Camp Gagnon: The Wild Breakthrough in Blood Pressure Checks
Release Date: August 11, 2025
Hosts:
- Mark Gagnon – Host of Camp Gagnon
- Will Ahmed – Co-founder and CEO of WHOOP
Introduction
In this engaging episode of Camp Gagnon, host Mark Gagnon sits down with Will Ahmed, the visionary co-founder and CEO of WHOOP, to explore groundbreaking advancements in health technology, the entrepreneurial journey, and the balance between personal life and running a successful company. The conversation delves deep into WHOOP's innovative approach to non-invasive blood pressure monitoring, the integration of AI in health and fitness, and Will's personal experiences as a father and entrepreneur.
Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Measurement
Innovative Breakthrough
Will Ahmed begins by sharing WHOOP's significant advancement in health monitoring:
“[00:00] Will Ahmed: 3 years ago we started working on non-invasively measuring blood pressure. So a WHOOP member would put on a cuff, they take three readings, they enter those three readings into the WHOOP app and then their forwards. They get a daily estimate every day from whoop of their blood pressure and it's super accurate.”
At the outset, Will emphasizes the challenges faced in developing accurate blood pressure measurements without traditional invasive methods. He recounts how starting the company at 22, amidst giants like Nike and rumored entries from Apple into the wearable health space, seemed daunting:
“[00:16] Will Ahmed: I was describing starting a company. I was 22 years old and at the same time Nike was about to enter the space and Apple was rumored to be entering the space. It seemed impossible that you'd be able to measure heart rate from the wrist, let alone at the same accuracy as a chest strap. We banged on that for like over a decade and got really good at it. Now we sit here and we can do blood pressure really well.”
AI Integration in Health and Fitness
Future of Personalized Health Coaching
Mark probes into the capabilities of current AI models in leveraging WHOOP's extensive data:
“[00:39] Mark Agnon: Will will the current AI models be able to reference all of the retroactive data from the very first day that you put on a whoop, even if it was in 2017?”
Will confidently responds:
“[00:48] Will Ahmed: Yes. Using the Whoop app is like you've got this world class coach over your shoulder looking at the app with you and telling you what to do. We want our members to be able to live healthier, longer lives.”
He elaborates on the potential of AI to enhance user experience by providing personalized coaching based on decades of physiological data, emphasizing WHOOP's commitment to leveraging technology for optimal health outcomes.
Entrepreneurial Journey and Overcoming Challenges
Starting Young Amidst Industry Giants
Will reflects on his early days founding WHOOP, highlighting the skepticism faced and the resilience required to push forward:
“[00:16] Will Ahmed: I was 22 years old… It seemed impossible… We banged on that for like over a decade and got really good at it.”
Mark relates to Will's experience, noting the absence of immediate peer support and the transition from camaraderie to battling regulatory challenges.
Fatherhood and Work-Life Harmony
Balancing Parenthood with Leadership
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around how becoming a father has transformed Will's perspective on work and life balance. Will introduces the concept of "work-life harmony" versus "balance":
“[15:04] Will Ahmed: I subscribe a little more to this idea of work life harmony than balance. Harmony is this idea that you're going to have these things coexist in a really healthy way, whereas balance sort of implies that, like, if you spend an hour here, you're going to spend an hour there.”
He shares personal anecdotes about adjusting his work schedule to prioritize family time, illustrating the practical applications of harmony in daily life.
Exploring Sports: Squash and Paddle
Cultural Influence and Personal Interests
Mark and Will delve into sports, particularly squash and paddle, discussing cultural dominance and personal passion:
“[03:06] Will Ahmed: It's a great question. My dad is Egyptian, grew up in Alexandria… first of all, the Egyptians are like the best in the world at squash.”
Will explains the Egyptian dominance in squash, attributing it to cultural and environmental factors that fostered exceptional skills and strategic play. The conversation then shifts to paddle, with both hosts expressing their enthusiasm and the strategic depth of the sport compared to others like pickleball.
Navigating FDA Regulations
Challenges with Blood Pressure Feature Classification
A pivotal moment in the episode is the discussion about WHOOP's struggle with FDA regulations concerning their blood pressure monitoring feature:
“[46:29] Will Ahmed: … blood pressure is a critical understanding of your body… it's something that people should be really aware of. … When we launched this feature, the FDA came out to us and said if it's blood pressure it has to be medically regulated.”
Will details WHOOP's efforts to categorize their blood pressure feature under wellness rather than medical use, despite FDA pushback. He emphasizes the importance of innovation and user demand:
“[52:03] Will Ahmed: … inside the WHOOP app, we've got all these disclaimers about how this feature, blood Pressure Insights, is not designed for medical diagnosis. It's designed to understand blood pressure alongside wellness… we're fighting for innovation.”
Mark probes further, questioning the FDA's rigidity and Will's optimism about resolving these regulatory hurdles.
Future of Wearable Technology and AI
Personalization and Data Integration
The conversation transitions to the future prospects of wearable technology, with a focus on AI-driven personalization. Will discusses WHOOP's upcoming features like Advanced Labs, which will integrate comprehensive health data for more tailored coaching:
“[27:56] Will Ahmed: … the idea that you would want to use a different product should decrease dramatically because of the value that you're gonna get from all the context of this period of time versus that period of time.”
He highlights the potential for AI to reference extensive user data, creating a more dynamic and insightful coaching experience that adapts to various life stages and health conditions.
Entrepreneurial Insights and Mentorship
Lessons from Building WHOOP
Will shares valuable insights from his entrepreneurial journey, particularly the challenges of fundraising and the importance of building a supportive network:
“[69:16] Will Ahmed: … fundraising is a skill in that of its own… it's the ability to raise capital and tell a story and get people to give you money and believe in the future.”
He advises new entrepreneurs to focus on learning through trial and error, emphasizing resilience in the face of rejection and the necessity of strategic networking.
Reflections on Greatness and Legacy
Inspiring Through Excellence
Towards the end of the episode, Mark and Will reflect on the concept of greatness, drawing parallels between entrepreneurial success and athletic excellence. Will emphasizes the importance of maintaining drive and appreciation:
“[82:12] Mark Agnon: … developing consciousness in real time is pretty, pretty bizarre… [83:36] … 'Trust the vibes. Trust your intuition.'”
He underscores the significance of being present and embracing the grind, drawing inspiration from both historical entrepreneurs and contemporary athletes.
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with heartfelt exchanges about the importance of mentorship, the influence of family support, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Both hosts express admiration for WHOOP's mission to enhance human health and performance, highlighting the transformative potential of innovative health technologies.
“[90:23] Will Ahmed: … there's something about the energia that's palpable and awesome and an electricity that… make America and the world healthier.”
Mark and Will conclude by affirming their commitment to building a legacy through hard work, innovation, and a deep-seated passion for improving lives.
This episode of Camp Gagnon offers a comprehensive look into the intersection of health technology, AI, entrepreneurship, and personal growth, providing listeners with valuable insights and inspiration from one of the leading voices in the wearable health tech industry.