What does it take to translate athletic excellence into mastery of life, relationships, and business? In this episode of Extend, legendary big wave surfer Laird Hamilton and pro volleyball champion Gabby Reece join me to share the mindsets and practices that have sustained their 30-year relationship and individual success.

We discuss why "getting tired" is essential for health and how they've built a thriving business around authentic products. We also discuss the simple daily rituals that matter more than complex optimization protocols.

Laird Hamilton is a pioneer of big wave surfing and hydrofoiling, while Gabby Reece dominated professional volleyball before becoming a wellness advocate. Together, they created XPT (Extreme Performance Training) and co-founded Laird Superfood, a publicly-traded company focused on functional nutrition.

We Also Discuss:

• Why "Getting Tired" Makes Food Taste Better and Improves Sleep Quality

• The Art of Comfortable Confrontation in Marriage and Business

• Why Observing Nature Is Medicine for Modern Stress

• The Decision Fatigue Trap That's Sabotaging Your Day Before 9 AM

• Why They Choose Their Suffering Instead of Letting Life Choose for Them

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

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

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

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

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

Instagram: @darshanshahmd

Learn more about Gabby Reece and Laird Hamilton:

Instagram: @airdhamilton @gabbyreece

What happens when a traditional doctor discovers that everything they were taught in medical school is keeping patients sick? In this episode of Extend, Dr. Jess Peatross joins me to discuss the hidden toxins that could be behind your symptoms.

We discuss why 95% of people don't get enough fiber, the "kill-bind-sweat" protocol that's gone viral for detoxification, and why your "normal" blood work might be missing the real problem. Dr. Jess also shares her shocking experience losing her medical license for questioning vaccine protocols.

Dr. Jess Peatross is a traditionally trained internal medicine physician who worked as a hospitalist for seven years before transitioning to functional medicine. She's the founder of Wellness Plus, an online platform helping people detox safely from environmental toxins, and Aegis Formulas supplement company. She specializes in treating complex chronic conditions involving mold toxicity, parasites, heavy metals, and environmental toxin exposure.

We Also Discuss:

• Why Traditional Blood Work Misses 95% of Chronic Disease Causes

• How the "Kill-Bind-Sweat" Protocol Detoxes Your Body Safely

• The Vibrant Total Tox Test That Reveals Hidden Environmental Toxins

• Why Parasites Are More Common in America Than You Think

• How Modern Energy-Efficient Homes Create Perfect Mold Conditions

• The MTHFR and COMT Genes That Determine Your Detox Ability

• Why 95% of People Are Fiber-Deficient and How It Drives Disease

• The Microscope Method vs. Modern Parasite Testing Limitations

• How to Test Your Home Environment for Hidden Toxin Exposure

• Why You Must Fix Your Nervous System Before Any Detox Protocol

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

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/ @nexthealth 

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

Learn more about Dr. Jess Peatross:

Instagram: @dr.jess.md 

Website: https://drjessmd.com/

What happens when a medical student gets diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given three months to live? In this episode of Extend, Dr. Dawn Mussallem joins me to share her incredible journey from near-death to becoming a leading integrative oncologist at Mayo Clinic, proving that lifestyle interventions can dramatically improve cancer outcomes.

We discuss how 42% of cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes, why ultra-processed foods increase cancer risk by 16%, and the shocking truth about soy and breast cancer. We also share her evidence-based protocol combining conventional treatments with integrative modalities.

Dr. Dawn Mussallem is a double board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine at Mayo Clinic, where she designed the integrative breast oncology program. A cancer survivor who received a heart transplant in 2021, she combines personal experience with rigorous science to help patients optimize their health during and after cancer treatment.

We Also Discuss:

• Why 75% of Cancers Are Caused by Lifestyle Factors (Not Genetics)

• How Ultra-Processed Foods Increase Cancer Death Risk by 30%

• The Shocking Truth About Soy and Breast Cancer (It's Actually Protective)

• Why Half Your Plate Should Be Vegetables or Fruits at Every Meal

• The 30 Diverse Plant Foods Per Week Rule for Optimal Gut Health

• Low-Dose Naltrexone's Immune-Boosting Effects for Cancer Patients

• Why Exercise During Chemotherapy Actually Improves Outcomes

• How Fermented Foods Support Cancer Prevention and Treatment

• The Mayo Clinic Protocol for Maintaining Vitality During Treatment

• Why Skipping Breakfast Increases All-Cause Mortality Risk

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% 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/ https://www.instagram.com/nexthealth/ 

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

Learn more about Dr. Dawn Mussallem:

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

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/dawn-mussallem-do-dipablm-2b360b57 

What happens when elite fitness doesn't equal health? In this episode of Extend, Ben Greenfield joins me to discuss how blood tests showed he was metabolically compromised despite being an Ironman competitor, and shares the comprehensive testing protocols that changed his approach to wellness.

We discuss the critical difference between fitness and health, Ben's biomarker testing strategy using wearables and lab work, and why he embraces hormesis - the concept that controlled stressors like heat, cold, and plant compounds build resilience. We also dive into why dietary diversity beats restrictive elimination diets and the importance of cycling supplements rather than continuous use.

Ben Greenfield is a biohacker, bestselling author of "Boundless," podcast host, and founder of Kion supplements. A former professional athlete turned health optimization expert, he now coaches high-achievers on personalized health protocols.

We Also Discuss:

• Why Fitness and Health Are Not the Same Thing (Despite What Most Athletes Think)

• The FASTER Study That Proved Fat Adaptation Could Rewrite Exercise Physiology

• The Complete Testing Protocol: Wearables, Blood Panels, and Genetic Analysis

• Why Heart Rate Variability Is Your Best Daily Stress Indicator

• The Problem With Continuous Supplement Use vs. Strategic Cycling

• How Microplastics Are Destroying Our Bodies (And What Actually Works to Remove Them)

• The Truth About Alcohol as a Hormetic Stressor in Small Doses

• How to Use CGMs Beyond Just Glucose Monitoring

• Why Most Gut Microbiome Tests Give Useless Food Recommendations

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

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

Timeline: 20% off your order. Go to timeline.com/drshah 

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

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

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

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

Learn more about Ben Greenfield:

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

Website:  https://boundlessbook.com/

What if everything you've been told about longevity supplements is based on hype rather than science? Dr. Eric Verdin, CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, joins me on the Extend podcast to separate fact from fiction in the longevity field. 

We explore epigenetic reprogramming, why the immune system controls aging, and the reality that no supplements are proven to extend human lifespan. We also discuss how most people could live to 95 in good health using lifestyle interventions we already know work.

Dr. Eric Verdin is the CEO and President of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, the world's first independent research institute focused solely on aging. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers and is internationally recognized for his research on immune system aging and epigenetic regulation.

We Also Discuss:

• Why There Are No Proven Anti-Aging Supplements or Drugs for Humans Yet

• How Yamanaka Factors Can Reverse Aging by Reprogramming Cells Back to Youth

• The Discovery That Immune System Aging Controls Whole-Body Aging

• Why Your Blood Contains 600 Different Cell Types (Not the 12 You Learned About)

• How Lifestyle Factors Could Add 30 Years of Healthy Life for Most People

• The Problem With "Instagram Medicine" and Unproven NAD Infusions

• Why Brian Johnson's Self-Experimentation Matters Despite the Controversy

• The Coming Revolution in Precision Medicine and Digital Twins

• How Organ-Specific Aging Clocks Predict Your Individual Disease Risk

• Why the Brain and Immune System Are the Two Most Important Aging Targets

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% 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. Eric Verdin:

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

Website: https://www.buckinstitute.org/ 

What if the blood tests you're not getting are more important than the ones you are? In this episode of Extend, Dr. Jeremy London joins me to explore the three lifestyle modifications that prevent most cardiac disease. 

We dive into how a continuous glucose monitor revealed his own pre-diabetes despite feeling perfectly healthy. We also share the blood tests your doctor isn't ordering, why vaping may be more dangerous than cigarettes, and how functional medicine filled the gap that traditional surgery couldn't address.

Dr. Jeremy London is a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon with over 25 years of clinical experience. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and completed his general surgery residency at St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver, Colorado, followed by a vascular and thoracic surgical fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center. Dr. London's mission is to provide accessible health information through his newsletter, podcast, and social platforms. 

We Also Discuss:

• Why Vaping Is More Dangerous Than Cigarettes According to This Heart Surgeon

• The Three Blood Tests Your Doctor Isn't Ordering  

• How a Continuous Glucose Monitor Revealed Pre-Diabetes in a "Healthy" Surgeon

• Why 50% of Americans Have High Blood Pressure and Most Don't Know It

• The Calcium Score CT Scan That Reveals Hidden Heart Disease Risk

• Why VO2 Max Is the Most Powerful Predictor of Longevity

• How Functional Medicine Saved This Surgeon from Career Burnout

• The Walking Desk Hack That Gets 10,000 Steps During Work Hours

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

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

Timeline: Claim 10% off your first order now at https://www.timeline.com/partners/darshan-shah 

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. Jeremy London:

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

Website: https://www.drjeremylondon.com/ 

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