307: Stop Losing Patients to Wellness Influencers – Here’s What to Say
May 26, 2026
Your patient just walked in with a new batch of supplements recommended by their favorite online influencer. Now what?
This influencer-led wellness trend is getting out of hand. Popular wellness influencers are sending patients into our offices armed with self-diagnoses, expensive supplements, and a belief that their new online BFF has all the answers. In this episode, I’m definitely going on a rant – but I also figured out how to manage these patients and redirect them toward a better solution without losing their trust – and maintaining your authority as their clinical leader.
Chapters:
04:15 Become Your Own Influencer
09:52 Don’t Shame Patients
13:43 Ask Better Questions
16:25 Validate Parasite Cleanse
20:56 Offer a Better Next Step
25:26 Six-Step Response Framework
27:37 Menopause Seminar Pitch
30:26 Wrap Up and Goodbye
Let’s be honest – we all thought Dr. Google was annoying. But at least Dr. Google wasn’t a real person looking into the camera and telling your patient she definitely has cortisol belly, parasites, and estrogen dominance all at once. These online influencers are making it harder for practitioners to do their jobs, and I’m not going to have it.
But here’s what I had to admit: we’ve also set ourselves up for this by communicating with them like we’re reading a product insert: “take two, twice a day, we’ll follow up in a month.” Boring. On the other hand, the influencer shows up with excitement, urgency, and a personal story – which is much more compelling. If I were the patient and had to choose between the two, I would probably do the same thing.
In this episode I’m getting into the real problem – and providing the fix. I’ll share the 6 ways you can gently redirect the patient without manipulation. It’s focused on patient-first communication that validates their concern, separates the symptom from the influencer’s conclusion, and positions you as the most credible, confident person in the room.
When you’re confident about your recommendations, they believe you.
I’m Ronda Nelson, herbalist, naturopath, women’s health specialist, and host of The Clinical Entrepreneur Podcast. I help cash-based wellness practitioners learn how to provide stronger protocols AND build a business that is efficient, effective, and profitable.
Links & Resources:
Connect with Ronda
Rate, Review and Subscribe
If you enjoyed today’s episode of The Clinical Entrepreneur, hit the subscribe button in Apple Podcasts, (or wherever you listen) so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device.
Please also consider rating and reviewing my show on Apple Podcasts! Reviews go a long way in helping us build awareness so that we can help even more clinicians build profitable practices—just like you! Be sure to leave an honest review and let me know what you loved most about the episode!
- Click here for Mobile, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and then select “Write a Review.”
- Click here for Desktop, select “Listen on Apple Podcasts,” see the Ratings and Reviews section, click to rate with five stars, and then tap “Write a Review.”
THANK YOU!
