Aging is Not an Inevitable Decline with Dr. Vonda Wright Artwork

Circling the Drain

A podcast about the period BEFORE you stop getting your period. The concept of a woman "circling the drain" conjures up negative imagery for some, but the origin of this as the name of the podcast has a story. A friend, in her 30's at the time, was listing her ailments to a male physician who clearly had a terrible bedside manner, because he responded to her complaints by shrugging his shoulders in a dismissive fashion and saying something like, "I don't know what to tell you. From now on, you're basically just circling the drain!" Co-hosts Ellie and Julia have been laughing at the audacity of this tone-deaf interaction ever since, and when they decided to start this podcast about the plight of the aging woman, they chose to reclaim and repurpose the phrase in the spirit of humor. Every human on the planet is circling the drain from the moment we are born. The question is, how slowly and gracefully can we spiral? And can we minimize the discomfort while we whirl? Perimenopausal co-hosts Ellie and Julia take a deep dive into the sometimes embarrassing, often hilarious, and always bewildering issues of the hormonal changes that take place in midlife. Through honest accounts, thoughtful interviews, and group panel discussions, their mission is to make you chuckle, make you nod your head in recognition, and hopefully make some scientific progress.

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Circling the Drain

Aging is Not an Inevitable Decline with Dr. Vonda Wright

April 26, 2023 • Ellie Dvorkin Dunn & Julia Granacki with Dr. Vonda Wright • Season 3 • Episode 48

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When we saw Dr. Vonda Wright's medical specialty - orthopedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in shoulder, hip and knee arthroscopy for athletes and active people of all ages - we knew that she would have a lot to contribute to our ongoing conversation about the effects of perimenopause on all of our different body parts. However, we had no idea that we would be having a chat with one of the most upbeat, inspiring women we have ever had the pleasure of interviewing, and that we would gain new perspectives and attitudes about what it means to age well. It's no surprise that Dr. Vonda is therefore a public speaker in high demand, as well as the author of 5 books with titles like Guide to THRIVE: 4 Steps to Body, Brains and Bliss and Fitness After 40: How to Stay Strong at Any Age. She is a powerhouse of energy with great tips on optimizing many important aspects of your life, and she isn't afraid to use curse words! Listen and learn why aging is NOT an inevitable decline from vitality to frailty, and let us know if you identify with Ellie's definition of "keeping track fatigue" and "incompetence fatigue" or Julia's rapidly darkening moustache. Or all of the above!

Topics and Timestamps
15:15 Dr. Vonda addresses how hormonal shifts can affect things like a torn ACL
22:13 Dr. Vonda defines "aging well"
25:00 Dr. Vonda discusses making a strategic plan for your health
36:48 Dr. Vonda explains the concept of "precision medicine"

Websites and Social Media Handles
Dr. Vonda Wright's website
Dr. Vonda's Books
Dr. Vonda's Insta
Dr. Vonda's Facebook
NovaMD supplements by Dr. Vonda

Other Resources Mentioned
Let's Talk Menopause's Menoposium
Say She She - Julia's music recco
Nicolle Galyon - boy crazy video - Dr. Vonda's song recco

Our Favorite Links
Erin's Faces Affiliate Link
Julia G Wellness

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People on this episode

Ellie Dvorkin Dunn

Co-host

Julia Granacki

Co-host