125: Announcing The Girlfriend Doctor Podcast w/ Nancy Hala

Introducing: The Girlfriend Doctor. I am so excited to share my rebrand with you! I’ve been working with the incredible brand strategist Nancy Hala, CEO of BrandStory, to develop a brand that truly resonates with me. 

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It was actually Nancy who started calling me The Girlfriend Doctor after I was on her podcast. She said it was like chatting with your girlfriend… but your medically trained girlfriend who actually has the answer to your most personal health questions. That’s how The Girlfriend Doctor was born and I’ve been working with Nancy to bring it to life.

Nancy asks me what we need to know about dealing with Coronavirus, the current pandemic sweeping the world. My advice in these times of isolation is to find ways to increase your oxytocin. This helps reduce the fear that many of us are experiencing while boosting your immune system. Do your best to connect with your friends, family, and community, even if it has to be online.

I explain why the pelvis is the most important area of your body and how to keep it in tip-top condition, especially during this pandemic. Giving you the information you need in order to take charge of your own health is what I do as The Girlfriend Doctor. Having the knowledge to take charge and make our own decisions is a game-changer, ladies!

Nancy and I talk about why it’s not just what you put in your body, but how you live that’s going to impact your life. And, did you know that following a strictly keto diet actually isn’t that healthy for women over 40? I talk about this a lot in my new book, Keto-Green 16, which you can pre-order now.

Lastly, Nancy and I touch on what happens when we change our entire way of thinking. Our words and thoughts impact the world around us, so being more open and receptive to change is important. We also talk about why it’s so important when we talk to our parents and children about sexual and menstrual health!

I want to answer all your questions! So please, ask me anything and let me hear your thoughts in the comments on the episode page. If you have questions, email team@drannacabeca.com.

 

In This Episode:

  • Where The Girlfriend Doctor started
  • What you need to know about Coronavirus
  • Why our pelvic health is even more important now
  • What happens when you take control of your own health
  • Why it’s not just what you eat but how you live that impacts your longevity
  • What could be if we changed our whole way of thinking
  • Why you should have conversations with your kids about sexual and menstrual health

Subscribe to The Girlfriend Doctor Podcast w/ Dr. Anna Cabeca on Youtube

Quotes:

“When sex is painful, intimacy suffers. That’s one of your big core messages and it’s not just for women.” (16:48)

“I want each woman to take the power back. I’m going to give you the information and the solutions but it’s really your choice to do it. Then you own it and the results are even better than you can imagine.” (20:12)

“It’s more than about what we eat. It has everything to do with how we balance our female hormones, how we boost our immune system, how we fight inflammation, and then have energy, clarity, and focus.” (44:37)

 

Links

Get 15% off everything in the Dr. Anna store with code GIRLFRIEND15

Pre-Order Keto-Green 16 to get a sneak peek and free gifts!

Find Nancy Hala Online

Find Nancy Hala on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

 

Transcript

Nancy Hala:
I help women, female entrepreneurs, small business owners, people who are starting startups. My clients are life coaches, they're travel consultants, they're doctors, they're real estate powerhouses, all different industries. And I'm helping these women tell their brand story, and hopefully build their dreams. Honestly, in my professional life, I mean, I've been a brand strategist and a writer for decades, and never have I been so gratified by the work I've done.

Dr. Anna:
Hello, everyone, it is Dr. Anna Cabeca, I'm the Girlfriend Doctor. It's my mission and my passion to help women live better lives before, during and after menopause. So, welcome to the Girlfriend Doctor podcast, it is an intimate place for intimate conversation. And hey, honestly, I am here for you, you can ask me or tell me anything. No shame, no guilt, no apologies. We pull back the curtain on all things related to sexual health, libido, PMS, menopause, you name it, we will talk about it.

Dr. Anna:
Our goal is to shine a light on your overall wellness, mind, body and spirit. So, let's get started, shall we? Today I have a very special guest, Nancy Hala, the brand whisperer and co-host of the Sheri and Nancy Podcast. It is my favorite, absolute favorite podcast. And they are just amazing. Hey, Nancy, how are you?

Nancy Hala:
Hey, Anna. I'm great, it's so great to be on your podcast because you've been a guest on our podcast many times. I feel like not enough of course because I'd love to talk to you every other week. But you've been a guest on our podcast many times.

Dr. Anna:
I know, and I've loved it too, you guys are amazing. And this is really where the whole Girlfriend Doctor idea started from. It started from you guys because you started calling me the Girlfriend Doctor. And you guys taught me everything.

Nancy Hala:
We did. When we stopped recording on our very first conversation, Sheri and I were like, "Wow, she's like talking to your best friend, she's like talking to a girlfriend who's also a doctor." And that's when we started referring to you as the girlfriend doctor, because that's who you are to me.

Dr. Anna:
Oh my gosh, and you are the brand whisperer, and that's how you branded me. You have that insight. And in the conversations and what I love about your podcast too is that you dig deep and you're open, honest, authentic. And by doing that, you give permission to others to do the same. And that's really what I'm hoping to do here with the Girlfriend Doctor because how many times have we gone into her doctor and be like, "Ah, I really can't talk to you about this." or "Um, I'm not getting the right vibe here, I don't feel this is the right answer for me." or even just really afraid to ask question? And I don't want that.

Nancy Hala:
No, you don't. I think that's right, I think people feel embarrassed, they feel intimidated sometimes, they don't want to be perfectly forthcoming or honest even with their own physician. I mean, I don't feel particularly close to a lot of the medical professionals in my life except for you. So, I think it's great to create a community like you're doing right now where women can really come together and ask you, and also ask each other questions. It's like you're building your own circle.

Dr. Anna:
Yes.

Nancy Hala:
I love it.

Dr. Anna:
I love that. And in starting the conversation. So, we start talking about things here, people start talking about it with each other and also sharing the information in a really authentic way. And I love that. And speaking of which, you're coming from Bellingham, Washington, the epicenter of the coronavirus right now.

Nancy Hala:
I know. I'm scared, Dr. Anna, I'm going to be honest with you, these are scary times. And I pride myself as being a person who does not prone to panic, but I've had a couple of really bad dreams about it. And I'm worried about myself, I'm worried about my kids. I just want to know, what are you really thinking? And what are things that I can honestly do to stay safe? What do you think?

Dr. Anna:
I think it really starts with enhancing our major hormone oxytocin. Honestly, it comes here first. Because the reason you care about your kids, the reason you have fear, because there are people you love in your life, right? And when we are fear-driven, we're rising up cortisol, which is going to bring down oxytocin. You know I talk about this a lot in my book, The Hormone Fix, and we've talked about it a lot together.

Dr. Anna:
But so, this fear is actually going to suppress our immune system even more and create more risk because of that whole cortisol, oxytocin issue. When cortisol goes up, stress, oxytocin goes down, and then when cortisol is up for a long time, that's when it becomes really critical because oxytocin and cortisol are both down, and that's when we're feeling that burnout, fatigue, depression, isolation. And we're isolating right now with the coronavirus, this social distancing, right, that we are now required to do.

Dr. Anna:
And we have to do to be good humans, and not spread contagion, and limit the spread. So, I get your fear and I take it to heart, and so when I'm thinking about what's the one next right step, it is having healthy conversations, it's letting people you know that you love know that you love them, is doing the kind things that increase oxytocin, that show your caring, your kindness, helping a neighbor, playing with your kids, doing things that increase laughter and joy and pleasure, watching funny movies.

Dr. Anna:
This is the time to do all that because I know there's... I've been glued to the internet, to social and just digging into what all the latest is for the coronavirus, you can't help it, and you can't help that fear.

Nancy Hala:
See, this is what I love about you though, where else are you going to get that advice? Everyone's going to tell you to wash your hands, which of course we should all do, social distancing, smart, take precautions, but the facts that your answer is more connectivity on a spirit level, is to keep your energy high, your vibration high, and keep your stress levels low, and then you're going to be less at risk. That is brilliant and insightful, but also so different than I think what the major medical community would tell you. That's what I love about you.

Dr. Anna:
Thank you. See there's oxytocin there, I'm feeling it.

Nancy Hala:
I feel that too.

Dr. Anna:
My immune system's already boosted up a bit. It's also a reminder too that we are going to go in the direction that our light, if we think our thoughts are a flashlight, that we are lighting up. So, this is that time for all your pillars that you guys talk about in the Sheri and Nancy show, your dream pillars. And we're addressing all of those issues but focusing on the good with positive voice. There's many things that we can be focusing on that's negative, but what are we focusing on that's positive?

Dr. Anna:
And focus on those things, and start clearing out the noise. Something I learned, Nancy, after my son's accident, after he passed away, was this whole concept of compartmentalization. I think this is going to be really good for those of us as we're in this pandemic, is when these thoughts start coming up, what could happen? What if? And that fear starts creeping up, it's like, "Okay, these thoughts, they get 8:00 to 8:15, that's it, tuck them away. I'll think about it then."

Dr. Anna:
And maybe that's when you have a discussion with someone that you know, you love, and you can have this conversation together and keep each other in check and say, "Okay, this is what we can do, what's in our control to do about this." But compartmentalizing those thoughts as they tend to creep up, especially during this, because we're fear-based right now, unknown, we're unsure, we're uncertain. And that was it honestly for me this morning.

Dr. Anna:
So, I called one of my colleagues, my medical colleague in Italy, this is important, I want you to know this information. His name is Dr. Francesco Marotta. And he's a brilliant Italian physician, and he was a founder of a scientific organization called ReGenera, very into healthy aging medicine and empowering our body to heal itself. And he said, "The thing about this virus is that it has mutated a couple times, and there's this contagion factor that goes beyond touch."

Dr. Anna:
And so, understanding that we do have good reason to isolate, to have our schools closed for right now, so that we can slow this spread of this virus, was really important to me, because I was thinking, is there something else going on? Is there that unknown, that uncertainty? There's still that because we're really, it's interesting, but we have to know, this was my trust factor. I have to trust that the decisions being made right now are definitely in our best interest. And I heave that and now I just have to do what is right for me and my family at this time. And I think for me, it was important to know that

Nancy Hala:
I think that's great. And as much as I love information, sometimes, that tendency to open your eyes and reach for your phone and get on Twitter and see what's trending, and I've been doing that more than ever these last few days. Because it feels like every eight hours, the world changes. The NBA canceled this entire season. I'm like, "What?" And that just heightens my sense of fear and anxiety even though the fact that the NBA is canceling the season doesn't really impact me because I don't watch basketball but I know, I see the gravity of this continue to unfold and expand.

Nancy Hala:
And I think that's right. Let's have some faith in each other. And in this moment, let's have some faith in humankind. Let's see that there's a path is unfolding, and we're going to find the answers and we're going to do what's best for ourselves and our love ones, and light a candle for everyone who's already affected by this illness. But onward together, we go together. And if nothing else, I will say, because I'm a silver lining girl, maybe this is going to really teach us once and for all that we really are all connected.

Nancy Hala:
On an energetic level, there is no such thing as separation on this planet, we're all connected. And our connectedness is so much more powerful than any division could ever be.

Dr. Anna:
I agree. I think that's a beautiful way to look at it. And I'm also like, "Well, maybe I can read some more books." [crosstalk 00:10:32] I've got to do, right, we've cut these off. But being part of this goodness is doing those things that we also wish I had more time to do, like, I'm going to check in on my neighbors, that elderly neighbors and just see what I can do to help them or just help them and don't ask, just do. I think that is as rewarding to us as it is to them. And I think that makes a difference.

Dr. Anna:
And I've been talking and we're not going to talk more about the coronavirus on this episode. I've been talking a lot on Instagram, Facebook, social media, in my blogs. I do want to focus on what she's helped so beautifully and wonderfully helped me do and create, reinvent my brand as the Girlfriend Doctor.

Nancy Hala:
Yay. Girlfriend Doctor, here for all of us, guys. Ask her anything. She's here with us.

Dr. Anna:
That is right. And Nancy, without a doubt will, and she has. And then, oh my gosh, what's beautiful is that I say things that I was saying and you're like, "Oh my gosh, that is..." you just have to keep saying that because it's so you and I think I have to tell you, I was talking about our prime real estate now for people listening, they may think their prime real estate is where they live. Or maybe even who they're living with.

Dr. Anna:
But it is clitoris to anus, I mean, we have to keep this area healthy. It is so important. Our sexual health and overall wellness, especially in our pelvic floors is critically important. And you just laughed and I was like, "What did I say?"

Nancy Hala:
Oh my gosh, the minute you said that, we were having one of our many conversations about your brand and about how you go out into the world and touch so many lives and have these great gatherings where doctors and researchers standing room, only rooms, listen to you speak about sexual health. And you toss this line up like it was nothing. Our most important real estate is our clitoris to our anus. And I'm like, "Stop the presses."

Nancy Hala:
That is one of the greatest, soundest advice I've ever heard. And so true, but when you say it, that's right, as we think about our faces and our skin tone and our toning our arms, and staying fit, but your pelvic floor directly impacts the quality of your life, not just your sexual life, your physical life, right?

Dr. Anna:
Absolutely. Absolutely. It makes a difference and forever for the rest of our lives. And that's what we can't let go of. We cannot neglect the pelvic floor because continents having been able to hold our urine, not weak when we cough and sneeze and laugh, right? We don't want anything to interrupt our physical activity, sexual activity, or our ability to laugh and have fun. And if we're accidentally leaking, that's going to make a difference.

Dr. Anna:
Okay, so you're my girlfriend too so I got to tell you, one of the reasons I really started creating Julva, my anti-aging cream for the vulva, was because here I was about two years after having a memory and I had done a sprint triathlon and a friend invited me to her P90X class, I'm wearing my light gray leggings, doing her P90X, well the P stood for something different. I was like, "Wow." That was terrible. I'm like, "I know why people wear black leggings."

Dr. Anna:
It was embarrassing. It was terrible. And I'm like, "Oh, that shouldn't be happening. I need to do what I'm using for my patients on myself as well." And then, that's important because it does, it affects our quality of life.

Nancy Hala:
It affects everything. And Julva is your magical cream. It is the magical cream that has changed my life. And this is why you're the Girlfriend Doctor though, this is why this brand makes so much sense for me and for you. As soon as I started working with you on your brand, I knew it would have to be this because this is who you are. We'd like to say that you're the first call for the woman who has questions she would only ask her best girlfriend if her girlfriend were a triple board-certified OB-GYN like you.

Nancy Hala:
So, it's like, yes, I can tell you anything. I can ask you anything because you make me feel completely unfettered and shame free. But also, you've got the answers. And that may seem different than just my regular girlfriend's answers. They think they have the answers but they don't always know the answers.

Dr. Anna:
We can talk about it, right? And it's good to be able to talk about that, so funny. And definitely, I love TMI, right? I just love TMI, there's no such thing as too much information. That's the authenticity of it. So, really, can ask me and tell me anything. And I may even ask for more.

Nancy Hala:
Yes, you will. Well, I remember once when I called you and had a burning question, and burning, pun intended, because I was having recurring UTIs after sex. And I just started having sex again after not having sex for a really long time. Listen, transparency, you know I'm very transparent. So, I was in a new relationship, and I was having this terrible UTIs. And I did not know what to do. And I was on my third round of antibiotics. And I called you and I said, "Please tell me what I should do about this?"

Nancy Hala:
And I described the entire situation to you. And I remember, I think that you were at your daughter's soccer game event. And you're like, "Okay, give me a second. Okay." You put something on mute and you came back and said, "Okay, here's what to do." And it was like, boom, boom, boom, there was Julva, there was the probiotic. There are a few of your products which I swear by. But there were also things like, "Make sure that you pee after you have sex every single time, no matter what. And make sure you drink a lot of water and make sure you take a lot of vitamin D," which was interesting.

Nancy Hala:
"And vitamin C," which was so interesting. And I was just like, "Wow, this is what I love." It's not, "Oh, let me just write you a prescription. Or come see me in my office." It's like, "Oh, no, here's some real-life information."

Dr. Anna:
Yeah. And actually, you said your doctor were thinking about daily antibiotic to just prevent it, right? That's often sometimes what is offered, is that daily antibiotic and it's made a difference. I say I should have at least some credit for your engagement.

Nancy Hala:
Yes. That was when I was dating David. And now, David and I are engaged to be married. And I'm living in our new home in Bellingham. And Dr. Anna, let me tell you, that was in large part due to you because I might have had to stop having sex with him. Who knows? When sex is painful, right, intimacy suffers. I mean, that's one of your big core messages. It's not just for women. The work that you do doesn't just help women, it helps the men in their lives.

Dr. Anna:
Yeah. It absolutely does. And the fact is that you were open to ask that question too. And I think I said to you, "We call that honeymoonitis."

Nancy Hala:
That's the greatest. That's the great thing about you. Let me ask you a question because I know you and I have talked about this a lot. We've had so many meaningful conversations when we started reimagining your brand, dreaming it up thinking of how you wanted to expand your platform and reach even more women. And so, when you think about the brand, the name, the Girlfriend Doctor, why did that immediately sing for you, it immediately hit home? Tell me why?

Dr. Anna:
It really resonated with me because I loved the conversation. I feel like in my career of being a physician, that my patients became my friends. In fact, some of my patients have been friends now for 20 years, for over two decades. And I love that. I love that. And also, maybe my best friends became my patients, right? It's always been I want to take care of you, I care about you. I care about what happens to you.

Dr. Anna:
And we can have that relationship and it's important to have that comfort level. And I wanted patients to feel that way. Because way back when I was going to my first gynecology appointment, it wasn't anyone I wanted to talk to.

Nancy Hala:
No way. Now, if I remember my first gynecology appointment, you know who it was, it was a really older, much older man. It was my mother's gynecologist. And I remember the entire experience was so shame filled for me, and weird, and uncomfortable. I mean, I'm probably looking back on it, probably traumatizing in some way. You know what I mean, because it just didn't feel there was a conversation at all, it felt like, "Do this, put your feet here, I'm going to do this exam and..." so I feel it's been too long that women have been sold that bill of goods like our sexual health, and our female physicality and our hormone balance, that's what makes up the quality of our lives.

Nancy Hala:
I want to be able to talk to my girlfriend doctor and have her really understand where I'm coming from.

Dr. Anna:
Yeah. It's so true. And our docs right now are so busy and there's so much on their plate. So, to a lot of times, even for my daughter's, I've great nurse practitioner friends, like for their first exam or even some of the... our old school GYNs, like, "Okay, get your GYN exam taken care of, you're safe, good, quality, trusted individual." And then, let's talk about these things. Let's have these conversations because we have very little time in the routine current medical system. And also, oftentimes it's not... you may not be getting the answers that you really need to regain that power over your body.

Dr. Anna:
And I think that's one big piece too. You talk about this, and you guys talk about the CEO of your health, right? The CEO of your life. And definitely to take our power back over our own body. And that's where I really feel differentiated because I want each woman to take the power back. I'm going to give you the information, I'm going to give you solutions, and it's really your choice to do it. And then, you own it and the results are even better than you can imagine.

Nancy Hala:
For sure, once you take the reins, that's what Sheri and I always say, take the reins. I think that I've heard that from Chris Carr once, "You're the CEO of your own health." But you take the reins, and especially when you're a woman in the middle of life as I am, "If not now, when?" We like to say that a lot. And it feels right for me to be empowered about my health. It feels right. It feels correct for me right now. I feel I am in charge of my life, of my destiny. And so, I want to work with medical care providers who will hear me.

Nancy Hala:
And I want to feel seen. I want I feel heard, just like in any relationship, right? I want to feel respected. I want to get real information I want real interaction, meaningful interaction. That's why I love the way you talk about the people in your ecosystem as your community, your beloved community. You just love them so much, all your readers and your people who watch your podcast and read your books, your amazing two books. And I feel that in my soul when you talk about your community, I feel that from you, I really do.

Dr. Anna:
Thank you. And I do, I care. I care that they get results. I care that they're even sharing and asking questions and feel comfortable to ask questions. And that does mean a lot to me. Nancy, you and Sheri in your Pillar Life, you have the seven key pillars. Well, first of all, I need to tell my audience about your amazing cooking. And you have Pillar Life kitchen. I mean, you're doing amazing cookbook, amazing recipes in there. And, "Oh wait, I have to tell the story."

Dr. Anna:
So, I was preparing Valentine's Day dinner and we actually had a coaching call, business call. And I said, "Nancy, I'm trying to make this..." what was I making, pot roast or?

Nancy Hala:
Pot roast.

Dr. Anna:
Pot roast. I was-

Nancy Hala:
Pot roast mix with veggies, yes.

Dr. Anna:
Yes. And so, I was like I wasn't really sure how to do because I had to cook twice the amount for the company had come and arrived was bringing in the girls for the House of Hope. It's an organization that I helped found, which is for victims of human trafficking. So, I was having Valentine's dinner with these girls and cooked all this pot roast. I'm like, "I have no idea how to make this pot roast." And you're like, "Oh, hold on." I said, "Can I Can you give me 15 minutes?" She goes, "Better. I'm going to tell you how to make the pot roast."

Nancy Hala:
It was good, right? We walked through it. Yeah, I have a pretty good pot roast recipe right in my back pocket for emergencies at all times.

Dr. Anna:
Exactly. And in your cookbook, too. And your Pillar kitchen cookbook.

Nancy Hala:
Yes. So, the Pillar Life kitchen cookbook is all plant based, right? So, it's plant powered goodness. So, it's all vegetarian and vegan recipes, mostly vegan, because we really believe that eating more plants as part of your health and wellness pillar. We actually have eight pillars, and our health and wellness is number one for a reason. Because if you don't feel really good and vibrant in your own body, then it's hard to make the life of your dreams come true.

Nancy Hala:
And so, we just believe and that's why our messaging and our point of view is so aligned with yours, with your new book Keto-Green 16, which is just a groundbreakingly great book. And I love that green part that you added to the traditional keto approach, which I learned from you is not necessarily very healthy for women over 40, but that green so more plants and more alkalinity.

Dr. Anna:
Yes, yeah, it's so crucial that alkalinity mean it's not just about what we eat, it's about how we live too. So, I know I want to share with my community that The Hormone Fix, this is a necessity for everyone to read. And I'll tell you some stories and Keto-Green 16 is coming out May 5 and it is for everyone listening to read and then to share this information and just use it in your life, you will feel different. And that's one of the things that came about because I discovered this for me.

Dr. Anna:
And then, I did. I brought I would say my eight most difficult patients virtually into my home, and I put them through my program. I call it Keto-Alkaline at the time, and it became Keto-Green and then it became Magic Menopause program. So, these eight women that were my friends and in my community, and many of them were my patients, they were my test subjects. And as I learned things that were on me and I triage, help them discover what was a roadblock or a stumbling block and we conquered it, that became The Hormone Fix.

Dr. Anna:
The tips and tricks in here came The Hormone Fix. And, Nancy, I was just in Gainesville, Florida lecturing at a dear friend of mine, Dr. [Angela Akis 00:24:56], because she's been doing Keto-Greens 16 group medical visits. So, she's been the test center for Keto-Greens 16. And she goes, "You got to talk to Mr. Mike, he has been raving about your book." And I was able to meet him and speak with him. And at age 42, he had a heart attack. He's a zoologist, he's now 72.

Dr. Anna:
But when as soon as The Hormone Fix came out, because he heard me speak before, he bought it, and he has it. All his pages are tagged, highlighted, he's given it out to every one of his family members, his son, his daughter-in-law. I mean, he's like, "This is..." I just feel so honored because he has this great science background and really, the work that our veterinarians do in our animal kingdom, I imagine their subjects don't talk about, right?

Dr. Anna:
So, it's pretty fascinating. And of course, I hear so many great testimonials on that. And then, we had one of the subjects as part of the Keto-Green 16 medical visit. I love her story too, Nancy, because oftentimes, we feel the older we get, the less we're going to be able to do. But what if it was different, right? What if we feel and are able to do even more? And we're not chained down?

Nancy Hala:
I love what if. What if we could just like change that whole way of thinking, I agree with you. Oh, that's so powerful. That's a powerful statement.

Dr. Anna:
Yeah. And it feels right, because here she is, she's 67 years old. And she had retired from media law, so fascinating. And she had diagnosis of breast cancer five years earlier. So, she had been in pain, aching back pain, nerve pain, just name the aches and pains everywhere, really, she was really struggling. And so, she started with Keto-Green 16 plan and she went through two rounds of it. So, two cycles of it, had lost 16 pounds, but the key thing was she just had so much energy.

Dr. Anna:
They'd had a planned trip to Australia, her and her husband and her children. And she sent pictures. She goes, "I did more there than I could have done 10 years ago." I was part of everything. I didn't have to... I kept up with everyone, I'd have to have maps. I mean, they had a hard time keeping up with me. And so, when she that and she sent pictures of her in scuba gear, beautiful, right?

Nancy Hala:
I love it. I love that. That's the life I want. You have two books, both of them are amazing. So, we had you on our podcast to talk about your first book, The Hormone Fix, which is groundbreaking and a best seller, right? So, let me just put that out there. So, I remember when I first talked to you, though, and I'm just going to admit this, I don't care. I said it on my podcast, and I'll say it on yours. I don't even know what a hormone was, not really.

Nancy Hala:
I was vaguely aware that there were these things called hormones that I was probably going to have like less of them soon. But I never really understood what that meant or what my hormone balance should be. And so, that book, The Hormones Fix was literally fascinating to me. I was with a patient and I was like, "What?" Every page had so much information that I needed, but in a way that I could understand, you know what I mean?

Nancy Hala:
Not so scientific, that it felt overwhelming, but in so conversational and great stories. I love that. I love that book. It's a must have, you guys. I'm just going to say, I will plug your book on your very own podcast.

Dr. Anna:
Thank you for doing that. Thank you. I'm really grateful to hear you say that, too. And for me, it's my magnum opus, I really put my heart, soul and stories into this book and both books but definitely the heart because I never thought, I couldn't even imagine, five years, how many years ago now, five, six years ago when I was getting all that brain fog and the second that I'd be able to put another word down on paper.

Nancy Hala:
Yeah. And now, here you are, the author of two amazing books and Keto-Green 16. I'm just going to say this because I'm now Dr. Anna's brand strategist so you guys have to just let me say this. You can go to her website, drannacabeca.com and pre order it. Yes, it's not released till May. That's true. But get your pre order now.

Dr. Anna:
Yes, Yeah, and actually even shorter, dr.anna.com. You can just get it right there. dranna.com and-

Nancy Hala:
Oh, dranna.com.

Dr. Anna:
Yeah. Yeah, dranna, D-R-A-N-N-A. No font. So, we have a short one. And the book bonuses so we have feast recipes because we'd like to feast. That's all part of it. There's some recipes in there. And we have a quick start roadmap. And that's really nice because in a beautiful visual, visual to this so you can put on your fridge, you can just see foods I'm allowed and definitely the ones to get out of that, get out of the house.

Nancy Hala:
I can never remember those lists too. That's great that you can just put it on your refrigerator because I can never remember what the ones are. I know that they're there, but I just can never remember when I'm grocery shopping, what I should be buying. I mean, those are the practical tips that you need. Really. And I love it. It's like 16 basic ingredient types that you can find anywhere. They don't have to go to fancy schmancy stores that maybe are super expensive or quite away from your house. I mean, you can buy the 16 ingredients anywhere.

Dr. Anna:
Yeah. And it makes it easy too for us shopping and cooking. And then, also that creative part being able to use these ingredients in different recipes. I mean, for me, that's how I cook so that's a glimpse in my kitchen right there.

Nancy Hala:
I'm so glad for you and your community and Girlfriend Doctor. Welcome Dr. Extraordinaire.

Dr. Anna:
Oh man, brand strategist extraordinaire. Really. It's been a big help. I do love being called the Girlfriend Doctor and I was on tour, yeah. And what happened, I was on tour in Portland and I had spoken at a conference, the Nutritional Therapy Associations conference and after my talks, my talk talked about different issues from PMS, menopause, vaginal dryness issues and more. And after that... because I had it as conversation with the audience, the Girlfriend Doctor way, right?

Dr. Anna:
And what happened was we had two women come up to me in the coffee shop afterwards and they said, "Dr. Anna, after your talk yesterday, we went back because we've been roommates for this conference, every year, for the last several years." And she said, "We never have this conversation about man, does it hurt when you have sex? And that just opened it up for us to realize we're not alone. We've both been having this trouble. And you've provided a solution with your favorite product." There you go, Julva.

Nancy Hala:
There it is. Julva.

Dr. Anna:
Julva.

Nancy Hala:
Yes, got to have it.

Dr. Anna:
And so, how that made a difference. And then, another woman came up and she came up to my daughter, Brittany, who was with me, who's in her 30s also, and this was a young woman in her 30s. And she goes, "After your mom's talk, I called my mom and I asked her about her period, and her menopause and we talked even about sex and we've never even talked about periods and paths in our entire life."

Dr. Anna:
And so, that's so important. I put that out here because our listeners to have the conversations with our kids, too. There's this almost like we feel it's a generational gap, but we're struggling, they're struggling often, or maybe we found the solution and don't realize they're having the problem. So, we have to have a conversation.

Nancy Hala:
First of all, conversation is everything. Dialogue, connection, conversation, it's the basis of all solutions and all happiness, I'm convinced of it. So, the fact that you're putting something out into the world that is promoting conversation among family members or among friendship group, and pulling back the veil of don't be ashamed to talk about your body. Don't be ashamed to talk about your sex life. Don't be ashamed to ask questions or say that you're having problems.

Nancy Hala:
In this or any area of your life, right, connect with others and ask for help. I mean, it's just the most healthy and beautiful, I think, sentiment to put out into the world. And I love that you're doing that with your community. I think that's really important. And I love that they're excited about it right out of the gate. I mean, you did that speaking tour in February you said as the Girlfriend Doctor, that was our first segue out into the world as the Girlfriend Doctor, a new brand. And you said the reception was what was like everywhere you went, you just loved it. I love that for you.

Dr. Anna:
I have. Now, Nancy, tell me, you've always said you're a big fan. And you guys are such a big fan of my products. Let's talk, tell our audience why you love the Keto-Green shake because I know it's plant based. That's why you love this.

Nancy Hala:
Yeah. Okay. So, I'll start there. So, I'm going to say what I love about the Keto-Green shake, but I use two of your products in one. So, I make my smoothie every morning and I love that Keto-Green meal because it's a meal replacement so that means it fills me up. And sometimes, I'll just have like a piece of fruit or a light salad for lunch because I've had that shake in the morning and I don't have to eat again until dinner. It's delicious, number one.

Nancy Hala:
If I put it in my vitamins, with my homemade coconut milk or my homemade almond milk [inaudible 00:34:03] and I also add your Mighty Maca Plus. Oh, I put a nice big scoop of that in there. And that's super green food. And it makes me feel... here's what I love about it, yes, I would never be without those two products in my pantry and I mean it. And here's what I love about it, it makes me feel I'm drinking a big huge glass of health. It makes me feel I'm starting the day in the right way, which for me is really important because I need to get momentum in the right direction every day.

Nancy Hala:
So, when I wake up, I try to meditate. I try to set my intention. I try to get that energy and that vibration high. Because for me personally, the direction that I start off on is pretty much the direction I'm going to go and for the rest of the day. I move in that direction. If I wake up on the wrong side of the bed so to speak, I'll be grouchy all day. So, the shake that I make with your two products with the Keto-Green and the Mighty Maca sets me up perfectly for the whole day. And that is truth. And Sheri and I both love it. We talk about it all the time.

Dr. Anna:
I am so glad. And now, I'm in the middle of book launch, right? Launch as Keto-Green 16. So, it's been great. But it's also been really busy, so for me, I breakfast with Keto-Green shake, and I'll have another one sometimes, right, in between my day, around 2:00 and that's when I have a little break. And I can just keep at it and it just gives me that energy and easy to digest and I'm continuing on without pause. So, the simplicity too makes a difference. And then, knowing that it's a good replacement for the amount of nutrients and minerals and vitamins that we certainly need extra during higher stress times too.

Nancy Hala:
Yeah. And you know what, honestly, and I say this really authentically, the fact that you make it gives me 100% confidence in it. Because you're the Girlfriend Doctor, because you're a doctor. You are a medical professional. You have focused your entire life on female health and wellbeing. I believe you when you say that those products are good for me. And I know because I feel the results. So, it's like the fact that it comes from you or removes any doubt for me.

Dr. Anna:
Thank you.

Nancy Hala:
That's the truth.

Dr. Anna:
Thank you. When I created them, I, honestly, selfishly, for me because there was nothing that was available that worked or met my standard. So, I am going to take a chug of water, I was telling you earlier, I'm drinking out of an epsilon bottle for anyone who could see me. It is just a fun bottle. But it's just water. I am not drinking straight tequila during our girlfriend talk.

Nancy Hala:
Oh my god, that is so funny. What if you have been? Oh my gosh, that'd be funny. That'd be like, "Oh, she's so much about health and wellness. Oh my God, anything you say, I trust. Oh my gosh, if it's your product, I know it's right. Okay, chug, chug, chug, chug."

Dr. Anna:
I know, right? Having a shot of tequila. Oh my gosh, that's hysterical.

Nancy Hala:
Yeah, that is so funny. That is so funny.

Dr. Anna:
Thank you. Thanks for helping me roll out my brand, the Girlfriend Doctor, thank you for that and in for sharing it.

Nancy Hala:
I'm so happy. Can I just ask you to tell one story? One really quick one. So, a couple of days ago, you and I were video chatting as we do. It's early in the morning, I looked like I just rolled out of bed and you looked adorable in rollers but you had makeup on, you looked super cute. And we were just chatting away. And you said something like, "I gave up Botox two years ago." And I said, "Okay, lean to the camera and say those words to me again because your skin looks like porcelain silk, how is that true?"

Nancy Hala:
And then, you told me about two of your products that... and so, you're going to hear it here first, okay, because it's not on the packaging, this use of it, but you got to tell everybody what you put on your face. Tell them.

Dr. Anna:
Okay, okay, okay. Okay, yeah, I know. So, yeah, you made me lean in. I'm like, "Oh my gosh." So, one of the big things is I use... I always talk about when I created my products, I want them to have cosmetic benefits too. Julva, we know, has cosmetic benefits for the vulva, right? Clitoris to anus, prime real estate, we need to use it there. But also, for the lips. I had started getting these lip lines when I was using my Christian Dior red which is my favorite red to this day, and I was getting like those lip bleeds.

Dr. Anna:
And I was like, "Well, I can't have this." And so, I started using Julva on my lips. Wow, it made a huge difference. And so, I use on my lips and then also on my neck and that helps with tightening the skin and all that good muscle and do your face exercises. So, we do those two. And then my PPR cream, my PuraBalance PPR, I added. It's progesterone pregnenolone which are mother hormones, they have great benefits from so many levels. But also, I added tripeptide and some essential oils.

Dr. Anna:
But it has Tripeptide-29 which also helps with decreasing fine lines and wrinkles. It helps with age spots, removing... and I was looking at my hands, look at the back of my hand, there's no age. And so, after I put it on my forehead, my face, again, the neck. I use Julva in the morning, PPR at night. I would rub it on my hands. And so, one of my employees, she goes like, "That's getting rid of all my age spots." I mean, seriously, I said I have to go... I stopped at my elbow. And now, I got to go out my... I use it on my chest too.

Nancy Hala:
You need to be like industrial sized vats of that stuff that I can buy so I can just dip my body in it.

Dr. Anna:
Here's the little bit goes a long way and you bring that up so you can... just a little bit goes a long way and then rotate site so because you want to put the PPR cream on thin skin.

Nancy Hala:
I think that's amazing information. Yeah, it's good stuff. You guys heard it here first.

Dr. Anna:
So, our listeners, I was like, "Nancy, I don't want to share that because I don't want people to know really how vain I am."

Nancy Hala:
I'm like, "Lean into it, Anna."

Dr. Anna:
Lean in, lean in. That's honest. But I do show up in curler sometimes.

Nancy Hala:
I know, that was so cute. This has been such a fun chat. I love your podcast.

Dr. Anna:
Thank you. Nancy, tell people how they can get a hold of you. Because I love the work you've done for me. And I know you're helping so many other women and it's really making a difference. It's making a difference.

Nancy Hala:
Thank you.

Dr. Anna:
Again, expanding. I want everyone to hear the message that they're in charge of their own health and that there is many aspects to how, right? There are just these many aspects of health and we have to start having that conversation and not be afraid to ask.

Nancy Hala:
That's right. Well, so, people can get a hold of me at nancyhala.com. So, N-A-N-C-Y-H-A-L-A.com. That's my BrandStory site. And yes, I help women, female entrepreneurs, small business owners, people who're starting startups. My clients are life coaches, they're travel consultants, they're doctors, they're real estate powerhouses, all different kinds of industries. And I'm helping these women tell those Brand Story and hopefully build their dreams.

Nancy Hala:
Honestly, in my professional life, I mean, I've been a brand strategist and a writer for decades. And never have I been so gratified by the work I've done with these clients. I mean, they're just delightful. But the conversations are extremely exciting. And everyone feels so happy to create their brand and get their message, clarify your voice and get your message out into the world. I love it. So, thank you. I'm glad to be working with you, too. I mean, I just love you to pieces anyway. But I really believe in your brand.

Dr. Anna:
Thank you. Thank you. And I know you do and I feel that and I have loved, loved, loved working with you. I didn't even imagine how good it is. And you give like 10,000%, right? You give 10,000%, I said, "Oh my gosh. You're doing what for me? I can't believe it. You're helping me." And it's just been that over and over again, the high level of quality and also, I know you care, too. I know you care, too.

Nancy Hala:
Thank you. That means the world.

Dr. Anna:
That makes a difference. Well, thank you for being on today's podcast. And I want to share with everyone that to celebrate my new brand, the Girlfriend Doctor, I am offering all of you in my beloved community a 15% discount on all my products and programs. So, just go to my website. I know, it's exciting.

Nancy Hala:
I'm very excited.

Dr. Anna:
I just love Nancy Hala and it was a great discussion. I'm really honored at this time to be introducing and rolling out my girlfriend, Dr. Brand, and I invite you to ask me anything, ask me anything, respond, ask me anything, chat below. Join me on social and I look forward to addressing your needs as part of my community, my beloved community. So, to celebrate my new brand, the Girlfriend Doctor, I am offering all of you a 15% discount on all of my products and programs.

Dr. Anna:
So, just go to my website at dranna.com, D-R-A-N-N-A.com and use the code girlfriend15, all capitalized, GIRLFRIEND15, to receive 15% off your entire order just for this month of March. And be sure to preorder my new book Keto-Green 16. I've got delicious, wonderful recipes, great bonuses, Get Started Guide feast recipes and extra bonuses that I couldn't get into the book. So, you definitely want to get started with that so that you have that in hand even before the book comes out which will be released May 5th.

Dr. Anna:
So, I just want to share with you that this will make a difference in your life and with everything I give you, my 100% guarantee, I know that you will find so much value above and beyond. So, don't forget, GIRLFRIEND15, get 15% off in my store and also pick up Vitamin D, my vitamin DK formula is a fabulous formula. And get started on taking some extra vitamin D during flu season at the sign of first... even allergies or if you're starting to feel a little under the weather, you definitely want to increase your vitamin D.

Dr. Anna:
I talk about that a lot in my blogs. Well, I just want to let you know that I appreciate you. And I am here for you and so happy to be your Girlfriend Doctor. Bye, till next time.

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Dr. Anna Cabeca

Dr. Anna Cabeca

Certified OB/GYN, Anti-Aging and Integrative Medicine expert and founder of The Girlfriend Doctor. During Dr. Anna’s health journey, she turned to research to create products to help thousands of women through menopause, hormones, and sexual health. She is the author of best-selling The Hormone Fix, and Keto-Green 16 and MenuPause.

Learn more about my scientific advisory board.