We recently connected with Dr. Stephanie Hack, MD, MPH and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Stephanie, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
It’s only in the past few years that I’ve come to understand the true meaning of “self-care.” Commonly, self-care evokes images of spa days, meditation, or sleep, and while it can include these elements, it essentially encompasses any effort we make to promote and support our physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Three years ago, as a busy obstetrician-gynecologist, wife, and mother of two young children, my days were spent prioritizing the needs of others. My patients were my top priority; once my work schedule was set, I could plan for my family’s needs. My own needs were addressed with whatever time remained. On the surface, I seemed to be managing extraordinarily well. However, beneath that veneer, it felt overwhelmingly stressful, and it was apparent to my family too.
The realization that I wasn’t focusing on my own needs was a significant turning point. Neglecting self-care left me tired, stressed, and occasionally resentful, which in turn made me less effective in every role I held.
Acknowledging this, I knew I had to prioritize my own needs and passions. This shift led me to launch my own women’s health venture, The Lady Parts Doctor platform, providing me with the flexibility and autonomy I craved. As I worked to empower other women in their health journeys, I recognized the importance of practicing what I preached. This led to a more committed approach to my own self-care.
My self-care regimen now includes daily meditation, which helps clear my mind and focus on what truly matters. I’ve also carved out time for physical activity, whether it’s long walks with my dog or spontaneous dance sessions. My green thumb has flourished, as I find solace in nurturing plants and trees at home. And finally, I take joy rides in my two-seater sports car—it’s not just thrilling; it’s a symbolic gesture of doing something purely for myself.
This enhanced self-care practice has brought me immense fulfillment and a sense of inner peace and alignment I’ve never had before. Even as I welcomed a third child and navigated the constant adjustments that come with a growing family and entrepreneurship, allowing myself to prioritize my own needs has boosted my energy levels and kept me grounded. This, in turn, has improved my focus and dedication to my family, clients, and podcast audience.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’ve always been captivated by the intricacy of women’s health, driven by a dream to host a platform where our health concerns could be openly and authentically discussed. This fascination started in my middle school years as I marveled at the complex changes happening within my own body. As my medical training progressed, I realized that my experiences weren’t unique; many women shared these curiosities and concerns. Whether as a doctor, “therapist”, or simply a compassionate listener, I’ve engaged in profoundly personal dialogues about topics ranging from bodily functions to birth control, and the profound transformations we undergo. These conversations, which I’ve touched upon in my recent TEDx talk titled “The Power of Granting Yourself Permission,” became educational, inspirational, and, most importantly, healing—particularly for those coping with pregnancy loss.
Recognizing the value of these interactions and the need for wider access, I knew I needed to broaden the conversation. Three years ago, I embraced a pivotal change; I left my clinical practice to launch the Lady Parts Doctor podcast in 2022. Its mission: to disseminate evidence-based health information to women everywhere, making them feel seen and heard. The podcast has evolved to encompass mental and spiritual well-being for a more holistic health perspective, featuring a blend of topics, expert interviews, and empowering meditations and affirmations.
Over the past year, I’ve been growing the Lady Parts Doctor platform. It’s a comprehensive hub offering blogs, webinars, guides, coaching, and soon, courses that interweave women’s health topics with affirmations and meditations designed specifically for women. I’ve also expanded to workshops and presentations, recently covering critical issues like the menopausal transition, urinary incontinence, and pelvic floor health.
Understanding life’s greater purpose has reshaped my mission—I firmly believe we’re meant to thrive, to feel good in every sense. It’s not just my personal ethos but also my professional crusade to help as many women as possible achieve that same sense of well-being.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on my journey, the three cornerstones that have contributed most to my success are persistence, flexibility, and faith.
Persistence is what propelled me forward when fatigue clouded my vision and I wanted to give up. For those at the outset of their journey, I advise nurturing a clear vision of your goal. It’s this vision that will keep you focused during challenging times. Remember, persistence is less about never falling and more about how often you’re willing to get back up.
Flexibility has helped me navigate through changing tides. It’s the ability to adapt that turned unforeseen events into pathways, not barriers. To cultivate flexibility, approach your journey with a plan but hold it lightly. Be ready to improvise, because the best opportunities often arise from the unexpected. As long as you continue to hold your ultimate vision, you will stay on your path.
Faith has been my compass. It’s a profound trust in the process, knowing that despite any setbacks I experience, things are always working in my favor. For those starting out, I encourage cultivating a mindset where you trust that each step, even backward ones, are guiding you to where you need to be. Faith is knowing that every experience is a building block, not just a stepping stone.
Each of these qualities can be nurtured through practice, reflection, and a willingness to learn from every situation.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Balancing professional and domestic roles as a mother of three young children can often lead to a sense of being overwhelmed. When my domestic demands eclipse work, I’ve learned to lean into my faith, trusting that everything unfolds in my favor, and that what happens does so according to God’s greater plan. If I don’t manage to edit and publish a podcast episode on schedule, I reassure myself that it will be released in divine timing- the perfect time for those who need to hear it. When the worry of missed opportunities creeps in, I recognize this as merely a sensation of scarcity. I remind myself that I lack nothing and refocus on my primary objectives.
To navigate moments of intense pressure, I’ve crafted an affirmation: “In this moment, I am exactly who I need to be, where I need to be, doing exactly what I need to do.” With each deep breath, this mantra grounds me, guiding my focus back to what truly matters. I recite it as frequently as necessary.
Contact Info:
- Website: ladypartsdoctor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladypartsdoc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ladypartsdoc/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-hack-md-mph-558ba810a
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEzZXXaGApNDsyQYiTk4i1Q
- Other: Podcast: https://blubrry.com/ladypartsdoctor/
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Lakesha Miner Photography, https://www.lakeshaminer.com/
