35 - Redefining Healthy Aging with Dr. Golnosh Sharafsaleh, MD

Send us Fan Mail Introduction to Dr. Golnosh Sharafsaleh and the HEALTH Framework In this episode of the Wellness in Asheville Podcast, host Travis Richardson sits down with Dr. Golnosh Sharafsaleh, MD, known to her patients as Dr. G. She is a board-certified geriatrician and lifestyle medicine physician who owns Golden Oak Medicine, a concierge practice in Asheville, NC. Together they explore what it actually means to age well, long before symptoms show up. Dr. Golnosh shares the HEALTH framework she built from her dual training in geriatrics and lifestyle medicine, why the Transformation and Habits pieces trip up even her most motivated patients, and the story of a 74-year-old widower who went from 304 pounds and deep grief to walking, gardening, and getting a dog. They also discuss why only 13% of older Americans have access to a geriatrician, how she uses AI tools like ambient dictation and OpenEvidence in her own practice, and why she still tells patients that sunlight and community beat another pill. The conversation closes on her book, Life, Love and the In Between, written after losing her son, and why she believes medicine's real problem isn't a lack of treatments — it's a system built to treat sickness instead of protect health. Key Takeaways: The HEALTH framework (what matters, mindset, medical, mobility, energy, activity, longevity, transformation, habits) as a map for aging well Why Transformation and Habits are the hardest parts of the framework, and why self-reflection unlocks them A 74-year-old widower's two-year transformation from 304 pounds to a full, active life Only about 13% of older Americans have access to a geriatrician, and the U.S. needs 30,000 by 2029 How Dr. Golnosh uses AI tools like ambient dictation and OpenEvidence, and why patients bringing in ChatGPT printouts is now routine Blue zones data on social connection, including why tennis players outlive other athletes Writing Life, Love and the In Between after her son's death, and finding relevance again after loss Timestamps: 00:00 – 02:00 | Introduction: Meet Dr. Golnosh Sharafsaleh and Golden Oak Medicine 02:00 – 05:00 | What most people get wrong about aging 05:00 – 09:00 | The HEALTH framework, explained letter by letter 09:00 – 15:00 | Why Transformation and Habits are the hardest parts to live out 15:00 – 20:00 | Patient story: from 304 pounds and grief to a full life rebuilt 20:00 – 24:00 | Why connection matters more than any protocol 24:00 – 27:00 | The geriatrician shortage and why she built GeriAcademy.com 27:00 – 38:00 | AI in medicine: dictation, OpenEvidence, and ChatGPT printouts 38:00 – 45:00 | Wearables, AI gadgets, and why personal responsibility still comes first 45:00 – 53:00 | Blue zones, social connection, and the Relevance chapter of her book 53:00 – 59:00 | Moral injury in medicine and why she left the traditional system 59:00 – 1:00:44 | Where to find Dr. Golnosh: GeriAcademy, her book, and closing thoughts Episode Links: Golden Oak Medicine GeriAcademy Life, Love and the In Between (book) Dr. Golnosh on Instagram Brought to you by our sponsor, Auratherapy. The Wellness in Asheville podcast is produced by Be Well Asheville, your local news source covering health + wellness news + events in Asheville. Get the latest at bewellasheville.com or follow @bewellasheville.