Have you ever wondered why gut health is at the root of everything, from metabolism and cravings to immunity and even mental clarity? Why do some people struggle with weight gain, energy crashes, and digestive issues despite eating well? And could the rise of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic be a sign that we’ve been ignoring a natural solution all along? In today’s episode of Extend, I’m joined by Colleen Cutcliffe, a microbiome scientist and co-founder of Pendulum, a company leading the way in g...
Mar 11, 2025•2 hr 34 min•Ep. 42
What if everything you’ve been told about nutrition is only half the story? It’s not just about avoiding carbs, counting macros, or following the latest health trend—it’s about how food impacts your metabolism, gut, and long-term health on a deeper level. The problem? Most people are stuck in a cycle of restrictive diets, misinformation, and ultra-processed foods that silently sabotage their well-being. In this episode, I sit down with registered dietitian and longevity expert Ella Davar to brea...
Mar 08, 2025•38 min•Ep. 41
Sleep isn't just about rest, it's a critical pillar of metabolic health, cognitive function, and longevity. In this solo episode of Extend, I dive deep into the science of sleep routines and circadian rhythms. I share how proper sleep habits are foundational to the new healthcare paradigm focused on vitality rather than disease management. I explain that your sleep routine actually begins the moment you wake up and continues throughout your day, not just before bedtime. I also cover relaxation t...
Mar 06, 2025•16 min•Ep. 40
Have you ever felt like mental health care is stuck in the past? Why are rates of depression, anxiety, and even conditions like autism skyrocketing in today’s world? And why does traditional treatment often fall short? Spoiler: the answer lies deeper than just brain chemistry… it’s all about your metabolic health. In this week’s episode of Extend, I’m joined by Dr. Chris Palmer, a psychiatrist and author of Brain Energy. Together, we’re unraveling the powerful connection between your metabolic h...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 39
What if the key to peak performance and longevity isn’t just in your workouts, diet, or sleep, but in how well your body handles stress? Optimizing your health isn’t just about the latest supplements or fitness trends, it’s about understanding your nervous system, heart rate variability (HRV), and how small daily habits shape your resilience over time. Most people try to eliminate stress, but the real goal is building the ability to recover faster and adapt better. In this episode, I sit down wi...
Mar 01, 2025•36 min
If you’re struggling to fall asleep, waking up in the middle of the night, or feeling groggy in the morning, the problem might not be you—it might be your sleep environment. Most people don’t realize just how much their bedroom setup impacts sleep quality. In this episode of Xtend , I’m breaking down exactly how you can optimize your space to promote deep, restorative sleep. Your bedroom should mimic the ideal sleep conditions humans evolved with—a cool, dark, and quiet environment. That's why i...
Feb 27, 2025•11 min•Ep. 37
Do you ever feel like your wellness journey is missing something? We often focus on physical health—what we eat, how we exercise—but overlook the powerful role our mind plays in driving true transformation. From reducing stress to optimizing focus, your thoughts and beliefs shape every aspect of your well-being. The key to lasting change may be closer than you think: it starts in your mind… What if you could reverse your biological age just by changing your mindset? In this episode, Vishen Lakhi...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 36
Most people think longevity is about expensive treatments, cutting-edge technology, or the latest supplements. But what if the real key to aging well comes down to something much simpler, understanding your body, making informed choices, and building habits that last? Healthspan matters more than lifespan, and the small, consistent actions you take today will determine how you feel decades from now. In this episode, I sit down with Julie Gibson Clark, a longevity researcher and biohacker who too...
Feb 24, 2025•23 min•Ep. 35
Sleep isn’t just about rest, it’s a critical pillar of metabolic health, cognitive function, and longevity. Poor sleep quality is linked to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegeneration, and even cancer. In this episode of Extend, I break down how tracking your sleep can uncover hidden disorders, optimize recovery, and improve long-term health. I’ll share my personal struggle with undiagnosed sleep apnea and how data-driven sleep optimization completely transformed my en...
Feb 20, 2025•14 min•Ep. 34
Most of us think hitting the gym a few times a week is enough—but what about the other 23 hours of your day? Your daily habits could be silently limiting your mobility and longevity without you even realizing it. In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Kelly and Juliet Starrett, bestselling authors of Built to Move and pioneers in the world of mobility and movement. We break down why small, everyday actions—like how you stand, sit, and breathe—are more important for your health than chasing b...
Feb 18, 2025•2 hr 17 min•Ep. 33
How often do you find yourself struggling with cravings, feeling like your hunger is out of control, or wondering why weight loss feels impossible? The truth is, your gut is running the show, specifically, a powerful hormone called GLP-1 that regulates appetite, metabolism, and even inflammation. And the secret to boosting it naturally? Bitterness. In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Ed Walker, a leading researcher in translational medicine, to break down how bitter compounds, used fo...
Feb 15, 2025•46 min•Ep. 32
You hit the gym, push your limits, and stay consistent, but if you’re skipping recovery, you’re actually holding yourself back. Overtraining doesn’t just slow muscle growth; it ramps up inflammation, messes with your metabolism, and puts unnecessary stress on your heart. In today’s episode of Extend, I’m breaking down why recovery is the missing piece in your fitness routine. We’ll cover how overtraining wrecks your hormones, metabolism, and nervous system (and how to fix it), the science-backed...
Feb 13, 2025•12 min•Ep. 31
How many nights have you told yourself you’ll catch up on sleep later? You push through exhaustion, thinking it’s just part of life. But here’s the truth: chronic sleep deprivation isn’t just making you tired—it’s rewiring your brain, disrupting your hormones, and holding you back from living your best life. In this episode of Extend, I sit down with sleep expert Dr. Matt Walker to dive into why sleep is the ultimate game changer for your health. We unpack how poor sleep impacts everything from ...
Feb 11, 2025•2 hr 48 min
What’s the point of living longer if you’re stiff, in pain, or struggling to stay independent? Mobility isn’t just about stretching, it’s about keeping your joints fluid, your muscles strong, and your balance sharp so you can move with ease at any age. In today’s episode of Extend, I’m breaking down why mobility is the most overlooked pillar of longevity and how you can start improving yours right now. We’ll cover why mobility declines with age (and how to stop it), the five simple at-home tests...
Feb 06, 2025•15 min•Ep. 29
How often do you reach for a sugary snack, telling yourself it’s just a small indulgence? Or justify skipping your morning walk because you’re "too busy"? Here’s the truth: your daily habits are either fueling your longevity or quietly sabotaging it. In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. David Perlmutter, a neurologist and five-time New York Times bestselling author known for his groundbreaking work on brain health, inflammation, and metabolic resilience. We dig deep into the connection...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 28
Title: Dr. Mindy Pelz: The Metabolic Reset Every Woman Needs Your hormones deserve better care—and you do too. So many women feel stuck when it comes to their health—frustrated by unexplained weight gain, unpredictable mood swings, and low energy that no diet or workout seems to fix. The truth is, our healthcare system was built around research that overlooked the female body’s complexity. But the great news? There’s a way to support your body that works with your biology, not against it. In tod...
Jan 28, 2025•2 hr 34 min•Ep. 27
In today’s episode of Extend, I’m diving into one of the most powerful and underutilized tools for your health and longevity: strength training. Whether you’re a gym regular or just getting started, this episode will break down the science and practical strategies you need to transform your fitness routine. Together, we’ll explore the four essential pillars of strength training: building and preserving muscle as you age, how your muscles directly impact your metabolism, the surprising role of mu...
Jan 24, 2025•17 min•Ep. 26
Feeling stuck with your health? Maybe you're doing all the right things—or at least you think you are—but you're still not seeing the results you want. It’s frustrating, right? But here’s the thing: modern life is working against you. Chronic stress, hidden toxins in your environment, and mixed messages about what actually works—it’s no wonder so many of us feel lost when it comes to wellness. In today’s episode of Extend with Dr. Shah, I’m sitting down with Mona Sharma—nutritionist, wellness ex...
Jan 21, 2025•2 hr 34 min•Ep. 25
In this solo episode of Extend, I’m breaking down the science behind sustainable fitness progress and goal-setting so you can finally make those health resolutions stick. From understanding your baseline fitness level with key assessments to the power of setting small, realistic goals, I’m guiding you step-by-step through the tools that build long-term consistency. We’ll talk about everything from DEXA scans for precise body composition analysis to why grip strength and lower body power are vita...
Jan 16, 2025•19 min
Your brain is your most powerful asset—so why do so many of us let it decline without a fight? Cognitive decline, brain fog, and even Alzheimer’s don’t just “happen.” They’re the result of decades of small decisions, stress, and overlooked habits. The good news? You have the ability to take control. In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Louisa Nicola, neurophysiologist and human performance coach, to uncover the science behind optimal brain health and the simple habits that can keep your mi...
Jan 14, 2025•2 hr 31 min•Ep. 23
Have you ever wondered if hitting the gym is enough to offset hours of sitting at your desk? In this episode of Extend, I take a closer look at the silent yet dangerous effects of sedentary behavior—and why it could be one of the most overlooked threats to your long-term health. From the link between prolonged sitting and chronic diseases like heart disease and Alzheimer’s to the surprising impact it has on your metabolic health, I’m breaking down the science behind why movement throughout the d...
Jan 09, 2025•10 min•Ep. 22
Do you know the #1 preventable cause of death worldwide? It’s high blood pressure—a condition that half of the population doesn’t even know they have. Mismanaged and misunderstood, this "silent killer" leads to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and dementia. Yet, most people rely on outdated tools like cuffs that deliver inconsistent readings or aren’t used correctly at all. In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Jay Shah, a cardiologist and blood pressure expert to tackle the barr...
Jan 07, 2025•2 hr 30 min•Ep. 22
Are you stuck in a relentless cycle of stress that’s draining your energy and joy? Burnout isn’t just about feeling tired—it’s a chronic state that rewires your body and mind, often without you realizing it. In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, a trailblazer in functional medicine and best-selling author, to explore how modern life has hijacked our stress response systems. Together, we unpack why today’s constant pressures—from overflowing inboxes to endless social m...
Dec 31, 2024•3 hr 35 min•Ep. 20
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the endless options in the supplement aisle? In this episode of Extend, I take a closer look at why so many people struggle to make sense of supplementation—and what you can do to make smarter, science-backed decisions. From the declining nutrient density in modern diets to the role of supplements in addressing deficiencies and optimizing health, I’m breaking it all down. I also reveal the foundational supplements everyone should consider (like Vitamin D, Omega-...
Dec 26, 2024•11 min•Ep. 19
Have you ever wondered if memory loss or cognitive decline is inevitable as we age? What if I told you it’s not—and that, with the right strategies, you can even reverse early signs of neurodegeneration? In this episode of Extend with Dr. Darshan Shah, I sit down with my friend and esteemed colleague, Dr. Dale Bredesen, a pioneer in brain health and the author of The End of Alzheimer’s. Dr. Bredesen has completely changed the way I see cognitive decline, and today, we’re sharing how cutting-edge...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 18
Are you trapped in the cycle of endless dieting and calorie counting? For years, we've been told that weight loss is as simple as “calories in, calories out,” but if that’s true, why do so many of us still struggle? What if the problem isn’t just the numbers, but how we think about them? In this episode of theExtend podcast, I take a closer look at why the traditional approach to calorie control fails—and what you can do instead. From the science behind metabolic rate to the surprising impact of...
Dec 19, 2024•12 min•Ep. 17
Ever find yourself putting in the time at the gym, only to feel like you’re barely moving the needle? Or notice that staying in shape seems to get tougher every year? Here’s the thing: muscle health is the backbone of your metabolism, strength, and long-term vitality, but it’s often the missing link in most people’s routines. In this episode, I’m thrilled to sit down with JJ Virgin. Together, we dive into why muscle matters for more than just strength, how to use high-intensity interval training...
Dec 17, 2024•2 hr 45 min•Ep. 16
Are you part of the 88% of people who are metabolically unhealthy—and don’t even know it? Do you know what metabolic health really means? Or why is it the root cause of nearly every chronic disease? In this episode of Extend, I’m diving deep into the critical world of metabolic health—how it works, why it matters, and what you can do today to optimize it. With only 12% of Americans metabolically healthy, it’s time to take charge. I’ll break down the science of mitochondria, share the key biomark...
Dec 12, 2024•16 min•Ep. 15
What if simple lifestyle changes could transform your health in ways you never imagined? In this episode of Extend with Darshan Shah, MD with my guest, Darin Olien, we dig into the basics—nutrition, exercise, and stress management—that lay the foundation for a healthier life. Darin also explains why cutting out ultra-processed foods in favor of fresh, whole ingredients is a game-changer for mental clarity, energy, and resilience. From practical tips like staying hydrated to learning the art of n...
Dec 10, 2024•2 hr 53 min•Ep. 14
Are you overwhelmed by all the conflicting diet advice out there? In this episode of Extend, I simplify it all with a framework that works: the good, the bad, and the ugly of food. We’ll dive deep into how to structure your meals around nutrient-dense choices that nourish your body, help you maintain energy, and support long-term health. I’ll walk you through the truth about carbs, proteins, and fats—what you should embrace, what you should avoid, and what’s downright harmful. You’ll learn why c...
Dec 05, 2024•15 min•Ep. 13
