The Way Forward with Alec Zeck Ep 187: From Pharma Sales to Traditional Chinese Medicine with Dr. Lori Earley
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Sep 3, 2025 Dr. Lori Earley, a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine with a background in pharmaceutical sales, discusses her transformative journey from the drug industry to holistic healing. She reveals the ethical dilemmas she faced in pharma, including the manipulation of data and the promotion of psychotropic drugs. Lori shares her insights on the importance of diet, acupuncture, and emotional well-being in health. She advocates for integrating traditional practices with modern approaches, highlighting how past traumas can affect physical health.
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From Academia To Pharma Sales
- Lori Earley left a planned academic research path and entered pharmaceutical sales after a peer suggested it during grad school.
- She stayed nine years in pharma, which revealed systemic ethical issues that later drove her career change.
Pharma Manipulates Data And Diagnoses
- Lori witnessed systemic manipulation in pharmaceutical marketing, including downplaying side effects and reshaping diagnoses to expand markets.
- She identifies statistical manipulation and internal gaslighting as widespread industry tactics.
Quit After A Toxic Boss, Found Acupuncture
- After abusive treatment and a toxic boss who even spat on her, Lori quit her biotech sales job and lost company property within hours.
- She drove to an acupuncture school the same day and enrolled, launching her Chinese medicine career.
