In this episode, I interview my friend Michelle, who shares her personal journey with her BRCA1 gene mutation diagnosis.

Michelle discusses the importance of understanding family medical history, the emotional challenges of her diagnosis, and the preventive measures she took, including 4 surgeries.

She emphasizes the need for support systems and the power of knowledge in making informed health decisions.

Our conversation also touches on the hope for future advancements in cancer prevention and treatment.

Michelle discusses the emotional and physical aspects of her experiences, the importance of knowledge and advocacy in health decisions, and the need for awareness and self-care in the context of breast cancer.

This episode is all about being proactive in health management.

Michelle's authenticity and openness about what she went through will inspire others to share their stories and support one another in their journeys.

Notable statistics

• Brca1- upwards of 80% chance for BC and 45% OC
• Brca2-upwards of 80% BC and 15% OC One in 400 regular population.
• One in 40 Jewish population

Genetic mutation testing companies

• Color
• Invitae

Stanford Breast Oncologist: Dr. Allison Kurian

Stanford Gynecological oncologist: Dr. Amer Karam

Stanford plastic surgeon specializing in reconstruction: Dr. Gabriel Kind

Plastic surgeon specializing in nerve preservation and reconstruction: Dr. Anne Peled

In this episode, I discuss my personal journey with mental health, focusing on my experiences with OCD and body image issues.

I emphasize the importance of mental health awareness, social connections, and the various components that contribute to mental well-being.

Throughout the episode, you'll hear which strategies work for me to manage OCD, including therapy, medication, and exercise, while also addressing the societal pressures surrounding body image and eating disorders.

I encourage anyone who is listening to or reading this to embrace their mental health journeys with self-compassion and openness.

Key takeaways

• Mental health consists of psychological, emotional, and social well-being.
• Social connection is crucial for happiness, even for introverts.
• OCD can manifest as overthinking and rumination.
• Exercise is beneficial for mental health and managing OCD.
• Medication can be a helpful tool for managing mental health.
• Body image issues are prevalent and can lead to disordered eating.
• Therapy and self-compassion are essential for mental health.
• It's important to talk openly about mental health struggles.
• Dieting can have negative effects on mental and physical health.
• Everyone's mental health journey is unique and valid.

Resources

• American Psychological Association
• International OCD Foundation
• National Eating Disorders Association
• BetterHelp - online therapy
• Harvard happiness study

In this episode, I share my experiences coaching my kiddos' soccer teams for the past few years.

I reflect on the challenges and rewards of youth coaching, as well as (as I'm very recently learning) the importance of self-awareness and personal growth in parenting and mentoring.

Throughout the episode, I reflect on how my own healing journey has positively impacted my coaching style, allowing me to foster resilience and confidence in young athletes.

Hear which life lessons I've learned through sports and the significance of creating core memories for our kiddos.

Key takeaways:

• Coaching youth sports can be a rewarding experience.
• Self-awareness enhances parenting and coaching effectiveness.
• Sports serve as a metaphor for life's challenges.
• Creating positive environments is crucial for youth development.
• Healing from personal issues improves relationships with children.
• Curiosity in communication fosters better understanding with kids.
• The importance of teamwork extends beyond the field.
• Core memories from childhood sports are invaluable.
• Parenting styles vary, but self-healing is universally beneficial.
• Engaging with child development experts can provide valuable insights.

Resources:

Coaching and Parenting Young Athletes, Psychology Today

In this episode, my dear friend and former colleague, Josh Lebowitz, and I explore the importance of humor in navigating life's adversities.

Josh is HILARIOUS.

He and I hop on the mic (and I mostly laugh) as we share personal stories about friendship, Josh's career in comedy, and the challenges of parenting...oy vey, as Josh would say!

Our chat shines light on how critical community support is during tough times and how laughter can be a powerful coping mechanism.

Josh shares his experiences working as a comedy writer at Comedy Central and working as a voiceover actor for HBO Family.

He shares how his move to Portugal is making life even sweeter.

Key lessons from Josh:

• Humor can be a powerful tool in overcoming adversity.
• Community support is crucial during tough times.
• Parenting with humor can strengthen family bonds.
• Laughter can help process difficult emotions.
• Josh's journey reflects the importance of resilience.
• Friendship can provide comfort and joy in hard times.
• Navigating life changes requires adaptability and humor.
• Personal stories can inspire and connect people.
• The role of comedy in professional settings can enhance creativity.
• Building connections with others can lead to happiness and longevity.

In this episode, I reflect on my journey of starting a podcast, discussing the challenges and growth I've experienced over the past 8 months.

I share insights on building confidence, embracing creativity, and overcoming imposter syndrome.

Key moments:

• Starting a podcast has significantly boosted my confidence.
• It's important to focus on the process, not just the results.
• Learning to be an active listener has improved my interviews.
• Imposter syndrome is a common feeling among creators.
• Investing in quality equipment enhances the listening experience.
• Creativity can lead to personal growth and self-discovery.
• Feedback is essential for improvement and growth.
• It's okay to feel vulnerable when trying something new.
• Every creative journey is unique and valuable.
• Encouragement from others can help you take the leap into creativity.

Resources

MAONO Microphone with Studio Headphone Set 192kHz/24bit Vocal Condenser Cardioid Podcast Mic

$79.89 (ON SALE!)

In this episode, I speak with my new friend Jayy, a fitness trainer in the UK who is living his life to the fullest, despite being diagnosed with Cerebellar Ataxia at age 15.

We discuss Jayy's journey with his disability, the importance of independence, and the role of community and support systems in overcoming adversity.

Jayy shares his insights on challenging perceptions of disability, the significance of human connection, and the impact of his fitness journey on others.

The conversation emphasizes resilience, inspiration, and the need for compassion in a world where everyone is facing their own struggles.

Jayy's Instagram pages:

@FitnessbyJayy__

@ataxiasoldier

Donate to his GoFundMe! Help him buy a new wheelchair

Help Jay live daily life with even more independence!

In this episode, I interview Aanchal Arora, the author of the book of poetry she wrote and published, called The Efflorescence.

We discuss various themes in the book, including love, loss, motherhood, self-love, and feminine health. Anshal shares her journey into poetry and how it became a form of therapy for her.

We also talk about the importance of self-love and the power of vulnerability in writing.

Key takeaways

• Poetry can be a form of therapy and a way to express emotions and experiences.
• Self-love is important and should be a priority. It is okay to say no and take care of yourself.
• Failure is a stepping stone to success and a learning opportunity.
• Vulnerability in writing can validate the human experience and help others feel less alone.
• Dream big and pursue your passions, even if it means taking risks and facing challenges.

Aanchal dreams of going on a world book tour and spreading her words to a larger audience.

In this episode, I interview Parker Melendez, an emergency management specialist, about how stoicism has helped him navigate adversity in his career.

We discuss the principles of Stoicism, like controlling what you can and accepting what you can't, and how it applies to emergency situations.

Parker shares how he discovered Stoicism and the impact it has had on his emotional resilience. He also talks about using techniques like box breathing to stay calm in high-stress situations.

The conversation highlights the importance of emotional regulation and the idea that obstacles can be opportunities for growth. We dive into the practical application of Stoicism in everyday life, particularly for first responders.

Parker talks about the idea of accepting what is out of one's control and focusing on what can be controlled. We also touch on the importance of taking action and living in accordance with Stoic principles.

Parker emphasizes that Stoicism is not a religion but a philosophy that can be used as a set of tools to navigate life's challenges.

Resources:

The Daily Stoic website

The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

Ryan Holiday's (author and Stoic expert) Instagram