In this fascinating episode, we sit down with Dr. Chrystene Nguyen, a lifestyle medicine physician who ingeniously combined the worlds of healthcare and romance. Learning from personal experience as a single healthcare professional during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as tackling issues of work-life balance with colleagues, Dr. Nguyen founded White Coat Romance, first a Facebook group and then later an innovative dating app specifically designed for professionals in the healthcare field. Hear about her journey from physician to app entrepreneur, as she shares insights into the challenges, triumphs, and the surprising intersections of love and medicine.
White Coat Romance
https://www.whitecoatromance.com/
# Introduction
Section Overview: Dr. Mike Woo-Ming introduces the podcast and the guest, Dr. Chrystene Nguyen, who is a board-certified physician practicing family and lifestyle medicine. They discuss her journey as a physician entrepreneur and her app, White Coat Romance.
## Getting Started in Entrepreneurship
– Dr. Chrystene Nguyen started her journey as an entrepreneur by seeking help from Dr. Mike Wouming a few years ago to get her app started.
– She believes in finding solutions to existing problems and was excited to see other physicians getting involved in entrepreneurship.
## Background of Dr. Chrystene Nguyen
– Dr. Chrystene Nguyen is a board-certified physician practicing family and lifestyle medicine in Southern California.
– She emphasizes the importance of supportive relationships, positive community, and social connections for optimal health.
– She founded White Coat Romance as a private Facebook group during COVID, which later expanded into a dating app exclusively for healthcare professionals.
– The app utilizes NPI or comparable verification nets to ensure authenticity and create meaningful connections within the healthcare community.
# Interview with Dr. Christine Winn
Section Overview: Dr. Mike Wouming interviews Dr. Christine Winn about her journey into medicine and entrepreneurship.
## Journey into Medicine
– Being Asian, there was pressure from her parents to become a doctor as they considered it the highest honor for their child.
– Initially, she resisted their expectations but eventually realized her passion for medicine while doing volunteer work and working in a lab.
– She wanted to pursue something she genuinely wanted to do, leading her to choose medicine as her career path.
## Background and Location
– Dr. Chrystene Nguyen was born in Vietnam but came to the United States at a young age.
– She has been living in Southern California for most of her life.
– She attended UC Davis for medical school and completed her residency at Long Beach Memorial.
# Conclusion
Section Overview: Dr. Mike Wouming concludes the interview with Dr. Christine Winn, expressing his gratitude for having her as a guest on the podcast.
– Dr. Mike Woo-Ming thanks Dr. Chrystene Nguyen for being a guest on the podcast and acknowledges her great work in medicine and entrepreneurship.
– They briefly discuss their shared connection to Long Beach Memorial, where Dr. Chrystene Nguyen completed her residency.
Note: The transcript provided does not contain enough content to create additional sections without deviating from the chronological order of the conversation or creating overly short sections.
#
Section Overview: In this section, the speaker discusses their natural inclination towards family medicine and their transition to urgent care. They also mention seeking help from physiciancoaches.com for various aspects of life.
## Transition to Urgent Care
– The speaker naturally gravitated towards family medicine due to their large family background.
– They had experience in primary care but made the shift to urgent care right before COVID hit.
– Personal circumstances, such as the passing of their father, influenced this decision.
– The speaker realized that being a primary care physician no longer made sense for them.
– They found support and guidance from physiciancoaches.com, which provided access to experts in various areas of life.
#
Section Overview: In this section, the speaker explains what lifestyle medicine is and how they incorporate it into their practice in urgent care.
## Lifestyle Medicine
– The speaker discovered lifestyle medicine during the COVID pandemic through their involvement with the LGA (Lifestyle Medicine Group).
– Lifestyle medicine focuses on using evidence-based approaches to prevent, treat, and reverse chronic lifestyle-related diseases.
– There are six pillars of lifestyle medicine: whole food plant-predominant eating pattern, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoiding risky substances like tobacco use, and fostering community and social connection.
– The speaker utilizes lifestyle medicine principles in urgent care by educating patients about underlying issues related to their symptoms.
– Despite time limitations in urgent care settings, they believe incorporating lifestyle medicine is crucial for holistic patient care.
#
Section Overview: In this section, the speaker discusses how lifestyle medicine can be communicated to patients and emphasizes assessing readiness for change.
## Communicating Lifestyle Medicine
– The term “lifestyle medicine” may not need to be explicitly mentioned when discussing these concepts with patients.
– Many physicians already incorporate lifestyle medicine principles in their practice.
– It is important to assess the patient’s readiness for change and present lifestyle medicine as an option based on their stage of readiness.
# [t=625s] Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine
Section Overview: In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of introducing aspects of lifestyle medicine, even in a few minutes. They emphasize that practicing what you preach is essential.
## Importance of Lifestyle Medicine
– Introducing aspects of lifestyle medicine is valuable, even in a short amount of time.
– Practicing what you preach is crucial for healthcare professionals.
# [t=649s] Starting a Dating and Wellness Community
Section Overview: The speaker shares their journey of starting a dating and wellness community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
## Decision to Start the Community
– The idea came about during the COVID-19 pandemic when everyone’s lives were affected.
– Working in urgent care and experiencing changes in career path led to the decision.
– The fragility of life and importance of community and social connection became evident during this time.
## Challenges Faced
– During the pandemic, there were periods with no work, leading to isolation from family and friends.
– Being single made it difficult to engage in social activities or dating due to safety concerns.
– Facebook groups became popular for connecting with others during this time.
## Creating a Facebook Group
– The speaker started a Facebook group for single high-level healthcare professionals.
– The group provided space for socializing, support, friendship, and even sparked romance.
– As interest grew, other healthcare professionals outside the group wanted to join.
# [t=785s] Developing a Dating App
Section Overview: The speaker explains their decision to develop a dating app alongside the Facebook group.
## Expanding the Community
– Due to limitations on Facebook group size, developing a dating app allowed for a wider community.
– The app includes professionals with master’s and doctorate degrees as well as students in healthcare-related fields.
## Benefits of the App
– Having a larger community provides more opportunities for matches and interactions.
– Some professionals prefer one-on-one interactions rather than community engagement.
# [t=870s] Starting with a Facebook Group
Section Overview: The speaker clarifies the initial steps taken to create the dating and wellness community.
## Virtual Interaction
– During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual interaction was the only option for connecting with others.
– The Facebook group served as a platform for like-minded professionals to engage in friendships and romantic relationships.
## Criteria for Joining
– Eligibility criteria for joining the group included being single and a high-level professional.
– The goal was to create a community where individuals understood each other’s experiences and interests.
## Engagement Activities
– Various engagement activities were organized within the Facebook group, such as different types of posts and virtual events.
– These activities allowed members to interact with each other, privately message, and potentially form connections.
# [t=935s] Experience with Developing the Dating App
Section Overview: The speaker shares their experience in developing the dating app alongside the Facebook group.
## Expanding Community Reach
– Developing the dating app allowed for a wider reach beyond the limitations of a Facebook group.
– Including professionals with different degrees and students created more opportunities for matches.
## Excitement about Progress
– The speaker expresses excitement about how the community has grown and evolved through both the Facebook group and dating app.
Note: Timestamps are approximate.
# Frustration with Online Dating
Section Overview: The speaker expresses frustration with online dating, citing the presence of scammers and catfishers. They also mention the concern of whether to include their professional degree on their dating profile.
## Challenges in Online Dating
– Online dating has become increasingly frustrating due to the prevalence of scammers and catfishers.
– As a physician, there is an additional concern about whether to disclose their professional degree on their dating profile.
– The speaker feels that there is a lack of suitable platforms for high-level professionals like physicians in the modern dating world.
# Personal Approach to Matchmaking
Section Overview: The speaker discusses their role in matchmaking among friends and how it has evolved over time.
## Role in Matchmaking
– Initially, the speaker and their friends would try to match each other up with potential partners.
– Over time, as social circles became limited, making new friends through dating apps became an effective way to expand one’s network.
# Transition from Facebook Group to Dating App
Section Overview: The speaker explains the transition from a Facebook group to developing a dedicated dating app.
## Transitioning to a Dating App
– The idea of creating a dedicated dating app arose several months after starting a Facebook group in July 2020.
– Despite having no technical or business background, the speaker was determined to pursue this idea.
– Initially, they considered having a friend develop the app but later discovered that their brother-in-law had experience working on a dating app.
– However, due to various challenges and limitations, including COVID-related disruptions and bugs in development, they realized they needed more help.
– Eventually, they found a developer overseas through a recommendation from India.
# Challenges and Lessons Learned
Section Overview: The speaker reflects on the challenges faced during the app development process and the importance of finding the right developer.
## Challenges and Lessons
– Developing an app proved to be a complex process, with various technical challenges and compatibility issues across different devices.
– Finding the right developer who understood their vision and could effectively carry it out was crucial.
– COVID-related disruptions further impacted the development timeline.
– The speaker acknowledges that part of the challenge was learning how to be a leader in this process and navigating the world of apps.
Note: The transcript is already in English, so there is no need to respond in a different language.
#
Section Overview: In this section, the speaker discusses their experience with a project and the skills they gained from it.
## Experience with a Project
– The speaker has been working on a project for a while, attending meetings twice a week. Despite the ups and downs, they try to maintain a positive attitude.
– They view the project as part of their learning process and believe that it has helped them gain valuable skills.
– The speaker mentions their interest in creating another dating app in the future, confident that they can complete it more efficiently based on their previous experience.
#
Section Overview: This section focuses on the skills gained through the project and the development of social media channels.
## Gaining Skills and Social Media Presence
– The speaker expresses satisfaction with the skills acquired during the project, including becoming comfortable with social media platforms.
– They mention having six social media channels, an email list, and organizing live events.
– Previously not being much of a social media person, they have now learned to utilize these platforms effectively.
#
Section Overview: Here, the speaker talks about launching their dating app in different countries and platforms.
## App Launch and Availability
– The dating app was launched in mid-February in the US and later rolled out to Canada at the end of March.
– It is available for download on Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store.
– The process of launching on the app store took some time but eventually succeeded.
#
Section Overview: This section provides an overview of WhiteCode Romance, discussing its niche nature compared to other dating apps.
## WhiteCode Romance Dating App
– WhiteCode Romance is described as a niche dating app catering to quality professionals rather than a broad audience.
– The community size is smaller compared to popular apps like Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, and Match.
– The app aims to connect high-level professionals seeking romantic relationships with each other.
#
Section Overview: The speaker explains the verification process and emphasizes the importance of confirming users’ identities.
## Verification Process
– WhiteCode Romance has a key distinguishing feature: a thorough verification process for user accounts.
– Users are required to provide proof of their professional identity, such as National Provider Identifier (NPI) or license information.
– In Canada, specific provincial verifications are also requested based on the user’s location.
– Photo and selfie verification are necessary to confirm that users are genuine individuals and not using someone else’s identity.
#
Section Overview: This section discusses the reduced likelihood of encountering scammers or bots on WhiteCode Romance due to its verification process.
## Minimizing Scammers and Bots
– The speaker mentions that while no app is completely immune to scammers or bots, the likelihood of encountering them on WhiteCode Romance is minimal.
– The thorough verification process significantly reduces the chances of fraudulent accounts.
– They acknowledge that some scammers or bots may still slip through but emphasize their efforts in minimizing such instances.
#
Section Overview: This section highlights additional features being developed for WhiteCode Romance and its current free status.
## Community Engagement and Free Access
– The speaker expresses excitement about building a community engagement feature within the app, inspired by the positive experiences in their Facebook group.
– Traditional dating apps often lack depth, so they aim to create opportunities for meaningful connections through community engagement.
– Currently, WhiteCode Romance is free as it is still in its early stages of development.
#
Section Overview: The speaker emphasizes the importance of community engagement and shares their motivation for creating a unique dating app.
## Building a Unique Dating App
– The speaker aims to create more than just another dating app, recognizing the abundance of similar apps already available.
– They want to provide something different and meaningful, incorporating community engagement features inspired by their Facebook group.
– Feedback from the WhiteCode Romance community is valued, helping shape the app’s development and success.
#
Section Overview: This section highlights some success stories within the WhiteCode Romance community.
## Success Stories
– The speaker mentions that there have been four weddings within the WhiteCode Romance community so far.
– Additionally, there is a couple who had a baby, which brings joy to the speaker as a hopeless romantic.
– Witnessing these connections and positive outcomes reinforces their belief in the effectiveness of WhiteCode Romance.
# Creating a Safe and Authentic Space for Love and Companionship
Section Overview: In this section, the speaker discusses the motivation behind creating a safe and authentic space for finding love, companionship, or friendly conversation. They emphasize the importance of having a partner who shares similar life goals and values.
## The Need for a Partner with Similar Life Goals
– It is important to have a partner who shares similar life goals, including intellectual and financial aspirations.
– The speaker wanted to create a safe and secure space where individuals can find love, companionship, or engage in friendly conversation.
– The goal is to build a community that has been lacking in terms of providing such opportunities.
# Appreciating Entrepreneurship and Problem-Solving
Section Overview: This section highlights the appreciation for entrepreneurship and problem-solving skills demonstrated by the speaker in creating their website.
## Recognizing Entrepreneurial Efforts
– The speaker is commended for being an entrepreneur and taking action on their ideas.
– Implementation is crucial as ideas alone are not enough without execution.
– The website mentioned is whitecoatromance.com.
# Accessing the Website/App
Section Overview: Here, information about accessing the website/app is provided.
## Downloading White Coat Romance
– White Coat Romance can be downloaded from both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
– Users can also visit the website whitecoatromance.com to download it.
# Key Takeaways from Building a Facebook Group into an App
Section Overview: The speaker shares some key takeaways from their journey of building a Facebook group into an app.
## Importance of Taking Action
– One of the biggest lessons learned is the importance of taking action, regardless of how uncertain or daunting it may seem.
– Taking the first step allows for subsequent steps and learning along the way.
– It is not necessary to have all the answers initially; focus on taking that initial step.
# Overcoming Fear and Embracing Progress
Section Overview: This section emphasizes overcoming fear and embracing progress in pursuing goals.
## Don’t Be Afraid to Take the First Step
– The speaker advises not to be afraid of taking the first step towards a goal, even if it seems intimidating.
– Progress is made by continuously taking subsequent steps and learning along the way.
– Having all the answers from the beginning is not necessary; focus on what needs to be done rather than how it will be done.
# Focusing on What You Want to Achieve
Section Overview: The importance of focusing on what one wants to achieve rather than getting overwhelmed by how to achieve it is discussed.
## Focus on Your Goal
– Instead of being overwhelmed by how to build an app, concentrate on what you want to accomplish with it.
– The speaker acknowledges their ongoing learning process in building an app for healthcare professionals.
– The website mentioned again is whitecoatromance.com.
# Finding Love, Friendship, and Connections
Section Overview: This section highlights the potential outcomes of using White Coat Romance, including finding love, friendship, and making connections within the healthcare community.
## Downloading White Coat Romance
– Users are encouraged to download White Coat Romance if they are looking for love or simply interested in meeting new people within the healthcare field.
– Many connections have already been made through this dating app specifically designed for healthcare professionals.
# Acknowledging the Importance of Support
Section Overview: The speaker expresses gratitude for the support received throughout their journey and emphasizes the significance of seeking help.
## Appreciating Support from Others
– The speaker acknowledges that they did not accomplish everything alone and expresses gratitude for those who guided and supported them.
– Seeking guidance and assistance is essential in achieving goals.
– The speaker appreciates coaches, teachers, leaders, and community disruptors who have played a role in their journey.
# Inspiration from AI and Buyback Your Time
Section Overview: The speaker mentions being inspired by AI technology and a book recommendation provided by the interviewer.
## Interest in AI
– The speaker credits the interviewer for sparking their interest in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
– They mention reading a recommended book called “Buyback Your Time,” which has been influential to them.
# Closing Remarks
Section Overview: Final remarks are made, expressing appreciation for the interview opportunity and excitement for future success stories.
## Gratitude and Excitement
– The speaker thanks the interviewer for having them on the show.
– They express enjoyment in sharing their success story.
– Anticipation is expressed for more success stories within the healthcare community using White Coat Romance.
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