The Resilience Factor

Pamela Mehta, MD

The Resilience Factor – Where Strength Meets Longevity is hosted by board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Pamela Mehta, founder of Resilience Orthopedics. This empowering show explores how to build a body that’s strong, mobile, and built to last. From injury prevention and surgical insights to conversations with elite athletes and medical experts, Dr. Mehta brings you bold, science-backed strategies to optimize your strength, mobility, and resilience at every stage of life. Whether you're bouncing back or leveling up—this podcast is your prescription for living stronger, longer. Any and all guest statements and opinions are a reflection of their own experience and do not reflect the views or opinions of Pamela Mehta MD, The Resilience Factor Podcast, or Pinnacle Podcast Network.

  1. 3d ago

    Perimenopause, HRT & How to Advocate for Yourself at the OB-GYN | Dr. Wendy Goodall McDonald

    When was the last time you looked at your own body? Really looked? Most women have never seen parts of their own anatomy, have been told their symptoms are "normal," and have never been given permission to rest. Dr. Wendy Goodall McDonald is here to change all three. In this episode of The Resilience Factor, Dr. Pamela Mehta sits down with board-certified OB-GYN, author, and entrepreneur Dr. Wendy Goodall McDonald, better known online as "Dr. Everywoman," the self-described "Weird Al of women's health." They talk about perimenopause and HRT, why so many women are uncomfortable "down there," how to actually advocate for yourself at the doctor, and the difference between a symptom being "normal" and merely "common," a distinction that could change how you're cared for. Along the way, Dr. McDonald shares how a childhood mentor inspired her path into medicine, why she spent 20 years in men's boxers before building a wellness brand around the problem, and why she believes resilience is "an active pursuit of rest and self-care." DR. WENDY GOODALL MCDONALD EXPLAINS: * Why "normal" and "common" are not the same thing, and how to tell the difference at your appointment * Why not everyone needs HRT (and how she decides who actually does) * How testosterone fits into women's hormone care, and the mistakes providers make prescribing it * Why perimenopause awareness is both a blessing and a source of new anxiety * How to get the most out of your annual exam (hint: come in with a list) * Why she welcomes patients who've researched their symptoms on ChatGPT * What real self-advocacy looks like, and why it's never antagonistic * How her own pregnancy taught her the value of monitoring your own body * Why she built a mirror to help women see and understand their own bodies * How she turned flu shots and chlamydia into viral parody songs to make health accessible * Why "resting harder" is a skill she teaches her own kids CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 02:03 Wendy's journey into medicine 04:31 Becoming a first-generation physician 06:00 The mentor who showed her it was possible 07:52 The "Weird Al" of women's health 09:33 Writing children's books to inspire future doctors 10:56 Building the Every Body brand 11:45 Why she wore men's boxers for 20 years 14:10 Creating the mirror and the skincare line 18:00 What makes a great annual exam 20:38 Perimenopause, anxiety, and the truth about HRT 24:04 How women can advocate for themselves 27:20 Testosterone for women: what to know 29:40 Pelvic pain, pelvic floor, and the core connection 32:00 Acupuncture, cupping, and alternative medicine 33:55 Resilience as the active pursuit of rest 36:54 Handling loss and vulnerability as a doctor 38:33 What she wants to see change in women's health 40:18 What's next & where to find Dr. Everywoman FOLLOW DR. WENDY GOODALL MCDONALD: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreverywoman Website: https://dreverywoman.com Every Bodi Brand: https://everybodibrand.com THE RESILIENCE FACTOR WITH DR. PAMELA MEHTA: * Earn FREE CE Credits: https://learnatpinnacle.com * Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiQ_AOy_Pd4mEXrsUN3hC6dEtSpmtQuDF&si=szS_5tqUV85kV1R9  * Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-resilience-factor/id1822815775  * Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3D3mys5DJka3zrsdKEPVs3?si=c56539bea0174bbd  * Follow Pam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.pamelamehta/  * Follow Pam on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.pamelamehta  You can learn more about Dr. Pamela Mehta’s practice here: https://www.resilienceorthopedics.com/  This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠!  MEDICAL ADVICE DISCLAIMER: All content in this podcast and description including: infor­ma­tion, opinions, con­tent, ref­er­ences and links is for infor­ma­tional pur­poses only. The Author does not pro­vide any med­ical advice on the Site. Access­ing, viewing, read­ing or oth­er­wise using this content does NOT cre­ate a physician-patient rela­tion­ship between you and it’s author. Pro­vid­ing per­sonal or med­ical infor­ma­tion to the Principal author does not cre­ate a physician-patient rela­tion­ship between you and the Principal author or authors. Noth­ing con­tained in this video or it’s description is intended to estab­lish a physician-patient rela­tion­ship, to replace the ser­vices of a trained physi­cian or health care pro­fes­sional, or oth­er­wise to be a sub­sti­tute for pro­fes­sional med­ical advice, diag­no­sis, or treatment. You should con­sult a licensed physi­cian or appropriately-credentialed health care worker in your com­mu­nity in all mat­ters relat­ing to your health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Jul 9

    Why Your Blood Pressure Matters More Than You Think | Dr. Heather Prendergast

    The emergency department functions as a raw, unfiltered safety net for the underinsured, acting as a crucial entry point where systemic healthcare failures and social determinants of health are put on full display. In this episode, Dr. Heather Prendergast, a professor of emergency medicine and vice dean for clinical affairs at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, joins host Dr. Pamela Mehta to share insights from her decorated 30-year career. Together, they dive into the true meaning of clinical adaptability, the hidden burdens driving chronic disease in underserved populations, and how patients can reclaim their agency in a broken system. This conversation moves beyond biology to examine the intersection of medicine and humanity, shedding light on what it takes to survive on the front lines of healthcare. What You’ll Learn: The critical practice of clinical adaptability required to navigate split-second decisions and constant medical uncertainty. How unaddressed social determinants of health directly accelerate the trajectory of chronic cardiovascular health disparities. The specific advocacy questions patients must ask to ensure equitable, high-quality care during an emergency department discharge. Why a notorious silent killer is triggering severe heart failure in increasingly younger minority populations. The unexpected connection between daily lifestyle inputs, like sodium intake and sleep deprivation, and long-term cardiovascular resilience. TIMESTAMPS:  00:00 – Resilience in the ER and human capacity to endure 07:32 – Health disparities, social determinants, and the ER as a safety net 14:52 – Hypertension in underserved communities and why it’s a “silent” issue 19:19 – Motivating real lifestyle change: sleep, sodium, alcohol, and daily habits 28:34 – Misinformation, vaccines, and what shows up in pediatric emergencies 32:53 – Resilience and leadership as a woman of color in medicine 37:41 – Dr. Prendergast’s new statewide leadership role and vision for impact Host Resources: Instagram: @dr.pamelamehta Tiktok: @dr.pamelamehta Youtube Channel: Pamela Mehta MD Become a Patient: Resilience Orthopedics Earn FREE CE Credit: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Jul 2

    The Hidden Realities of Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum | Nicole Camardo

    In this episode of The Resilience Factor, host Dr. Pamela Mehta sits down with Nicole (Camardo) Banwell, a certified nurse midwife and Doctor of Nursing Practice, to pull back the curtain on the hidden realities of pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Chatting at 37 weeks pregnant with her second child, Nicole shares her dual perspective as a medical expert and an expectant mother navigating a system that frequently leaves new moms stranded. This conversation strips away the clinical detachment of the maternal healthcare system to expose the raw, unfiltered truth about why the transition into motherhood feels like such a systemic failure, and how redefining our view of support can change everything. What You’ll Learn: The hidden cultural and institutional forces that turn the American postpartum period into an isolating "dumpster fire" for new mothers. The crucial difference between textbook obstetric procedures and the reality of physiologic birth when unexpected complications completely hijack your birth plan. A surprising redefinition of maternal resilience that challenges the dangerous "martyr mentality" women face today. How social determinants of health and structural barriers dictate the stark realities of maternal mortality rates within vulnerable communities. The shifting landscape of modern postpartum recovery options, from luxury retreats to the practical integration of race-concordant care. TIMESTAMPS: 00:06:34 midwives vs OB-GYNs and common myths 00:09:12 holistic and evidence-based maternity care 00:12:14 Black maternal health and community/group care 00:19:30 postpartum challenges and support systems 00:25:24 resilience in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum 00:31:24 provider mental health and working in high-need communities Guest Resources: Instagram: @nicolethemidwife Website: https://www.nicolethemidwife.com/ Host Resources: Instagram: @dr.pamelamehta Tiktok: @dr.pamelamehta Youtube Channel: Pamela Mehta MD Become a Patient: Resilience Orthopedics Earn FREE CE Credit: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Jun 25

    Resilience in Medicine and What It Really Means | Dr. Shikha Jain

    In this episode, host Dr. Pamela Mehta sits down with triple board-certified oncologist and advocate Dr. Shikha Jain to pull back the curtain on the raw, human side of fighting life-altering illnesses. Moving far beyond clinical statistics, they confront the emotional weight of medical misinformation, the systemic barriers pushing women out of healthcare, and what it truly takes to maintain perspective during a devastating diagnosis. This conversation gets to the core of why saving the medical workforce is directly tied to protecting our families, and how radical shifts in modern treatment are extending life expectancy in ways once thought impossible. What You’ll Learn: The hidden correlation between leadership diversity in the healthcare workforce and the funding allocated to women's health. How a counterintuitive adjustment to common lifestyle habits can drastically minimize localized organ inflammation during cancer treatment. The surprising systemic backslide facing professional advocacy networks and what it reveals about the future of community health equity. A groundbreaking development in precision oncology that is completely redefining the standard prognosis for historically terminal diagnoses. The critical warning signs of clinical research funding deficits that threaten to halt the next generation of life-extending therapeutic breakthroughs. Topics covered include: redefining resilience for women in medicine, lessons on mindset and support from cancer patients, navigating misinformation and “wellness” advice in oncology, and how women’s leadership is reshaping medicine and cancer care 02:56 – redefining resilience for women in medicine 07:07 – lessons on mindset and support from cancer patients 14:48 – navigating misinformation and “wellness” advice in oncology 31:12 – how women’s leadership is reshaping medicine and cancer care Guest Resources: Website: https://shikhajainmd.com/ Instagram: @shikhajainmd Women In Medicine Summit: https://www.wimedicine.org/ Host Resources: Instagram: @dr.pamelamehta Tiktok: @dr.pamelamehta Youtube Channel: Pamela Mehta MD Become a Patient: Resilience Orthopedics Earn FREE CE Credit: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Jun 18

    What Every Woman Needs to Know About Midlife Health | Dr. Sameena Rahman

    Are you noticing that more women are facing major health shifts earlier than expected? This week, we bridge the gap between physical symptoms, cultural silence, and the systemic gaps in women's midlife healthcare. Host Dr. Pamela Mehta and prominent guest Dr. Sameena Rahman connect over the deep personal and professional experiences that drive a modern approach to intimate wellness, proving why a holistic view of the body is more critical now than ever. What You’ll Learn: The hidden societal factors causing an increased prevalence of chronic pelvic floor dysfunction and pain conditions within specific communities. How historical clinical trial misinterpretations created a decades-long ripple effect of fear surrounding hormone therapy. The direct correlation between the loss of ovarian function and long-term bone density preservation. Why standard medical algorithms fail complex patients navigating the erratic hormonal shifts of perimenopause. The distinct physiological variables and day-to-day stress loads that elevate microvascular cardiovascular risks in midlife. Guest Resources: Instagram: @gynogirl TikTok: @gynogirl Book - “Brown Girls’ Disease”? Podcast: GYNO GIRL PRESENTS: SEX, DRUGS & HORMONES Host Resources: Instagram: @dr.pamelamehta Tiktok: @dr.pamelamehta Youtube Channel: Pamela Mehta MD Become a Patient: Resilience Orthopedics Earn FREE CE Credit: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Jun 11

    The Truth About Hormones, Aging, and Sexual Health | Dr. Fenwa Milhouse

    In this episode, host Dr. Pamela Mehta sits down with board-certified urologist and pelvic floor surgeon Dr. Fenwa Milhouse to strip away the awkwardness around pelvic and sexual wellness. They dive deep into how hormonal shifts rewrite the rules of our daily comfort, skeletal strength, and intimate lives as we age. By looking past traditional boundaries, this conversation uncovers how advocating for your own physical health and seeking proper medical representation can radically transform your quality of life. Ultimately, it is a candid roadmap to reclaiming a joyful, pain-free existence through better body literacy and open communication. What You’ll Learn: The hidden cascade where declining hormone levels alter everything from cognitive clarity to skeletal integrity. How an often-overlooked muscle group dictates the baseline of both daily physical comfort and sexual pleasure. The complex navigation of laboratory testing required to access modern hormone replacement therapy. Why traditional family dynamics and modern digital media create unique hurdles for early sexual health education. The profound impact of clinical representation on patient trust and breaking down systemic barriers in specialized medicine. Guest Resources: Instagram: @DrMilhouse TikTok: @yourfavoriteurologist YouTube: Down There Urology Host Resources: Instagram: @dr.pamelamehta Tiktok: @dr.pamelamehta Youtube Channel: Pamela Mehta MD Become a Patient: Resilience Orthopedics Earn FREE CE Credit: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Jun 4

    The Five Pillars of Cognitive Longevity

    How do you build cognitive resilience? As we age, life presents an ongoing series of challenges, from physical setbacks to cognitive shifts. In this episode of The Resilience Factor, we sit down with Dr. Christie Chen - a geriatrician, internist, and assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic - to reframe how we look at longevity. Instead of focusing solely on extending the number of years we live, Dr. Chen shares why the real mission is expanding our health span so we can age with true independence, vitality, and grace.  What You’ll Learn: The critical distinction between lifespan and health span that alters how we approach growing older. The surprising way daily conversation helps uncover hidden signs of systemic neglect in the clinic. A specific bodily process that acts as the ultimate reset button for brain healing and memory retention. The five foundational elements of human vitality that dictate our ability to bounce back from hardship. How addressing persistent physical discomfort can directly prevent the cognitive and physical decline often mistaken for normal aging. Guest Resources: Instagram: @grey.edelweiss Tiktok: @grey.collective Podcast: Aging Forward hosted by Dr. Christie Chen Website: https://www.thehopetech.com/about-us Host Resources: Instagram: @dr.pamelamehta Tiktok: @dr.pamelamehta Youtube Channel: Pamela Mehta MD Become a Patient: Resilience Orthopedics Earn FREE CE Credit: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. May 28

    Breaking Down Back Pain | Dr. Betsy Grunch

    Dr. Pamela Mehta sits down with board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Betsy Grunch to talk about what it’s really like to deal with back pain. Dr. Grunch shares her own story of herniating three discs and navigating her personal wellness journey, bringing a uniquely empathetic perspective to a notoriously complex medical topic. Together, they break down the physical and mental resilience it takes to recover, why instant surgical fixes aren't always the answer, and how taking care of your overall health radically impacts your spine. What You’ll Learn: The counterintuitive biological reason why undergoing a surgical procedure can sometimes accelerate long-term spinal degeneration. How a specific, common lifestyle habit acts as a hidden vasoconstrictor to permanently disrupt your body’s natural tissue-healing mechanisms. The multi-quadrant structural framework that defines true core strength far beyond conventional abdominal exercises. Why the intersection of metabolic health, GLP-1 medications, and structural anatomy dictates your daily chronic pain levels. The clinical reality behind the success rates of non-invasive therapies for major disc herniations and when to safely avoid the operating room. Guest Resources: Instagram: @LadySpineDoc Tiktok: @LadySpineDoc Website: https://www.southernneurosurgery.com/ Host Resources: Instagram: @dr.pamelamehta Tiktok: @dr.pamelamehta Youtube Channel: Pamela Mehta MD Become a Patient: Resilience Orthopedics Earn FREE CE Credit: Learn at Pinnacle App This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Resilience Factor – Where Strength Meets Longevity is hosted by board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Pamela Mehta, founder of Resilience Orthopedics. This empowering show explores how to build a body that’s strong, mobile, and built to last. From injury prevention and surgical insights to conversations with elite athletes and medical experts, Dr. Mehta brings you bold, science-backed strategies to optimize your strength, mobility, and resilience at every stage of life. Whether you're bouncing back or leveling up—this podcast is your prescription for living stronger, longer. Any and all guest statements and opinions are a reflection of their own experience and do not reflect the views or opinions of Pamela Mehta MD, The Resilience Factor Podcast, or Pinnacle Podcast Network.

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