Choosing Passion: A Founder’s Mission to Meet a Need for Obesity Care
Oct 1, 2024
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Brooke Boyarsky Pratt, the founder and CEO of KnownWell, and Jon Jachimowicz, an assistant professor at Harvard Business School, engage in a heartfelt discussion about addressing obesity care. They explore Brooke’s personal battle with weight stigma and her mission to create an inclusive healthcare option. The duo weighs the challenges of scaling her venture against personal passion and the intricacies of navigating career transitions. They also touch on the stigma surrounding obesity in healthcare and the emotional toll of starting a new chapter in one's career.
Brooke Boyarsky Pratt's transition from corporate roles to founding Known Well illustrates that pursuing passion can occur at any life stage despite challenges.
Known Well's holistic and weight-inclusive approach to obesity care prioritizes patient respect and wellness, addressing significant stigma in traditional healthcare environments.
Deep dives
Rising Obesity Rates and Stigmas
Obesity rates have seen a dramatic increase in the United States, rising from 15% in 1970 to an alarming 42% among adults today. This increase brings with it a host of health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and joint problems, as well as contributing to mental health challenges stemming from social stigma. The podcast emphasizes that despite significant spending on weight loss programs, many individuals struggle to achieve and maintain results, highlighting obesity as a complex medical condition that has not yet received adequate attention from the medical community. This context sets the stage for discussing innovative approaches to obesity care and the personal journeys of those involved in this field.
Pursuing Passion in Healthcare
The core discussion revolves around identifying and pursuing one's passion, particularly in the context of addressing obesity through healthcare services. The podcast features Brooke Bajarski-Pratt, who transitioned from a successful corporate career to founding Known Well, a healthcare home for individuals struggling with obesity. This shift challenges the conventional notion that one should pursue their passion only when young and without commitments, demonstrating that passion can be pursued at any stage of life. The conversation emphasizes the importance of taking risks and the personal fulfillment that can arise from following one's passion, despite the uncertainties involved.
Innovative Care Models at Known Well
Known Well offers a distinctive approach to obesity care by providing a healthcare model that prioritizes the holistic well-being of each patient rather than solely focusing on weight. Unlike traditional healthcare environments where patients often encounter stigma and bias, Known Well aims to create an inclusive atmosphere where individuals feel welcomed and respected. This includes practical changes such as wider doorways, appropriate furniture, and a patient-centric approach that disregards preconceived notions tied to body size. By adopting a weight-inclusive model, Known Well addresses the real needs of patients looking for comprehensive support amidst the challenges of navigating their health journey.
The Complexity of Passion and Professional Identity
The conversation touches on the complexities surrounding the pursuit of passion, particularly how fulfilling work can lead to significant emotional highs and lows. Brooke and Jan discuss the challenges entrepreneurs face, such as financial insecurity and the emotional toll of being invested in their work. Many people experience burnout when their job does not meet their idealistic expectations, as the reality of day-to-day operations can differ greatly from their passion-driven vision. Ultimately, the podcast underscores that while pursuing one's passion can entail serious risks and challenges, the journey can also result in profound satisfaction and a meaningful impact on society.
Early in her career Brooke Boyarsky Pratt (MBA 2013) enjoyed considerable success in roles at McKinsey and Berkadia, a Berkshire Hathaway portfolio company. But a routine visit to the doctor in 2020, where she experienced weight stigma yet again, led her to address the problem of obesity care.
Boyarsky Pratt had struggled with her weight since she was young. So when she started knownwell, an integrated weight and primary care provider that was designed to support people with obesity, it was a huge step for her both personally and professionally. In the spring of 2023, knownwell opened its first weight-inclusive clinic in the Boston area. But Boyarsky Pratt had to make a fundamental decision on how she wanted to grow the company. Should she grow slowly and build a small footprint of clinics in the Boston area over the next few years? Or should she scale fast to potentially help millions of people across the U.S.?