I’ll be honest—I hadn’t had a primary care doctor in two years. Like many people, I found myself navigating an increasingly fragmented health care system after my general practitioner went concierge, leaving me without regular medical care. I was frustrated, overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. That all changed the moment I walked through the doors of Love.Life in El Segundo.
This isn’t just another wellness center. It’s a 45,000-square-foot health utopia, where functional medicine, advanced fitness, holistic therapies and cutting-edge recovery all exist under one roof. And after just a few months as a member, I can confidently say this place has changed my life by helping me gain control of my health.
“The South Bay is a hub for all things health, wellness and longevity, making it the perfect place to introduce a whole new way to experience health care,” says John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods Market and the visionary behind Love.Life. His mission is to make health care proactive, empowering and deeply personal. And from my own experience, he’s succeeded.
“The South Bay is a hub for all things health, wellness and longevity, making it the perfect place to introduce a whole new way to experience health care.”
Love.Life offers four membership options, ensuring that every individual—whether they’re focused on fitness, medical care or full-spectrum wellness—has access to unmatched testing, treatments and tracking to optimize mind, body and spirit.
When I first met Jaclyn Tolentino, DO, the lead functional medicine physician at Love.Life, I had just recovered from a nasty bout of the flu followed by pneumonia. I was exhausted, depleted and desperate to rebuild my immunity. Traditional medicine would have likely prescribed me a generic supplement and sent me on my way, but Dr. Jaclyn took an entirely different approach.
The traditional health care system has long been criticized for its reactive nature—treating symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of illness. Love.Life flips that model on its head, offering an integrated approach where Eastern and Western medicine, emerging science and holistic wellness work together.
Dr. Jaclyn believes that this approach is long overdue. “At Love.Life, we’re redefining health care by bringing together an unparalleled team of experts, services and amenities all under one roof. Physicians, dietitians, health coaches, personal trainers, physical therapists, acupuncturists, energy healers and more work as one united team to truly understand and treat the whole person, not just symptoms.”
For Dr. Jaclyn, this is the future of medicine—where advanced science meets nutrition, movement and recovery. A breast cancer survivor, she knows firsthand the importance of a personalized, whole-body approach to health.
“As a physician,” she shares, “this level of care—where advanced medicine meets nutrition, movement and recovery; where East meets West; where tried-and-true meets cutting-edge—is unlike anything I’ve experienced in traditional health care.”
We started my health journey with comprehensive blood work that gave me more insights into my body than I’ve ever experienced in my life. I got a snapshot of my overall health with 25+ diagnostic tests and labs that analyze 120+ biomarkers. I discovered nutrient deficiencies I never knew existed, gained critical insights into my hormones and even identified early-stage osteopenia through a DEXA scan—something I wouldn’t have known about for years without this level of testing.
With Dr. Jaclyn’s guidance, I’ve started bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to address perimenopausal symptoms—something so many women struggle with yet receive little guidance on. In just a few weeks, my sleep has improved, my energy has increased and I finally feel like I have control over my health again.
Knowledge is power, and having real data on how my body is functioning has been life-changing. Instead of guessing, I now understand what my body needs and have a customized care plan to make me stronger, healthier and more resilient.
One of the most overwhelming parts of navigating health and wellness is having to go to multiple specialists, different clinics and separate labs to get answers. At Love.Life, that stress is eliminated. Everything is here in one place, and every practitioner works with the others to treat you holistically.
The Love.Life app makes it even easier. Every test result, recommendation and appointment is stored in one place, and all of my providers can communicate through a secure portal to collaborate on my care. No more piecing together information from different offices—this is truly integrated health care.
Additional amenities include red-light therapy beds (for cellular repair and anti-aging), cryotherapy (for game-changing inflammation reduction and recovery), hyperbaric oxygen chambers (to boost oxygenation and healing) and cold-plunge baths (incredible for muscle recovery and circulation). You’ll also find Eastern remedies like acupuncture, Reiki and cupping.
The state-of-the-art fitness center includes weights, classes and a pickleball court. James, my Love.Life personal trainer, is helping me navigate my fitness goals, introducing me to weight-bearing exercises to combat my osteopenia and making me feel stronger.
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When John Mackey created Whole Foods, he changed the way we think about food and nutrition. Now with Love.Life, he’s doing the same for health care. “When you join Love.Life, you’re not just signing up for a membership. You’re becoming part of a movement focused on empowerment and becoming the best version of yourself,” he explains.
Instead of waiting until I’m sick to see a doctor, I’m proactively optimizing my health. Instead of treating symptoms, I’m addressing the root causes of imbalances in my body. And instead of feeling lost in the health care system, I feel informed, empowered and in control of my health journey.
Before joining Love.Life, I probably would have spent years searching for the answers I’ve received in one month. I now know exactly what my body needs, have a clear plan for building long-term health, and have access to world-class medical and wellness professionals who are invested in my success.
I came here looking for answers, and I found a whole new way to approach health, longevity and well-being. I’m stronger, sleeping better and finally feeling in tune with my body again. And for the first time in years, I actually look forward to going to the doctor.
