Guiding the Way: The Power of Mentorship in Lifestyle Medicine 

Lifestyle medicine pioneers of the past, present and future are crucial in continuing the success of the field and mentorship is a powerful way to connect each generation of lifestyle medicine professionals.

While lifestyle medicine has been practiced for decades, more health leaders and health systems have recognized of the medical specialty’s transformative potential as the standard of healthcare in recent years. Lifestyle medicine is one of the fastest growing medical specialties in the world, and continues to build momentum. 

Lifestyle medicine pioneers of the past, current professionals and the future generation all play a crucial role in continuing the success of the field, and mentorship is critical to bringing together every generation of lifestyle medicine professionals.  

To facilitate mentorship and support membership professional needs, ACLM offers members a Mentor Match program, an online tool that promotes the establishment of mentoring relationships. The user-driven program features a searchable database to allow mentees and mentors to find individuals whose experience and expertise match areas in which they wish to be mentored.  

Being a mentor not only encourages the sharing of knowledge and first-hand experiences, but allows the mentor to grow personally and professionally all while creating meaningful connections. 

But what exactly does it mean to be a mentor?  

M – Motivator: Inspiring others to achieve their potential and pursue their goals
E – Educator: Sharing knowledge, insights, and experience to guide mentees in their journey
N – Navigator: Helping mentees chart their path and navigate challenges in their field
T – Trusted: Building a foundation of trust and support for open, honest communication
O – Observer: Actively listening and understanding the unique needs and strengths of the mentee
R – Role Model: Demonstrating the values, skills, and professionalism mentees can aspire to emulate 

We asked two ACLM mentors within the ACLM Mentor Match program about their experiences and what mentorship has meant to them. 

LaTaya De Jesus, DNP, FNP-BC, DipACLM 

How would you describe the role of being a mentor?
I would describe the role of being a mentor within ACLM’s Mentor Match as one of support, guidance, and teaching for mentees who are new to lifestyle medicine, ACLM, or their role as a lifestyle medicine provider. Mentors help mentees reach their potential by sharing knowledge, experiences, and insights. Through mentorship, mentees are empowered to develop skills, set goals, and navigate challenges that others in lifestyle medicine have faced. It’s a truly bidirectional relationship that benefits both mentor and mentee. 

Why did you decide to become a mentor?
I decided to become a mentor because I’ve always enjoyed giving back and helping others “learn the ropes.” Even as a child, I naturally took on this role. In grade school, I would invite new students to play, join my lunch table, and share everything they needed to know about our teacher and classmates. I wanted them to feel included and confident so they could start on the right foot. Navigating new spaces, meeting people, and finding resources can be intimidating, and I’ve always felt drawn to guiding others through that process. 

What does mentorship mean to you?
To me, mentorship means more than offering support and guidance; it’s about being present, checking in, and anticipating needs before they’re voiced. It’s about building trust and creating a safe, open space for discussing challenges, particularly when it comes to integrating lifestyle medicine into an organization. Mentorship is a partnership and a mentor’s proactive involvement helps mentees build confidence and feel equipped to succeed. 

How has being a mentor influenced you?
Being a mentor has influenced me in a number of ways. It has inspired me to take on leadership roles, such as chairing the RN/APRN Mentorship Subcommittee, where we’ve connected students interested in lifestyle medicine with providers who can guide them. ACLM’s Mentor Match has been a valuable tool in facilitating these connections. Mentorship also motivated me to take the initiative by reaching out to my alma mater to become a guest speaker for their nurse practitioner students. This opportunity has become an annual invitation where I introduce lifestyle medicine to nurse practitioner students for the first time. Additionally, being a mentor motivated me to become a mentee myself. Witnessing the growth and success of my mentees encouraged me to seek similar support from those more experienced in implementing lifestyle medicine in private practice and expanding its reach within healthcare organizations. 

Do you have any key moments you can share from your experience mentoring?
One of my mentees, a physician in another country looking to start her own lifestyle medicine practice, was able to join my shared medical appointments where she had the chance to interact with the participants and follow up with me with questions afterwards. This was a key moment for me because it allowed my mentee to be right at the center and gave her a first-hand view of how lifestyle medicine can be implemented. It went beyond providing advice and/or resources. 

In your opinion, why should other experienced lifestyle medicine professionals become a mentor?
I believe experienced lifestyle medicine professionals should become mentors because there are many individuals with a desire to implement lifestyle medicine who don’t know where to begin. That’s where we come in. Think back to when lifestyle medicine was new to you—did you have a mentor, or were you figuring it out alone? My mentor was a godsend, and without their guidance, I’m not sure how far I would have come or how long it would have taken. Beyond personal growth and connection, mentorship contributes to a broader mission. We need more providers, registered dietitians, and other professionals integrating lifestyle medicine into their practice so that more people can benefit. Mentorship isn’t a time-consuming commitment, but it is deeply rewarding for both mentor and mentee. 

John McHugh, MD, FACOG, DipABLM, FACLM 

How would you describe the role of being a mentor?
The most important part is to be a good listener, to stand back and wait for the mentee to step forward and process their thoughts. Just sharing thoughts with another person can be very helpful. Sometimes I can help connect them with a better solution and sometimes I can even offer them a solution from my perspective. 

Why did you decide to become a mentor?
So many people helped me along in my journey. I was so happy that ACLM has a more structured system where people could find someone to help them on theirs. 

What does mentorship mean to you?
Getting insight from someone else who has faced similar challenges but may offer a different approach.   

How has being a mentor influenced you?
Getting to see the challenges that other healthcare professionals face in transforming their practice to deal with the fundamental problems that stand in the way of health. 

Do you have any key moments you can share from your experience mentoring?
More often than not, I personally don’t have the answer but there are some things I can bring to the table. Never forget that by having had experience in ACLM sometimes I know the direction to steer someone in to help them to their next step.

In your opinion, why should other experienced lifestyle medicine professionals become mentors?
Each of us brings a unique skill set to our work every day. The important thing for those seeking mentorship is to find the right match, whether it is based on age, geography, specialty – your skill set can help someone else.  

If you are interested in becoming a mentor in the ACLM Mentor Match program, click here!