What happens when living with chronic disease leads you to an unexpected calling?

On this episode of The Heart of Innovation, cohosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips sit down with Rob, founder of PAD Life Outdoors, who shares his powerful and deeply human journey of living with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) — a condition caused by poor circulation in the legs — while also navigating life after aortic stenting for an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Along the way, Rob discovered something surprising.

As his beard grew, a pair of spectacles appeared, and strangers began calling him Santa — he realized that spreading joy, hope, and holiday cheer gave him something medicine alone never could. This spring, Rob is taking that calling one step further by enrolling in Santa Claus School to become fully certified.

In this heartfelt conversation, Rob opens up about:


Living with the physical and emotional weight of PAD


Recovering from major vascular disease and intervention


How purpose and joy can help quiet the daily burden of chronic illness


Why becoming Santa has helped him focus on what he can do — not what PAD has taken away

This episode is a reminder that even in the face of debilitating disease, meaning, connection, and joy still matter — and they can be powerful medicine.

📞 Need support or guidance right now? PAD Leg Saver Hotline: 1-833-PAD-LEGS

🌐 Trusted patient resources:


https://padhelp.org


https://thewaytomyheart.org

👥 Join our patient community:


https://padsupportgroup.org (Facebook Support Group) Hashtags (search-optimized): 

#TheHeartOfInnovation #PeripheralArteryDisease #PAD #PADLife #VascularHealth #ChronicIllness #PatientStories #SantaClaus #HolidayJoy #FindingPurpose #AorticAneurysm #HeartHealth #LivingWithPAD #PatientAdvocacy #HealthPodcast #HopeAndHealing

What happens when living with chronic disease leads you to an unexpected calling? On this episode of The Heart of Innovation, cohosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips sit down with Rob, founder of PAD Life Outdoors, who shares his powerful and deeply human journey of living with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) — a condition caused by poor circulation in the legs — while also navigating life after aortic stenting for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Along the way, Rob discovered something surprising. As his beard grew, a pair of spectacles appeared, and strangers began calling him Santa — he realized that spreading joy, hope, and holiday cheer gave him something medicine alone never could. This spring, Rob is taking that calling one step further by enrolling in Santa Claus School to become fully certified. In this heartfelt conversation, Rob opens up about: <ul> <li> Living with the physical and emotional weight of PAD </li> <li> Recovering from major vascular disease and intervention </li> <li> How purpose and joy can help quiet the daily burden of chronic illness </li> <li> Why becoming Santa has helped him focus on what he can do — not what PAD has taken away </li> </ul> This episode is a reminder that even in the face of debilitating disease, meaning, connection, and joy still matter — and they can be powerful medicine. 📞 Need support or guidance right now? PAD Leg Saver Hotline: 1-833-PAD-LEGS 🌐 Trusted patient resources: <ul> <li> <a title="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fpadhelp.org&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1766375640000000&usg=AOvVaw0yh7WYDn7Y7uyT5zTMZyNH" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fpadhelp.org&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1766375640000000&usg=AOvVaw0yh7WYDn7Y7uyT5zTMZyNH" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">https://padhelp.org</a> </li> <li> <a>https://thewaytomyheart.org</a> </li> </ul> 👥 Join our patient community: <ul> <li> <a title="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fpadsupportgroup.org&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1766375640000000&usg=AOvVaw1j56cN95RDaDHc8_NCfy2_" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fpadsupportgroup.org&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1766375640000000&usg=AOvVaw1j56cN95RDaDHc8_NCfy2_" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">https://padsupportgroup.org</a> (Facebook Support Group) </li> </ul> Hashtags (search-optimized): #TheHeartOfInnovation #PeripheralArteryDisease #PAD #PADLife #VascularHealth #ChronicIllness #PatientStories #SantaClaus #HolidayJoy #FindingPurpose #AorticAneurysm #HeartHealth #LivingWithPAD #PatientAdvocacy #HealthPodcast #HopeAndHealing

All of us have the power to create change. The advances in technology are now such that if you have an idea, it’s easier than ever to execute on it. “Kym McNicholas On Innovation” shares the journeys of successful entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors from around the world who will inspire you to create your own financial independence. The show also features some of the most advanced technologies you’ve never heard of that could be have an impact on your life, your business, and your career. 

Regular featured segments include “The Edge” which highlights businesses that are game-changing in the enterprise. Plus, each week in “HealthTech”, you’ll hear about a company that’s creating better, safer, faster, and cheaper technologies that will improve patient care and lower costs. And in our “Female Seeking Startup” series hear the success stories of some of the most powerful women who are creating game-changing technologies.

Produced and Published by The Innovators Network (http://TheInnovators.Network)

The Heart of Innovation with Kym McNicholas

The Heart of Innovation is 60 minutes with life and limb saving potential. Emmy Award-winning Journalist and Patient Navigator Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips discuss new exciting ideas and innovation in healthcare. They tackle some of the greatest barriers to timely, effective patient care and discuss solutions with physicians, clinicians, policy makers, and most importantly, patients.

The Heart of Innovation is 60 minutes with life and limb saving potential. Emmy Award-winning Journalist and Patient Navigator Kym McNicholas and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips discuss new exciting ideas and innovation in healthcare. They tackle some of the greatest barriers to timely, effective patient care and discuss solutions with physicians, clinicians, policy makers, and most importantly, patients.

The Heart of Innovation

Finding Joy Again: Living With PAD, Surviving an Aneurysm, and Answering the Call to Be Santa

On this episode of The Heart of Innovation, we sit down with Dr. Jean Chen, a diabetes educator and retired podiatrist whose lifelong commitment to medicine was shaped by service, resilience, and lived experience.

Dr. Chen knew she wanted to be a doctor by the age of five. Raised in Taiwan by a pediatrician father and a nurse mother who often cared for patients unable to pay, she learned early that medicine was about people first. After immigrating to the United States, growing up in Ohio, and studying at Cornell, her career took her through oncology before she found her calling in limb preservation through podiatry.

Then her own path changed.

Following a serious car accident, spinal cord injury, and surgical delays during COVID, Dr. Chen was left partially paralyzed, bringing her career as a practicing podiatrist to an unexpected end. At the same time, she was navigating her own journey with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and a heart catheterization.

Rather than stepping away from care, Dr. Chen changed how she serves. With the encouragement of her endocrinologist, Dr. Manasses, she retrained as a certified diabetes educator, bringing together clinical training and lived experience to help patients better understand how daily choices impact circulation, wound healing, and long-term health.

Today, Dr. Chen works with people living with diabetes and peripheral artery disease, and she also contributes to national efforts through the American Heart Association PAD Collaborative, supporting initiatives to improve PAD awareness, diagnosis, and care across the country.

This conversation explores what happens when medicine becomes personal, how purpose can evolve without being lost, and why early recognition of PAD and diabetes complications is critical to preventing limb loss.

If you or someone you love has diabetes, leg pain, wounds, or trouble walking, don't wait.

PAD Leg Saver Hotline: 1-833-PAD-LEGS Learn more: https://www.PADhelp.org Join the PAD Facebook Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/peripheralarterydisease

Early action saves limbs and lives.

On this episode of The Heart of Innovation, we sit down with Dr. Jean Chen, a diabetes educator and retired podiatrist whose lifelong commitment to medicine was shaped by service, resilience, and lived experience. Dr. Chen knew she wanted to be a doctor by the age of five. Raised in Taiwan by a pediatrician father and a nurse mother who often cared for patients unable to pay, she learned early that medicine was about people first. After immigrating to the United States, growing up in Ohio, and studying at Cornell, her career took her through oncology before she found her calling in limb preservation through podiatry. Then her own path changed. Following a serious car accident, spinal cord injury, and surgical delays during COVID, Dr. Chen was left partially paralyzed, bringing her career as a practicing podiatrist to an unexpected end. At the same time, she was navigating her own journey with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and a heart catheterization. Rather than stepping away from care, Dr. Chen changed how she serves. With the encouragement of her endocrinologist, Dr. Manasses, she retrained as a certified diabetes educator, bringing together clinical training and lived experience to help patients better understand how daily choices impact circulation, wound healing, and long-term health. Today, Dr. Chen works with people living with diabetes and peripheral artery disease, and she also contributes to national efforts through the American Heart Association PAD Collaborative, supporting initiatives to improve PAD awareness, diagnosis, and care across the country. This conversation explores what happens when medicine becomes personal, how purpose can evolve without being lost, and why early recognition of PAD and diabetes complications is critical to preventing limb loss. If you or someone you love has diabetes, leg pain, wounds, or trouble walking, don't wait. PAD Leg Saver Hotline: 1-833-PAD-LEGS Learn more: <a title="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.padhelp.org%2F&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1768011240000000&usg=AOvVaw1zhUUgxof_zTvJUISbUjHS" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.padhelp.org%2F&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1768011240000000&usg=AOvVaw1zhUUgxof_zTvJUISbUjHS" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">https://www.PADhelp.org</a> Join the PAD Facebook Support Group: <a title="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgroups%2Fperipheralarterydisease&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1768011240000000&usg=AOvVaw0BJBw6H0w6ZAKwoT-IaaOq" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgroups%2Fperipheralarterydisease&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1768011240000000&usg=AOvVaw0BJBw6H0w6ZAKwoT-IaaOq" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">https://www.facebook.com/groups/peripheralarterydisease</a> Early action saves limbs and lives.

Her Path Changed — Her Purpose Didn't | Diabetes, PAD & Preventing Limb Loss with Dr. Jean Chen

What if the most powerful New Year's resolution for your heart and leg health wasn't extreme—just consistent?

On this episode of The Heart of Innovation, Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips and Global PAD Association CEO Kym McNicholas talk about simple, realistic daily habits that can add up to meaningful improvements in circulation, vascular health, and quality of life, especially for people living with or at risk for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and heart disease.

We focus on habits that are accessible, repeatable, and evidence-informed—not perfection.

In this conversation, we discuss:


Setting aside 30 minutes a day for walking—even if it's broken into three 10-minute sessions, and why gently pushing through leg discomfort can help improve circulation over time


Easy dietary additions like chia seeds soaked overnight, fermented foods, and fiber support such as psyllium husk


The role of plant sterols and gut health in overall cardiovascular wellness


How 10 minutes of guided self-hypnosis or positive self-affirmations can help reinforce consistency and mindset


Why patients should feel empowered to ask their primary care doctors to help raise awareness about PAD—because early recognition saves limbs and lives

This episode is about progress, not pressure. Small daily actions—done consistently—can create real change in vascular and heart health.

📞 PAD Leg Saver Hotline: 1-833-PAD-LEGS 🌐 Patient education & support: https://www.PADhelp.org 🌐 Nonprofit advocacy & resources: https://www.TheWayToMyHeart.org

What if the most powerful New Year's resolution for your heart and leg health wasn't extreme—just consistent? On this episode of The Heart of Innovation, Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Phillips and Global PAD Association CEO Kym McNicholas talk about simple, realistic daily habits that can add up to meaningful improvements in circulation, vascular health, and quality of life, especially for people living with or at risk for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and heart disease. We focus on habits that are accessible, repeatable, and evidence-informed—not perfection. In this conversation, we discuss: <ul> <li> Setting aside 30 minutes a day for walking—even if it's broken into three 10-minute sessions, and why gently pushing through leg discomfort can help improve circulation over time </li> <li> Easy dietary additions like chia seeds soaked overnight, fermented foods, and fiber support such as psyllium husk </li> <li> The role of plant sterols and gut health in overall cardiovascular wellness </li> <li> How 10 minutes of guided self-hypnosis or positive self-affirmations can help reinforce consistency and mindset </li> <li> Why patients should feel empowered to ask their primary care doctors to help raise awareness about PAD—because early recognition saves limbs and lives </li> </ul> This episode is about progress, not pressure. Small daily actions—done consistently—can create real change in vascular and heart health. 📞 PAD Leg Saver Hotline: 1-833-PAD-LEGS 🌐 Patient education & support: https://www.PADhelp.org 🌐 Nonprofit advocacy & resources: https://www.TheWayToMyHeart.org

New Year's Resolutions for Leg and Heart Health

Travel should be memorable for the right reasons — not stressful health surprises.

In this upcoming episode of The Heart of Innovation, cohosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips dive into why planning ahead is critical when you're traveling with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), cardiovascular disease, mobility challenges, or strict dietary needs.

📍 Broadcasting live from a Princess Cruise ship in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Kym shares firsthand how Princess Cruises goes above and beyond to accommodate her and her father's gluten-free, dairy-free, low-salt, low-sugar diet, while still making it possible to stay active and keep daily steps moving — even at sea.

Dr. Phillips breaks down essential medical travel prep, including:


How to organize and pack medications properly


Why you should identify pharmacies and urgent care locations before you arrive


The importance of carrying physician documentation and imaging CDs


What to have ready in case of a medical emergency away from home

Whether you love cruising, traveling internationally, or just planning a weekend getaway, this episode offers practical, real-world guidance to help you travel smarter, safer, and with confidence.

📞 Need help right now? PAD Leg Saver Hotline: 1-833-PAD-LEGS

🌐 Trusted resources:


https://padhelp.org


https://padsupportgroup.org (Facebook Support Group)

Plan ahead. Protect your legs. And don't let PAD stop you from seeing the world.

Travel should be memorable for the right reasons — not stressful health surprises. In this upcoming episode of The Heart of Innovation, cohosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips dive into why planning ahead is critical when you're traveling with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), cardiovascular disease, mobility challenges, or strict dietary needs. 📍 Broadcasting live from a Princess Cruise ship in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Kym shares firsthand how Princess Cruises goes above and beyond to accommodate her and her father's gluten-free, dairy-free, low-salt, low-sugar diet, while still making it possible to stay active and keep daily steps moving — even at sea. Dr. Phillips breaks down essential medical travel prep, including: <ul> <li> How to organize and pack medications properly </li> <li> Why you should identify pharmacies and urgent care locations before you arrive </li> <li> The importance of carrying physician documentation and imaging CDs </li> <li> What to have ready in case of a medical emergency away from home </li> </ul> Whether you love cruising, traveling internationally, or just planning a weekend getaway, this episode offers practical, real-world guidance to help you travel smarter, safer, and with confidence. 📞 Need help right now? PAD Leg Saver Hotline: 1-833-PAD-LEGS 🌐 Trusted resources: <ul> <li> <a title="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fpadhelp.org&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1766359260000000&usg=AOvVaw2VwumKM3nj37tWG4HXN-Ht" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fpadhelp.org&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1766359260000000&usg=AOvVaw2VwumKM3nj37tWG4HXN-Ht" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">https://padhelp.org</a> </li> <li> <a title="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fpadsupportgroup.org&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1766359260000000&usg=AOvVaw0RJcRaDqkeswW_6PIhqVbP" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fpadsupportgroup.org&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1766359260000000&usg=AOvVaw0RJcRaDqkeswW_6PIhqVbP" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">https://padsupportgroup.org</a> (Facebook Support Group) </li> </ul> Plan ahead. Protect your legs. And don't let PAD stop you from seeing the world.

Finding Joy Again: Living With PAD, Surviving an Aneurysm, and Answering the Call to Be Santa

The Heart of Innovation with Kym McNicholas

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