Dr. Carlsen is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in hand and microsurgical reconstruction at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. In addition to his operative treatment of acute conditions, he works to empower patients to take ownership of their health and well-being through nutrition and lifestyle improvements. He is active in nutritional, lifestyle, and well-being approaches for both patients and staff at the Mayo Clinic. As an endurance athlete, he is passionate about fitness and human performance and uses plant-based approaches to optimize his own fitness and performance and to help other athletes. His journey on this path began in early 2014 as an effort to improve, then optimize, his health beginning with adoption of a whole food, plant-based diet.