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. 22H AGO

    Building A Support Network For Women With Bleeding Disorders

    Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Tracy Hamler, founder of Free Bleeders Inc., to talk about what happens when women with bleeding disorders get dismissed, then decide to build the resources they needed all along. We dig into diagnosis, motherhood, community support, and the daily mindset shifts that help caregivers and leaders keep going when the tank is empty.  • Tracy’s path to a hemophilia diagnosis at 30  • why “symptomatic carrier” language can hide real symptoms  • building Free Bleeders Inc. to empower women with bleeding disorders  • retreats, monthly events, and creating sisterhood and accountability  • practical help like education, copay assistance, premium assistance, and emergency support  • supporting moms by supporting their whole family  • filling your cup so your kids see you healthy  • pressure cooker moments, leadership, and needing affirmations too  • small daily steps that build momentum over time  Follow me on all social media platforms at Tracy Hamler, that’s T-R-A-C-Y-E, H A M L E R. Also follow Free Bleeders Inc. on all platforms as well. Or you can go to freebleeders.org for more information. Just sign up for our email listing. 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.

    28 min
  2. APR 4

    You Can Build A Big Life With Hemophilia

    Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Johnny Hawkins to talk about surviving a life-threatening brain bleed as a toddler and growing into a confident adult with severe Hemophilia A. We get real about bullying, treatment discipline, staying active, and why your bleeding disorder can shape you without limiting you. • Johnny’s origin story as the first known case in his family • A childhood intracranial bleed and craniotomy plus how his dad’s CPR training saved his life • Parents and friends who treat him as capable not fragile • Bullying and the emotional cost of looking “fine” one day and injured the next • Prophylaxis infusions, ports, target joints and learning to feel a bleed coming • Training and sports with hemophilia plus smart risk taking without “bubble wrap” • Building a hands-on custom automotive business and rejecting limiting career advice • New hemophilia treatments, reactions, and what aging with hemophilia changes • Consistency, mentorship and community as the difference between inspiration and lasting change Make sure to subscribe and stay connected with a group of extraordinary achievers and pioneers. 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
  3. MAR 5

    Rewiring Pain Into Purpose w/ Dr. Robb Kelly

    Send us Fan Mail 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
  4. JAN 27

    Losing Weight, Gaining Control, GLP-1, Peptides

    Send us Fan Mail 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
  5. JAN 8

    The New Era of Hemophilia Treatment

    Send us Fan Mail 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
  6. 11/26/2025

    A Mother's Voice On Hemophilia

    Send us Fan Mail A mother shares the raw path from diagnosis shock to confident routines, reflecting on ports, weekly infusions, and letting a wild-hearted kid be a kid. We weigh gene therapy’s promise against real-world insurance battles and the mental health load parents carry, while exploring how creative work online can be a lifeline. • diagnosis as shock, guilt and rapid learning • resources from the hemophilia center and support groups • deciding on a port to make prophylaxis possible • daily judgment calls on bleeds vs minor injuries • balancing safety gear with normal play and confidence • modern therapies lowering bleed rates and damage • nuanced views on gene therapy and long-term data • insurance, copays and navigating approvals under pressure • creative skits, audience growth and handling negativity • realistic take on TikTok Shop opportunities and burnout • advice to newly diagnosed parents on grief and new normals Follow Jess on TikTok and Instagram: @learnwithjess Share this with another mom who needs encouragement, clarity and community 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.

    41 min
  7. 11/12/2025

    Full Court Faith: The Rise of Jason Slonaker

    Send us Fan Mail 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

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.