This Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, The Heart of Innovation presents an extraordinary story of resilience and transformation.  Join hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips as they welcome Thomas Francois, a peripheral artery disease amputee turned Santa Rosa Junior College baseball coach.  Discover how Thomas views his amputation as a "gift" and a pivotal "Saul to Paul" moment in his life.  Don't miss this powerful episode exploring: • Overcoming physical challenges • Finding purpose through adversity • Redefining success in sports and life  Tune in to hear Thomas's remarkable journey from PAD patient to inspiring coach.  #LimbLossAwareness #PADSurvivor #InspiringCoach #HeartOfInnovation #peripheralarterydisease #padsupport #padawareness #amputationprevention

This Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, The Heart of Innovation presents an extraordinary story of resilience and transformation. Join hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips as they welcome Thomas Francois, a peripheral artery disease amputee turned Santa Rosa Junior College baseball coach. Discover how Thomas views his amputation as a "gift" and a pivotal "Saul to Paul" moment in his life. Don't miss this powerful episode exploring: • Overcoming physical challenges • Finding purpose through adversity • Redefining success in sports and life Tune in to hear Thomas's remarkable journey from PAD patient to inspiring coach. #LimbLossAwareness #PADSurvivor #InspiringCoach #HeartOfInnovation #peripheralarterydisease #padsupport #padawareness #amputationprevention

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

This Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, The Heart of Innovation presents an extraordinary story of resilience and transformation.  Join hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips as they welcome Thomas Francois, a peripheral artery disease...

From Amputation to Inspiration: Baseball Coach Thomas Francois Redefines Limb Loss

Join us for a powerful PAD Awareness Day conversation with Michael Lepp, a globally respected human performance and cardiovascular physiology expert whose work spans elite athletics, endurance cycling, and high-pressure team dynamics.

Michael has spent over 40 years coaching, consulting, and advising athletes and teams — from world-class endurance cyclists and cycling culture discussions to training pit crews for NASCAR Cup winners and serving as senior athletic advisor to Joe Gibbs Racing. His perspective blends physiology, performance science, and real-world human resilience.

In this discussion, we explore:

How elite performance principles from cycling and high-stress teams can inform PAD recovery and mobility

Lessons from cardiovascular training and heart health in endurance athletes

Practical movement, rehabilitation, and resilience strategies for people living with PAD

Michael's experience shaping early PAD and cardiac rehab approaches in Charlotte, NC

Whether you're living with PAD, caring for someone who is, or interested in human performance across sport and health, this interview delivers evidence-based insight rooted in decades of experience.

👉 Don't miss this unique blend of sports science, heart health expertise, and real-world PAD awareness work.

#PADAwareness#PeripheralArteryDisease#MichaelLepp#HumanPerformance#Cycling#NASCAR#CardioRehab

Join us for a powerful PAD Awareness Day conversation with Michael Lepp, a globally respected human performance and cardiovascular physiology expert whose work spans elite athletics, endurance cycling, and high-pressure team dynamics. Michael has spent over 40 years coaching, consulting, and advising athletes and teams — from world-class endurance cyclists and cycling culture discussions to training pit crews for NASCAR Cup winners and serving as senior athletic advisor to Joe Gibbs Racing. His perspective blends physiology, performance science, and real-world human resilience. In this discussion, we explore: How elite performance principles from cycling and high-stress teams can inform PAD recovery and mobility Lessons from cardiovascular training and heart health in endurance athletes Practical movement, rehabilitation, and resilience strategies for people living with PAD Michael's experience shaping early PAD and cardiac rehab approaches in Charlotte, NC Whether you're living with PAD, caring for someone who is, or interested in human performance across sport and health, this interview delivers evidence-based insight rooted in decades of experience. 👉 Don't miss this unique blend of sports science, heart health expertise, and real-world PAD awareness work. <a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/padawareness" target="">#PADAwareness</a> <a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/peripheralarterydisease" target="">#PeripheralArteryDisease</a> <a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/michaellepp" target="">#MichaelLepp</a> <a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/humanperformance" target="">#HumanPerformance</a> <a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/cycling" target="">#Cycling</a> <a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/nascar" target="">#NASCAR</a> <a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/cardiorehab" target="">#CardioRehab</a>

Lessons from Nascar for Heart and Vascular Health

🔴 TUNE IN SATURDAY | 11:06 AM PT | 2:06 PM ETThe Heart of Innovation — Live on the #1 Healthcare Radio Show in the SF Bay Area 

🏆 Named by Feedspot 2025: #1 Women in Innovation Podcast in the NationNearly half of all American adults have high blood pressure and only 1 in 4 have it under control. 

For millions, the pills aren't working. But there's a procedure most doctors AND patients have never heard of. And it's been FDA-approved. 

This Saturday, host Kym McNicholas, CEO of the Global PAD Association, and interventional cardiologist Dr. John Phillips sit down with two of the people who refused to give up on it: 

👩‍🔬 Julie Trudel, PhD: Senior Director, R&D, Coronary & Renal Denervation, Medtronic 🧬 Jason Fontana, PhD: VP of Global Marketing & Renal Denervation General Manager, MedtronicRenal denervation is a minimally invasive procedure that targets overactive nerves near the kidneys, nerves that can silently drive blood pressure up no matter how many medications you take. 

It's not a pill. It's not surgery. It's a one-time catheter-based procedure that disrupts the signals causing the problem at the source. 

The road to get here? 

Anything but smooth. 

Early trials failed. 

The medical community walked away. Other companies exited the space entirely. But Medtronic kept going, redesigning the technology, running new trials, and fighting for FDA approval that finally came in 2023. 

Medicare coverage followed in late 2025.So why don't more patients know about it? 

Why aren't more physicians offering it?That's exactly what we're asking this Saturday.If you or someone you love has been told their blood pressure is "uncontrollable, " this episode is for you. 

📻 Watch live via the link in our stream. 

Set your reminder now. 

If you have questions about circulation issues in your legs, which is typical for patients with long time high blood pressure, call the Global PAD Association's Leg Saver Hotline at 1-833-PAD-LEGS or go to PADhelp.org 

#HeartOfInnovation #RenalDenervation #Hypertension #UncontrolledBloodPressure #WomenInInnovation #CardiovascularHealth #Medtronic #PatientAdvocacy #HeartHealth #BloodPressure #GlobalPADAssociation #MedTech #Innovation

🔴 TUNE IN SATURDAY | 11:06 AM PT | 2:06 PM ETThe Heart of Innovation — Live on the #1 Healthcare Radio Show in the SF Bay Area 🏆 Named by Feedspot 2025: #1 Women in Innovation Podcast in the NationNearly half of all American adults have high blood pressure and only 1 in 4 have it under control. For millions, the pills aren't working. But there's a procedure most doctors AND patients have never heard of. And it's been FDA-approved. This Saturday, host Kym McNicholas, CEO of the Global PAD Association, and interventional cardiologist Dr. John Phillips sit down with two of the people who refused to give up on it: 👩‍🔬 Julie Trudel, PhD: Senior Director, R&D, Coronary & Renal Denervation, Medtronic 🧬 Jason Fontana, PhD: VP of Global Marketing & Renal Denervation General Manager, MedtronicRenal denervation is a minimally invasive procedure that targets overactive nerves near the kidneys, nerves that can silently drive blood pressure up no matter how many medications you take. It's not a pill. It's not surgery. It's a one-time catheter-based procedure that disrupts the signals causing the problem at the source. The road to get here? Anything but smooth. Early trials failed. The medical community walked away. Other companies exited the space entirely. But Medtronic kept going, redesigning the technology, running new trials, and fighting for FDA approval that finally came in 2023. Medicare coverage followed in late 2025.So why don't more patients know about it? Why aren't more physicians offering it?That's exactly what we're asking this Saturday.If you or someone you love has been told their blood pressure is "uncontrollable, " this episode is for you. 📻 Watch live via the link in our stream. Set your reminder now. If you have questions about circulation issues in your legs, which is typical for patients with long time high blood pressure, call the Global PAD Association's Leg Saver Hotline at 1-833-PAD-LEGS or go to PADhelp.org #HeartOfInnovation #RenalDenervation #Hypertension #UncontrolledBloodPressure #WomenInInnovation #CardiovascularHealth #Medtronic #PatientAdvocacy #HeartHealth #BloodPressure #GlobalPADAssociation #MedTech #Innovation

A Fix For Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure

Are leg arteries ever "too small to treat"? Around the world, many patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), especially those with below-the-knee and small vessel disease, are told their arteries are "too small" or "too distal" for intervention. In this episode of The Heart of Innovation, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips interview Dr. Naoki Hayakawa, Chief and Director of Endovascular Therapy at Asahi General Hospital in Japan.Dr. Hayakawa is internationally recognized for tackling the most complex chronic total occlusions (CTOs), including small-caliber below-the-knee vessels that others may consider untreatable. He has served as a live demonstration operator at major international meetings including JET, CCT Peripheral, Kokura Live, and Peripheral CTO Seminars, and has published extensively on: • IVUS-guided wiring techniques • Below-the-knee chronic total occlusions • Drug-coated balloon therapy • Transradial approaches for complex PAD • Advanced re-entry and retrograde access techniques His work challenges outdated assumptions about what is and isn't possible in limb salvage.In this conversation, Dr. Hayakawa sets the record straight on: • What can truly be treated in small vessel PAD • When vessels are actually too small • The importance of imaging and IVUS guidance • Why patients must seek experienced operators for complex disease • What global standards of care should look like If you or someone you love has been told "nothing more can be done," this episode is essential viewing. - Concerned about leg circulation or told your vessels are too small?Call the Leg Saver Hotline: 1-833-PAD-LEGSBecause "too small to treat" should never be the final answer without expert evaluation. Subscribe to The Heart of Innovation for global leaders in vascular innovation, limb salvage, and PAD care. #PeripheralArteryDisease#PAD#LimbSalvage#BelowTheKnee#ChronicTotalOcclusion#EndovascularTherapy#IVUS#CriticalLimbIschemia

Are leg arteries ever "too small to treat"? Around the world, many patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), especially those with below-the-knee and small vessel disease, are told their arteries are "too small" or "too distal" for intervention. In this episode of The Heart of Innovation, hosts Kym McNicholas and Dr. John Phillips interview Dr. Naoki Hayakawa, Chief and Director of Endovascular Therapy at Asahi General Hospital in Japan.Dr. Hayakawa is internationally recognized for tackling the most complex chronic total occlusions (CTOs), including small-caliber below-the-knee vessels that others may consider untreatable. He has served as a live demonstration operator at major international meetings including JET, CCT Peripheral, Kokura Live, and Peripheral CTO Seminars, and has published extensively on: • IVUS-guided wiring techniques • Below-the-knee chronic total occlusions • Drug-coated balloon therapy • Transradial approaches for complex PAD • Advanced re-entry and retrograde access techniques His work challenges outdated assumptions about what is and isn't possible in limb salvage.In this conversation, Dr. Hayakawa sets the record straight on: • What can truly be treated in small vessel PAD • When vessels are actually too small • The importance of imaging and IVUS guidance • Why patients must seek experienced operators for complex disease • What global standards of care should look like If you or someone you love has been told "nothing more can be done," this episode is essential viewing. - Concerned about leg circulation or told your vessels are too small?Call the Leg Saver Hotline: 1-833-PAD-LEGSBecause "too small to treat" should never be the final answer without expert evaluation. Subscribe to The Heart of Innovation for global leaders in vascular innovation, limb salvage, and PAD care. #PeripheralArteryDisease#PAD#LimbSalvage#BelowTheKnee#ChronicTotalOcclusion#EndovascularTherapy#IVUS#CriticalLimbIschemia

From Amputation to Inspiration: Baseball Coach Thomas Francois Redefines Limb Loss

In 1 playlist(s)

The Heart of Innovation

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips