Meet Payal Patel | Functional Medicine Pharmacist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Payal Patel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Payal, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Work life balance is something we all strive for in a time when hustle culture is considered a norm. Over the course of my life, my perspective has shifted more to the idea of creating work life integration. The fact that this integration changes through the different stages of life is clear. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to pursue a satisfying professional career on a part time basis, as well as embrace a fulfilling family life without guilt and pressure. There are sacrifices which we have made as a family, but as my kids are nearing independence, I feel truly blessed to have been able to be a nurturing presence throughout their childhood. Having realized the importance of building a professional life around the personal lifestyle I want to create is now a mindset I adopt as I embark on my entrepreneurial journey, There are times when one aspect of life carries more weight, but with a clear goal in mind, it becomes easier to return to a balanced baseline quickly.

What should our readers know about your business?
Throughout my 25 year career as a pharmacist, I had the opportunity to practice in diverse pharmacy settings. Being a compounding pharmacist spanned the bulk of my career and through this experience, I was introduced to functional medicine. Functional medicine uses a root cause approach to healing, where an individual is assessed and guided in an integrated and holistic way. It helps uncover imbalances in our body’s functions and these imbalances are addressed using lifestyle interventions as the primary tool for healing.

My functional medicine training introduced me to the powerful role of food as medicine and I came across an exciting opportunity to help build a platform and company rooted in the principles of food as medicine. I am a strategic partner and clinical director with Wholesome Grub, a personalized meal delivery platform that integrates food, technology and clinical expertise to support individual and corporate clients achieve their health goals. Additionally, as a co-founder and partner with The Functional Collective, I am honored to work alongside a group of passionate and inspiring women who value community and empowerment for helping individuals optimize their health and longevity.

As I continue to contribute to these 2 organizations, I am also developing my individual practice through Diani Wellness, where I offer a personalized approach to optimal health using precision screening tools combined with lifestyle support and education. I work with patients who are often on multiple medications and one of my primary goals is to help these individuals optimize therapeutic outcomes from their medication regimens. My background as a compounding pharmacist shed light on the need for educating and supporting patients with hormone imbalances as well. This is an area where lifestyle interventions can be powerful, in addition to hormone and nutraceutical therapy. Helping patients navigate the challenges associated with hormone imbalance throughout various stages of life continues to be a rewarding role. I value the personalization of 1:1 consultations as well as community-driven group workshops and strive to bring a collaborative approach to health through the various projects I am involved with.

Entrepreneurship poses its challenges and in many ways I have been climbing a steep learning curve, especially when it comes to technology and the digital environment businesses operate in today. One of the most important lessons I have gained along this journey is the importance of having a diverse team to lean on. This experience has allowed me to understand and build upon my strengths, while learning to be a supportive team player in areas where I need more guidance. There has also been a certain degree of unlearning that has happened to allow room for growth in the direction that is needed to be a healthcare practitioner in a rapidly changing landscape.

I am excited to bring my pharmacy expertise to all of my business ventures. Embracing my previous professional experience as a pharmacist, while incorporating new insights and perspectives enables me to be a well rounded practitioner. This allows me to offer a comprehensive approach to patient care and lead teams with a balanced outlook. Most importantly, I am crafting a professional course that supports the personal lifestyle and goals I envision for my future.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of the key things I am valuing lately is the importance of slowing down and embracing an organic flow throughout my day. If my best friend were visiting, it’s likely that we would share this vision as well. An ideal day would involve coffee and breakfast at any new local cafe. I have a few favorites in the Dallas area, but with so many new options opening up, I am always open to trying something new. Some sort of outdoor activity, casual hike or bike ride at any of the numerous trails around the metroplex would also be part of an early day itinerary. Lunch and an afternoon at home with family would be important, to foster the bonds we share with each other and allow my kids to be part of the friendships I share with others in my life. An ideal evening would include dinner, and as always would be an opportunity to try something new in the area, followed by a show or catching up at an outdoor venue.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am grateful to have extended family nearby and that serves as the foundation to where I am in life. They all contribute to our individual and collective growth in countless ways.

As I continue on my professional path, I am inspired by many of the aligned individuals who share a common vision of bringing true health and well being to individuals, through education and empowerment. I am grateful to be part of a couple of powerful and compassionate teams through my professional ventures. Special shoutout to my team at Wholesome Grub and The Functional Collective.

Website: https://dianiwellness.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianiwellness

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/payal-patel-pharmd-ifmcp

Other: https://wholesomegrub.com
https://thefunctionalcollective.net