Why I’m Taking My Health Journey to YouTube (And Not Instagram)

Navigating Life's Surprises and Health Challenges

Life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges, and for women in their 40s, managing health, family, and careers can feel like a balancing act. Recently, I found myself facing a hospitalization and a new medical diagnosis that shifted my entire perspective. I’ve shared personal experiences, workouts, and product recommendations on Instagram for years through my “Make It Fun” page. But with everything happening now, I realized it’s time to change how and where I share my story.

While my health journey is deeply personal, I've noticed that people are curious, especially on Instagram. Many viewers seem to expect me to drop my diagnosis, but Instagram isn’t the space for that. I’ve seen how the health and wellness community online can perpetuate stigmas, offering overly simplistic advice. This blog is about why I’m taking my story to YouTube and why pushing back against the narrative that "living right" makes you immune to illness is essential.

Social Media, Health Narratives, and Stigma: A Reality Check

Social media platforms like Instagram have become places where we share moments of joy, milestones, and even struggles. But there’s a downside—comment sections often become spaces filled with unhelpful advice and judgment. In the health and wellness community, I’ve noticed an ongoing narrative: if you eat right, exercise, and follow a healthy lifestyle, you shouldn’t get sick. This is not true.

A study published in the Journal of Health Communication?highlights that social media users often encounter health-related misinformation, which can increase stigma and discourage people from seeking proper medical care (Wang et al., 2019). For those of us already managing chronic conditions or unexpected health challenges, such narratives can be harmful. I’ve experienced firsthand how, even after living a healthy lifestyle—jumping rope, speed walking, eating well—I still faced a medical emergency.

The Turning Point: My Health Scare and the Need for Transparency

The days leading up to my hospitalization were busy and ordinary. On the morning of my hospitalization, I completed a workout routine using my favorite weighted jump ropes. I alternated between the half-pound and cordless ropes, doing sets until I hit five minutes, followed by a freestyle session for content on Instagram and TikTok. My body felt off, but I pushed through because that’s what I’d always done.

What happened next shocked me. Hours after finishing my workout, I found myself in the hospital, receiving news that completely shifted my reality. Even though I’d been active and consistent with my health routines, I wasn’t immune to illness. Research shows that while regular exercise improves overall health, it does not eliminate the risk of developing severe medical conditions like pulmonary embolism (Lippi & Sanchis-Gomar, 2020). This was a humbling reminder that even when we do everything “right,” health challenges can still arise.

Why Instagram Won’t Be the Space for My Story

Many of you have noticed the shift in my “Make It Fun” page on Instagram. I used to post consistently—sharing workouts, personal updates, and product recommendations. Lately, though, I’ve pulled back. It’s not just that life has become busier; it’s also that I realized Instagram isn’t the place to share this particular part of my journey.

When people wait for you to “drop” personal details like a medical diagnosis, it often feels more like voyeurism than support. What’s the real benefit of sharing such intimate information on Instagram? Would it foster meaningful conversations or satisfy curiosity? I’ve also seen how people on social media can quickly judge, saying, “If you ate better or exercised more, this wouldn’t have happened.” But that’s not how health works.

Taking My Story to YouTube: A Platform for Advocacy and Education

Instead of Instagram, I’ve decided to document my health journey on YouTube. There are a few reasons for this decision. First, YouTube offers a monetized platform. While I’m not sharing my story for profit, the fact that I can earn something from it adds value. If I open up about such a personal experience, it makes sense to do so in a space where my time and effort are acknowledged.

Second, YouTube allows me to dive deeper into the complexities of living with health challenges while maintaining an active lifestyle. It gives me the space to educate, reflect, and advocate against the harmful health narratives I’ve seen on social media. The idea that illness is avoidable through perfect habits is not only false—it’s dangerous. Health is influenced by multiple factors, including genetics, stress, and environmental factors (Wang et al., 2019).

The Importance of Listening to Your Body and Following Medical Advice

As I recover, I’ve had to make peace with scaling back on my high-impact workouts, including jump rope routines. It isn’t easy, especially since fitness has been a significant part of my life. But healing—both physically and mentally—requires rest, self-compassion, and following my doctor's advice.

One key lesson I’ve learned is listening to my body. Too often, we push through discomfort, thinking it’s just soreness or fatigue from a workout. However, pain and fatigue can also be warning signs of something more serious. According to Circulation, understanding these signs and seeking timely medical care can be life-saving, especially for conditions like pulmonary embolism (Lippi & Sanchis-Gomar, 2020).

Final Thoughts: Creating Space for Compassion and Growth

This experience has changed how I view health, self-care, and social media. While I’ll continue sharing parts of my journey, it will be in spaces that feel right—like YouTube, where I can control the narrative and connect with others meaningfully. If you’re navigating health challenges, my advice is this: stop listening to people who tell you that illness is your fault. Everyone’s body is different, and self-care looks different for each person.

Most importantly, follow your doctor’s orders and permit yourself to rest. Healing isn’t linear, and it takes time. I’ll be back with my workouts and jump rope routines when the time is right. Until then, I’m focusing on recovery and using my platform to advocate for others.

If you want to follow my journey, subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://m.youtube.com/@bernapril20. I’ll be sharing more updates, reflections, and insights there soon. I appreciate your support.

References

Lippi, G., & Sanchis-Gomar, F. (2020). Physical activity and pulmonary embolism: Prevention or risk? Circulation, 141(18), 1457-1459.https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.119.044074

Wang, Y., McKee, M., Torbica, A., Stuckler, D., & Brugiavini, A. (2019). Impact of social media on health information dissemination: A literature review. Journal of Health Communication, 24(7), 709-716.https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2019.1632995

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