About Dao Labs

MEET DR. ERIC KARCHMER

With over 20 years of education in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dr. Eric Karchmer develops DAO Labs’ proprietary herbal formulas. As a respected academic thought leader and practitioner of Chinese Medicine, Eric designs the most efficacious mix of herbs to bring balance to the mind, body and spirit.

Eric began his training at the renowned Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (from 1995 – 2000), studying alongside some of the most respected doctors in China. Eric’s current research explores recent developments in the theory and practice of Chinese medicine in China. Also, he is currently completing revisions to his book, Double Truths, Postcolonial Transformations in Chinese Medicine.

In addition to teaching at Appalachian State University, Eric practices Chinese medicine (acupuncture and herbs) at his clinic in Boone, North Carolina. Eric holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina and a B.A. from Princeton. Read our interview with Dr. Eric here. 

MEET CULINARY ARTIST TRAVIS METZGER

Dining with Culinary Artist Travis Metzger is an unforgettable experience. You can taste the passion, creativity and culinary expertise in each of Travis’s one-of-kind recipes. Most would agree that Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs in their original form taste less than delectable, but Travis has proven that TCM for today can taste great with DAO Labs. Travis develops unique flavors for each DAO formula to complement the proprietary blend of herbs and their health benefits.

After extensive training at the New England Culinary Institute, Travis ran some of the finest restaurants across the country before starting his own in Minneapolis. To survive the stresses and physical challenges of the kitchen heat, Travis focused on combining natural ingredients for healthy AND delicious eating and juicing.

MEET CEO JOHN G. MCGARVEY

With a series of high profile jobs in the financial services and consumer product industries, John believes mental clarity is one of the keys to success. John first experienced Free and Easy Wanderer, a classic Traditional Chinese Medicine formula, when he lived in Tibet working in micro-finance lending for the Tibet Poverty Alleviation Fund. Free and Easy Wanderer changed John’s life by calming his mind and relieving daily stresses.

After returning to the U.S., John transitioned to the natural food industry, leading a frozen food platform on mainstream grocery, club and natural store freezer shelves nationwide. John searched for Free and Easy Wanderer to help with the daily stresses of running a business, but only found imported Chinese herbs that required extensive effort to boil into decoctions.

Combining his professional background in consumer products with his personal experiences in Asia with Traditional Chinese Medicine, John co-founded DAO Labs to help people experience the power of TCM in a natural, easy-to-use format. John made it his mission to redesign proven, age-old TCM for people searching for natural wellness solutions.

John earned his M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management and hold a B.A. from Northwestern University.

MEET ALY MURN

Aly Murn grew up learning that a glass of orange juice and a bowl of chicken noodle soup can take care of anything. After professionally marketing OTCs, she saw the efficacies of such medicines, but still stuck to her o.j. and chicken noodle soup to avoid the artificial ingredients. Now, at DAO Labs, Aly is simply amazed by the stories of how DAO’s all-natural, whole herb formulas have transformed people’s lives. Aly helps share people’s individual DAO experiences to show others The Way to experience a healthy life.

Aly also currently teaches Brand Management at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. Prior to teaching, she demonstrated her capabilities to drive substantial growth across both small and large brands during her two most defining roles at Cameron’s Coffee and Procter & Gamble.

Aly earned her M.B.A from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.

MEET Dr. Shelley Ochs

Dr. Shelley Ochs has been a licensed practitioner of traditional Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture since the year 2000, and was the first Westerner to complete a PhD in the History of Chinese Medicine at the Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing. Her treatments include manual palpation of the acupuncture channels, acupuncture, herbal medicine and tuning forks. She specializes in chronic pain, fertility, insomnia, digestive disorders and emotional balancing for depression or anxiety. Her goal is to help patients use the perspective of Chinese medicine to understand how physical, emotional and mental challenges can be resolved.

Shelley has taught Chinese Medicine at the Beijing Center for Chinese Studies and the International Institute at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Her current research focuses on the role of culture and religion in the early formation of Chinese medical theory and practice. Her clinical training includes an M.S. in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Bilingual Program of the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco, and traditional apprenticeship training with senior acupuncturist Dr. Wang Juyi in Beijing. Shelley regularly writes articles on Chinese medicine for both academic and clinical journals.