Building a Wellness Empire — Kristin Oja's Journey from Traditional Healthcare

What if your healthcare experience could go beyond prescriptions — blending fitness, functional medicine, and personalized care all in one place?

In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast, Melissa Schenkman speaks with Dr. Kristin Oja, founder of STAT Wellness, about her entrepreneurial journey from ER nurse practitioner to industry-leading wellness entrepreneur. Kristin shares the personal experiences that led her to combine traditional medicine with functional health, fitness, and community-driven care — creating a practice model that redefines what healthcare can look like.

She offers candid insights into the risks, setbacks, and rewards of entrepreneurship, along with practical lessons on leadership, patient-centered care, and scaling a business that stays true to its mission. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in building a purposeful business in the health and wellness space.

🎧 Tune in now!

Highlights:

• (01:01) Kristin’s transition from personal trainer to nurse practitioner to entrepreneur
• (03:33) The shortcomings of traditional healthcare and how functional medicine fills the gap
• (07:39) Why millennials challenge the healthcare status quo
• (11:05) The risks and realities of launching a wellness business
• (17:25) Why patient experience is the key to growth in health-focused businesses
• (22:40) A closer look at STAT Wellness services: Functional medicine, movement, and diagnostics
• (25:15) Understanding that health is never one-size-fits-all
• (28:06) How AI is empowering more informed health conversations
• (30:49) The importance of self-awareness in your health journey

Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/

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Learn more about this episode's guest, Kristin Oja and STAT Wellness here: https://www.statwellness.com and https://www.statwellness.com/about-total-health-and-wellness/#our-story
Follow her journey on Instagram @kristinojadnp and @statwellness 

Have a question about one of our podcast episodes? Email us at [email protected]. We will be answering your questions in our next upcoming Q&A.

Learn about YMyHealth's Founder, Melissa Schenkman here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/team/melissa-schenkman

Thanks again to our sponsor Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com