How One Physician Is Rebuilding Primary Care | Dr. Sameer Sood

How One Physician Is Rebuilding Primary Care | Dr. Sameer Sood

What if a calcium score of 170 showed up in a healthy, active 36-year-old physician with great cholesterol — and changed everything he thought he knew about his own mortality? In this episode of The Ultimate Asset, Dr. Deep sits down with Dr. Sameer Sood — family medicine physician, biomedical engineer, entrepreneur, and co-founder at Velocity Health — for a wide-ranging conversation about what it really takes to build a healthcare system worthy of the people it serves. Dr. Sood brings a rare perspective: trained at Duke and Harvard, he's worked with tribal communities in rural Minnesota, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, unhoused populations — and high-performing individuals who want to live to 120. Few physicians have sat at more ends of the healthcare spectrum. In this episode, we cover: * The CAC Scan That Changed Everything: How a routine coronary artery calcium scan revealed extensive calcified and soft plaque in an active, plant-based physician with optimal cholesterol — and what it taught him about the gap between traditional risk calculators and real cardiovascular risk * Lipoprotein(a) — Not Just Genetic Anymore: Why Lp(a) deserves serial monitoring rather than a one-time check, how sleep disruption and epigenetic factors may drive its rise, and what's coming down the pipeline to actually treat it * The Case for Upstream Biomarkers in Primary Care: Why ApoB, Lp(a), and fasting insulin are basic medicine — not longevity medicine — and why insurance, training gaps, and guideline inertia keep them out of routine clinical practice * Engineering a Healthier Life: From designing vascular grafts to co-founding one of the earliest remote patient monitoring companies, how Dr. Sood's biomedical engineering lens shapes how he sees patients, systems, and solutions * Longevity for Everyone — or No One: The uncomfortable truth about who can currently access precision preventive care, why the homeless population deserves the same upstream biomarker workup as anyone else, and how life and long-term care insurance may be the unlikely vehicle to democratize it * AI, Wearables, and the Empowered Patient: How ambient AI listening in clinical visits, connected glucose monitors, and the quantified self movement are finally catching up to what Dr. Sood and Dr. Deep were building a decade ago * Memento Mori as Medicine: How facing your own mortality — whether through a scan result or simply counting your 4,000 weeks — can be the most powerful longevity intervention of all Whether you're a clinician trying to practice what you preach, a builder working at the intersection of medicine and technology, or someone who wants to understand why the system fails so many while serving so few, Dr. Sood's story is a blueprint for doing the work that actually matters. Resources to Reference in Episode: Dr. Sameer Sood’s work connecting healthcare systems and communities through data-driven care coordination: https://www.fwdslash.org/ [https://www.fwdslash.org/] Dr. Sameer Sood’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srsood/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/srsood/]  Velocity Health Website: https://velocityhealthclinic.com/ [https://velocityhealthclinic.com/]

VO₂ Max: The Number That Predicts How Long You’ll Live | Brady Holmer

Can a single number predict how long you’ll live more accurately than your cholesterol, blood pressure, or genetics? In this episode of The Ultimate Asset, Dr. Deep and Dr. Busse sit down with Brady Holmer — exercise physiologist, published researcher, and author of VO₂ Max Essentials — to explore why cardiorespiratory fitness has become the most powerful longevity biomarker hiding in plain sight. Brady brings rigorous, evidence-based clarity to one of the most talked-about and misunderstood topics in health optimization: how to actually train for a longer, higher-functioning life. In this episode, we cover: * The VO₂ Max Vital Sign: Why the AHA now calls CRF a clinical vital sign, and why it outperforms cholesterol, blood glucose, and even smoking history as a mortality predictor * Backcasting Your Fitness: How to work backwards from a specific activity goal at age 75 or 80 to calculate the VO₂ max you need to build right now * Zone 2 Training — Done Right: The individual variability problem with generic heart rate targets, and how to find your true metabolic zone * The Vigorous Exercise Reappraisal: Why 2025 UK Biobank data suggest vigorous exercise may be undervalued by up to 10x * Women & Fitness Science: How much of what we know about VO₂ max and longevity was actually studied in women — and what the hormonal picture means for exercise prescription in midlife * Exercise Snacks: How 1–3 minutes of vigorous movement throughout the day can meaningfully reduce cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk * Rapid-Fire Science: Zone 2 vs. HIIT, the best VO₂ max proxy without a lab, sauna as a fitness tool, and the supplement industry’s most overrated claims Whether you’re a clinician looking to integrate exercise science into precision medicine, or a high performer who wants to know exactly how to build a body that lasts, Brady’s framework is the blueprint. Resources to Reference in Episode Brady’s Substack: physiologicallyspeaking.com [http://physiologicallyspeaking.com] VO₂ Max Essentials: Available on Amazon Brady’s publications: bradyholmer.com/publications [http://bradyholmer.com/publications] Brady on X/Twitter: @Brady_H Hashtags #ExerciseMedicine #VO2Max #Longevity #ZoneTwo #HIIT #CardiorespiratoryCritness #TheUltimateAsset #WomensHealth #PrecisionMedicine #ExerciseScience #Healthspan #MitochondrialHealth #VelocityHealth Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Exercise prescriptions discussed are general frameworks and should be individualized under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider. Always consult your physician before beginning a new exercise program

The 5 R’s of Longevity: Why Your Health Framework is Failing You

Is your current health plan designed for who you were 10 years ago, or who you are today? In this episode of The Ultimate Asset, host Dr. Sandeep Palakodeti is joined by Dr. Dan Fosselman and Brock Reichert to deconstruct the "Hierarchy of Health." We move beyond the basics of diet and exercise to explore the psychological, financial, and social pillars that actually dictate your long-term outcomes. Dr. Dan introduces his unique Five R’s Framework—a systematic approach to removing pain, replenishing the body, and rebalancing life as your values evolve. We discuss why the modern healthcare system is "perfectly designed" to be transactional and how you can reclaim your role as the CEO of your own health journey. In this episode, we cover: * The Five R’s of Health: A step-by-step roadmap from removing pain to rebalancing your life as you age. * The CEO/CMO Relationship: Why you are the ultimate decision-maker and your doctor is your subject matter expert. * The Concept of "Enough": Why more supplements and more data aren't always the answer—and how to find your minimum effective dose. * The Financial-Health Link: Why addressing financial security and social isolation is more impactful than any prescription. * Anchoring Bias in Medicine: The danger of "putting out fires" and why your doctor needs to look at you with a blank slate. * Building a Legacy: How to reverse-engineer your health choices today to ensure functionality and purpose 50 years from now. Connect with Velocity Health: * The Ultimate Asset Book: https://a.co/d/03lj4BhI [https://a.co/d/03lj4BhI] * Accelerate Newsletter: http://www.velocityhealthclinic.com/newsletter [http://www.velocityhealthclinic.com/newsletter] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velocity_health/ [https://www.instagram.com/velocity_health/] * Twitter/X: https://x.com/join_velocity [https://x.com/join_velocity] * Precision Medicine Consults: https://velocityhealthclinic.com/book-your-private-consultation/ [https://velocityhealthclinic.com/book-your-private-consultation/] Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before making any changes to your health regimen. Hashtags: #HealthFrameworks #Longevity #PrecisionMedicine #TheUltimateAsset #HighPerformance #Biohacking #FunctionalMedicine #HealthSpan #MentalHealth #MedicalTrust

The ROI of High Performance: Connecting Health, Wealth, and Longevity

Is it possible to build a "Unicorn" company without destroying your physical health in the process? In this episode of The Ultimate Asset, Dr. Sandeep Palakodeti and Brock Reichert sit down with global entrepreneur and investor Danny Cortenraede. Danny has built a career at the intersection of sports, tech, and capital—scaling the world's largest soccer community, 433, and now leading InStudio Ventures, where he invests in premium assets like the NFL, NBA, and Formula One. Danny shares his "Ultimate Asset" philosophy: treating your health with the same due diligence, investment, and risk management strategies used for a billion-dollar startup. We dive into why the "smart money" is moving toward deep-tech health and how technologies like Springbok Analytics are democratizing elite performance tools for the general public. In this episode, we cover: * The "Jockey" vs. The "Horse": Why the personality and resilience of a founder are more important than the business model when identifying a "Unicorn". * Energy vs. Time Management: How elite performers manage physical energy to avoid "redlining" in high-pressure global environments. * Deep-Tech Longevity: A deep dive into Springbok Analytics and how AI-mapped muscle data is revolutionizing injury prevention and recovery. * The "Boring" Work of High Performance: Why non-negotiable anchor habits—like consistent sleep, morning sunlight, and structured recovery—are the true drivers of peak performance. * The Athlete’s Transition: What executives can learn from the locker room about mental resilience and maintaining discipline after the "scoreboard" stops watching. * Rapid-Fire Investment Logic: Danny’s take on the highest ROI longevity habits and the one wearable he’d bring to a deserted island. Whether you are a founder navigating hustle culture or a high-performer looking to ensure your physical "payout" at age 80 is as high as your financial one, this conversation provides the playbook for building a sustainable, high-impact life. Resources Mentioned: * Danny Cortenraede Website: https://dannycortenraede.com/ [https://dannycortenraede.com/] * InStudio Ventures: https://instudioventures.com/ [https://instudioventures.com/] * Danny Cortenraede IG: https://www.instagram.com/dannycortenraede/ [https://www.instagram.com/dannycortenraede/] Connect with Velocity Health: * The Ultimate Asset Book: https://a.co/d/03lj4BhI [https://a.co/d/03lj4BhI] * Accelerate Newsletter: http://www.velocityhealthclinic.com/newsletter [http://www.velocityhealthclinic.com/newsletter] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velocity_health/ [https://www.instagram.com/velocity_health/] * Twitter/X: https://x.com/join_velocity [https://x.com/join_velocity] * Precision Medicine Consults: https://velocityhealthclinic.com/book-your-private-consultation/ [https://velocityhealthclinic.com/book-your-private-consultation/] Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or investment advice.

The Leaky Gums Epidemic: How Oral Pathogens Drive Alzheimer's and Heart Disease

Can your mouth predict your risk for Alzheimer’s, heart disease, or colorectal cancer? In this episode of The Ultimate Asset, Dr. Sandeep Palakodeti sits down with functional dentist Dr. Ilon Choai—known to his followers as Gator—to bridge the critical gap between oral health and systemic medicine. Dr. Ilon explains why the traditional "drill, bill, and fill" model is failing patients and how the mouth serves as the true start of the gut. We explore the "leaky gums" theory and the dangerous translocation of pathogens like P. gingivalis from the mouth to the brain and heart. In this episode, we cover: * Salivary Diagnostics: How PCR testing can quantify your risk for chronic disease before symptoms appear. * The Nitric Oxide Trap: Why using antiseptic mouthwash could be driving up your blood pressure by nuking beneficial bacteria. * The Future of Oral Care: The science of Hydroxyapatite, a NASA-inspired, non-toxic alternative to fluoride that remineralizes enamel through biomimicry. * The Oral-Gut Axis: Understanding how oral dysbiosis mirrors leaky gut and systemic inflammation. * Rapid-Fire Dental Truths: Dr. Ilon’s take on tongue scraping, the "smell test" for flossing, and why some cavities can actually be reversed without a drill. Whether you are a clinician looking to break out of your medical silo or a high-performer wanting to optimize your longevity, this conversation provides the framework to turn oral health into a proactive pillar of your wellness strategy. Resources Mentioned: Ilon X: https://x.com/thenobsdentist [https://x.com/thenobsdentist] Ilon IG: https://www.instagram.com/thenobsdentist [https://www.instagram.com/thenobsdentist] NOBS toothpaste: https://nobsroutines.com/ [https://nobsroutines.com/] Connect with Velocity Health: * Accelerate Newsletter: http://www.velocityhealthclinic.com/newsletter [http://www.velocityhealthclinic.com/newsletter] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velocity_health/ [https://www.instagram.com/velocity_health/] * Twitter/X: https://x.com/join_velocity [https://x.com/join_velocity] * Precision Medicine Consults: https://velocityhealthclinic.com/book-your-private-consultation/ [https://velocityhealthclinic.com/book-your-private-consultation/] Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or dental advice. Functional dentistry and oral microbiome treatments are specialized clinical approaches that should be managed under the supervision of a licensed dental professional. Always consult with your dentist or physician regarding oral health, systemic inflammation, and cardiovascular risk management. Hashtags: #FunctionalDentistry #OralMicrobiome #Longevity #SystemicHealth #TheUltimateAsset #NitricOxide #DentalHealth #Biohacking #PrecisionMedicine #OralHealth