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