By Asia Sharif-Clark
The podcast currently has 24 episodes available.
When it comes to women’s health topics, we experience a lot of confusion. As women, we don’t always prioritize ourselves and many women actually stop seeing an OBGYN after they’ve had children. But today’s guest, Dr. Cheruba Prabakar is here to tell us that the years after having children are the most important years for women’s health. And today specifically, we’re talking all about fibroids.
Dr. Cheruba Prabakar is a board certified OBGYN and minimally invasive trained surgeon. She specializes in treating women with fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and pelvic pain. She just opened up her own practice in order to prove highly personalized, accessible, and unhurried care. She is also a speaker on women's health issues. She lives in Oakland with her family.
In today’s discussion, you’ll learn what fibroids really are, what symptoms may be a sign of fibroids, and some of the problems they can cause, including anemia. Dr. Prabakar will also motivate you to continue caring for yourself and seek support from the experts that know women’s health the best. She offers a great free resource, a YouTube channel on women’s health topics, and even a coaching program to help you through your own unique journey.
Show Notes:
[1:32] - Welcome, Dr. Prabakar! She shares her background and her current role as an OBGYN.
[3:14] - Obstetrics is all about the babies, but gynecology is all about women’s health. Dr. Prabakar focuses on surgical gynecology.
[5:10] - Dr. Prabakar felt called to obstetrics and gynecology.
[6:17] - Fibroids are benign smooth muscle tumors of the uterus. Dr. Prabakar explains what that means.
[7:54] - The most common concern with fibroids is heavy menstrual bleeding.
[8:51] - Pain and pressure can also be a cause of concern especially when pressure is put on the bladder.
[9:43] - Infertility is not a symptom but could be a sign of fibroids.
[10:44] - If you are experiencing anything unusual, always see your doctor. If it is related to menstruation or fertility, see an OBGYN.
[12:17] - Asia describes her experience with extremely heavy bleeding.
[14:18] - A general practitioner is dealing with many other types of conditions and does not specialize in women’s health.
[15:59] - When it comes to obstetrics, the average woman is young and healthy. But women’s health gets more important after babies are born.
[17:50] - Menopause comes with ups and downs, but the key is that it is an ongoing relationship with your body.
[18:54] - There is a lot of information out there, but what is accurate? Seek out a gynecologist that specializes in fibroids.
[20:38] - A lot of doctor’s offices will start you off with seeing a nurse, then a nurse practitioner, but Dr. Prabakar says if you are experiencing these things, you need to see a specialist.
[22:02] - Something to ask about is minimally invasive procedures if it is recommended for you to do. You should also always ask for a second opinion.
[24:10] - If you are watching online content, research who is providing the information.
[25:39] - As women, we tend to suffer in silence. If you are experiencing something, prioritize yourself.
[27:19] - We need to set an example for the next generation that we need to be prioritizing ourselves and our health.
[28:32] - Dr. Prabakar has a YouTube channel about fibroids and women’s health topics. She also offers a fibroid coaching program.
Dr. Prabakar’s Resources:
When it comes to eye strain, we tend to want to get rid of it or we simply ignore it. But what could eye strain be telling you about your lifestyle? We have developed habits when it comes to our eyes that aren’t all benefiting us and sometimes we may need a reminder to give our eyes a break. And surprisingly, sometimes we actually need to give our eyes a break from our own glasses.
Orit Kruglanski is a visual educator, she helps people of all ages play their way to better eyesight, reducing eye strain and the need for glasses. She got glasses when she was 7, and at 38 started improving her vision from -8.5 diopters to her current no-glasses life. In today’s episode, Orit shares some of the things she did to improve her eyesight and some of the habits that you can adopt to do that same.
Show Notes:
[1:37] - Welcome to the podcast, Orit! Orit shares what she does and what a visual educator is.
[3:21] - Orit was wearing glasses for 30 years, however with the strategies she teaches, she improved her eyesight without them.
[6:06] - Asia takes her own glasses off and Orit shows how habits are built without them.
[7:09] - One good seeing habit is looking around you and not just in front of you.
[8:14] - We have natural seeing habits that are innate, but working on the computer all day changes how we use our eyes.
[9:51] - Open the peripheral field. Orit explains how this works.
[11:03] - Going outside is one of the best things you can do for your eyesight.
[12:30] - When we experience eye strain, we want it to go away. But what is the eye strain telling you?
[13:41] - When you are working, you can take little breaks to simply look out the window.
[15:04] - We are so busy trying to get rid of symptoms, but we need to take a closer look at our lifestyle.
[16:40] - As women, we tend to take care of others and not ourselves.
[18:03] - How can you take a small step in your own unique life to improve your eye health?
[19:30] - We are fixated on what happens on the screen, but even simply taking moments to look away helps with eye strain.
[20:36] - Orit has a free resource to help remind you of the things you can do everyday.
[22:01] - Orit also has written an illustrated children’s book about the topic.
[24:05] - You are doing your eyes a favor if you just take your glasses off and look around sometimes.
Orit’s Resources:
What I discovered in the conversation with Dr. Lj Johnson, today’s podcast guest, is that no matter the diagnosis, we are all lost without the right support. As a woman with Iron Deficiency Anemia, I am no stranger to period pain, but what I didn’t know a lot about going into today’s discussion, is a lot about endometriosis. Dr. Lj Johnson is here to help us understand what it is, how it impacts women, and why it takes so long to find the problem.
Dr. Lj Johnson PsyD. IHP. FDNP, IIN, is a women’s hormone coach specializing in Endometriosis, PCOS, and Fibroids. Lj has worked in the women's health and fitness industry for over 20 years while overcoming her own diagnosis of endometriosis. Lj’s passion is to empower, motivate and educate all women that they too can have quality of life despite their symptoms or diagnosis.
If nothing else, this episode will leave you feeling empowered and hopeful, because regardless of your diagnosis, you can live an amazing life with the right support.
[1:37] - Welcome, Dr. Johnson! Dr. Johnson specializes in Women’s Health, specifically endometriosis and PCOS.
[2:27] - It took 16 years for Dr. Johnson to be diagnosed with endometriosis.
[3:24] - What is the difference between an Endo-Warrior and an Endo-Conqueror?
[4:18] - At the age of 14, period pain was almost unbearable for Dr. Johnson.
[6:08] - Endometriosis is when uterine-like tissue is found outside the uterus and there is also chronic systemic inflammation throughout the entire body.
[7:20] - There are also autoimmune factors involved.
[8:39] - Dr. Johnson got to a point where she was too weak to continue on without finding out what was wrong.
[9:50] - The pain was so bad that her body was completely unreliable.
[10:41] - There are some misconceptions about period pain and there are many differences between that and endometriosis.
[12:19] - Lj is also very big on chasing symptoms.
[13:44] - Many women spend years trying to connect the dots.
[16:21] - What can we do to turn our pain into our passion? First, find a doctor who will listen to you.
[17:46] - Go into the doctor’s appointment prepared with as much information as you can.
[19:14] - A tip for keeping a log is to use voice-to-text on your phone.
[20:34] - In your healing journal, keep track of how you are feeling but also what you are eating and any supplements you might be taking.
[21:25] - You can book an extensive appointment to spend more time going over your notes with your doctor.
[24:12] - Everything is all about hormones, especially for those with endometriosis.
[25:26] - It is crucial to find the root cause of the problem.
[27:18] - You can have a supplement that supports you, but there’s no substitute for getting to the underlying cause.
[28:19] - Lj shares some free resources that will be a good start.
[29:13] - The pain starts a domino effect. Find the support because the road is long, lonely, and frustrating.
[30:53] - Lj describes the services she provides and who she serves.
[32:11] - Not everyone’s coaching looks the same. You can sign up for a free discovery call.
[33:34] - You can have an amazing life even with your diagnosis.
Dr. Johnson’s Resources:
As busy women with Iron Deficiency Anemia, energy seems to always be in short supply. We know there are several things we can do to boost our energy, but in today’s episode, we’re specifically discussing hormones. Hormones play a huge role in our level of energy and during certain stages of our lives, these hormones change, leaving us with an imbalance we just don’t know what to do with. Kylie Pinwill joins me today to talk about these hormone changes, imbalances, and how nutrition can help us gain our energy back.
Kylie Pinwill is a clinical nutritionist, speaker and host of The Hormone Hub podcast with over 20 years experience in the health and fitness industry. She works with women in their 40’s and beyond who are feeling lethargic, struggling with weight gain, bloating and hot flashes, to balance their hormones and reset their metabolisms so they can feel happier and more confident in their own skin.
No matter what stage you are in in life, perimenopause and menopause are an experience we will all have in our own unique way. These changes are temporary and believe it or not, there is a lot to look forward to!
Show Notes:
[1:41] - Welcome to the show, Kylie! Kylie shares what she does and who she serves.
[2:56] - Coming from the fitness industry, Kylie realized that the bigger impact was in nutrition rather than in the gym.
[4:09] - Kylie began in kids’ nutrition but learned that she was more passionate about working with mothers.
[5:44] - Perimenopause is something that is not something that is often talked about and many women don’t really know anything about it.
[6:49] - Tiredness and gaining weight are the biggest indicators of perimenopause.
[7:44] - When you haven’t had a menstrual cycle in a year, you are in menopause. But what is perimenopause? It works a lot like puberty.
[9:02] - There are huge surges of estrogen but we feel the most impact from the drops of progesterone.
[10:18] - Typically, there is a lot going on during this time of a woman’s life, which causes further exhaustion.
[12:06] - As we get closer to menopause, we have less estrogen and progesterone.
[14:04] - What do periods look like during perimenopause?
[16:07] - We know our own normal, which means that we don’t tend to talk about possible problems that could be caused by hormonal imbalance.
[17:27] - Medical options are helpful, but the foundation of nutrition and exercise is crucial. There is no magic pill.
[18:50] - Testing hormones does not indicate a problem because they change everyday. Kylie explains why going off of signs and symptoms is better.
[20:08] - What is the difference between normal and optimal when it comes to hormones?
[21:57] - From a hormonal perspective, women with IDA need thyroid support.
[23:06] - There are several symptoms to look for and a domino effect with thyroid concerns.
[24:17] - Go for the best quality food you have access to. Kylie works with women on finding the right balance on each plate.
[25:42] - If we are not absorbing the nutrients from our food, we’re missing the mark.
[26:34] - Iron deficiency can’t be solved by a supplement alone.
[27:43] - Our changing hormones affect how we absorb nutrients from food.
[28:35] - What information can a food sensitivity test provide for women?
[31:14] - Support is also important. Kylie has a group and community called The Well Balanced Woman which is holistic, individualized, group support for women in perimenopause.
[33:06] - When your blood sugar is supported, your energy returns. This is a quick turnaround.
[34:56] - The Hormone Healthy Foods is a free resource Kylie provides to help balance meals and hormones.
[36:27] - Kylie is also the host of The Hormone Hub Podcast, which Asia will be speaking on soon as well!
[38:16] - Remember that this period of your life is temporary. Kylie and Asia discuss what they are looking forward to.
Kylie’s Resources:
When it comes to essential oils, today’s guest is an expert. Brianna Wilkerson joins me today to talk about the benefits and the multitude of ways you can use essential oils. She even explains how they work and why using nature’s gifts, we can improve our health holistically.
Brianna Wilkerson is a Holistic Health and Life Coach, Essential Oils Advocate with doTERRA, Brand Ambassador with Red Aspen, podcast host, wife and momma, coffee lover, at-home crossfitter. She helps moms find peace with food, walk confidently in their bodies, and prioritize their health and themselves. She also helps women use essential oils as natural solutions for their top health priorities for their health, home and family. You’ll leave sessions with her feeling supported and empowered to make simple health changes that fit into your life, learn to love and care for the body you are in, and use essential oils confidently.
Be sure to listen till the end, as Brianna has some great resources to share!
Show Notes:
[1:36] - Brianna shares her background in health and wellness coaching.
[2:51] - Brianna has a passion for women and helping them live happy and healthy lives through coaching and essential oils.
[4:07] - What are Asia and Brianna’s favorite essential oils?
[5:40] - Using what she knows about essential oils, Brianna shares how they work as gaining therapeutic benefits from what nature provides.
[7:22] - Stress impacts us all and essential oils are helpful tools to help you manage.
[9:10] - We store our stress in our bodies and essential oils can be used topically.
[10:44] - Oils by themselves are not the point. They need to be combined with your mental process in dealing with stress.
[12:26] - Lifestyle factors play a huge role in your health.
[13:29] - Stress and sleep go hand in hand.
[14:47] - Keep the oils where you want to use them for them to become a self care routine.
[17:29] - Having them visible is a great reminder to keep them in use.
[19:25] - Brianna shares the most rewarding part of her work with women.
[21:06] - Brianna offers an essential oils class that you can attend live or watch the recording.
[22:31] - Be sure to follow Brianna on social media and check out what she has on her website.
Brianna’s Resources:
We might be sleeping, but how much of that sleep is actually recharging you? As busy women we tend to wear our lack of sleep as a badge of honor, but what we’re really doing is harming our mood, our metabolism, and more.
Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown is a board-certified sleep physician and the founder of RestfulSleepMD. She is a speaker, a coach, an educator, a writer, and the founder of Restful Sleep MD, where she helps busy professional women and their children prioritize sleep to not only achieve their optimal health but also thrive and live to their fullest potential. She also works with organizations and businesses to improve employee health by incorporating healthy sleep into their wellness journey. She does this through seminars, workshops, and round table sessions.
Dr. Brown is here to help families learn how to create the best versions of themselves without sacrificing their health and losing sleep. And for those of us with Iron Deficiency Anemia seeking energy and joy, restful sleep is a part of that puzzle.
Show Notes:
[2:27] - Welcome to the show, Dr. Afolabi-Brown! She shares her current role as founder of Restful Sleep MD.
[3:10] - She helps women to not neglect their sleep through education and consultation.
[4:01] - In the past, Dr. Afolabi-Brown wore her sleep deprivation as a badge of honor.
[5:37] - We know that sleep is not typically a part of the busy lives of women.
[7:10] - Asia and Dr. Afolabi-Brown have time set aside to nap and refresh.
[8:35] - Lack of sleep affects every part of your body and brain.
[9:42] - Our mood is already impacted by stress and anxiety. Sleep issues make this worse.
[11:47] - There are things you can do to improve your sleep. The first is your mindset.
[12:23] - Women with Iron Deficiency Anemia have some other health conditions to look for that could lead to difficulty with sleep.
[13:56] - No matter what you do, if you have a medical condition like Restless Leg Syndrome that is not being addressed, your sleep will not improve.
[14:37] - Your sleep is important enough to build your day around it.
[16:34] - Create a routine and stick to it.
[17:20] - Your sleep environment should be dark and quiet.
[18:42] - CREATE is an acronym Dr. Afolabi-Brown created.
[20:51] - Alcohol may make you fall asleep, but is not good for restful sleep.
[22:30] - Dr. Afolabi-Brown shares ways to connect with her.
Dr. Afolabi-Brown’s Resources:
Ready for a personalized plan that works for your beautiful body and a supportive community that "gets you" and knows what you're going through? Join The Nourish Way! The ONLY holistic health, nutrition, and lifestyle community exclusively for women diagnosed with Iron Deficiency Anemia.
Get on the waitlist and be first in line when doors open!
Our Deeper Purpose:
We bring together women with Iron Deficiency Anemia who want to boost their energy naturally and maintain it, with a holistic health, nutrition, and lifestyle approach, and gain support on their healing journey, so they can live their amazing lives, with more energy, having way more fun!
Ready to start living your amazing life with more energy, passion, and joy? Join The Nourish Way waitlist.
When it comes to healing, there is more than the physical. If you’ve been dealing with health challenges for a long time, emotional healing is just as important. And speaking on this topic today is another special guest, Amanda Elise Love, host of the Physical, Emotional, Health Secrets Podcast.
Amanda is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist who teaches women how to cook simple but delicious allergy-friendly healthy meals and to integrate a holistic approach through mind, body, and spirit.
In this episode, Amanda tells us all about her journey through emotional and physical healing after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, experiencing emotional abuse and grief, and learning her body’s dietary and nutritional needs. What’s incredibly important about Amanda’s journey is that she recognized the different seasons of her healing and did not hesitate to ask for help.
Show Notes:
[1:58] - Welcome to the show, Amanda!
[3:32] - Amanda shares her experience being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. She explains what it is and how it affects her.
[5:38] - Her interest and love for nutrition started in her teenage years while watching The Biggest Loser.
[6:55] - Amanda shares her experience with finding a health care provider that “gets it”.
[8:06] - If you have been dealing with health issues for several years or even a decade or more, it takes time to get back to your strength.
[9:13] - When experiencing loss and grief, Amanda found resources and support.
[10:15] - We have different seasons in our life and some of them are seasons of grief.
[12:10] - With emotional healing came the challenge of forgiveness.
[14:21] - Amanda is now a licensed nutritionist and has a holistic approach.
[15:47] - When emotions are suppressed, they will eventually bubble back up.
[17:30] - Don’t make what you are doing with food super complicated.
[19:45] - Meal prep is an excellent way to be prepared and take the chore out of cooking everyday.
[22:11] - Amanda explains elimination diets.
[23:28] - A lot of times we overcomplicate things.
[25:33] - Allowing others to help you is crucial.
Amanda Elise Love’s Resources:
Ready for a personalized plan that works for your beautiful body and a supportive community that "gets you" and knows what you're going through? Join The Nourish Way! The ONLY holistic health, nutrition, and lifestyle community exclusively for women diagnosed with Iron Deficiency Anemia.
Get on the waitlist and be first in line when doors open!
Our Deeper Purpose:
We bring together women with Iron Deficiency Anemia who want to boost their energy naturally and maintain it, with a holistic health, nutrition, and lifestyle approach, and gain support on their healing journey, so they can live their amazing lives, with more energy, having way more fun!
Ready to start living your amazing life with more energy, passion, and joy? Join The Nourish Way waitlist.
Starting off this season of fantastic guests is Kim McCormick. Kim is a 35+ year champion Type 1 Diabetic who is passionate, compelling and motivational with a mission of helping others get over living in Diabetes Denial. Her goal is to help move that "mental block" and help others connect with how their entire body is being impacted by their decisions and taking the very next steps to develop habits that lead to better results.
What you’ll find in this episode is the similarities between living with Iron Deficiency Anemia and living with Diabetes. Denial and depression can be a part of it. They are not your identity and you are not alone. Listen as Kim provides support in a safe and wonderful community for those living with and managing diabetes.
Show Notes:
[2:25] - Welcome to the show, Kim! Kim shares her background and who she serves.
[3:37] - Many people who live with diabetes have not accepted that it’s lifelong.
[4:41] - Kim is a 35+ year Type 1 Diabetic.
[5:29] - You have to have a certain mindset to live with this chronic illness.
[6:34] - Kim explains what happens in your body when you have diabetes.
[7:58] - Similar to Iron Deficiency Anemia, there are signs of denial.
[9:11] - Even when people have the right tools, many do not implement them.
[10:28] - Learning the things you can do that you thought you would never be able to do is powerful and profound.
[11:47] - You learn to manage the condition. Don’t let the condition manage you.
[12:50] - Diabetes literally impacts everything.
[13:44] - Denial does not make it go away.
[15:01] - Living with diabetes is not punishment, it’s preservation.
[16:31] - Why is it common for people to live in diabetes denial?
[18:52] - Keep your mind focused on the destination of better health.
[20:07] - Many people suffer in silence as a result of differences in experiences.
[22:10] - Accountability plays a big role.
[23:49] - You need to have a support group.
[25:22] - Kim describes her support group, what it consists of, and how everyone supports each other in this community.
[28:05] - Don’t give up on yourself and mentally throw in the towel.
[29:19] - Diabetes is a condition you live with, not your identity.
[30:14] - You cannot conquer what you will not confront.
Iron Deficiency Anemia Podcast Resources: Ready for a personalized plan that works for your beautiful body and a supportive community that "gets you" and knows what you're going through? Join The Nourish Way! The ONLY holistic health, nutrition, and lifestyle community exclusively for women diagnosed with Iron Deficiency Anemia. Get on the waitlist and be first in line when doors open! Our Deeper Purpose:
So many women with Iron Deficiency Anemia have accepted that they have to suffer forever, that this is just how things are going to be now. But I’m here to tell you that that isn’t true. Is recovery possible? Let’s dive in with a story about my client and friend, Marva. In this episode, I share Marva’s “before and after” story. Marva is a mom who didn’t have enough energy to spend time with her daughter. She was a social worker whose job was greatly impacted by her lack of energy. And she had big dreams that IDA was hindering her from working towards.
Fast forward to today, Marva is living her dreams with more energy than she ever thought possible. Listen on to find out what she wanted and how, with the support of a coach and community, experienced the changes she needed on her healing journey.
Show Notes:
[1:40] - This is a story about one of Asia’s favorite clients and her journey.
[2:19] - Marva is a mom and was a social worker. IDA impacted her ability to give her all and everyday was a struggle.
[3:42] - IDA was impacting her ability to spend quality time with her family. She wasn’t able to do the things she wanted to do. She knew she was ready for a change.
[4:24] - Marva knew three things: she wanted a coach, she wanted nutrition to be a major part of her recovery, and she wanted lifestyle support.
[6:38] - Watching women go from no energy to tons of energy is one of Asia’s greatest joys.
[7:20] - In addition to physical symptoms, IDA comes with a lot of emotions, particularly guilt and shame.
[8:57] - Guilt and shame can become very overwhelming and debilitating.
[9:42] - Energy is just the beginning.
[10:34] - After recovery, Marva has more energy than she ever thought possible.
Want to become a founding member of The Nourish Way Community? Simply click the link to DM me on Instagram @asharifclark and say "yes." I'll share the link to join and answer any questions. Our deeper purpose: We're bringing together an amazing group of women struggling with Iron Deficiency Anemia who want to boost their energy with our holistic health, nutrition, and lifestyle approach, and gain support, so they can stop dragging and start living with more energy, passion, and joy. Can't wait to support you!
It is so good to be back for episode 16 and I am so glad you are here. I have so much to share and cannot wait to connect with you. We’re going to kick off this new season of Iron Deficiency Anemia Podcast with 3 reasons you need a personalized health and nutrition plan. Let’s be sure to put the emphasis on personalized. Grab something to write on because these tips will change so much for you.
Thank you for being a part of the IDA Podcast and The Nourish Way Community. Be sure to listen all the way to the end to learn all about upcoming programs and free resources to connect you with other women like you, create a personalized plan, and to help you find and maintain your energy on your unique journey.
Show Notes:
[2:10] - As Asia was talking to other women, she saw the need for personalized health and nutrition plans.
[3:30] - The first reason to have a personalized health and nutrition plan is that you focus on your unique needs.
[4:42] - You focus on your own unique journey and you don’t compare it to the journey of others.
[5:30] - The third reason is to focus on your own recovery rather than thinking about it as something you’ll suffer forever. It is possible to recover.
[6:31] - Asia shares questions to ask yourself in designing your plan.
[7:20] - The personalized health and nutrition plans connect you with your support and most importantly with yourself. Asia shares what you receive.
[9:27] - Get ready to get on the waitlist on Monday, May 23rd for the new updated version of The Nourish Way.
[10:23] - The deeper purpose of The Nourish Way is to bring women together to boost energy naturally, maintain it, and to gain the support you need.
You are not in this alone. Come back for more stories, more support, and more joy as we go on this journey together.
Links and Resources:
The podcast currently has 24 episodes available.