After spending years at a monastery, meditation expert Scott Schwenk discovered the way most people approach meditation is exactly what keeps them from succeeding. The myths around emptying your mind, sitting in painful positions, and chasing mystical experiences sabotage practice before it begins.

In this episode of Extend, Scott and I discuss the 4-lens framework that transforms meditation from mystical pursuit to practical life skill. We explore his signature 6-point body softening technique that works in 30 seconds, why he stopped teaching fire breathing after becoming trauma-informed, and how to build a sustainable practice that integrates into real-world challenges.

Scott Schwenk is a meditation teacher, breathwork facilitator, and consciousness coach who has spent decades studying both Eastern spiritual traditions and Western psychological approaches. He lived at a monastery, teaches internationally, and helps individuals and businesses integrate contemplative practices into daily life.

We Also Discuss:

• Why "No Thoughts" is Meditation Mythology That Sabotages Your Practice

• The 6-Point Body Softening Technique That Works in 30 Seconds

• Why Your Hips Must Be Higher Than Your Knees for Proper Meditation Posture

• The Secret Taoist Water Meditation Scott Discovered by Accident

• Nadi Shodhana: The Daily Breathwork Practice That Changes Everything

• Why Scott Stopped Teaching Fire Breathing After Becoming Trauma-Informed

• How Mirror Neurons Transfer Meditative States Between People

• The 4 Lenses Framework: Waking Up, Growing Up, Cleaning Up, Showing Up

• Why Gurus Fall: Advanced States vs. Psychological Development

• Open-Eyed Meditation and Why Peak States Can Become Addictive

• The 3 Questions That Build Meditation Confidence in 30 Days

• Why You Should Stop While the Practice Still Feels Good

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.

Function Health: The first 1000 get a $100 credit toward their membership. Visit www.functionhealth.com/drshah or use gift code DRSHAH100 at sign-up to own your health. 

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Scott Schwenk:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescottschwenk/ 

Website: https://www.scottschwenk.com/

Most people think thyroid issues are just about taking a pill, but over 90% of hypothyroid cases are actually Hashimoto's—an autoimmune condition attacking your thyroid gland.

In this episode of Extend, I’m joined by Dr. Izabella Wentz to dive deep into why standard TSH tests fail for years, how artificial sweeteners trigger thyroid dysfunction, and the gut infections that could be destroying your thyroid. We also discuss the lifestyle interventions that can reverse Hashimoto's, the thyroid antibody tests your doctor isn't running, and why an Epsom salt bath might be more powerful than you think.

Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist who has dedicated her career to addressing the root causes of autoimmune thyroid disease after being diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in 2009. She's the author of three books and founder of ThyroidPharmacist.com.

We Also Discuss:

• Why Standard TSH Tests Miss Thyroid Disease for 5-10 Years

• The Complete Thyroid Panel Every Person Should Demand: TSH, T3, T4, Reverse T3, TPO, TG Antibodies

• How Artificial Sweeteners Trigger Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

• The Gluten-Thyroid Connection That Can Reverse Hashimoto's

• Gut Infections Behind Thyroid Dysfunction: H. Pylori, SIBO, and Blastocystis Hominis

• Why Thyroid Antibodies Attack Your Brain, Fertility, and Mental Health—Even Without Thyroid Hormone Problems

• The Selenium + Myo-Inositol Protocol That Reverses Early Hashimoto's

• Why Iron Deficiency Makes Thyroid Medication Useless

• Synthroid vs. Armour vs. T3: Which Thyroid Medication Actually Works

• The Hashimoto's Personality: Stress, Trauma, and Autoimmune Disease

• Red Light Therapy and Cold Laser for Thyroid Regeneration

• Why Your Thyroid Symptoms Might Actually Be Low Cortisol

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

Pendulum: Use code DARSHAN or use the link https://pendulumlife.com/discount/DARSHAN to get 20% off Pendulum membership first orders.

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Dr. Izabella Wentz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/izabellawentzpharmd/ 

Website: www.thyroidpharmacist.com

What if the most basic safety research on childhood vaccines has never actually been done? In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Joel "Gator" Warsh, an integrative pediatrician who's asking the questions about vaccine safety that medicine has avoided for decades.

We explore why vaccines are studied against other vaccines instead of true placebos, the shocking absence of vaccinated vs. unvaccinated research, and how financial incentives shape medical recommendations. Dr. Warsh also breaks down his approach to informed consent with parents. This isn't anti-vaccine rhetoric—it's a call for better science. 

Dr. Joel Warsh is a board-certified pediatrician based in Los Angeles. After completing his residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, he became one of the few pediatricians to openly discuss vaccine safety concerns. He's the author of "Between a Shot and a Hard Place" and founder of Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine Studio City.

We Also Discuss:

• Why Most Vaccines Were Never Studied Against True Placebos

• The Missing Vaccinated vs. Unvaccinated Research That Could End the Debate

• How Financial Incentives Drive Vaccine Recommendations

• The Autism Research That Doesn't Actually Exist

• MMR vs. Individual Protection: Why All Vaccines Aren't the Same

• The Hepatitis B at Birth Controversy for Low-Risk Babies

• Why Whooping Cough "Cocooning" Might Actually Increase Risk

• The Cleveland Clinic Flu Shot Study That Changed Everything

• mRNA Technology: What We Know vs. What We Don't After 4 Years

• Ultra-Processed Foods and the Real Driver of Childhood Illness

• Screen Time Strategies: Educational vs. Dopamine-Engineered Content

• The Social Contract Debate: Individual Rights vs. Public Health

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Dr. Joel Gator Warsh

Newsletter: https://raisingamazingplus.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjoelgator/?hl=en 

Website: https://raisingamazingplus.com/inner-circle/ 

What if the device in your pocket is secretly sabotaging your metabolism, sleep, and longevity? In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Rupy Aujla, a medical doctor turned lifestyle medicine pioneer who reversed his own heart condition through food and lifestyle changes alone.

We explore the "cocaine phone vs. kale phone" strategy for digital wellness, why fiber maxing on TikTok is backfiring, and how to get 10 servings of vegetables daily without thinking about it. He also reveals his three-pillar framework for optimal health.

Dr. Rupy Aujla is a medical doctor with over 15 years of experience, bestselling cookbook author of "Healthy High Protein," and founder of The Doctor's Kitchen app. After reversing his own atrial fibrillation through lifestyle medicine, he left the NHS to help millions of people worldwide cook their way to better health through evidence-based nutrition and functional medicine principles.

We Also Discuss:

• The "Cocaine Phone vs. Kale Phone" Strategy for Digital Detox

• Why Fiber Maxing on TikTok Is Making People Sick

• The Three-Pillar Framework: Protein, Gut Health, and Anti-Inflammatory Eating

• How Dr. Rupy Reversed Heart Arrhythmia Without Surgery

• The "Just One More" Philosophy for Adding Vegetables

• Why 5-a-Day Was Completely Made Up (And What You Actually Need)

• Core Protein + Plant Partner + Topper: The New Protein Formula

• Silent Retreats: Resetting Your Dopamine in 3 Days

• Morning Light and Movement: The Ultimate Energy Hack

• Why Your Kitchen Is More Powerful Than Your Medicine Cabinet

• The Virtual Dr. Rupy AI Coach Revolution

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

Vitaboom: For supplements you can trust and wellness solutions tailored to your health, visit https://vitaboom.com/ 

NextHealth: Your destination for cutting-edge health optimization—from IV therapy to hormone balancing. Explore at https://www.next-health.com/ 

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Dr. Rupy Aujla:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doctors_kitchen 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctors_kitchen/?hl=en 

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-doctors-kitchen-podcast/id1316938642  

What if three minutes in cold water could give you more confidence than years of therapy? In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Kristin Weitzel, a breathwork expert and cold plunge coach who has certified over 325 instructors worldwide in her approach to nervous system regulation.

We explore how to use breathwork to downregulate your nervous system instead of just surviving the cold, and why women shouldn't fear the recent controversy around cold exposure. Kristin reveals her "ICE" method (Intentional Cold Exposure) and shares the free tools that can transform your mental resilience starting today.

Kristin Weitzel is a breathwork expert, Sherpa Breath and Cold founder, and certified sauna master who has been pioneering nervous system optimization for over a decade. She specializes in helping women and athletes use cold exposure and breathwork to expand their window of tolerance and build unshakeable confidence in all areas of life.

We Also Discuss:

• Why the Anticipation of Cold Plunging Is Worse Than the Cold Itself

• The "ICE" Method: Intentional Cold Exposure for Life Success

• How to DJ Your Nervous System for Optimal Performance

• Why Most People Are Cold Plunging Wrong (And Spiking Cortisol)

• The 2x Breathing Technique That Changes Everything

• Cold Plunging vs. Cryotherapy 

• Why Wim Hof Breathing Isn't Right for Everyone

• Sauna Secrets: The 3-Minute Rule Between Hot and Cold

• Free Cold Plunge Coaching Tools You Can Download Today

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.

Function Health: The first 1000 get a $100 credit toward their membership. Visit www.functionhealth.com/drshah or use gift code DRSHAH100 at sign-up to own your health. 

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Kristin Weitzel:

Website: https://www.sherpabreathandcold.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinweitzelofficial/ 

Podcast: https://tr.ee/_aKc6TfA0K 

What if the depression, brain fog, and weight gain you're experiencing isn't "just aging" but actually a treatable hormone deficiency? In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Sara Szal, MD, a Harvard-trained gynecologist who has revolutionized how we approach women's health.

We dive into why 80% of women experience brain dysfunction during menopause, the shocking failure of conventional medicine's "birth control and antidepressants" approach, and Dr. Sara's "hormone therapy plus" model. Whether you're 35 and starting to notice changes or 65 wondering if you've "missed the boat," this conversation will transform how you think about aging as a woman.

Sara Szal, MD is a Harvard-trained gynecologist, New York Times bestselling author of four books including "The Hormone Cure," and a leading authority on hormone optimization. With over 25 years of experience treating 25,000+ patients, she specializes in root cause analysis and personalized protocols for peak performance.

We Also Discuss:

• The 100+ Symptoms of Perimenopause Most Doctors Don't Recognize

• Why Your Doctor Says Hormone Testing Is "Useless" (And Why They're Wrong)

• Bioidentical vs. Synthetic Hormones: What You Need to Know

• The 80% of Women Who Experience Cerebral Hypometabolism During Menopause

• Why FSH Levels Predict Alzheimer's Risk in Women

• Testosterone for Women: When It Helps and When It Hurts

• The "Cheating Nature" Argument Against Hormone Therapy (Debunked)

• Mitochondrial Health: The Key to Reversing Biological Age

• Hot vs. Cold Therapy for Mitochondrial Optimization

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

Vitaboom: For supplements you can trust and wellness solutions tailored to your health, visit https://vitaboom.com/ 

NextHealth: Your destination for cutting-edge health optimization—from IV therapy to hormone balancing. Explore at https://www.next-health.com/ 

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Sara Szal, MD:

Website:https://www.saragottfriedmd.com/ 

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/saragottfriedmd/

93% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy and don't even know it. In this episode of EXTEND, I sit down with Ben Azadi, metabolic health expert and New York Times bestselling author who transformed his life by losing 80 pounds after facing obesity, depression, and pre-diabetes at just 23 years old.

We explore how one out of every four healthcare dollars is spent on diabetes and why your doctor probably isn't checking the one biomarker that could predict metabolic issues. We also dive into practical strategies for breaking free from the sugar-burning trap.

Ben Azadi is a metabolic health coach, New York Times bestselling author of "Metabolic Freedom," and founder of the Keto Kamp podcast. After overcoming obesity and depression through lifestyle changes 17 years ago, he has dedicated his life to helping others achieve metabolic flexibility through ancient healing strategies like ketosis and fasting, combined with modern science.

We Also Discuss:

• Why Fasting Insulin Is the Most Important Test Your Doctor Isn't Ordering

• The Whitehall 2 Study: 6-14 Years of Hidden Insulin Resistance

• "Mentally Obese": Understanding Depression's Connection to Food

• Why There Are No "Essential Carbohydrates" in Medical Textbooks

• Continuous Glucose Monitors: The Accountability Tool That Changes Everything

• The 44.4 Pound Weight Loss in 30 Days Case Study

• Metabolic Confusion: Why Diet Variation Beats Diet Dogma

• The Simple Swap from Sugar Burning to Fat Burning

• Single Ingredient Foods: The Beginner's Best Strategy

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH. 

Function Health: Learn more and join using functionhealth.com/drshah. The first 1000 get a $100 credit toward their membership. Visit https://www.functionhealth.com/drshah or use gift code DRSHAH100 at sign-up to own your health.

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Ben Azadi:

Website: https://benazadi.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebenazadi/ 

What if I told you that an 18-year-old athlete had a testosterone level of 26 - when it should be near 1,000? In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Layne Kilpatrick, a pharmacist with over 30 years of experience who has been sounding the alarm about environmental toxins for years.

We dive into the alarming decline in testosterone levels, how microplastics are literally everywhere, and why young, healthy men are showing up with fertility issues that would have been unthinkable decades ago. We also share actionable solutions to protect ourselves and our families.

Layne Kilpatrick is a pharmacist and the driving force behind Hormone Specialist. He specializes in breaking down the science of hormones and everyday toxins, empowering both men and women to understand the root causes of hormone imbalances and take actionable steps to restore their vitality in a world filled with endocrine disruptors.

We Also Discuss:

• Why Testosterone Levels Have Dropped 50% in 50 Years

• The 18-Year-Old Athlete with a Testosterone Level of 26

• Microplastics vs. Nanoplastics: Size Matters for Toxicity

• The Paint on Glass Bottle Lids That's Contaminating Your Water

• PFAS: The "Forever Chemicals" Found in 100% of Breast Milk Samples

• The $200 Desktop Solution That Filters Microplastics

• HEPA Filtration: Why You Need Carbon Filters Too

• BPA-Free Doesn't Mean Safe: The Regrettable Substitution Problem

• Paper Cups and Straws: The Hidden Plastic Linings

• The Four-Step Action Plan to Protect Your Family Today

Resources:

Persistent Inert Substances Comparison: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_kDzJzqFQN9m59IxfCtJKgc-n4qAlxgn/edit 

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH. 

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Layne Kilpatrick:

Website: https://www.hormonespecialist.net/ 

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hormonespecialist/ 

Did you know that functional practitioners have been using GLP-1 peptides safely for years—long before the Ozempic phenomenon hit mainstream medicine? In this episode of Extend, I talk with Dr. Tracey Stroup, a naturopathic doctor and peptide therapy expert, who reveals how the pharmaceutical industry's approach to semaglutide created unnecessary controversy. 

We dive into what peptides actually are, why your body might be deficient, and how the "dose everyone to the max and leave them there forever" approach completely missed the mark. We also discuss the functional medicine approach to peptide therapy, including proper dosing, cycling protocols, and why you need comprehensive support—not just a prescription.

Tracey Stroup, ND is a naturopathic doctor with over 27 years in health and wellness. She's been using peptide therapy in her practice for 5 years and is passionate about educating both practitioners and patients on the proper use of these powerful therapeutic tools.

We Also Discuss:

• What Peptides Really Are: Natural Biological Signals, Not Synthetic Drugs

• Why the Ozempic Craze Created Unnecessary Peptide Controversy

• The Functional Medicine Approach vs. Pharmaceutical Protocols

• How to Use GLP-1s Properly: Dosing, Cycling, and Off-boarding

• Why Most People Are Peptide Deficient (And Don't Know It)

• BPC-157: The "Wolverine Peptide" for Gut Health and Injury Recovery

• Growth Hormone Peptides: CJC, Ipamorelin, and Natural Hormone Balance

• Injectable vs. Oral Peptides: When and Why Each Route Matters

• Why DIY Peptide Therapy Can Backfire (And What to Do Instead)

• The Insulin Connection: Why Peptide Therapy Isn't Actually New

Thank You To Our Sponsors:

Timeline: Upgrade your energy from within! MitoPure by Timeline helps power up your cells, supporting muscle strength, mental clarity, and overall vitality. Stay active, sharp, and strong at any age! Claim 10% off your first order now at timeline.com/DrShah 

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Tracey Stroup, ND:

Website: https://courses.traceystroupnd.com/ftn-home 

Podcast: https://eatprayfaithwithtraceystroupnd.buzzsprout.com/ 

Instagram: traceystroup_eatprayfaith

What if the symptoms you've been told to "just deal with" during perimenopause could actually be addressed? In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Cynthia Thurlow, a nurse practitioner who left traditional cardiology to focus on women's health and metabolic medicine. 

We explore why the medical system has failed women during menopause, the critical biomarkers your doctor probably isn't checking, and how the misinterpretation of one major study has left generations of women suffering unnecessarily. We also discuss why LDL cholesterol might not be the villain it's made out to be and how hormone replacement therapy could be one of the most important interventions for long-term health.

Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner and intermittent fasting expert. She's the author of "Intermittent Fasting Transformation" and hosts the "Everyday Wellness" podcast. She specializes in helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause through lifestyle medicine and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

We Also Discuss:

• The Women's Health Initiative Disaster: How One Study Damaged Generations of Women

• Why Your "Normal" Fasting Glucose of 95 Means You're Already in Trouble

• ApoB and Lp(a): The Heart Disease Markers Your Doctor Isn't Checking

• Dutch Testing vs. Blood Work: Which Hormone Tests Actually Matter

• The $100 Calcium Score That Should Be Routine After 40

• Why 60-Year-Olds CAN Start Hormone Replacement Therapy

• GLP-1 Medications: Beyond Weight Loss to Metabolic Healing

• The Intermittent Fasting Mistakes That Wreck Women's Hormones

• Pellet Therapy vs. Patches: The Hormone Delivery Debate

• Why Statins Are the Most Over-Prescribed Drugs in History

• Dysautonomia and HRV: The Nervous System Signals You're Missing

• The Gut-Menopause Connection No One Talks About

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

Pendulum: Use code DARSHAN or use the link https://pendulumlife.com/discount/DARSHAN to get 20% off  

IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 20% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH. 

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Cynthia Thurlow:

Website: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/ 

Podcast: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/podcast 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthia_thurlow_/