Good morning members. I hope this finds you well.
Let’s talk about health. I’m not sure why but our health and wellness always seem to be a taboo topic. Pregnancy, on-ramps, off-ramps, menopause, aging, and yes even death are all those topics I remember these were NOT for the workplace.
Times have changed. Our vitality is very important to how we show up each and every day.
So here goes. I’ll be a little vulnerable for a moment.
I’m 43 years old, the mother of one, and have always been active. I’ve had an energy that I’ve never known how to manage. I started running 15 years ago and had a good 13 years of health after making poor choices as a teenager. I lost 150 pounds and even had the skin removed to improve my appearance. At the height of my journey, I was 275 lbs. Getting the weight off was a good thing.
But as I’ve aged (and had a few more bumps and bruises in work and life), I am finding has been harder. In January after having a seizure in December, I decided to start a journey to find answers.
In 5 months leading up to this summer, I had tried everything. And nothing was making me feel better.
6 weeks ago a friend led me to read this book called Age Healthier, Live Happy by Dr. Gary Donovitz, an OBGYN in Dallas, TX. It’s all about hormones and the aging process.
I was nearly in tears reading the book because everything he had to say fit my symptoms. After thousands of dollars in doctors and crazy medications that made me feel worse, I found a path I could try that might work.
So I went in and had my hormones fully tested. The tests were clear.
Y’all know I’m a big feminist but would you know that those tests concluded I am trying all woman. My body no longer produced testosterone which is necessary for sleep regularly, weight moderation, and overall energy. I started replacement therapy a month ago and feel like my old self again.
I’m not a doctor but more and more I’m hearing of cases where women (AND) men are feeling blah, not themselves, or down. Hormones are central to how we balance work and life and the things are thrown at us. They are very much tied to our mood, activity levels, and digestive and of course, reproductive systems.
We don’t talk about these things. Just like depression or mental illness, aging is another one of those taboo subjects.
I want this to be a place where you all feel safe to share. We know that our work is no longer separate from our lives. There’s just life. And our health is so important to how we show up and give our best each and every day.
What are you struggling with? What success have you had in your health? What resources can you share? Why is health such a taboo topic? How can we change that?
I know I and others would love to hear from you in this spot — especially to know they are not alone.
To your health and mine!