Our story
Applied Wellness was founded by Dr. Brian Dye. The full founder story lives on our About page.
The credibility hub
The Applied Wellness Framework
Everything we build rests on evidence-governed content, transparent sourcing, and a structure you can audit.
Our approach
We teach evidence-based wellness evaluation, not wellness advice. So we're transparent about our own methodology: what we include, what we exclude, and the research basis for every decision. We cite our sources. We show our work. We teach you to do the same.
Wellness literacy
Wellness Literacy is the capacity to access, understand, appraise, and apply evidence-based wellness information to make informed, non-clinical decisions.
The evidence engine
24,312 papers screened across 31 systematic reviews → 9,687 included in the Canon → 201,049 graded, cited data points → 377 evidence blocks → 102 routines, and growing.
24,312
papers screened across 31 systematic reviews
9,687
included in the Canon
201,049
graded, cited data points
377
evidence blocks
102
routines
Evidence grading: HEALM
Every claim is graded A–D using HEALM (Hierarchies of Evidence Applied to Lifestyle Medicine; Katz et al., 2019), built for diet, exercise, and sleep evidence where RCT-centric frameworks fall short.
AStrong
BModerate
CPreliminary
DLimited
Across the graded Canon: A 3,949 · B 2,081 · C 1,518 · D 1,691
You set the evidence floor (A-only, A–B, A–C, or all) and the app filters to it.
The 8 dimensions → 13 focus areas
Content is organized around the eight-dimension wellness framework of Margaret Swarbrick, adopted by SAMHSA and validated for factor structure, reliability, and construct validity (Swarbrick et al., 2024, Psychiatric Services).
| Dimension | Focus area(s) | Studies | Grade A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical | Strength · Cardio & Endurance · Mobility & Flexibility · Neuromotor · Nutrition · Sleep | 5,720 | 2,017 |
| Emotional | Emotional Regulation & Resilience | 242 | 88 |
| Social | Social Connection | 367 | 236 |
| Intellectual | Cognitive Engagement & Lifelong Learning | 291 | 112 |
| Spiritual | Meaning & Purpose | 299 | 154 |
| Occupational | Work–Life & Occupational Well-Being | 476 | 322 |
| Financial | Financial Well-Being | 254 | 95 |
| Environmental | Environment & Nature | 401 | 262 |
| Total | 9,687 | 3,949 |
The routine builder
The library is comprehensive; curation happens at runtime through your answers. Filter by evidence grade, goal, population/life-stage, time, level, equipment, and setting. The app returns every evidence-based block that qualifies, and you build your week from it. We filter to your life; we never cap the science.
Boundaries: non-clinical by design
We teach how to evaluate wellness information and recommend safe, general, evidence-based practices. We do not diagnose, treat, prescribe, personalize medically, or replace professional care. Where content nears a boundary, we surface referral guidance instead.
Sources
The frameworks and methods above, cited.
- Swarbrick M, et al. (2024). Validation of the eight-dimension wellness framework. Psychiatric Services.
- Sørensen K, et al. (2012). Health literacy and public health: a systematic review and integration of definitions and models. BMC Public Health.
- Katz DL, et al. (2019). Hierarchies of evidence applied to lifestyle Medicine (HEALM). BMC Medical Research Methodology. doi:10.1186/s12874-019-0811-z
- Garber CE, et al. (2011). ACSM position stand: quantity and quality of exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc.
- Peters MDJ, et al. (2020). Updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping reviews. JBI Evidence Synthesis.
- Tricco AC, et al. (2018). PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Ann Intern Med.
- Chalmers I, et al. (2018). Key Concepts for Informed Health Choices. IHC.