Papaya Talk

Papaya Talk
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Weekly

Chatting about the world of women’s health from one generation to the next. Brought to you by mom and daughter duo Dr. Alyssa-Herrera-Set and Nadia Herrera-Set. Get even more juice at www.papaya.health

  1. 5d ago

    The Hidden Stress of Supporting Yourself as a College Student

    This week, Alyssa and Nadia record in mid-May as the heat, allergies, airplane noise, ambulances, and barking dogs set the scene. After a quick detour into neighborhood complaints, Alyssa brings the conversation to the real topic: money, and how Nadia is thinking about it as she nears the end of college. Nadia has one semester left, a co-op that pays slightly above Boston’s minimum wage, and parental support that has always had a clear end date. Alyssa asks what it feels like to stand at the edge of that transition. Nadia shares that she isn’t panicking, but she also doesn’t feel fully at ease. Boston is expensive, her co-op pay only stretches so far, and she’s aware that next semester may require working two jobs to make everything work. She reflects on past choices, like spending on her summer abroad in Greece, and the growing reality that she’s getting closer to true financial independence. The conversation expands to the job market for Nadia’s peers. Many seniors are still searching for offers, moving home, or taking whatever work they can find. Even in healthcare, where Nadia is headed, jobs may be available but often don’t pay enough to live alone in Boston. Alyssa compares this to her own post-college experience during the dot-com boom, when jobs were easier to find but the pressure to choose something “worthy” still felt heavy. Looking back, she sees how much unnecessary pressure she placed on her younger self. The episode lands on the uncertainty of being in your 20s, when plans around housing, jobs, cities, and school can shift quickly. Alyssa mentions Charvi’s changing physical therapy school plans as an example of how much life can rearrange in just a few months. Takeaways Money stress can be the constant awareness that support is ending and the gap between income and expenses is shrinking.A safety net is a privilege because it means someone could catch you if something big went wrong.Boston and other major cities are often too expensive for college-level wages to cover fully.A clear end date on parental support can be uncomfortable, but it pushes independence earlier.The post-grad job market is tough, even for students with strong internship or co-op experience.Café and retail jobs carry less outside judgment now, but the internal pressure can still feel heavy.Healthcare jobs may be available, but they often don’t pay enough for expensive cities.Your 20s are unstable because so many opportunities and decisions are still in motion.Big plans can shift quickly, and the real skill is learning how to adapt.Millennials often put too much pressure on landing an impressive first job.Knowing the challenges ahead can feel grounding because the unknowns become more defined.Chapters 0:10–3:00 — Heat, Airplanes, Barking Dogs, and the Nextdoor Complaints 3:00–5:55 — Setting Up the Topic: The End of the Allowance and What That Actually Means 5:55–10:30 — Nadia's Honest Read on Money in College: Never Quite Comfortable, Even With Support 10:30–13:50 — The Privilege of Having a Backup: What Stability Actually Looks Like 13:50–16:30 — Two Jobs Next Semester and the Math That Isn't Going to Work Otherwise 16:30–20:30 — The Job Market for Nadia's Peers: Co-Ops Don't Guarantee Anything 20:30–22:30 — Cafe Jobs, Retail Jobs, and the Generational Shift in What's Acceptable Post-Grad 22:30–26:30 — Why Your 20s Are Unstable On Purpose: Leases, Opportunities, and Rolling With the Punches 26:30–28:50 — The Long Road of Medical School and Closing Thoughts on Knowing the Challenges Ahead650.701.7686 (o)650.332.2739 (f)510.673.8712 (m)Sports & Dance Rehab|Pilates| Group ClassesOn the Move Physical Therapy501-D Old County Rd.Belmont, CA 94002web - http://www.onthemovephysio.comemail - alyssa@onthemovephysio.comIG - https://www.instagram.com/onthemovephysio

    29 min

  2. May 20

    The Surprising Ways Filipino Culture Is a Trend—and Its Hidden Impact on Identity

    After scrapping a first recording that didn't feel right, Alyssa and Nadia land on a topic that's been sitting in the background: what it actually means to be Filipino-American when you're a generation removed from the immigration story. Nadia is 100% Filipino by heritage — but both her parents were born in the US, and that one fact changes almost everything. The conversation gets specific fast. Nadia recalls arriving at Northeastern's Filipino club and learning there was a taho night — a dessert she'd never heard of. She looked Filipino, but didn't always know the script. A visit to the Philippines brought the same dissonance: people addressed her in Tagalog expecting fluency, only to find she couldn't follow along. Alyssa notes that neither parent spoke Tagalog at home, so there was never a natural path to absorb it — though Nadia still holds herself accountable for not seeking it out. They also get into what it's like to be Asian in mostly non-Asian spaces — something Nadia encounters more in Boston than she ever did in the Bay Area. Outside the community, all Asian identities tend to get collapsed into one. It's frustrating, but Nadia also finds unexpected comfort in her Asian friend group: there's something grounding about being around people who look like you, even when the specific cultural backgrounds differ. The episode closes with both of them acknowledging there's a whole other conversation waiting — including whether the Philippines even belongs in the "Asian" part of AAPI. Takeaways Being fully Filipino by ancestry doesn't guarantee fluency in Filipino culture — especially when your parents were also raised in the USLanguage is one of the clearest markers of cultural connection, and its absence tends to surface guilt even when it wasn't really a choicArriving somewhere you're "supposed" to belong and realizing the connection isn't automatic is its own specific kind of dissonancePeople outside a community tend to collapse all Asian identities into one — frustrating, but not always maliciousThere's real comfort in being around people who look like you, even without shared cultural specificsGrowing up in a diverse environment like the Bay Area creates assumptions about normalcy that other places quickly disruptNavigating multiple cultural contexts builds something useful: the ability to hold different worldviews without defaulting to one as the obvious baselineCultural identity isn't a fixed destination — for most people, it's an ongoing negotiation between origin, upbringing, and what you decide to learn nowChapters 0:10–0:52 — Do-Over: Why the First Recording Didn't Make the Cut0:52–2:14 — AAPI Heritage Month and the Filipino Moment on TikTok2:14–5:08 — Growing Up Filipino Without the Philippines5:08–7:43 — The Taho Moment: When You Look the Part But Don't Know the Script7:43–10:19 — Why Tagalog Wasn't in the House — and Whether That's Anyone's Fault10:19–12:19 — Being Lumped In: How Non-Asians Read Asian Identity12:19–14:29 — The Quiet Comfort of Your Own Community — and What Boston Made Visible 650.701.7686 (o) 650.332.2739 (f) 510.673.8712 (m) Sports & Dance Rehab | Pilates | Group Classes On the Move Physical Therapy 501-D Old County Rd. Belmont, CA 94002 web - http://www.onthemovephysio.com email - alyssa@onthemovephysio.com IG - https://www.instagram.com/onthemovephysio

    15 min

  3. May 12

    From College Years to Career Goals: How Perfectionism and Fear Shape Generation Z

    This week, Alyssa and Nadia record on a Sunday morning, a podcast first, and quickly abandon their planned topic for a more organic conversation about Gen Z: whether they’re really more serious, homebodied, and less “fun” than previous generations. Alyssa shares what she’s been hearing from parents: Gen Z drives less, goes out less, drinks less, and spends more time indoors. Nadia pushes back thoughtfully, arguing that the behavior may not be as different as people think. What has changed is what gets posted. Her generation is highly aware of being watched online, managing a persona, and the permanence of digital life. Just because something isn’t visible doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. The conversation becomes more personal when Nadia describes herself as a perfectionist. For her, perfectionism isn’t about flawless work. It’s about waiting for the “right” conditions until nothing gets started. It’s also about disruption, perception, and rarely going against the grain. Alyssa contrasts this with her own motivation: she’s more afraid of missing the window than getting it perfect, so she tends to jump in before she feels ready. From there, they explore social media, public identity, and the pressure of growing up with everything documented. College acceptances, LinkedIn wins, and life milestones are not just experienced, they’re performed. Alyssa reflects on seeing a colleague post a keynote credit and wondering whether her own silence online had cost her opportunities. Nadia explains that for her, not posting certain things isn’t dishonest; it’s simply a way of navigating who gets to see what. The episode closes with recommendations. Alyssa shares Yesteryear, a novel about a tradwife influencer whose online identity clashes with her inner life. Nadia adds a guilty pleasure mention of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, then half-retracts it almost immediately. Takeaways Gen Z may not be less social or less fun, but more selective about what they post online.Social media has changed the visibility of behavior, making outside perceptions feel distorted.Perfectionism often shows up as waiting for the “right” conditions, which can delay actionSome people are more motivated by the fear of missing an opportunity than by doing something perfectly.Growing up online turns milestones like college acceptances and job wins into public performances.Being constantly watched shapes what people share, hide, and curate.Influencer culture is a legitimate modern job, but it comes with pressure to stay consistent in public.The most effective online personas often feel authentic, not overly constructed.Post-COVID isolation shaped how Gen Z socializes, matures, and handles pressure.Authenticity is harder to maintain when platforms reward polished, consistent identities.Chapters0:11–1:24 — Sunday Morning Recording: Why Today Feels Different 1:24–4:15 — The Gen Z Debate: Do They Actually Go Out Lessor Just Post Less? 4:15–7:50 — A Man at a Donut Shop, a Woman Behind theCounter, and What Growing Up Fast Used to Look Like 7:50–10:45 — Pressure to Fix the World and the PerceptionThat Gen Z Is Lazy 10:45–14:40 — The Perfectionism Conversation: What NadiaActually Means When She Says It 14:40–16:20 — Waiting for the Right Time vs. Jumping BeforeYou're Ready 16:20–20:00 — Everything Is Online: College Acceptances,LinkedIn Posts, and the Pressure to Perform Every Milestone 20:00–22:05 — Alyssa's LinkedIn Wake-Up Call and What SheHasn't Posted 22:05–26:30 — Is Being an Influencer a Legitimate Career?The Full Conversation 26:30–30:25 — Book and Show Recommendations: Yesteryear, Tradwives, and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives 650.701.7686 (o) 650.332.2739 (f) 510.673.8712 (m) Sports & Dance Rehab | Pilates | Group Classes On the Move Physical Therapy 501-D Old County Rd. Belmont, CA 94002 web - http://www.onthemovephysio.com email - alyssa@onthemovephysio.com IG - https://www.instagram.com/onthemovephysio

    31 min

  4. Apr 29

    No Agenda, Just Life

    This week, Alyssa and Nadia skip having a guest and instead share a personal life update. There’s no set topic — just an honest check-in on how they’re doing. It turns into one of their most open and candid episodes. Alyssa revisits her Hume Scale results by getting a DEXA scan, the gold standard for body composition. The scan showed slightly better results, suggesting the scale is fairly accurate. More than the data, she reflects on how her mindset has changed — getting the same “B” result as in 2018, but this time feeling more motivated to improve. Her results showed weight gain since 2018, but mostly from muscle, not fat. Bone density dropped slightly and visceral fat increased a bit, but the muscle gain surprised her. It highlights how our perception of our bodies doesn’t always match reality. Nadia shares her update, balancing co-op work, gymnastics, and trying to eat healthier. She tested her nutrition with a carotenoid scan and scored average, but wants to improve. Alyssa also reveals they hired a private chef, leading to a funny but practical discussion about cost, food waste, and meal prep. The conversation shifts as Nadia talks about her MCAT dilemma. She’s behind on studying and deciding whether to take it. Alyssa emphasizes that whatever she chooses, she needs to stay intentional with her prep. Beyond the MCAT, Nadia is also navigating big life decisions — career plans, where to live, and friendships changing after graduation. Alyssa reassures her that this uncertainty is normal and that this stage of life, though messy, often becomes one of the most meaningful. Takeaways Our perception of our own health and fitness doesn't always match the data — and that gap is worth paying attention toThe same result can land completely differently depending on where you are in life and what you've been told to care aboutSocial media has meaningfully shifted how women think about their bodies, health, and fitness — especially for women in their fortiesMuscle gain can happen without dedicated weight training, and sometimes the body surprises youPractical barriers to eating vegetables are real — variety, prep time, and portion size all get in the way for small householdsThe private chef math is more defensible than it sounds when you factor in food waste, time, and the cost of eating outPostponing a high-stakes test isn't just a scheduling question — it changes your entire relationship to studying for itMedical school applications mean every MCAT score is visible, so the decision of when to sit for it carries real weightThe 22 to 27 window is one of the most uncertain periods of adult life — and almost everybody gets through itHaving friends scatter after college is a real emotional transition, not just a logistical oneA carotenoid meter is apparently a thing that exists and your workplace might have oneChapters 0:11–1:24 — No Agenda, Just Life: What This Episode Is and Why1:24–4:28 — The DEXA Scan Follow-Up: How Accurate Was the Hume Scale?4:28–7:05 — The Same Grade, Eight Years Apart: What Changed and What Didn't7:05–11:15 — The Discourse Around Women's Health: Jane Fonda, Dr. Stacy Sims, and What's Different Now11:15–12:05 — Nadia on Exercise Post-Gymnastics: The Gym That Never Quite Happens12:05–15:50 — The Private Chef Reveal: Nadia's Reaction and the Actual Math15:50–19:30 — Vegetables, Carotenoid Meters, and Eating Like an Adult19:30–24:00 — Senior Season: Nationals, Senior Night, Grad Photos, and the Transition Feeling24:00–29:05 — The MCAT Decision: July, September, or January — and What's Really Holding It Back29:05–31:33 — Jobs, Leases, Moving, and What 22 to 27 Feels Like from the Other Side650.701.7686 (o) 650.332.2739 (f) 510.673.8712 (m) Sports & Dance Rehab | Pilates | Group Classes On the Move Physical Therapy 501-D Old County Rd. Belmont, CA 94002 web - http://www.onthemovephysio.com email - alyssa@onthemovephysio.com IG - https://www.instagram.com/onthemovephysio

    32 min

  5. Apr 22

    The Surprising Power of Scales and AI in Managing Your Health—Are We Over-Tracking?

    In this week’s episode, Alyssa and Nadia open with the reason Nadia barely has a voice: nationals in Alabama, a weekend of yelling, and a concert the night before. The main story follows Alyssa’s latest Instagram-ad purchase: a Hume body pod, a smart scale that measures things like body fat, visceral fat, muscle mass, and bone mass. Curious about her health as she approaches 50 — and noticing more women on GLP-1 medications losing weight but also showing up with injuries — she wanted a better way to understand where weight loss was actually coming from. Instead, the scan gave her worse results than expected and sent her into a mini spiral. Within 48 hours, she had asked AI for a meal plan, bought groceries, started weight training, and even contacted a private chef. Nadia reacts with a mix of disbelief and amusement, but the conversation also touches on something deeper: Alyssa’s history of anxiety around health tracking. She shares how monitoring her blood pressure once triggered a panic cycle, and Nadia adds that a teammate had a similar experience after obsessively watching her Garmin heart rate. Things get even more interesting when Alyssa finds out her husband had already bought a different body composition scale and hidden it while Nadia and Lucy were home. When the two scales showed different results, it raised a bigger question about how accurate any of these devices really are. Alyssa decides the best next step is a DEXA scan to get a baseline and figure out whether either scale is worth keeping. The episode ends on a lighter note with Alyssa’s other ad-fueled regret: three “perfect” t-shirts that turned out to be neither perfect nor refundable. Nadia gives her verdict, and they wrap up with voice recovery tips like ginger turmeric tea with honey, Flonase, and the reminder that raspiness is better than whispering. Takeaways Health tracking tools can be genuinely useful, but knowing your own psychological relationship with numbers before you buy is just as important as the data itselfMonitoring a metric you're anxious about can make that metric worse — the feedback loop between anxiety and physiology is realBody composition scales vary significantly in accuracy, and comparing two against a gold standard like a DEXA scan is a smarter starting point than trusting either one blindlyGLP-1 medications are changing the bodies of a lot of people, and the question of what's being lost alongside the weight is worth paying attention toAI-generated meal plans and workout routines aren't inherently bad starting points — but they work better when you bring some of your own knowledge to the tableResistance training matters more as you age, especially for women approaching 50, even if it's not your favorite kind of movementHiding body composition tools from teenagers in the house is a form of care — some information isn't neutral for everyoneChapters 0:10–1:04 — Where Did Nadia's Voice Go? Alabama Nationals, Concerts, and Allergies1:04–3:24 — Alyssa Gets Targeted: What the Hume Body Pod Promises and Why She Caved3:24–5:29 — When Tracking Backfires: The Blood Pressure Panic Spiral and a Teammate's Garmin Story5:29–7:00 — What the Scale Actually Said and the Spiral That Followed7:00–10:00 — The AI Meal Plan, the Grocery List, and Nadia's Escalating Disbelief10:00–12:00 — The Husband's Hidden Scale, the Data Discrepancy, and an Accuracy Problem12:00–14:16 — Why Alyssa Actually Bought It: GLP-1 Clients, Muscle Loss, and a Clinic Motivation14:16–15:34 — The DEXA Plan, the Return Maybe, and a Reality Check on Resources15:34–16:09 — Instagram Ads, Three Non-Returnable T-Shirts, and Closing Thoughts650.701.7686 (o) 650.332.2739 (f) 510.673.8712 (m) Sports & Dance Rehab | Pilates | Group Classes On the Move Physical Therapy 501-D Old County Rd. Belmont, CA 94002 web - http://www.onthemovephysio.com email - alyssa@onthemovephysio.com IG - https://www.instagram.com/onthemovephysio

    16 min

  6. Apr 8

    Navigating College Life: Expectations vs. Reality

    This week, Alyssa welcomes both daughters — Nadia and Lucy. Lucy was last on the podcast before college, so this episode is a real check-in now that she’s a sophomore in her first co-op. It’s part of the college/post-grad series, but with a twist: Lucy is still in it, offering a fresh, in-the-moment perspective. Lucy opens up about her college experience versus expectations — which she barely had. That lack of a fixed idea may have helped. The conversation then shifts to college admissions, with both sisters sharing how they didn’t get into their top choices — Middlebury and Berkeley for Lucy, UCSB for Nadia — but ended up at Northeastern and truly love it. The takeaway feels real, not cliché: you land where you’re meant to be. They dive into what makes Northeastern work. For Lucy, it’s the flexibility — study abroad, co-ops, and a driven environment. For Nadia, it’s how learning extends beyond the classroom and pushes her into new experiences. Alyssa shares the quiet relief of having both daughters at the same school, knowing they have each other. The tone shifts as they talk about exhaustion. Alyssa is dealing with jet lag from Japan, Lucy from a packed weekend, and Nadia from juggling co-op, gymnastics, MCAT prep, and life. Nadia admits her MCAT prep isn’t where it should be, but she’s not panicking — she’s adjusting. The episode closes with Alyssa asking Lucy about life after college. Her answer is open and unforced: let co-ops guide her, stay open to grad school, and explore political science. And in a callback to two years ago, she still half-jokes — maybe she’ll run for president. Takeaways - Going into college without rigid expectations can actually protect you from disappointment — and leave room for genuine surprise - Not getting into your top school isn't a detour; for a lot of people it turns out to be exactly the right road - The schools you didn't get into have a way of fading once you find your people and your rhythm where you are - Co-op doesn't just pad a resume — it fundamentally changes how you understand your own interests and career options - Having a sibling at the same school is less dramatic than it sounds, and more quietly meaningful than you'd expect - Being tired isn't always a sign something's wrong — sometimes it just means you're doing a lot of things that matter to you - The pressure of MCAT prep, competition season, and trying to have a social life doesn't have to be managed perfectly — sometimes you just recalibrate - Letting your early work experiences guide your post-grad direction is a legitimate strategy, not a lack of ambition - It's okay to hold grad school as a maybe rather than a plan — you can apply for jobs first and see what actually calls to you - Staying open to pivots, even when you're mid-path, is one of the most useful things you can do in your early twenties Chapters 0:10–1:23 — Welcome Back Lucy: The First In-the-Middle-of-It-All Guest 1:23–3:12 — What College Has Actually Been Like vs. What Lucy Expected 3:12–7:18 — College Admissions Advice: Top Schools, Gut Feelings, and Ending Up Where You're Supposed To Be 7:18–11:28 — Why Northeastern? The One-Reason Question Neither Sister Can Answer in One Reason 11:28–15:02 — Going to the Same School as Your Sibling: Less of a Big Deal, More of a Quiet Comfort 15:02–18:30 — Being Far from Home: Family Closeness, Missing California, and the Value of This Window 18:30–22:30 — All Three Are Tired: Jet Lag, Co-op, Competition Weekends, and 3 AM Texts 22:30–26:20 — Nadia on MCAT Prep, Not Enough Time, and the Honest State of Things 26:20–29:41 — Lucy on Post-Grad: Co-ops, Political Science, Grad School Maybe, and Running for President 650.701.7686 (o) 650.332.2739 (f) 510.673.8712 (m) Sports & Dance Rehab | Pilates | Group Classes On the Move Physical Therapy 501-D Old County Rd. Belmont, CA 94002 web - http://www.onthemovephysio.com email - alyssa@onthemovephysio.com IG - https://www.instagram.com/onthemovephysio

    30 min

  7. Mar 19

    How a Recent Graduate Turned Post-College Life into a Creative Adventure

    This week, Alyssa and Nadia are joined by their first post-grad guest, Charvi Dot — a recent Northeastern graduate and longtime friend. As Nadia approaches graduation, the episode kicks off a new series focused on what life actually looks like after college. Charvi shares her unconventional gap year: completing a 200-hour yoga training in Rishikesh, working as a barista in Allston, traveling to visit friends, and exploring new interests like pottery — all before heading to Northwestern for PT school. She opens up about the logistics behind it (saving during college, budgeting, and working multiple jobs) and the mindset shift that came with letting go of a rigid plan. The conversation dives into how stepping off the “expected path” helped her discover what she truly enjoys — and how experiences outside your field can be just as valuable as those within it. From yoga as a practice of presence to the power of community in unexpected places, Charvi reflects on how her gap year reshaped her perspective on career and life. They wrap with a fun lightning round, where Charvi describes her college years as: caterpillar → puppy → cat → butterfly — and she’s still flying.Takeaways A gap year doesn't have to be productive in the traditional sense — sometimes the whole point is to find out what you actually enjoySaving money in college, even incrementally, can buy you real freedom right after graduationIndependence isn't just financial — it's a mindset that shapes every decision you make along the wayYoga is far more than a fitness class; at its core, it's a practice of presence and a path toward meditationThe path to a career goal doesn't have to be straight — sidetracks often teach you more than the main roadWorking a job outside your field can be one of the most clarifying experiences of your early twentiesThe pressure to be "a competitive applicant" can crowd out the experiences that actually make you a fuller personCommunity is the through line — at college, at a café, in a yoga ashram, wherever you landReturning to something on your own terms (a city, a practice, a passion) completely changes your relationship to itThe people you meet in unexpected places — a café, a studio, a training — are often the ones who shift your whole worldviewChapters0:10–0:33 – Introduction: What's Been on Their Feeds 0:33–1:48 – Olympics Coverage: Hockey and the US Team's Gold 1:48–3:30 – The Shift in Figure Skating: A New Era of Style and Personality 3:30–5:27 – Alyssa Liu's Story: Retiring at 16 and Coming Back on Her Own Terms 5:27–7:04 – Alyssa's Talk on Dancer Health and Identity in Young Athletes 7:04–9:10 – Nadia on Gymnastics as Her Whole World Growing Up 9:10–11:35 – Resentment, Community, and the Memories That Still Feel Fresh 11:35–13:15 – The Silver Lining of Hard Times: Bonding Over the Difficult Stuff 13:15–15:32 – The Physical and Mental Weight of Training as a Kid 15:32–18:05 – Nadia on Skill Level, Finding the Fun, and Sticking Through It 18:05–20:11 – Returning to Gymnastics in College: The Non-Competitive Form That Didn't Stick 20:11–22:45 – Lucy's Story and a Mom's Quiet Relief 22:45–25:10 – Eileen Gu, the Mind, and Imagining Your 8-Year-Old Self 25:10–27:22 – Looking Forward, Being Whimsical, and Closing Thoughts 650.701.7686 (o) 650.332.2739 (f) 510.673.8712 (m) Sports & Dance Rehab | Pilates | Group Classes On the Move Physical Therapy 501-D Old County Rd. Belmont, CA 94002 web - http://www.onthemovephysio.com email - alyssa@onthemovephysio.com IG - https://www.instagram.com/onthemovephysio

    34 min

  8. Mar 10

    Olympics Coverage: Hockey and the US Team's Gold

    This week, Alyssa and Nadia talk about the Winter Olympics — but beyond the highlights, they explore the deeper stories behind the athletes filling their feeds. What begins as a casual chat about skating and hockey turns personal when Nadia shares how drawn she’s been to figure skater Alyssa Liu — a Bay Area athlete who retired at 16, spent time hiking and living life, then returned to the sport on her own terms and won gold. What resonates most isn’t the medal, but the comeback. That story opens a conversation about growing up inside demanding sports. Alyssa reflects on dancer health and how training 20+ hours a week at a young age doesn’t just shape your schedule — it shapes your identity. Nadia shares her own gymnastics journey with honesty, acknowledging both the resentment over what she missed and the deep community the sport gave her. She recalls entering college gymnastics burned out and hesitant, only to unexpectedly find joy in competing again. The episode closes with a reflection from an Eileen Gu interview about imagining your 8-year-old self watching you today — a moment that leaves both hosts reflecting on where life has taken them. Takeaways Growing up in high-intensity sports shapes identity as much as skill Resentment and gratitude for the same experience can coexist Comebacks feel different when they happen on your own terms The communities built through sport often outlast the sport itself Looking at yourself through the eyes of your younger self can shift perspective Chapters 0:10–0:33 – Introduction: What's Been on Their Feeds 0:33–1:48 – Olympics Coverage: Hockey and the US Team's Gold 1:48–3:30 – The Shift in Figure Skating: A New Era of Style and Personality 3:30–5:27 – Alyssa Liu's Story: Retiring at 16 and Coming Back on Her Own Terms 5:27–7:04 – Alyssa's Talk on Dancer Health and Identity in Young Athletes 7:04–9:10 – Nadia on Gymnastics as Her Whole World Growing Up 9:10–11:35 – Resentment, Community, and the Memories That Still Feel Fresh 11:35–13:15 – The Silver Lining of Hard Times: Bonding Over the Difficult Stuff 13:15–15:32 – The Physical and Mental Weight of Training as a Kid 15:32–18:05 – Nadia on Skill Level, Finding the Fun, and Sticking Through It 18:05–20:11 – Returning to Gymnastics in College: The Non-Competitive Form That Didn't Stick 20:11–22:45 – Lucy's Story and a Mom's Quiet Relief 22:45–25:10 – Eileen Gu, the Mind, and Imagining Your 8-Year-Old Self 25:10–27:22 – Looking Forward, Being Whimsical, and Closing Thoughts 650.701.7686 (o) 650.332.2739 (f) 510.673.8712 (m) Sports & Dance Rehab|Pilates| Group Classes On the Move Physical Therapy501-D Old County Rd.Belmont, CA 94002 web - http://www.onthemovephysio.comemail - alyssa@onthemovephysio.comIG - https://www.instagram.com/onthemovephysio Please consider the environment before printing this email. The information contained in this transmittal may be confidential. It is intended only for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, or, the employee of agent responsible to deliver the transmittal to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that the use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmittal in error, please notify the sender immediately.

    28 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Chatting about the world of women’s health from one generation to the next. Brought to you by mom and daughter duo Dr. Alyssa-Herrera-Set and Nadia Herrera-Set. Get even more juice at www.papaya.health

Information

  • Creator
    Papaya Talk
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    122
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Papaya Talk
  • Show Website
    Papaya Talk