Welcome to the 12th episode of Deprescribe. In this episode, I interview Dr. Zia Poonja and Rex Farrand, the co-founders of MyHealthspan, a platform focused on longevity medicine and health optimization.
In this conversation, we discuss the importance of early screening, biomarkers, and a proactive approach to health. Rex shares his background in tech and how it informs MyHealthspan’s approach to healthcare, while Zia emphasizes the need to improve quality of life in the context of longevity medicine. We explore misconceptions about longevity, the services offered by MyHealthSpan, and the future of healthcare with advancements in AI and diagnostics. We conclude the conversation with personal insights and recommendations for optimizing health.
If you’re looking to maximize your healthspan, wellness, or performance, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
Alternate Links To Listen
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts
Connect with Dr. Zia Poonja
LinkedIn | Website
Dr. Zia Poonja is an oncologist, researcher, health enthusiast, and founder of companies that specialize in health optimization. He has a passion for prevention and advocates for people to recognize the agency they have in their quality of life. Zia completed a BSc in Human Physiology followed by his MD at the University of Saskatchewan. Subsequently, he completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Alberta and a fellowship in Medical Oncology at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Zia currently practices oncology at BC Cancer in Victoria and is an actively involved co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of MyHealthspan and PrehabRx. Zia holds faculty positions at UBC and the University of Victoria. He’s the proud father of two and enjoys powerlifting and running in his spare time.
Connect with Rex Farrand
LinkedIn | Instagram | Website
Rex Farrand is the Co-Founder and CEO of MyHealthspan. Under his leadership, MyHealthspan delivers personalized health insights through advanced blood tests, DNA analysis, and expert coaching—helping people to own their health and extend their healthiest years.
Prior to founding MyHealthspan, Rex has held leadership roles across industries — Meta and Google in Tech, Goldman Sachs in Finance, and he was even an 8th grade science teacher after graduating from the University of Southern California. He's passionate about shifting healthcare from reactive treatment to proactive customer-centric solutions, ensuring that people have the tools to optimize their own health for life.
Chapters:
00:00 — The Role of Biomarkers in Health Optimization
08:42 — Rex's Journey: From Tech to Health
12:59 — Identifying Gaps in Healthcare
17:18 — Understanding Healthspan vs. Lifespan
25:49 — My HealthSpan: Services and Screening Tools
39:04 — Tactical Recommendations for High Performers
44:59 — Oncology Insights and Quality of Life
49:31 — Accessibility in Longevity Medicine
55:11 — The Future of Longevity Medicine and AI
56:08 — The Agency of Health: Empowering Individuals
01:00:07 — The Future of Longevity: Balancing Innovation and Basics
01:01:56 — Advancements in Diagnostics: The Role of AI and Testing
01:05:09 — Proteomics and Longevity: Understanding Protein Signatures
01:07:11 — Quality Control in Health Diagnostics
01:08:13 — Personal Insights: Powerlifting and Health
01:12:18 — Golf and Life: Balancing Passion and Time
01:17:05 — Billboard Messages for the Masses.
Connect with Shawn:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/drshawngill
Twitter/X: x.com/drshawngill
Website: drshawngill.com
Instagram: instagram.com/drshawngill
Substack: shawngill.substack.com
Join MyHealthspan and Support This Show
MyHealthspan is Canada’s number-one health-tech company that focuses on longevity and wellness. I’ve partnered with myHealthspan to get unique insights into my cardiac, metabolic, and cognitive health, while also deep-diving into my risks for various cancers. Your typical physical from your GP only provides you with about 20 biomarkers. However, with myHealthspan’s Every Day Longevity program, you can access over 18 advanced medical tests, screening up to 58 biomarkers and key biometrics. They take all your data and calculate a unique, MyHealthspan Longevity Score, which allows you to focus your efforts on improving the key aspects you may be missing in optimizing your longevity, performance, and wellness. Visit myHealthspan.com/deprescribe to get started; make every day count, and take the first step toward better health with MyHealthspan.
B.U.D.S is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
View all episodes
By Shawn GillWelcome to the 12th episode of Deprescribe. In this episode, I interview Dr. Zia Poonja and Rex Farrand, the co-founders of MyHealthspan, a platform focused on longevity medicine and health optimization.
In this conversation, we discuss the importance of early screening, biomarkers, and a proactive approach to health. Rex shares his background in tech and how it informs MyHealthspan’s approach to healthcare, while Zia emphasizes the need to improve quality of life in the context of longevity medicine. We explore misconceptions about longevity, the services offered by MyHealthSpan, and the future of healthcare with advancements in AI and diagnostics. We conclude the conversation with personal insights and recommendations for optimizing health.
If you’re looking to maximize your healthspan, wellness, or performance, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
Alternate Links To Listen
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts
Connect with Dr. Zia Poonja
LinkedIn | Website
Dr. Zia Poonja is an oncologist, researcher, health enthusiast, and founder of companies that specialize in health optimization. He has a passion for prevention and advocates for people to recognize the agency they have in their quality of life. Zia completed a BSc in Human Physiology followed by his MD at the University of Saskatchewan. Subsequently, he completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Alberta and a fellowship in Medical Oncology at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Zia currently practices oncology at BC Cancer in Victoria and is an actively involved co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of MyHealthspan and PrehabRx. Zia holds faculty positions at UBC and the University of Victoria. He’s the proud father of two and enjoys powerlifting and running in his spare time.
Connect with Rex Farrand
LinkedIn | Instagram | Website
Rex Farrand is the Co-Founder and CEO of MyHealthspan. Under his leadership, MyHealthspan delivers personalized health insights through advanced blood tests, DNA analysis, and expert coaching—helping people to own their health and extend their healthiest years.
Prior to founding MyHealthspan, Rex has held leadership roles across industries — Meta and Google in Tech, Goldman Sachs in Finance, and he was even an 8th grade science teacher after graduating from the University of Southern California. He's passionate about shifting healthcare from reactive treatment to proactive customer-centric solutions, ensuring that people have the tools to optimize their own health for life.
Chapters:
00:00 — The Role of Biomarkers in Health Optimization
08:42 — Rex's Journey: From Tech to Health
12:59 — Identifying Gaps in Healthcare
17:18 — Understanding Healthspan vs. Lifespan
25:49 — My HealthSpan: Services and Screening Tools
39:04 — Tactical Recommendations for High Performers
44:59 — Oncology Insights and Quality of Life
49:31 — Accessibility in Longevity Medicine
55:11 — The Future of Longevity Medicine and AI
56:08 — The Agency of Health: Empowering Individuals
01:00:07 — The Future of Longevity: Balancing Innovation and Basics
01:01:56 — Advancements in Diagnostics: The Role of AI and Testing
01:05:09 — Proteomics and Longevity: Understanding Protein Signatures
01:07:11 — Quality Control in Health Diagnostics
01:08:13 — Personal Insights: Powerlifting and Health
01:12:18 — Golf and Life: Balancing Passion and Time
01:17:05 — Billboard Messages for the Masses.
Connect with Shawn:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/drshawngill
Twitter/X: x.com/drshawngill
Website: drshawngill.com
Instagram: instagram.com/drshawngill
Substack: shawngill.substack.com
Join MyHealthspan and Support This Show
MyHealthspan is Canada’s number-one health-tech company that focuses on longevity and wellness. I’ve partnered with myHealthspan to get unique insights into my cardiac, metabolic, and cognitive health, while also deep-diving into my risks for various cancers. Your typical physical from your GP only provides you with about 20 biomarkers. However, with myHealthspan’s Every Day Longevity program, you can access over 18 advanced medical tests, screening up to 58 biomarkers and key biometrics. They take all your data and calculate a unique, MyHealthspan Longevity Score, which allows you to focus your efforts on improving the key aspects you may be missing in optimizing your longevity, performance, and wellness. Visit myHealthspan.com/deprescribe to get started; make every day count, and take the first step toward better health with MyHealthspan.
B.U.D.S is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.