporations compared to traditional work environments focused solely on productivity.
  • Notable growth in smaller companies adopting wellness practices as healthcare costs rise, indicating a shift towards prioritizing employee health.

Conclusion: The Future of Workplace Wellness

  • Increasing recognition among employers about the importance of integrating health initiatives into workplace culture as healthcare costs continue to escalate.

The Impact of Corporate Wellness on Healthcare Costs

Moving Money Around in Healthcare

  • The speaker discusses the concept of "moving money around" within conventional healthcare, emphasizing that encouraging employees to choose generic drugs or centers of excellence for surgeries does not significantly address rising healthcare costs.

Rising Importance of Wellness Programs

  • An annual survey by WTW indicates that approximately 60% of employers prioritize wellness as a strategic focus, highlighting its growing importance across companies of all sizes.

Opportunities for Smaller Companies

  • Even smaller companies (under 5,000 employees) are recognizing the potential impact they can have on employee wellness, suggesting that they can implement effective strategies without significant investment.

Education and Communication in Wellness

  • Employers can educate their workforce about health at low costs through communication efforts rather than requiring extensive resources like chefs or kitchens.

Employer Responsibility and Health Trends

  • There is an alarming increase in young people under 50 dying and rising disability rates due to chronic illnesses. The speaker stresses the responsibility of employers to address these issues effectively.

Connecting Nutrition Therapy with Corporate Wellness

Growth in Corporate Wellness Opportunities

  • Graduates from nutrition therapy programs are increasingly interested in corporate wellness roles, recognizing the vast opportunities available in this expanding field.

Essential Skills for Success in Corporate Wellness

  • A grounding in nutrition is crucial for those aspiring to be wellness coaches or consultants. This foundational knowledge positions them well within corporate wellness environments.

Roles Within Corporate Wellness Programs

  • Various roles exist within corporate wellness programs, including wellness coaches and program managers. These positions often involve collaboration with HR teams to enhance overall employee health initiatives.

Learning Additional Skills

  • While nutrition knowledge is vital, other skills such as conducting surveys and focus groups can be learned quickly through teamwork and experience within corporate settings.

Importance of Real Nutrition Training

  • The speaker emphasizes the need for quality nutrition training over reductionist approaches. Understanding what creates health is essential for effective practice in corporate wellness contexts.

Wellness Programs and Their Impact on Employee Health

The Role of Employers in Wellness Initiatives

  • Discussion on the benefits of working directly with employers to observe health improvements among employees.
  • Explanation of contractors hired by corporations to implement wellness programs, highlighting the role of consultants in strategy development.

Categories of Wellness Vendors

  • Introduction to various vendors providing wellness services, particularly those focused on nutrition.
  • Mention of specific companies like Food Smart (formerly Zipongo), which offers nutritional coaching through an app for employees.

Nutrition-Focused Companies

  • Overview of several nutrition-first companies such as Eat Love and ATU Vera that utilize technology and qualified nutritionists to support employee health.
  • Contrast between preferred nutrition-focused companies and less favored weight loss-oriented firms that have been around for over a decade.

Diabetes Management Solutions

  • Insight into diabetes management companies like Livongo, which target pre-diabetic or diabetic employees, often funded by employer health plans.
  • Description of how these companies identify individuals using diabetes medications and offer programs aimed at reversing their conditions.

Functional Medicine Approaches

  • Introduction to newer functional medicine startups like Well Theory that address chronic diseases through lifestyle changes rather than medication.
  • Emphasis on the importance of consumer offerings in wellness programs, ensuring they cater not only to employers but also directly to individuals seeking help.

Oshi Health and Holistic Approaches to Wellness

Understanding Digestive Health and Autoimmune Conditions

  • Oshi Health focuses on digestive issues, including conditions like Crohn's disease and general symptoms such as bloating.
  • The speaker advocates for a holistic approach that integrates various health aspects without labeling individuals based on specific diagnoses.
  • Acknowledgment of the need for resources for students and graduates interested in wellness careers, emphasizing the importance of having company names to explore opportunities.

Resources for Students and Graduates

  • Emma is tasked with providing a list of companies related to wellness, which will be included in show notes for easy access.
  • The speaker expresses gratitude for the resource list, highlighting its value in guiding those unfamiliar with available options.

The Landscape of Wellness Companies

  • There are numerous companies focused on corporate wellness and consumer health services; however, caution is advised regarding reductionist approaches to wellness.
  • Comprehensive and holistic wellness programs are likely to succeed compared to more narrow-focused initiatives.

Challenges Faced by Startups in Wellness

  • Startups must find their niche while also gathering data to support their claims about improving health outcomes.
  • Emphasis on the necessity of focusing efforts initially before broadening services once established.

Functional Medicine: A Hybrid Approach

  • Functional medicine combines conventional medical training with alternative practices focusing on diet, lifestyle, and microbiome health.
  • Many functional medicine practitioners are not covered by insurance plans, making them financially inaccessible for some patients.

Shifting Perspectives in Corporate Health Initiatives

  • Dr. Mark Heyman’s advocacy highlights a growing awareness among corporate organizations about effective health strategies.
  • Employers play a crucial role in advancing understanding of what constitutes true health within workplace settings.

How to Share Knowledge and Skills for Health Improvement

Transition from Corporate Job to Writing

  • The speaker left their corporate job to focus on writing a book, driven by frustration over the limitations of conveying complex health information through brief formats like headlines or PowerPoint presentations.

Book Overview and Content

  • The book includes over 300 scientific references, covering foundational knowledge about health and chronic conditions such as infectious diseases, heart disease, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and mental health.
  • A significant emphasis is placed on nutrition's role in mental health; the speaker argues that many mental health issues may stem from physical causes like nutrient deficiencies or microbiome imbalances.

Addressing Mental Health Through Nutrition

  • The speaker advocates for incorporating nutrition into corporate wellness programs, highlighting that understanding dietary impacts can address root causes of mental health issues rather than merely treating symptoms.

Consulting and Advising Employers

  • Beyond writing, the speaker consults with companies offering wellness solutions. They emphasize the need for these companies to understand corporate HR needs when implementing wellness programs.
  • The focus is on promoting a "wellness first" approach among employers willing to shift away from conventional healthcare models.

Book Title and Contact Information

  • The title of the book is "How to Be a Healthy Human: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know About Health and Longevity."
  • For further engagement, the speaker shares their website (emra.org), where they publish blogs and articles. They also mention starting an Instagram account for broader outreach.

Encouragement for Change in Health Perspectives

  • The speaker expresses optimism about a growing movement towards alternative approaches in health care, emphasizing that there must be new ways beyond traditional methods that have proven ineffective over decades.

Importance of Nutrition Education

  • Concluding remarks stress the critical role of proper nutrition in achieving overall wellness and preventing or reversing diseases. There’s an acknowledgment of widespread misconceptions about healthy eating practices.

Nutrition Therapy Institute Overview

Pursuing Education in Holistic Nutrition

  • The Nutrition Therapy Institute invites individuals interested in holistic nutrition education to explore their offerings on the website, NitiSchool.com.
  • Prospective students are encouraged to reach out via email at admissions@nitiSchool.com for inquiries regarding the program.
  • The institute promises a comprehensive and in-depth educational experience designed to equip students with essential knowledge and skills.
  • Emphasis is placed on creating impactful work within the field of nutrition through this educational journey.
Video description

Have you ever thought about the career opportunities in the employee benefits space? Join Dianne Koehler and Emma Tekstra as they dive into corporate wellness programs and the opportunities for NTI grads in the corporate wellness space. This episode provides great insight into how you can use your certification in the employee benefits space, and Emma even provides the names of companies to look into! Emma Tekstra has spent her 30-year career in employee benefits as an actuary, pension consultant and global health thought leader with experience around the globe. She has a unique perspective on health and the healthcare industry itself, with “published author” now added to her list of achievements. Her first book launches June 2024. Growing up Emma wanted to be a brain surgeon but her very traditional father talked her out of it in favor of a career with better hours - an actuary. For those who haven’t heard the term, actuaries focus on calculating financial risks such as in investments, pensions, insurance and healthcare. They are basically very good with numbers and data. Emma started out focusing mainly on pension plans but soon expanded into all types of employees benefits such as life and health insurance working with some of the world’s biggest companies on the plans for their employees globally. Then in 2010 Emma’s 5 year-old son was diagnosed with Aspergers and ADHD with all sorts of other health problems you can read about in her book. This led Emma on a journey back into medicine to get to the root cause of his problems and heal him using nutrition and other natural remedies. Professionally she then shifted her focus towards health and wellbeing. She has never stopped researching and her passion has only grown. Working with companies to help their employees become healthier she led innovation for the global health practice at WTW, a global insurance broker and consulting firm. In recent years those innovations have included hundreds of wellness solutions offered by start-up companies looking to get into a fast-growing space. As part of helping her clients, Emma started working with many of these companies to improve their offering and help them position themselves better with employers. In 2023 Emma left WTW after 25 years to become an independent consultant and author. Emma blogs regularly on Nutrition and other topics. You can read more about Emma, her upcoming book, and sign up for her blog at EmmaTekstra.com. She’s also on Instagram at @EmmaTekstra and Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/talk2emma/ **Timestamps for the topics discussed and the list of companies Emma mentioned can be found on this episode's NTI PodTalk page: https://ntischool.com/Career-Opportunities-In-Corporate-Wellness/ Are you ready to start your journey as a Nutrition Therapist Master or Natural Food Chef? To learn more about NTI's Nutrition Therapist Master Certification, visit https://ntischool.com/ for more information, or call 303-284-8361 to speak with our admissions team. This discussion is not intended to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy, nor in any way imply that Nutrition Therapists who graduate from NTI are qualified to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy. The scope of practice for graduates of NTI is to deliver therapeutic nutrition guidance to our clients which helps support their natural biology to achieve optimal function in whatever wellness path they are on.