Mark Gaunya: Wrestling With Healthcare and Captivating Change

On this episode of #TheShot of #DigitalHealth Therapy, Jim Joyce and I welcomed Mark S. Gaunya, GBA, LIA - benefits innovator, wrestling fanatic, rugby convert, and author - who’s on a mission to transform healthcare from a cost center into an asset. From cutting weight in high school wrestling to cutting healthcare costs, Mark brings equal parts grit, vision, and humor to the conversation.

Some highlights:

🤼 Wrestling built resilience, discipline, and vision.

📊 Finance background fuels entrepreneurial leadership.

🏥 Healthcare system works well but for the system itself....

📖 Insurance captives and small businesses

We also talked about his new book "Captivated Health: Take Control. Gain Transparency. Leverage Confidence

" (pre-order on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Captivated-Health-Control-Transparency-Confidence-ebook/dp/B0FDLRTN3M/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2K4OHVOK90G8X&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Tm_j3D1shFbNcCw4NyAf7g.KQWzsyxI7bcNVqKl8zp1DYjpRcHsutI26QEvGZx-fIw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Captivated+Health%3A+Take+Control.+Gain+Transparency.+Leverage+Confidence&qid=1758741583&sprefix=captivated+health+take+control.+gain+transparency.+leverage+confidence%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1)

Fun mentions as always: Megan Donnell, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, Amanda Goltz, Jennifer Borislow CLU

• [00:00–02:00] Welcome & pronunciation of “Gaunya”

• [02:00–06:00] Family roots in healthcare & entrepreneurship

• [06:00–10:00] Wrestling, resilience, and rugby adventures

• [10:00–15:00] Finance background → entrepreneurial foundation

• [15:00–20:00] Transition to insurers: Blue Cross, Cigna, Destiny

• [20:00–26:00] Leadership lessons, early management challenges

• [26:00–34:00] Captivated Health model & balance sheet strategy

• [34:00–39:00] Captives, PBMs, and real employer ROI stories

• [39:00–49:00] NABIP Consumer Bill of Rights & policy vision

• [49:00–55:00] Advice to younger self: “Pick wisely”