A conversation with Dr. Urban Kiernan is more than just an exchange of words; it’s a transformative experience that challenges your perspectives and enriches your understanding of health and wellness. As the CEO, Founder, and Chairman of iMetabolic Biopharma Corporation (iMBP), Dr. Kiernan is at the forefront of integrating biotechnology with health, redefining what it means to lead a healthy life. His insightful approach to health, focusing on the synergy between technology and wellness, provides a refreshing perspective in an ever-evolving industry.

When I was chatting with Dr. Kiernan about his work, we talked about the melding of the two worlds of health and technology. Although it seems like they should be in opposition to each other, Urban encouraged me to view it through a lens of synergy. How can technology change the way we think about, and take control of our health?

For Dr. Kiernan, the equation all begins with one question: “What is health?” His answer is two-fold and simpler than one might anticipate:

1. What do you need to do to have a good fulfilling life for generations?
2. How much lean muscle mass you have in your body?

The health and wellness industry is constantly evolving. We learn new information, we see new trends emerging (CrossFit, Mediterranean diet, fats are bad, big butts come in and out of fashion, skinny is out and being super strong is in, etc) and our idea of what is healthy shifts. Something that has remained consistently true in this field is that your health will determine your capability to pursue and enjoy your life, and the amount of lean muscle mass you have is statistically significant when it comes to all-cause mortality rates. 

It is up to coaches, trainers, and those who are put in a position of power to help others on their health journey to keep up with the trends, risks and concerns, and changes in the industry to ensure you are effectively helping clients on their pursuit for wellness. This has especially come to industry attention with the rise of GLP-1 drug use. We see a major “quick fix” for weight loss, but it is up to each individual to guide their clients to the bigger picture, which is optimal health. Dr. Kiernan was emphatic on the need for coaches to pay attention to lean muscle mass, especially with their clients on GLP-1 drugs. 

The number reflected on the scale doesn’t hold as much weight as it used to. The scale is only telling a small portion of the story, and when we focus on things like lean muscle mass vs fat mass, we get a much better understanding of what overall health looks like. So overall health and wellness takes a look at something much greater than a scale victory. 

Most people get into the health and wellness sector in hopes of helping others. For some, it can be an easy way to make a paycheck doing something they like, but for the majority of those who are trainers and coaches, the passion is driven by helping others become the happiest and healthiest versions of themselves. What Dr. Kiernan is doing with his BioTech work is taking that to the next level. 

He lives a purpose driven life by helping people fight cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiovascular disease, but that’s just the surface level payoff. What he is doing is helping people live to see more holidays, birthdays, vacations, and more life. The bottom line of what inspires his work was summed up really nicely with one thought he shared: “You go in with that attitude regarding what we want to achieve. And it isn’t about sales, it’s about helping people. To me, money is the natural consequence of doing great things.” 

For health and wellness professionals, Dr. Kiernan’s insights underscore the importance of staying informed about industry trends and guiding clients towards sustainable health goals. His work is a testament to the profound impact that a purpose-driven approach can have, not just in personal training and coaching, but in pioneering advancements that shape the future of health and wellness. Dr. Kiernan and his team at iMBP are indeed changing the world, one innovative step at a time.

Elisa is a curious and versatile writer, carving her niche in the health and wellness industry since 2015. Her lens is rooted in real world experience as a personal trainer and competitive bodybuilder and extended out of the gym and on to the page as a writer where she is able to combine her passions for empowering others, promoting wellness, and the power of the written word.