The YMyHealth Podcast | Wellness and Healthcare Insights for Millennials

Melissa Schenkman and Julie Woon
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Weekly

A podcast by millennials, for millennials, covering health challenges unique to Gen Y. Get expert insights, practical patient advice, and inspiring survivor stories to help you make informed healthcare choices. Empower your journey with YMyHealth!

  1. 22h ago

    POTS and Daily Life: Mental Health, Body Image, Self-Advocacy

    What does living with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, POTS, after COVID look like beyond the physical symptoms?  Katie, a UK-based teacher and POTS content creator, joins YMyHealth Podcast Co-Host Julie Woon to discuss how symptoms intersect with work, body image, menstrual health, relationships, and self-worth—and why sharing patient stories can make people feel less alone. 🎧Listen in to the conversation with Katie for an honest look at the practical and emotional realities of living with POTS.Links: Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/ **Connect with this episode's guest, teacher and POTS content creator and patient from the UK, Katie @mypotsjourney on Instagram and @my_potsjourney on TikTok. **Check out the high-sodium electrolyte mix Katie uses and collaborates with that helps patients living with POTS here at: SALTD Interested in sponsoring the YMyHealth podcast? We'd love to partner with brands and organizations that align with our mission of providing healthcare education to millennials. Contact us at ymyhealthpodcast@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities. **Thank You to Our Sponsors**Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com Lucid - One solution for all your business finances: Bookkeeping, Taxes, Tax Credits, and CFO Services, all in one place at (an affordable price). Plus, they offer free IRS tax credit research, finding money you are owed! Learn more and become a client at: https://www.lucid.now/ For practice owners and entrepreneurs, Lucid can take the work of business finances off your long to-do list.

  2. Oct 22

    Health, Disability Representation, and Dance: Alaina Hall's POTS Journey

    What is it like to live and perform with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)? On this episode of YMyHealth Podcast, Co-Host Julie Woon speaks with disabled performer and chronic illness creator Alaina Hall about how POTS affects daily life, mobility, and performance. Alaina shares her experience of diagnosis and symptom management, the role mobility aids can play, and the emotional challenges of living with an invisible disability. She and Julie also discuss adapting dance and performance, grieving changes in physical ability, listening to the body, and advocating for greater disability visibility and representation in the arts. 🎧Listen now to hear Alaina's perspective on living and performing with POTS, adapting to changing abilities, and advocating for disability representation in the arts. Links: Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/ **Connect with this episode's guest, Alaina Hall @alaina_potsie on Instagram and on TikTok. Interested in sponsoring the YMyHealth podcast? We'd love to partner with brands and organizations that align with our mission of providing healthcare education to millennials. Contact us at ymyhealthpodcast@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities. **Thank You to Our Sponsors**Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com Lucid - One solution for all your business finances: Bookkeeping, Taxes, Tax Credits, and CFO Services, all in one place at (an affordable price). Plus, they offer free IRS tax credit research, finding money you are owed! Learn more and become a client at: https://www.lucid.now/ For practice owners and entrepreneurs, Lucid can take the work of business finances off your long to-do list.

  3. Oct 16

    Affordable Prescription Medications: Navigating Healthcare Costs in the US

    How can you find affordable prescription medications in the US? In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast, Co-Host Melissa Schenkman is joined by pharmacist Dr. Alexandria Yarborough to explain common medication and insurance terms, payment options, and practical steps for navigating prescription costs and accessing medication. Explore how to make informed choices when paying for prescriptions and better understand the healthcare system. This conversation focuses on patient care and actionable guidance for people seeking more affordable medication. What you’ll learn Key terms used when navigating prescription medication costsPayment options that may help make prescriptions more affordablePractical steps for accessing medication in the US🎧Tune in now and share with a friend! Highlights:  (00:00) Introduction to navigating healthcare costs for prescriptions(01:16) The impact of medication costs on health and affordability(03:48) Understanding the landscape of prescription access in the US(06:05) Key terms: brand, generic, premium, deductible, and coverage(10:04) Main ways to pay for prescriptions: cash, insurance, and discounts(16:11) How pharmacy discount programs and coupons work(19:33) Why prescriptions can still be expensive despite insurance(22:40) When to use insurance versus discount options(27:48) Effectiveness and cost differences between brand and generic drugs(33:44) Getting affordable prescriptions without insurance(37:38) Steps to take at the doctor's office for cost savings(41:04) Key takeaway: advocate and prepare to save moneyLinks: Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/ **More about this episode's guest: Alexandria Yarborough, PharmD,  is a Community Pharmacist and Pharmacist in Charge at Sam’s Club in South Carolina. She has almost a decade of experience in the field of pharmacy. She was diagnosed with POTS and has become an advocate for the condition that affects so many in the US, including many in Generation Y.**Check out her Pharmacist's Glossary for Health Insurance and Prescription Med Terms: https://www.ymyhealth.com/blog/prescription-medication-and-insurance-terms-explained Interested in sponsoring the YMyHealth podcast? We'd love to partner with brands and organizations that align with our mission of providing healthcare education to millennials. Contact us at ymyhealthpodcast@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities. **Thank You to Our Sponsors**Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com Lucid - One solution for all your business finances: Bookkeeping, Taxes, Tax Credits, and CFO Services, all in one place at (an affordable price). Plus, they offer free IRS tax credit research, finding money you are owed! Learn more and become a client at: https://www.lucid.now/ For practice owners and entrepreneurs, Lucid can take the work of business finances off your long to-do list.

  4. Oct 8

    Healthcare and Retirement Planning: How to Make the Most of an HSA

    What if the money you set aside for healthcare could also help you build wealth for the future? In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast, Co-Host Julie Woon is joined by financial advisor Jeremy Woltz, who breaks down how health savings accounts (HSAs) work and why they can be one of the most powerful tools for building wealth while covering medical costs. Woltz, who is a financial advisor with the Main Street Group in Richmond, Virginia, explains who can use an HSA, how it differs from an FSA, and how to decide whether to spend or invest the money. We discuss practical strategies for young professionals, parents, people with chronic conditions, and anyone trying to use healthcare dollars more efficiently. 🎧Tune in now to learn about the biggest mistakes people make with HSAs, how to easily do receipt tracking, and about making the most of an HSA in your retirement years. Highlights: (00:00) Welcome to the YMyHealth Podcast(00:35) Meet Jeremy Woltz and the focus on HSAs(01:16) What an HSA is and how it works(02:00) Why younger adults should care about HSAs(03:04) HSA versus FSA explained(05:02) Who may not be a good fit for an HSA(06:17) The triple tax advantage(07:21) Qualified HSA expenses, including therapy and fertility care(08:24) What happens if you use HSA funds for non-qualified expenses(09:40) When to invest HSA money versus keep cash(10:46) Annual contribution limits and employer contributions(11:39) Where the HSA fits in a broader financial priority list(13:39) Using an HSA as a stealth IRA in retirement(14:49) Downsides and limits of the long-term strategy(17:05) Real-life scenario: healthy 28-year-old(18:16) Real-life scenario: 35-year-old with kids(19:32) Real-life scenario: chronic condition or regular prescriptions(20:31) What happens to an HSA when you change jobs(21:35) What to do if your employer does not offer an HSA plan(22:42) How married couples should think about HSAs(24:38) The out-of-pocket reimbursement strategy(25:56) Receipts, EOBs, and recordkeeping tools(27:58) Using HSA funds for Medicare and COBRA premiums(29:40) What happens to an HSA when you pass away(31:05) HSA strategies to be cautious about(32:17) The biggest mistake people make with HSAs(33:21) Common misconceptions about use it or lose it(34:21) When maximizing an HSA can go too far(35:24) Rapid fire: invest it or spend it(35:34) Rapid fire: an HSA expense people miss(35:45) Rapid fire: an overrated HSA hack(36:04) What to do if you have been ignoring your HSA(36:29) What millennials should understand about healthcare and wealth(37:32) Tax reporting and Form 8889(38:53) Where to find Jeremy Woltz and the Main Street Group  Links: Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/ Learn more about this episode's guest, Financial Advisor, Jeremy Woltz here: linkedin.com/in/jeremy-woltz-b03732288 **Learn more about his firm The Main Street Group and how they can help you by visiting here.   Interested in sponsoring the YMyHealth podcast? We'd love to partner with brands and organizations that align with our mission of providing healthcare education to millennials. Contact us at ymyhealthpodcast@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities.**Thank You to Our Sponsors**Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com Lucid - One solution for all your business finances: Bookkeeping, Taxes, Tax Credits, and CFO Services, all in one place at (an affordable price). Plus, they offer free IRS tax credit research, finding money you are owed! Learn more and become a client at: https://www.lucid.now/ For practice owners and entrepreneurs, Lucid can take the work of business finances off your long to-do list.

  5. Oct 1

    Personalizing Healthcare: Diagnostic Testing and Patient Empowerment

    Ever wondered why getting the right treatment can feel like a game of trial and error? In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast, Co-Host Melissa Schenkman talks with Hannah Mamuszka, CEO and founder of Alva10, who explains how smarter diagnostic testing can help you get answers sooner—and make more informed decisions about your health. Hannah unpacks the complexities of the healthcare system and highlights the critical role of diagnostic testing in personalized medicine. 🎧Listen now to learn how patients can take control of their health decisions despite systemic barriers and discover how a smarter use of diagnostic tests can save time, money, and improve outcomes for both patients and the healthcare system. Links:Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/ Learn more about this episode's guest, CEO and Founder of Alva10, Hannah Mamouska here. **Learn more her company, Alva10 at: https://alva10dx.com/about **Hannah's Sources for Finding the Best Prices for CT Scans, MRIs and More:https://www.healthcostlabs.com/ https://www.carepriceguide.com   https://www.turquoise.health  https://fairhealthconsumer.org   Interested in sponsoring the YMyHealth podcast? We'd love to partner with brands and organizations that align with our mission of providing healthcare education to millennials. Contact us at ymyhealthpodcast@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities.**Thank You to Our Sponsors**Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com Lucid - One solution for all your business finances: Bookkeeping, Taxes, Tax Credits, and CFO Services, all in one place at (an affordable price). Plus, they offer free IRS tax credit research, finding money you are owed! Learn more and become a client at: https://www.lucid.now/ For practice owners and entrepreneurs, Lucid can take the work of business finances off your long to-do list!

  6. Sep 24

    Health Insurance Innovation: A CEO’s Journey to Personalized Benefits

    Ever picked a health insurance plan and wondered whether it would actually cover what you need? In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast, Co-Host Melissa Schenkman sits down with Brandy Thompson, CEO and Founder of benefitbay, who shares her inspiring journey from navigating healthcare challenges as a mother of six to creating a groundbreaking platform that offers personalized health insurance benefits. Discover how Brandy’s mission is transforming healthcare access and affordability through innovative solutions like ICRA which stands for Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement, making healthcare work better for families and individuals. 🎧This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in personalized health insurance plans, healthcare innovation, and patient advocacy. Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to Brandy Thompson and benefitbay(00:28) Brandy's healthcare experiences as a mother of six(00:33) Challenges in the traditional health insurance system(01:03) How legislation like ACA and ICRA influence healthcare options(01:26) The role of technology and human empathy in healthcare support(01:31) Building benefitbay: Mission and vision(01:57) How benefitbay empowers employees with personalized choices(02:26) Understanding ICRA and its benefits for individuals(02:47) Red flags in health insurance plans(03:14) Advice for health entrepreneurs and innovators(03:41) Work-life balance and personal sacrifices(04:09) Hope for the future of healthcare and advice for newcomers Links:Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/ *Hey listener, we’ve got a favor to ask!*Your thoughts matter. Tell us what episodes, guests, and topics you want more of by taking our short survey. It’s quick, easy, and helps us better serve you. Take the survey HERE.  Learn more about this episode's guest, CEO and Founder of benefitbay, Brandy Thompson here. **Learn more about how you and the company you work for can get benefitbay and make getting health insurance easier here: https://www.benefitbay.com/employees Interested in sponsoring the YMyHealth podcast? We'd love to partner with brands and organizations that align with our mission of providing healthcare education to millennials. Contact us at ymyhealthpodcast@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities. Learn about YMyHealth's Podcast Co-Host, Melissa Schenkman here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/team/melissa-schenkman **Thank You to Our Sponsors**Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com Lucid - One solution for all your business finances: Bookkeeping, Taxes, Tax Credits, and CFO Services, all in one place at (an affordable price). Plus, they offer free IRS tax credit research, finding money you are owed! Learn more and become a client at: https://www.lucid.now/For practice owners and entrepreneurs, Lucid can take the work of  business finances off your long to-do list!

  7. Sep 17

    Understanding Dementia: Early Diagnosis and Holistic Brain Health

    Have you ever worried about a parent’s memory—or wondered what you can do for your own brain health? In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast, Co-Host Melissa Schenkman talks with renowned neurologist and U.S. Air Force Veteran, Dr. Catherine Madison, as they explore the latest advances in dementia and Alzheimer's care. Learn about the early signs of memory loss, the critical importance of early diagnosis, and holistic approaches to brain health. Discover practical steps for prevention and lifestyle interventions that support cognitive function and planning for the future. This episode is essential listening for caregivers and anyone interested in proactive brain health. 🎧Tune in now to learn why getting answers sooner matters and practical ways to plan ahead to protect your brain health and your loved ones, as well as care for those in your life living with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.  And share this info on one of today's hottest health topics with your friends! Highlights:(00:00) Introduction to dementia and Alzheimer's(02:07) Dr. Madison's background and journey into dementia care(04:14) Current landscape and recent advances in treatment(06:17) The significance of early diagnosis and new medications(07:26) Research developments and future therapies(09:51) Understanding dementia as a horizontal illness affecting families(11:44) Recognizing normal vs. abnormal memory changes(13:25) Early signs of dementia and behavioral changes(14:14) The concept of anosognosia and its implications(17:11) How breakdowns in brain networks affect memory and planning(19:04) Approaching loved ones about memory concerns(22:26) Responding to repetitive questions and agitation(23:51) Managing panic and urgency in seeking diagnosis(25:36) Pathways for diagnosis and treatment options(27:14) Why Dr. Madison wrote her book and its key insights(29:33) Summary of key takeaways and hope for the future(41:14) Final thoughts and encouragement for proactive planning Links:Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/ *Hey listener, we’ve got a favor to ask!*Your thoughts matter. Tell us what episodes, guests, and topics you want more of by taking our short survey. It’s quick, easy, and helps us better serve you. Take the survey HERE.  Learn more about this episode's guest, Dr. Catherine Madison, a renowned neurologist and Founder of the Dolby Brain Health Center in San Francisco at: https://www.mdmemorycare.com/personal-story **Purchase Dr. Madison's AMAZING book at Barnes & Noble here or at Amazon here. Here book is titled, Navigating Memory Loss - Essential Questions and Answers on Alzheimer's and Dementia.  Interested in sponsoring the YMyHealth podcast? We'd love to partner with brands and organizations that align with our mission of providing healthcare education to millennials. Contact us at ymyhealthpodcast@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities. Learn about YMyHealth's Podcast Co-Host, Melissa Schenkman here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/team/melissa-schenkman Thanks again to our sponsor, Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com

  8. Jun 18

    Unlocking Longevity: How Peptides and Tech Are Changing the Future of Health

    What if the future of living longer and healthier was built around you? In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast, Co-Host Melissa Schenkman sits down with Tony Medrano, CEO and Founder of LongevityPlan.AI, to break down the science behind longevity, peptide therapies, and the rise of digital twin technology. He is a three-time Ironman Triathlon Finisher, who has seen and experienced firsthand the health benefits of digital twin technology and peptide therapies both himself in Ironman training and when working with athletes in the NBA, NFL, and on the U.S. Olympic Team. The conversation highlights the existing scientific research behind peptides, what more needs to be done, how they can benefit your health, and the ways in which LongevityPlan.AI is supporting people in their quest for longevity. Tony and his team at LongevityPlan.AI offer clients/patients both membership to their Longevity Club (which includes daily workouts and talks by scientists and healthcare professionals) and peptide therapy plans in consultation with licensed U.S. physicians.  From personalized health strategies to cutting-edge tools designed to help you optimize your body and mind, this conversation explores how technology is changing the way we think about aging — and what that could mean for your future. 🎧Tune in now to discover how personalized health strategies and cutting-edge science can help you build your own longevity plan to live a longer and healthier life—both with and without peptide therapies in the mix. And share this info on one of today's hottest health topics with your friends!  Highlights:(00:00) Introduction to Longevity and Health Optimization(05:44) Understanding Peptides and Their Benefits(12:13) Safety and Efficacy of Peptide Therapies(16:45) The Concept of Digital Twins in Health(24:26) FDA Approval and Quality Assurance in Peptide Therapies(29:35) Longevity Club: Community and Resources for Wellness(33:05) Peptides for Healing and Recovery(37:51) Targeting Inflammation and Fat Reduction(38:48) Mental Acuity and Cognitive Enhancement(43:54) Navigating Peptide Therapy(47:50) Personalized Medicine and Longevity Planning(52:21) Engaging the Medical Community(55:26) Future of Peptide Therapy and Longevity Club *Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical  advice. Our guest, Tony Medrano, while not a physician, works in consultation with licensed U.S. physicians at LongevityPlan.AI, who have take the lead in reviewing medical history, determining which patients are eligible for peptide therapies, and consulting with U.S. licensed pharmacists to determine specific dosing. Links:Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/ *Hey listener, we’ve got a favor to ask!*Your thoughts matter. Tell us what episodes, guests, and topics you want more of by taking our short survey. It’s quick, easy, and helps us better serve you. Take the survey HERE.  Learn more about this episode's guest, Tony Medrano here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonymedrano/*Learn about and join LongevityPlan.AI's Longevity Club and check out the company's peptide plans and medical review process here.*Follow LongevityPlan.AI on Instagram @longevityplanai and on their LinkedIn (where they have reseach-based articles) and Facebook pages. And visit them on their new TikTok @longevityplan.ai Interested in sponsoring the YMyHealth podcast? We'd love to partner with brands and organizations that align with our mission of providing healthcare education to millennials. Contact us at ymyhealthpodcast@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities. Learn about YMyHealth's Podcast Co-Host, Melissa Schenkman here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/team/melissa-schenkman Thanks again to our sponsor, Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com

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A podcast by millennials, for millennials, covering health challenges unique to Gen Y. Get expert insights, practical patient advice, and inspiring survivor stories to help you make informed healthcare choices. Empower your journey with YMyHealth!

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