The Dr. Hoeflinger Podcast

Dan Vinson climbed El Capitan, the 3,000-foot granite wall in Yosemite, in a single 31-hour push, including working across the wall in darkness at 3 a.m. He talks about what kept him going once turning back was no longer an option, the difference between fearlessness and courage, and why the scariest things are often the ones most worth doing.

Dan is the founder of Wild Gym. He walked on at Georgetown and got cut before earning a starting spot his senior year, spent five seasons as a wilderness ranger and wildland firefighter, and once did pull-ups hanging under a hot air balloon that set off 911 calls and went viral. He also shares why he stepped back from risky climbing to coach his daughter's softball team, what almost three weeks alone in the wilderness taught him, and how to start rucking without letting gear get in the way.

I'm proudly partnered with Wild Gym and you can get 20% off the ruck I use here: https://wildgym.com/hoeflinger

Follow Dan on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilddanvinson

Chapters

0:00 Intro

0:44 Walking on and getting cut at Georgetown

8:16 Building a gym out of logs and rocks

9:54 From wildland firefighter to founder

11:22 Pull-ups under a hot air balloon

15:32 Climbing El Capitan in 31 hours

20:33 Type two fun: why hard things are worth it

25:12 How we found Wild Gym

31:08 Why Dan designed his own ruck

36:03 Go outside, move your body, eat real food

41:19 Almost three weeks alone in the wilderness

46:00 Fatherhood and giving up risky climbing

54:12 Life without a phone signal

61:07 Kids, screens, and school Chromebooks

64:08 Creating vs. consuming

69:07 How to start rucking

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Check out all of my links: https://linktr.ee/doctorhoeflinger

** The information in this episode is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this episode is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. Opinions represented on this podcast are our own. **

Pediatrician Dr. Whitney Casares shares the advice from a therapist that changed how she makes decisions as a parent: turn one mirror in. She also explains why social media has made parenting harder, how the algorithm rewards fear, and what she lets slide as a doctor, author, and mom of two.

Dr. Casares is a board-certified pediatrician practicing in Portland, Oregon, and the founder of Modern Mommy Doc. She started out as a journalism major who dreamed of being the next Sanjay Gupta, then turned the Facebook posts she wrote for parents into books with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her newest book is Raising Body-Confident Kids.

Try Nuropod for 5% off with a 30 day money back guarantee 👉 https://nuropod.com/hoeflinger

Follow Dr. Whitney Casares
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmommydoc/
Website: https://modernmommydoc.com
Raising Body-Confident Kids: https://www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books

Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:35 From journalism to pediatrics
3:21 Why she wrote about body confidence
7:13 Why doctors belong on social media
9:14 How she handles doing it all
12:19 Why kids always want mom
16:34 How Modern Mommy Doc started
18:40 Writing without a filter
21:31 Authenticity over follower counts
25:53 How social media made parenting harder
26:54 A day in her life
32:19 Logging off at school pickup
40:56 Jealousy and why all ships rise
46:45 Her best advice: turn the mirrors in

Check out my free newsletter ▶ https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/

Check out My Book:
https://doctorhoeflinger.com/products/the-night-he-died-the-harsh-reality-of-teenage-drinking

Check out all of my links: https://linktr.ee/doctorhoeflinger

The Dr. Hoeflinger Podcast

** The information in this episode is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this episode is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. Opinions represented on this podcast are our own. **

Dr. Alex De Souza is a plastic surgeon and anatomy professor with over three decades of experience. He was already a fully trained in Brazil, but to practice in the U.S. he had to start over as a first-year surgery resident. So he ended up completing 14 years of residency in total.

In this episode, he explains why he's "not a magician," why he believes 80% of a surgical result depends on the patient, and why beauty is really health you can see. He also shares what flying a helicopter from California to Brazil taught him about preparation, and the five-step rule that took him from the Brazilian countryside to Miami.

Follow Dr. De Souza: https://www.instagram.com/dralexdesouzamd/
Website: https://mendietamd.com/dr-alex-de-souza-photo-upload/

Try Nuropod for 5% off with a 30 day money back guarantee 👉 https://nuropod.com/hoeflinger

Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:52 From Brazil to Miami
2:09 Doing residency twice
5:38 Relearning medicine in a new language
9:06 Flying helicopters
12:45 Why anatomy is a surgeon's GPS
14:11 The biggest misconception about plastic surgery
18:19 What a Brazilian butt lift actually is
20:23 Why 80% of results depend on the patient
21:44 Where plastic surgery is headed
27:20 Prevention, longevity, and Brian Johnson
32:15 Fathers, sons, and family in medicine
36:39 What AI means for all of us
40:01 A typical day and his five-step rule

Check out my free newsletter ▶ https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/

Check out My Book:
https://doctorhoeflinger.com/products/the-night-he-died-the-harsh-reality-of-teenage-drinking

Check out all of my links: https://linktr.ee/doctorhoeflinger

The Dr. Hoeflinger Podcast

** The information in this episode is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this episode is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. Opinions represented on this podcast are our own. **

Dr. Hoeflinger and his son Kevin are training for the Michigan Half Ironman. In this episode they break down what a 70.3 and shorter triathlon distances actually involve, how to handle the swim if open water makes you nervous, how to fuel so the run doesn't fall apart, and why these challenges are worth doing at any age. Dr. Hoeflinger did his first triathlon at 52 while working full time in neurosurgery.

Try Nuropod for 5% off with a 30 day money back guarantee 👉 https://nuropod.com/hoeflinger

Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:44 What a 70.3 and a full Ironman actually are
5:00 Why do something this hard
8:40 Swim strategy for open water
11:40 Transitions and race day prep
13:07 Fueling, hydration, and pacing
22:05 Crossing the finish line
24:20 You don't need the expensive gear
26:23 Training as a full-time neurosurgeon
30:42 Start with a sprint

Check out my free newsletter ▶ https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/

Check out My Book:
https://doctorhoeflinger.com/products/the-night-he-died-the-harsh-reality-of-teenage-drinking

Check out all of my links: https://linktr.ee/doctorhoeflinger

The Dr. Hoeflinger Podcast

** The information in this episode is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this episode is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. Opinions represented on this podcast are our own. **

Try Nuropod for 5% off with a 30 day money back guarantee 👉 https://nuropod.com/hoeflinger

Nicotine reaches your brain in 10 to 15 seconds, and that speed is most of the reason it's so hard to quit.

Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a board-certified neurosurgeon, and his son Kevin get into what nicotine actually does in the brain, why the body builds more receptors the more you use, and why that makes tolerance and withdrawal close to inevitable. They also talk through what's in vape aerosol beyond the flavoring, why the routine around smoking can be as hard to break as the chemical dependency, and why willpower alone has such a poor track record compared to quitting with support. Dr. Hoeflinger shares what smoking did in his own family, including the difference between his father, who never quit, and his father's brother, who did.

Resources if you're trying to quit:

1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), free national quitline that routes to your state program

http://smokefree.gov, quit plans and tools from the National Cancer Institute

Text DITCHVAPE to 88709, free text support built specifically for quitting vaping

http://lung.org/quit-smoking, American Lung Association Freedom From Smoking

Check out my free newsletter ▶ https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/

Check out My Book:
https://doctorhoeflinger.com/products/the-night-he-died-the-harsh-reality-of-teenage-drinking

Check out all of my links: https://linktr.ee/doctorhoeflinger

The Dr. Hoeflinger Podcast

** The information in this episode is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this episode is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. Opinions represented on this podcast are our own. **

Try Nuropod for 5% off with a 30 day money back guarantee 👉 http://nuropod.com/hoeflinger

Most of us spend a third of our lives asleep with no idea what's actually happening. This episode walks through all four stages of sleep, what the brain is doing in each one, and why the order matters. How light hitting the back of your eye starts the whole process, why stage two works like a librarian shelving the day's memories, what gets repaired during deep sleep, and why your body paralyzes itself while you dream.

Then the practical side. Why so many people wake up around 2 AM, what alcohol and late caffeine actually do to sleep quality, whether you can train yourself to need less sleep, and why being consistent beats trying to optimize everything.

Dr. Jeremy Alland is the head primary care team physician for the Chicago Bulls and also works with the White Sox and Chicago Fire, but he never planned on being a doctor at all. He was doing lab research in college and assumed he'd end up in pharmaceuticals, until he realized he got his energy from people instead of petri dishes. He talks about finding non-operative sports medicine almost by accident, and the six years he spent with the G League's Windy City Bulls before getting called up to the NBA.

In this episode, we discuss what caring for professional athletes actually looks like day to day, where regenerative medicine and PRP really stand right now, why strength training is the most effective thing in all of orthopedics, and what's happened to youth sports over the past twenty years.

Check out Dr. Alland on social media 👉 https://www.instagram.com/jeremyallandmd

Try Nuropod for 5% off with a 30 day money back guarantee 👉 http://nuropod.com/hoeflinger

Check out Dr. Qureshi on social media 👉 https://www.instagram.com/furhanqureshimd/

Dr. Furhan Qureshi is a board-certified internist, U.S. Air Force reservist, and one of the early pioneers of telehealth medicine. In this episode, he and Dr. Hoeflinger get into what's really pushing doctors out of medicine, how the business side of healthcare is changing what it means to be a doctor, and what it was actually like treating COVID patients on the front lines while the rest of the world stayed home.

Try Nuropod for 5% off with a 30 day money back guarantee 👉 http://nuropod.com/hoeflinger

Check out Dr. Jagannathan on social media 👉 https://mi-neurosurgery.com

Dr. Jay Jagannathan was an electrical engineering student with no doctors in his family when he decided he was going to become a neurosurgeon. Today he runs a multi-location private practice in Michigan and has built one of the larger neurosurgery presences on social media.

In this episode, two neurosurgeons get candid about the path into the field, what private practice actually looks like, AI’s role in the OR, and whether surgery is a young person’s game.

Check out Dr. Yanagawa on social media 👉 https://linktr.ee/dryanagawa

Dr. Bobby Yanagawa was rejected from medical school twice. He almost didn't take his own father to the hospital during a heart attack when he was younger. Today he's a cardiac surgeon, Division Head at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, and he thinks about his surgical failures and how he can improve every single day.

In this episode, Dr. Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger talk with Dr. Bobby Yanagawa about what it really takes to become a heart surgeon: the training, the pressure, the losses, and the warning signs of heart disease most people completely ignore.

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Check out Dr. Tran on social media 👉 @Alimentaryschool

Link to our free webinar event on Navigating Difficult Conversations in Medicine: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DQmaM49f4/

Dr. Paul Tran is a pediatric gastroenterologist, father of three, and a thoughtful voice in medical education. In this conversation, Paul opens up about a defining moment during his first year of fellowship that changed how he views medical training, mentorship, and what it really means to treat someone as a colleague.

We talk about how he explains scary procedures to kids, why medical training can be dehumanizing in a field built on human health, his decision to go part-time clinical to tour medical schools across the country with his family, and the mindset shift he thinks can make a major difference for anyone.

Subscribe to my free newsletter for practical insights on health, medicine, and living well ▶ https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/

Subscribe to my free newsletter for practical insights on health, medicine, and living well ▶ https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/

Back pain is incredibly common, and it can be scary when you don’t know what’s causing it or what to do next. If you’re dealing with back pain right now, you may be wondering what it means, what you should do first, and whether you need imaging, treatment, or surgery.

In this episode, Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a board-certified neurosurgeon, and his son Kevin break down back pain in clear, plain language. They discuss the most common causes of back pain, how to tell when symptoms are more serious, what actually helps early on, and when it’s time to seek medical care, all with the goal of reducing fear and helping you make informed decisions.

Residency is one of the most challenging, and defining, stages of becoming a doctor. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kamran Tate, a second-year internal medicine resident, to hear what life is really like on the frontlines of medicine. From the steep learning curve of day one to balancing 12-hour shifts, navigating the ICU, and relying on the wisdom of nurses and mentors, Dr. Tate shares the unfiltered reality behind the white coat. We also dive into the mindset it takes to survive residency , from stoicism and mindfulness to finding humor in the chaos. Dr. Tate opens up about social media as a creative outlet, the misconceptions people have about doctors, and how medicine has shaped his outlook on life. Whether you’re a medical student, considering healthcare, or just curious about the human side of medicine, this conversation offers insight, honesty, and inspiration.

Check out Dr. Tate on social media: https://linktr.ee/Doctor_Kam

Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger explore the science and practice of rucking, walking with added weight, as a joint-friendly way to boost cardiovascular health, build strength, and increase resilience. They share how rucking compares to running and walking, practical steps to get started safely, and the surprising benefits for muscle, mood, and longevity. This episode provides actionable strategies for making walking and rucking part of a sustainable fitness routine at any age. Check out my free newsletter

https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/ Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 26 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon. Check out all of my links: https://linktr.ee/doctorhoeflinger Opinions represented on this channel are my own, and do not reflect those of my employer. Nothing posted on this channel is medical advice.

In this episode, we spoke with Dr. Zain Hasan, a board-certified anesthesiologist, husband, father, and rising medical voice on social media, for an honest conversation about what life is really like behind the curtain of modern medicine. Dr. Hasan opens up about the realities of anesthesiology, how he navigates raising a family with a wife who is also in medicine, and the pressures of being calm and decisive when seconds can mean life or death.

We also dive into the hidden toll medicine can take, why more physicians are speaking out online, and how Dr. Hasan reclaimed his own health, losing 50 pounds and rethinking everything from food to fitness. This episode is a look into the human side of medicine: the tradeoffs, the purpose, and the people behind the scrubs.

Check out Dr. Hasan's social channels 👉 https://linktr.ee/doctarz

Check out My Free Newsletter: https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/

Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon.

Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger.

All Dr. Hoeflinger's links
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Kevin Hoeflinger's links
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Contact Us
brian.hoeflinger1@gmail.com

Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

Check out Anne-Laure's book "Tiny Experiments" 👉 https://nesslabs.com/book

When a health scare forced Anne-Laure Le Cunff to confront her overworked life at Google, everything changed. In this episode, she shares the powerful moment that led her to walk away from her “dream job” and begin rethinking success through tiny experiments, intentional imperfection, and curiosity-driven living.

In this episode, we explore how to break free from burnout, overcome perfectionism, and stop waiting for the “perfect plan” to start living differently. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a job, unsure of your next move, or afraid to take the first step toward something new, this conversation might just change how you see your life.

Anne-Laure's website: https://nesslabs.com/

Check out My Free Newsletter: https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/

Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon.

Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger.

All Dr. Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger

Kevin Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger

Contact Us
brian.hoeflinger1@gmail.com

Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

In this episode, we’re joined by Andy Nguyen, MD, a PGY1 anesthesiology resident at Yale and YouTube creator (ND MD - Dr. Nguyen's YouTube channel)

Dr. Nguyen shares his journey from medical school to residency, offering insights into the structure of his intern year and the emotional and professional challenges that come with it. We also discuss how he uses photography, videography, and storytelling as a creative outlet and to share the stories of others.

We reflect on medical specialty selection, the weight of responsibility in medicine, and the importance of long-term vision. Other topics discussed include, the role of social media in medicine, the delicate balance between professionalism and personal expression, the increased competitiveness of medical school and residency, and much more!

Whether you're a future physician or simply curious about the modern medical journey, this episode offers honest, thoughtful reflections on what it means to grow, as both a doctor and a person, in today’s digital age.

Check out My Free Newsletter: https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/

Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon.

Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger.

All Dr. Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger

Kevin Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger

Contact Us
brian.hoeflinger1@gmail.com

Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

A&P Professor's Course 👉 https://anpprofessor.com/vip-access

Tim Reynolds, known online as A&P Professor, breaks down how he makes complex topics simple, engaging, and fun. From teaching hundreds of students at Ithaca College to building a massive online following with viral quizzes and short-form content, Tim shares the importance of meeting students where they are, leveraging platforms like TikTok and Instagram to create low-barrier learning opportunities, and staying true to his mission as an educator.

We also dive into his passion for hiking and mountaineering, including Tim's story about summiting Mount Rainier and the lessons it taught him about life, risk, and growth.

A&P Professor's social links: https://linktr.ee/anp_professor

Check out My Free Newsletter: https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/

Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon.

Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger.

All Dr. Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger

Kevin Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger

Contact Us
brian.hoeflinger1@gmail.com

Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

Dr. Ramsey's New Book 👉 Healing the Modern Brain

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Drew Ramsey, a board-certified psychiatrist, psychotherapist, author, and leading voice in nutritional psychiatry, to explore the connection between mental health, food, and lifestyle.

Dr. Ramsey shares insights from his upcoming book, Healing the Modern Brain, including the core tenets of better mental health, the role of diet in mental well-being, and the evolving conversation around male mental health. We also discuss the overuse and misconceptions of psychiatric medications, the stigma around mental health treatment, and practical strategies to build mental fitness.

Healing the Modern Brain releases on March 25 - Click here to preorder!

Check out My Free Newsletter: https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/

Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon.

Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger.

All Dr. Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger

Kevin Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger

Contact Us
brian.hoeflinger1@gmail.com

Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!

Visit https://madd.org/ to learn more and get involved.

In this episode, we are joined by Stacey Stewart, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), to discuss the ongoing fight to end impaired driving. With over 13,000 lives lost each year due to drunk driving, this issue remains a national crisis and one that is deeply personal for our family.

Stacey shares her journey from leading major organizations like United Way and March of Dimes to taking the helm at MADD, her mission to revitalize awareness, and the challenges we still face in preventing impaired driving. We also discuss why drunk driving fatalities are still rising despite the availability of rideshare services, the role of policy advocacy and new technology in preventing crashes, MADD’s efforts to change the conversation through partnerships with sports and industry leaders, and how each of us can take action to make our roads safer.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to be part of the solution. Visit https://madd.org/ to learn more and get involved.

Check out My Free Newsletter: https://pages.doctorhoeflinger.com/

Each week, I simplify the world of health, medicine, and fitness using my 25 years of experience as a board-certified neurosurgeon.

Tune in every week for new episodes of The Hoeflinger Podcast with Dr. Brian Hoeflinger and Kevin Hoeflinger.

All Dr. Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Dr. Hoeflinger

Kevin Hoeflinger's links
Click here for all links for Kevin Hoeflinger

Contact Us
brian.hoeflinger1@gmail.com

Thank you all for watching and listening to our content and we hope you continue to follow along on our journey!