Episode 002: Guillermo Ruiz and Allyson Chrystal: The Future "Integrative" Family Medicine Clinic

5/16/2017

In today’s show, I share a curious conversation with two close friends Allyson Chrystal and Guillermo Ruiz. Together the three of us share a common mission to remove barriers to wellness through the application of functional, paleolithic and holistic approaches to medicine. While our educational backgrounds may be entirely different ranging from allopathic and naturopathic medical training to occupational therapy and functional nutrition, we have come together in this conversation to discuss our visions for the future family medicine clinic. What does it look like? What types of providers should be involved? What kinds of therapies should be available? Is this possible? And lastly who is actually running the show?

But before we dig into this dynamic discussion, I want to share a little bit about my two friends Guillermo and Allyson.

Allyson Chrystal is an occupational therapist and clinical instructor specializing in pediatrics. In her clinical work and research, Allyson has focused on sensory integration and self-regulation in children with behavioral and developmental disorders. More recently, she has expanded her work with self-regulation to typically developing children and adolescents. She is also currently completing her Master’s degree in Functional Medicine and Clinical Nutrition.

Guillermo Ruiz is a fourth-year naturopathic medical student at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona. I first discovered Guillermo after listening to his podcasts with Robb Wolf and Chris Masterjohn, and it was obvious, even before ever reaching out, that a friendship was already in the works. Guillermo’s aim is to use his research to advance Naturopathic medicine as an evidence-based practice, and he focuses on finding evolutionary connections between our modern and traditional health care systems. He is currently a research assistant at SCNM and associate researcher at Arizona State University Biodesign Institute, where he focuses on botanical medicine research. His hobbies include researching, learning, practicing and teaching the benefits of adhering to an appropriate evolutionary diet.

I cannot express my gratitude enough for these two thought leaders as we attempt to uncover what we truly need to be nourished, to be joyful or to forever remain whole.

Follow Guillermo on his website:
http://www.3030strong.com
Listen in on his podcast:
http://www.3030strong.com/3030-health/