On The Front Lines of COVID-19 with Dr. Melissa Sundermann

In this episode of The Plant Trainers Podcast, we talk with Dr. Melissa Sundermann about being a plant-based physician on the front lines of COVID-19. She helped us get an eye into what is really going on inside the hospitals during this time and we talked a little about bedside manner and how COVID may change some doctors. She has an important message to help you get your physician on board with Lifestyle Medicine and of course, we do talk a little about her athletic endeavors like running the Boston Marathon 9 times and the impact of nutrition! Dr. Sundermann is a plant-based Internal Medicine physician and a Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine and has been practicing medicine for the past 20 years. She also has training in Integrative Medicine through the University of Michigan and has completed a Professional Training Program in Mind-Body Medicine through the Center for Mind-Body Medicine based in Washington, DC. She has been featured in several Lifestyle Medicine articles and podcasts as well as an invited speaker for health/medical events. Dr. Sundermann strongly believes in fostering a partnership with her patients and helping to guide them to a healing pathway through self-care utilizing Lifestyle Medicine principles. Her pillars of health include a whole food/plant-based diet, daily movement, exposure to nature, social connection, and a sense of life purpose. She does her best to practice what she preaches and enjoys running, biking, hiking, skiing and spending time outdoors and creating adventures with her husband, 2 college-age children and rescue dog. Dr. Sundermann is a 9x Boston Marathon finisher, 3x Full Ironman Triathlon finisher, and will be running her 4th 50K Ultrarunning event this April to celebrate her 50th Birthday. She truly believes that age is just a number and is passionate about spreading this word to all of her patients, family, and friends. In this episode we discuss:  Family dynamics during COVID  Becoming lifestyle medicine How can we use lifestyle med to optimize lifestyle Will COVID change lifestyle meds  Resources for patients How to get your doctor on board for lifestyle medicine Steps to start now  9-time Boston runner and recovery