Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Everyone knows that our health is fundamental to our whole experience of life. So why does it always seem like it’s the first thing to get deprioritized when life gets busy? And when we do try to make it a priority, why does it feel like our efforts don’t lead to meaningful change?
This episode, we’re joined by Dr. Darshan Shah. He’s a surgeon, author, entrepreneur, and host of his own podcast, Extend. And he’s here to help us learn to take control of our health, form healthy habits, and increase our health span.
The three big questions we discuss with Dr. Shah are:
1. How much of our health is shaped by our own actions, mindset, and decisions?
2. Why do so many of us fail to take ownership of our health, and what beliefs or habits are keeping us stuck?
3. What practical steps can we take to assume more ownership of our health and start making better decisions?
Learn more about On Human Optimization and access Pod-Club questions at:
https://ce.mayo.edu/content/mayo-clinic-human-optimization
Instagram: @MayoHumanOptimization
YouTube: On Human Optimization - YouTube
Email: optimize@mayo.edu
Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails: links.e.response.mayoclinic.org/MCPressAFSignup
Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books: mcpress.mayoclinic.org/podcasts/?utm_campaign=agingforward&utm_medium=link&utm_source=podcast
Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu
0:00 Why you should be the CEO of your health
1:52 What it means to take ownership of your health
4:57 What you can and can’t control about your health
9:18 How much health data do you really need?
13:44 Why quick fixes don’t replace the basics
15:14 Finding your motivation and building healthy habits
16:55 Why hustle culture can work against your health
19:00 Making time for intentional self-care
21:13 What taking ownership of your health looks like
23:13 How to assess your current health
25:15 The mindset shifts that help create lasting change
26:31 Building routines and habits that stick
28:17 Building your personal health team
30:00 Key takeaways for becoming the CEO of your health
33:37 The future of medicine and healthy aging
35:08 Your health ownership challenge
Everyone knows that our health is fundamental to our whole experience of life. So why does it always seem like it’s the first thing to get deprioritized when life gets busy? And when we do try to make it a priority, why does it feel like our efforts don’t lead to meaningful change?
This episode, we’re joined by Dr. Darshan Shah. He’s a surgeon, author, entrepreneur, and host of his own podcast, Extend. And he’s here to help us learn to take control of our health, form healthy habits, and increase our health span.
The three big questions we discuss with Dr. Shah are:
1. How much of our health is shaped by our own actions, mindset, and decisions?
2. Why do so many of us fail to take ownership of our health, and what beliefs or habits are keeping us stuck?
3. What practical steps can we take to assume more ownership of our health and start making better decisions?
Learn more about On Human Optimization and access Pod-Club questions at:
https://ce.mayo.edu/content/mayo-clinic-human-optimization
Instagram: @MayoHumanOptimization
YouTube: On Human Optimization - YouTube
Email: optimize@mayo.edu
Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails: links.e.response.mayoclinic.org/MCPressAFSignup
Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books: mcpress.mayoclinic.org/podcasts/?utm_campaign=agingforward&utm_medium=link&utm_source=podcast
Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu
0:00 Why you should be the CEO of your health
1:52 What it means to take ownership of your health
4:57 What you can and can’t control about your health
9:18 How much health data do you really need?
13:44 Why quick fixes don’t replace the basics
15:14 Finding your motivation and building healthy habits
16:55 Why hustle culture can work against your health
19:00 Making time for intentional self-care
21:13 What taking ownership of your health looks like
23:13 How to assess your current health
25:15 The mindset shifts that help create lasting change
26:31 Building routines and habits that stick
28:17 Building your personal health team
30:00 Key takeaways for becoming the CEO of your health
33:37 The future of medicine and healthy aging
35:08 Your health ownership challenge
