Feeling anxious, stressed, or experiencing symptoms that don't seem to have a clear explanation? Explore hol+ heart health services to learn more about personalized, integrative approaches to your health and well-being.

You’re managing responsibilities, pushing through stress, and telling yourself you’ll slow down eventually. But what if the symptoms you’ve been dismissing as anxiety, exhaustion, or just another demanding season of life deserve a closer look at your heart health?

In this solo reflection, Dr. Taz revisits her conversation with leading cardiologist Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum to explore why women’s heart disease can look different, how warning signs may be overlooked, and why understanding your personal risk goes beyond a standard cholesterol test.

After more than 20 years of caring for women, Dr. Taz shares what surprised her about this conversation and how it may influence her approach to evaluating cardiovascular health. From inflammation and blood sugar to hormonal changes and family history, she explains why seemingly disconnected symptoms deserve a more comprehensive conversation.

Dr. Taz also explores the relationship between emotional well-being and physical health, drawing on her experience with integrative medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. She reflects on the tendency to power through stress, the importance of listening to your body, and why treating anxiety symptoms shouldn't mean overlooking other possible causes.

Whether you’ve experienced unexplained heart palpitations, shortness of breath, persistent anxiety, or simply want to better understand your cardiovascular risk, this episode is a reminder that your symptoms, your history, and your whole health picture matter.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Why heart disease symptoms in women can be overlooked or mistaken for anxiety
• The warning signs women often dismiss as everyday stress
• How chronic stress and inflammation relate to cardiovascular health
• Why cholesterol alone doesn't tell the whole story
• Understanding blood pressure, blood sugar, and inflammation markers
• The role of hormones and estrogen changes in women's heart health
• Why family history and personal symptoms deserve closer attention
• Exploring the mind-body connection through integrative and traditional Chinese medicine
• How grief, emotional stress, and mental well-being intersect with physical health
• Why advocating for a more comprehensive heart health evaluation matters

EXPLORE HOL+ SERVICES

Your heart health deserves more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Explore hol+ integrative health services to learn about personalized care that considers your symptoms, medical history, hormones, and overall well-being.

Discover holistic, integrative, and functional care, educational resources, health quizzes, and a curated wellness shop at holplus.co.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

This episode features Dr. Taz’s reflections following her interview with Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, a cardiologist specializing in women's cardiovascular health. Listen to their full conversation for more on women's heart disease, overlooked symptoms, cardiovascular risk factors, and the importance of taking women's heart health seriously.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Super Woman Rx by Dr. Taz Bhatia, exploring women's health, stress, and the importance of moving beyond the pressure to power through.

CONNECT WITH HOL+

Explore more episodes, watch the podcast, and find listening options:
holplus.co/podcast

Follow hol+ by Dr. Taz MD on your favorite podcast platform for more conversations about women's health, heart health, hormones, and whole-person well-being.

Concerned about your heart health, high cholesterol, or changes during menopause? Explore hol+ cardiovascular health services to learn about personalized care, advanced cardiovascular testing, and preventive support for your long-term heart health.

Heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined, yet many women still consider breast cancer their greatest health threat. Why is the leading cause of death among women so frequently overlooked? Dr. Taz welcomes preventive cardiologist and women's heart health advocate Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum to explore why cardiovascular disease remains underrecognized in women, how symptoms can be missed or dismissed, and what women need to know to protect their hearts.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience in preventive cardiology, Dr. Steinbaum shares the patient encounter that changed the direction of her career: a 53-year-old woman whose symptoms were initially diagnosed as a stomach illness before she suffered a heart attack. She explains how decades of cardiovascular research focused primarily on men have contributed to gaps in understanding women's heart disease, and why conventional risk assessments may not capture the full picture.

Their conversation explores how heart disease can develop differently in women, particularly in the smaller blood vessels of the heart. Dr. Steinbaum explains coronary microvascular disease, why symptoms such as chest discomfort, palpitations, and shortness of breath may be mistaken for anxiety, and how certain cardiovascular conditions can be difficult to detect through conventional testing. They also discuss emerging diagnostic technologies, including AI-assisted coronary CT imaging, and the importance of looking beyond standard cholesterol numbers.

Dr. Taz and Dr. Steinbaum examine the connection between menopause, declining estrogen, and cardiovascular health. As women transition through perimenopause and menopause, changes in cholesterol, insulin resistance, and blood vessel function can influence their risk. They discuss why hormone therapy alone is not necessarily the answer, and how pregnancy complications, autoimmune conditions, family history, and inflammation can provide important clues about a woman's cardiovascular health.

The conversation also turns to chronic stress and the invisible load many women carry. Dr. Taz shares her husband's experience of having a heart attack at 41, while Dr. Steinbaum explains how stress hormones can influence blood pressure, inflammation, and arterial function. Together, they explore why high-achieving women often normalize exhaustion and physical symptoms, the importance of managing stress, and how practices such as meditation and movement may support cardiovascular well-being.

Dr. Steinbaum offers practical guidance on becoming a better advocate for your heart health, including which risk factors to discuss with your doctor, when further evaluation may be appropriate, and why cardiovascular exercise remains essential alongside strength training. Her message is that protecting your heart starts with understanding your personal health history, recognizing changes in your body, and taking an active role in prevention.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Why heart disease remains the leading cause of death among women
• How decades of male-focused cardiovascular research have affected women's care
• The differences between heart disease in men and women
• Why women's heart symptoms can be mistaken for anxiety
• Coronary microvascular disease and why it can be difficult to detect
• The limitations of conventional heart screenings and risk assessments
• How menopause and declining estrogen affect cholesterol, metabolism, and arterial health
• Pregnancy complications, autoimmune conditions, and other overlooked cardiovascular risk factors
• The role of inflammation, chronic stress, and cortisol in heart health
• Why high-achieving women often overlook their own physical symptoms
• AI-assisted cardiovascular imaging and emerging diagnostic technologies
• Blood tests and cardiovascular markers, including ApoB and Lp(a)
• How to advocate for yourself when symptoms persist despite normal test results
• The relationship between stress, emotional health, and heart disease
• Why cardiovascular exercise is still important alongside strength training
• Practical steps women can take to support lifelong heart health

EXPLORE HOL+ SERVICES

Learn about hol+'s approach to cardiovascular health, preventive testing, and personalized care:

https://holplus.co/services/cardiovascular-health/

ABOUT DR. SUZANNE STEINBAUM

Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum is a preventive cardiologist, author, and women's heart health advocate with more than two decades of clinical experience. She has served as Director of Women's Cardiovascular Prevention, Health and Wellness at Mount Sinai Hospital and Director of Women and Heart Disease at Lenox Hill Hospital. She is the author of Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum's Heart Book: Every Woman's Guide to a Heart-Healthy Life and has appeared on Good Morning America and the Today Show. Her work focuses on prevention, lifestyle medicine, and helping women better understand their cardiovascular health.

CONNECT WITH DR. SUZANNE STEINBAUM

Official website:

Learn more about her approach to preventive heart health:

https://www.drsuzannesteinbaum.com/about

CONNECT WITH HOL+

Follow the podcast for new episodes, and leave a review to help others discover the conversation.

This episode is for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical, mental health, or financial advice.

Dr. Taz: https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
Hol+: https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Hol+ Show: https://www.instagram.com/holplushow/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HolPlusShow/podcasts

Get your copy of ➡️ The Hormone Shift: https://amzn.to/44yYhZd

Produced by https://ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Feeling overwhelmed by stress, financial pressure, or the demands of everyday life? Explore hol+ mental health services to learn about personalized support for your emotional well-being.

You’re working, providing, caring for your family, and thinking about what comes next. But somewhere in the middle of holding everything together, have your own needs disappeared from the conversation?

In this solo reflection, Dr. Taz revisits her conversation with Mandi Woodruff-Santos, co-host of Brown Ambition, to explore the invisible load women carry and how money, ambition, caregiving, and health intersect.

Whether you’re pursuing a demanding career, supporting your household, or considering a pause during pregnancy, postpartum, or menopause, these decisions deserve more than pressure and guilt. They deserve preparation, honest conversations, and room for your own well-being.

Dr. Taz shares the personal question that made her reconsider her priorities, reflects on Mandi’s idea of a mental health emergency fund, and explores what it means to advocate for yourself without continually taking a back seat.

IN THIS EPISODE

• The invisible load of earning, caregiving, and managing everyone’s needs
• Financial self-advocacy and the challenges women face
• Navigating work decisions during major life transitions
• Why a mental health emergency fund belongs in the conversation
• Planning for a career pause and a possible return
• Recognizing when ambition is outpacing your capacity
• Making room for yourself alongside your work and family
• Moving through shame and uncertainty around money

EXPLORE HOL+ SERVICES

Your emotional well-being deserves care, too. Explore hol+ mental health services.

Discover holistic, integrative, and functional care, educational resources, health quizzes, and a curated wellness shop at holplus.co.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

This episode features Dr. Taz’s reflections following her interview with Mandi Woodruff-Santos. Listen to their full conversation for more on women, money, breadwinning, and financial confidence.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Explore the Brown Ambition book and preorder information:
https://brownambitionbook.com

CONNECT WITH HOL+

Explore more episodes, watch the podcast, and find listening options:
holplus.co/podcast

Follow hol+ by Dr. Taz MD on your favorite podcast platform for more conversations about health, relationships, and whole-person well-being.

Feeling overwhelmed by stress, financial pressure, or the demands of everyday life? Explore hol+ mental health services to learn about personalized support for your emotional well-being.

She built a successful career, started her own business, and became a mother. So why did everything start to feel overwhelming? Dr. Taz welcomes award-winning financial journalist, career coach, and Brown Ambition podcast host Mandi Woodruff-Santos to explore how financial stress, career pressure, and the expectation to hold everything together can affect women's mental and physical health.

Mandi shares what she's learned from helping women navigate money challenges, career transitions, and the pressure to succeed. Together, they discuss why women often struggle to ask for what they need, how financial shame can undermine confidence, and the additional challenges women of color face when advocating for themselves at work.

Dr. Taz reflects on the stress she sees among women who carry financial responsibility for their families, as well as her own experience growing up around money anxiety. Their conversation explores the pressure to be the strong one, the connection between financial security and emotional well-being, and why success doesn't always protect us from burnout.

Mandi also opens up about her personal experience with postpartum depression and anxiety, the challenges of building a business while raising young children, and the circumstances that led her to seek inpatient mental health treatment. She introduces the idea of a mental health emergency fund, explaining why having trusted people and professional support in place matters before a crisis occurs.

Drawing from her upcoming book, Brown Ambition: How to Reboot Your Money and Career When Life Throws You Off Track, Mandi shares how women can move beyond shame, navigate unexpected setbacks, and pursue financial success without losing sight of their health and happiness.

IN THIS EPISODE

• How financial stress affects mental and physical well-being
• The hidden pressure of being the family breadwinner
• Money shame and the expectations placed on women of color
• Three common thought patterns that hold women back in their careers
• Asking for raises, negotiating, and advocating for yourself
• Recognizing when it's time to make a career change
• Financial transparency and independence in relationships
• Mandi's experience with postpartum depression and anxiety
• Recognizing when old coping mechanisms stop working
• Building a mental health emergency fund
• The importance of rest, community, and asking for help
• Redefining ambition and finding fulfillment beyond financial success

EXPLORE HOL+ SERVICES

Learn about hol+'s approach to mental health and emotional well-being:

https://holplus.co/services/mental-health/

ABOUT MANDI WOODRUFF-SANTOS

Mandi Woodruff-Santos is an award-winning financial journalist, career and negotiation coach, and host of the Brown Ambition podcast. She is the founder of MandiMoney Makers, a coaching community helping women of color advance their careers and build wealth. Her debut book, Brown Ambition: How to Reboot Your Money and Career When Life Throws You Off Track, is scheduled for release on June 15, 2027.

CONNECT WITH MANDI
Check out the Brown Ambition Book:
https://brownambitionbook.com

Website and career coaching:

https://www.mandimoney.com/

Brown Ambition podcast:

https://brownambitionpodcast.com/

Book information and preorders:

https://www.mandimoney.com/book

CONNECT WITH HOL+

Follow the podcast for new episodes, and leave a review to help others discover the conversation.

This episode is for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical, mental health, or financial advice.

Dr. Taz: https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
Hol+: https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Hol+ Show: https://www.instagram.com/holplushow/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HolPlusShow/podcasts

Get your copy of ➡️ The Hormone Shift: https://amzn.to/44yYhZd

Produced by https://ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

What if experiences you thought you'd moved past are still influencing how you feel, react, and connect with others?

In this episode, Dr. Taz reflects on her recent conversation with trauma expert Dr. Gillian O'Shea Brown and shares what stood out most about the connection between emotional trauma, physical health, and the nervous system.

Dr. Taz explores how past experiences, including smaller, often overlooked microtraumas, may shape our stress responses and relationship patterns. She also discusses EMDR, somatic healing, attachment styles, and why learning to recognize our emotional patterns can be an important part of healing.

Drawing from her own life, Dr. Taz opens up about the time she spent alone in her twenties and how that period of self-reflection helped her better understand herself, break old patterns, and prepare for healthier relationships.

This mini solo is a reminder that understanding your personal story can be just as important as looking ahead. Sometimes the patterns we want to change begin with experiences we haven't fully understood.

In this episode, Dr. Taz reflects on:

• The connection between trauma, stress, and physical health
• EMDR, somatic healing, and the nervous system
• Microtraumas and attachment patterns
• Why old emotional and relationship patterns can resurface
• The importance of self-reflection and personal growth
• 
  

EXPLORE HOL+ SERVICES
Learn about hol+’s approach to mental health and emotional well-being:
https://holplus.co/services/mental-health/

ABOUT DR. GILLIAN O'SHEA BROWN
Dr. Gillian O’Shea Brown is a psychotherapist, complex trauma specialist, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. She is the author of Psyche’s Awakening: A Guide to Emotional and Somatic Healing Through the Wisdom of Greek Myth.

CONNECT WITH DR. GILL
Website and book information:
https://www.drgillianosheabrown.com/

Newsletter:
https://drgillianosheabrown.substack.com/

CONNECT WITH HOL+
https://holplus.co/

Follow Dr. Taz:
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

Follow the podcast for new episodes, and leave a review to help others discover the conversation.

This episode is for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical or mental health care.

STAY CONNECTED
Dr. Taz: https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
Hol+: https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Hol+ Show: https://www.instagram.com/holplushow/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HolPlusShow/podcasts

Get your copy of ➡️ The Hormone Shift: https://amzn.to/44yYhZd

Produced by https://ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:43) - How trauma can affect physical health
• (01:25) - The body's response to unresolved trauma
• (01:45) - EMDR and somatic healing
• (03:00) - Microtraumas and attachment styles
• (03:50) - Why understanding yourself matters
• (04:05) - Dr. Taz's personal journey
• (04:45) - Breaking old relationship patterns
• (05:50) - The mind-body-spirit connection

Different person. Same painful pattern. Why does it happen? Dr. Taz welcomes psychotherapist and complex trauma specialist Dr. Gillian O’Shea Brown to explore how unresolved experiences can shape our relationships, our reactions, and the beliefs we carry about ourselves.

Dr. Gill describes trauma as the past intruding on the present. Together, they discuss how childhood coping strategies can follow us into adulthood, why familiar dynamics can influence attraction, and what it can mean to recognize yourself as the fixer, the caretaker, or the person who puts their own needs last.

Dr. Taz shares her experience of taking responsibility for others’ emotions as the eldest child. Their conversation explores parentification, people-pleasing, emotionally unavailable partners, and the courage involved in expressing your needs.

They also introduce EMDR therapy, the importance of preparation and professional support, and Dr. Gill’s perspective on emotional and somatic healing.

Drawing from her book, Psyche’s Awakening, Dr. Gill brings together psychology and Greek mythology to explore self-compassion, psychological safety, and the possibility of choosing differently.

IN THIS EPISODE
• Recognizing when the past is influencing the present
• How painful experiences can shape core beliefs
• What EMDR therapy involves
• Childhood self-blame and adult coping patterns
• Repetition compulsion and familiar relationship dynamics
• Parentification and becoming “the fixer”
• People-pleasing, self-abandonment, and boundaries
• Noticing how relationships affect your sense of self
• The guest’s perspective on somatic healing
• Finding support and developing self-trust

EXPLORE HOL+ SERVICES
Learn about hol+’s approach to mental health and emotional well-being:
https://holplus.co/services/mental-health/

ABOUT DR. GILLIAN O'SHEA BROWN
Dr. Gillian O’Shea Brown is a psychotherapist, complex trauma specialist, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. She is the author of Psyche’s Awakening: A Guide to Emotional and Somatic Healing Through the Wisdom of Greek Myth.

CONNECT WITH DR. GILL
Website and book information:
https://www.drgillianosheabrown.com/

Newsletter:
https://drgillianosheabrown.substack.com/

CONNECT WITH HOL+
https://holplus.co/

Follow Dr. Taz:
https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

Follow the podcast for new episodes, and leave a review to help others discover the conversation.

This episode is for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical or mental health care.

STAY CONNECTED
Dr. Taz: https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
Hol+: https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Hol+ Show: https://www.instagram.com/holplushow/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HolPlusShow/podcasts

Get your copy of ➡️ The Hormone Shift: https://amzn.to/44yYhZd

Produced by https://ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Join The Circle (use code YOUTUBE): ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/
What should you know about Candida, recurring yeast infections, and the broader symptoms often associated with gut health?

In this mini solo episode, Dr. Taz shares her functional medicine perspective on Candida overgrowth. She discusses possible contributing factors, the tests used in her practice, and how she approaches nutrition, antifungal treatment, and support for the gut microbiome.

IN THIS EPISODE
• Antibiotics and other potential contributors to yeast overgrowth
• Symptoms Dr. Taz considers during an evaluation
• Stool analysis, organic acid testing, and the limitations of home spit tests
• Dietary changes, prescription antifungals, and botanical products discussed in her practice
• Why similar symptoms can have different underlying causes

Symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, cravings, and brain fog are nonspecific and do not confirm Candida. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for an individual evaluation.

Ready to take a closer look at your health?
Schedule a consultation with a hol+ provider to explore your symptoms, lab results, and personal health goals:
➡️ https://holplus.co/appointments
Explore holistic health resources and integrative care:
➡️ https://holplus.co/

STAY CONNECTED
Dr. Taz: https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
Hol+: https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Hol+ Show: https://www.instagram.com/holplushow/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HolPlusShow/podcasts

Get your copy of ➡️ The Hormone Shift: https://amzn.to/44yYhZd

Produced by https://ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Join The Circle (use code YOUTUBE): ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/
Bloating, brain fog, fatigue and sugar cravings: could candida overgrowth be part of the picture? Dr. Taz explains the signs she considers, how she approaches candida testing, and what to discuss with your healthcare provider about next steps.

Candida is a yeast that naturally lives in the body. In this episode, Dr. Taz explores the debate surrounding gut yeast overgrowth, shares observations from her clinical practice, and discusses the limitations of current research.

Learn about the testing approaches she uses, the connections she considers between the gut microbiome and hormonal health, and why she has moved away from highly restrictive candida diets toward more personalized plans.

IN THIS EPISODE
• Symptoms often discussed alongside candida, including bloating, brain fog, fatigue, sugar cravings and a white tongue
• Research on antibiotics and changes in candida levels
• Blood, stool and other candida testing approaches
• How diet, stress, medications and hormones fit into Dr. Taz’s assessment
• Her evolving approach to the candida diet
• Probiotics, antifungal treatments and individualized care

CHAPTERS
00:00 Could your symptoms be related to candida?
01:20 What the research says and where questions remain
03:20 White tongue, bloating, brain fog and other symptoms
06:15 How Dr. Taz approaches candida testing
07:20 Go deeper with The Circle
08:05 Diet, hormones, medications and stress
11:00 Rethinking restrictive candida diets
12:10 Probiotics and personalized treatment approaches
13:25 The debate, clinical observations and next steps

#CandidaOvergrowth #GutHealth #candida

Ready to take a closer look at your health?
Schedule a consultation with a hol+ provider to explore your symptoms, lab results, and personal health goals:
➡️ https://holplus.co/appointments
Explore holistic health resources and integrative care:
➡️ https://holplus.co/

STAY CONNECTED
Dr. Taz: https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
Hol+: https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Hol+ Show: https://www.instagram.com/holplushow/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HolPlusShow/podcasts

Get your copy of ➡️ The Hormone Shift: https://amzn.to/44yYhZd

Produced by https://ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Join The Circle (use code PODCAST): ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/
Are your blood tests coming back normal even though you're struggling with fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, or hormonal changes after 40?

In this solo episode of hol+, Dr. Taz MD breaks down 7 important blood tests and lab panels that may provide a more complete picture of your metabolic, hormonal, and overall health.

Learn why fasting insulin and hemoglobin A1c matter for blood sugar regulation, what ferritin reveals about iron stores, why thyroid testing sometimes deserves a closer look, and how vitamin D, inflammation markers, and sex hormones can contribute to conversations about your health.

Dr. Taz also explains why tracking lab results over time can be helpful, how symptoms provide important context, and what questions to bring to your next doctor's appointment.

In this episode:

• The limitations of routine annual blood work
• Fasting insulin and early insulin resistance
• Hemoglobin A1c and long-term blood sugar
• Ferritin, vitamin D, and thyroid testing
• High-sensitivity CRP and inflammation
• Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone after 40
• How to track and discuss your lab results

Ready to take a closer look at your health?

Schedule a consultation with a hol+ provider to explore your symptoms, lab results, and personal health goals:
➡️ https://holplus.co/appointments

Explore holistic health resources and integrative care:
➡️ https://holplus.co/

Stay Connected:
Dr. Taz: https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
Hol+: https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Hol+ Show: https://www.instagram.com/holplushow/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HolPlusShow/podcasts

Get your copy of ➡️ The Hormone Shift

Produced by https://ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

Join the hol+ Circle with code PODCAST: https://holplus.co/circle/

What are men missing when they focus on testosterone but overlook sleep, stress, and recovery? Shawn Stevenson shares a reported testosterone level of 1,038 without testosterone replacement therapy or peptides, and walks Dr. Taz through the everyday habits he prioritizes.

Shawn is the host of The Model Health Show and bestselling author of Eat Smarter, Sleep Smarter, and the Eat Smarter Family Cookbook. In this conversation, he discusses the research connecting daily walking with testosterone levels, his approach to strength training, and the morning routine he has practiced for more than two decades.

He also shares the story behind his health transformation: a degenerative disc disease diagnosis at 20, years of chronic pain, and the moment he began asking a different question. Together, Shawn and Dr. Taz explore the grind mentality, the role of sleep in men’s health, moving beyond rigid diets, and why asking for help and investing in relationships matter.

IN THIS EPISODE:
• Shawn’s testosterone lab results and personal health routine
• Walking, strength training, and metabolic health
• Cortisol, stress, and the pressure to keep pushing
• Morning habits, meditation, and recovery
• Chronic pain, identity, and changing your mindset
• Sleep and testosterone
• Real food and flexible approaches to nutrition
• Relationships, connection, and longevity

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Walking, testosterone & the missing pieces of men’s health
04:10 What men get wrong about health
09:51 Shawn’s testosterone results: 1,038 without TRT
16:13 Cortisol, stress & reaching a breaking point
22:02 Outdoor walks, meditation & Shawn’s morning routine
32:15 Chronic pain & the story behind Shawn’s transformation
48:20 The questions that shape your mindset
55:05 Sleep, testosterone & moving beyond strict diets
1:03:09 Longevity, relationships & permission to change

About Shawn Stevenson:
Shawn Stevenson is a bestselling author, health and fitness expert, and host of The Model Health Show, one of the world’s leading health podcasts. He is the author of Sleep Smarter, Eat Smarter, and The Eat Smarter Family Cookbook. His work translates research on sleep, nutrition, exercise, metabolism, and human performance into practical strategies people can use in everyday life.

Connect with Shawn Stevenson:
https://themodelhealthshow.com/
https://www.instagram.com/shawnmodel/
Explore Shawn Stevenson’s books:
Eat Smarter Family Cookbook: https://link.amazon/B07xO8W3P
Sleep Smarter: https://link.amazon/B01v3jeyX

Join The Circle, Dr. Taz’s private membership featuring live sessions, practical demonstrations, research discussions, real guidance, and a supportive community.

Start your one-month trial at: ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/ (use the code PODCAST)

Learn more about hol+ and schedule an appointment:
https://holplus.co/

Listen to more episodes of the hol+ podcast:
https://holplus.co/podcast/

Stay Connected:
Dr. Taz: https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
Hol+: https://www.instagram.com/liveholplus/
Hol+ Show: https://www.instagram.com/holplushow/

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe
Subscribe to the video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HolPlusShow/podcasts

Get your copy of ➡️ The Hormone Shift

Produced by https://ClipGrowth.com (Producer: Pat Gostek)

• (00:00) - Walking, testosterone & the missing pieces of men’s health
• (04:10) - What men get wrong about health
• (09:51) - Shawn’s testosterone results: 1,038 without TRT
• (16:13) - Cortisol, stress & reaching a breaking point
• (22:02) - Outdoor walks, meditation & Shawn’s morning routine
• (32:15) - Chronic pain & the story behind Shawn’s transformation
• (48:20) - The questions that shape your mindset
• (55:05) - Sleep, testosterone & moving beyond strict diets
• (01:03:09) - Longevity, relationships & permission to change

What if your fatigue, achy joints, brain fog, stubborn weight, skin issues, and frequent illnesses aren't six separate problems, but different signs of the same underlying pattern? In this episode, Dr. Taz explains microinflammation, the chronic low-grade inflammatory activity that can quietly affect multiple systems throughout the body.

She breaks down six common signs to watch for and explains how blood sugar instability, gut health, cortisol and chronic stress, poor sleep, ultra-processed foods, visceral fat, environmental exposures, and other factors can contribute to persistent inflammation.

You'll also learn the foundational strategies Dr. Taz uses at hol+ to help calm inflammatory signaling, including stabilizing blood sugar, prioritizing protein, fiber and healthy fats, improving sleep and gut health, lowering chronic stress, and looking at markers such as hs-CRP, fasting insulin, and hemoglobin A1C.

Inflammation isn't necessarily a life sentence. It can be a signal that something in the system needs attention.

Learn more or schedule a consultation with a HOL+ provider at holplus.co/appointments.

Join The Circle, Dr. Taz’s private membership featuring live sessions, practical demonstrations, research discussions, real guidance, and a supportive community.

Start your one-month trial at: ➡️ https://holplus.co/circle/ (use the code PODCAST)

Learn more about hol+ and schedule an appointment:
https://holplus.co/

Listen to more episodes of the hol+ podcast:
https://holplus.co/podcast/

Stay Connected:
Dr. Taz: https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/
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