In this season two finale of the Reaching Higher Podcast, host Aaron Strout explores myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), POTS, and long COVID through two powerful conversations.

First, patient advocate Shannon Riley shares how a 2012 viral infection led to fourteen years of illness, repeated misdiagnosis, and seven years of near-total isolation—until low-dose tirzepatide, a GLP-1 medication, sparked a partial recovery. Then Dr. David Putrino, PhD—Nash Family Director of Mount Sinai’s Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness—explains why infection-associated chronic conditions like long COVID, ME/CFS, and chronic Lyme are more connected than they appear. Putrino breaks down medical dismissiveness, off-label treatments (GLP-1s, low-dose naltrexone, low-dose rapamycin), and emerging clinical trials, including mitochondrial transplant. Together, they offer hope, science, and practical guidance for patients still searching for answers.

This episode is essential listening for anyone navigating chronic illness, misdiagnosis, or the search for a knowledgeable doctor.

Key show links:

• Dr. David Putrino — Mount Sinai profile: https://profiles.icahn.mssm.edu/david-f-putrino
• Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness (CoRE): https://icahn.mssm.edu/research/cohen
• Patient-Led Research Collaborative (Long COVID treatment guide & registry): https://patientresearchcovid19.com
• ILADS — Lyme-literate provider search: https://www.ilads.org
• RTHM — virtual care for long COVID, ME/CFS, POTS & MCAS: https://www.rthm.com

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