How personal loss, lifelong frustration, and a commitment to community led one retired dentist to metabolic health—and keeps him coming back year after year.
For Jeff Clay, DDS, the journey into metabolic health didn’t begin with a conference ticket. It began decades earlier, shaped by family history, professional success, and repeated personal disappointment.
Like many people drawn to the low-carb and ketogenic space, Jeff arrived with a story—and a reason.
We spoke with Jeff shortly after his attendance at the 2026 Boca Symposium for Metabolic Health, held January 23–25, 2026.
Watch an excerpt from our conversation with Jeff here.
A Family History That Couldn’t Be Ignored
Jeff was born and raised in West Virginia, a state he describes as being “unfortunately known for very poor health outcomes.” His own family reflected that reality all too clearly.
“Both my parents had heart disease, dementia, and other chronic problems,” Jeff explains. His mother, in particular, left a lasting impression. “I watched my mom spend many of her final years tethered to an oxygen hose and unable to communicate effectively due to her dementia.”
That experience stayed with him.
“That had a profound effect on me,” Jeff says. “I wanted something different. I wanted to pursue a different path, health‑wise.”
Professional Success, Personal Frustration
From a career standpoint, Jeff’s life unfolded as a clear success story. He became a dentist at age 22, owned his own practice by 23, and spent 37 years building a thriving dental operation with multiple locations, five dentists, and 25 employees.
But despite professional success, his personal health told a different story.
“I had very frustrating success with trying to improve my own personal health,” he says. Jeff gained weight, developed prediabetes, and cycled through diet after diet with little to show for it.
By age 57, he weighed 250 pounds and was prediabetic.
The breakthrough came unexpectedly—from a YouTube lecture.
“In just over half an hour of listening to Dr. Jason Fung,” Jeff recalls, “I learned more about metabolic health than I had learned in my entire life.”
He tried a low‑carb ketogenic approach. It worked. He lost 50 pounds.
Then life intervened.
As Jeff worked through the stress of exiting his dental practice, old habits crept back in. The weight returned—but the understanding remained.
Finding The SMHP & LowCarbUSA at the Right Moment
On January 1, 2023, Jeff and his wife recommitted to their health. This time, Jeff knew education would be critical.
“I thought maybe some further education would be appropriate and be a help to me,” he says.
A simple Google search led him to a surprising discovery: a Sympoium for Metabolic Health happening just two weeks later in Boca Raton—only a couple of hours from his home in Florida.
“So I registered for the January 2023 Boca Raton LowCarbUSA conference,” Jeff says.
What he found exceeded expectations.
“I heard world‑class speakers—clinicians, researchers—and learned more than I could believe,” he says. “It really kick‑started my journey.”
Jeff also enrolled in an intensive three‑week educational course shortly afterward. The combination proved powerful.
“This time I quickly lost the weight again,” he says. “And the good news is, I’m now more than three years down the road, and I’ve been able to successfully maintain that weight loss.”
Since that first experience, Jeff has made the Boca Symposium a yearly commitment.
“I’ve attended now for four years straight,” he says. “I just got back a couple weeks ago—and it’s been awesome.”
Why the Symposium Experience Stands Out
When asked what keeps drawing him back, Jeff points to both structure and substance.
The intentional yearly themes of the conferences play a major role.
“The first year it was food addiction. The second year it was type 1 diabetes. The third year was women’s health. This past year was cardiovascular health,” Jeff says. “I like that focus.”
Beyond the presentations, it’s the shared mindset that sets the symposium apart.
“You’re rubbing shoulders with the best and the brightest,” he explains. “Health coaches, physicians, dietitians—people who are all of the same mind.”
That alignment matters.
“Many times when we interact with the medical community, there can be disagreement in philosophy,” Jeff says. “Being with folks who are on the same page is wonderful.”
Even the speakers, he notes, are approachable.
“If you have a question, you can approach them. They’re open to conversation,” he says. “That’s been true every time.”
Community: The Hidden Value of the Symposium
For Jeff, the social side of the symposium is just as valuable as the science.
“It’s a level playing field,” he says. “I’ve had speakers sit down next to me at dinner. We just talk.”
Those informal conversations extend beyond presenters.
“You meet people doing exactly what you and I are doing—working one‑on‑one with everyday folks who just want to get healthier,” Jeff explains.
Rather than reinventing the wheel, Jeff values learning what’s already working.
“Sometimes it’s best not to reinvent the wheel,” he says. “Find out what’s effective and proven—and copy that.”
Once a year, that shared learning becomes renewal.
“It’s a great way of recharging your batteries,” Jeff says.
Health Benefits That Go Beyond the Scale
Like many attendees, Jeff initially came to low‑carb eating for weight loss—but that wasn’t what kept him there.
“Most people come for the weight loss,” he says. “But I find that most people stay here for the health benefits.”
Those benefits include:
- Better energy
- Improved mental clarity
- Reduced hunger
- Medication reduction
- Sustainable weight maintenance
“It goes farther than being a normal weight,” Jeff says. “It’s about quality of life.”
From Personal Change to Paying It Forward
As Jeff’s confidence in metabolic health grew, so did his desire to share what he’d learned.
“It took me decades to find what I believe is accurate, effective information,” he says. “It shouldn’t have been that hard.”
Determined to make the path easier for others, Jeff pursued formal education through the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners (The SMHP), earning his Metabolic Health Practitioner (MHP) accreditation.
“I needed more than going to a conference once a year,” he explains. “The education was great, self‑paced, and deep.”
But education alone wasn’t enough.
About two and a half years ago, Jeff launched a free, weekly community support group in his hometown of Vero Beach, Florida. The group meets in a local library and is supported by a small Facebook community.
“What we do isn’t complicated,” Jeff says. “I could explain the keto diet in a few minutes. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy.”
Lifelong habits, food addiction, and social pressures make sustained change challenging.
“That’s where support and accountability come in,” he says. “That’s where I get my fulfillment.”
Looking Ahead
Although future symposium locations may change, Jeff’s commitment remains.
“I’ll definitely keep attending,” he says. “Whether in person or by livestream, it’s worth it.”
As he continues supporting others through education and community, Jeff remains grateful—for the friendships, the science, and the people behind the scenes.
“I really appreciate the folks at Low Carb USA,” he says. “Doug and Pam work incredibly hard to make these conferences successful.”
For Jeff Clay, the Boca Symposium for Metabolic Health is more than an event.
It’s where knowledge becomes confidence—and confidence becomes action.
Learn more about upcoming Symposium for Metabolic Health conferences.