We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Cristina Romero-Bosch, Nmd recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Cristina, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
As a person who was raised by physicians who focused on good food, fresh air, play, and time in nature, I was taught—and also instinctively drawn to—”healthy living.”
I studied nutrition and dietetics and took many cooking classes in NYC, especially when “Spa Cuisine” was a trend, now simply known as healthy cooking. I worked with inner-city kids in Newark and New Brunswick, NJ and was saddened at the reality of the poor relationship they had with healthy eating. Additionally, as a resident physician at Yale University Integrative Medical Center, I worked with OB/GYN, pre-conception patients.
All of these experiences paved the path for my professional realization that what I really wanted was to work with moms, helping them learn how to feel, be, and look their best. When women feel happy, sexy, purposeful, and have the energy to be present in their lives, their home life is transformed. When you work with moms, you have the best chance of positively influencing their children and, therefore, our future society.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I work predominantly with females in the prevention and reparation of metabolism through longevity medicine tools, techniques and philosophies. Metabolism refers to any chemical change in the body, not just the notion of slowed metabolism and weight management. We work on the inside and the outside (aesthetics) of a patient. The Hormone Zone is Phoenix’s leader in the use of hormone replacement, nutritional supplementation, lifestyle modification and cutting-edge functional medicine therapies.
Longevity medicine (also referred to as anti-aging medicine, though I don’t prefer that term—I prefer the idea of graceful aging) is an exciting field because it marries the ever-evolving technology and sciences of today with the principles of traditional medicine. At least, it does for me. Using the principles of slow and uncomplicated living, along with peptides and stem cells, for example, is a brilliantly effective approach for the treatment and prevention of chronic inflammatory disease.
What makes our practice the best is a combination of truths: we have been doing it the longest, we are always at the forefront of innovative treatments, and we combine all the new advancements with a strong understanding of the things that do not change—the body’s biochemistry, the recognition of the patient’s responsibility in achieving and maintaining health and the principles of treating the underlying cause. We rely on listening to the patient and their body, identifying the root causes of dis-ease and working in harmony with what the body needs to repair itself and sustain optimal wellness.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Communication: I believe I have learned and cultivated a very strong ability to communicate with people. This is mostly about listening —not only to what is spoken but also to the unspoken information a person is trying to convey. This involves disarming patients, helping them feel comfortable with my assistance and with their own dreams and wishes. It is amazing how uncomfortable many women are with designing and striving for the very best version of themselves. Through open communication, the ability to explain medical concepts in approachable terms and a genuine interest in what the patient has to say, I have been successful at guiding patients towards reaching their health goals.
2. Treating the cause not just the suppression of symptoms: The body is a brilliant, sophisticated machine. Usually, if someone doesn’t feel well there is a reason that can be sought out and corrected. I will often use the analogy of a puzzle, the kind with 1,000 pieces that all look the same. That is what a patient with metabolic symptoms is like. We need to take all the pieces out, organize them and look at them. Then with patience and a sense of enthusiasm, trace back the clues to the original cause, then give the body what it is asking for — what the full picture of the puzzle is. I love this process, like solving a mystery, I LOVE puzzles! The key is listening to the patient as they usually have some intuitive contribution, even when they don’t realize it. That is the keystone piece. It’s so satisfying and so fascinating. The body reminds me repeatedly how elegant it was designed and although it never surprises me when a patient reports profound improvement, it always leaves me impressed. What a great privilege to guide people towards wellness.
3. I think my most impressive skill is being extremely real. It sounds so ordinary, but this is truly —humility aside—where I shine, and I’d say where many of my colleagues fall short. I am a mom, a sister, a daughter, a wife, a friend, a business owner, a physician and a woman. I am also an immigrant, raised by immigrant parents. English, although now my strongest language, is not my first language, nor my instinct. I had very hard-working parents that gave us a very comfortable life but one we saw them work rigorously to build.
I have so many things in common with so many different women. I am relatable and I enjoy passionately learning from others and growing. I love to learn. If I do not know the answer, I tell my patients, and then I diligently work to find an answer. I know that meeting a patient where they are is the first step in helping them improve their life. I know that adding positive habits is always easier than subtracting bad habits. I know that success in changing one’s health is rarely a straight line, but more like a series of ups and downs that might hurt but are always worth it. I’ve been there myself, and I’ve been there with my patients.
I stay creative and concerned. I love what I do and am very open with others about the fact that my work is not my only responsibility nor my only passion. And lastly, I say things as a see them. I must be honest — and it comes from a place of real-ness, real love, real concern and real certainty that anyone can change their lives for the better.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client is a heterosexual, monogamous, married mom of school-aged children. Simply because I can relate the most to them from personal experience and have come to know the importance of having other women in my life that I have common values and life responsibilities with that can help counsel and comfort me. I find so much joy in seeing the effects on that woman’s life—her health, sense of self-worth, libido and overall, zest for life.
I have countless examples of that woman then bringing her husband to see us. How they then share in the journey of wellness, how their marriage is made stronger, how they start to date again and to fall in love again. How they grow closer with their children because they suddenly have energy and patience and remember why they chose this life in the first place. Happy moms contribute to happy dads, children, communities and even philanthropy.
I truly believe in the butterfly effect of a woman who needed testosterone and thyroid replacement, a clear plan for eating well, removing the toxins out of their home and getting back to moving her body because she can and want too. It is so extremely rewarding. I get to find inspiration in them as well, for my own life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hormone-zone.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesexdocs
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/HormoneZone
https://www.instagram.com/thehormonezonehttps://www.instagram.com/longevityprotocolpod
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