Meet Melinda Silva, MD | Longevity Specialist Dr Melinda Silva

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melinda Silva, MD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melinda, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My decision to start my own business was born from both personal transformation and professional conviction. From 1998 to 2010, I served as a physician leader at Kaiser Permanente, where I was honored to provide care within one of the largest and most respected healthcare systems. But when I personally faced the challenges of perimenopause, I was shocked to find that the very system I had served offered me no real solutions. I felt dismissed, and the conventional treatments failed to restore my well-being.

That turning point led me to explore functional and integrative medicine, where I discovered the life-changing benefits of plant-based bioidentical hormone therapies. As I reclaimed my health, I also encountered deep-rooted bias and misinformation in mainstream medicine—particularly the outdated belief that hormones cause cancer. In reality, the evidence shows that appropriate hormone therapy decreases all-cause mortality and even reduces breast cancer risk in many patients.

I knew how to care for people, but I didn’t know how to run a business. I had to learn from the ground up—with grit, resilience, and a firm belief that doing things the right way is more important than doing them the easy way. There was no turning back. My journey back to health reignited my purpose, and my mission became clear: to empower patients—especially women—to live vibrant, fulfilled lives by addressing the root causes of their symptoms and restoring balance from within. Starting my own practice wasn’t just a career shift; it was a calling.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been treating menopause for over 15 years—long before it was a trend or a topic of mainstream discussion. At a time when many physicians were misled by outdated studies and fearful of hormone therapy, I chose to follow the evidence and my own lived experience. I had to stand firmly in my truth, often facing criticism and professional isolation, because I believed my patients deserved better. They deserved options. They deserved to feel like themselves again. And they deserved a physician who was willing to challenge the narrative to help them heal.

What sets my work apart is that I don’t just treat symptoms—I listen, I investigate, and I get to the root cause. My practice is compassion-centered, and everything I offer is grounded in integrity, results, and a sincere desire to help my patients live their best lives.

When I lost my father, the grief pushed me to search for strength—not just emotional, but physical. I began strength training in my 50s, something I had never done before. And in the process, I discovered a power within me I didn’t know existed. Through dedication, discipline, and the very wellness protocols I offer my patients, I went on to compete in bikini fitness competitions and won more than 12 titles, including first place in Bikini Fitness and Sports Model.

It wasn’t easy. I had to balance motherhood, a full-time medical practice, deep personal grief, and a total transformation of my own body and mindset. But I emerged stronger—mentally, emotionally, and physically.

The lesson? You are never too old, too broken, or too far gone to become the strongest version of yourself.

I want the world to know that my brand and my story are built on real-life transformation—mine and my patients’. Silva MD Anti-Aging & Wellness is more than a clinic—it’s a place where science, compassion, and possibility meet. And I’m living proof that when your hormones are in balance, and your purpose is clear, anything is possible.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1 – Arrival & Coronado Charm
Morning: Take the ferry from downtown over to Coronado, then rent bikes and explore the scenic coastal path toward the Ferry Landing
.
Lunch: Enjoy fresh seafood at Peohe’s—bayfront dining and breezy cocktails

Afternoon: Stroll through the historic Hotel del Coronado grounds and grab gelato at Nado Gelato, nestled in the charming garden

Dinner: Dine at Nobu inside the Hotel Del—upscale sushi with ocean view

.

Day 2 Coronado & Sunset
Breakfast: Try Little Frenchie for Parisian-style brunch fare
.
Daytime: Build in-tide and ride paddle boards or kayaks. Follow with a wellness pause—catch a beachfront yoga session
.
Dinner: Sip seaside cocktails at the Del’s Sun Deck followed by sunset from Coronado Beach.

Day 3 – Downtown & Harbour
Morning: Return by ferry, then grab coffee and pastries at Morning Glory before exploring downtown San Diego.

Lunch: Visit Little Italy—Civico 1845 serves bright, plant-forward Italian fare. Walk along the picturesque piers.

Afternoon: Book a sunset cruise around San Diego Bay for sweeping skyline views.

Dinner: Try Born & Raised in Little Italy

Day 4 – Transition to Pacific Beach
Morning: Arrive in PB and set up at a beachfront hotel like Tower23 or Pacific Terrace

Brunch: Seek out Kono’s Café for hearty morning fare

Afternoon: Walk, bike, or rollerblade along the Ocean Front Walk; surf lessons or bike rentals abound

Dinner: Dine at Pacific Beach Fish Shop for fresh seafood and an easygoing vibe
.
Day 5 – Beach Life in PB
Breakfast: Grab a coffee and croissant from La Clochette du Coin
.

Morning: Head north to Tourmaline Surf Park to watch or try surfing

Lunch: Bite-size highlight: fish tacos at La Playa Taco Shop

Afternoon: Chill at Kate Sessions Park or Zen out with more yoga

.
Day 6 – PB Flavors & Nightlife
Brunch: Enjoy Milanese-style pizza at Ambrogio15

Afternoon: Relax by your hotel pool or take a spa day at Catamaran Resort nearby
.

Dinner & Drinks: Dinner at the Water Bar and watch the iconic PB sunset
axios.com
.
Evening: Join the lively after-dark energy along Garnet Avenue—casual bars with spirited, coastal Californian flair.

Day 7 – Farewell Beach Day
Morning: Sunrise stroll or yoga on the sand.

Brunch: Delicious apple fritter pancakes at Fig Tree Café or upscale breakfast at JRDN (Ocean‑front at Tower23)

Late Morning: Fishing off Crystal Pier or just enjoy the sun sinking the last rays into the Pacific
sandiego.org
.

Departure: Wrap up with an ocean-view farewell lunch or snack before heading home—or to your next adventure.

Favorite Spots with Peace & Fun by the Water
Hotel del Coronado & Sun Deck – iconic, rejuvenating.

Pacific Beach’s boardwalk & surf park – alive with community, creativity, movement.

Tourmaline Surf Park – a place where waves, surfers, and smiles come together.

Kate Sessions Park – gentle elevation, coastal breeze, calm moments, great picnic areas and sunsets

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If I had to dedicate a shoutout, it would be to my patients—every single one of them. They are the heartbeat of my practice and the reason I continue to grow and evolve as a physician and as a woman. My desire to help others heal was born from my own struggle—when I wasn’t feeling like myself during perimenopause, I realized that true healing required more than prescriptions; it required listening, understanding, and personalized care.

When I found my way back to health through evidence-based, integrative therapies, everything changed. I became a better mother, a more present wife, a stronger sister and daughter, and a more compassionate physician. That transformation wasn’t just physical—it was emotional and spiritual. And it deepened my commitment to serve others from a place of integrity and excellence.

My patients trusted me with their most vulnerable moments, and in doing so, they inspired me to build a practice rooted in compassion and driven by results. So this shoutout goes to them—for reminding me every day why I do what I do, and for allowing me the privilege of walking alongside them on their journey to health and wholeness.

Website: https://DrMelindaSilva.com

Instagram: @TeamSilvaMD

Linkedin: Melinda Silva MD

Facebook: Silva MD

Yelp: Melinda Silva, MD

Youtube: @DrMelindaSilva

Other: Tik Tok @drmelindasilvamd

Image Credits
Linda Reid Images