Meet Darcelle Schouw,

the visionary founder of Lifestyle Med, boasting an extensive 25-year career dedicated to treating individuals grappling with chronic diseases of lifestyle. As a compelling speaker, Darcelle draws upon her rich life experiences as a woman, mother, breast cancer survivor, fitness entrepreneur, and river adventure enthusiast.

The genesis of Lifestyle Med took root in 2006 when Darcelle, in her biokinetics practice within the corporate sector, encountered patients battling chronic non-communicable diseases. Witnessing the challenges faced by those on night shifts relying on medication for conditions like hypertension and diabetes, she pioneered a transformative healthy lifestyle program, focusing on heart and stress health. This initiative evolved, reaching corporate audiences with disrupted schedules, ultimately impacting their metabolic health.

In 2013, Darcelle embarked on a Ph.D. in Family Medicine, concentrating on transforming the workplace environment at a commercial power plant to address risk factors for lifestyle-related chronic diseases. Her creation, the Healthy Choices at Work Program (HCWP), empowered individuals with chronic diseases to make healthier choices, resulting in significant metabolic and physical improvements.

Dr. Schouw’s dedication to Lifestyle Medicine extends to her private practice, where she employs a holistic approach, emphasizing the six pillars of lifestyle medicine, achieving remarkable results. Collaborating with Prof Bob Mash at the University of Stellenbosch in 2020, Darcelle led the coordination and evaluation of the Living GREAT with Diabetes program in the public health sector. This innovative approach integrates group education and motivational interviewing to empower patients in collaborative disease management.

The implementation of GREAT for diabetes gained robust support from the National Department of Health, aligning with the National Strategic Plan for non-communicable disease prevention. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic during the scaling-up phase, the Western Cape, notably Metro Health Services in Cape Town, is independently expanding GREAT for diabetes. The hope is for other provinces to follow suit.

In addition to her pioneering work, Darcelle serves as a senior researcher for UCT, contributing to a three-year program addressing non-communicable diseases in Western Cape communities. Her role at the Chronic Disease Initiative for Africa (CDIA) involves providing expertise as a Senior Research Officer, encompassing mentorship, training, research coordination, workshop facilitation, and presentations.

Darcelle’s specialization in exercise oncology, particularly in breast cancer, showcases her commitment to helping patients achieve functional health and an enhanced quality of life through lifestyle medicine. Having faced her own breast cancer diagnosis in November 2022, Darcelle possesses a wealth of personal knowledge, guiding others in making healthy choices to thrive during and after treatment.