Ep 12: Lifestyle As Medicine w/ Dr. Amanda Scott

 

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Vitality Collective Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Bettle sits down with Dr. Amanda Scott, a physician specializing in lifestyle medicine. Dr. Scott shares her unconventional path into medicine, her experience studying abroad in Ireland, and her journey from traditional primary care into a more holistic, proactive approach to health. She discusses the six pillars of lifestyle medicine, the importance of strength training for longevity, and how finding your “why” can be the key to making lasting health changes. If you’re looking for practical ways to enhance your vitality and take control of your health, this episode is packed with actionable insights!

 

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Guest Bio:

Dr. Amanda Scott is a physician board-certified in Internal Medicine and she has been working as a primary care doctor in Santa Barbara for over a decade.  She was the Medical Director at The Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic after completing medical residency at Cottage Hospital. She then accepted a position with UCLA and was pivotal in opening the UCLA Health clinic in Montecito.  She was an Assistant Clinical Professor and Lead Physician at UCLA until June of 2024, when she left UCLA to open her own practice called Santa Barbara Lifestyle Medicine.

📍 Website: SBLifestyleMedicine.com

📷 Instagram: @SB_Lifestyle_Medicine

 

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3 Actionable Takeaways for Listeners:

1. Start by Adding, Not Taking Away – Instead of focusing on restriction, introduce more nutrient-dense foods into your diet, like an extra serving of fruits or vegetables each day.

2. Move in a Way That Brings You Joy – Whether it’s walking, dancing, or strength training, find a form of movement you genuinely enjoy to make it sustainable.

3. Identify Your “Why” – Ask yourself why you want to be healthier. Whether it’s playing with your kids, traveling, or staying independent as you age, keeping this purpose in mind can help drive consistent action.

 

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Key Takeaways from the Episode:

• Dr. Scott’s Non-Traditional Path into Medicine – After graduating from UCSB, she pursued medical school in Ireland, which shaped her holistic approach to healthcare.

• The Shift from Primary Care to Lifestyle Medicine – Despite achieving career success, she felt something was missing and discovered her passion for lifestyle medicine.

• Differences Between U.S. and International Medical Education – In Ireland, medical students focus heavily on patient interaction and history-taking, whereas U.S. students are trained in more system-based, technical aspects of medicine.

• The Power of Strength Training for Longevity – As a lifelong runner, Dr. Scott was surprised by the profound benefits of strength training in reducing pain and enhancing mobility.

• The 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine: Nutrition, Physical Activity, Restorative Sleep, Stress Management, Social Connection, and Avoidance of Risky Substances.

• The Importance of Coaching and Collaboration – Patients are more successful when guided through behavior change rather than simply given instructions.

• Breaking the Reactive Medical Model – Traditional healthcare waits for illness before intervening, whereas lifestyle medicine takes a proactive approach to long-term health.

• Rethinking Medication Use – While medications are sometimes necessary, lifestyle interventions can often reduce or eliminate the need for them.

• Momentum in Health Change – Capitalizing on motivation when it arises is key to making lasting changes.

• “An Apple a Day” Is Still Great Advice! – Small, consistent changes in nutrition can have a significant impact on long-term health.