Summary of Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast Episode
Title: How WEconnect Health is Transforming Recovery & Behavioral Health
Guests: Daniela Luzi Tudor, Murphy Jensen, Cameron Chell
Release Date: April 17, 2025
Host: Scott Becker

In this episode of the Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast, host Scott Becker sits down with Daniela Tudor, Murphy Jensen, and Cameron Chell, the visionary leaders behind We Connect Health. The conversation delves deep into their personal journeys, the inception and growth of We Connect Health, current trends in behavioral health, and their ambitious plans for the future.

Introduction

Scott Becker kicks off the episode by introducing the special guests from We Connect Health, highlighting their unique backgrounds and the company’s focus on behavioral health, including mental health and substance use disorders.

Guest Introductions

Daniela Tudor [01:06]:
Daniela introduces herself as the CEO and co-founder of We Connect Health. She shares her personal journey of long-term recovery and her extensive background in technology, which she leveraged to form a partnership with Murphy Jensen over a decade ago.

Cameron Chell [01:33]:
Cameron describes himself as a technology entrepreneur with 35 years of experience, primarily in internet and defense technologies, with a strong focus on healthcare and mental health. He also touches on his own journey of long-term recovery, aligning his personal experiences with his professional endeavors.

Murphy Jensen [02:14]:
Murphy provides a heartfelt introduction, discussing his time as a professional tennis player, including winning the French Open doubles title with his brother Luke. He opens up about his struggles with substance use disorder and mental health challenges, emphasizing the critical role that behavioral health solutions like We Connect Health have played in his recovery.

The Genesis of We Connect Health

Murphy narrates the serendipitous meeting between him and Daniela Tudor at Richard Branson's Necker Island, where they recognized the potential to enhance behavioral health outcomes through technology ([04:25]). Combining their expertise, they set out to create We Connect Health, aiming to improve recovery outcomes and transform the landscape of behavioral health.

Personal Journeys and Overcoming Challenges

Murphy Jensen [02:14 - 06:48]:
Murphy shares his tumultuous journey, from growing up in an alcoholic household to achieving professional success in tennis. He candidly discusses his battle with anxiety and panic attacks, attributing his struggles to the high-stress environment of professional sports. A notable quote from Murphy encapsulates his philosophy: “I'm only as sick as my secrets” ([06:48]).

Cameron Chell [01:33 - 04:56]:
Cameron parallels his entrepreneurial ventures with the solitary nature of professional sports, particularly tennis. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and the support systems that have been crucial in his own recovery journey.

Evolving Trends in Behavioral Health

Daniela Tudor [07:02 - 09:02]:
Daniela outlines significant advancements in behavioral health over the past eleven years. She highlights the emergence of contingency management and mobile applications as critical tools in supporting individuals with substance misuse and behavioral health challenges. Daniela notes, “Eleven years ago... the concept of rewarding people with behavioral health issues was not only foreign, but there were a lot of naysayers” ([07:02]).

Cameron Chell [10:02 - 12:18]:
Cameron discusses the growing acknowledgment of mental health's importance within the market. He compares this shift to the historical prioritization of physical health and expresses excitement over the increasing adoption of their platform, which is now seen as essential for improving workforce efficiency and reducing costs ([12:18]).

Operational Strategies and Customer Engagement

Daniela Tudor [09:24 - 10:02]:
Daniela explains We Connect Health's dual approach in serving both health and government sectors as well as the employer market. They collaborate with health plans, particularly Medicaid, and partner with large and regional brokers to extend their reach. Additionally, they engage directly with companies offering mental health benefits.

Cameron Chell [10:02 - 10:49]:
Cameron emphasizes his role in scaling the company through capital markets and investor relations. He highlights the proprietary technology developed by We Connect Health that facilitates effective recovery and improved health outcomes ([10:49]).

Technological Innovations and Impact

We Connect Health employs advanced technology to deliver contingency management and peer support, which not only enhance recovery outcomes but also result in substantial cost savings for health plans. Their mobile application specifically targets Medicaid populations, demonstrating a 40% reduction in emergency room readmissions, showcasing the platform’s effectiveness and scalability.

Personal Health and Its Interconnection with Mental Health

Murphy Jensen [14:02 - 17:11]:
Murphy shares a personal health crisis, detailing a cardiac arrest he experienced three years prior. He discusses the link between physical and mental health, revealing that genome sequencing revealed his heart cells respond differently to stress. This revelation underscores his commitment to integrating mental health support with physical health, stating, “mental health and our physical health are interconnected and we must take care of both” ([17:11]).

Future Outlook and Exciting Developments

Daniela Tudor [17:45 - 18:58]:
Daniela focuses on scaling We Connect Health’s impact across North America and globally. She emphasizes the dual aspects of cost reduction for institutions and meaningful improvements in individuals' lives. Daniela is particularly excited about enhancing technology for peer support specialists and improving social determinants of health to help individuals thrive ([17:45]).

Cameron Chell [11:08 - 12:18]:
Cameron is enthusiastic about the market’s recognition of mental health’s essential role, which paves the way for scaling the company. He sees this as a transformative period comparable to past societal shifts towards prioritizing physical health.

Inspirational Insights and Closing Thoughts

Throughout the episode, the founders stress the necessity of addressing behavioral health with the same urgency as physical health. They advocate for integrated technological solutions that provide accountability, human connection, and incentives to support long-term recovery. Their personal stories of overcoming adversity serve as powerful testaments to the efficacy of their mission and the impact of We Connect Health.

Notable Quotes

• Murphy Jensen [06:48]: “I'm only as sick as my secrets.”
• Cameron Chell [12:18]: “Seeing the outcomes, the cost reductions... is my biggest focus.”
• Daniela Tudor [17:45]: “Helping people and making people's lives better... that's what's most exciting to me.”

Conclusion

Scott Becker concludes the episode by expressing profound admiration for the inspiring discussion. He provides listeners with information on how to access We Connect Health’s services, directing them to their website and app store platforms.

Where to Find We Connect Health:

• Website: WEConnectHealth.io
• Mobile App: Available on both Android and iOS app stores

Overall, this episode offers a comprehensive exploration of We Connect Health’s mission to revolutionize behavioral health through innovative technology, driven by the founders' personal experiences and unwavering commitment to improving lives.