Philip Mongelluzzo Jr.’s Interview
Philip Mongelluzzo Jr., MD, is a multifaceted individual, recognized as a physician, author, and motivational speaker hailing from Waterbury, Connecticut. With a wealth of experience in his field, he wholeheartedly dedicates himself to empowering individuals to achieve their utmost potential and lead healthier lives. Phil’s genuine mission lies in educating his patients about preventive practices, an endeavor he holds close to his heart.
Dr. Philip Mongelluzzo Jr.’s remarkable career commences with his educational pursuits. He embarked on his medical journey at Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, and successfully graduated in 1998, earning the esteemed title of Doctor of Medicine. Philip’s exceptional dedication and commitment were acknowledged through his receipt of The Aesculapian Student Humanitarian Award, an honor he received thrice. Following this accomplishment, he pursued his Primary Care Residency, spending two years at Atlanta Medical Center before completing his final year at Yale University.
Throughout his professional tenure, Philip Mongelluzzo Jr. has embraced numerous captivating and challenging roles. His initial engagement involved serving as a Commissioner on the Waterbury, Connecticut, Board of Health, where he demonstrated leadership in addressing the city’s health-related concerns and formulating comprehensive healthcare plans. Additionally, he assumed the position of Director of Alternative Health Care at St. Mary’s Hospital, overseeing the integration of alternative therapies such as Reflexology, Chiropractic Care, Reiki, and Energy Work with conventional medicine.
An entrepreneur at heart, Philip has skillfully merged his enterprising spirit with his passion for the medical field. In 2002, he founded Dr. Philip A. Mongelluzzo, Jr. LLC, a venture that provided a diverse range of Allopathic and Alternative Health Care options, successfully operating until 2019. In 2017, Philip established Pulse4Pulse, LLC, where he currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer. Moreover, he spearheads Care Beyond Medicine, PLLC, launched in June 2021, and Next Level Care CT, LLC, his latest initiative founded in January 2023, which focuses on Concierge Internal Medicine.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Philip Mongelluzz Jr.: I start early as this is a characteristic all successful people share. I am out of bed at 4am and set the tone with goals for the day and then spend 10-15 minutes reflecting on them. Setting goals is the key to a productive day. I use the 4 quadrants by Stephen Covey to help me gain clarity and remove any subjectivity.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Philip Mongelluzz Jr.: I am a daydreamer and romantic at heart. I always start with What would add incredibly value to people’s lives regardless of how outlandish the idea. And then I reverse engineer it Creativity is a hallmark of some of the most influential people in society, from all walks of life.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Philip Mongelluzz Jr.: I think we are seeing the power of dialogue making its way back into society. Social media and then COVID has robbed society of the ability to talk and exchange ideas in in person meetings.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Philip Mongelluzz Jr.: Constant goal setting with a specific timeline.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Philip Mongelluzz Jr.: Be bold and brash and alway challenge the status quo.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
Philip Mongelluzz Jr.: Formal (expensive) education is incredibly overrated as a general statement. You don’t need a formal education to generate a healthy income. What you need is courage and the inability to work past your failures. You only need one person to believe in you – YOU!
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Philip Mongelluzz Jr.: Set short term and long term goals. I set daily goals to accomplish each specific day while working on my intermediate (weekly) and long term goals (month and yearly). It is often said that people will overestimate what they can do immediately but far underestimate what they can do over a longer period of time.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Philip Mongelluzz Jr.: Take a deep breath and think of something that makes me happy or brings me peace (my family). It helps me to refocus.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Philip Mongelluzz Jr.: You must absolutely separate yourself from the outcome. This is one of the most courageous actions you can take. When you put people and value first and separate the idea of money and success, it is incredibly powerful. Zig Ziglar said it best, “When you help enough people get what they want, you will always get what you want.”
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Philip Mongelluzz Jr.: I started a business that cost me well over 6 figures and lost it all. It taught me that you cannot micromanage or do everything yourself. You must be willing to hire and surround yourself with skilled individuals and be willing to delegate.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Philip Mongelluzz Jr.: Most people, including myself early on in my career, think you need to go at it alone. The most successful business people inherently know that developing a team is the most important aspect of a successful business. One of my favorite quotes is “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to far, go together.”
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Philip Mongelluzz Jr.: I use my calendar on my phone as an accountability tool. I write down what I want to accomplish and then check it off as I do it. I strive for 100% completion each day. It really is that simple!
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
Philip Mongelluzz Jr.: Efficiency is key as is time management. I spent $100 monthly on DragonDictate and dictate all my emails, work and ideas. It makes me incredibly efficient and saves me an immense amount of time in all of my work.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
Philip Mongelluzz Jr.: My favorite book is The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Madino. The second scroll is something I repeat to myself daily upon awakening – “I will greet this day with love in my heart”. It sets the tone for the rest of the day. Gratitude is incredibly powerful and keeps me focused and productive.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Philip Mongelluzz Jr.: The Before Trilogy (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight) with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. It is a tremendous trilogy that focuses on dialogue and the growth of a couple as they make navigate their way through life. It display constants conflict resolution, an important skill set in everyday life.