The Dylan Gemelli Podcast – Episode #110 Featuring Lance Converse
The TRUTH about Telemedicine and Anti-Aging Clinics
Date: April 11, 2026
Overview
In this episode, host Dylan Gemelli sits down with Lance Converse (CEO of Tonam and now Transcend) for an in-depth discussion on the evolving world of telemedicine, anti-aging clinics, and the industry challenges in delivering truly holistic healthcare. The conversation focuses on the pitfalls and fragmentation of the current telehealth landscape, Lance's recent acquisition of Transcend, and his vision for transforming the company into a comprehensive, patient-centered solution. Key issues like overprescription, lack of follow-up, market saturation, and the crucial role of education and personalized care are explored, with a strong emphasis on both men’s and women’s health.
Key Topics and Insights
1. The Current State of Telehealth (03:02–06:57)
- Explosion Post-COVID: Telehealth grew exponentially due to relaxed regulations during COVID, making patient access easier and more convenient.
- Benefits Identified:
- Access to specialists from home.
- More frequent check-ins and blood work.
- Problems:
- Market fragmentation: Most companies offer a "point solution" (nutrition, HRT, peptides) but lack end-to-end care integration.
- Redundancy for patients: Multiple logins, bloodwork, and intake forms.
- “Wild West mentality”: Lack of standards, too many underqualified providers, and financially motivated prescriptions.
Quote:
"Telehealth in itself is pretty simple… But what's happened in the telehealth business is strange... it's a fragmented industry."
— Lance (04:30)
2. Dangers of Saturation and Poor Standards (06:57–09:06)
- Oversaturation: Too many telehealth clinics focus on profits, not patient care.
- Prescription Risks:
- HRT and peptides are prescribed even when not medically indicated.
- Minimal assessment; sometimes as lax as “what do you want?” approach.
- Lack of Trust: Jaded patient base due to inconsistent quality.
Quote:
"For everybody two or three that's credible, there's like 25 that aren't. And then everybody, rightfully so…and I've been in the same boat, is completely jaded."
— Dylan (07:20)
3. Vision for Transcend: Raising Standards (10:21–19:13)
- Holistic Health Focus:
- Advanced biomarker-driven diagnostics.
- Layering in nutritional counseling, exercise, sleep therapy, and behavioral support.
- Plans to sign up 1,500 dietitians for nationwide access.
- Expert Protocols: Involving specialists to create standardized, scientifically-driven, non-deviating protocols.
Quote:
"Instead of just prescribing what the doctor wants…why don't we take that analysis and provide a more biomarker-driven treatment plan?"
— Lance (11:29)
4. Individualization & Real Follow-up (13:55–17:47)
- Personalization:
- Intake now tracks diet, training, sleep, and patient goals.
- Supplements added based on actual deficiencies (e.g., vitamin D).
- Long-term Support:
- Assigning wellness specialists for coaching and ongoing accountability.
- Implementing genuine follow-up and adjustment of protocols, not just a “one and done” prescription.
Memorable Moment:
Dylan recounts being “shipped a box with a paragraph of how to use it…not even a paragraph” by other clinics (14:19), highlighting industry failings.
5. Women’s Health and Inclusivity (19:13–21:38, 46:47–49:52)
- Historically, clinics have been male- and bodybuilder-centric, leaving women underserved.
- New strategic focus on menopause, hormone balancing for women (including custom stacks), and content tailored for their journeys.
- Ongoing website rebranding for a more inclusive feel.
Quote:
"I believe they missed the mark…and people are missing the mark there if they're not focused on that because women are becoming more educated about their bodies and they need to."
— Lance (20:27)
6. Education is Everything (27:29–30:55)
- The largest issue in patient outcomes is a lack of education and understanding—people follow trends blindly or misunderstand their own health habits.
- Emphasis on extensive intake forms, honest dietary reporting, and the need for clients to be invested and accountable.
Quote:
"The lack of education is the biggest problem. It causes the most issue because people don't know what they're doing. They see a celebrity… and they just..."
— Dylan (27:40)
7. Biomarker-Driven Precision (29:05–33:28)
- Criticism of mainstream lab ranges: Current “normal” values are misleading due to population health trends.
- Use of third-party, AI-driven analytics for deep interpretation of results and creation of precise, personalized plans.
- Expansion to 100-marker panels possible for those wanting even more data-driven recommendations.
Quote:
"Starting with the third-party analysis…which can do it very, very quickly…important because that would take a normal doctor days to analyze..."
— Lance (29:54)
8. Ongoing Support, Coaching, and Accountability (34:05–38:38)
- Dietitians vs. nutritionists: Commitment to accredited, clinically capable dietitians.
- Use of tracking apps like MyNetDiary—integrations with wearables for granular monitoring.
- Psychological insights: The importance of self-honesty and ongoing coaching.
Quote:
"Anybody out there that thinks you're eating good... a lot of people tell me they're eating perfect and then I'm thinking, well, why is nothing working?"
— Dylan (33:28)
9. Technology & User Experience (40:17–43:15)
- Onboarding: Quick questionnaire, option to speak to wellness specialists or AI chatbot, then physician appointment and detailed blood panel.
- Continuity: Wellness specialist assigned for the entire journey, check-ins every few months, additional services available (e.g., sleep or cognitive therapy).
- Supplements: In-house, research-backed range, with more targeted options coming.
10. Future Direction & Rebranding (45:46–52:15)
- Focus: Only areas where scientific protocols and high-level support can be given.
- Growth: Expanding to a broader demographic—especially more women, aging executives, and anyone seeking real transformation.
- Planned Rebrand: More inclusive, user-segmented website, landing pages tailored to various communities (women, men, athletes, etc.).
- Leadership: New CEO with experience in successful telehealth companies.
Quote:
"We're going to focus on the major areas that people are deficient in that we can solve with scientifically driven, you know, biomarker-driven treatment plans... We owe it to ourselves to expand into the women's health area, into the executives, into the upper middle-aged population..."
— Lance (45:46)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "Why are we putting people on TRT when their testosterone numbers are 6 and 7, 700 when they don't need it?" — Dylan (08:47)
- "We want to know how you're eating...how your exercise is... what your long-term goals, what's your short-term goals. And then supplementation is just as important." — Lance (15:09)
- "Not everybody has self-accountability... That's why the coaching is so important, because it holds you accountable." — Dylan (38:38)
- "There's a reason they called it transcend." — Lance (45:36)
- "If you're not willing to put the time in to fill out a form that's extensive enough... you're probably not going to stick with the program." — Lance (25:42)
- "Quality of life is not [improving as lifespans lengthen]. So that's where this comes in." — Dylan (25:39)
Summary Table of Main Benefits/Features at Transcend
| Feature | Description |
|--------------------------------|-------------|
| Personalized protocols | Biomarker-driven treatment based on deep lab analysis and patient lifestyle input |
| End-to-end telehealth | Doctor visits, dietitians, ongoing support all online |
| Inclusive care | Focus on men and women, all ages, different needs |
| Supplement & therapy bundles | Only research-backed products, customizable stacks |
| Continuous follow-up | Assigned wellness specialists, routine check-ins |
| Education first | Intake forms, coaching, AI chat-bots, resources for empowerment |
Conclusion
Dylan and Lance present a powerful critique of current telemedicine and anti-aging clinics, calling for a higher standard of care—one that goes far beyond simplistic prescriptions and embraces personalized, science-backed, and deeply supportive health journeys. Transcend, under Lance’s leadership, is positioned as a new model: comprehensive, inclusive, and relentlessly focused on improving both lifespan and healthspan for all clients.
To learn more or get started:
Visit transcendcompany.com and look out for ongoing updates as the new vision and branding unfold.