Aging is inevitable, but decline is not. This episode of Innovate and Elevate features a powerful conversation with Dr. Vonda Wright, an orthopedic surgeon and advocate for aging with power. She makes a compelling case for women to take control of their health long before menopause, starting in their 30s and 40s, or even earlier. Using the moving story of her patient, Miriam, who suffered a preventable hip fracture, Dr. Wright highlights the critical, often-overlooked link between estrogen and bone health. She unpacks the staggering statistics on bone density loss and osteoporosis, revealing that one in two women will experience a fracture. The message is clear: our midlife journey isn't just about managing symptoms, but about aging with power, which starts with proactive steps to build and protect your body. This is a must-listen for every woman who loves HRT and wants to live a better, stronger second half.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

• Proactive Steps for Your 30s & 40s: Learn the "Vonda rules" for proactive health, including why it's crucial to get a baseline DEXA scan, REMS scan, how to feed your bones with protein, and the importance of lifting heavy weights.
• The Truth About Estrogen: Understand the profound, protective role of estrogen in bone health and why the widespread fear of hormone replacement therapy is often based on old, misinterpreted data. Dr. Wright explains why there is "zero debate" about its preventative role on bone.
• A Call to Action: Discover practical, actionable steps you can take today—from seeking out your own DEXA Scan to starting a progressive weightlifting routine—to invest in your future health and avoid becoming a burden on your loved ones.

Connect with Sharon:

• Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Innovate and Elevate podcast
• Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
• Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox

Connect with Dr Vonda Wright:

• Connect with Dr Vonda Wright:
• On LinkedIn
• On Instagram
• Learn more on her website
• Buy Unbreakable now

Additional Resources:

• FDA Menopause Panel Video
• Estrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris
• Adesso

Skip to the Good Part:

00:00 Introduction to Estrogen and Women's Health

02:20 The Impact of Hip Fractures on Women

04:37 Understanding Bone Health and Estrogen

10:51 The Importance of DEXA Scans

18:19 Making Informed Decisions About Estrogen

25:33 Preventative Measures for Bone Health

32:17 Empowering Women Through Knowledge and Action

Please note: The information on this podcast is for educational...

Are you tired of feeling dismissed by the medical system? Sharon Kedar, MBA, CFA, is here to change the conversation. On the Innovate and Elevate podcast, we go beyond surface-level symptoms to expose the hidden care crisis of perimenopause and menopause. We'll dive deep into women's health and longevity, challenging historical taboos with a data-driven approach. Learn about hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the benefits of HRT, and how to combat symptoms like brain fog, hot flashes, and bone health issues. We feature brilliant guests like Dr. Vonda Wright, Dr. Kelly Casperson, and Dr. Rachel Rubin who are providing menopause solutions and changing the world.

This show is for the woman in her 40s or 50s who wants to age with power and live a better second half. It's for the partners who want to understand the menopause and divorce crisis and support their loved ones. And it's for healthcare providers who want to fill the gaps in their own training and provide the menopause care their patients deserve. Tune in to a new kind of conversation on midlife health, and discover how we can live a life of purpose and power.

In this episode of Innovate & Elevate, Sharon Kedar is joined by Carolee Lee, Founder and CEO of Women’s Health Access Matters (WHAM). Carolee shares her journey from fashion entrepreneur to women's health trailblazer, highlighting how her experience building a global jewelry brand led her to recognize the critical need for change in women's health funding and research.

The conversation delves into the reality of the current state of women's health research and investment. Less than 1% of global research funding is allocated to studying women's health and only 2% of venture capital goes to female-founded startups, with an even smaller percentage dedicated to women's health companies. However, organizations like WHAM are making strides in changing that reality.

Carolee outlines WHAM's groundbreaking initiative, "3Not30," which aims to accelerate change in women's health research and investment within three years. The Initiative is the first of a series of activities WHAM is spearheading in recognition of the 30th Anniversary of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Revitalization Act of 1993, a law which established guidelines that women and minorities should be included in all clinical trials and research which are funded by the NIH. The goals of the program include doubling research funding for women's health, increasing venture capital investment in women-founded companies from 2% to 4%, and improving diversity in clinical trials.

This conversation underscores that women's health is everyone's health. By raising awareness about these disparities, WHAM is driving collaborative efforts across sectors to create meaningful change. Carolee’s parting message is powerful: while individual efforts are crucial, it's the collective power of everyone working together that will ultimately create substantial change in women's health research and investment.

Connect with Sharon

• Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: Sharon Kedar
• Learn more about Innovate and Elevate innovateandelevatepodcast.com
• Subscribe to Innovate and Elevate on YouTube
• Join the newsletter to receive the latest episodes in your inbox: Innovate and Elevate Newsletter

Connect with Carolee

• Follow Carolee LinkedIn
• Follow WHAM on LinkedIn

Additional Resources

• WHAM (Women's Health Access Matters)
• The WHAM Report
• WHAM 3Not30 Initiative

This podcast is produced by The Wave Podcasting