I couldn’t have imagined a better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than at SXSW with the incredible SHE Media Co-Lab Whole Life Health event, surrounded by so many inspiring women leading the charge in women’s whole health. Every panel I attended was filled with powerful insights, but a few, in particular, stood out.
Emily Morse rocked the stage, debunking myths about sex and reminding us that our best sex life starts today. Her message of empowerment and embracing pleasure at any stage of life perfectly complemented Stacy London’s styling workshop, which was all about confidence, self-expression, and embracing personal style with ease.
One of the most eye-opening conversations was Katie Couric’s panel on gut health and the rise of colon cancer in young adults, featuring Dr. Nancy You and Dr. Susan Bullman. The rise in colon cancer among those under 50 is alarming, and they stressed the importance of early detection and gut health. Ultra-processed foods, overuse of antibiotics, red meat, alcohol, and even microplastics could all be contributing factors, while fermented foods like kefir can play a key role in supporting a healthy microbiome.
Another highlight was hearing from Dr. Andrew Weil, the Godfather of Functional Health, who led a fascinating discussion on the rise of psychedelic medicine. He emphasized the need to honor indigenous knowledge and ensure ethical, sustainable practices as these treatments gain wider acceptance.
And then there was Chip Conley, my new favorite midlife guru. His session on midlife transformation was both thought-provoking and inspiring. He explored the unique challenges women and men face as they navigate this stage of life, calling out the “tyranny of conventional beauty” and emphasizing that true radiance comes from within, not from outdated beauty standards.
Leaving SXSW, I felt more inspired than ever to keep pushing these conversations forward. Women’s whole health deserves to be at the forefront, and I’m grateful to SHE Media Co-Lab and all the brilliant minds who made this event so impactful. Gabriella Espinosa Rebekah Brown Gina Pell Amy Parker Shena Patel Dr. Betty Murray Dr. Jila Senemar MD Julie Flakstad Jen Denton Dina F. Aronson Sarah Foley Cate Luzio, Dr. Jasmonae Joyriel, PsyD Joyriel?#SXSW #WomensHealth #MidlifeEmpowerment #GutHealth #SexualWellness #Menopause #WholeHealth