This week’s wellness podcast featured Dr. Jason Lao—family medicine physician, yoga teacher, and advocate for lifestyle-based care. Dr. Lao shared his journey into family medicine, his belief in the mind’s powerful influence on health, and how everyday habits shape our long-term well-being.
From Psychiatry to Family Medicine
Initially drawn to psychiatry, Dr. Lao realized his true calling was family medicine. This path allowed him to return home to Las Vegas while still honoring his deeper purpose: exploring root causes of illness. As he explained, “Family medicine still encompasses psychiatry. In that compromise, I found the same goal I set out for—understanding why people are experiencing what they’re experiencing.”
The Mind as the Core of Wellness
Dr. Lao emphasizes that wellness begins in the mind. Drawing inspiration from Joe Dispenza’s framework—thoughts become choices, choices become behaviors, behaviors lead to experiences—he notes that the way we process daily challenges determines the habits we form. Whether turning to food, alcohol, or distraction, those repeated choices often underlie many chronic conditions he treats.
Lifestyle Habits as Medicine
Rather than focusing solely on lab numbers or prescriptions, Dr. Lao works with patients to identify lifestyle patterns affecting health. His approach aligns with the principles of lifestyle medicine, built on six core pillars:
-
Sleep quality
-
Physical activity
-
Nutrition (favoring whole, minimally processed foods)
-
Avoidance of risky substances
-
Stress management
-
Social connection
He often frames these areas as a “wellness checklist” to help patients take inventory of where small, meaningful changes can begin.
Building Trust and Small Wins
For Dr. Lao, the doctor–patient relationship is not about judgment but teamwork. “The first visit is about building rapport,” he says. Over time, he uses motivational interviewing to guide patients toward self-discovery—helping them uncover the “why” behind their behaviors and take ownership of change.
He stresses the importance of creating small wins. Whether it’s cutting back on soda or walking more, incremental progress gives patients a sense of empowerment and momentum. “People already know what they want and why—they struggle with the how. My job is to help them figure out that how.”
A Holistic Philosophy of Care
Dr. Lao likens healthcare to a gym membership: paying for it doesn’t automatically make you healthy—it requires participation. He believes true healing is a collaborative process between doctor and patient, built on trust, accountability, and consistency.
His personal practices—yoga, meditation, and disciplined daily routines—also inform his care philosophy. To him, wellness is not a destination but a continual process of alignment between body, mind, and spirit.
Key Takeaways from Dr. Lao
-
Wellness starts in the mind—your thoughts shape your choices and outcomes.
-
Lifestyle matters—movement, sleep, nutrition, stress management, and connection are as important as medication.
-
Build small wins—incremental changes create lasting momentum.
-
Healing is a team effort—patients must engage in the process, not expect quick fixes.
-
Consistency builds resilience—daily habits, not occasional efforts, create long-term wellness.
Dr. Jason Lao’s approach is both practical and compassionate—reminding us that while doctors provide guidance, the power to heal ultimately comes from within.