Extend Podcast with Darshan Shah, MD

What if menopause isn't the beginning of your decline—but the beginning of your most powerful chapter? And what if the reason fasting isn't working for you has more to do with stress than willpower?
In this episode, I welcome back Dr. Mindy Pelz, bestselling author of Fast Like a Girl and Age Like a Girl, to explore how menopause, hormones, and nervous system health influence the way women age.
Dr. Pelz challenges the traditional narrative around menopause, explaining how declining estrogen may affect the brain, behavior, and identity. We also discuss why intermittent fasting isn't one-size-fits-all, how chronic stress can affect metabolism and weight management, and why sometimes doing less is exactly what your body needs.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How menopause and declining estrogen can influence brain health, mood, and behavior
Why fasting strategies may need to change throughout a woman's menstrual cycle and menopause
How chronic stress, cortisol, and nervous system regulation relate to metabolic health
Why fasting harder and exercising more aren't always the best solutions for weight gain
How sleep, breathwork, nutrition, and recovery can support your nervous system
Why menopause can be an opportunity to rediscover your purpose and identity
The biggest takeaway? More isn't always better. Understanding what your body needs—and adjusting your approach as you age—may be one of the most powerful ways to support your long-term health.
Learn more about Dr. Darshan Shah: 
Website: drshah.com
Clinic: next-health.com
Instagram: @DarshanShahMD and @extend_podcast
Learn more about Dr. Mindy Pelz: 
Nervous System Questionnaire: NervousSystemQuestionnaire
Age Like a Girl Book: bit.ly/alagbook
Fast Like a Girl Book: bit.ly/fastlikeagirlbook
Resetter Collaborative Facebook Group: bit.ly/resettercollaborative
Reset Academy: bit.ly/resetacademymembership
Fast Like a Girl Certification Course: bit.ly/flagwaitlist
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What if your body is giving you clues about your health that you're overlooking? From changes in your tongue and skin to chronic tension, anxiety, and digestive issues, traditional Chinese medicine offers a different perspective on how seemingly unrelated symptoms may be connected.
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Chris Motley, a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, to explore how ancient healing practices can complement modern approaches to health and longevity.
We dive into the fascinating world of acupuncture, meridians, fascia, nervous system regulation, herbal medicine, and the mind-body connection, exploring how traditional Chinese medicine interprets patterns in the body and approaches chronic health concerns.
Dr. Motley explains why he believes symptoms shouldn't always be viewed in isolation, how emotional stress may influence physical health, and why understanding the body's interconnected systems is central to his practice.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How traditional Chinese medicine approaches health, aging, and disease prevention
What acupuncture is, how it's traditionally understood to work, and why people use it for more than pain relief
Why Dr. Motley examines the tongue, skin, nails, and other physical characteristics when assessing health
How traditional Chinese medicine connects different organs with emotional patterns, including stress, anxiety, anger, and fear
The relationship between fascia, acupuncture meridians, and the body's nervous system
How acupuncture, acupressure, and ear seeds are used in traditional approaches to relaxation and stress management
Why practices like Tai Chi and Qigong may be valuable additions to a healthy aging routine
How Chinese herbal medicine is used in approaches to infections, gut health, and inflammation
What an integrative approach combining Eastern and Western medicine could look like
We also discuss the gut-brain connection, chronic infections, biofilms, applied kinesiology, and Dr. Motley's approach to identifying patterns that may contribute to persistent symptoms.
One of the most interesting parts of our conversation is how traditional Chinese medicine views the relationship between our emotional and physical health—and why managing stress may be an important part of supporting long-term well-being.
The biggest takeaway? Longevity isn't just about advanced diagnostics, supplements, and cutting-edge technology. It's also about paying attention to your body, understanding your patterns, and building habits that support your health over time.
As we continue exploring the science of healthy aging, there's value in understanding how ancient medical traditions approach the body—and where those perspectives may complement evidence-based modern care.
Learn more about Dr. Shah:
Website: drshah.com
Clinic: next-health.com
Instagram: @darshanshahmd and @extend_podcast
Learn more about Dr. Chris Motley:
Website: doctormotley.com
Instagram: @doctormotley
Youtube: youtube.com/@drmotley
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
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What if a negative Lyme disease test doesn't tell the whole story? And could an overlooked infection be contributing to symptoms like brain fog, chronic fatigue, or even cognitive decline?
When Nicole Bell's husband began experiencing personality changes, memory loss, and confusion, doctors diagnosed him with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. But Nicole, an engineer with a background in medical diagnostics, couldn't shake the feeling that something was being missed.
Despite initially testing negative for Lyme disease, her husband was later found to have evidence of Lyme and other infections, including Bartonella and Babesia. His decline and eventual passing transformed Nicole's life, inspiring her to become CEO of Galaxy Diagnostics and advocate for better testing for tick-borne diseases.
In this episode, Nicole joins me to explore the often-overlooked world of Lyme disease, chronic symptoms, tick-borne infections, and their potential connections to brain health and inflammation.
We discuss why Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose, the limitations of traditional antibody testing, and emerging diagnostic approaches designed to detect infections more directly.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose, especially in its early stages
How Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections may affect the brain, joints, heart, and nervous system
What researchers are investigating about infections, neuroinflammation, and Alzheimer's disease
Why a negative Lyme disease test doesn't always rule out an infection
The differences between antibody testing, PCR testing, and emerging urine antigen tests
What Bartonella and Babesia are, and why identifying co-infections matters
Why Lyme disease doesn't always cause the classic bullseye rash
What to know about tick bites, early symptoms, and seeking prompt medical evaluation
How to advocate for yourself when you're experiencing unexplained or persistent symptoms
We also discuss the challenges of living with chronic illness, the importance of early detection, and Nicole's mission to make more accurate diagnostic tools accessible to patients and healthcare providers.
Nicole shares the deeply personal story behind her book, What Lurks in the Woods, and the lessons she learned navigating her husband's illness while raising a family and searching for answers.
The biggest takeaway? A negative test isn't always the end of the diagnostic process, especially when symptoms and exposure history suggest there's more to investigate.
Understanding your symptoms, asking better questions, and working with knowledgeable healthcare professionals can make an enormous difference in identifying health problems earlier.
Because longevity isn't just about treating disease once it appears. It's about recognizing warning signs, understanding potential causes, and giving ourselves the best opportunity to protect our long-term health.
Learn more about Dr. Shah: 
Website: drshah.com
Clinic: next-health.com
Instagram: @darshanshahmd and @extend_podcast
Learn more about Nicole Bell: 
Website: galaxydx.com
Instagram: @nicoledaniellebell and @galaxydiagnostics
Book - What Lurks in the Woods: amazon.com/What-Lurks-Woods
Thank You to Our Sponsors! 
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What if the solution to your chronic back pain isn't another prescription, another injection, or even major spine surgery—but identifying exactly where your pain is coming from?
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people lose mobility, stop exercising, and experience a decline in their quality of life. Yet many patients spend years cycling through physical therapy, pain medications, and specialist appointments without ever getting a clear answer about what's actually causing their pain.
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Brad Goodman, a specialist in physical medicine, rehabilitation, and minimally invasive spinal interventions at OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports, to explore why chronic back pain can be so difficult to diagnose and the emerging treatments offering new possibilities for relief.
Dr. Goodman has dedicated his career to identifying the underlying sources of pain and developing targeted, minimally invasive approaches that may help patients avoid major surgery. Together, we break down the anatomy of the spine, why traditional treatments sometimes fail, and how new technologies are changing the way we approach chronic pain.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why chronic lower back pain can develop years before symptoms appear
How herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, and spinal stenosis cause different types of back pain
Why identifying the actual source of pain is critical before choosing a treatment
How MRIs and other imaging techniques help doctors investigate spinal inflammation and structural problems
Why walking, movement, and physical therapy are essential for maintaining mobility and preventing further decline
The minimally invasive alternatives to back surgery, including epidural injections, nerve ablation, and spinal stabilization procedures
How emerging technologies like ReActiv8 muscle stimulation and SPRINT peripheral nerve stimulation are being used to treat certain types of chronic pain
What the research currently suggests about PRP, stem cell injections, and regenerative treatments for spinal discs
Why chronic pain, muscle loss, inactivity, and frailty are closely connected to healthy aging
How to find the right spine specialist and explore your treatment options before considering major surgery
We also discuss the limitations of pain medications, the importance of spinal stability, and why some patients continue experiencing pain even after multiple procedures.
One of the most important ideas Dr. Goodman shares is that relieving pain isn't just about feeling better—it's about restoring your ability to move.
When chronic pain prevents you from exercising, maintaining muscle, and staying active, it can affect nearly every aspect of your long-term health.
The goal isn't simply to manage pain. It's to identify its source, restore function, and help you maintain the mobility and independence that make a longer, healthier life possible.
Because when it comes to longevity, movement is medicine—and protecting your ability to move is one of the most important investments you can make in your future.
Learn more about Dr. Shah: 
Website: drshah.com
Clinic: next-health
Instagram: @darshanshahmd and @extend_podcast
Learn more about Dr. Brad Goodman:
Website:  orthoalabama.com/doctors/bradly-s-goodman-md
Clinic: orthoalabama.com
YouTube: youtube.com/@doctalklive
Facebook: facebook.com/doctalklivedrgoodman
Thank You To Our Sponsor!
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What if the brain fog, forgetfulness, poor sleep, and mood changes so many women experience in midlife aren't just signs of getting older—but signals that their brains need more support?
Women account for nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer's cases, yet women's brain health has historically been overlooked in medical research and conversations about prevention. And as estrogen levels begin to change during perimenopause and menopause, those changes can affect everything from memory and mental clarity to metabolism, sleep, and emotional well-being.
In this episode, I'm joined by Emma Heming Willis, co-founder of Make Time Wellness, and Dr. Nicole Beurkens a clinical psychologist with a background in nutrition science, for an important conversation about women's brain health, hormonal changes, and what we can do today to support cognitive health as we age.
Emma shares her personal experience with brain fog, feeling dismissed by her doctor, and the lifestyle changes that inspired her mission to make brain health a priority for women. Together, we explore the science behind cognitive aging and the everyday habits that can make a meaningful difference.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why women face a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia
How declining estrogen during perimenopause and menopause can affect memory, focus, and brain energy
Why brain fog, forgetfulness, and sleep disturbances deserve attention
How chronic stress, trauma, and the demands of caregiving can affect brain health
The connection between chronic inflammation, metabolic health, and cognitive function
Why nutrition, protein, fiber, and reducing ultra-processed foods matter for brain health
How sleep supports memory, cognitive performance, and long-term brain health
What to know about brain health supplements, including rhodiola, curcumin, and other nutrients
What the emerging research suggests about hormone replacement therapy and women's cognitive health
We also discuss practical ways to prioritize self-care, manage stress, improve sleep habits, and build sustainable routines without adding another overwhelming responsibility to an already busy life.
The biggest takeaway? Brain health shouldn't become a priority only when memory problems begin.
Protecting your brain is part of protecting your future. And the choices we make around sleep, nutrition, movement, stress, and hormonal health can help us take a more proactive approach to aging.
Because longevity isn't simply about living longer. It's about maintaining the clarity, independence, and quality of life that allow us to enjoy those extra years.
Learn more about Dr. Shah:
Website: drshah.com
Clinic: next-health.com
Instagram: @darshanshahmd and @extend_podcast
Learn more about Emma Heming Willis and Dr. Nicole Beurkens
Website: drbeurkens.com and emmahemingwillis.com
Instagram: @emmahemingwillis, @drnicolebeurkens and @maketimewellness  
Try Make Time Wellness at maketimewellness.com, use code EXTEND20 at checkout for 20% off as a gift to our listeners! Also available at Target, Amazon, Ulta, The Vitamin Shoppe and Meijer. 
Thank You to Our Sponsor!
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