Blog
Wellness Wednesday: Understanding the BRCA1 Gene and What It Means for Women’s Health
Most women have heard of the BRCA gene, but far fewer understand what it actually does or why it matters. This guide breaks down the science behind the BRCA1 mutation, how it affects cancer risk, and why knowing your family history can play a powerful role in preventive healthcare. Understanding this genetic link may help you make more informed decisions about screening, testing, and long-term health.
Wellness Wednesday: Preventive Screenings Every Woman Should Prioritize at Every Age
Preventive health isn’t just about doctor visits when something feels wrong—it’s about staying ahead of potential problems before they start. From cervical cancer screening in your 20s to heart health and bone density later in life, this guide breaks down the essential screenings every woman should prioritize at every stage of adulthood. Understanding when and why these tests matter can help you take control of your long-term health.
Wellness Wednesday: Why Exercise Can Support Mental Health, But Can’t Replace Therapy
Exercise can boost mood, reduce stress, and support mental health—but it isn’t a cure, and it isn’t therapy. In this evidence-based deep dive, an exercise scientist and former collegiate athlete explores where fitness helps, where it falls short, and why therapy and medical care remain essential—especially for complex mental health conditions. If you’ve ever been told to “just work out” your way through mental health struggles, this is the conversation you’ve been missing.
Wellness Wednesday: Comparison Steals Joy, and It Can Quietly Undermine Your Progress
You can follow the plan. You can hit your workouts. You can make mostly nourishing food choices—and still feel like you’re failing. Not because you are, but because someone else’s progress showed up on your screen at the wrong moment. In weight loss, comparison doesn’t just hurt feelings—it subtly reshapes behavior, motivation, and long-term outcomes. Understanding how and why this happens may be one of the most important steps you take toward sustainable progress.
Wellness Wednesday: Recovering from Almond Moms, and Making Sure You Don’t Become One
You might not remember the exact meals, but you probably remember the rules.
“Finish your plate.”
“Do you really need seconds?”
“That’s a lot of carbs.”
For many adults today, those messages didn’t stay at the dinner table — they followed us into our bodies, our choices, and eventually, our parenting. And somewhere along the way, a new fear emerged: What if I become the very voice I’m trying to unlearn?
This article isn’t about blaming parents. It’s about understanding where these patterns come from, how they quietly shape our relationship with food, and how we can heal — for ourselves and for the next generation.
Wellness Wednesday: There Is No Such Thing as Upper and Lower Abs
If you’ve ever been told to “target your lower abs,” felt a deep burn during leg raises, or wondered why crunches don’t seem to touch the bottom of your stomach, you’re not alone. This belief has shaped workout programs, rehab protocols, and social media content for decades. But here’s the truth most people never hear: the idea of upper and lower abs isn’t just misleading—it fundamentally misunderstands how the core works. And that misunderstanding can affect performance, posture, and even pain.
Wellness Wednesday: Understanding the Roots of Health Disparities, and How We Move Forward
Health isn’t just shaped by the choices we make—it’s shaped by the opportunities we’re given. This National Minority Health Month, we’re taking a deeper look at why certain communities face higher rates of preventable disease, how history, environment, and access influence outcomes, and what real health equity actually looks like in practice. From chronic disease and mental health to maternal outcomes and youth well-being, this article connects the dots between science, community, and action—and outlines how individuals, professionals, and systems can move forward together.
Wellness Wednesday: The Science, History, and Real Benefits of Moving More
You’ve heard it everywhere: 10,000 steps a day keeps you healthy. But where did this number come from—and does everyone really need to hit it? Discover the history, the science, and the surprising ways even small bursts of movement can transform your health. From everyday walking to NEAT activities, learn how to make steps count without guilt and why every step forward matters for your body and mind.
Wellness Wednesday: Why March Matters for Colon Health
March isn’t just another awareness month—it’s a critical reminder of how everyday nutrition choices, access to care, and early screening intersect to protect colon health. With colorectal cancer rates rising in younger adults and persistent disparities in prevention and detection, this is the moment to connect the dots between what’s on our plate, what we can control, and when to get screened. This article breaks down the science-backed nutrition–gut health connection, clarifies real risk factors, and explains why small, consistent actions taken now can make a measurable difference—this month and beyond.
Wellness Wednesday: How Your Zip Code, Income, and Environment Shape Your Health
Most of us know the basics of healthy living — eat well, move more, sleep enough. But what if I told you that your environment, income, education, and community access often shape your health more than your choices? In this article, we break down the social determinants of health, reveal how they affect outcomes across neighborhoods and demographics, and show practical ways you — as an individual, coach, or community leader — can level the playing field to support lasting wellness.