In an era where chronic diseases are rising and burnout is rampant among healthcare providers, a growing number of clinicians are rethinking what it means to truly care for patients. In this candid and thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Justin Charles joins Dr. Gina Siddiqui to discuss his unconventional path into lifestyle medicine—a field grounded in evidence-based interventions like nutrition, movement, and stress management to address the root causes of disease. Together, they explore the limitations of conventional care, the power of patient-centered communication, and why a shift in medical mindset may be long overdue.
During his first year of medical school, Dr. Charles came across the field of lifestyle medicine—a turning point that reframed how he viewed healthcare. Lifestyle medicine focuses on preventing and, in many cases, reversing chronic disease through targeted behavioral changes, including diet, movement, stress reduction, and social support.
Reflecting on that discovery, he shared, “I felt like the light shone down from the heavens. I read all about it and thought, this is the part that's been missing—and I haven’t looked back since.” For the first time, he saw a path that integrated his passion for science with a deeper calling to care for patients in a more holistic, human-centered way.
Although sometimes misunderstood as “less scientific,” lifestyle medicine is deeply rooted in physiology and clinical research. Dr. Charles explains that it moves beyond isolated pharmacological targets to address the interconnected systems that shape overall health.
“This isn’t about kale smoothies and yoga mats,” he emphasizes. “It’s about applying the scientific method to the full complexity of being human.” By focusing on the whole person rather than isolated symptoms, lifestyle medicine offers a more comprehensive, durable solution to many chronic conditions.
Dr. Charles also clarified the difference between two often overlapping approaches:
- Lifestyle Medicine centers on modifying core behaviors—such as diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management—based on strong, consistent scientific evidence.
- Integrative Medicine includes these principles but also draws from complementary therapies like acupuncture, supplements, and energy work. While some interventions have solid evidence, others are still under evaluation, requiring thoughtful clinician judgment and open patient dialogue.
A central theme in the discussion is the importance of building trust through empathy, humility, and cultural sensitivity. Dr. Charles emphasizes that listening must come before advising. When patients share their habits or struggles, the role of the clinician isn’t to judge but to understand.
“If someone says their diet is an 8 out of 10, I ask—why not a 10? Why not a 6?” he explains. “That opens the door to understanding their perspective.” Rather than assuming what’s best, the lifestyle medicine approach focuses on co-creating a plan that fits the patient’s values, goals, and life circumstances.
While this model requires more time, nuance, and relational care, Dr. Charles believes it’s essential. “We don’t know what someone’s life is like unless we ask. Making assumptions closes doors—listening opens them.”
This conversation highlights a quiet but powerful shift taking place in medicine—one that re-centers care around people, not protocols. Lifestyle medicine offers more than just new tools; it offers a new way of thinking. One that begins by asking:
What matters most to you?
What are you willing to work toward?
And how can we walk that path together?
For both physicians and patients, the promise of lifestyle medicine is not just better outcomes, but deeper connection—and a renewed sense of purpose in the healing process.
