In this episode of GynoCurious, host Dr. Amy Novatt speaks with Pilar Gerasimo. Pilar is an award-winning health journalist, social explorer, and author of 'The Healthy Deviant: A Rule Breaker's Guide to Being Healthy in an Unhealthy World.' Together, they explore the intricacies of holistic health, the importance of deviating from unhealthy societal norms, and the concept of 'positive deviance' as a path to achieving true well-being. Dr. Amy and Pilar also reflect on the current state of the healthcare system, emphasizing the need for a broader, more inclusive approach to health and healing that goes beyond conventional medicine. Pilar shares her personal journey of living in a multi-generational communal farm in Wisconsin, highlighting how this setting has influenced her views on health and wellness. She discusses the unique blend of insights from her sociologist father and idealist mother, which shaped her understanding of societal pressures and personal well-being. Pilar elaborates on the significance of her book's title, 'The Healthy Deviant,' despite the challenges it posed in the publishing world, underscoring the necessity to deviate from societal norms to lead a healthy life. The conversation touches on practical strategies for individuals seeking to lead a healthier lifestyle despite societal pressures. Pilar introduces concepts like 'pissed off body syndrome' and 'APE in the arcade syndrome' to describe the body's reaction to unhealthy living conditions and the challenges posed by modern environments, respectively. Dr. Amy and Pilar explore the importance of scientific education, the resilience needed to navigate an unhealthy world, and how listeners can become health deviants themselves.

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Produced by Jennifer Hammoud and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff