Advertise on podcast: Hormones & Hope with Dr. Chhaya

Register For Free Masterclass - Hormones and Bones with Dr. Makhija: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/RlPn712VStaT5jTtqHzSOA#/registration What if some of the health problems we see later in life actually start much earlier than we think? In this episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya sits down with Dr. Traci DeSplinter, an OB-GYN and menopause specialist, to talk about women’s health, perimenopause, menopause hormone therapy, and why it’s important to start thinking about prevention early. They discuss what to do when you don’t feel like yourself, even though your blood work looks normal. From changes in energy, sleep, and weight to symptoms that can overlap with postpartum changes and perimenopause, Dr. Traci shares what she looks for when helping women understand what might be going on. They also talk about the difference between birth control pills and menopause hormone therapy, the role of estrogen and progesterone, and what women should know about FDA-approved hormone treatments. And it’s not just about hormones. The conversation also looks at heart health, cholesterol, insulin resistance, and bone health, including why women may want to think about osteoporosis prevention and bone density testing well before age 65. If you’re wondering when to start paying more attention to your hormones, what to ask your doctor, or how to look after your health as you get older, this conversation is a good place to start. Follow Dr. Chhaya Makhija here: https://www.instagram.com/chhayamakhijamd/ https://www.facebook.com/unifiedendocrine https://unifiedendocrinecare.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@chhayamakhijamd https://www.linkedin.com/in/chhayamakhijamd/ Email: [email protected] Download Free Guides/Resources here: https://linktr.ee/chhayamakhijamd Follow Dr. DeSplinter here: https://tracidesplintermd.com https://www.refinedwomenshealth.com https://open.spotify.com/show/7eJGSKu42Mcpyys9fB5iRX?si=3d234a9dcbe4467c&nd=1&dlsi=cc0f2854cf50449e Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

This guided gratitude meditation is a simple way to practise mindfulness, manage everyday work stress, and bring your attention back to the present moment.  You don’t have to solve everything right now. Just take a breath, give yourself a little space, and remember that you can take things one step at a time. About Deepti Bhatia Deepti Bhatia is a Certified Yoga Teacher (200-Hour Hatha & Vinyasa, YogaRenew). She offers guided breathwork, meditation and gentle healing practices to calm the mind and care for the body. Website: https://www.yog-med.com/ Book a FREE 15-Minute Virtual Meditation Session: https://calendly.com/deepti-bhatia/yoga-pranayama-session-clone?month=2026-10 Disclaimer: This practice is not a substitute for medical evaluation or treatment. If stress or emotional distress feels severe or difficult to manage, seek appropriate professional support.

Feeling tense or overwhelmed? Sometimes, all you need is a few quiet minutes to slow down and take a breath. In this guided breathing practice, Deepti will help you explore gentle belly breathing to release physical tension and feel a little calmer and lighter. You’ll be guided to notice how your abdomen moves as you breathe in and out, slow your exhale, and allow your body to relax without forcing your breath. Whether you’re feeling tense, overwhelmed, or simply need a quiet moment for yourself, this practice offers an opportunity to pause, settle in, and give yourself some space to breathe. About Deepti Bhatia Deepti Bhatia is a Certified Yoga Teacher (200-Hour Hatha & Vinyasa, YogaRenew). She offers guided breathwork, meditation and gentle healing practices to calm the mind and care for the body. Website: https://www.yog-med.com/ Book a FREE 15-Minute Virtual Meditation Session: https://calendly.com/deepti-bhatia/yoga-pranayama-session-clone?month=2026-10 Disclaimer: This practice is not a substitute for medical evaluation or treatment. If you feel dizzy, short of breath, uncomfortable, or find yourself forcing your breath, return to normal breathing or stop the practice.

Negative thoughts can sometimes be hard to switch off, especially when we spend too much time worrying about what others think or getting caught up in everyday challenges. In this guided meditation, Deepti takes you through a gentle breathing practice to help you slow down, focus on your breath, and spend a little time with your own thoughts. You’ll be encouraged to accept life’s ups and downs, let go of some of the negativity, and bring your attention back to the present moment whenever your mind wanders. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by your thoughts or simply need a moment of calm, take a few minutes for yourself and breathe. About Deepti Bhatia Deepti Bhatia is a Certified Yoga Teacher (200-Hour Hatha & Vinyasa, YogaRenew). She offers guided breathwork, meditation and gentle healing practices to calm the mind and care for the body. Website: https://www.yog-med.com/ Book a FREE 15-Minute Virtual Meditation Session: https://calendly.com/deepti-bhatia/yoga-pranayama-session-clone?month=2026-10

Join Deepti Bhatia for a gentle self-love practice that invites you to slow down, relax, and reconnect with yourself through yoga, pranayama, and mindful breathing. Self-love is about letting go of negative self-talk and self-judgment, recognising your self-worth, and taking time to care for your body and mind. Through this practice, you’ll be guided to calm your body, be fully present without judgment, and remind yourself that you are worthy of love and care. Take this time to recharge, be kind to yourself, and cultivate a little more self-love. About Deepti Bhatia Deepti Bhatia is a Certified Yoga Teacher (200-Hour Hatha & Vinyasa, YogaRenew). She offers guided breathwork, meditation and gentle healing practices to calm the mind and care for the body. Website: https://www.yog-med.com/ Book a FREE 15-Minute Virtual Meditation Session: https://calendly.com/deepti-bhatia/yoga-pranayama-session-clone?month=2026-10

If you’re experiencing mild, familiar low back discomfort or tension, take a few minutes to slow down and focus on your breathing. In this gentle practice, you’ll be guided to find a comfortable position, notice your natural breath, and slowly breathe in and out, allowing your exhales to be a little longer. As you breathe, you’ll bring your attention to your lower back and imagine the muscles around the area becoming a little softer. There’s nothing you need to force or fix. Just take your time, breathe comfortably, and listen to your body. About Deepti Bhatia Deepti Bhatia is a Certified Yoga Teacher (200-Hour Hatha & Vinyasa, YogaRenew). She offers guided breathwork, meditation and gentle healing practices to calm the mind and care for the body. Website: https://www.yog-med.com/ Book a FREE 15-Minute Virtual Meditation Session: https://calendly.com/deepti-bhatia/yoga-pranayama-session-clone?month=2026-10 Disclaimer: This practice is not a substitute for medical evaluation or treatment. Stop if your pain worsens, you feel dizzy or short of breath, or the position is uncomfortable.

Feeling anxious or finding it hard to switch off your thoughts?  In this guided breathing exercise, Deepti takes you through simple breathing techniques, including box breathing, to help you relax and feel more settled.  Find a comfortable spot, take a pause, and follow along at your own pace. About Deepti Bhatia Deepti Bhatia is a Certified Yoga Teacher (200-Hour Hatha & Vinyasa, YogaRenew). She offers guided breathwork, meditation and gentle healing practices to calm the mind and care for the body. Website: https://www.yog-med.com/ Book a FREE 15-Minute Virtual Meditation Session: https://calendly.com/deepti-bhatia/yoga-pranayama-session-clone?month=2026-10 Disclaimer: This breathing practice is intended to support relaxation during mild, familiar feelings of anxiety, worry, and restlessness. It is not a substitute for professional medical evaluation or treatment.

Feeling angry or overwhelmed? Take a few minutes for yourself with this guided breathing exercise to calm your mind and release anger. Certified Yoga Teacher Deepti Bhatia guides you through mindful breathing and gentle self-reflection to help you slow down, understand your emotions, and find a sense of calm.  Whenever anger builds up, take a moment to focus on your breath, relax your body, and give yourself time to reset. About Deepti Bhatia Deepti Bhatia is a Certified Yoga Teacher (200-Hour Hatha & Vinyasa, YogaRenew). She offers guided breathwork, meditation and gentle healing practices to calm the mind and care for the body. Website: https://www.yog-med.com/ Book a FREE 15-Minute Virtual Meditation Session: https://calendly.com/deepti-bhatia/yoga-pranayama-session-clone?month=2026-10

Register For Free Masterclass - Hormones and Bones with Dr. Makhija: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/RlPn712VStaT5jTtqHzSOA#/registration Is stress making you sick? And is cortisol really to blame for everything? In this episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Makhija sits down with Dr. Robyn Tiger, a lifestyle medicine physician, coach, and founder of StressFreeMD, to explore how stress affects our brain, nervous system, and overall health, and what we can do to respond to it differently. From blood sugar fluctuations and blood pressure to sleep, digestion, and emotional well-being, chronic stress can affect many aspects of our health. But while we can’t eliminate stress from our lives, we can learn to manage our stress responses and recover more effectively. Dr. Tiger shares her personal journey of discovering the connection between stress and physical symptoms, along with practical strategies to help regulate the nervous system, including simple breathing techniques and ways to shift negative thought patterns. Whether you're navigating work pressures, family responsibilities, health concerns, or the everyday demands of life, this conversation offers practical tools to help you build a healthier relationship with stress. Remember: You don't have to eliminate stress to feel better. Small, consistent changes can make a meaningful difference, and it's never too late to start. Tune in to learn how to build your own toolkit for managing stress and finding your calm, even on the go. Follow Dr. Chhaya Makhija here: https://www.instagram.com/chhayamakhijamd/ https://www.facebook.com/unifiedendocrine https://unifiedendocrinecare.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@chhayamakhijamd https://www.linkedin.com/in/chhayamakhijamd/ Email: [email protected] Download Free Guides/Resources here: https://linktr.ee/chhayamakhijamd Follow Dr. Robyn Tiger here: https://www.instagram.com/stressfreemd/ https://www.stressfreemd.net/about https://www.podpage.com/the-stressfreemd-podcast/ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

In this episode of the thyroid series, Dr. Makhija answers more thyroid questions she hears from patients.  She breaks down the differences between Synthroid, generic levothyroxine, Armour Thyroid, and desiccated thyroid, explains what elevated TPO antibodies mean when your TSH is normal, and discusses whether thyroid medication is always needed for life. You’ll also learn how often TSH should be checked, when thyroid medication doses may need to change, and what can affect thyroid hormone absorption. Dr. Makhija also answers some of the biggest questions surrounding the so-called “thyroid diet,” including whether you need to avoid gluten, soy, or cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower if you have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s. She explains what we know about selenium and iodine supplements and why taking too much iodine can sometimes be harmful. Whether you have hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, elevated TPO antibodies, or simply want to better understand your thyroid labs and treatment options, this episode offers a practical, evidence-based overview of these commonly asked questions. Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations about thyroid health, hormones, osteoporosis, GLP-1 medications, hormone replacement therapy, and metabolic health. Follow Dr. Chhaya Makhija here: https://www.instagram.com/chhayamakhijamd/ https://www.facebook.com/unifiedendocrine https://unifiedendocrinecare.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@chhayamakhijamd https://www.linkedin.com/in/chhayamakhijamd/ Email: [email protected] Download Free Guides/Resources here: https://linktr.ee/chhayamakhijamd Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

What does it mean if your TSH is normal but you still feel tired, gain weight, lose hair, or experience brain fog? Can thyroid medication help with weight loss? And if you’re taking levothyroxine, should you take it in the morning or at night? In this episode, Dr. Makhija, a triple board-certified endocrinologist, answers some of the most common thyroid questions she hears from patients. From understanding TSH and hypothyroidism to taking thyroid medication correctly, this episode covers some of the everyday questions that can make thyroid health feel confusing. Dr. Makhija explains why symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, and brain fog aren't always caused by the thyroid, what other factors may need to be considered, and how your individual symptoms, medical history, labs, and stage of life can all influence thyroid treatment. This is Part 1 of the thyroid series, with more conversations coming up on T3 vs. T4, animal thyroid hormone, Hashimoto's, TPO antibodies, iodine, and diet. Follow Dr. Chhaya Makhija here: https://www.instagram.com/chhayamakhijamd/ https://www.facebook.com/unifiedendocrine https://unifiedendocrinecare.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@chhayamakhijamd https://www.linkedin.com/in/chhayamakhijamd/ Email: [email protected] Download Free Guides/Resources here: https://linktr.ee/chhayamakhijamd Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

In this episode of Hormones & Hope, Dr. Makhija sits down with Alicia Giana, founder of AGF Gym, to talk about strength training, sustainable fitness, motherhood, thyroid health, and the mindset behind long-term health. Alicia shares her own experience of having half of her thyroid removed as a young adult and later developing hypothyroidism, while also building a career in fitness and eventually opening her own gym. Her story is a reminder that a health condition doesn't have to determine what you're capable of doing. Dr. Makhija and Alicia discuss why strength training becomes increasingly important as we age, how women can support muscle and bone health through perimenopause and menopause, and why it's never too late to start building strength. They also talk about protein, sleep, hydration, recovery, realistic expectations for muscle gain, and how to make exercise work when life gets busy. Alicia opens up about adjusting her fitness routine after becoming a mother, finding time for herself, and letting go of the pressure to bounce back immediately. Whether you're new to strength training or already active, this episode offers realistic advice for building strength and making fitness a sustainable part of your life. Follow Dr. Chhaya Makhija here: https://www.instagram.com/chhayamakhijamd/ https://www.facebook.com/unifiedendocrine https://unifiedendocrinecare.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@chhayamakhijamd https://www.linkedin.com/in/chhayamakhijamd/ Email: [email protected] Download Free Guides/Resources here: https://linktr.ee/chhayamakhijamd Follow Alicia here: https://aliciagianafitness.com/ https://www.instagram.com/aliciagianafitness/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/aliciagianafitness/ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

Is it really possible to get 100 grams of protein a day without eating meat? In this episode of Hormones & Hope, Dr. Makhija sits down with Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Coach Leonila Campos to unpack the truth about protein, fiber, and plant-forward eating.  Leonila shares practical examples of how foods like tofu, tempeh, lentils, chickpeas, edamame, quinoa, nuts, and seeds can fit into a high-protein eating pattern. She also explains why protein alone isn't enough to build muscle and why pairing adequate protein with resistance training is so important. They also talk about a question many people struggle with: Can you enjoy traditional foods like rice, beans, and tortillas while managing blood sugar? Leonila explains how small changes to a familiar meal can add more fiber, vegetables, and balance without asking you to completely give up the foods you love. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, plant-forward, or simply trying to eat more intentionally, this episode offers a realistic approach to building healthier meals — without making nutrition unnecessarily complicated. Follow Dr. Chhaya Makhija here: https://www.instagram.com/chhayamakhijamd/ https://www.facebook.com/unifiedendocrine https://unifiedendocrinecare.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@chhayamakhijamd https://www.linkedin.com/in/chhayamakhijamd/ Email: [email protected] Download Free Guides/Resources here: https://linktr.ee/chhayamakhijamd Follow Leonila here: https://www.instagram.com/nutrition_with_leonila/ www.youtube.com/@SimpleNutritionInsights https://www.fueledbyleo.com [email protected] Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

Can you have a successful career, a loving marriage, and still feel completely disconnected from your partner? In this episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija sits down with Dr. Alexandra Stockwell, intimacy expert and author of Uncompromising Intimacy to have a conversation about long-term relationships, emotional intimacy, sexual desire, and maintaining connection as life changes. For many couples, especially during mid-adulthood, conversations can slowly become about work, children, schedules, finances, and responsibilities while emotional and physical intimacy gets pushed to the bottom of the list.  But does losing sexual desire have to be inevitable in a long-term relationship? Absolutely not. If you've ever wondered how to reconnect with your partner, improve intimacy in a long-term relationship, understand low libido, or bring emotional and physical connection back into your relationship, this episode is for you. Follow Dr. Chhaya Makhija here: https://www.instagram.com/chhayamakhijamd/ https://www.facebook.com/unifiedendocrine https://unifiedendocrinecare.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@chhayamakhijamd https://www.linkedin.com/in/chhayamakhijamd/ Email: [email protected] Follow Dr. Stockwell here: www.alexandrastockwell.com www.alexandrastockwell.com/ideas www.alexandrastockwell.com/app https://amzn.to/2ymI3Hl   www.alexandrastockwell.com/podcast Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

In this episode, Dr. Makhija shares the inspiring journey of a 69-year-old woman who transformed her health by taking a personalized approach to type 2 diabetes, weight management, and metabolic health. When she first came for care, she was dealing with fatigue, chronic pain, reduced mobility, and difficulty losing weight. She was also unaware that her blood sugar levels had progressed into the diabetes range, with an A1C of 7.2%. Instead of focusing only on weight loss, the approach focused on the whole person — nutrition, hydration, gut health, movement, pain management, muscle preservation, and eventually GLP-1 therapy with Mounjaro (tirzepatide). But the greatest success was not the number on the scale. It was becoming stronger, more active, and able to enjoy life again. If you are considering GLP-1 medications or are already on your weight loss journey, this episode will help you understand why the full picture matters. Download the Free Guide 'Your Health on GLP-1' Here: https://dr-chhaya.myflodesk.com/glp1 Follow Dr. Chhaya Makhija here: https://www.instagram.com/chhayamakhijamd/ https://www.facebook.com/unifiedendocrine https://unifiedendocrinecare.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@chhayamakhijamd https://www.linkedin.com/in/chhayamakhijamd/ Email: [email protected] Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.