Lauren Orlick is the co-founder of HeartSnug, a team of sisters and lifelong friends who saw a need to provide patients an additional layer of security and privacy in a medical setting. They created HeartSnug in hopes that all women could go to doctors appointments, radiation clinics and undergo medical procedures while feeling physically and mentally a bit less vulnerable.

Lauren saw firsthand how dispiriting the medical process can be when her mother went through a battle with cancer. Always looking to be a part of the solution, Lauren was inspired to search for ways for patients to feel comfortable during procedures that are awkward and associated with physical exposure and emotional vulnerability. Her primary goal in co-founding HeartSnug is to help patients feel protected and covered – literally! What you'll learn in this episode: - The power of personal experience in driving solutions in women's health, and the strength and beauty of a team when starting out and building a new company
- How simplicity in design and overcoming a problem with a solution can transform patient care - Making prevenative care a priority and ensuring inclusivity and accessibility is at the heart - The challenges of the 'pay to play' model in women's health and having to balance where you invest your funds, bootstrapped or investor backed, as a founder - The intracacies and complexities of the healthcare supply chain and how understanding this is key for integration of new innovations in the healthcare system - Navigating a femtech startup as a women founding team in a landscape that still can be very male dominated in areas - The ability to learn from your experiences, even if they may feel like a failure, to build back better, smarter and stronger Learn more about Lauren and HeartSnug: https://www.heartsnug.com/ linkedin.com/in/laurenorlick https://www.instagram.com/heartsnug

More from This Independent Life Follow TIL on Instagram @thisindependentlife Follow Rebekah Lloyd on LinkedIn Get in touch at rebekah@thisindependentlife.co and www.thisindependentlife.co Thank you for listening to this episode of This Independent Life. If you liked this episode and want to help spread the word, please rate, review, and share with your community. We love seeing you share the love so feel free to tag us using @thisindependentlife! Rebekah Lloyd is a women’s health consultant, careers advisor, podcast host, and founder of This Independent Life. After experiencing burnout and chronic pain, a 10-year delayed endometriosis diagnosis, and the resulting career and financial challenges, she started This Independent Life to help advance the future of women’s health and careers. She provides consulting and advisory for healthcare startups, industry, universities and research, as well as charities and workplaces. She is a UN Women UK delegate and is dedicated to using business as a force for good, her clients including global organisations such as Omnicom, Astra Zeneca, Barclays, UNiDAYS, National Trust, Whistles, University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. She has been featured internationally, including The Guardian, Nasdaq and Stylist, and in 2023 was invited to advise the UK Parliament Women and Equalities Committee on women’s health as a result of her work that was broadcast globally via the BBC. Disclaimer: This Independent Life is not a certified health, career, or financial adviser. The content made available on This Independent Life is provided for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute advice. You are advised to consult with independent advisors for advise on your specific circumstances.

Giulia Sale is a Wellness Coach, Yoga Teacher and Mobility & Flexibility expert.

She suffered from generic anxiety disorder most of her life, which developed into physical issues as well like PCOS, gastritis and lack of energy. After waking up with a nervous system disorder called Visual Snow Syndrome, she decided to turn her life around with holistic practices. She is now anxiety-free thanks to what she calls the Six Pillars Way! Giulia is on a mission to help women manage their anxiety & stress with science-backed holistic solutions. What you'll learn in this episode: - Leveraging personal challenges to create change and broader innovations in women's health - The beauty of entrepreneurial spirit and independence - Recognising stress as a natural part of life and how stress management can help women with health issues - The importance of women supporting women and building a supportive community - Intersection of psychological wellbeing and physical health - The societal stigma surrounding women's hormonal cycles and how society fails to accommodate women's health needs - Overcoming traditional barriers and generational expectations to achieve personal and professional goals - The importance of surrounding yourself with a supportive community and like-minded individuals who understand your experiences - Identifying and overcoming your limiting beliefs Learn more about Giulia and Six Pillars: https://www.instagram.com/giulia.sixpillars/ https://www.instagram.com/sixpillars.fit/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/giulia-sale/ More from This Independent Life Follow TIL on Instagram ⁠⁠@thisindependentlife⁠⁠ Follow Rebekah Lloyd on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ Get in touch at rebekah@thisindependentlife.co and ⁠⁠www.thisindependentlife.co⁠⁠ Thank you for listening to this episode of This Independent Life. If you liked this episode and want to help spread the word, please rate, review, and share with your community. We love seeing you share the love so feel free to tag us using @thisindependentlife! Rebekah Lloyd is a women’s health consultant, careers advisor, podcast host, and founder of This Independent Life. After experiencing burnout and chronic pain, a 10-year delayed endometriosis diagnosis, and the resulting career and financial challenges, she started This Independent Life to help advance the future of women’s health and careers. She provides consulting and advisory for healthcare startups, industry, universities and research, as well as charities and workplaces. She is a UN Women UK delegate and is dedicated to using business as a force for good, her clients including global organisations such as Omnicom, Astra Zeneca, Barclays, UNiDAYS, National Trust, Whistles, University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. She has been featured internationally, including The Guardian, Nasdaq and Stylist, and in 2023 was invited to advise the UK Parliament Women and Equalities Committee on women’s health as a result of her work that was broadcast globally via the BBC. Disclaimer: This Independent Life is not a certified health, career, or financial adviser. The content made available on This Independent Life is provided for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute advice. You are advised to consult with independent advisors for advise on your specific circumstances.

Devika Wood is an award winning healthtech leader with 13 years of experience in the healthcare sector, spanning startups to multinationals.

Specializing in digital health, she achieved a successful exit as Founder/CEO in 2019 and was honored as a Forbes 30 under 30 in Healthcare and Science. She has been recognized as a thought leader and health tech pioneer, winning Entrepreneur of the year from King's College London. Devika's passion for digital health and disruption in the care industry stemmed from her 12 years as a young carer, leading her to launch Vida, resulting in numerous accolades including recognition from the United Nations #sheinnovates campaign. She has been featured in Glamour, Cosmopolitan, the FT, Business Insider, and on the cover of Courier magazine.

In 2022, Devika launched I am Arla, a women's mental health platform driven by a desire to improve access to mental health support and reduce the stigma around the topic of gender based violence. She has now made it her mission is to make women's mental health a priority and the platform allows women to find experts; therapists and coaches specialising in women’s mental health to match you, wherever you are on your journey. What you'll learn in this episode: - The challenges and beauty of moving from one business venture to another based on personal experiences - How technology can change lives by reducing barriers to accessing healthcare - Channeling pain and trauma into a positive force for helping others - How domestic abuse impacts various aspects of women's lives and the journey to recovery and empowerment after trauma - Helping women step into their power and break cycles of abuse - Transforming personal pain into a positive, impactful mission - The importance of self-advocacy and making genuine choices in your journey - Understanding that it's okay not to be okay and embracing vulnerability - Recognizing the strength and power in your personal story
Learn more about Devika and I Am Arla: https://www.iamarla.com/ https://www.instagram.com/_iamarla/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/devikawood/ More from This Independent Life Follow TIL on Instagram ⁠@thisindependentlife⁠ Follow Rebekah Lloyd on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Get in touch at rebekah@thisindependentlife.co and ⁠www.thisindependentlife.co⁠ Thank you for listening to this episode of This Independent Life. If you liked this episode and want to help spread the word, please rate, review, and share with your community. We love seeing you share the love so feel free to tag us using @thisindependentlife! Rebekah Lloyd is a women’s health consultant, careers advisor, podcast host, and founder of This Independent Life. After experiencing burnout and chronic pain, a 10-year delayed endometriosis diagnosis, and the resulting career and financial challenges, she started This Independent Life to help advance the future of women’s health and careers. She provides consulting and advisory for healthcare startups, industry, universities and research, as well as charities and workplaces. She is a UN Women UK delegate and is dedicated to using business as a force for good, her clients including global organisations such as Omnicom, Astra Zeneca, Barclays, UNiDAYS, National Trust, Whistles, University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. She has been featured internationally, including The Guardian, Nasdaq and Stylist, and in 2023 was invited to advise the UK Parliament Women and Equalities Committee on women’s health as a result of her work that was broadcast globally via the BBC. Disclaimer: This Independent Life is not a certified health, career, or financial adviser. The content made available on This Independent Life is provided for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute advice. You are advised to consult with independent advisors for advise on your specific circumstances.

Kelly is CEO and Co-Founder of Ally Health. She previously co-founded and scaled up Testing For All, providing affordable Covid testing to >1m patients during the pandemic. With a background in strategy consulting, Kelly has also advised leading healthcare and diagnostics organisations. Sasha is Chief Growth Officer Co-Founder of Ally Health. Prior to joining Ally Health, Sasha was the Head of Business Development and Partnerships at Qured where she developed and lead partnerships. Before Qured, Sasha was Director of Business Development at Heal, a doctor on-demand service based in Los Angeles. What you'll learn in this episode: - The environmental and societal factors that influence our career choices and aspirations, and the importance of following your passions - The concept and benefits of delivering healthcare services directly to patients' homes - The importance of understanding the business side of healthcare to drive sustainability and growth - Factors that affect career decisions and the importance of resilience and trusting your abilities - The sustainability of home-based healthcare models - How a simple and niche observation led to the creation of Ally Health to ensure no one neglects their health due to accessibility issues - How technology enhances the understanding and treatment of patients by healthcare practitioners - Providing options and navigating healthcare for women Learn more about Kelly & Sasha and Ally Health: https://allyhealth.co.uk/ More from This Independent Life Follow TIL on Instagram @thisindependentlife Follow Rebekah Lloyd on LinkedIn Get in touch at rebekah@thisindependentlife.co and www.thisindependentlife.co Thank you for listening to this episode of This Independent Life. If you liked this episode and want to help spread the word, please rate, review, and share with your community. We love seeing you share the love so feel free to tag us using @thisindependentlife! Rebekah Lloyd is a women’s health consultant, careers advisor, podcast host, and founder of This Independent Life. After experiencing burnout and chronic pain, a 10-year delayed endometriosis diagnosis, and the resulting career and financial challenges, she started This Independent Life to help advance the future of women’s health and careers. She provides consulting and advisory for healthcare startups, industry, universities and research, as well as charities and workplaces. She is a UN Women UK delegate and is dedicated to using business as a force for good, her clients including global organisations such as Omnicom, Astra Zeneca, Barclays, UNiDAYS, National Trust, Whistles, University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. She has been featured internationally, including The Guardian, Nasdaq and Stylist, and in 2023 was invited to advise the UK Parliament Women and Equalities Committee on women’s health as a result of her work that was broadcast globally via the BBC. Disclaimer: This Independent Life is not a certified health, career, or financial adviser. The content made available on This Independent Life is provided for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute advice. You are advised to consult with independent advisors for advise on your specific circumstances.

Dr Sula Windgassen is a leading health psychologist and psychotherapist using psychology to improve chronic illness, chronic stress and trauma.

Regularly, featured in the media (Women’s Health, Psychologies Magazine, iNews & Guardian) Dr Sula explains complex mind-body science in a way that can be implemented into daily life for those with women’s health issues, gut disorders and other chronic conditions like endometriosis, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain. After completing five degrees with two doctoral qualifications including a PhD in Psychological Medicine, Dr Sula has gone on to publish in leading academic journals including the BMJ and Lancet Gastroenterology, direct a specialised clinical health psychology practice and get a book deal. Dr Sula is now focussed on making mind-body science and practice accessible to as many as possible through her online membership platform with live weekly calls, Body Mind Connect (bodymindconnect.club). What you'll learn in this episode:

• The beauty of mindfulness and how it helps those grappling with chronic pain and stress
• Understanding the intricate connection between our thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations
• How revealing the stigma around mental health prompts us to confront the polarisation and advocate for comprehensive support systems
• Systemic challenges in acquiring funding for women's health
• Understanding that psychology is biology
• How gut physiology and behaviour are linked together
• Recognising that mental health impacts everything including work and finances
• Trusting your body rather than being at war with it

Learn more about Dr Sula Windgassen and Body Mind Connect:

• https://www.instagram.com/the_health_psychologist_/
• https://bodymindconnect.club/

More from This Independent Life!

• Follow TIL on Instagram @thisindependentlife
• Follow Rebekah Lloyd on LinkedIn
• Get in touch at rebekah@thisindependentlife.co and learn more at www.thisindependentlife.co

Thank you for listening to this episode of This Independent Life. If you liked this episode and want to help spread the word, please rate, review, and share with your community. We love seeing you share the love so feel free to tag us using @thisindependentlife!

-------------------------------

Rebekah Lloyd is a women’s health consultant, careers advisor, podcast host, and founder of This Independent Life. After experiencing burnout and chronic pain, a 10-year delayed endometriosis diagnosis, and the resulting career and financial challenges, she started This Independent Life to help advance the future of women’s health and careers. She provides consulting and advisory for healthcare startups, industry, universities and research, as well as charities and workplaces. She is a UN Women UK delegate and is dedicated to using business as a force for good, her clients including global organisations such as Omnicom, Astra Zeneca, Barclays, UNiDAYS, National Trust, Whistles, University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. She has been featured internationally, including The Guardian, Nasdaq and Stylist, and in 2023 was invited to advise the UK Parliament Women and Equalities Committee on women’s health as a result of her work that was broadcast globally via the BBC.

Disclaimer: This Independent Life is not a certified health, career, or financial adviser. The content made available on This Independent Life is provided for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute advice. You are advised to consult with independent advisors for advise on your specific circumstances.

Julie Cornish is a consultant colorectal surgeon and senior lecturer in Cardiff, with a subspecialty interest in pelvic health.

She is the founder of the Everywoman Festival, a women's health festival aiming to educate and empower women and girls (everywomanfest.com). Julie trained in Wales and London, with an MD from Imperial College and a pelvic floor fellowship in Oxford. She is the Secretary for the Pelvic Floor Society and a Trustee of the MASIC Foundation. She is the lead for Pelvic Health for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and established the Pelvic Health Hub as part of this.

Her research interests focus on outcomes after surgery, in particular bowel dysfunction after surgery and outcomes after childbirth injury and she regularly presents both internationally and nationally. She is the chief investigator for the NIHR POLARiS study and has published more than 60 papers.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• How Everywoman Festival came to be and the driving force behind this significant effort for women's health
• Recognising that women's health intersects with various aspects of life, including socioeconomic factors like education, diet, and lifestyle
• Benefits of physiotherapy and the role it plays in improving the quality of life for individuals grappling with pelvic floor and uro-gynecological issues
• How women can expedite and simplify the process of accessing medical care
• Moving away from the stigma that pelvic health issues only affects women who have had children but that it also impact those women trying to conceive or facing challenges in conception due to various reasons
• Leading more inclusive and effective support systems for individuals facing a range of reproductive and gynaecological challenges
• Why it's important to know what's really going on in the women's health space before making a career into the field

Learn more about Julie and Everywoman Festival:

• https://www.instagram.com/theeverywomanfestival/

• https://www.instagram.com/jules_cornish9/

• https://twitter.com/jules_cornish/

More from This Independent Life!

• Follow TIL on Instagram @thisindependentlife

• Follow Rebekah Lloyd on LinkedIn

• Get in touch at rebekah@thisindependentlife.co and www.thisindependentlife.co

Thank you for listening to this episode of This Independent Life. If you liked this episode and want to help spread the word, please rate, review, and share with your community. We love seeing you share the love so feel free to tag us using @thisindependentlife!

-------------------------------

Rebekah Lloyd is a women’s health consultant, careers advisor, podcast host, and founder of This Independent Life. After experiencing burnout and chronic pain, a 10-year delayed endometriosis diagnosis, and the resulting career and financial challenges, she started This Independent Life to help advance the future of women’s health and careers. She provides consulting and advisory for healthcare startups, industry, universities and research, as well as charities and workplaces. She is a UN Women UK delegate and is dedicated to using business as a force for good, her clients including global organisations such as Omnicom, Astra Zeneca, Barclays, UNiDAYS, National Trust, Whistles, University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. She has been featured internationally, including The Guardian, Nasdaq and Stylist, and in 2023 was invited to advise the UK Parliament Women and Equalities Committee on women’s health as a result of her work that was broadcast globally via the BBC.

Disclaimer: This Independent Life is not a certified health, career, or financial adviser. The content made available on This Independent Life is provided for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute advice. You are advised to consult with independent advisors for advise on your specific circumstances.

Ambra is Italian born Chinese and moved to the UK to pursue a Bachelor in International Management at Warwick.

She started her career in London as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs and later became a tech and financial services investor at Eurazeo. Given her struggles with polycystic ovary syndrome throughout her career and the healthcare coverage gap in the space, she took the leap to build Juniper, the first end-to-end reproductive health insurance. Ambra is Italian born Chinese and moved to the UK to pursue a Bachelor in International Management at Warwick. She started her career in London as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs and later became a tech and financial services investor at Eurazeo. Given her struggles with polycystic ovary syndrome throughout her career and the healthcare coverage gap in the space, she took the leap to build Juniper, the first end-to-end reproductive health insurance.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why defining your "why" as a first step in making significant career leaps is a great way in pursuing your goals and purpose
• Leveraging personal experiences to inspire a business that fills gaps in healthcare
• How initiatives like Juniper is changing the game in healthcare insurance field
• Understanding and addressing reproductive health as a universal issue that impacts individuals across all genders
• Involving men in the discussion of women's health and reproductive health is crucial
• How setting boundaries is essential for personal well-being and professional fulfilment
• How to use passion for impact and addressing societal issues

Learn more about Ambra and Juniper:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambrazhang/

• https://getjuniper.co.uk/

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-juniper/

More from This Independent Life!

• Follow TIL on Instagram @thisindependentlife

• Follow Rebekah Lloyd on LinkedIn

• Get in touch at rebekah@thisindependentlife.co and www.thisindependentlife.co

Thank you for listening to this episode of This Independent Life. If you liked this episode and want to help spread the word, please rate, review, and share with your community. We love seeing you share the love so feel free to tag us using @thisindependentlife!

-------------------------------

Rebekah Lloyd is a women’s health consultant, careers advisor, podcast host, and founder of This Independent Life. After experiencing burnout and chronic pain, a 10-year delayed endometriosis diagnosis, and the resulting career and financial challenges, she started This Independent Life to help advance the future of women’s health and careers. She provides consulting and advisory for healthcare startups, industry, universities and research, as well as charities and workplaces. She is a UN Women UK delegate and is dedicated to using business as a force for good, her clients including global organisations such as Omnicom, Astra Zeneca, Barclays, UNiDAYS, National Trust, Whistles, University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. She has been featured internationally, including The Guardian, Nasdaq and Stylist, and in 2023 was invited to advise the UK Parliament Women and Equalities Committee on women’s health as a result of her work that was broadcast globally via the BBC.

Disclaimer: This Independent Life is not a certified health, career, or financial adviser. The content made available on This Independent Life is provided for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute advice. You are advised to consult with independent advisors for advise on your specific circumstances.

With a career spanning over 25 years, Helen is the co-founder of Peli Health, a digital health platform specializing in women's pelvic health. Her extensive expertise encompasses digital advertising, search/AI software, and marketing across various tech sectors, including adtech, legaltech, search AI, and now healthtech. Helen brings valuable experience in driving the successful launch of digital products in global markets.

Kerstin Recker is a femtech founder and a passionate advocate for equitable technology. With a track record of scaling successful ventures. Having navigated the world of Fortune 500 companies and startups, Kerstin brings a wealth of experience to her role as the co-founder of Peli Health, a groundbreaking centralized pelvic health platform. Her expertise spans diverse sectors, including media and entertainment, search, AI, ed tech and health tech.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Transitioning between different career fields is possible and knowing that your skills are transferrable across sectors
• How expanded understanding about pelvic health can empower individuals to make informed decisions and explore a wider range of resources and support options
• Why affordability and accessibility are the biggest challenge in accessing pelvic health care and treatment
• Creating a more supportive and inclusive environment for those suffering pelvic health issues
• Ongoing initiatives and destigmatisation efforts surrounding pelvic health issues
• Why we need to encourage women to educate themselves and advocate for their overall well-being
• The beauty of embracing freedom and making an empowered choice for yourself

Learn more about Kerstin and Helen and Peli Health:

• https://pelihealth.com/

• https://www.instagram.com/pelihealth

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/pelihealth

More from This Independent Life!

• Follow TIL on Instagram @thisindependentlife

• Follow Rebekah Lloyd on LinkedIn

• Get in touch at rebekah@thisindependentlife.co and www.thisindependentlife.co

Thank you for listening to this episode of This Independent Life. If you liked this episode and want to help spread the word, please rate, review, and share with your community. We love seeing you share the love so feel free to tag us using @thisindependentlife!

-------------------------------

Rebekah Lloyd is a women’s health consultant, careers advisor, podcast host, and founder of This Independent Life. After experiencing burnout and chronic pain, a 10-year delayed endometriosis diagnosis, and the resulting career and financial challenges, she started This Independent Life to help advance the future of women’s health and careers. She provides consulting and advisory for healthcare startups, industry, universities and research, as well as charities and workplaces. She is a UN Women UK delegate and is dedicated to using business as a force for good, her clients including global organisations such as Omnicom, Astra Zeneca, Barclays, UNiDAYS, National Trust, Whistles, University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. She has been featured internationally, including The Guardian, Nasdaq and Stylist, and in 2023 was invited to advise the UK Parliament Women and Equalities Committee on women’s health as a result of her work that was broadcast globally via the BBC.

Disclaimer: This Independent Life is not a certified health, career, or financial adviser. The content made available on This Independent Life is provided for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute advice. You are advised to consult with independent advisors for advise on your specific circumstances.