As the Director of Behavioral Health in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Lupe works at the intersection of psychology, medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle. His approach challenges the idea that health can be solved with a single prescription, diet, or exercise plan. Instead, he believes lasting health comes from understanding the individual, building sustainable habits, and learning how to live with life's inevitable stressors.
We discuss why stress isn't something you eliminate, how it impacts the body, the science behind behavior change, why motivation is overrated, and how small daily actions can create massive long-term improvements in health and longevity.
If you've ever found yourself saying, "I'll start when life settles down," this episode is for you.
βΈ»
In this episode, we discuss:
β’ Why stress management may be the wrong goal
β’ Learning how to live with stress instead of fighting it
β’ How chronic stress affects the body and digestive health
β’ Why motivation isn't the key to lasting change
β’ The power of small habits and tiny wins
β’ How behavior change actually happens
β’ The role of exercise in improving mental health
β’ Why personalized healthcare matters
β’ The connection between identity and health
β’ Self-compassion, resilience, and long-term success
βΈ»
CHAPTERS
00:00 β Introduction
01:21 β Why healthcare must be personalized
05:22 β The connection between stress and physical health
09:03 β Why motivation isn't enough
10:02 β Exercise as a powerful mental health tool
11:56 β Finding your "why"
15:41 β Building integrated healthcare teams
18:41 β How behavior change really works
21:04 β Stress, setbacks, and self-forgiveness
22:04 β Why we're so hard on ourselves
24:33 β The power of self-compassion
26:28 β Success stories and patient transformations
32:03 β Identity, purpose, and health
34:44 β The importance of having a trusted team
39:00 β Practical advice for improving your health
βΈ»
About Dr. Stephen Lupe
Dr. Stephen Lupe is a health psychologist and Director of Behavioral Health in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Cleveland Clinic. A former 911 paramedic, he specializes in helping patients navigate the complex relationship between stress, behavior, mindset, and physical health. His work focuses on creating personalized treatment approaches that combine psychology, nutrition, medicine, and lifestyle interventions to improve patient outcomes.
βΈ»
Connect with Dr. Lupe
Cleveland Clinic:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-lupe/
βΈ»
Listen to The Health Movement Podcast
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@HealthMovementPodcast
Website & Newsletter:
https://healthmovement.us
βΈ»
Work With Derek
Interested in coaching, corporate wellness, speaking engagements, podcast appearances, or health presentations for your organization?
Derek O'Riorden:
https://www.instagram.com/derek.josephs