Podcast Summary: The Dylan Gemelli Podcast, Episode #48

Guest: Dr. Jenelle Kim
Topic: The Three Pillars of Health: Movement, Mindset, and Medicine; Eastern Vs. Western Medicine; Herbology; CBD Skincare and More
Release Date: September 4, 2025

Overview

In this enlightening episode, Dylan Gemelli welcomes Dr. Jenelle Kim—a ninth-generation doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, renowned author, product formulator, and founder of JBK Wellness Labs. Together, they dive deep into the three pillars of health, examining how ancient Eastern philosophies and integrative practices can be harmonized with modern Western medicine. The episode explores movement, mindset, and medicine as fundamental forces for holistic well-being, discusses the nuances of both medical traditions, and unpacks the wisdom behind herbal remedies and innovative skincare.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Jenelle Kim’s Background and the Three Pillars of Health

• Lineage and Mission ([02:58])
  • Dr. Kim is the first female guardian of her family's nine-generation herbal medicine lineage.
  • Her life's work is rooted in the Three M’s:
    • Medicine: What we put into and onto our bodies (food, herbs, skincare).
    • Movement: Physical practices (notably Qigong) as foundational medicine.
    • Mindset: Practicing "living meditation"—the conscious cultivation of thoughts and habits.
  • "I call it living meditation ... our mind and our thoughts equals our habits, the way we live life. That leads us down a path of health or imbalance." — Dr. Kim [05:20]

2. The Interconnectedness of Mindset, Movement, and Medicine

• Which Pillar Comes First? ([06:14])
  • Dr. Kim notes that the importance of each pillar may shift with life's seasons, but currently emphasizes mindset.
  • "The mindset aspect is so incredibly important ... but again, I can’t not say it. It all connects though." — Dr. Kim [07:10]
  • Dylan shares how faith and the mental approach guide health outcomes and adversity management.
• Strategies for Handling Stress and Adversity ([09:01])
  • Discussions focus on actionable techniques like breathwork, mental planning, and present-moment awareness to mitigate stress and improve presence.
  • "If we don’t learn how to take control of our own mind, which is the only thing we can control in this life ... then life can become very chaotic." — Dr. Kim [11:12]

3. Integration of Eastern and Western Medicine

• East vs. West: Approaches and Misconceptions ([28:39])
  • Western medicine excels at acute intervention and diagnosis; Eastern medicine emphasizes consistency, prevention, wellness, and maintaining internal flow (Qi).
  • Dr. Kim advocates for integration, urging listeners to self-educate and choose the right approach per situation.
  • "We have to know how to use each. The beautiful thing is our world ... is becoming much more integrated, which has always been my wish." — Dr. Kim [40:27]
  • Dr. Kim visualizes the body as interconnected river systems—blockages (from stress, age, injury) disrupt flow and create imbalance.

4. Herbology and Traditional Remedies

• Plant Medicine’s Primacy and Synergy ([35:22], [38:07])
  • True herbology is about combining botanicals synergistically, not just using individual herbs.
  • "True herbal medicine is knowing how to synergistically combine those herbs together." — Dr. Kim [36:36]
  • Dr. Kim responds to skepticism:
    • "These medicines have existed for thousands of years ... There’s a reason why this ancient medicine still exists: it works." — Dr. Kim [40:02]
• Western Over-Prescription & Patient Choice ([41:49])
  • Dylan expresses concern over Western over-prescription and lack of medical choice; Dr. Kim champions education, transparency, and options.

5. JBK Wellness Labs & Product Innovation

• Origins and Mission of JBK ([46:06])
  • JBK Wellness Labs makes herbal-based products for top-tier brands and is now releasing proprietary "Longevity Potions."
  • "Everything is rooted in the ancient medicine ... I love and think it’s very important to combine modern ingredients that are incredibly helpful for anti aging." — Dr. Kim [48:07]
  • Upcoming products include a muscle and joint recovery gel, serums, and face oils that merge Eastern herbal wisdom with modern ingredients like peptides.
• Muscle Recovery Gel Ingredients ([50:44])
  • Features: Angelica, ginseng, achyranthes, corydalis—time-tested herbs supporting athletes and active individuals, designed for use both before and after activity.

6. CBD Skincare and Its Role

• Pioneering and Educating ([53:20])
  • Dr. Kim created the world’s first CBD luxury skincare line, using hemp (a fundamental herb in Chinese medicine) for its balancing, calming, and anti-inflammatory effects.
  • "Hemp is one of the 50 fundamental herbs of Chinese medicine ... it’s a very powerful ingredient, especially to help calm our mind, discomfort, and for longevity." — Dr. Kim [54:10]
• Formulation Philosophy ([55:52])
  • CBD, like all herbs, must be formulated purposefully, serving as part of a synergy, not as a trendy add-in.

7. The Importance of Gratitude, Presence, and Ritual

• Practical Spirituality and Simplicity ([22:10])
  • Both Dylan and Dr. Kim stress cultivating gratitude for simple routines and daily realities, as keys to mindful living and happiness.
  • "When we do take the moment and teach ourselves ... to take these moments, I am so grateful right now for my health. That gratitude ... immediately connects us." — Dr. Kim [23:40]
  • Dr. Kim reframes meditation as a way of being, not just a morning habit.

8. Looking Forward: Retreats, Courses, and Books

• Retreats and Education ([58:14])
  • Dr. Kim has launched the "Warrior Within Retreat" in Costa Rica, integrating all three pillars in immersive practice.
  • She also offers online courses in movement & breathwork.
• New Book Edition Coming ([58:14])
  • Dr. Kim’s next edition of Living Meditation is launching in February 2026.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On mindset and integrating Eastern wisdom:
  "You have to train your mind. Our mind is so powerful. If we don’t learn how to control it, life can become very chaotic." — Dr. Kim [11:12]
• On letting go and perspective after loss:
  "I have walked through this before ... And guess what? We got through it... Is it worth it? Why am I carrying this with me?" — Dr. Kim [18:03–20:45] "Once you wrap your mind around that ... it’s how you handle it. You can make it 20 times worse, or you can slow the burn if you just handle it right." — Dylan Gemelli [16:45]
• On plant medicine vs. ‘snake oil’ accusations:
  "It’s silly to me now ... these medicines have existed for thousands of years. Western medicine is very new." — Dr. Kim [39:10]
• On product design and efficacy:
  "Herbal medicine is knowing how to synergistically combine those herbs together … if it is not formulated properly, no matter how great that ingredient, it does not mean your body’s going to accept and absorb it." — Dr. Kim [36:36]
• On CBD as fundamental herb:
  "Hemp is one of the 50 fundamental herbs of Chinese medicine ... it’s a very powerful ingredient, especially to help calm our mind, discomfort, and for longevity." — Dr. Kim [54:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:58 – Dr. Kim’s background & lineage
• 05:20 – Explanation of the three pillars (medicine, movement, mindset)
• 09:01 – Navigating stress/adversity; actionable tools
• 16:05 – Processing loss and finding peace
• 28:39 – Eastern vs. Western medicine: core differences and integration
• 35:22 – Herbology: what is it and why does it matter?
• 46:06 – JBK Wellness Labs: mission, products, and formulation approach
• 50:44 – Muscle/joint gel ingredients & how to use
• 53:20 – CBD skincare: origins, education, and properties
• 58:14 – Upcoming “Warrior Within” retreat and new book plans

Where to Find Dr. Jenelle Kim

• Website: jenellekim.com
• Instagram: @drjenellekim
• Retreats, courses, and her Longevity Potions are all accessible via her website.

This episode offers a wide-ranging, compassionate exploration of holistic health through the lens of ancient medicine, daily practice, and scientific curiosity—inviting listeners to empower themselves with knowledge and mindful, integrated healing.

(For full resources and links, check the episode show notes.)