Strength as a Vital Sign: The STAT Wellness Story with Kristin Oja, DNP

In today’s episode of The Root Cause Medicine Podcast, Dr. Kate Kresge sits down with Kristin Oja, DNP, founder of STAT Wellness—a pioneering clinic model integrating functional medicine with movement, data, and community. Kristin’s inspiring journey from personal trainer to nurse practitioner to multi-site clinic owner is proof that doing things differently can transform healthcare. Discover how Kristin built a modern medical home that treats muscle mass and HRV as critical biomarkers, empowers patients through community and data, and uses a membership model to deliver consistency and support. Whether you're a provider dreaming of opening your own practice, or a health advocate eager to bring strength training into clinical care, this episode is full of actionable insights. You’ll hear them discuss - Why sarcopenia is one of the most overlooked risk factors in medicine - The truth behind GLP-1s, cortisol, and building muscle the right way - Kristin’s 12-minute-a-day approach to staying well—even through entrepreneurship and motherhood - How STAT Wellness combines fitness, labs, coaching, and functional medicine into one seamless experience - What every clinic should be measuring: CRP, DHEA, cortisol, pregnenolone, testosterone, and vitamin D - Advice for nurse practitioners and entrepreneurs navigating the chaos of clinic ownership - Why wearables, in-body scans, and movement screens are redefining preventive medicine - STAT's approach to team culture, staff retreats, and relentless customer service Meet the Guest: Kristin Oja, DNP, FNP-C, IFMCP is the founder and CEO of STAT Wellness, the first practice of its kind to integrate functional medicine and movement under one roof. She’s a Doctor of Nursing Practice, an IFM Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, and a former personal trainer passionate about muscle as medicine. Her podcast, Little By Podcast, and upcoming book center on the philosophy that "little by little, a little becomes a lot"—a principle that guides her clinic, her parenting, and her personal wellness. Labs & Metrics Mentioned: - Insulin - High-sensitivity CRP - DHEA - Pregnenolone - Cortisol (AM and diurnal patterns) - Testosterone (men & women) - Vitamin D - Thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4) - GI-MAP stool test - Dutch hormone testing - HRV (Heart Rate Variability) - Body composition via InBody Scan - Visceral fat measurements - Grip strength and floor-to-stand mobility Supplements Mentioned: - Creatine - Adaptogens - Rhodiola - Ashwagandha - L-theanine - Maca - Magnesium - Electrolytes - SPMs (Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators) - Protein Powders Where to Find Kristin: STAT Wellness Website: statwellness.com Kristin’s Website kristinoja.com Podcast: Little By Podcast Instagram: @statwellness | @kristinojadnp This episode is sponsored by Fullscript Want to spend less time managing inventory and more time with patients? Fullscript integrates supplement dispensing, lab ordering, and treatment planning into one powerful (and free!) platform. Learn more at fullscript.com Timestamps: 00:00 – Kristin Oja’s Origin Story 03:30 – From personal trainer to DNP to clinic founder 07:06 – How STAT Wellness started in a parking lot 08:59 – What “modern healthcare” looks like at STAT 10:55 – Building a team from scratch 13:35 – Kristin’s personal health habits: 12-minute workouts and balance 17:21 – Was the hard work worth it? 19:13 – The patient intake process and data-driven care 21:07 – The science of sarcopenia and strength training 25:21 – Why muscle is the most important longevity tool 27:12 – Creatine, carbs, protein, and progressive overload 31:29 – Kristin Oja's ideal lab panel for the average adult 33:56 – Why hormones and stress are often at the root of illness 35:37 – GLP-1s: When they help—and when they harm 39:52 – A placebo GLP-1 success story 42:13 – Functional testing timelines and stool test insights 44:11 – How high cortisol is misunderstood in fitness 47:52 – The stress bucket analogy: It’s not just HIIT 49:50 – The importance of pregnenolone and cortisol rhythm 51:54 – Scaling with integrity: new locations & private equity 53:26 – How to maintain personalization while scaling 55:45 – Team culture, retreats, and core values 58:42 – What’s next: Baby #3, a book, and more growth 01:00:45 – Little by little, a little becomes a lot 01:07:23 – Rapid fire: Favorite labs, supplements, and metrics 01:13:14 – How HRV guides Kristin’s clinical decisions 01:14:13 – Final thoughts and where to find Kristin