HALO Talks: Elevating Wellness: Episode #531: Wellness Through Innovation: Patrick Sandone on the GUIDE App for Military and First Responders

In this episode, host Pete Moore sits down with longtime friend and former investment banker, Patrick Sandone. Sandone has a diverse background in private equity, venture capital, and entrepreneurship. After earning his MBA from Columbia, he ventured into his family's automotive business, but quickly realized his true passion lay elsewhere. He eventually moved on to the firm DLJ, and eventually shifted into entrepreneurship to create the transformative GUIDE App.

Designed to aid first responders, military personnel, veterans, and others in high-stress professions, GUIDE provides anonymous support, microlearning, community interaction, and wellness practices aimed at building resilience and promoting mental and emotional well-being. Listen not to learn how his own experiences and passion for personal development fueled the creation of GUIDE and the significant impact it’s already making.

Regarding the critical importance of anonymity, Sandone states, "If you're in some of these professions that may have a real macho culture around them, you may not want to tell other people that you're diving into this world, that you're meditating, taking wellness courses, that you're getting in touch with how you feel about things, and so on. This is completely anonymous. And for most people that have access to the app, it it may be the only anonymous way that they can jump in, and that it's a safe haven where you can get help, get support, and learn without anyone else knowing about it." 

Key themes discussed

• Founded GUIDE to support high-stress professionals' wellbeing.
• Hybrid business approach: Plans, gut, passion, accessibility.
• High app usage, ongoing clinical trial results pending.
• Anonymous community fosters self-improvement and reflection.
• Partnered with a PhD for university collaboration.

A few key takeaways: 

1. Personal Transformation Journey: Patrick discussed his career shift from investment banking and private equity to starting his own company after burning out. His journey from dealing with intense stress to focusing on wellness became the foundation for GUIDE.

2. Focus on First Responders and High-Stress Professions: GUIDE is specifically designed to help first responders, military veterans, and individuals in high-stress professions build resilience and wellness. The uniqueness lies in its complete anonymity, allowing users to engage in without fear of being stigmatized. 

3. Microlearning and Interactive Features: The GUIDE app offers microlearning courses, interactive community support, and scheduled wellness practices like meditation and journaling. These features ensure that users can integrate wellness into their daily routines effectively and consistently, mirroring the approach to physical wellness.

4. Scientific Validation and Impact: The app's effectiveness is backed by clinical trials conducted with reputable institutions like the University of Pennsylvania. Results showed significant reductions in anxiety and improvements in overall wellness and motivation.

5. Growing Adoption and Financial Viability: Despite challenges in securing funding from public entities, the app has seen substantial adoption, including onboarding major police departments like the Philadelphia PD. The company is profitable and aims to balance doing good with financial sustainability, showcasing a new model for mission-driven businesses.

Resources: 

• Patrick Sandone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-sandone-iii-b92b995 
• The GUIDE App: https://theguideapp.com 
• Prospect Wizard: http://www.theprospectwiza