HemoLife Podcast

L.A. Aguayo

Welcome to the HemoLife Podcast, where we explore how to live an elite life while managing a bleeding disorder or other rare conditions. Dive into educational, entertaining content with stories of high achievers, expert advice on mental health, nutrition, and exercise, and the latest relevant news to elevate your mind, body, and soul.

  1. MAR 5

    Rewiring Pain Into Purpose w/ Dr. Robb Kelly

    Send a text Some stories punch through the noise because they’re honest about pain and fearless about change. Dr. Robb Kelly joins us to trace a blunt arc from childhood drinking and homelessness to a purpose-built life that blends faith, neuroscience, and relentless service. He doesn’t just talk sobriety; he reframes addiction as a thinking problem rooted in patterns, identity, and environment—then hands over simple tools that help anyone rewrite the script. We dive into practical rewiring: twenty deep breaths to flood the brain with oxygen and quiet the subconscious, six-foot mirror work to bypass self-critique, and small daily actions that train new neural pathways. Dr. Robb explains how the gut makes much of our dopamine and serotonin, why rancid oils and hyper-processed foods hijack mood and cravings, and how better inputs can stabilize energy and resilience. We compare sick-care to prevention-first strategies, touch on GLP-1 therapies and peptides, and center the mindset shift that moves people from coping to creating. The heart of the conversation lives in identity and worth. Dr. Robb argues that the language we use shapes outcomes—stop defining yourself only by illness or past mistakes—and that we attract the opportunities we believe we deserve. With powerful stories about expectation effects, limited beliefs, and environmental upgrades, he shows why so many “can’ts” are inherited caps, not facts. Community voices from the hemophilia world bring these ideas to ground, asking sharp questions on epigenetics, chronic stress, and the overlooked roots of addiction. The result is direct, human, and actionable: choose your inputs, set your worth, and take the position you’ve already earned. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs hope today. Follow the show, leave a review, and tell us: which daily habit will you start tomorrow? Learn more about Dr. Robb Kelly at https://robbkelly.com/ Thanks for tuning into the HemoLife Podcast. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs a spark of hope or encouragement. Follow us on Instagram @HemoLife_Podcast and YouTube for updates, guest highlights, and behind-the-scenes content. New episodes drop regularly—your story matters, and this is just the beginning.

    1h 2m
  2. JAN 27

    Losing Weight, Gaining Control, GLP-1, Peptides

    Send a text Brandon shares how a single moment of self-consciousness sparked a 40-pound weight loss, less pain, and a steadier mind while living with severe hemophilia. We talk peptides as a tool, small habits that stick, and why momentum beats motivation. • origins of weight gain after ankle surgeries and recovery • mental health strain from immobilization and family stress • GLP-1 peptides for appetite control and adherence • joint pain relief with weight loss and reduced inflammation • night shift snacking swaps and simple food rules • starting with ten-minute workouts and stacking wins • hydration challenges, nausea basics, and dosing tips • cycling potency, maintenance dosing, and missed-shot windows • community support, accountability, and rebuilding confidence If this episode helped you, share it with someone who needs to hear it stlmedweightloss.com — book a consult; hemophiliacs receive a discount; “I can get you weight loss medications, get your health right, get your weight down, like Brandon, 40 pounds down” To get personalized assistance with peptides and weight loss reach out to www.stlmedweightloss.com and talk with Dr. Joe Moleski Thanks for tuning into the HemoLife Podcast. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs a spark of hope or encouragement. Follow us on Instagram @HemoLife_Podcast and YouTube for updates, guest highlights, and behind-the-scenes content. New episodes drop regularly—your story matters, and this is just the beginning.

    35 min
  3. JAN 8

    The New Era of Hemophilia Treatment

    Send a text We explore how new non‑factor options and high‑sustained factor products are changing hemophilia care and why shared decision making leads to better, more flexible lives. We connect treatment choice to joint health, mental health, aging, and everyday habits that protect long‑term outcomes. • Non‑factor prophylaxis versus factor replacement and what each does best • Treating beyond dated trough targets toward durable thrombin generation • Matching therapy to activity level, joint status, and venous access • Why shared decision making beats one‑size‑fits‑all regimens • Practical plans for breakthrough bleeds and procedures • Aging, comorbidities, and proactive screening for liver cancer and heart disease • Weight, movement, physical therapy, and joint load reduction • Vitamin D, bone health, and osteoporosis risk • Chronic pain, anxiety, and skills to break rumination with breathwork • Caregiver choices for kids and the importance of evolving plans Please take some time to look at the link below. We have educational videos that are going to explain all these non‑factor prophylactic options like Alhemo, Qfitlia, Hympavzi, so you can walk into your next appointment prepared. Sponsored by CME Outfitters through an educational grant from Novo Nordisk Patient education webisodes:  https://bit.ly/HemoOptions Quick Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZK7693T Complete the survey to have a chance at winning 1 of 5 $100 gift cards. Thanks for tuning into the HemoLife Podcast. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs a spark of hope or encouragement. Follow us on Instagram @HemoLife_Podcast and YouTube for updates, guest highlights, and behind-the-scenes content. New episodes drop regularly—your story matters, and this is just the beginning.

    46 min
  4. 11/12/2025

    Full Court Faith: The Rise of Jason Slonaker

    Send a text The highlight reel doesn’t show the needles, the swelling, or the spreadsheets of practice, dosing, and rest. Jason, a 15-year-old varsity point guard with severe hemophilia A, opens up about the real work behind his rise: learning to self-infuse at 10, negotiating risk with his mom and doctors, and building a routine that lets him push hard without pretending the danger isn’t real. If you’ve ever wondered how a teen athlete can manage target joints, game-day nerves, and state-level pressure, this conversation brings you courtside. We talk through the shift from baseball to basketball, the summer league that sparked obsession, and the habits that turned pickup games into varsity minutes. Jason breaks down his prophylaxis plan—every other day and always on game day—and the ankle injuries that forced him to rethink rest and recovery. He shares why vision and pace make up for any height gap, the thrill of a recent 22-point performance, and the mindset that keeps him steady: plan for the worst, play for the best, and let discipline set the ceiling. Along the way, we dig into the hard choices, like suiting up with a swollen elbow so his team wouldn’t forfeit, and what that taught him about toughness versus denial. This story reaches beyond one player. We explore how mentorship, community, and evolving treatments change the future for kids with bleeding disorders. From subcutaneous products to gene therapy, Jason’s optimism is grounded in data and desire: if therapy reduces the daily drag of bleeding risk, training and dreams expand. For parents, coaches, and athletes navigating hemophilia, you’ll find practical takeaways on dosing strategies, injury management, and building a support system that breathes with the season. If this moved you, share it with a family, coach, or teammate who needs a blueprint for chasing big goals with a smart plan. Subscribe for more stories that turn limits into lessons, and leave a review to help others find the show. Thanks for tuning into the HemoLife Podcast. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs a spark of hope or encouragement. Follow us on Instagram @HemoLife_Podcast and YouTube for updates, guest highlights, and behind-the-scenes content. New episodes drop regularly—your story matters, and this is just the beginning.

    17 min
  5. 11/05/2025

    Living With Pain, Choosing Purpose

    Send a text Pain might be invisible to everyone else, but it shapes every choice you make. Raul joins us for a raw, unfiltered look at severe hemophilia: the joint damage that lingers, the fear of switching therapies, and the quiet courage of showing up for life anyway. From marathon training on short half-life factor to learning about Hemlibra and Alhemo at a community event, he walks us through the hard math of risk, relief, and what it really means to protect your vein health over decades. We dig into practical tradeoffs—daily subcutaneous dosing vs. IV routines, breakthrough bleeds during activity, and why some patients still keep factor on hand even when they try a newer agent. Raul shares what changed when he met families and kids living with bleeding disorders today: longer-lasting ports, more options, and a real chance to save joints. That hope sits next to identity questions many of us feel: when you’ve lived by limits, freedom can feel risky. Community bridges that gap, giving words to what hurts and turning fear into action. The conversation turns honest about pain management. Raul describes morphine stigma, the anxiety of refills, and the discipline that kept him steady—clear boundaries with his doctor, slow dose reductions, and zero “extras” for six years. It’s a reminder that responsible opioid use can be part of comprehensive hemophilia care when joint damage is real and severe bleeds don’t wait for stretching. Along the way, we spotlight the power of support: partners who ask how to help, friends who learn the basics, and mentors who say, “I’ve walked there.” If this story gave you something to hold onto, share it with someone who needs to hear it, subscribe for more real conversations, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your voice keeps this community strong. Thanks for tuning into the HemoLife Podcast. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs a spark of hope or encouragement. Follow us on Instagram @HemoLife_Podcast and YouTube for updates, guest highlights, and behind-the-scenes content. New episodes drop regularly—your story matters, and this is just the beginning.

    47 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to the HemoLife Podcast, where we explore how to live an elite life while managing a bleeding disorder or other rare conditions. Dive into educational, entertaining content with stories of high achievers, expert advice on mental health, nutrition, and exercise, and the latest relevant news to elevate your mind, body, and soul.