#458 – Varsha Rao, Co-Founder & CEO at Zeal

Varsha Rao’s Entrepreneurial Journey

In this episode of the Slica Healthcare podcast, host Jared Taylor reconnects with Varsha Rao, the dynamic founder of Zeal. Varsha, who was previously known for her role in scaling Nurx into a full women’s telehealth platform, shares her exciting new venture and insights into the evolving landscape of social fitness.

From Neurex to Zeal

Varsha’s journey is a testament to her visionary approach in the healthcare and wellness sectors. After Nurx’s acquisition by 30 Madison, where she played a pivotal role in the transition, Varsha found herself gravitating towards a new mission. This mission materialized into Zeal, a platform designed to foster real-world connections through shared activities.

The Concept Behind Zeal

Zeal is a revolutionary social platform that encourages users to engage in activities with friends, friends of friends, and even new acquaintances. It aims to replace the large, often impersonal virtual groups on platforms like Facebook with meaningful, in-person interactions. Varsha explains, “The way to build a friendship and a relationship is by having repeated interactions with people on an ongoing basis.” Zeal facilitates this by making it easier to schedule and participate in group activities, whether it’s a fitness class, a hiking trip, or a casual coffee meet-up.

The Importance of Social Fitness

Varsha passionately advocates for the concept of social fitness, emphasizing the three pillars of health: food, exercise, and social connections. She believes that friendships and relationships significantly contribute to overall well-being, happiness, and longevity. Zeal is designed to promote these social interactions by simplifying the logistics of meeting up and engaging in activities.

Popular Activities on Zeal

Zeal’s user base is diverse, engaging in a wide range of activities. Pickleball, fitness classes, hiking, and even ping pong are some of the most popular. Varsha highlights how these activities are not only fun but also integral to building and maintaining social bonds. She shares an interesting anecdote about discovering a neighbor’s passion for sailing through Zeal, which led to new shared experiences.

Looking Ahead: Zeal’s Future

As Zeal continues to grow, Varsha is focused on scaling the platform and integrating advanced features. One exciting development is the use of AI to personalize event suggestions based on users’ interests and locations. This feature aims to make it easier for users to discover relevant activities, from local festivals to new restaurant openings.

Varsha’s vision for Zeal is clear: to create a platform that enriches lives through social connections and shared experiences. As she aptly puts it, “It’s all about friends, family, relationships, and spending time with people.”