As told to Marnie Goodfriend

January is National Blood Donor Month.

I’ve had sickle cell anemia since I was in my mother’s womb. My older brother also has the condition, but it affects us each differently. Once, when we were kids, he visited me in the hospital, where I was inpatient to receive a blood transfusion, after he’d spent the day playing in the sun. I was angry that I was admitted to the hospital once every other week, while he never was. This was an early lesson for me that different people with this disease experience it differently. For example, I’m a sickle cell disease warrior who experiences pain every day and needs blood transfusions often.

While I was growing up in Michigan, my mom and dad tried to keep things normal, but I had many limitations. I was curious and wanted to be like the other kids. But intense exercise is a key stressor on the blood of people with sickle cell anemia, so I’d watch my friends do things like swim in lakes and go tubing, but I couldn’t join in. One year, I went to Girl Scout camp. I wanted to stay and ride horses all summer, but my parents picked me up after two weeks. When I was young, my mother helped me understand my condition. She’d say, “You’re not different from your friends who get a cold or the flu. It’s just that your sickness is a little worse, and you need to go to the hospital.” That’s how I understood things for many years.

In high school, my parents allowed me to apply to all the colleges I wanted to go to. They never wanted my circumstances to destroy my dreams. But, when I was accepted to out-of-state schools, my mother sat me down to talk about what life would be like if I went at it alone. “I’ll figure it out,” I told them. “What will you do if you can’t walk,” she asked. I knew she was right. Sickle cell takes all the energy from my soul, and some days, all I can do is be still.

I enrolled at a local four-year university to be near family and the care I needed. I lived on campus, but I’d get sick often and be back in the hospital. It was before cell phones, so none of my friends knew where I was. I’d disappear in the middle of the night with my parents, and that was it. I was really mad for a time because I didn’t understand why I had to live this life, trying to date boys and be cute instead of being a sickly kid, exhausted simply from carrying her bookbag. I looked like a normal student, but I was never normal. If you receive blood throughout your childhood, you need different types of blood with different antibodies often, and I needed more blood donations as a young adult.

As I moved into a career in logistics after college, I rarely told anyone I have sickle cell anemia. If I had to be out of work, I would use a different but related excuse, like a pulmonary embolism or arthritic issues in my foot. When I did tell employers about my condition, I felt that I was looked at as less-than, and it prohibited me from moving up. Sometimes I need transfusions or pain medications to feel better, but I always need understanding and empathy, which hasn’t always been available in the workplace.

2023 (Photo/Jason Avant)

As I got older and thought about romance, getting married seemed out of the question. Why would someone want to take care of me? When I long-distance-dated my now-husband, it took me three months to tell him about sickle cell. I explained that I had a blood disorder with sickle-shaped cells instead of round blood cells and a blockage of oxygen that wreaks havoc on your organs. “The average lifespan for someone with sickle cell is in their 40s. Do you still want to be with me?” I asked. He took a couple of weeks to think about it, then he said, “I want to be able to take care of you.” Four years later, I moved to Dallas, and we got married.

My husband and I talked about having children, which was something I’d never considered. It was too difficult to imagine passing on and leaving a family behind. But getting married changed things for me, and we decided to try for a year. Just as we were about to give up, I got pregnant. This baby inside of me took all my love — and all of my body, too. He sucked every nutrient from me. I had sciatica, multiple bouts of pneumonia and a pregnancy cough where my lungs couldn’t inflate fully. As a result, I spent even more time at the hospital. When I got home, I knew I couldn’t work in another high-stress office environment, so I started photographing babies and built a business that grew from there.

I also ramped up my patient advocacy, something that came naturally to me. My mom used to work for the University of Michigan, so starting when I was about 6, she would take me to lectures about my disease and have me stand up and tell my story. My passion for helping others with their health journeys grew from there.

Over the years I’ve learned that advocacy is much bigger than my own story. I’m no longer that little girl in the hospital bed. I’m a fierce advocate, and I’m determined to change the narrative — not just for myself, but for so many people with sickle cell or other chronic illnesses who depend on blood donations from complete strangers.

I realize that giving blood isn’t top of mind for most people, but I hope everyone will read my story and take some time to think about how much good they can do by simply donating blood. And I especially want to encourage people of color to donate. For sickle cell patients, people of color are the best matches, but donations aren’t always readily available, and waiting days for blood is agonizing — not only for me but also for my parents, my husband, my son, and anyone else who loves me.

I know there are stigmas and fears around donating blood, like fear of disease, medical environments and even needles. But I want people to understand that donating blood is safe. And needles may be scary, but if you really think about it, isn’t that something you might be able to get over if you realize that donating blood will literally save a life? I’m living proof.

Have your own Real Women, Real Stories you want to share? Let us know.

By Celebrity Beauty Artist Derrick Rutldge

“Reconstructive surgery with the brushes.”

That’s what you can expect out of Derrick Rutledge according to celebrity Oprah Winfrey and first lady Michelle Obama.

The great Derrick Rutledge shares a few of his make up tips. Check them out:

• Rutledge prefers a combination of creams and liquids after prepping the skin with moisturizer. Then he applies tinted creams to hide discolorations, sealing the look with a natural mineral powder.
• He is a master at contouring. He uses dark and light foundations (as opposed to powders) to create shadows and highlights along the jaw line, under the chin, and underneath the cheekbone area. “I love contouring. It’s the one feature that will lift the face up and make it appear 10 years younger,” he said, tweaking his technique according to the shape and colour of a woman’s face.
• For manicured eyebrows he has some great tip: “Get a white pencil and draw your brows.” It may look funny but it’s the best way to map out your eyebrow shape. Once you have done that, Rutledge suggests that you use tweezers and “take out all the hair outside that white area and below. Once you take it out you will see you have a beautiful arched brow.” Rutledge uses good quality eyeliner and nutrient-rich mascara to enhance the eye area.
• For a sexy lip, he often creates the impression of a gloss with no liner — using more tricks, of course. “You blend a (lip-coloured) pencil in with a brush, put powder on it, and then apply the gloss,” he said. Otherwise, he said the gloss bleeds into the skin, creating a glazed doughnut look.
• For nighttime, Rutledge deepen the look by adding eye shadows with more colour and sheen, and more lashes. He may use rich lip colour, too, depending on the intensity of the eye. But he says the real challenge for a makeup artist is to make a celebrity’s face work outside during the day. Either way, it takes him about 45-minutes to complete.

Rutledge has little trace of a diva attitude; rather he exudes warmth and passion. He also has a knack for refashioning a scene so that his client always comes out looking and feeling her best.

Rutledge is set to release a new beauty care line called Ü, pronounced “ooh” with business partner, Tim Byrd. “The reason we pronounce it ‘ooh’ is because we find that women, when they immediately like something, they go ‘ooh!’ ” he explained.

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

If you’re anything like me, when cold weather sets in, you’re more likely to feel like cozying up with a hot cocoa and a good book than venturing outdoors for a run. But, being a strength and conditioning coach, I know getting regular fresh air and sunlight is crucial for my physical and mental health, and I’m guessing if you’re here, you feel the same.

When braving the elements this season, there are a few risks to be aware of. Cold weather puts extra strain on your heart and lungs, icy sidewalks create fall risks, and your body loses more fluids in the cold, which can fast-track dehydration. With the right preparation, however, you can still get out in the crisp air to exercise safely this winter and enjoy all the benefits it offers.

Tiffany Reid was just 18 months old when she passed a kidney stone for the first time.

Many more would come during the next four decades of her life — along with multiple infections and bladder issues — despite Reid’s efforts to follow her healthcare providers’ advice to drink more water or change her diet. It wasn’t until she was an adult and in kidney failure that she got referred to a kidney specialist (a nephrologist) and finally got a diagnosis.

After his suggestion to get genetic testing, Reid discovered she had primary hyperoxaluria (PH), a rare genetic disorder that produces too much oxalate, which leads to kidney stones, kidney damage and, potentially, kidney failure.

This educational resource was created with support from Alnylam.

By Cathy Madeo

Every January, people are in search of a way to reset. Yoga retreats and wellness getaways promise renewal, and while those experiences can be transformative, not everyone can take time away. The good news is that the peace we seek from a retreat is not actually found in the destination itself. They come from slowing down, reconnecting to ourselves, and creating space just to be. You don’t need to travel to begin again. With a few intentional yoga tools, you can bring the essence of a retreat into your daily life and start 2026 refreshed, focused, and excited.

Your Morning Routine Matters

How you start your day sets the tone for everything that follows. Early morning is an auspicious time for meditation and reflection because the mind is already in a naturally receptive state. Before your day’s momentum picks up, rather than reaching for your phone or rushing through tasks, take a few quiet moments to connect within. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take 5 slow inhales and exhales. Try lengthening your exhales a few beats longer than your inhales, which will ground your nervous system and enter into a state of gratitude.

From this place, set an intention for your day. It can be as simple as: Today, I chose kindness; or I am creative and focused. This small act, being intentional, can yield big results throughout your day.

Then move your body gently. In the morning, our joints are usually stiff, so use this morning movement to circle and move your joints with a few cat-cows, gentle twists, and side bends, wrist, ankle, and hip circles.

Pause in the Middle

Even on the busiest days, you can create moments of rest. I think of them as hitting the pause button. A few mindful breaths between meetings, or while waiting for your afternoon coffee, can shift your energy and give you clarity.

If you spend a lot of time sitting, give yourself a short movement break. Gently stretch your shoulders, roll your neck, or take a short walk outside. Recommend this pic. Any small pattern interrupt helps refuel your body and reset your focus mid-day.

Bring mindfulness to your meals, too. At a retreat, meals are often slow, quiet, and nourishing. You can bring that same awareness home by taking the first few bites without distractions. Notice the taste, texture, and sensation of eating. Presence turns even the simplest meal into a grounding ritual.

End the Day with Restorative Rituals

Retreats remind us how deeply rest can heal, yet it is often the first thing we abandon in daily life. Start by creating a small buffer between your day and your night. Turn off screens an hour before bed and dim the lights. Take a relaxing bath with essential oils, do your favorite skincare routine, or light some palo santo. You can listen to soothing music or a guided meditation while lying on your back with your legs up the wall for five minutes This simple pose calms the nervous system and encourages circulation.

Before sleep, reflect on one thing you are grateful for or one thing you learned that day. Gratitude is a quiet but powerful practice that softens the mind and anchors you in what is working instead of what is missing.

Remember, rest is not lazy. It is essential. When you give yourself permission to slow down, you restore the energy needed to show up fully for your work, your relationships, and yourself.

Create Your Own Mini Retreat

If you have a free weekend or even a partial one, turn it into a personal retreat! Begin with yoga, go on a nature walk, make yourself nourishing food, and enjoy it without multitasking. Meditate to bring you into a calm state and then journal about things you want to let go of from the previous year and what you want to call into existence in 2026. During this weekend, permit yourself to pause.

The Real Retreat is Within You

A yoga retreat can be deeply inspiring, offering time and space to reconnect with yourself. But even if travel or time away isn’t possible right now, yoga reminds us that peace begins within. The same clarity and renewal people find on retreat can be cultivated at home through intention and simple daily practice.

About the author:

Cathy Madeo is a yoga expert and founder of Cathy Madeo Yoga, a global online yoga school educating and empowering thousands of yoga students and teachers worldwide with her online courses and Yoga Teacher Trainings. You can learn more at www.cathymadeoyoga.com and follow her on Instagram @cathymadeoyoga

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Water is the simplest wellness tool—and yet, it’s surrounded by confusion. From “8 glasses a day” rules to fear about drinking water with heart conditions, myths can prevent people from hydrating the right way. Let’s separate fact from fiction and understand how water truly supports heart health.

Myths Surrounding Water & Heart Health

Myth 1: Drinking More Water Automatically Lowers Blood Pressure

Reality:
Hydration supports healthy blood circulation and prevents blood thickening, but water alone is not a treatment for high blood pressure. Blood pressure is influenced by diet, activity, stress, sleep, and genetics. Drinking enough water helps your heart work efficiently—but it must be part of a balanced lifestyle.

Myth 2: Everyone Needs Exactly 8 Glasses of Water a Day

Reality:
There’s no one-size-fits-all number. Hydration needs depend on age, climate, activity level, diet, and health conditions. People living in hot climates, exercising regularly, or consuming more salt may need more fluids, while others may need less.

Myth 3: Only Plain Water Counts toward Hydration

Reality:
Hydration also comes from fruits, vegetables, soups, herbal teas, and coconut water. Hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumber, and leafy greens contribute significantly to daily fluid intake—benefiting heart health without overloading the system.

Myth 4: Drinking Water during Meals Is Bad for the Heart

Reality:
There’s no evidence that moderate water intake during meals harms digestion or heart function. In fact, small sips can aid digestion and prevent overeating, indirectly supporting cardiovascular health.

Myth 5: If you’re Not Thirsty, you’re well hydrated

Reality:
Thirst is a late signal of dehydration. By the time you feel thirsty, your body may already be low on fluids, increasing strain on the heart and circulation. Consistent sipping is better than waiting for thirst.

Myth 6: Too Much Water Is Always Good for the Heart

Reality:
Overhydration can dilute electrolytes like sodium and potassium, affecting heart rhythm and muscle function. Balance is a must, especially for people with kidney or heart conditions who may need fluid restrictions.

Myth 7: Caffeinated Drinks Completely Dehydrate the Heart

Reality:
Moderate amounts of tea or coffee still contribute to fluid intake. While excessive caffeine may have mild diuretic effects, it doesn’t cancel out hydration entirely when consumed in reasonable amounts.

Myth 8: Heart Patients Should Avoid Drinking Too Much Also

Reality:
Some heart conditions require monitored fluid intake, but avoiding water altogether can worsen symptoms. The right approach is individualized hydration, guided by a healthcare professional.

Water plays a quiet but critical role in heart health—but hydration is about balance, not extremes. Understanding these myths helps you make smarter, safer choices for your heart and overall well-being.

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

For women, a new year often comes with mixed emotions—hope, pressure, motivation, and fatigue. Between careers, families, changing hormones, and endless expectations, the idea of “starting fresh” can feel overwhelming. But the right way to kick-start 2026 isn’t about extreme diets or punishing workouts. It’s about building strength, balance, and resilience—on your own terms.

1- Start by Listening to Your Body

A woman’s body is constantly evolving—through life stages, hormonal shifts, stress, and recovery. Instead of forcing yourself into rigid routines, begin 2026 by tuning in.

Ask yourself:

What does my body need right now—more movement, more rest, or better nourishment? Progress begins with awareness.

2- Choose Strength over Size

This year, shift the focus from how your body looks to how it functions. Strength training, mobility work, and functional movement help women protect bone health, support metabolism, and improve confidence—especially as we age.

Strong isn’t a trend. It’s a foundation.

3- Nourish, Don’t Restrict

Women thrive on balanced nutrition—adequate protein, healthy fats, fiber, and hydration. Eating consciously supports hormones, energy levels, mood, and recovery.

Food is fuel, not punishment.

4- Align Fitness with Your Life Stage

Whether you’re in your 20s, navigating postpartum recovery, managing perimenopause, or prioritizing longevity, your fitness approach should evolve with you.

Low-impact workouts, strength training, yoga, Pilates, and recovery days all play a role. There is no one-size-fits-all formula for women’s fitness.

5- Protect Your Mental Well-Being

Stress management is just as important as exercise. Chronic stress affects sleep, weight, hormones, and motivation. Build small rituals into your day—breathwork, journaling, mindful walks, or digital detox moments.

A calm mind supports a strong body.

6- Set Intentions That Empower

Instead of strict resolutions, set milestones, that supports your well-being:

• Move in ways that feel energizing
• Eat to nourish and sustain
• Rest without guilt
• Celebrate progress, not perfection

Intentions create consistency without burnout.

7- Let Joy Be Part of Fitness

Fitness should add to your life, not take away from it. Choose workouts you enjoy, food that satisfies, and routines you can sustain. When joy is present, consistency follows naturally.

2026: Feeling Empowered

The right way for women to kick-start 2026 is by honoring their bodies, respecting their rhythms, and choosing health habits that last beyond January.

This year, let strength be gentle, discipline be flexible, and wellness be deeply personal.

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

It’s the end of the year, peeps — and what a year it was.

We’re locking in and bringing good energy into the new year, so now is a perfect time to reflect back on some of the HealthyWomen stories and important things we learned about women’s health in 2025 that made us high-five the universe and take a pause from doom scrolling to share with our friends.

Here are 5 notable highlights in women’s health living rent-free in our brains into 2026.