Made for Health | Medical Gaslighting | Lyme | Chronic Infections | Metabolic Syndrome | Insulin Resistance | Mystery Illness

What if your weight struggles aren’t about willpower at all—but signs of deeper inflammation, toxins, or trauma your body’s been carrying? In this insightful minisode, Dr. Aaron Hartman examines the issue of medical gaslighting in obesity care—when a patient’s symptoms are automatically dismissed as a result of their weight. He challenges the oversimplified view of obesity as a purely lifestyle-re...

What if one child’s impossible diagnosis became the spark that transformed a father—and a physician—forever? In this moving and transformational episode, Dr. Aaron Hartman shares the extraordinary story behind his book UnCurable: From Hopeless Diagnosis to Defying All Odds. What began as a devastating medical journey with his daughter, Anna , who was born with severe neurological challenges, becam...

Could your chronic fatigue or slow metabolism actually trace back to struggling mitochondria—the tiny engines powering every cell in your body? In this episode, Dr. Aaron Hartman and Dr. Christian Jenski uncover the pivotal role of mitochondria —the body’s energy powerhouses—in maintaining metabolic health, longevity, and resilience. They explain how modern stressors like medications, environmenta...

Have you ever felt dismissed or unheard by your doctor—like your symptoms were “all in your head”? In this thought-provoking minisode, Dr. Aaron Hartman introduces the concept of medical gaslighting —a term describing when patients’ symptoms are dismissed, minimized, or misattributed by healthcare providers. Drawing from real cases and historical context, Dr. Hartman explores how this phenomenon p...

Could your blood sugar, hormones, and energy issues all trace back to one hidden culprit—mitochondrial dysfunction? In this episode, Dr. Aaron Hartman sits down with Dr. Christian Jenski to explore the deeper roots of metabolic syndrome , with a focus on diabetes, PCOS, fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, gout, and cognitive decline . Together, they discuss how mitochondrial dysfunction underlies m...

Could unexplained symptoms like fatigue, flushing, or gut issues actually be signs of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome—the hidden link behind chronic inflammation? In the final episode of our five-part Mystery Illnesses series, Dr. Aaron Hartman explores Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) — a complex and often misunderstood condition. He unpacks the science behind mast cells, their role in immunity...

Could metabolic syndrome be the hidden root behind everything from fatigue and weight gain to heart disease, brain fog, and even cancer? In this episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman sits down with Dr. Christian Jenski to explore metabolic syndrome from a functional medicine perspective. Together, they unpack how disruptions in energy production and metabolic balance underlie a wide range...

Could your chronic fatigue, anxiety, or dizziness actually be signs of an underlying autonomic imbalance like POTS? In this episode, the host unpacks the complex world of dysautonomia and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) —conditions that arise when the autonomic nervous system (ANS) stops functioning properly. Affecting heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and even emotional regu...

What if the key to healing chronic illness isn’t more medication—but finding doctors who truly listen and treat the root cause? In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of Made for Health , Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine features Denise Tarkington , a patient who shares her remarkable healing journey through cancer, POTS, and chronic illness . Denise opens up about the frustra...

Could your unexplained symptoms be signs of an autoimmune process your immune system started years before diagnosis? In this installment of the Mystery Illnesses series, Dr. Aaron Hartman explores the complex world of autoimmune diseases —a group of more than 120 conditions where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. He explains why autoimmune diseases are systemic, inflamma...

What if fixing your sleep was the single most powerful way to restore your energy, balance your hormones, and protect your long-term health? In this insightful episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman and Dr. Christian Jenski take a deep dive into one of the most overlooked foundations of well-being—sleep. They break down the science behind sleep initiation, maintenance, and efficiency, expl...

Could hidden mold in your home be the real cause behind brain fog, fatigue, and chronic illness that doctors can’t explain? In this mini-episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman shines a light on the serious health impacts of water-damaged buildings , with a focus on Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) caused by mold exposure. He explains how CIRS is often overlooked and frequently...

What if the real secret to better hormones, metabolism, and long-term health isn’t a supplement or diet—but simply getting enough sleep? In this episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman sits down with Dr. Christian Jenski to explore one of the most overlooked foundations of health and longevity: sleep. Drawing from personal and clinical experiences, they discuss the far-reaching impacts of s...

Could your unexplained fatigue, brain fog, or gut issues actually be signs of chronic Lyme disease that standard tests keep missing? In this mini-episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman explores the complex and often misunderstood world of chronic Lyme disease —a condition sometimes labeled a “mystery illness.” With symptoms ranging from joint pain and fatigue to brain fog and gut dysfuncti...

What if the real key to balancing your hormones isn’t just lab tests and prescriptions, but stress, sleep, gut health, and everyday choices? In this episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman welcomes back Dr. Christian Jenski for a practical and empowering discussion on hormone optimization through integrative strategies. Together, they explore how stress, sleep, detoxification, and gut healt...

Why are cancer rates rising among younger people—and what everyday choices can truly lower your risk? In this mini-episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman addresses the alarming trend of increasing cancer rates among younger people. Drawing on recent research, he explains how lifestyle factors—particularly alcohol, smoking, and processed food consumption —are major drivers of this rise. The...

What if balancing your hormones wasn’t about quick fixes, but about uncovering the root causes that shape your health? In this episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman and Dr. Christian Jenski —both functional medicine practitioners—explore the science and art of hormone optimization therapy through a truly holistic lens. They discuss the hormone hierarchy —starting with the HPA axis, thyroi...

What if the key to breaking free from chronic pain lies not just in advanced treatments, but in understanding how your gut, brain, and daily habits all work together? In this mini-episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman explores the complex world of chronic pain syndromes such as CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) and phantom limb pain. He explains how pain can become “centralized” in th...

Are you confused about the difference between hormone optimization and hormone replacement therapy—and what’s actually safe for your health? In this episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman is joined by Dr. Christian Jenski for a clarifying conversation on hormone health. Together, they unpack the often-confused concepts of hormone optimization and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) —and why...

Could the hidden sugars and processed foods on your plate be quietly fueling cancer, stroke, and obesity? In this mini-episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman explores the hidden dangers of added sugars and ultra-processed foods , connecting them to serious health risks like stroke, cancer, and obesity. He shares alarming statistics on rising cancer incidence worldwide, the quadrupling of o...

What if the way you breathe could reshape your health, calm your mind, and even help heal old trauma? In this episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman is joined by Sachin Patel , a renowned health coach and functional medicine practitioner, to explore the ancient practice and modern science of breathwork. Together, they dive into how intentional breathing transforms the body and mind—impacti...

In this mini-episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman explains how the typical Western diet —loaded with processed foods, sugar, chemicals, and unhealthy fats—damages the gut lining and disrupts the microbiome, especially after antibiotic use. He highlights how this diet not only drives inflammation and chronic disease risk, but also reduces the effectiveness of even advanced treatments like...

In this episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman is joined by Shelly Rose , a nutritionist and culinary instructor, for an inspiring discussion on the power of food as medicine and how transforming your kitchen can transform your health. Shelly shares her personal health journey and how it led her to reimagine cooking as a pathway to healing. She offers practical strategies for meal planning...

In this mini-episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman takes listeners on a deep dive into hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) —an increasingly popular treatment that’s drawing attention from doctors, athletes, and biohackers alike. From its early medical use to its cutting-edge applications today, Dr. Hartman explains how HBOT works, why it’s FDA-approved for certain conditions, and where emerg...

In this episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman sits down with Cody Wells , from Olive Oil Taproom–Midlothian, LLC, to uncover the fascinating world of olive oil—from ancient history to modern health science. Cody shares his unique journey from nursing to entrepreneurship, and why he’s passionate about helping people experience the richness and health benefits of authentic olive oil. Togeth...