Visceral Fat Can Destroy Your Health: This Expert Ranks the Best and Worst Ways to Break Its Grip On Your Body with Sal Di Stefano

This episode is brought to you by Puori, One Skin, Rho, and Momentous. Most people trying to lose belly fat are focused on the wrong things. They’re chasing trends, stacking tactics, and putting energy into strategies that barely move the needle, while the biggest drivers of visceral fat often go overlooked. Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with fitness expert and Mind Pump co-founder, Sal Di Stefano, to break down what actually matters when it comes to visceral fat. Using a tier-ranking framework, Sal categorizes the biggest contributors to fat gain and the most effective strategies for reducing it. He shares why visceral fat is more dangerous than most people realize, unpacks the real role of hormones like cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen, and clears up the confusion around menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and fat loss. Sal also ranks the impact of sleep, alcohol, ultra-processed foods, and stress, while breaking down the highest-leverage habits for fat loss.  Sal Di Stefano began his fitness journey at just 18, quickly rising to prominence as a trainer and opening some of the largest big-box gyms in the California Bay Area. By 24, he launched a wellness-focused fitness studio that combined expertise in hormones, nutrition, gut health, and fitness training. It was during this time that Sal developed his unique, behavior-focused approach to achieving lasting health and fitness success. Today, Sal is a highly sought-after expert known for his practical, easy-to-apply insights. As co-host of the Mind Pump Podcast, the world’s top fitness and health podcast, he’s appeared on hundreds of leading shows and frequently speaks at events for trainers and health practitioners. In this episode, Dhru and Sal dive into: (1:27) The Hidden Fat You Can’t See and Why It’s Dangerous (4:36) Why Menopause Weight Gain Isn’t What You Think (8:57) Can Hormone Therapy Actually Help You Lose Weight? (17:24) The Truth About Testosterone and Belly Fat (21:42) The Stress Hormone Quietly Driving Belly Fat (27:57) The Impact of HRT in Women (32:36) The Sleep Mistakes Wrecking Your Health (39:32) The Fat-Burning Power of Heavy Lifting (41:40) The Most Underrated Exercise for Weight Loss (48:17) Do You Have to Cut Alcohol? (55:52) GLP-1s Explained: Who Should Use Them and Who Shouldn’t (1:07:36) The Real Problem With Ultra-Processed Foods (1:14:45) Fiber and the Gut Connection You’re Missing (1:22:31) Creatine Myths That Need to Die (1:26:46) Sprinting: Game-Changer or Overhyped? (1:29:41) The Mindset Shift That Changes Your Health and Your Life (1:39:26) How Modern Life Is Quietly Making Us Unhealthy (1:43:00) How to Find Truth in a World Full of Health Noise Also mentioned in this episode: Study on Changes in body composition and weight during the menopause transition  Try This Newsletter on Stress and Cortisol  The 4 Big Causes Of Visceral Belly Fat & How To Burn It ASAP Dr. Vinay Prasad: What is the truth about alcohol consumption For more on Sal and Mind Pump, follow them on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, Apple Podcasts, TikTok, YouTube, and their Website. This episode is brought to you by Puori, One Skin, Rho, and Momentous. Quality protein matters. Get 32% off Puori Grass-Fed Whey Protein and a free shaker when you start a subscription at puori.com/DHRU and use code DHRU at checkout.  Right now, One Skin is offering my community 15% off; just go to oneskin.co and use the coupon code DHRU to save 15% and give your skin the scientifically proven, gentle care it deserves. Try Rho Nutrition today and experience the difference of Liposomal Technology. Use code DHRU for 20% OFF everything at rhonutrition.com/discount/dhru. Right now, Momentous is offering our listeners up to 35% off their first order with promo code DHRU. Head to ⁠livemomentous.com⁠ and use code DHRU for 35% off your first subscription. Sign up for Dhru’s Try This Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, BiOptimizers,  Maui Nui, and One Skin.  We’ve been told that cognitive decline is just a normal part of aging. But what if the real story has less to do with age and more to do with how we’re living? Your brain is constantly adapting to the signals you give it, and those signals may matter far more than you think. Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with neuroscientist and performance expert Dr. Tommy Wood to challenge the idea that cognitive decline is inevitable and reveal how our modern lifestyle may be quietly reshaping our brain health. Dr. Wood explains why dementia risk is often a mismatch problem, breaks down the Movement Funnel and the three types of exercise that stimulate different brain networks, and shares his “3 S’s” framework for building long-term resilience. He also unpacks the science behind high-intensity training, purpose and social connection, brain training, stress, creatine, and what truly separates superagers from everyone else. Dr. Tommy Wood is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neuroscience at the University of Washington, where his research focuses on brain health across the lifespan, from newborn brain injury to adult traumatic brain injury and long-term cognitive decline. He earned an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Cambridge, a medical degree from the University of Oxford, and a PhD in Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of Oslo. He has consulted with elite athletes, including multiple Formula 1 drivers, and serves as Director and Treasurer of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine and as Head of Research for the dementia-prevention charity Food for the Brain. In this episode, Dhru and Dr. Wood dive into: (2:03) Cognitive decline isn’t a brain issue; it’s a lifestyle mismatch (10:18) The overlooked force that could matter more than any supplement. (15:00) How modern life quietly reshaped our thinking about aging and mortality (18:37) The evolutionary truth your body and brain still expect from you (30:29) The landmark study that changed how scientists view dementia risk (41:06) Why pushing your limits might sharpen your mind faster (44:00) The framework that explains why your workouts may not be enough (50:57) What early childhood movement reveals about lifelong brain resilience (57:30) The three simple levers that could shift your brain’s trajectory (1:18:06) Why brain games are not the full answer to cognitive longevity (1:28:22) How purpose-driven communities seem to outperform biology (1:35:57) The counterintuitive way to think about stress and long-term health (1:41:28) The surprising compound that fuels both muscle and mind (1:46:50) What truly separates superagers from everyone else (1:53:03) The mindset shift that ties everything together Also mentioned in this episode: The Stimulated Mind Brain HQ Creative Experiences and Brain Clocks Study For more on Dr. Wood, follow him on X/Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, or visit his Website. This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, BiOptimizers, Maui Nui, and One Skin.  Right now, get 20% off your Cozy Earth sheets and sleepwear. Just head over to cozyearth.com/dhru and use code DHRUP. Upgrade your digestion with enzymes! Go to bioptimizers.com/dhru now and enter promo code DHRU to get 15% off any MassZymes order and all BiOptimizers products. Right now, Maui Nui Venison is offering my listeners a limited collection of my favorite cuts and products and a FREE 12-pack of venison jerky sticks with your first order of $79 or more! Just go to mauinuivenison.com/dhru to secure your access now, but hurry, supply is limited! Right now, One Skin is offering my community 15% off; just go to oneskin.co and use the coupon code DHRU to save 15% and give your skin the scientifically proven, gentle care it deserves. Sign up for Dhru’s Try This Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Puori, Fatty15, Our Place, and Branch Basics. When it comes to pregnancy, most advice focuses on what to avoid. But what if the real conversation should be about what actively builds your baby’s brain and long-term health? Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Jessie Inchauspé to discuss the four building blocks of pregnancy nutrition. Dhru and Jessie dive into the hidden impact of glucose on your baby’s developing brain, the pregnancy nutrition myths that need to go, and the overlooked nutrient that helps wire memory before birth. They unpack nausea and food aversions, share simple glucose hacks every pregnant mom should know. Jessie also highlights the protein mistake most moms don’t realize they’re making, explains the connection between glucose, inflammation, and the brain cells few people talk about, and breaks down the truth about “eating for two.”   Jessie Inchauspé is on a mission to translate cutting-edge science into simple, practical tools for better physical and mental health. As the founder of the popular @GlucoseGoddess account, she shares life-changing food habits with hundreds of thousands of people. In her bestselling book Glucose Revolution, she uncovers how blood sugar shapes everything from cravings to fertility and offers easy, science-backed hacks to optimize it, without giving up the foods you love. In this episode, Dhru and Jessie dive into:  (2:13) The hidden impact of glucose on your baby’s brain (10:00) Pregnancy nutrition myths that need to go (12:10) The overlooked nutrient that helps wire memory (18:18) Nausea and food aversions (19:46) Simple glucose hacks every pregnant mom should know (31:24) The fish debate: what actually matters for baby’s brain (34:43) The protein mistake most moms don’t realize they’re making (39:41) Glucose, inflammation & the brain cells no one talks about (44:30) Dhru opens up about his wife’s pregnancy journey (47:31) Are you really “eating for two”? The calorie truth (53:30) How Jessie feeds her son (and why it matters) (55:20) What Jessie would do differently before getting pregnant (1:00:20) The protein powder Jessie personally uses Also mentioned in this episode: 9 Months That Count Forever  Autism Prevention 5 Days a Week For more on Jessie, follow her on Facebook,  X/Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or visit her Website. This episode is brought to you by Puori, Fatty15, Our Place, and Branch Basics. Quality protein matters. Get 32% off Puori Grass-Fed Whey Protein and a free shaker when you start a subscription at puori.com/DHRU and use code DHRU at checkout.  Fatty15 is offering an additional 15% off its 90-day subscription Starter Kit. Go to fatty15.com/dhru and use code DHRU to replenish your C15 levels for long-term health. Reduce your toxic load by upgrading your cookware! Go to fromourplace.com today and use promo code DHRU at checkout to receive 10% off any order. Right now, Branch Basics is offering 15% off the Premium Starter Kit; just go to branchbasics.com and use the coupon code DHRU. Make 2026 your cleanest, healthiest year yet with Branch Basics! Sign up for Dhru’s Try This Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, LMNT, Maui Nui, and One Skin. When we think about weight loss, it’s usually framed as a matter of willpower. Eat less. Move more. Try harder. But this episode explores an alternative perspective. Dr. Jason Fung argues that obesity isn’t simply about calories, but about hunger, hormones, and what he describes as a biological “fat thermostat” that may be working against you. Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Dr. Jason Fung to unpack his framework for understanding weight gain and fat loss. Dr. Fung explains why he believes calorie restriction often fails, the three types of hunger he describes, and how what he calls “over-hunger” may drive weight gain more than overeating alone. He also breaks down his concept of the “fat thermostat,” metabolic compensation, and what he believes we can learn from other cultures about food environments. He shares his views on GLP-1 drugs, protein needs, and the three “golden rules” he recommends for resetting hunger naturally. Dr. Jason Fung is a Nephrologist, researcher, and bestselling author known for reshaping the conversation around obesity, diabetes, and fasting. His books, The Obesity Code, The Diabetes Code, and The Complete Guide to Fasting, have sold over 1 million copies worldwide and have challenged conventional treatment approaches for type 2 diabetes. He is also the author of The Cancer Code and cofounder of The Fasting Method, a program that helps people lose weight and reverse type 2 diabetes through evidence-based fasting. His work has been featured in CNN, Time, The Atlantic, and Forbes. In this episode, Dhru and Dr. Fung dive into: (00:37) The Real Problem Isn’t Overeating. It’s Over-Hunger (5:26) The 3 Types of Hunger (And Which One Is Controlling You) (13:08) Are Some Calories Actually More Fattening Than Others? (17:07) The “Fat Thermostat” That’s Secretly Defending Your Weight (33:51) How Ultra-Processed Foods Hijack Your Hormones (41:46) The “Healthy” Ultra-Processed Foods Hiding in Plain Sight (45:10) What Other Countries Get Right About Food (That We Don’t) (52:00) Who Told Us We Needed to Snack Every 3 Hours? (55:50) Are You Eating Enough Protein?  (1:03:23) GLP-1s: Breakthrough Tool or Temporary Fix? (1:12:34) The 3 Golden Rules That Actually Reset Hunger (1:19:45) Can You Overeat “Healthy” Food?  (1:21:45) Why Mindless Eating Is More Powerful Than You Think (1:29:35) The Hidden Habits That Keep You Hungry (1:37:12) Health Markers That Reveal Your Metabolism Is Struggling (1:45:10) Where to Go Deeper with Dr. Jason Fung Also mentioned in this episode: The Hunger Code: Resetting Your Body's Fat Thermostat in the Age of Ultra-Processed Food Dr. Jason Fung Masterclass  The Biggest Ozempic Mistakes: What to Do After GLP-1 Drugs to Keep the Weight Off for Good with Dr. Holly Wyatt and Dr. James Hill For more on Dr. Fung, follow him on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or visit his Website. This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, LMNT, Maui Nui, and One Skin. Right now, get 20% off your Cozy Earth sheets and sleepwear. Just head over to cozyearth.com/dhru and use code DHRUP. Check out LMNT’s new refreshing slim sparkling cans in Pineapple Salt, Lemonade Salt, Black Cherry Salt, and Orange Salt! Right now, LMNT is offering my listeners a free electrolyte sample pack with any purchase. Head over to drinkLMNT.com/dhru today. Right now, Maui Nui Venison is offering my listeners a limited collection of my favorite cuts and products and a FREE 12-pack of venison jerky sticks with your first order of $79 or more! Just go to mauinuivenison.com/dhru to secure your access now, but hurry, supply is limited! Right now, One Skin is offering my community 15% off; just go to oneskin.co and use the coupon code DHRU to save 15% and give your skin the scientifically proven, gentle care it deserves. Sign up for Dhru’s Try This Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Bon Charge, BiOptimizers, Momentous, and Branch Basics.   When we think about cognitive decline, it’s often framed as something inevitable, something that just happens with age. But this episode challenges that narrative, revealing that brain health is far more dynamic, responsive, and within our control than we’ve been led to believe. Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Dr. Majid Fotuhi to unpack what it really takes to protect, strengthen, and even improve your brain as you age. Dr. Fotuhi explains why cognitive decline exists on a spectrum, how lifestyle choices can slow or prevent it, and what the latest research says about reversing early Alzheimer’s. He shares powerful patient stories, breaks down the surprising link between hearing loss and memory issues, and outlines his Five Pillars of Brain Health. Dr. Fotuhi also dives into Tau PET scans, cutting-edge brain training strategies, and why taking action now may be the single most important decision you make for your future cognitive health. Dr. Majid Fotuhi is a neurologist specializing in memory, concussion, and successful aging. With over 30 years of teaching, clinical practice, and neuroscience research at Harvard Medical School and Johns Hopkins, he has developed a multidisciplinary program to help people of all ages improve memory and attention. The results of his program have been published in numerous scientific journals and in his three books. Passionate about public education on brain health, Dr. Fotuhi also teaches in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at George Washington University and at Harvard Medical School. In this episode, Dhru and Dr. Fotuhi dive into: (00:39) Can you slow cognitive decline (2:30) The overlooked daily habits that make or break your brain (6:56) Surprising patient results (17:50) Understanding the spectrum of cognitive decline (22:36) The surprising link between hearing loss and memory loss (30:54) How research on reversing Alzheimer’s has evolved (37:27) Why waiting for symptoms could be your biggest mistake (40:25) The Five Pillars of Brain Health (53:12) The most powerful brain reset you’re probably undervaluing (56:29) Brain-friendly nutrition: what to embrace and what to avoid (1:07:00) Purpose, mindset, and cortisol: the hidden brain chemistry connection (1:17:23) Tau PET scans explained: what they reveal about your brain (1:29:24) Can you train your brain like a muscle? (1:35:27) Inside the 12-week brain training protocol (1:42:42) Dr. Fotuhi’s most important brain health advice Also mentioned in this episode: The Invincible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life Is Eating Fish Safe? A Lot Safer Than Not Eating Fish! Seatopia Fish For more on Dr. Fotuhi, follow him on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, or visit his Website. This episode is brought to you by Bon Charge, BiOptimizers, Momentous, and Branch Basics. Right now, Bon Charge is offering my community 15% off their Red Light Cap. Just go to boncharge.com/dhru and use code DHRU to save 15%. Upgrade your digestion with enzymes! Go to bioptimizers.com/dhru now and enter promo code DHRU to get 15% off any MassZymes order and all BiOptimizers products. Right now, Momentous is offering our listeners up to 35% off their first order with promo code DHRU. Head to livemomentous.com and use code DHRU for 35% off your first subscription. Right now, Branch Basics is offering 15% off the Premium Starter Kit; just go to branchbasics.com and use the coupon code DHRU. Make 2026 your cleanest, healthiest year.  Sign up for Dhru’s Try This Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Puori, Cozy Earth, Fatty15, and Birch Living. Circadian rhythm is one of the most overlooked drivers of long-term health. It influences when we sleep, how we metabolize food, how our brain repairs itself, and even how our immune system functions. When this internal clock falls out of sync, the effects ripple through every system in the body. Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with circadian biology expert Dr. Satchin Panda to explore the four pillars of circadian health and how losing alignment can contribute to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Panda shares key strategies to reduce your risk and breaks down the science behind why protecting your master clock is critical for preventing chronic disease. He also explains the importance of time-restricted eating, how timing influences the effectiveness of medications and cancer immunotherapy, and the role exercise plays in detoxification.  Dr. Satchin Panda is a world-renowned pioneer in circadian biology and a Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, where he holds the Rita and Richard Atkinson Chair. Recently named a semifinalist in the XPRIZE Healthspan competition, Dr. Panda leads "Team Circadian" in groundbreaking research to reverse biological aging through rhythmic optimization. His discovery of the blue-light sensitive protein melanopsin and his extensive research on time-restricted eating have reshaped global health guidelines, leading to featured presentations at premier international forums including the American Diabetes Association and the professional diabetes societies of Europe and Australia. In this episode, Dhru and Dr. Panda dive into: (00:59) The Circadian–Alzheimer’s Connection (3:00) Why Light Controls Your Health (26:36) Sleep as Brain Defense  (34:01) Inside Your Master Clock  (38:17) Why Meal Timing Matters  (49:33) Time-Restricted Eating Explained  (57:12) Timing Your Medications  (1:01:27) Circadian Biology & Cancer Treatment  (1:09:25) Exercise as Cancer Insurance  (1:16:01) What Exercise Does at the Cellular Level  (1:26:23) Minimum Effective Dose of Movement  (1:57:47) The Circadian Challenge  (2:06:21) Circadian Rhythm as Your Operating System  (2:11:20) Final Takeaways  Also mentioned in this episode: OnTime Health App  Human Performance Alliance  For more on Dr. Satchin Panda, follow him on X/Twitter, Instagram, Ontime Health’s Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or visit his Website. This episode is brought to you by Puori, Cozy Earth, Fatty15, and Birch Living. Quality protein matters. Get 32% off Puori Grass-Fed Whey Protein and a free shaker when you start a subscription at puori.com/DHRU and use code DHRU at checkout.  Right now, get 20% off your Cozy Earth sheets and sleepwear. Just head over to cozyearth.com/dhru and use code DHRUP. Fatty15 is offering an additional 15% off its 90-day subscription Starter Kit. Go to fatty15.com/dhru and use code DHRU to replenish your C15 levels for long-term health. Birch is exclusively offering my community 27% off their Birch Living mattress—just head to birchliving.com/dhru today. Sign up for Dhru’s Try This Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by BiOptimizers, LMNT, Maui Nui, and Branch Basics.  When we think about fitness and health, walking is often seen as “too easy” to matter. But this episode challenges that assumption, revealing how walking with weight taps into a deeply human ability that builds strength, resilience, and long-term health in ways most modern workouts miss. Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Michael Easter to explore walking with weight, a forgotten human practice that quietly shaped our bodies, minds, and resilience, and what happens when modern life removes it. Michael traces the evolutionary roots of carrying and movement, explains why many popular fitness approaches fall short, and reveals how this deceptively simple practice can transform strength, endurance, metabolic health, and mental clarity. Michael challenges our obsession with comfort, unpacks the science behind walking with weight, and shares practical insights on how small, intentional discomfort can help us live stronger, more capable, and more resilient lives in a hyper-convenient world. Michael Easter is a New York Times bestselling author who travels the world uncovering practical, science-backed ideas for living healthier, happier, and more remarkable lives. His reporting has taken him from war zones to the Arctic to the Bolivian jungle, where he’s interviewed thousands of experts, from Nobel laureates to elite athletes, and analyzed cutting-edge research. He shares these insights through his bestselling books The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain, as well as his newsletter Two Percent. His work is used by professional sports teams, Fortune 500 companies, and elite military units, and has helped millions rethink health, performance, and modern life. In this episode, Dhru and Michael dive into:  (00:37) Why humans were designed to walk and what we’ve forgotten(04:28) What happens when you add weight to your walks(12:37) Running, carrying, and the hidden blueprint of human movement(20:00) The Tarahumara tribe and what modern fitness gets wrong(26:11) The real idea behind “Walk With Weight”(31:29) Why choosing comfort may be costing you health and resilience(34:24) Simple, real-world ways to start walking with weight(38:24) How weighted walking quietly increases calorie burn(40:04) What the research actually says about walking with weight(47:27) The easiest way to begin walking with weight(56:12) The overlooked science behind weighted walking benefits(1:02:00) The surprising mental and emotional gains from walking with weight(1:09:39) How Michael suggests introducing this practice to others(1:12:07) Where to explore more of Michael’s work Also mentioned in this episode: Walk with Weight: The Definitive Guide to Rucking Walkfully Site For more on Michael, follow him on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Substack, or visit his Website. This episode is brought to you by BiOptimizers, LMNT, Maui Nui, and Branch Basics.  Upgrade your digestion with enzymes! Go to bioptimizers.com/dhru now and enter promo code DHRU to get 15% off any MassZymes order and all BiOptimizers products during their Valentine's Day deal. Right now, LMNT is offering my listeners a free sample pack with any purchase. Head over to drinkLMNT.com/dhru today. Right now, Maui Nui Venison is offering my listeners exclusive access to their brand-new Always Summer Sausage, the cleanest, most nutrient-dense lunch meat you’ll find. Just go to mauinuivenison.com/DHRU to get yours today.  Right now, Branch Basics is offering 15% off the Premium Starter Kit; just go to branchbasics.com and use the coupon code DHRU. Make 2026 your cleanest, healthiest year yet with Branch Basics! Sign up for Dhru’s Try This Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Bon Charge, Momentous, Cozy Earth, and Our Place. When we think about aging, menopause is often framed as something to endure or “get through.” But this episode challenges that narrative, revealing menopause as a powerful biological and neurological transition that can unlock greater clarity, resilience, and purpose.  Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Dr. Mindy Pelz to reframe menopause as a powerful biological, psychological, and cultural initiation, not a decline. Dr. Pelz traces the mythology and history that shaped how we view menopause, explains what modern science gets right (and wrong), and unpacks why intense emotions, brain changes, and identity shifts are not signs of dysfunction but signals of transformation. She also dives into practical guidance around nutrition, glucose balance, hormones, genetics, and daily habits that support women in this stage of life, while offering insight into how men can better support the women they love.    Dr. Mindy Pelz is a New York Times bestselling author, visionary educator, and trailblazer in women’s health and hormone science with over two decades of experience building a global movement that helps women understand and harness the power of their bodies at every stage of life. Her new book Age Like a Girl blends cutting-edge science with personal insight to show how fasting, nutrition, and lifestyle shifts can balance hormones, boost energy, and turn midlife’s neurochemical changes into a launchpad for purpose and reinvention. With a Doctorate of Chiropractic and a background in functional nutrition, she brings both rigor and heart to her work championing a bold message: aging isn’t a decline; it’s an evolution, and now is the time for women to get stronger, clearer, and more connected to who they truly are. In this episode, Dhru and Dr. Mindy dive into: (1:04) The ancient meaning of menopause and how we lost it (3:08) The forgotten roadmap of a woman’s life (6:42) How menopause became medicalized and what we lost along the way (12:28) What today’s menopause conversation gets wrong (19:19) Why emotional intensity is a message, not a malfunction (31:17) The nervous-system breaking point that changed everything for Dr. Mindy (40:07) Why the world needs elder women more than ever (45:57) The truths women must know about this stage of life (51:02) Why menopause requires a totally different way of eating (55:39) The simple daily rituals guiding Dr. Mindy’s current season (59:51) The genetic signals most women never hear about (1:10:01) Why doing less might be the ultimate health upgrade (1:23:08) How men can better understand and support the women they love (1:39:29) Rewriting menopause for the next generation Also mentioned in this episode: Age Like a Girl, Dr. Mindy Pelz’s new book  Chris Kresser Article on HbA1C Dr. Ben Bikman’s Concerns About HbA1C For more on Dr. Mindy, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, LinkedIn, or her Website. This episode is brought to you by Bon Charge, Momentous, Cozy Earth, and Our Place. Right now, Bon Charge is offering my community 15% off their Red Light Cap. Just go to boncharge.com/dhru and use code DHRU to save 15%. Right now, Momentous is offering our listeners up to 35% off their first order with promo code DHRU. Head to livemomentous.com and use code DHRU for 35% off your first subscription. Right now, get 20% off your Cozy Earth sheets and sleepwear. Just head over to cozyearth.com/dhru and use code DHRUP. Reduce your toxic load by upgrading your cookware! Go to fromourplace.com today and use promo code DHRU at checkout to receive 10% off any order. Sign up for Dhru’s Try This Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Maui Nui, One Skin, Branch Basics, and BetterWild. When we think about longevity, immune health, or aging well, sex is rarely part of the conversation. But this episode challenges that blind spot, revealing why sexual connection and pleasure are fundamental to health, resilience, and how fully we experience life. Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with sex and relationships expert Dr. Nicole McNichols to unpack why sexual pleasure is far more than a “nice-to-have”; it’s a foundational pillar of health, connection, and long-term fulfillment. Dr. McNichols explores how sexual satisfaction influences healthy aging, sleep quality, immune function, and relationship resilience, while dismantling some of the most common myths around desire, mystery, and attraction. This conversation reframes sex as a skill you can cultivate, not a spark you either have or lose, and offers practical insights for couples who want deeper connection, better communication, and intimacy that evolves. Dr. Nicole McNichols is a renowned professor of human sexuality, author, and speaker with over 20 years of experience bridging science and real-world application to help people better understand sexuality, relationships, and pleasure. Her course, The Diversity of Human Sexuality, is the most popular in the University of Washington's history, enrolling more than 4,000 students annually. She is the author of the upcoming book You Could Be Having Better Sex. Her work has been featured in Psychology Today, The Seattle Times, and Harvard Business Review, and she is the coauthor of Human Sexuality in a Diverse Society and a TEDx speaker.  In this episode, Dhru and Dr. McNichols dive into:  (00:39) Why pleasure is essential for health (02:07) The link between sexual satisfaction and longevity (14:09) How sexual connection drives life satisfaction (22:19) How male and female brains experience desire differently (28:23) The sex, sleep, immunity connection (38:40) Why planned intimacy works better than spontaneity (41:38) Why desire loss doesn’t mean love loss (54:17) Creating intimacy space by reducing friction (1:08:00) Dr. McNichols’ path to becoming a sex educator (1:21:10) Self-actualization in marriage (1:25:50) Navigating mismatched desire without resentment (1:34:05) Why sex matters in long-term relationships (1:40:27) What happens when sexual wellness is deprioritized (1:42:34) Final takeaways Also mentioned in this episode: You Could Be Having Better Sex: The Definitive Guide to a Happier, Healthier, and Hotter Sex Life  For more on Dr. McNichols, follow her on X/Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or visit her Website. This episode is brought to you by Maui Nui, One Skin, Branch Basics, and Betterwild. Right now, Maui Nui Venison is offering my listeners exclusive access to their brand-new Always Summer Sausage, the cleanest, most nutrient-dense lunch meat you’ll find. Just go to mauinuivenison.com/DHRU to get yours today.  Right now, One Skin is offering my community 15% off; just go to oneskin.co and use the coupon code DHRU to save 15% and give your skin the scientifically proven, gentle care it deserves. Right now, Branch Basics is offering 15% off the Premium Starter Kit; just go to branchbasics.com and use the coupon code DHRU. Make 2026 your cleanest, healthiest year yet with Branch Basics! Right now, BetterWild is offering my listeners up to 40% off at BetterWild.com/DHRU. Support your dog’s digestion and allergy defense system today.  Sign up for Dhru’s Try This Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Bon Charge, BiOptimizers, Our Place, and Cozy Earth. True progress often isn’t blocked by a lack of effort, but by hidden traps in how we think, strive, and apply our energy. Many of us push harder, stay busier, and demand more from ourselves, only to feel burned out, stuck, or misaligned. Working harder isn’t always the answer, and today’s guest shows us why. Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with psychologist Dr. Diana Hill to explore how the way we use our energy, not just how hard we try, shapes our health, relationships, and sense of purpose. Dr. Hill unpacks why so many high-achievers feel burned out, stuck, or quietly dissatisfied despite doing “all the right things,” and reveals the hidden traps that keep us spinning our wheels, from misusing our strengths to chasing goals that don’t align with our values. She also introduces the idea of wise effort versus forcing change through pressure and self-criticism. This conversation offers a powerful reframe for anyone who feels overextended or misdirected, showing how psychological flexibility and values-based choices can restore vitality, clarity, and a deeper sense of alignment in everyday life. Dr. Diana Hill is a psychologist and international trainer specializing in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She helps individuals and organizations build psychological flexibility using science-backed, compassion-driven tools. Diana is the author of four books, including Wise Effort, hosts the Wise Effort podcast, and has been featured in NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Psychology Today, and more—known for making complex psychology practical, clear, and deeply usable. In this episode, Dhru and Dr. Hill dive into:  (1:37) When effort turns against you and pushing harder makes things worse (3:47) The quiet reason resolutions fail and what your intuition already knows (10:55) The hidden story we were taught about growth and why it’s misleading (19:02) How your energy gets drained without you ever noticing (25:46) The perspective shift that changes how you meet challenges and yourself (30:52) Dr. Hill’s wake-up moment and the unseen cost of trying too hard (43:30) Why reaching the goal still leaves something missing (48:07) What avoiding discomfort is actually costing you (58:46) Discovering your “genius energy” and what it’s meant for (1:17:16) The self-limiting stories that feel true but quietly hold you back (1:25:40) The subtle trap of chasing goals instead of living your values (1:28:17) Dr. Hill’s closing insight on trusting your inner compass Also mentioned in this episode: Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most For more on Dr. Hill, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Insight Timer, or visit her Website. This episode is brought to you by Bon Charge, BiOptimizers, Our Place, and Cozy Earth. Right now, Bon Charge is offering my community 15% off. Just go to boncharge.com/dhru and use code DHRU to save 15%. Go to bioptimizers.com/dhru now and enter promo code DHRU to get 26% off select products and bundles during their New Year New You sale. Reduce your toxic load by upgrading your cookware! Go to fromourplace.com today and use promo code DHRU at checkout to receive 10% off any order. Right now, get 20% off your Cozy Earth sheets and sleepwear. Just head over to cozyearth.com/dhru and use code DHRUP. Sign up for Dhru’s Try This Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices