Relationships & Human Interaction: Healthy relationships are crucial to maintain mental and physical health. Those who spend more time by themselves or have fewer positive relationships may potentially have increased inflammation, increased chronic illness and may live shorter lives. You don’t need a ton of friends, just the right ones!
The term Blue Zones has been used to describe places where people live long and healthy lives. What exactly does it take to live a long and healthy life? What is the science and the secret behind longevity and life extension? In this series, we are talking to medical experts, wellness experts, and longevity experts to share “5 Things You Need To Live A Long, Healthy, & Happy Life”. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dr Neil Paulvin.
Dr. Paulvin has certifications in Family Medicine, Osteopathic Manipulation, and Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. His practice in Manhattan combines traditional and alternative medicine to help patients live a healthy lifestyle and perform at their best. He specializes in Peptide Therapy, Sports Medicine, Mitochondrial Health, Bioidentical Hormone therapy, Longevity Medicine, and the brain-gut connection. As a leading expert in biohacking and human optimization, Dr. Paulvin is recognized for his exceptional work applying a hyper-personal approach to help his patients, including Fortune 500 executives, Olympic athletes, and A-list celebrities, optimize their health, perform better under pressure, recover faster and move beyond the baseline.
Thank you so much for joining us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’?
I have been working as a doctor for 20 years now. I started off as a Family Medicine doctor. I had always been interested in alternative medicine and personally suffered from headaches for years, but I mainly took the traditional approach. At first, I was treating patients with traditional means but we weren’t seeing optimal results. Eventually, I started incorporating alternative procedures, like acupuncture, and began to see significant improvement. I spent a lot of time doing research on alternative medicine and opened my private practice in Manhattan in 2016. Today, my business is growing thanks to my loyal patients and word of mouth. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the biggest names in the music & TV industry as well as athletes. I recently opened a new practice in Manhattan with another doctor. Together we are offering more advanced IVs, stem cell procedures and Ketamine.
Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?
When I first opened my practice back in 2016, I helped a woman who suffered from brain fog. She had been to multiple traditional doctors and was struggling to do simple, everyday tasks due to her brain fog. The first thing I did with her was run lab tests. After multiple lifestyle and diet changes, and rounds of lab tests, we eventually found that the brain fog was due to her poor gut health and had led to brain inflammation. Once we addressed her gut issues, her brain fog completely vanished. I’ll always remember her telling me, “I feel like I finally got my life back”. Seeing her life-altering transformation was very inspiring for me and motivated me to continue researching, learning, and helping other people with the combination of traditional and alternative medicine.
Is there a particular person who you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Bob Troya, AKA Quantified Bob, has had a big impact on my life. He had one of the first health optimization blogs 10 years ago so I connected with him when I began incorporating alternative medicine practices. Reading his work was fascinating to me and over the years, he’s become a close friend of mine.
Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Passion — I am very passionate about discovering the root cause of people’s health concerns. For instance, it took multiple approaches to finally help the woman with brain fog. If I would have stopped after the first round of tests, she would still suffer from brain fog today.
Ambition — I had severe headaches for most of my adulthood. I had seen multiple doctors and they weren’t able to help me through traditional means. Once I started incorporating alternative treatments, I was fully cured. With the help of acupuncture, breathwork, and biofeedback, I was able to get my life back.
Having a good understanding — I see patients who are dealing with health issues that I personally experienced at one point in my life. Many of them have seen 7+ doctors and have been told they are crazy. Having navigated my own health journey helps me understand and empathize with my patients, and drives me to keep researching new treatments until we find a cure.
Can you share with our readers a bit about why you are an authority in the fields of health, wellness, and longevity? In your opinion, what is your unique contribution to the world of wellness?
My experience and constant education make me an authority in the health and wellness space. I have been a doctor for 20 years now. I combine the newest in longevity research with an integrative approach using my family medicine background. My diverse experiences in the medical field have prepared me to help patients holistically and discover the root cause of their health concerns. Furthermore, I am constantly researching new studies and continuing my education to further help my patients.
Seekers throughout history have traveled great distances and embarked on mythical quests in search of the “elixir of life,” a mythical potion said to cure all diseases and give eternal youth. Has your search for health, vitality, and longevity taken you on any interesting paths or journeys?
Definitely. I went from a traditional approach to implementing holistic techniques like meditation and manifestation. I wouldn’t be able to help my patients if I didn’t try these alternative practices myself. With that said, I’ve been on a number of journeys that have helped shape me into the doctor and human I am today. I started meditating 4 or 5 years ago, and it opened my eyes to a different world. Ten years ago, I would have never thought I would be meditating, manifesting, and practicing breathwork, but it truly is a life altering experience.
Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 Things You Need To Live A Long & Healthy Life”? (Please share a story or an example for each)
Sleep: Good sleep is key to a healthy life. Essentially, sleep is how the body heals. Healthy sleep (7–8 hours per night) helps memory improve, testosterone levels, cognitive function and energy levels.
Exercise: Exercise helps maintain healthy cardiovascular systems and overall health. Physical movement is extremely important to reduce stress levels, improve your immune system, and increase and maintain strength.
Good mitochondria: Good mitochondria is the battery of the cell. In short, it helps produce energy. Poor mitochondria can lead to brain fog, poor workouts, and chronic illness. You can take care of your mitochondria by avoiding toxins, making sure you exercise, doing a detox, and cold immersion.
Stress Reduction: Abnormal stress can alter all parts of the body. It can lead to poor sleep, inflammation, joint pain, gut issues, and even damage to your cells. It’s important to find a healthy outlet to help manage your stress, whether it be going for a walk, working out, meditating or breathwork.
Relationships & Human Interaction: Healthy relationships are crucial to maintain mental and physical health. Those who spend more time by themselves or have fewer positive relationships may potentially have increased inflammation, increased chronic illness and may live shorter lives. You don’t need a ton of friends, just the right ones!
Can you suggest a few things needed to live a life filled with happiness, joy, and meaning?
Breathe, sleep and believe. Breathing techniques help us be present and grounded. Breathwork helps the body focus and maintain continuity. Sleep helps with everything from mental wellbeing to productivity throughout the day. It helps the body relax and think clearly. Finally, positivity and manifestation helps bring joy and meaning to life.
Some argue that longevity is genetic, while others say that living a long life is simply a choice. What are your thoughts on this nature vs. nurture debate? Which is more important?
10% is genetic, the other 90% is choice. Actually, most of life is a consequence of the choices we make. Implementing healthy lifestyle practices, building relationships, getting enough sleep — those are all choices we have the power to make to live a long, happy life.
Life sometimes takes us on paths that are challenging. How have you managed to bounce back from setbacks in order to cultivate physical, mental, and emotional health?
Yoga has been key to finding my zero point to bounce off of. It has helped me with most of my challenges, both physical and mental. For instance, I previously shared that I experienced headaches for years.. Yoga and breathwork helped me get through that pain, compartmentalize and start to enjoy life again. It’s also helped me foster relationships with like-minded people, be more present, and develop new healthy habits.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” I have used this to get through numerous situations and low points throughout my life. Life always brings challenges, but we have the choice to use those moments as a lesson, grow from them, and push through to come out the other side, as a better version of ourselves.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I would help set a solid foundation for overall health. Teaching people the solid foundation of good sleep, exercise, stress reduction, and building close relationships is the key to a long, healthy life. If everybody applied these tools, it would translate into nicer, healthier people across the globe.
What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?
You can learn more about my practice at DoctorPaulvin.com. You can also check out my Youtube channel at @neilpaulvin4508, Instagram at @drpaulvin, and podcast, Life Optimized, where I share longevity tips and tricks on a weekly basis.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.