Glendon's Story: From Overlooked Details to Lasting Change

Small Changes, Big Results

From day one, the Elevé functional medicine team—made up of doctors and a wellness coach—gave Glendon a deeper understanding of his body through lab testing and personalized guidance. One of the key tools was the DEXA Scan—a simple, non-invasive scan that gave him a deeper understanding of his body beyond the number on a scale. 

The scan measured his body fat, muscle mass and bone density, offering clear insight into how his body was changing as he worked toward better health.

Another important tool was the VO2 Max fitness test, widely regarded as the gold standard for measuring aerobic fitness. The test assessed his body’s maximum ability to use oxygen during exercise. This offered valuable insight into how efficiently his heart, lungs and muscles were working together. 

“It wasn’t about guesswork or broad advice,” Glendon explains. “It was about data and what was actually going on inside me.”

The tests revealed gaps that traditional checkups had overlooked, helping him understand why his efforts weren’t delivering results and what specific steps would move him forward.

“Within months, I was losing fat, adding muscle and just feeling better overall,” Glendon says. He points out that the personalized supplement plan also helped, especially with gut health. He gained energy and improved the way his body felt day to day.

Staying on Track

After finishing the initial six-month program, Glendon didn’t stop. He continues to participate with regular blood work, body scans and fitness tests to help him stay focused.

“I still go in about once a quarter,” he explains. “It’s a great reminder to stay mindful of the choices I’m making. Life happens, and sometimes I’ll drift off track for a month or two, but knowing I’ve got an appointment coming up keeps me from drifting too far.”

The ongoing support has helped him avoid the “all or nothing” mentality that often makes people give up on healthy habits. Glendon also appreciates that the program grows with him.

“The Vitality Program is always evolving,” he says. “The supplements, the science, the testing—it keeps getting better, which keeps me motivated.”

Rethinking Health Goals

For Glendon, the Vitality Program wasn’t just about weight loss or hitting a number on the scale.

“When I started, they asked me what I wanted to accomplish,” he says. “I told them: I want to live well for as long as I live.”

That meant thinking beyond short-term goals and focusing on long-term quality of life—like being able to hike 10 miles on a vacation or stay active well into his 70s and 80s.

“It was never about getting a six-pack,” Glendon says. “I don’t care about looking like I’m 25. I just don’t want my body to slow me down as I get older.”

That mindset has also shaped his approach to fitness. Rather than obsessing over the scale, Glendon focuses on maintaining a balance of strength, movement and flexibility.

“In a perfect world, I get about 50 minutes to an hour of exercise a day,” he says. “That could be weight training, cardio, or both.”

The Power of Sleep

John says he feels good overall, but unfortunately he contracted Lyme disease in 2024.

“Right now, it’s about getting myself through this disease,” John says. “It’s debilitating—your joints hurt, you don’t feel like doing anything. I know I’ve got to work out a couple of times a week, or go hiking, or stretch twice a week, whatever it is, to keep doing what I like to do.”

John says Elevé is working with him through the challenge. Where another provider missed the indicators of Lyme, Elevé antibody test picked it up.

“Elevé stands out because they look at your bloodwork at a level that nobody else does,” John says. “They also have great connections and a network of people that can help you there—they find people that are specialists in the things that you need.”

And finally, “they customize your goals, your results, your metabolism, they look at everything and put it together in a package to get to the goal.” Beyond that, the team also adjusts for changes and challenges like those John is experiencing.

Dr. Babiarz referred John to a clinic for some additional treatment to help him stay on top of the disease. “So again, having their network and understanding and that ability to take a deeper look, when you're having issues, they can really dig into it.”

An Investment in the Future

For Glendon, investing in his health now is a chance to set himself up for a healthier, more active future.

“A lot of people look at programs like this and think it’s too expensive, but the way I see it, my health is the best investment I can make,” he says.

He encourages others to rethink their spending, especially if they worry about the cost of health programs.

“People spend a lot on fast food, alcohol and things that aren’t helping them. When I really looked at my spending habits, I found it was more than possible to invest in my health instead,” Glendon says. 

That shift in thinking has had a ripple effect on his work culture. Several of his coworkers have joined the Vitality Executive Program, too, creating an environment where health and accountability are part of the conversation, both in and out of the office.

“We share our data, encourage each other and make healthier choices together,” Glendon says. “It’s been really positive.”