94. Scott Schwenk: The Monastery-Tested Method That Makes Meditation Actually Work
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/
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93. Dr. Izabella Wentz: 90% of Thyroid Problems Are Autoimmune - Here's What Doctors Miss
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 Â
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92. Dr. Joel Warsh: The Real Story Behind Childhood Vaccine Studies + Informed Consent vs. Mandates
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/ Â
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91. Dr. Rupy Aujla: Why Your Kitchen Is More Powerful Than Your Pharmacy
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  Â
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90. Kristin Weitzel: How to Use Cold Plunging for Ultimate Nervous System Control
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 Â
Extend with Darshan Shah, MD is a podcast dedicated to cutting-edge science, research, tools, and protocols designed to help you extend your healthspan.
Starting my medical journey at 16 and becoming one of the youngest doctors in the country, studying and training at the Mayo Clinic, Harvard Business School, Singularity University and other prestigious institutions, becoming a board certified surgeon and accumulating over two decades of practice, I have discovered that a mere 20% of health knowledge yields 80% of the results.
That's why this podcast is all about cutting through the noise on how to turn back the aging clock.
I interview world-renowned medical practitioners, doctors, experts, and thought leaders, offering you a step-by-step guide and actionable advice to proactively avoid disease and optimize your health.
Plus, I share weekly solo episodes giving you quick, digestible protocols for successfully extending your healthspan.
New Zealand