In 2021, the average life expectancy decreased from 79 years in 2019 to only 77, registering the largest decrease over a two-year span since the 1920s. However, in areas dubbed "Blue Zones," individuals are living active lifestyles well into their 90s, even making it to 100 years old, and largely without chronic disease. While there is more than one factor related to the increased life expectancy in the Blue Zone, moving naturally, living with purpose, belonging, and putting loved ones first seem to rank highly among those who reside in these areas.

When Dr. Gregory Crichlow started his practice, AvantBlue Aesthetics, in Barbados, the name came naturally to him. Avant, after the French word "Avant-Garde," which means forward-thinking and cutting-edge, and Blue, after the concept of Blue Zones – Dr. Crichlow knew that his mission was to cultivate innovation in aesthetics and the field of medicine while also encompassing longevity, the art of living longer, better. From this, AvantBlue's mission of "Safety, Professionalism, Client Experience, and Awesome Results" was born; dubbed the SPEAR of AvantBlue.

Dr. Gregory
Dr. Gregory Dr. Gregory

In his pre-cosmetic days, Dr. Crichlow cared for the elderly, an eye opener for him, which helped him gain critical insight into understanding people. He noticed that the patterns of the Blue Zone were not something of a legend but something he saw with his own eyes. He explained, "you realize that the people who live better as they got older were people who had a new goal." The people who were active, ate well, had a sense of community (relationships, friendships, and a general sense of belonging), and had found something to live for – lived longer and more fulfilling lives.

The movie "Why Me?" ,a true story, was a pivotal point in Dr. Crichlow's journey to becoming the board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeon he is today. He talks about how the woman in the movie was disfigured, and her surgeon used innovative concepts that colleagues didn't agree with.

Dr. Crichlow considers himself a maverick – thinking in the realm of possibilities that exist within the medical industry. Early in his career, he focused on his award-winning, clinically studied proprietary weight normalization programs, MeabolicFusionMD, which have been thriving for the past 25 years, and medical tourism, with patients traveling from the US, Canada, UK, the Caribbean and other countries around the world to have him perform their procedures.

Every country in the world has its own concept of what a "dream" is. For Dr. Crichlow, the Barbadian Dream is about leaving a legacy for the next generation. Not only does one have to build the legacy, but one must self-actualize and also prepare the next generation to take it forward augmented with dreams of their own – something that he is doing already with the innovation and offering of his practice.

Many physicians across various fields of medicine find themselves getting stuck in their ways, which Dr. Crichlow vows never to do. He says, "to continue moving forward, we must stay in a youthful place where we are always actively learning. If innovation is kept at the forefront it will always be interesting. Interest keeps the business moving and growing"

Even having faced his own unique set of twists and turns in his career, he equates getting stuck to being counterproductive as a physician and impacting patients negatively – it is the twists and turns that make him a better physician. He believes that the only way to truly innovate the medical industry is to promote patient empowerment and create a collaboration of physician knowledge across borders.

Regarding his own Barbadian Dream, Dr. Crichlow wants AvantBlue to lead the market in medical tourism. With Barbados' luxurious beaches and the innovative skills of his practice, he believes that AvantBlue has the potential to bring the Barbadian Dream to life. Medical tourism has yet to reach its peak, and he believes that AvantBlue has what it takes to bring this industry to the next level.

Much like the surgeon in the movie who changed the leading female character's life, Dr. Crichlow's surgery at AvantBlue is changing lives. He meets with women who, like the female lead, have found themselves with low self-esteem due to pregnancy, aging, or traumatic events that have altered their appearances.

"We can't underestimate the importance of how we feel; it is important to the overall quality of life," he says.

A transformation occurs from the initial consultation with his clients to the final reveal after surgery has been completed – clients are becoming more full of life, with more energy and excitement. They gain back the confidence that they lost, no matter what the circumstances may have been.

Even though, for someone standing on the outside looking in, it seems like nothing more than enhancing outward appearances, the true changes are happening on the inside. A balance occurs – the outer body and the inward body find harmony with one another.

That is when real change begins to happen – people are happier, have a purpose, and live longer.

It isn't about the measure of success for Dr. Crichlow; it is the difference that is made in their quality of life. "To me, that makes a huge difference in somebody's quality of life, which is what it's all about."