Oncoscope-AI, an advanced oncology intelligence platform, was created to respond to this need. The catalyst behind the founding of the company was a profound question: How can AI help doctors keep up with and apply the flood of cancer breakthroughs to improve real-world patient care? The company has made answering that question its mission.

Refining the approach to cancer treatment

Anna Forsythe, founder of Oncoscope-AI, believes the cancer landscape today is vastly different from what it was 10 years ago. This is particularly evident in breast and lung cancer, two of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide.

“Before, a diagnosis of breast cancer meant a standard treatment regimen for nearly all patients. Individual biological differences didn’t matter. But our understanding has evolved,” Forsythe explains. Indeed, what was called “breast cancer” is now understood as multiple subtypes. Each has its own biological behavior, prognosis and treatment response.

Similarly, lung cancer has splintered into a web of genetically and immunologically distinct conditions. The era of the one-size-fits-all approach, dominated by blanket chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, is fading. A more refined model of cancer treatment has emerged in its place.

Forsythe states that today’s oncology is driven by two approaches. One is immunotherapy, which amplifies the body’s immune response to fight the disease from within. The other is targeted therapy, which focuses on specific biomarkers or genetic mutations within the tumor itself. They’re usually used in tandem with the goal of turning terminal-stage cancers into manageable, chronic conditions.

Consider the arrival of CDK4/6 inhibitors palbociclib, ribociclib and abemaciclib and how they changed the landscape for breast cancer treatment. According to research based on trials, CDK4/6 inhibitors are considered revolutionary in breast cancer treatment and have played a key role in slowing progression. Progression-free survival, or how long a patient can live without the cancer worsening, has become the new benchmark of success.

New challenges for physicians

This progress introduces a new kind of pressure, however. “With every new biomarker discovered, every new targeted therapy or immunotherapy approved, the challenge for physicians multiplies,” Forsythe states. “How can any oncologist stay up to date with thousands of new studies, frequent regulatory updates and a deluge of clinical data?”

At a single oncology conference, countless new abstracts may be released in just one cancer type. The expectation is that doctors will somehow process all of this while continuing to see patients, manage treatments and fulfill legal requirements for ongoing medical education. In theory, continuous medical education (CME) should help doctors stay current. In practice, it’s difficult for health professionals to retain all the information.

Enter Oncoscope-AI

Oncoscope-AI has emerged to empower healthcare professionals. Forsythe, a pharmacist, health economist and former pharmaceutical executive, designed it to bridge the divide between cutting-edge research and practical clinical application. The platform scans thousands of oncology publications using proprietary AI, filters them through an evidence-based framework and presents only the most clinically actionable insights. According to Oncoscope-AI, these findings are reviewed and contextualized by a human research team before being published in the system.

The impact of Oncoscope-AI is best felt in patient stories. A friend Forsythe met while traveling was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She had undergone traditional chemotherapy and surgery that left her physically and emotionally drained. “She was then prescribed one of the breakthrough CDK4/6 inhibitors. Her life changed. She regained energy, joy, and time,” Forsythe shares. However, when her cancer began to progress again, her oncologist defaulted to standard chemotherapy, believing there were no more options.

There were. However, the doctor didn’t know. Forsythe sent her friend research summaries and articles through Oncoscope-AI, which she later shared with her doctor. She was then prescribed a new-generation therapy. “She’s thriving now,” says Forsythe. “She just returned from a trip to France and is booking another.”

Aiming to help health professionals and patients thrive

This story raises a question. How many more patients are out there who could live longer, better lives if only their doctors had access to the right information at the right time? “The problem is not the doctors. It’s the data overload,” Forsythe emphasizes. “The solution isn’t replacing physicians with AI, but equipping them with AI tools that distill noise into knowledge and confusion into clarity.”

Oncoscope-AI is striving to do just that. It’s working to help oncologists across the globe turn the latest science into tangible outcomes for patients in the exam room, not months later when guidelines catch up.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider.

Photo from Oncoscope-AI

The post In the AI Era, Are Doctors Still at the Cutting Edge of Medicine? Oncoscope-AI Founder Anna Forsythe Asks appeared first on SUCCESS.

The smart ring that filters your notifications so you don’t have to

Spktrl is the brainchild of Katia de Lasteyrie, a former innovation lead at luxury brand LVMH. Her idea for Spktrl was simple: create a piece of smart tech that looks like high-end jewelry and also helps people spend less time glued to their phones. 

The Spktrl Light Ring is a sleek piece of wearable technology centered around a stunning 1.5-carat lab-grown diamond. It challenges traditional ideas of both tech gadgets and fine jewelry, blending minimalist design with architectural elegance.

But this diamond is far more than just a sparkling centerpiece. It serves as a functional interface, diffusing colored light to signal important smartphone notifications and transmitting Bluetooth radio frequencies. Like a secret kept close, the ring remains subtle, only revealing its smart features when you choose to bridge the gap between your physical and digital worlds.

Green, blue, purple—instantly decode your notifications with Spktrl

Using a system of color-coded lights—green for work, blue for family, and purple for social—the ring signifies the importance of incoming calls or messages at a glance. Instead of constantly checking your phone, you simply glance at your finger to decide if a notification warrants your attention in any given moment.

Spktrl embodies a harmonious fusion of masterful craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, symbolizing how our human stories now unfold seamlessly across both tangible and virtual landscapes, creating an experience that is as effortless as it is profound.

Spktrl builds on the early premise introduced by devices like the Apple Watch in streamlining the smartphone experience. But it takes a significant leap forward. By integrating AI, the ring filters out the digital noise that still clutters our attention, helping users stay focused on what truly matters. In a world overwhelmed by constant, often meaningless, alerts, Spktrl offers a quiet reprieve from the chaos.

Living in the notification economy, where screens are changing us all

If a teen’s phone were a CEO, it’d be running a Fortune 500 company—nonstop notifications, nonstop buzz. From texts to TikTok, hundreds of alerts hit them every day. 

Grown-ups call it overload; teens call it “just another day.” According to a 2023 study by Common Sense Media, teens get as many as 237 or more notifications on their smartphones every day. And, back in 2021, another study found that teens spend about eight and a half hours daily on screens. Tweens, who are between 8 and 12 years old, also spend quite a bit of time on screens—about five and a half hours daily.

It’s not just teenagers glued to their phones either. Adults, too, are becoming part of a mobile-first culture that can border on compulsion for many. Smartphone addiction is no longer just an abstract fear; it’s a documented and diagnosable issue. Known as nomophobia, this condition captures the modern anxiety of being disconnected, even momentarily, from our digital lives. 

Notifications, messages, and likes act as digital triggers for the brain’s dopamine system, which is responsible for processing reward and pleasure. This biochemical response not only provides a brief sense of satisfaction but also encourages repeated device engagement by strengthening neural pathways that associate smartphone use with a good time. 

Free your mind while AI filters your digital noise

But as screens claim more and more of our time, the next generation is growing up in a world where face-to-face connection is no longer the norm, but the exception—cut nearly in half. For many of us, half our waking lives now unfold in another universe entirely, one made of scrolling timelines, glowing notifications and endless digital noise. As AI rises, a deeper question surfaces: Can technology enrich our lives without replacing the ones we’re meant to live?

Spktrl offers an answer. Beautifully crafted as a piece of luxury jewelry, this smart ring doesn’t shout for your attention. Instead, it gently filters your notifications with soft, color-coded lights, helping you stay present and focused without losing touch. It’s technology designed not to overwhelm, but to harmonize with your life.

Photo from spktrl-paris.com

The post First of Its Kind AI-Powered Diamond Ring Filters the Chaos of Constant Notifications appeared first on SUCCESS.

Teens are finding comfort in AI companions for emotional support

No matter where the conversation goes, the bot sticks with you. That consistency has been surprisingly helpful for teens dealing with stress or mental health issues. When things get tough, these chatbots can feel like lifelines, offering advice, support or just someone (or something) to talk to. And unlike people, they don’t judge. It’s just you and the bot, in a private space where you can let it all out.

According to new research by Common Sense Media, over 70% of teens have interacted with AI companions, and half are doing so regularly. These tools, ranging from dedicated platforms like Character.AI and Replika to more general chatbots like ChatGPT or CoPilot, are often used as virtual friends. Whether designed to be emotionally supportive or simply chatty, teens are customizing them with unique personalities and leaning on them for conversation and connection. 

Chatbots are becoming a means to vent and reflect

Some teens use AI to talk about feeling isolated, targeted or left out at school or in everyday life. The chatbot offers a safe space to vent, practice responses or simply feel heard after a tough day. Sometimes, it even helps teens rehearse standing up for themselves or figure out their next moves.

These AI tools aren’t only useful for major problems—they’re equally good for daily advice on boosting your mood, sharpening your thoughts and caring for yourself. 

Sometimes, teens aren’t looking for anything extraordinary. A simple suggestion to breathe, take a warm bath or sip some tea can be exactly what they need, especially when it comes from a space that feels safe and nonjudgmental. They’re not bothered that it’s not a real person talking.

In fact, many teens may prefer it that way. There’s a unique comfort in knowing that everything they say essentially stays within the conversation, existing only between them and the bot, not instantly carried into their real-life world. 

The Common Sense Media study revealed that 31% of teens felt their interactions with AI companions were equally or more fulfilling than conversations with actual friends. Even though 50% of teens don’t fully trust AI guidance, about a third have chosen to discuss major personal issues with AI rather than with other humans.

Even with safe people, a sibling, a parent, a best friend or even a stranger in a quiet moment, there’s still a human instinct that once you speak your truth, it escapes into the world in a way that can feel emotionally counterproductive. 

AI can help teens see their life and struggles more clearly

Teens might not trust every word from a chatbot, but these AI tools help them put their life and struggles into perspective. As they explore their emotions and desires, the chatbots lay out their journey in a way that feels both real and refreshingly clear.

While AI continues to impress with its capabilities, it still can’t perform the kind of deep, critical thinking that can sustainably help young people make sense of their place in the social world. Human connection—the messy, multi-layered kind shaped by culture, family, environment and personality—is something AI can mimic but not truly embody. 

Teens should be aware that their private conversations aren’t ‘private’

Still, teens should be mindful of what they share. Even though conversations with ChatGPT may seem entirely anonymous, that doesn’t mean everything disappears into thin air. The data you enter isn’t instantly wiped away. In fact, chatbots often store your conversations.

Data shared with chatbots can be stored, reviewed and legally used to improve the system, according to OpenAI’s usage policies. Conversations are never entirely deleted, and users who share personal details, names or sensitive information may be unknowingly putting that data at risk. Interacting with a bot demands at least as much caution as typing into a search bar, if not more. 

Just this week, Open AI CEO Sam Altman made this warning all too clear to users. In an interview with Theo Von on This Past Weekend, Altman pointed out that chats with ChatGPT aren’t legally protected the way conversations with doctors or therapists are. “People talk about the most personal sh** in their lives to ChatGPT,” he said, “We haven’t figured that out yet for when you talk to ChatGPT.” 

Altman’s remarks follow an ongoing copyright lawsuit filed by The New York Times, in which a federal judge recently ordered OpenAI to preserve all ChatGPT user logs, with no timeline set for their deletion. This includes “temporary chats” and API activity, even from users who opted out of data sharing for training. While users can remove chats from their visible history, the underlying data must be retained to comply with legal requirements.

Teens find comfort in AI, but still need real support

A chatbot can reflect back our words, organize our thoughts, and offer practical suggestions. But it can’t really know us—at least not in the way that long-time friends, trusted adults or trained therapists can.

That’s not to say these tools are useless. On the contrary, they’re proving to be meaningful touchpoints for teens who might not have someone to talk to. But they are not replacements and they shouldn’t be. In a perfect world, every teen would have access to affordable, reliable mental health care. Until then, these digital companions are filling a gap. Even a simple chat with a bot can help ease the weight of a heavy day and offer a small sense of relief and calm. 

Photo by Samuel Borges Photography/Shutterstock

The post Teens Are Turning to AI to Vent and Get Advice, But Oversharing Could Be Putting Their Privacy at Risk appeared first on SUCCESS.

My parents wanted me to have a specific kind of body, one that was compact and controlled. My actual body, generous and stubborn, had other ideas. And so I perfected the art of camouflage: dark clothes, crossed arms, good posture, deflection. I knew how to duck away from photos, how to hold in my stomach. I was fluent in avoidance, whether it was gym class locker rooms, pool parties, sleepovers. The idea of undressing in front of others didn’t feel like freedom. It felt like a quiet betrayal of the armor I had worked so hard to build.

Years passed. I grew older, smarter, more adventurous. But those early habits—those subtle acts of shrinking—never fully left me.

Where the armor cracks

Then, six months ago, I was in Budapest, a trip I’d planned as a restorative escape before a work conference. I pushed myself to visit the co-ed Gellért Baths—one of Hungary’s famed thermal pools, fed by mineral-rich springs and steeped in centuries of ritual. It felt like a bold, self-loving idea—right up until I stood at the pool’s edge, my swimsuit clinging like cellophane.

The air was thick with moisture, nearly dense enough to taste. Above me, the ceilings arched—domed and ornate, like a cathedral built for water instead of worship. Around me, bodies moved with effortless ease, unselfconscious in a way that seemed unattainable. I didn’t know how to be one of them. But I stepped forward anyway.

The water was warm and faintly effervescent. I let myself float, the tension in my shoulders slowly surrendering to buoyancy. It wasn’t just the heat or the grandeur of the space that made me lightheaded. It was the quiet, collective permission. The unspoken understanding that the body is not a spectacle. It simply is.

From a discovery to a theme

I didn’t expect that to become a theme of my travels — this subtle, persistent confrontation with how I carried my body in the world. But shortly after visiting the baths in Budapest, I ended up in Istanbul, barefoot and damp, stepping into the marbled, steamy hush of a hammam.

I was nervous. A hammam is a traditional Turkish bathhouse, where nudity is part of the ritual and cleansing is both physical and symbolic—an ancient practice that requires you to bare more than just your skin. It’s an act of submission that asks you to shed your defenses and surrender to heat, to water, to the care of another. 

The room was warm and echoing, lit by soft light filtering through star-shaped holes in the ceiling. I lay on a hot slab of marble while a woman—confident, quiet—began the ritual. First the buckets of water, then the scrub. Her movements were brisk, practiced and oddly tender. When she poured warm water over my head, my muscles clenched out of habit, then let go. There was no room for shame. Only trust. Trust in the process. Trust in someone else’s hands as she sloughed layers off me. 

By the end, my skin felt brand new. But what lingered wasn’t just the physical renewal— it was the quiet, unremarkable act of being cared for. There was no judgment in her touch, no hesitation. She wasn’t repulsed by my body; she was simply kind to it. There was something profoundly healing about being seen without scrutiny. I didn’t need to vanish. I just needed to let go of the belief that I should.

By then, something in me had begun to shift. Budapest cracked the door open. Istanbul nudged it wider. I felt like I was starting to live more inside my body, rather than in constant negotiation with it. 

And then I arrived in Japan.

Taking the plunge

At a quiet hotel in the hills of Hakone, I was introduced to the onsen—an indoor communal bath fed by sulfur-rich hot springs. The rules were unambiguous: no bathing suits, no barriers. Just bare skin, clean water and heat.

The water was almost scalding, the kind that made you pause while easing in, inch by inch. The room smelled of sulfur and earth, like boiled eggs and ancient stone. As soon as I submerged myself, my skin prickled, and my heartbeat surged to the surface, drumming against the walls of my body. 

Each night I soaked there alone, just me, the rising steam, the tiled walls. No prying eyes. No expectations. No one to hide from.

What began as hesitation became ritual. I started to crave the warmth, the stillness, the small ceremony of slipping into the water. It felt less like bathing and more like returning to myself, to something elemental. 

Finally, in Kyoto, I ran out of privacy. The onsen there was larger, more modern, and this time, I wasn’t alone. Several women stepped into the bath next to me without ceremony. They wore no expressions of discomfort. They barely even glanced my way. 

In my peripheral vision, I caught sight of the woman closest to me. Her body was lived-in, fully present—creased and soft in places, strong in others, bearing the quiet evidence of years. She didn’t shrink or perform. She dipped her shoulders into the water, closed her eyes, and exhaled like someone who belonged exactly where she was.

I too sank deeper into the bath, into myself.

The transformative nature of travel

Travel breaks us open in places we don’t think to guard. I hadn’t gone in search of transformation. But perhaps that’s why it found me. In cities where I spoke none of the languages, among strangers whose names I’ll never know, I began to inhabit my body not as a project to manage, but as a place to return to. Not to monitor. Not to shrink or disguise. Just to exist—without performance, without pretense.

Each of those rituals—Hungary’s thermal pools, Turkey’s hammams, Japan’s onsens—carries its own cultural story. But threaded through them all is a shared philosophy: The body is not wrong. It does not need to be fixed or hidden. It deserves care. It deserves rest. It deserves to be witnessed without judgment.

Now that I’m home, I think about that often. About how I might carry that same softness into the everyday. How I might move through the world without armor. How I might soak a little longer, linger a little more, and stop treating my body like a problem to be corrected.

In the end, these experiences weren’t about being naked. It was about being seen—even if the only eyes that mattered were my own. In those quiet baths across the world, I met myself again. And for once, I didn’t look away.

Photo by Stefano Ember/Shutterstock.com

The post Naked and Unafraid: How Bathing Rituals Around the World Taught Me to Accept My Body appeared first on SUCCESS.

Dr. Harshiv Vyas, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon located just outside Chicago, leverages his experience to offer lessons on universal principles that entrepreneurs could benefit from. He strives to be a modern professional who balances technical skill with leadership, decision-making and adaptability. He works for success as he maneuvers the ethical, financial and technological challenges of the medical field.

Keys to handling high-stakes situations

The parallels between the challenges Dr. Vyas and other medical providers face versus those of today’s entrepreneurs may not be immediately apparent. However, taking a closer look at the two brings to the surface the similar skills and mindsets essential for success.

The surgery room is a high-pressure environment where doctors must sometimes make life-or-death decisions in a matter of seconds. Overlooking one small detail or delaying action can lead to immediate and irreversible consequences on patients’ lives, as well as leading to damaged reputations and serious impacts on the careers of those in charge. Today’s entrepreneurs also constantly face the challenges of making critical decisions, ones that have a direct impact on the success (or failure) of their ventures. A poorly executed launch or bad financial decision could lead to far-reaching consequences.

Dr. Vyas, who is currently recognized by Fellows of the American College of Surgeons, an elite group of oral and maxillofacial surgeons (about 8%) in the country, understands what it means to remain calm and think strategically in high-stress, high-pressure situations.

Dr. Vyas’ philosophy? Pause, assess and act with clarity.

Dr. Vyas strives to remain thoughtful while making clear-headed decisions in high-stakes situations. This is a skill that today’s business leaders and budding entrepreneurs can learn from. Staying informed on industry trends, paying attention to details and understanding potential outcomes are all necessary when it comes to making the right choices, which can have a direct impact on a business’s reputation, value and long-term success.

Similarities in dealing with insurance companies and investors

Providing value first and building trust among customers is key in fostering and maintaining growth, but the challenges that entrepreneurs face when it comes to investors is all too familiar to those Dr. Vyas and others in health care encounter.

Insurance companies are an unavoidable frustration for many health care providers. Dr. Vyas states, “Insurance companies can be difficult to navigate and this continues to be an area that we have to prioritize in our work with our patients.” This is because delivering the care patients need is often contingent upon insurance approvals, denials and other loopholes that doctors must navigate while providing care.

This is similar to business owners’ relationships with investors and other regulated industries, which help provide the fuel needed for businesses to take flight and soar. Additionally, entrepreneurs often find themselves negotiating terms, advocating for clients and working within a system that isn’t always designed for a smooth ride.

Dr. Vyas’ experience and expertise in his field can provide some universal principles for today’s entrepreneurs. According to his experience, he maintains:  Don’t assume the system has been designed to work in your favor. Learn how to navigate it strategically to find success. Stay persistent in advocating for what is right, even when it feels like an uphill battle.

Other key takeaways for business leaders

At its core, the health care field isn’t drastically different from business, as strong leaders in both need to be driven by a commitment to excellence, skilled at navigating complex systems and able to make critical decisions under pressure. Additionally, as technology continues to advance, both medical providers and entrepreneurs need to embrace changes.

Dr. Vyas asserts, “Success isn’t just about technical skill—it’s about how you think, how you lead and how you adapt to challenges.”

That lesson applies in the operating room, the boardroom and beyond.

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, financial, medical or professional advice. Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances. We disclaim any liability for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of, or reliance on, the information presented.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Harshiv Vyas

The post Universal Principles That Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Dr. Harshiv Vyas appeared first on SUCCESS.

In a $100 billion fitness industry filled with challenging workouts and busy gyms, Iron Bodyfit is striving to change the game. With 25 minutes a week, its electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) sessions aim to deliver results comparable to hours of traditional gym workouts. Founded by Hadri Jaffal, a father who traded gym guilt for a smarter solution, Iron Bodyfit’s 220+ studios worldwide are dedicated to showing people that fitness doesn’t have to take over your life, or your schedule.

Whether it’s for a 30-something mom juggling work and kids, the burned-out professional craving energy or the entrepreneur eyeing a scalable business, Iron Bodyfit offers what Jaffal deems a rebellion against traditional fitness.

From Gym Guilt to Iron Will

Hadri Jaffal, a French business professional and father, was no fitness guru. Burned out by long hours and gym dread, he assumed fitness demanded time he didn’t have. That was until 2015, when his business partner, Johan Ghu, introduced him to electrical muscle stimulation. Skeptical but curious, Hadri tried a 25-minute session. The results? He felt he had more energy, less stress, and a newfound excitement for fitness. “I was the customer first,” he says. “That’s why Iron Bodyfit resonates with so many people.”

That personal breakthrough sparked a global movement. From a single studio in France, Iron Bodyfit has scaled to over 220 studios across Europe, Africa, and now the U.S, with Florida and NYC as its latest frontiers.

It wasn’t only the convenience that surprised him; it was how the experience felt. There was no pressure to perform, no mirrors watching his every move. Just 25 minutes that left him feeling stronger, more energized and, unexpectedly, excited to return. What began as a personal shift evolved into Iron Bodyfit.

The Science of One Session a Week

Iron Bodyfit’s core concept is a full-body suit that sends gentle electrical impulses to activate eight major muscle groups. Some studies indicate that EMS can help boost strength and, according to internal data, clients report a 20% improvement in strength and a 15% reduction in stress after eight weeks. “It’s like an espresso shot for your body, Jaffal says, “but the science is what keeps people coming back.

The benefits may include improved circulation, lower stress levels and reduced soreness. When paired with a healthy lifestyle, some clients report gains in strength and tone without the wear and tear of conventional exercise routines. But what sets Iron Bodyfit apart isn’t the tech; it’s the philosophy.

Warmth Over Intensity

When you step into an Iron Bodyfit studio, you can expect a welcoming vibe, personal coaching and a community celebrating progress over perfection. “We’re not machines. We’re humans helping humans,” Hadri says. He believes that this mindset is what helps fuel Iron Bodyfit’s many client success stories and growing franchise network.

From busy moms like Elodie, who reclaimed confidence in eight weeks, to franchisees like Paul, who found purpose in ownership, Iron Bodyfit’s culture is its edge. That warmth extends to its franchise model, where Hadri “School of Success” equips new owners with training and support.

That human-first mindset has shaped every part of the brand’s culture. Each session is designed to be as much about building self-trust as it is about building strength.

Redefining Strength, One Session at a Time

Iron Bodyfit doesn’t promise shortcuts. It strives to offer a new framework for what fitness can be. This is a quiet rebellion in a culture that can seem to equate discipline with self-worth. It aims to provide consistency without shame, science without overwhelm, and progress that fits into real life.

Iron Bodyfit is for people who don’t have time to be fit—and are tired of feeling like they’ve already failed before they start. At Iron Bodyfit, the transformation begins not in muscle but in mindset—and it only takes 25 minutes.

Curious how it works? Learn more and explore the science behind the 25-minute session at IronBodyfit.us.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider.

The post The 25-Minute Rebellion: How Iron Bodyfit Quietly Redefines Fitness appeared first on SUCCESS.

While you’re also interested in improving your flexibility, strength and posture, if these lifestyles seem more suited to reality TV than your own daily grind, you might also think Pilates isn’t the right exercise regimen for you.

That’s what Raven Ross wants to change. The former reality TV star (Love Is Blind, season 3), also a Pilates trainer and the creator of Pilates Body by Raven, is determined to make the practice more approachable for all.

“You can look a different way [than the stereotype]; you can have a different budget,” Ross says, “You can drive a different car; you can be all of these other different things and still do the exact same workout.”

Ross’ first teacher—her mother

Ross was raised by a single mother, who would take a Saturday morning spin class before shuttling Ross to her dance classes.

“[My mom] didn’t have another outlet or another choice, and she actively made the decision to invest just a little bit of time into herself, which I’m sure was to her a huge deal.”

Ross continues to heed her mother’s example of incorporating fitness and movement into her life, even if she’s short on time.

“You really have to decide the standard you’re going to set for yourself because there will always be outside things,” she says. “I think that also leads to the example you’re setting for others….You’re telling others how to treat you. You’re someone who invests in yourself. You’re someone who takes your health seriously and takes care of themself. Automatically, someone is going to know how to treat you in a different way.”

Ross’ Pilates origin story

In addition to auditioning for dance roles in college, Ross took group Pilates classes. Her studio then asked if she was interested in attending a Pilates teacher training. Another training soon followed, then private Pilates lessons and a year later, Ross completed a comprehensive teaching program.

“I really just started putting everything into it, and I got good feedback teaching classes, and it kind of spiraled from there,” she says.

Ross teaches for the bodies in front of her by gauging the class’s energy level. Maybe her 6 a.m. group of new moms is existing on fumes and just trying their best.

“I’m not going to make them do something crazy,” she says. “I want to fill their cups.”

Access and affordability issues sparked Ross’ desire to move from strictly teaching in-person Pilates to building an online community.

“It’s very expensive; it’s hundreds of dollars to join. And when I was teaching in studios, that was even something that I couldn’t afford personally.”

As a teacher, Ross also didn’t see herself represented in the people there. “I could just tell that there really wasn’t enough diversity inside of Pilates, and especially inside of the studio space,” Ross says.

From in-person to online

So she began to create a more inclusive platform. “I started my business because I saw that other Black and Brown women could not afford to take Pilates classes,” she says. “To this day, that is still exactly my mission.” 

At the end of 2021, she launched her YouTube channel, where she posts free studio-quality workouts. To accomplish this, Ross had to teach herself how to edit videos.

“I am not a tech person,” she says. “I had to borrow money from my mom to get a camera and a tripod… and I just worked hard on it every single night.”

In addition to YouTube, she began gaining traction on TikTok. Following her Love Is Blind stint, new fans flocked to her Instagram page and YouTube channel. Today Ross’ website serves as her virtual studio. Her PilatesBody app launches this summer.

“Members of my virtual studio and YouTube community will be able to come together in the free app where you can access the workouts you need for the day,” Ross says.

Ross’ superpower? Leaning into exactly who she is

Rather than finding success through emulating someone else, Ross believes her authenticity, and the specific niche she offers, helps her rise above the competition.

“Really sticking to who you are is the best way to draw others to you,” Ross says.

She isn’t focused on the splashiest techniques but rather on bringing Pilates to people who might not consider it a possibility. To that end, some of Ross’ most-viewed YouTube videos are her beginner classes.

Her students also often make videos about their experience, which she then sometimes reposts to her own social media channels.

“It becomes a conversation, and then they’re in the comments, [saying] ‘Oh my gosh, try this,’” Ross says. 

Her online community often extends into real life. “We’ve started doing pop-ups in different cities, and we get so many of the same people who come or people who do my workouts online,” she says.

Ross’ achievements thus far are a testament to the value of hard work. “You could have all the money—all the resources in the world—you could literally be a ‘nepo baby,’ but you still have to work hard, and you have to apply discipline. You have to teach yourself new skills, and you have to keep evolving to be successful.”

Following her app launch, Ross’ goals include creating a teacher training program and hosting Pilates retreats. She isn’t content to stay still, which makes sense for someone with her passion for movement.

“I take lessons from master instructors weekly and stay inspired by taking tons of classes and workshops from experts in the industry,” she says. “In my personal workouts, I’m constantly trying new things to inspire the workouts I create for my community.”

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2025 issue of SUCCESS® magazine. Photo by Lauren Cassot/courtesy of Raven Ross.

The post Raven Ross Is Breaking Barriers in Pilates and Building Community appeared first on SUCCESS.

Phillips is guided by an almost instinctual level of business acumen, enhanced and fueled by his relentless drive for happiness, profitability and desire to help others. And his story is rooted in the most unlikely of circumstances—a battle with anorexia.

Whole body health

The journey to well-being is anything but linear. For roughly 30 million Americans, that path can include an eating disorder detour, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. And Phillips was among them.

“I was a typical all-American, healthy kid. Then I developed an eating disorder and became fully anorexic,” Phillips recounts. “When I overcame that, I discovered that health and wellness saved my life, and I wanted to use that vehicle to pay it forward to help others.”

After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in exercise science and a concentration in fitness and nutrition, Phillips bounced from gig to gig. It wasn’t until that fateful November in 2014, when he was faced with his grim financial reality, that he recognized a crossroads—either get a conventional job or leverage his knowledge and passion to move forward.

Providence came that same week in the form of his first consultation call from a national championship weight lifter. After listening to her story, Phillips’ desire to help overrode his need for money.

“When it got time to pitch the price,” Phillips says, “I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, what if she says no? That’s not OK. She really needs my help.’ I was like, ‘You can’t pay me.’ Over the next week, she referred me to 12 people who did pay.”

Those 12 new clients sparked his coaching company, IN3. Named for nutrition in performance, aesthetics and life, IN3 quickly ramped up to help 3,000 people each year. Then in 2016, a friend challenged him to scale. If Phillips could shift to a business-to-business model through certifications, he could reach millions more.

Inspiration hit during a six-hour car ride. “I’ve never had more clarity in my life,” Phillips says. “I pulled into the driveway and didn’t even get the bags out of my car. I ran into my office, sat down and wrote the whole outline. And to this day, [in] 2025, it hasn’t changed.”

Round two

That outline sat in his notebook until April 2017. Phillips was home sick one day when, on a whim, he made a social media post floating the certification class before taking a nap. He woke up to 200 replies.

Phillips then sprang into action, booking a friend’s facility in Chicago to host the class. Four hours after posting the $1,000 payment link, all 40 spots were filled. Phillips organized two more dates and locations after that, and by the end of the next day, all seats were sold.

“We delivered the first-ever certification and never looked back,” he says.

During those early years, Phillips was juggling IN3 and NCI. Sensing that his brand identity was getting confused, he decided to sell IN3 even though it subsidized NCI’s payroll. The decision put him back into a financial conundrum.

“I was probably going to miss payroll by $70,000,” Phillips confesses.

In a stroke of genius, he developed a “rapid cash scholarship framework” and facilitated an injection of capital by opening applications to a full-ride scholarship to NCI’s program. One person earned the scholarship, and other applicants were offered an irresistible rate, thus generating a massive cash influx. The strategy proved so successful that other online businesses adopted it too.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” Phillips warns. “You get a lot of money, but it takes the warmest leads out of your funnel. There’s definitely some nuance to it.”

Despite NCI’s rampant financial success, by 2023, Phillips decided to sell it too. Burnout played a role, but he also no longer felt aligned with the direction of the industry. He needed some space.

A little over a year later, though, Phillips bought NCI back.

Full circle

Selling a company to purchase it back may sound like an odd way to go all-in on profits and happiness, but Phillips’ internal compass always pointed to what felt morally right.

“I sold a company that was connection-driven, and they tried to turn it into an e-commerce company,” Phillips says. “It was never going to work as an e-comm company, and so we’re bringing connection back.”

Phillips, however, remembers why he sold in the first place. For this iteration of NCI, he is completely reimagining the certification model. Access to NCI’s material is now free, and instead of paying for information, clients can purchase a mentorship that supports their business development, execution and success. NCI, according to Phillips, is rolling out the red carpet.

The annual fee provides access to all of NCI’s resources, including specialty topic calls, business development calls and 24/7 support. A monthly membership fee lets clients stay at NCI’s home base, where they can film content in a studio and host events.

“NCI was always formed on the ‘billion-person mission,’” Phillips says. “We want to change a billion lives through the vehicle of health and fitness.”

Success and wisdom

Phillips is improving lives at scale. At a personal level, he’s identified four integrated dimensions of success: physical development, personal development, connection to loved ones, and business. Underpinning all of these is the idea of personal control.

At one point, Phillips found himself in a scary situation on an airplane. His inability to change the outcome came into sharp focus—and after a safe emergency landing, Phillips left the experience with a searing impression.

“I will never take control for granted in my life,” he says. “I am in control of how I move my body, what I feed my body, what I feed my mind, the connection I have with my daughter and the direction of my business. I promise anything that you’re envisioning, it can be done as long as you take charge and take control.” 

This article originally appeared in the July/August issue of SUCCESS® magazine.

Photo courtesy of Jason Phillips

The post Jason Phillips’ Power Trio: Health, Wealth and Happiness appeared first on SUCCESS.

Today, global coalitions across health care, tech, artificial intelligence, academia and education are on distinct yet united missions to make the highest levels of expertise universally accessible in our digital age. Unlike most other industries, health care confronts a sensitive and unique dilemma: how to harness AI’s promise without compromising clinical standards and ethics. 

The rural health decline: Towns like Tchula bear the cost of unprofitable hospitals and eroding health care expertise

Tchula is a place much like countless other small towns scattered across rural Mississippi—a quiet, close-knit community struggling with a worsening economic future. 

As one of the nation’s lowest-income towns, jobs are few and far between, and both traffic and visitors have become rare sights in recent times. This small rural town is no exception to the predicament gripping Mississippi, where affordable health care and specialized medical services are often beyond reach. The town’s main street tells the familiar story of rural decline in this part of the country: empty storefronts, desolate suburban streets and a broken community health center that serves as the last lifeline for miles around.

The numbers also paint a sobering picture. Rural hospitals face closure threats across almost every state in the United States. A December report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform revealed that over half of Mississippi’s rural hospitals are at risk of closure—one of the highest rates in the country.

In the majority of states, more than a quarter of all health care facilities are at risk, while in 11 states, half or more face potential closure. The rural hospitals still serving their communities struggle not only with budget constraints but also with a technological divide that often leaves them without the sophisticated equipment, research partnerships and digital infrastructure available to major metropolitan health systems. 

London and San Francisco: The twin tech titans transforming AI in health care

Urban areas are thriving thanks to AI research and innovation, but many of the most important breakthroughs never make it beyond these affluent regions—leaving rural communities behind without the training or resources they arguably need the most. When hospitals face financial pressure or closure, it’s often part of a wider pattern of regional decline, one that even the smartest AI cannot solve. 

Economists and scholars identify this trend as the “cumulative disadvantage,” where the decline of core services like health care, education and employment leads to depopulation, disinvestment, falling property values and increased social disadvantage. In broader terms, the model suggests that initial disadvantages compound over time, creating a downward spiral in which communities become increasingly marginalized and struggle to recover without significant intervention. 

“In cities like London, San Francisco and New York, you have the best of resources, talent and investment,” says Hatim Abdulhussein, CEO of Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex in the U.K. The steady concentration of capital, advanced research facilities and career opportunities in these urban centers continues to attract leading professionals, many of whom choose to remain due to the infrastructure and momentum already in place. 

Abdulhussein is among a growing number of frontline clinicians working within a leading AI health hub, where emerging technologies are developed and tested in real-world settings. “We are only in the foothills. In my GP practice in northwest London, we are starting to live and breathe this,” he says. Cities like San Francisco and London offer a rare blend of academic depth and technological agility, anchored by nearby institutions like King’s College, Imperial, Stanford, and UC Berkeley, which keep them thriving. 

London’s tech sector has experienced significant explosive growth, expanding its ecosystem valuation from $70 billion in 2014 to over $620 billion in 2023. This meteoric rise positions the city as Europe’s most valuable tech hub, attracting a record number of foreign direct investments, surpassing even San Francisco in tech project inflows.

Gaps in health care infrastructure and data access are stalling AI progress

A. Aldo Faisal, Ph.D., directs Imperial College’s Brain and Behavior Lab and the UKRI Center for AI in Healthcare. One of few AI engineers leading clinical trials, he combines machine learning, neuroscience and behavioral science to create human-aware AI, though he warns fragmented data landscapes and regulatory challenges are still hindering progress. 

Faisal highlights a critical obstacle in the AI-friendly future: “One of the main challenges in democratizing access to AI health care technologies globally lies in the deep disparities in AI infrastructure, particularly in terms of the availability and deployability of data… and digitization of the health care system.” He says, “Only by enabling broad participation in data generation and system development can we build the high-quality, diverse datasets needed.”

Such efforts are vital because AI systems trained on comprehensive medical imaging data can detect conditions like pneumonia, diabetic retinopathy and skin lesions with accuracy that often surpasses that of specialists. “This empowers frontline health workers to make timely decisions even without on-site doctors, enabling early detection and appropriate triage,” he explains, “Most medical AI systems are trained on health care data from a small subset of a city or region with at best a few million people—this leads to quick wins, but building models that truly make AI patient-ready requires a lot more data.”

If the AI health care era arrives, its success will undoubtedly depend on data. But concerns about ethics and data use are slowing progress. Greg Slabaugh, Ph.D., professor of computer vision and AI and director of the Digital Environment Research Institute at Queen Mary University of London, observes, “A concern is that AI models trained on one demographic (urban patients) may lead to underperformance on a different population (rural patients). Efforts to produce equitable model performance are essential.”

Faisal emphasizes, “Sensitive health care decisions are those with profound implications for a patient’s physical health, mental well-being, dignity, autonomy or quality of life.” He adds, “AI could help here [and] remove unwanted variation in medical practice, making sure every patient is treated to the best scientific knowledge.” 

Chatbots and automation lighten the load for frontline health care staff

“As of August 7, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized 950 AI or machine-learning-enabled devices—up from just a handful in 2015—with approvals expected to grow exponentially in the coming years,” Slabaugh explains. 

AI–enabled medical devices can be extremely expensive, often ranging from tens of thousands to several million dollars, depending on their type. For example, AI-powered imaging systems can cost between $50,000 and $500,000 per unit, not including maintenance, software updates and staff training. These costs are unimaginable for many hospitals across the U.S. 

AI tools, while expensive, are already proving indispensable in certain clinical settings. They screen symptoms, personalize health advice and encourage treatment adherence. Chatbots widen access and escalate emergencies to staff. By automating routine tasks, they free clinicians for more urgent work. Slabaugh points out that these technologies should be developed with the goal of supporting, not substituting, human clinicians.

Kevin Wells, Ph.D., serves as director of University of Surrey’s DataHub, specializing in applying AI technologies to solve complex health challenges. Wells notes that although the U.S. lacks universal health care coverage, its extensive and reliable mobile networks still reach deep into so-called “health care deserts.” This widespread connectivity makes telemedicine and personalized online AI support a practical and affordable solution for expanding health care access in underserved areas. While reliable mobile networks enhance telemedicine’s reach, meaningful health care improvements demand more than connectivity alone. 

“In [low- to middle-income] countries and those remote/poorer communities without access to major hospital resources but with access to mobile communications services, there is major underexplored opportunity for AI to provide cost-effective support,” Wells says.

Digital assistants are changing the face of health care decision-making

For more than two decades, Jeff Pennington has helped machines make sense of the world—a veteran of over 25 years in data science and AI, with a career spanning from early work in natural language search at Ask Jeeves to leading research informatics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He’s authored more than 20 peer-reviewed papers in biomedical informatics and data privacy. Pennington recently debuted his first book, You Teach the Machines, which explores how humans are shaping AI and its future. 

Pennington has spoken extensively on how health care can integrate AI to streamline workflows, enabling frontline clinicians to care for, diagnose and treat patients using the most expert and universally available knowledge. He highlights that AI chatbots like ChatGPT have already played a transformative role in reducing health care disparities by helping patients and doctors identify conditions that might otherwise be missed. “My friend recovered from a minor shoulder injury just by using chat-based AI to diagnose and prescribe the right physical therapy. I’m not recommending that path, but it’s an example of how expert knowledge can be used right away without having to wait two weeks for an appointment,” he explains. 

One area that almost always comes up in conversations about AI in health care is its potential to deliver real, practical solutions for rare and incurable diseases. These conditions affect small patient populations and historically receive little attention from the pharmaceutical industry due to limited commercial incentive. AI is helping shift this paradigm. With the ability to rapidly analyze massive datasets, identify hidden patterns in genetic information and simulate drug responses, AI tools are accelerating the pace of discovery. For all its pros and cons, AI’s potential to democratize health care is significant—especially for experts working to close longstanding gaps in care and expertise. 

Even ChatGPT now features its own Medical Diagnosis Assistant—a specialized tool focused on medical knowledge that helps users understand their symptoms, receive basic diagnostic insights and get guidance on appropriate medical care. Users can describe their symptoms, upload pictures for review and explore care options. Tools like this chatbot can be very useful for determining when a health issue is urgent enough to seek hospital care. There’s also a version made specifically for practitioners, and it’s completely free to use.

Pennington has seen the challenges rural hospitals face firsthand and says the conversation around AI is shifting. “In my service on the Board of River Hospital in upstate New York, I’ve learned that cash flow is everything for rural hospitals. Their biggest risk is not having enough cash to make payroll or interest payments.”

“Many rural hospitals care for a disproportionately large number of Medicare and Medicaid-reimbursed patients,” he adds, “The radiologist workforce is aging and shrinking, and recruiting radiologists to rural health providers is close to impossible. To some extent, we have to turn to AI to augment the existing workforce just to maintain status quo.” 

The integration of artificial intelligence in health care is a topic wrapped in ethical and practical dilemmas, yet its potential in serving the most deprived rural communities is certainly one to consider. Academics and tech experts all point to potential benefits, but they rely on a wider societal acceptance of AI and the expectation of data collection that makes it all happen. At this moment, the hospitals furthest from AI are those who need it most, making the challenge one of integration before necessary application. 

For those struggling with rare, incurable, or complex diseases, the search for accurate diagnoses and effective treatments is both urgent and deeply personal. To them, AI is more than a technological marvel, it represents a potential lifeline. For those grappling with the challenges of rural decline and disappearing services, the urgency of this reality grows more acute. If guided by science, grounded in ethics and shaped by those who know its power best, AI could carry the promise of healing into every home—where care is no longer a privilege, but a right.

Photo by Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

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A Utah-based company focusing on redox technology, ASEA shares that it has closely collaborated for the past three years with international research institutions, including the University of Bath in the U.K. and the University of Western Sydney in Australia.

Dr. Charareh Pourzand from the University of Bath’s Centre for Therapeutic Innovation explains, “The formulation of redox signaling molecules we tested with the gold component produced positive data, inducing Nrf2 and improving redox balance in cells, which supports cellular recovery processes.” Consumers now actively seek scientifically-backed wellness solutions, and REDOXGold aims to show how thorough research and global partnerships can work together in shaping the future of cellular health.

The Golden touch of cellular health

As the global health and wellness industry continues to expand, ASEA reports it has created a path forward through partnerships with research institutions like the University of Bath in the U.K. and the University of Western Sydney in Australia. ASEA relays that it has examined the microscopic world of cellular communication in collaboration with these institutions.

The collaborative work has produced a product that aims to open a new frontier in redox technology, combining current science with the properties of gold. According to ASEA, the research teams spent over three years examining how gold microparticles interact with cells, discovering connections between the noble metal and redox signaling molecules.

REDOXGold is a substantial advancement in ASEA’s product line. Unlike ASEA’s previous broad-spectrum offerings that support foundational health and overall wellness, the company shares that this topical gel infused with 24-karat gold microparticles has been created to provide relief and cooling recovery within minutes.

ASEA’s journey of scientific validation

ASEA’s growth from a small Utah startup to a global leader in redox technology demonstrates the company’s ongoing dedication to scientific excellence. “When we started ASEA 15 years ago, most people had never even heard of redox signaling,” says a company spokesperson. “We recognised that to truly change cellular health, we needed to educate consumers while engaging with the scientific community.”

This strategy of simultaneous consumer education and scientific validation has produced results. By 2024, ASEA reports it expanded to 34 international markets, with its flagship ASEA® Redox Cell Signaling Supplement selling over 38 million bottles worldwide. ASEA explains that the company’s growth comes from effective marketing and the growing recognition of redox technology’s potential in scientific circles.

The development of REDOXGold began as something the scientific community was both excited and curious about. The company funded independent research, building relationships with universities and research facilities across three continents. According to ASEA, these partnerships gradually built credibility for ASEA’s technological claims.

Gold as a cellular catalyst

Dr. Pourzand’s team in the U.K. contributed directly to the research preceding REDOXGold’s launch. The team’s findings proved essential in understanding how gold microparticles enhance the effectiveness of redox signaling molecules. “ASEA is one of the only companies producing redox signaling compounds,” Dr. Pourzand emphasizes, “and the products do what they should and what the company says.”

REDOXGold was born out of hands-on collaboration with respected research institutions. ASEA maintains that together, they uncovered a surprising advantage: elemental gold could act as a powerful catalyst in ASEA’s redox signaling process. ASEA reports that their research showed that when real gold is introduced, it sharpens the efficiency of redox activity and drives higher production of Nrf2, a key player in how cells defend and repair themselves. That discovery became the cornerstone of what sets REDOXGold apart.

The gold particles function as a catalyst in redox signalling. They facilitate faster and more efficient electron transfer by enhancing redox reactions. This improves communication, resulting in a noticeable cooling sensation following exercise. The effect appeared across multiple tissue types, suggesting a range of potential uses following physical activity.

The future of gold-enhanced cellular health

Hunter Dean, senior vice president of R&D and Production Operations at ASEA, discusses the product: “REDOXGold represents the future of our company and the future of redox technology as a whole. This product allows us to target specific genetic pathways in a new way, providing rapid, targeted benefits.”

“We’ve spent 15 years at the forefront of redox wellness, and the past three working closely with Dr. Pourzand and global experts to bring REDOXGold to life,” Dean says. “That kind of depth and collaboration gives us real confidence—there’s nothing else out there like it.”

He breaks down how it works: “Most products just cover up symptoms. REDOXGold does something else entirely. It supports your body’s own ability to recover and recharge from within.”

ASEA plans to release REDOXGold across its global markets, with applications extending beyond immediate discomfort relief. The company’s research focuses on recovery enhancement after physical activity. This broad potential highlights the significance of ASEA’s work in the evolving field that intersects redox science and health. ASEA reports that its research suggests that the gold-enhanced formulation—especially when used before and after exercise and other physical activity—can potentially help active individuals return to their routines with less downtime.

As the global launch of REDOXGold continues, ASEA believes there is considerable anticipation surrounding its potential impact on health and wellness. The product is designed to be an advancement in recovery solutions—potentially impacting approaches to physical activity, relief and recovery and cellular health for active individuals.

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