Dr. Susan L.
Founder | CEO at Balanced Performance
Health, Wellness and Fitness
Education: Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons
Raleigh, NC, USA
Biography
Dr. Susan Lovelle, speaker, author, and former award-winning plastic surgeon, is the Founder and CEO of Balanced Performance. In this role, she blends medical expertise with holistic solutions to enhance the personal and professional performance of busy executives and the teams they lead. By optimizing their energy and hormones, she drives improved productivity and bottom-line benefits for innovative leaders.
Known as The Thrive Architect, Dr. Susan covers popular topics that directly affect productivity and well-being, from work-life balance strategies to the significance of self-care. She emphasizes the impact of personalized nutrition, sleep, and hormones on productivity and energy levels while also offering effective stress reduction techniques to cultivate a more balanced life.
Her unique gift is to inspire audiences to prioritize their health and embrace a lifestyle that nourishes them holistically throughout each of the 1440 minutes in their day.
Dr. Susan has worked with companies such as Liberty Mutual, Align Technology, and DWEN and has been featured on The Doctors, the docu-series Exhausted, Lifetime TV, Forbes, KNOW Women, and Good Morning Washington. Her book, "Thrive, The Five-Week Guide to Mastering Your Energy At Any Age" is available on Amazon.
Passion
I love when the lightbulb comes on, when people understand how simple it is to boost their energy, increase their strength and stamina, and maximize their focus and productivity, especially when they think they've "tried everything."
Featured Video
Featured Book
I am willing to travel
More than 100 miles
When it comes to payments
I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions
Topics
Best Story
Understanding and addressing individual health needs is pivotal in the demanding world of corporate leadership. Embracing the idea that, "Everyone is different" isn't just insightful—it's essential for peak performance and sustainability. As a former professional ballet dancer, award-winning plastic surgeon, and now “The Thrive Architect,” I've dedicated my career to pioneering wellness strategies that are as unique as the individuals and teams I work with.
My approach, grounded in the philosophy of, "test, don't guess," integrates medical precision with personalized lifestyle adjustments to meet the distinct needs of each executive and their environment.
Consider Michael, a tech executive who was battling chronic stress and sleep deprivation. His routine was packed with back-to-back meetings and late nights, powered by caffeine and quick meals. Despite his professional success, his health was faltering, which was increasingly affecting his leadership and team dynamics at work and his wellbeing at home.
With his personalized BOSS plan that included targeted nutrition for better cognition, strategic exercise, and tech-based stress reduction (his preference!), Michael experienced profound changes. He not only improved his sleep and reduced stress but also enhanced his mental clarity and decision-making capabilities. But the transformation didn’t stop with Michael.
As Michael began to change, so did the atmosphere of his workplace. His commitment to his health became a visible priority that resonated throughout the company. Team members noticed the positive changes and were inspired to engage in similar health assessments and wellness activities offered through our corporate programs. Productivity and morale saw significant uplifts, and the company recorded a decrease in sick days and health-related productivity losses.
This shift towards a healthier work culture improved outcomes and simultaneously helped in retaining talent and reducing turnover, because employees felt more supported and valued. Furthermore, it sparked an increase in engagement in company wellness programs, creating a self-sustaining cycle of health and energy that fueled innovation and resilience.
For organizations looking to replicate this kind of transformative success, I offer keynotes, workshops, and retreats that do more than just talk about wellness—they ignite a change that spreads throughout the entire company. If you are seeking a speaker who brings not only expertise and inspiration but also practical and actionable wellness solutions, invite me to energize your next event and witness how empowered leadership can profoundly impact the whole organization.
Origin Story
I'm a lot like you many busy professionals and people in business; however, I've also had some unique experiences. These led to insights that you'll find extremely helpful.
Before I went to medical school, I was a professional ballet dancer for over 14 years, traveling throughout the US, Caribbean, and Europe. As you can imagine, I was very familiar with doing whatever was necessary to keep going on long road trips. After all, “The show must go on.”
Years later, I carried that same discipline into my plastic surgery practice. As a solo practitioner who moved to North Carolina, I pushed through days and months of fatigue to keep the important balls of patients, surgeries, and family life all dancing merrily in the air, relying on caffeine, sugar, and sheer willpower.
As you might imagine, I gained weight—a lot of it. While I knew the fried chicken and biscuits I was now eating had a lot to do with it, I didn’t realize the impact that living in a state of constant stress was also having on my metabolism. So I gritted my teeth, stopped looking in the mirror, and kept working.
Until, one day, it all came crashing down…for the first time.
You would think that would be enough for me to change. But it wasn’t…not until it was the third time coming out of the ICU in the space of a single year. That was when I knew I had to approach my health—and my life—differently.
At first, all I had energy for was to change what I was eating. So I did, concentrating on nourishing foods that my body liked. And I started having a little more energy.
Then I chose movement that I enjoyed and I gained strength and stamina. I got additional training in Functional Medicine and began experimenting with healthy and effective ways of reducing stress and sleeping better. I practiced mindfulness and mindset strategies and learned how to thrive when everyone else around me was barely keeping their heads above water.
These trials and ah-ha moments led me to a wonderful discovery: First, I realized that my body responded best to certain foods, movements, sleep patterns, and mindset. And when I listened and applied these, I began to feel better than I had in years. I lost the excess weight without dieting. People began asking what I was doing, how I managed to look younger each year (and, of course, many assumed that it was because I was a plastic surgeon at the time).
At first, I just shared with a few close friends. Then I realized how important it was to share this knowledge with other busy people who didn't realize how simple it could be to feel and look their best for a lifetime and Balanced Performance was born. Eventually, I realized the best way to reach the audience most in need of this transformation was to work with executives and their teams to create the widest ripple of health, productivity, and happiness possible.
Example talks
INTEGRATING SELF CARE INTO JAM-PACKED SCHEDULES
Self-care is a critical part of a fulfilled, productive life. Yet your day is already crammed full with work demands, school activities, attending sporting events, and caring for your family. How do you find the time to adopt the practices you know are valuable for your well-being without feeling like you’re just trying to fit one more thing into an already jam-packed day?
During this presentation, you will learn:
~The myth of self-care: it’s not all bubble baths and massages
~Why self-care is not optional when you’re working to attain peak performance
~The 3 non-negotiables when it comes to your well-being in stressful times
~Easy to adopt tools and strategies for incorporating self-care into your day
The Executive Edge: Hacking Your Hormones For Peak Performance
Are you noticing a gap between your professional ambitions and your physical and mental vitality? If so, you’re not alone.
In today’s relentless business environment, executives are under more pressure than ever. Balancing the demands of leadership with personal well-being has become a formidable challenge, often leading to stress, burnout, and health issues that can undermine your effectiveness and satisfaction.
Join Dr. Susan Lovelle, former plastic surgeon who has performed surgeries on over 1500 high-level executives and the Founder of Balanced Performance, for an eye-opening event designed specifically for innovative corporate executives. Drawing from her rich background as an expert in Lifestyle Health, Dr. Susan will guide you through the complex world of hormones and their profound impact on your professional effectiveness and personal well-being.
In "The Executive Edge: Hacking Your Hormones for Peak Productivity," you’ll learn how to:
~Navigate Stress More Effectively: Understand the impact of cortisol and learn strategies to turn high-pressure situations into opportunities for growth and resilience.
~Optimize Energy and Focus: Uncover how insulin and blood sugar levels can be managed to sustain high levels of energy and sharpness throughout your demanding day.
~Balance Hormonal Health: Explore the roles of testosterone and estrogen in maintaining your drive, decision-making abilities, and overall health.
Don't miss this opportunity to gain the competitive edge that comes from mastering your hormonal health.
WORK-LIFE BALANCE: WORTHY GOAL OR UNATTAINABLE MYTH?
Format: 1-hour virtual presentation or 2-hour workshop
This program is perfect for:
Teams struggling with overwork and decreased production
Senior management
After this, the audience will:
~Understand why we experience burnout and the reasons women are more likely than men to be affected
~Get effective tools they can adopt to reduce stress and related health concerns like poor sleep, fatigue, and brain fog
~Increase productivity while getting more time for themselves
~Learn how "Listen, Let Go, and Live" can guide them through any adversity, decision, or question in the future
audience activity educational / informative inspirational / life-changing humorous / funny Professionalism
The Ageless Advantage: Harnessing Hormones and Habits for Peak Productivity
In this riveting presentation, we will delve into the intersection of lifestyle, health, and the unique challenges faced by women professionals and entrepreneurs over 40. We will uncover ways to embrace and thrive in this pivotal stage of life, focusing on lifestyle medicine and simple, yet sustainable strategies to boost your energy, productivity, and overall well-being.
You'll walk away with:
~Insight into the specific health concerns and challenges for busy women over 40—weight, energy, gut health, and brain function—and how to proactively address them.
~Strategies for integrating healthy habits into your busy lifestyle to improve energy, productivity, and mental clarity.
~Understanding the power of lifestyle medicine and natural wellness strategies to foster longevity, vitality, and, ultimately, business success.
Breaking the Silence: Menopause Unveiled
In an era where inclusivity and well-being take center stage, it's time we brought the candid conversation about menopause to the forefront of workplace dialogue. Menopause is not merely a 'women's issue' but a societal one that demands empathy, understanding, and actionable change.
Dive into a transformative seminar that spotlights the multifaceted journey of menopause – from deciphering its earliest signs to exploring cutting-edge treatments, and debunking stigmas that have silenced millions.
Understanding the Menopausal Journey: We’ll take a comprehensive look at the stages, symptoms, and hormonal transitions, providing insight into the profound transformations women undergo.
Moving Beyond Hot Flashes: We’ll begin a balanced exploration of treatments ranging from natural remedies to hormone replacement, and their respective pros and cons to empower informed decisions.
Championing Inclusivity in the Workplace: Identifying misconceptions and biases, and introducing actionable steps to nurture a supportive environment where menopausal women feel seen and valued.
LISTEN, LET GO, AND LIVE: 3 KEYS TO THRIVING HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY
We've been let down by traditional healthcare and led to believe that our health is solely in the hands of physicians and other providers. There are, however, three things you can do right now to be able to thrive- Listen, Let Go, and Live.
~Listen to the quiet messages your body is giving you...your body is so wise. It knows exactly what you need at this point in your life and if you don't listen while it's whispering to you, it will do whatever it has to do to get you to listen.
~Let Go of what isn't serving you. If it's not growing you, it's holding you back.
~Last, Live your own version of thriving. And what that means is very personal - no one else can tell you what that means for you.
inspirational / life-changing educational/informative Spreading Knowledge
Advancing the Mindset of DEI: Heightened Awareness, Informed Action, Intentional Being
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are not just buzz words or the latest talking points for corporate executives. Instead, they should become the ongoing lifestyle for any healthy organization and its employees. In this interactive discussion, we will cover the three non-negotiable steps for a flourishing DEI initiative:
~Heightened Awareness—Effective change does not occur in a vacuum. Learn how to identify and understand your company’s DEI starting point at every employment level.
~Informed Action—Effective change does not occur without commitment to the undertaking. Learn how to encourage accountability, both on the corporate and individual scale.
~Intentional Being—Effective change does not occur sporadically. Learn how to encourage buy-in to transition from one-time DEI educational events and advice to ongoing transformation in the organization.
[While the discussion can be applied to both leadership and employees, given its interactive nature, it is best suited to one audience at a time.]
HOW DID WE GET HERE? COVID-19 AND ITS REVELATION OF DISPARITIES IN HEALTHCARE
The pandemic has wreaked havoc in a decidedly disproportionate manner in minority communities. In this session, you will:
~Understand the prevailing theories for the disproportionate prevalence of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the black community
~Become familiar with the systemic racial disparities in health care
~Receive practical proposals for how we, as health providers and consumers, can begin to mitigate the effects of unequal access to healthcare
educational / informative technical / specific inspirational / life-changing Industry Research Spreading Knowledge Professionalism
STRESS DECODED: TOP STRATEGIES TO TAME THE TIGER
It's estimated that stress is at the root of 75% of doctor visits, including heart disease, obesity, poor sleep, and even digestive issues. During this interactive talk, you'll learn:
~How to recognize stress and its myriad effects on your health
~How you can measure and monitor your stress markers to be more zen
~7 health hacks and cool strategies to minimize stress in your daily life
audience activity educational / informative inspirational / life-changing technical / specific Spreading Knowledge