Living with Long COVID (EP 92)

This conversation is for anyone who “never bounced back” after COVID and has been told it’s just stress, burnout, or all in their head. Dr. Zeest walks me through how a high-performing physician ended up collapsing in a hospital parking lot, what long COVID actually is, and why fatigue, brain fog, and “just not feeling like yourself” aren’t character flaws or laziness. We talk about the medical side, the emotional crash, and the identity free-fall of going from everyday superhero to someone who has to rest before and after a simple conversation. She also breaks down how she used her critical-care brain on herself: thinking in organ systems, prioritizing symptoms, and building a step-by-step approach when doctors didn’t have answers or treatments. We get into the grief, the guilt of stepping away from work and family roles, the hard conversations at home, and how she rebuilt a different version of her life that’s smaller on paper, but still meaningful, connected, and honest. Chapters: 00:15 Welcome to My Unhealthy Podcast 01:23 Life Before Long COVID 06:53 Entering the Long COVID Journey 07:15 Understanding Long COVID 12:07 The Impact of Long COVID Symptoms 18:56 The Shift from Doctor to Patient 21:15 Navigating the Confusion 30:08 The Emotional Toll of Long COVID 36:33 Myths and Misconceptions about Long COVID 38:49 Steps to Understanding Long COVID 42:51 Finding Joy Amidst Challenges 46:18 Closing Thoughts and Resources Guest: Dr. Zeest Khan Website: https://longcovidmd.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeest-khan-md-0361431b2 Substack: https://longcovidmd.substack.com People, Places and Events Mentioned U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): https://www.hhs.gov National Institutes of Health (NIH): https://www.nih.gov === MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE: Envato Elements Item Item Title: Healthy Eating Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/healthy-eating-VNN4M4P Author Username: CrazyTunes Licensee: Marvin Bee Registered Project Name: Unhealthy Podcast License Date: January 3rd, 2026 Item License Code: XPFS6HD54W === About the Unhealthy PodcastHosted by Marvin Bee (Uncle Marv), the Unhealthy Podcast dives into real conversations about health, wellness, and everyday habits that impact how we live, work, and age. From nutrition myths to stress management and tech-life balance, Uncle Marv brings humor, insight, and honesty to every episode.Visit our website: https://www.unhealthypodcast.com/ Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamunclemarvConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvinbee/Follow and Subscribe: Stay updated with new episodes every week on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. Join the conversation about real-life health, fitness, and personal growth from the lens of an everyday guy striving to be healthier.