How to Travel Well With Long COVID or ME/CFS with Jenny Tufenkian, ND

Only 14% of people who get the stellate ganglion block have lasting relief. The other 86% aren't unlucky. They just weren't told what was still driving the problem. If you got the SGB, felt better for a few weeks, and then watched the symptoms come back, you are not alone. The block did what it was supposed to do. What it cannot do is remove whatever put your nervous system in overdrive in the first place. In this episode, Evan H. Hirsch, MD breaks down what the research actually shows, why the root causes keep driving symptoms after the block fades, and what it takes for the relief to last. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the stellate ganglion block relieves symptoms for a while but doesn't fix what started the problem How the Toxic 5 keep your nervous system locked in fight-or-flight even after the block fades What a real case shows: two SGB blocks, mold in sinuses, Epstein-Barr reactivation, and the treatment that finally worked Why getting even a week of relief from SGB is a good sign for your recovery How to use SGB as one part of a plan, not a standalone fix Discover your fatigue score and the root causes keeping you stuck: https://myfatiguescore.com Free Fatigue Masterclass: https://fixyourfatigue.com See real results: https://energymdmethod.com/results Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 00:56 - What the Stellate Ganglion Block Actually Does 01:54 - What the Research Actually Shows 02:51 - The Toxic 5 and What's Still Driving Your Symptoms 03:51 - Real Case: Two Blocks and Still No Lasting Relief 05:18 - What to Do If Your Block Didn't Hold Subscribe to the EnergyMD Podcast for weekly conversations with leading experts on resolving ME/CFS and Long COVID by addressing the real root causes. . For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.  Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.  Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

When your labs look normal but you still can't lose weight, the missing piece isn't usually more supplements or another protocol. It's often what's happening in your nervous system and how your body responds to years of accumulated stress. If you're a woman in your 40s or 50s who has optimized everything (sleep, diet, exercise, stress management) and still feel stuck, perimenopause and menopause can look like the finish line. Instead, for many, it becomes the moment when fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog hit differently than before. What most providers miss is that menopause is often a trigger point for long COVID and ME/CFS, and the standard functional medicine approach doesn't always account for what's actually driving the fatigue at this stage of life. In this episode, you'll learn: Why menopause becomes a trigger point for long COVID and ME/CFS, and what standard functional medicine misses about this transition How the nervous system's amygdala gets stuck in survival mode after decades of stress, shutting down immunity, digestion, and hormone production simultaneously The testing approach that includes Dutch Plus hormonal panels, GI mapping, and heavy metal screening Two practical "switching" techniques you can do anywhere (collarbone points and lip technique) to reset your nervous system out of fight-or-flight Why releasing the grip on "I have to lose weight" and shifting your identity paradoxically allows the nervous system to relax enough for weight loss to follow Guest: Maraya Brown is a Yale-trained Certified Nurse Midwife and functional-medicine women's health expert, founder of The Women's Vibrancy Code and host of its globally ranked podcast. She helps ambitious midlife women reclaim their hormones, energy, libido, confidence, and vitality without burning out. With more than 20 years of clinical experience in federally funded clinics, functional medicine, and international health work in Nicaragua, Ghana, and Haiti, she now supports women worldwide through online programs, courses, retreats, and her podcast. Maraya blends advanced lab testing, personalized nutrition, nervous system regulation, and mindset work to help women restore energy, support hormone health, and feel like themselves again. Discover your fatigue score and the root causes keeping you stuck: https://myfatiguescore.com Free Fatigue Masterclass: https://fixyourfatigue.com See real results: https://energymdmethod.com/results Chapters: 00:00 - Menopause as a Long COVID Trigger 03:00 - Maraya's Background and Professional Journey 08:00 - Programs: Trifecta and Year-Long Code 13:00 - Testing Beyond Standard Labs 18:00 - Primitive Reflexes and Nervous System 28:00 - Switching Techniques and Practical Tools 36:00 - Philosophy, Flow, and Client Selection 45:00 - Personal Story and Identity Work Connect with Maraya Brown: Website: https://marayabrown.com/ Free Resources: https://marayabrown.com/resources/ Women's Vibrancy Accelerator Trifecta: https://marayabrown.com/trifecta/ Subscribe to the EnergyMD Podcast for weekly conversations with leading experts on resolving ME/CFS and Long COVID by addressing the real root causes. . For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.  Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.  Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Your brain may be stuck in survival mode. That could be why fatigue, brain fog, and poor sleep refuse to budge no matter what you try. People with Long COVID, ME/CFS, and chronic fatigue often do everything right: clean up their diet, run labs, try every supplement, and they still don't recover. In this conversation, Patrick Porter, PhD, founder of BrainTap, explains why nervous system regulation may be the piece that keeps getting skipped. We cover how stress recovery, brainwave training, sleep quality, and brain fitness affect energy production, mental clarity, and the body's ability to heal. In this episode, you'll learn: Why chronic stress is often less of a problem than a lack of recovery How nervous system dysregulation can keep the body stuck in fight-or-flight mode The connection between brainwaves, energy production, and brain fog Why sleep quality matters more than simply spending more hours in bed How light, sound, and brainwave training are used to support neuroplasticity Practical strategies that may help improve focus, resilience, recovery, and sleep Guest: Patrick Porter, PhD is an award-winning author, speaker, and founder of BrainTap, a neuroscience-based platform specializing in brain fitness, neuroplasticity, and brainwave entrainment technology. Backed by 30 plus clinical studies and trusted by over 120,000 users and 3,000 health clinics worldwide, his work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and the Joe Rogan Experience. Discover your fatigue score and the root causes keeping you stuck: https://myfatiguescore.com Free Fatigue Masterclass: https://fixyourfatigue.com See real results: https://energymdmethod.com/results Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 04:15 - Why Recovery Matters More Than Stress 08:45 - Heart Rate Variability and Nervous System Health 13:20 - Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, and Brain Recovery 20:05 - Brainwaves and Nervous System Regulation 29:40 - How BrainTap Uses Light and Sound 40:45 - Brain Fitness, Sleep, and Energy Results Connect with Patrick Porter, PhD: Learn more about Patrick's work in brain fitness, neuroplasticity, and nervous system optimization: https://drpatrickporter.com/ Try BrainTap and learn how light, sound, and guided brain training are used to support focus, sleep, and recovery: https://braintap.com/ Subscribe to the EnergyMD Podcast for weekly conversations with leading experts on resolving ME/CFS and Long COVID by addressing the real root causes. . For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.  Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.  Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Heavy metals, toxic burden, and nervous system dysfunction may be driving symptoms that standard testing never fully explains. Kyle Hulbert joins me to discuss the therapies his clinics use most often for people dealing with chronic fatigue, Long COVID, Lyme disease, brain fog, and other complex chronic conditions. We talk about his recovery from chronic mercury toxicity, why heavy metals remain a major focus in his work, and how EBOO, chelation, Procaine IVs, and stellate ganglion blockade fit into a root-cause approach. We also discuss treatment timelines, affordability, and why mindset can influence recovery alongside physical therapies. In this episode, you'll learn: How chronic mercury toxicity contributed to Kyle's own health collapse and recovery Why EBOO and chelation are the most commonly prescribed therapies at his clinics What EBOO is and how it is designed to support detoxification, oxygenation, and immune regulation How stellate ganglion blockade and Procaine IVs are used to calm an overactive fight-or-flight response How treatment plans are personalized based on toxic burden, infections, and other root causes Guest: Kyle Hulbert is the CEO and co-founder of Longevity Centers of America, a researcher, doctoral candidate, wellness expert, and co-host of the Longevity Unlocked podcast. Discover your fatigue score and the root causes keeping you stuck: https://myfatiguescore.com Free Fatigue Masterclass: https://fixyourfatigue.com See real results: https://energymdmethod.com/results Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:24 - Kyle's Health Story 04:50 - Mercury Toxicity Discovery 06:45 - Building Longevity Centers 07:13 - Therapies Used in Practice 27:42 - EBOO and Chelation Explained 36:17 - Cost and Treatment Timelines 38:14 - Stellate Ganglion Blockade 41:07 - Procaine IVs for Nervous System Support 42:58 - Tracking Outcomes and Lyme Cases 49:42 - Affordability and Mission 50:07 - Mindset and Recovery Success Connect with Kyle Hulbert and his team: Longevity Unlocked Podcast: https://linktr.ee/longevityunlockedpodcast Subscribe to the EnergyMD Podcast for weekly conversations with leading experts on resolving ME/CFS and Long COVID by addressing the real root causes. . For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.  Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.  Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Lyme disease spent 13 years dismantling Tanya Hoebel's life before she found her way back, and the six steps she used to recover are not what most people expect. Most providers never look past the surface. Tanya learned that the hard way, and what finally worked was a framework most people in the chronic illness community never get shown. In this conversation, she walks through the six layers she believes have to be addressed to actually recover: killing pathogens, opening detox pathways, clearing mold and heavy metals, retraining the nervous system, releasing blocked traumas, and doing the emotional work most protocols never mention. If Lyme keeps coming up in your story alongside Long COVID or chronic fatigue, this episode is worth your time. In this episode, you'll learn: Why standard Lyme tests often come back negative even when Lyme is present The 6 layers Tanya identifies as non-negotiable for recovery, including the two most people skip Why detoxification may matter more than killing pathogens, and what happens when you skip it How physical and emotional trauma can reactivate dormant Lyme or trigger co-infections Free and low-cost nervous system tools that work even when you are bedridden Why unresolved blocked traumas and emotional grief can stall recovery even after the physical work is done Guest: Tanya Hoebel is the host of the podcast Lyme and Beyond with Tanya, where lived experience meets compassion, hope, and empowerment for those navigating Lyme disease and chronic illness. After a 13-year journey from undiagnosed to bedridden to thriving, Tanya turned her personal struggles into a mission to help others feel less alone and more confident in being their own advocates. Through her podcast and advocacy work, Tanya is passionate about bringing hope, education, and support to the chronic illness community while encouraging others to take charge of their health journey with confidence and resilience. Discover your fatigue score and the root causes keeping you stuck: https://myfatiguescore.com Free Fatigue Masterclass: https://fixyourfatigue.com See real results: https://energymdmethod.com/results Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 00:42 - Meet Tanya Hoebel 01:55 - From Bullseye Rash to Bedridden 05:00 - The Moment She Knew She Had to Change Everything 08:25 - Why Lyme Tests Miss the Diagnosis 11:25 - How Stress Reactivates Lyme 22:48 - The 6-Step Recovery Framework 28:50 - Nervous System Tools That Cost Nothing 31:15 - Blocked Trauma and the Emotional Side of Healing 38:10 - Vagus Nerve, Breathwork, and Consistency Connect with Tanya Hoebel: Lyme and Beyond Podcast with Tanya: https://open.spotify.com/show/5WgHX1TojWdt0DavbxkL0S Subscribe to the EnergyMD Podcast for weekly conversations with leading experts on resolving ME/CFS and Long COVID by addressing the real root causes. . For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.  Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.  Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Your fatigue, brain fog, and lingering symptoms after COVID may not be random. The spike protein can keep disrupting your body long after the initial infection clears. Evan H. Hirsch, MD, breaks down 13 distinct mechanisms through which the spike protein continues affecting energy production, immune function, circulation, the gut, and nervous system regulation in people dealing with Long COVID, ME/CFS, and chronic fatigue. This episode also explains why so many people address symptoms one at a time and still plateau, and what the layer underneath the 13 mechanisms actually is. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the spike protein does not always leave when the infection clears How microclots block oxygen delivery even when labs look completely normal The biological explanation for post-exertional malaise and why pushing harder makes it worse Why 57% of Long COVID clients develop exercise-induced dysautonomia How gut disruption and serotonin depletion drive fatigue, brain fog, and mood changes What the Toxic 5 are and why they keep the 13 mechanisms running long after the acute illness is gone Discover your fatigue score and the root causes keeping you stuck: https://myfatiguescore.com Free Fatigue Masterclass: https://fixyourfatigue.com See real results: https://energymdmethod.com/results Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:49 - The 13 Spike Protein Mechanisms Explained 07:52 - Why Treating Symptoms One at a Time Leads to a Plateau 09:34 - The Toxic 5 and the Three-Layer Recovery Model 11:13 - How Heavy Metals and Chemicals Keep the Fire Going 12:01 - Why Mold Is One of the Most Missed Perpetuators 12:28 - Infections, Nervous System Dysfunction, and What the Tests Miss 13:39 - The Bottom Line and What to Do Next 15:52 - Free Masterclass and Next Steps Subscribe to the EnergyMD Podcast for weekly conversations with leading experts on resolving ME/CFS and Long COVID by addressing the real root causes. . For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.  Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.  Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Living in a constant state of stress can quietly affect energy, digestion, sleep, focus, and recovery.  In this episode, Evan H. Hirsch, MD, sits down with Ashley to talk about anxiety, the fight-or-flight response, and why many people with chronic health issues can get stuck in stress patterns without fully realizing it. Ashley explains how fear-based thinking and spiraling thoughts can intensify physical symptoms, why the body responds to imagined danger as if it were real, and the visualization technique she uses to help calm anxiety in the moment. In this episode, you'll learn: Why anxiety is a signal that your body is stuck in the stress response How chronic stress impacts digestion, hormones, energy production, and healing The difference between anxiety and other emotions The visualization technique Ashley uses to turn off anxiety in the moment Why your thoughts and self-talk can increase physical symptoms and panic How imagining successful outcomes can help retrain the nervous system Guest: Ashley James is a Holistic Health Coach, Podcaster, Rapid Anxiety Cessation Expert, and passionate whole food plant-based home chef who has been helping clients transform their lives since 2005. A Master Practitioner and Trainer of Neuro-linguistic Programming, she combines powerful mind-body tools with deeply researched holistic protocols to create lasting change.  After reversing her own type 2 diabetes, PCOS, infertility, chronic infections, and debilitating adrenal fatigue, Ashley founded the Learn True Health with Ashley James podcast in 2016 to share what truly works. Her mission is to show you that you do not have to suffer and that your body can heal when you remove what harms it and give it what it needs. Discover your fatigue score and the root causes keeping you stuck: https://myfatiguescore.com Free Fatigue Masterclass: https://www.energymdmethod.com/masterclass-registration See real results: https://energymdmethod.com/results Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 00:28 - Meet Ashley James 01:26 - Ashley's Chronic Fatigue and Adrenal Fatigue Story 04:40 - How Food Changes Transformed Her Health 08:49 - Why Anxiety Is Different From Other Emotions 14:10 - What Happens in the Stress Response 18:24 - Anxiety as a Warning Signal 24:14 - How Stress Shuts Down Healing and Digestion 32:22 - The Visualization Technique to Turn Off Anxiety 41:34 - Using the Technique for Generalized Anxiety Connect with Ashley James: Learn True Health Website & Podcast: https://learntruehealth.com Free Anxiety Freedom Technique: https://anxietyfreedomtechnique.com/free Subscribe to the EnergyMD Podcast for weekly conversations with leading experts on resolving ME/CFS and Long COVID by addressing the real root causes. . For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.  Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.  Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

You had a good day. Then you crashed. And now you're wondering what you did wrong. Most people with Long COVID and ME/CFS spend months trying to make sense of why their symptoms feel so unpredictable. The truth is, they usually aren't. In this episode, Evan H. Hirsch, MD, walks through nine specific reasons symptoms flare, from physical overexertion and nervous system stress to hormone shifts, seasonal infection cycles, and full moon patterns. He also breaks down the 'Toxic 5' that keep the body vulnerable to these swings, and shares a practical tracking approach to help you start reading your own patterns with more clarity and less fear. In this episode, you'll learn: Why post-exertional malaise can show up hours or days after activity How emotional, mental, spiritual, and energetic stress affect the nervous system Common food and environmental triggers that can worsen symptoms quickly The connection between hormone shifts, menopause, and symptom flares What a Herxheimer reaction is and why detox pathways matter How the Toxic 5 contribute to Long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome Discover your fatigue score and the root causes keeping you stuck: https://myfatiguescore.com Free Fatigue Masterclass: https://www.energymdmethod.com/masterclass-registration See real patient results: https://energymdmethod.com/results Chapters: 00:00 - Why Good Days Can Lead to Crashes 00:27 - The 9 Hidden Reasons Symptoms Flare 00:56 - Physical Overexertion and Post-Exertional Malaise 01:25 - Mental, Emotional, and Nervous System Stress 02:51 - Dietary Triggers and Food Reactions 03:20 - Poor Sleep and Immune Recovery 03:48 - Hormone Shifts, Menopause, and Symptom Flares 04:16 - Mold, Chemicals, and Toxic Exposures 04:46 - Herxheimer Reactions and Detox Support 06:37 - Seasonal Infections, Full Moon Cycles, and the Toxic 5 Subscribe to the EnergyMD Podcast for weekly conversations with leading experts on resolving ME/CFS and Long COVID by addressing the real root causes. . For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.  Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.  Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Most teenagers are told what to do for their health, but very few are taught how to think about it for themselves. In this episode, Evan H. Hirsch, MD, sits down with the Holistic Ansari Kids to explore how teenagers can take ownership of their health early in life. They share what they've learned from interviewing hundreds of top experts and how simple lifestyle choices around sleep, nutrition, mindset, and daily habits can shape long-term energy, focus, and resilience. This conversation highlights how young people can build awareness, make informed decisions, and create a strong foundation for lifelong health without overwhelm. In this episode, you'll learn: Why early health habits have a lasting impact on energy, focus, and overall well-being How teenagers can start making more informed decisions about their health The role of sleep, nutrition, and daily routines in supporting energy and mental clarity How mindset and environment influence long-term health outcomes What teens can do now to avoid common health challenges later in life Guests: Abdullah, Zain, Emaad, and Qasim Ansari are the hosts of The Holistic Kids Show and co-authors of the bestselling book The Teen Health Revolution: Lifestyle Secrets to Optimize Your Mind, Body, and Soul. Their kid-run podcast features 200+ episodes with New York Times bestselling authors, Harvard professors, top physicians, and national media voices, ranking in the top 2% of podcasts globally. As the first youth speakers at major integrative medicine conferences including IFM (2024) and A4M (2025), they earned the 2025 "Up and Comer" Award. Media appearances include NBC, CBS and TEDx. Discover your fatigue score and the root causes keeping you stuck: https://myfatiguescore.com Free Fatigue Masterclass: https://www.energymdmethod.com/masterclass-registration See real patient results: https://energymdmethod.com/results Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:10 - Meet the Holistic Ansari Kids 03:20 - Why Teen Health Matters Early 06:45 - Building Healthy Habits That Last 10:30 - Nutrition and Energy for Teens 14:15 - The Importance of Sleep and Recovery 18:40 - Mindset and Decision Making 23:05 - Learning from Top Health Experts 27:30 - Avoiding Common Health Pitfalls 32:10 - Final Thoughts and Advice for Teens Connect with The Holistic Ansari Kids: Website: https://theholistickidsshow.com Podcast: https://theteenhealthrevolution.com Subscribe to the EnergyMD Podcast for weekly conversations with leading experts on resolving ME/CFS and Long COVID by addressing the real root causes. . For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.   Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.   Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Traveling with Long COVID or ME/CFS can feel impossible when even small outings leave you wiped out. In this episode, Evan H. Hirsch, MD, sits down with Jenny Tufenkian, ND, to talk about what it actually takes to travel without triggering major crashes. They break down how to plan ahead, manage energy in real time, and adjust expectations so travel becomes more doable and less stressful. You'll hear practical strategies for pacing, nervous system regulation, and building in the right kind of support before, during, and after a trip. In this episode, you'll learn: Why travel often leads to setbacks with Long COVID and ME/CFS How to plan trips in a way that protects your energy The role of pacing before, during, and after travel Simple ways to regulate your nervous system while on the go How to set realistic expectations to avoid crashes What support systems can make travel safer and more manageable Guest: Jenny Tufenkian is a licensed Naturopathic Physician with over 20 years of experience specializing in long COVID and ME/CFS fatigue. After overcoming chronic fatigue herself, she developed a transformative system targeting the five core root causes of Chronic Fatigue/ME. Her integrative approach combines functional medicine with deep subconscious work to help exhausted professionals reclaim their energy and vitality. Dr. Tufenkian earned her medical degree and completed her residency at the National University of Natural Medicine. She is also a mom of two, happily married, and loves her time outdoors and in the kitchen. Discover your fatigue score and the root causes keeping you stuck: https://myfatiguescore.com Free Fatigue Masterclass: https://www.energymdmethod.com/masterclass-registration See real patient results: https://energymdmethod.com/results Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:05 - Meet Jenny Tufenkian, ND 03:10 - Why Travel Triggers Fatigue Crashes 06:20 - Planning Ahead for Energy Management 10:15 - Pacing Strategies While Traveling 14:40 - Nervous System Support on the Go 18:30 - Setting Realistic Expectations 22:10 - Recovery After Travel 26:00 - Common Travel Mistakes to Avoid 30:00 - Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways Connect with Jenny Tufenkian: Website: https://drjennytufenkian.com/ Quiz: https://drjennytufenkian.com/quiz Subscribe to the EnergyMD Podcast for weekly conversations with leading experts on resolving ME/CFS and Long COVID by addressing the real root causes. . For more information about Evan and his program, Click Here.   Prefer to watch on Youtube? Click Here.   Please note that any information in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.