

Medicine Redefined
Darsh Shah, DO and Altamash Raja, DO
Medicine Redefined challenges outdated conventions by elevating conversations around what health truly means. Hosts Dr. Darsh Shah and Dr. Altamash Raja spotlight clinicians, scientists, thought leaders, and reformers who are reshaping how we think about physical, mental, metabolic, and systemic health. While the healthcare system focuses on treating disease, our guests focus on optimizing human potential. From sleep and nutrition to stress resilience and lifestyle medicine, discover how forward-thinking practitioners are putting the health back in healthcare.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 24, 2021 • 1h 39min
14. Gerard Malanga, MD: "Regenerative Medicine" 101
Gerard Malanga, MD is triple board-certified in sports medicine, pain medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. He completed his undergraduate degree in Biology at Villanova and medical training at New Jersey Medical school. He went on to complete a PM&R residency at Rutgers University followed by a sports medicine fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Malanga has authored several textbooks and countless articles. He is considered a thought leader in the field of sports medicine, musculoskeletal medicine, and orthobiologics, serving as the past president of the Interventional Orthopedics Foundation.
In this show we discuss:
Terminology and why "regenerative medicine" may be misleading
When orthobiologics may be appropriate in the treatment paradigm
The different types of treatments (prolotherapy, PRP, "stem cells")
What evidence-based medicine actually means
DataBiologics and the future of this field
Jeremy Magalon, Ph.D. highlighting that not all PRP is created equal:
Characterization and comparison of 5 platelet-rich plasma preparations in a single-donor model (PMID 24725317)
Technical and biological review of authorized medical devices for platelet-rich plasma preparation in the field of regenerative medicine (PMID 33155867)
Dr. Malanga's practices: New Jersey Regenerative Institute (https://www.njregenerativeinstitute.com/) and New Jersey Sports Medicine
Dr. Malanga's podcast: Malanga Talks (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/malanga-talks/id1540893635)
Larry Keller for disability and life insurance

May 17, 2021 • 1h 16min
13. Giselle Aerni, MD - Part II of II: Strength Training for Females, Perinatal Exercise & REDS
We are back with Dr. Aerni for a powerful part 2! Make sure to check out Part 1 for more inspiration!
What we discuss:
- Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDS), previously known as Female Athlete Triad
- Strength training for women and training during various phases of the menstrual cycle
- Barriers to exercise, social disparities, and solutions to make it a staple in our routine
- Exercise during pregnancy
- Dr. Aerni's latest courses and masterclass for young female physicians
Exercise Prescriptions for Medical Conditions via Exercise is Medicine and ACSM
The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance (PMID: 32661839)
Effect of oral contraceptives on body composition, aerobic and anaerobic capacities of female athletes (PMID: 33336549)
Dr. Aerni's New Masterclass: "Crush Your Imposter Syndrome"
Website: Madam Athlete
Podcast on Apple
Instagram: @themadamathlete

May 10, 2021 • 54min
12. Giselle Aerni, MD - Part I of II: Gender Disparities in Sports and Medicine
In this episode, Dr. Giselle Aerni joins Altamash and Darsh to share her experience in the male-dominant field of sports medicine.
We discuss:
Dr. Aerni's background and time winning national championships
The indefensible treatment of female athletes by the NCAA
Challenges faced by women in medicine
Male advocates for women colleagues
The role of financial security providing freedom
Paving the way to a brighter future for female physicians
Dr. Aerni's New Masterclass: "Crush Your Imposter Syndrome"
Website: Madam Athlete
Podcast on Apple
Instagram: @themadamathlete

May 3, 2021 • 33min
Lessons Learned: Diwesh Poudyal, CSCS
In this episode, Altamash and Darsh discuss the lessons they learned from recent guest Diwesh Poudyal.
They specifically talk about:
Establishing a rapport with client/patient to improve outcomes
Efficiently building a warm-up
Adapting to stress with specific exercises
Training modifications with limited equipment
Harmful effects of training myths

Apr 26, 2021 • 1h 31min
11. Diwesh Poudyal, CSCS: Exercise Testing and Prescription
Diwesh Poudyal, strength and conditioning coach at Champion Physical Therapy and Performance in Massachusetts joins us to discuss exercise programming, assessing functional needs and wants, the roles of warm-up and cool-down, how to build aerobic capacity, and last but not least - figuring out fitness during COVID!
Instagram - @diweshpoudyal @championptp

Apr 19, 2021 • 24min
Lesson Learned: Dan Pope, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Darsh and Altamash discuss their key takeaways from their talk with Dan Pope.
Doc2Doc Lending

Apr 12, 2021 • 47min
10. Dan Pope, DPT, OCS, CSCS - Building Resiliency Through Rehab
Dan Pope, PT, CSCS, joined us to discuss the topic of pain-free fitness. He is a physical therapist and coach at Champion PT in Massachusetts who works with the average Joe all the way to the elite athlete. Some topics we discuss are building relationships in healthcare, optimizing training when injured, augmenting the healing process, and how to build resilience after injury!
Fitness Pain Free Website
Ask Mike Reinold Show
Instagram - @fitnesspainfree
Twitter - @FitnessPainFree

Apr 5, 2021 • 27min
Lessons Learned: Jenifer Tharani, MS
Darsh and Altamash break down their episode with Jenifer Tharani and discuss the lessons they learned.
Chronic MSK Pain and Nutrition article
Sponsor - MR Insurance

Mar 29, 2021 • 1h 2min
9. Jenifer Tharani, MS: The Role of Nutrition in Chronic Pain and Autoimmunity
Jenifer Tharani has completed a master’s in human nutrition from Texas State University and training in dietetics from Emory University Hospital. She is a member of College of Dietitians of Ontario and registered with the Commission of Dietetic Registration. Jenifer believes that eating healthy does not have to be boring, time-consuming, or expensive. Jenifer’s mantra is “Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Man to Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime” and so she gives you a nutrition toolbox to help manage your health condition or live a healthy and good quality life, whatever your goal may be.
Jenifer Tharani, MS
Instagram: @chronicpain.nutritionist
Clubhouse: @autoimmune.rd
Free Facebook Community: Nourish to Flourish Anti-inflammatory Nutrition & Lifestyle Community
Sponsor - MR Insurance

Mar 22, 2021 • 40min
Lessons Learned: Patrick Finan, PhD
In this episode, Altamash and Darsh discuss the key takeaways from their conversation with Dr. Patrick Finan regarding pain and sleep.