In this energizing and thoughtful episode, Michael Dargie is joined by Dr. Prerana and Loreen Wales, CEO of My Viva Plan and a registered dietitian with a psychology background. Together, they dive deep into what self-care truly means—and what it doesn’t.

From redefining indulgence to exploring the science behind rest and resilience, the conversation uncovers how to distinguish between genuine self-care and subtle avoidance. The trio shares personal stories, evidence-based strategies, and even a few snack-time confessions (popcorn, anyone?) to illustrate how health professionals and busy individuals can better care for themselves.

This episode is full of insights for clinicians, health coaches, and anyone navigating the fine line between burnout and balance.

Pull Quotes

• “Self-care isn’t about checking out—it’s about refueling so we can check back in with more presence and resilience.” — Dr. Prerana

• “What’s your feelings on popcorn as a coping mechanism?” — Michael Dargie

• “It’s not about Netflix or no Netflix—it’s about whether that downtime helps you re-engage or pulls you away from life.” — Loreen Wales

• “Having a dietitian in your life changes how you see food—even your cravings become more mindful.” — Dr. Prerana

• “Sleep isn’t weakness. It’s your secret weapon for hormonal balance, mental clarity, and long-term health.” — Loreen Wales

Topics Covered

• The WHO definition of self-care and how it applies to daily life

• When indulgence becomes avoidance

• Why a glass of wine and Netflix can be healthy—or harmful

• How your sleep quality affects hunger, mood, and resilience

• Personal stories about workout timing, travel stress, and mattresses

• Dietitian-approved coping snacks (yes, popcorn makes the cut)

Practical Takeaways

• Use the “Rest to Reengage” framework to evaluate your self-care choices.

• Revisit your sleep hygiene—your mattress and sleep habits might be overdue for an upgrade.

• Build self-care routines that support your energy, not just your escape.

• Lean on community and professional wisdom—whether from clinicians, coaches, or dietitians.

Host:
Michael Dean Dargie

Guests:
Dr. Prerana, Chief Medical Liaison, My Viva Inc.
Loreen Wales, Founder & CEO, My Viva Inc.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your treating physician or a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or lifestyle. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you’ve heard on this show.

 

In this important episode of the Lifestyle Medicine Show, host Michael Dargie sits down with Dr. Prerana, Chief Medical Liaison at My Viva, and Laureen Wales, CEO of My Viva, to shed light on an often overlooked topic: men’s mental and emotional health.

June is Men’s Health Month, but this isn’t just about awareness—it’s about action. The conversation tackles staggering stats like the fact that suicide is the leading cause of death for Canadian men under 45, and that men account for over 75% of all suicides in Canada, despite only 10% being officially diagnosed with anxiety or depression .

With vulnerability and insight, the episode explores:
 • The silent toll of unspoken stress and societal expectations on men
 • How burnout, poor nutrition, and sleep deprivation contribute to emotional decline
 • The gender gap in accessing social support and mental health services
 • The role of self-care as a critical first line of defence
 • Why “man up” culture needs a major reframe

Laureen and Dr. Prerana offer both clinical and real-world perspectives, advocating for redefining strength—not as stoicism, but as self-awareness, connection, and resilience.

This is a must-listen for anyone who cares about improving outcomes in men’s health. Whether you’re a clinician, health coach, or simply someone who loves a man, this episode will inspire you to take a deeper, more compassionate look at what it really means to be strong.

Host:
Michael Dean Dargie

Guests:
Dr. Prerana, Chief Medical Liaison, My Viva Inc.
Loreen Wales, Founder & CEO, My Viva Inc.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your treating physician or a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or lifestyle. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you’ve heard on this show.

In this episode, we examine a powerful truth: meaningful change in chronic disease care happens through behavior, not biomarkers. Host Michael Dargie is joined by Dr. Prerana and Loreen Wales for a candid conversation about why self-awareness, connection, and coaching are essential to lifestyle medicine.

They explore how My Viva Plan™ blends data tracking and AI-powered reflection with evidence-based behavior change models—creating a practical, compassionate tool that supports both clinicians and patients.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why 70% of health decisions are driven by emotion, not logic

• How self-awareness grows through data, reflection, and guided support

• The role of AI in enhancing—never replacing—clinical insight

• Why autonomy, competence, and connection are essential for lasting change

• How My Viva Plan strengthens the clinic-patient relationship with actionable data and human-centered design

Quotable Moments:

“AI should nudge, not replace the human brain.” – Loreen Wales

“The secret sauce is in the connection.” – Dr. Prerana

“You can’t outsource self-awareness.” – Loreen Wales

“This is where lifestyle medicine shines—when tech meets empathy and behavior becomes the real measure of progress.” – Michael Dean Dargie

Links & Resources:

Learn more about My Viva Plan: discover.myvivaplan.com

Interested in bringing behavior-first care into your clinic? Reach out to the My Viva team for more information.

Call to Action:

If you’re a clinician or health coach looking to elevate care with lasting behavioral change, this episode offers practical insights and a fresh perspective on how digital tools can support your work—not replace it.

Host:
Michael Dean Dargie

Guests:
Dr. Prerana, Chief Medical Liaison, My Viva Inc.
Loreen Wales, Founder & CEO, My Viva Inc.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your treating physician or a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or lifestyle. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you’ve heard on this show.

In this episode of the MyVivaPlan Lifestyle Medicine Podcast, host Michael Dargie engages with experts Loreen Wales and Dr. Prerana Rudrapatna to discuss the operationalization of lifestyle medicine in clinical practice.   They explore the challenges of chronic disease management, the importance of patient-centered care, and how MyVivaPlan serves as a bridge between healthcare providers and patients. The conversation emphasizes the need for sustainable behavior change, the integration of technology in healthcare, and the significance of personalized care in improving health outcomes. takeaways

• Chronic disease management is often chaotic and overwhelming for patients.
• Patients feel unsupported and labeled as non-compliant due to systemic issues.
• A shift towards relationship-centered care is essential for effective healthcare.
• Healthcare providers face cognitive overload due to high patient volumes.
• MyVivaPlan offers a structured approach to lifestyle medicine.
• Empowering patients with tools for self-management is crucial.
• Over 70-80% of chronic diseases are preventable with proper support.
• Behavior change requires gradual, sustainable steps rather than quick fixes.
• Technology can enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery.
• Personalized care is key to meeting individual patient needs.

Sound Bites

• "Patients aren't non-compliant. They're not supported."
• "The healthcare system is broken in such a way."
• "We need a structure to change the way we practice."
• "It's the how that patients are looking for."
• "We have to listen to where patients are at."
• "We need to give people the system they are able to work with."
• "An avocado a day keeps the doctor away."

Chapters   00:00 - Introduction to MyVivaPlan and Lifestyle Medicine 02:59 - Meet the Experts: Laureen and Dr. Prerna 06:13 - The Challenge of Chronic Disease Management 09:13 - Bridging the Gap: Patient-Centered Care 11:51 - The Role of MyViva in Healthcare 14:52 - Empowering Patients: The 99% of Care 18:05 - Building Sustainable Behavior Change 20:56 - Integrating Technology in Healthcare 24:04 - The Importance of Personalized Care 27:00 - Real-World Impact: Patient and Clinic Experiences   DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your treating physician or a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or lifestyle. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you’ve heard on this show.