The Future of Women’s Health: What We’re Getting Wrong & Where the Science Is Going | Mel Strong
Proof of Practice PodcastSummary
Mel Strong, a former Nike executive turned venture capitalist, discusses her transition into investing in women's health and wellness. After a 17-year career at Nike, where she played a pivotal role in launching the skateboarding division, Strong felt a lack of intellectual stimulation and decided to pursue venture capital. She emphasizes the importance of women having a more significant role in wealth creation, arguing that when women invest, they tend to prioritize healthcare and community, leading to a positive ripple effect.
During a recent visit to Capitol Hill, Strong and her colleagues advocated for increased funding for women's health research, highlighting the gaps in knowledge beyond reproductive health. They emphasized the need for evidence-backed research to support claims made by companies targeting women's health. Strong also notes the importance of having women in leadership roles within organizations, as research indicates that women-led companies often yield better returns and foster healthier workplace cultures.
Strong encourages women to engage in angel investing, stressing that one does not need to be wealthy to participate. She advocates for investing in companies that align with personal values and interests, suggesting that even small investments can contribute to meaningful change. The conversation underscores the necessity for researchers and investors to collaborate, ensuring that scientific advancements translate into practical applications that benefit women's health.
Show Notes
Mel Strong, founding partner of Next Ventures and ex-Nike Women VP, joins Gabby Reece, Amber Taylor, and Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan on why women’s health is the smartest bet in tech and the research and tools finally putting women first. WHAT WE EXPLORE Women-led companies deliver stronger returns Decision frameworks for major career changes Evidence-backed women’s health claims Why AI trained on old data misleads women Hormone monitoring technology for women GLP-1 dosing and female metabolism The women’s health gap
Timestamps 00:00 Intro 05:52 Women’s Broken Relationship With Money 09:54 Why Women-Led Companies Return More 15:08 The Autonomy Access Investing Framework 19:45 Spotting Gaps in Women’s Health 22:57 Why Startups Skip Funding the Science 27:21 How VCs Evaluate Health Startups 33:00 Why Women’s Health Data Is Broken 38:03 GLP-1 Dosing and Wearables for Women 42:28 Why Simple Health Advice Sells 47:30 The Growth Trap Killing Startups 50:16 The Women’s Health Funding Fight 53:08 How to Start Angel Investing
About Mel Strong: Mel Strong is co-founder of Next Ventures, the health and wellness fund she launched after 17 years at Nike. She invests in evidence-backed women’s health companies and has advocated for women’s health equity on Capitol Hill. Connect with Mel Strong: Website: https://www.nextventures.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniestrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-strong – ABOUT THE PROOF OF PRACTICE The Proof of Practice: Where Science Meets Practice Women have been understudied, undertreated, and given advice built for men. This show exists to change that. Hosted by five of the most respected names in women’s health — Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan, Amber Taylor, Gabby Reece, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, and Dr. Stacy Sims — every episode brings evidence-based, experience-backed conversations on strength, metabolism, hormones, longevity, and performance. No trends. No shortcuts. Just the proof that practice works. YOUR HOSTS Gabby Reece One of the most iconic athletes in American sports history, Gabby Reece is a former professional beach volleyball player, Nike’s first female spokesperson, New York Times bestselling author, and lifelong advocate for how women should train, eat, and live. She co-founded the Hamilton House Experience wellness program with her husband Laird Hamilton and hosts The Reecet women’s wellness retreat. Gabby brings decades of real-world performance experience to every conversation. 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabbyreece/ 🌐 http://gabbyreece.com Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan, PhD, CSCS*D, FACSM, FNSCA Professor of Exercise Physiology at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Director of the Applied Physiology Laboratory, Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan has published over 190 peer-reviewed manuscripts and is one of the leading researchers in female physiology, metabolism, and sports nutrition. A three-time NSCA award winner — including Outstanding Sports Scientist of the Year (2022) — she translates cutting-edge lab science into practical strategies that actually work for women across every life stage. 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asmithryan/ 🌐 http://asmithryan.com Amber Taylor Amber Taylor is a New Zealand–based digital health and product leader who builds evidence‑based fitness platforms designed to better support women’s physiology, safety, and long‑term wellbeing. Drawing on two decades in technology and digital roles at Amazon, Nike, and Les Mills, she uses AI, behavioral insights, and omnichannel delivery to create inclusive training experiences that help women move consistently, recover smarter, and integrate exercise into real life. Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, DO Board-certified in family medicine and fellowship-trained in nutritional science and geriatrics, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is the founder of muscle-centric medicine — a framework that positions skeletal muscle as the cornerstone of metabolic health, longevity, and disease prevention. She is the author of the bests
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