For many people, their 40s bring subtle but significant health shifts. The habits that once worked may no longer deliver the same results, and between careers, caregiving, and family responsibilities, personal wellness often takes a back seat. In this episode, we cut through the noise of social media health hacks and wellness trends to focus on what truly matters: nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management. We spoke with Susan Hardwick-Smith, MD, founder of the Complete Midlife Wellness Center in Houston, about building a strong foundation for long-term health, creating wellness goals with your future self in mind, and why prioritizing your own well-being is one of the most important investments you can make.

Credits 
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Susan Hardwick-Smith, MD

For many people, their 40s bring subtle but significant health shifts. The habits that once worked may no longer deliver the same results, and between careers, caregiving, and family responsibilities, personal wellness often takes a back seat. In this episode, we cut through the noise of social media health hacks and wellness trends to focus on what truly matters: nutrition, exercise, sleep, and <a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management">stress management.</a> We spoke with <a href="https://drsusan.com/">Susan Hardwick-Smith, MD</a>, founder of the <a href="https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com/">Complete Midlife Wellness Center</a> in Houston, about building a strong foundation for long-term health, creating wellness goals with your future self in mind, and why prioritizing your own well-being is one of the most important investments you can make.
Credits&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Show Notes: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Susan Hardwick-Smith, MD</li>
</ul>

WebMD Chief Physician Editor Neha Pathak, MD, and Chief Medical Officer, John Whyte, MD, MPH, explore fascinating stories to find the unexpected things that help us understand our health.

Health Discovered

Wellness in Your 40s: Building a Foundation for Lifelong Health

Indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM) is a rare form of systemic mastocytosis (SM) caused by an abnormal buildup of mast cells throughout the body. What causes ISM, and how is it diagnosed? In this episode, we speak with Aaron Gerds, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine in Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute, about the signs and symptoms of ISM, the diagnostic process, and how ISM differs from other forms of systemic mastocytosis. We also hear from Candice Pauley, an ISM patient and co-host of the Mast Cast Pod, who shares her journey to diagnosis, her experience living with the disease, and the challenges of navigating a rare condition.

Credits 
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Matt Stillo
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guests: Aaron Gerds, MD; Candice Pauley

Indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM) is a rare form of <a href="https://www.webmd.com/allergies/systemic-mastocytosis">systemic mastocytosis (SM)</a> caused by an abnormal buildup of mast cells throughout the body. What causes ISM, and how is it diagnosed? In this episode, we speak with <a href="https://providers.clevelandclinic.org/provider/aaron-gerds/4269596">Aaron Gerds, MD</a>, Associate Professor of Medicine in Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute, about the signs and symptoms of ISM, the diagnostic process, and how ISM differs from other forms of systemic mastocytosis. We also hear from Candice Pauley, an ISM patient and co-host of the<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mastcastpod"> Mast Cast Pod</a>, who shares her journey to diagnosis, her experience living with the disease, and the challenges of navigating a rare condition.
Credits&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Matt Stillo</li>
<li aria-level="1">Show Notes: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guests: Aaron Gerds, MD; Candice Pauley</li>
</ul>

Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis: Understanding the Symptoms and Diagnostic Journey

Egg freezing is often talked about, but what does the process actually involve? What can fertility tests really tell you? And should you be thinking about it in your 20s or 30s? We spoke with Temeka Zore, MD, a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and OB-GYN, about what egg freezing is, who may benefit, what the two-week process looks like, the costs involved, and common myths that keep people from exploring their options. Whether you're simply curious or feeling pressure about your biological clock, this judgment-free conversation will help you better understand your fertility and make informed decisions on your own timeline.
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Temeka Zore, MD

<a href="https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/egg-freezing">Egg freezing</a> is often talked about, but what does the process actually involve? What can fertility tests really tell you? And should you be thinking about it in your 20s or 30s? We spoke with <a href="https://www.temekazoremd.com/">Temeka Zore, MD</a>, a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and OB-GYN, about what egg freezing is, who may benefit, what the two-week process looks like, the costs involved, and common myths that keep people from exploring their options. Whether you're simply curious or feeling pressure about your biological clock, this judgment-free conversation will help you better understand your fertility and make informed decisions on your own timeline.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Show Notes: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Temeka Zore, MD</li>
</ul>

Thinking About Egg Freezing? Fertility, Facts, and Your Future

Epidemiology is the study of how and why diseases affect different groups of people, and what the science increasingly shows is that preventing disease and preserving health are deeply connected. In this episode, we focus on endometrial cancer, a disease where many risk factors are within our control. We speak with Immaculata De Vivo, PhD, professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, about how lifestyle factors like movement, nutrition, stress management, and social connection can influence our biology and long-term health. We also explore the biological impact of chronic stress in cancers like endometrial cancer and discuss how listeners can feel more informed, empowered, and proactive during healthcare visits.

Credits
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Immaculata De Vivo, PhD

Epidemiology is the study of how and why diseases affect different groups of people, and what the science increasingly shows is that preventing disease and preserving health are deeply connected. In this episode, we focus on&nbsp;<a href="https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://www.webmd.com/uterine-cancer/understanding-endometrial-cancer-basics___.YzJ1OndlYm1kOmM6ZzpkYWU2YTQ5ZDFjZjQ1ZGRjNTk4YzAxZGNhMmEwODMxZTo3OmRhNmQ6ODRkYWEzNDU0NDNmY2VmYTlhODJmNzMzMmYyOThkOGQ1MDEyN2JhZmQxY2U4NTgyZDY2MWIxYjEzYmZlZGJlMzpoOlQ6Rg" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://www.webmd.com/uterine-cancer/understanding-endometrial-cancer-basics___.YzJ1OndlYm1kOmM6ZzpkYWU2YTQ5ZDFjZjQ1ZGRjNTk4YzAxZGNhMmEwODMxZTo3OmRhNmQ6ODRkYWEzNDU0NDNmY2VmYTlhODJmNzMzMmYyOThkOGQ1MDEyN2JhZmQxY2U4NTgyZDY2MWIxYjEzYmZlZGJlMzpoOlQ6Rg&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1779382138939000&amp;usg=AOvVaw038UDoI4sPflbvntxqPuDB">endometrial cancer</a>, a disease where many risk factors are within our control. We speak with&nbsp;<a href="https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://hsph.harvard.edu/profile/immaculata-de-vivo/___.YzJ1OndlYm1kOmM6ZzpkYWU2YTQ5ZDFjZjQ1ZGRjNTk4YzAxZGNhMmEwODMxZTo3OmEzNTg6ZTVlNmJkZjE0NzdiZTMzMjNlNTcyMmFjMzNlODBmMzM1YTk5NjhhYjUyYWYyMTI3OWNjNzJmZGIzNzcwYmI4ZDpoOlQ6Rg" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://hsph.harvard.edu/profile/immaculata-de-vivo/___.YzJ1OndlYm1kOmM6ZzpkYWU2YTQ5ZDFjZjQ1ZGRjNTk4YzAxZGNhMmEwODMxZTo3OmEzNTg6ZTVlNmJkZjE0NzdiZTMzMjNlNTcyMmFjMzNlODBmMzM1YTk5NjhhYjUyYWYyMTI3OWNjNzJmZGIzNzcwYmI4ZDpoOlQ6Rg&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1779382138939000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XOB8U2RtcN71KS6OqrWTk">Immaculata De Vivo, PhD</a>, professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, about how lifestyle factors like movement, nutrition,&nbsp;<a href="https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-anxiety-depression___.YzJ1OndlYm1kOmM6ZzpkYWU2YTQ5ZDFjZjQ1ZGRjNTk4YzAxZGNhMmEwODMxZTo3OjAwZTI6MGUxYjg5ZTBiYTQ1YzNlZjZmMGE0ZWEwMjAyZDg3Y2ZlYjg5Zjk0MjA1MjA4NWY3YjdmNTQ0NDA0MjM3ZThkZTpoOlQ6Rg" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-anxiety-depression___.YzJ1OndlYm1kOmM6ZzpkYWU2YTQ5ZDFjZjQ1ZGRjNTk4YzAxZGNhMmEwODMxZTo3OjAwZTI6MGUxYjg5ZTBiYTQ1YzNlZjZmMGE0ZWEwMjAyZDg3Y2ZlYjg5Zjk0MjA1MjA4NWY3YjdmNTQ0NDA0MjM3ZThkZTpoOlQ6Rg&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1779382138939000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3h7nBjAM1BbX4XTgnVBmPI">stress management</a>, and social connection can influence our biology and&nbsp;<a href="https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/ss/slideshow-longer-life-secrets___.YzJ1OndlYm1kOmM6ZzpkYWU2YTQ5ZDFjZjQ1ZGRjNTk4YzAxZGNhMmEwODMxZTo3OmUzMzI6ZmJiMGQxOTk1YjQyMTdjNGYwZGIzZmUzMWM0ZDkzOGFhYTIzYjY3MWI2OTAyMjJmMzNhZTM1NjAyMGYzYTdlODpoOlQ6Rg" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/ss/slideshow-longer-life-secrets___.YzJ1OndlYm1kOmM6ZzpkYWU2YTQ5ZDFjZjQ1ZGRjNTk4YzAxZGNhMmEwODMxZTo3OmUzMzI6ZmJiMGQxOTk1YjQyMTdjNGYwZGIzZmUzMWM0ZDkzOGFhYTIzYjY3MWI2OTAyMjJmMzNhZTM1NjAyMGYzYTdlODpoOlQ6Rg&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1779382138939000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3eECFt9AeYfcuH_sEXRAWe">long-term health</a>. We also explore the biological impact of chronic stress in cancers like endometrial cancer and discuss how listeners can feel more informed, empowered, and proactive during healthcare visits.
Credits
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Show Notes: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Immaculata De Vivo, PhD</li>
</ul>

Wellness in Your 40s: Building a Foundation for Lifelong Health

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