ADVERTISEMENT DECEMBER 2023 | HEALTHINSIGHT.CA
@MediaplanetCA
@HealthInsightCA
Please recycle
A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET
Women’s Health & Stress Management Q & A WITH
PHOTO CREDIT: ILICH MEJIA
Penny Oleksiak Mediaplanet sat down with Canada’s all-time most decorated Olympian, competitive swimmer, and mental health advocate, Penny Oleksiak, to reflect on her sudden rise to fame at a young age, the pressures of being an athlete on the international stage, and how she manages stress and anxiety.
You’ve been very open and vulnerable about your battle with burnout, stress, and anxiety. When did you know to seek help and how did you first seek help? My initial battle with stress and anxiety started like most kids: in high school. Figuring out life, friends, and interests is already incredibly difficult on young people; I then added another layer of stress when I reached unexpected success in the Olympics at 16. I became way more conscious of my surroundings, the expectations I placed on myself, the expectations of other people, the pressure to succeed and have continuous gradual success, and how I had to do it all with
grace. It all became a lot of weight for a 16-yearold to bear and I think it took a couple of years for anyone to realize how much I was truly struggling. I started seeking help around 17 through the doctors I worked with at the centre I swam at, and I still use those people for assistance today.
What are the sources of stress and anxiety that you face as an athlete/role model? There are constantly different stressors we all face day to day in life. As an athlete, this manifests in many ways, whether it’s dealing with external pressure of what a country is expecting of me, to internal pressures of what I’m expecting of myself. I think the biggest challenge you face as an athlete is the challenge of dealing with setbacks and injuries. Injuries are a part of the lifestyle, and they can determine an athlete’s whole fate. Knowing that it’s not going to always be a smooth ride,
that you need to learn to roll with the setbacks and keep trying to push yourself forward, is the biggest source of stress any athlete deals with.
What’s been the most effective source of stress/anxiety relief for you in particularly hard times? Do you have a specific hobby you engage in, a supportive social circle you rely on, etc.? The most effective source of stress/ Read the entire anxiety relief for me has been interview with Penny surrounding myself with good on page 2. people. Whenever I’m struggling or just feel anxious about where I’m at, I tend to lean on those around me for support. I am beyond lucky to be surrounded by so many insanely strong and supportive people in my life who have also dealt with their own trials and tribulations. They provide an immensely impressive outlook on life from so many different perspectives, which I actively try to implement into my own life.
Q&A WITH
Dr. Marjorie Dixon
Mediaplanet sat down with CEO, Founder, and Medical Director at Anova Fertility, Dr. Marjorie Dixon, to discuss the importance of proactive family planning and how making informed choices today can provide peace of mind for your future! What steps can individuals take if they want to ensure their fertility for the future but are not ready to have children right now? In my conversations with patients at Anova Fertility, I emphasize the importance of looking ahead and making informed choices. Egg freezing stands out as a powerful option for those not yet ready to start a family. It’s about giving yourself the freedom to choose when you want to embark on the journey of parenthood. By freezing your eggs at a younger age, you’re essentially capturing your fertility at its peak, allowing you to plan your future without the ticking clock of biological constraints. This foresight can be especially empowering for women focused on their careers or personal development in their younger years. Alongside egg freezing, maintaining a balanced lifestyle is crucial. A nutritious diet, regular exercise, and avoiding detrimental habits like smoking and excessive alcohol use are all part of nurturing your fertility. These proactive steps today are not just about good health; they’re about preserving your options for the future, so that when you're ready, your fertility is too.
At what age should individuals start thinking about fertility? It’s important to start considering your fertility earlier than many realize, ideally in your early 20s. This is the prime time to become informed about your reproductive health. I often recommend connecting with your doctor for fertility assessments as a first step. In my practice, these assessments are akin to getting a 'fertility report card'. They provide a comprehensive overview of your reproductive health, much
like a diagnostic tool. Gaining this early insight is essential. It allows you to make informed decisions and effectively plan for your future, understanding the best timeframes and options available to you based on your individual fertility status.
How can individuals balance career and family planning without compromising either? Read the entire In today's world, achieving both a fulfilling career and interview with Dr. Dixon a family is entirely possible. The key lies in strategic at healthinsight.ca. planning and understanding your biological timeline. For those with ovaries, it's important to be aware that the number of eggs is finite and depletes over time. It’s crucial to be mindful of this timeline. This understanding empowers you to plan your life in a way that aligns with both your career goals and family aspirations. In my practice, I work closely to map out this timeline, providing clarity on when might be the best time to start a family, in harmony with their professional life. On the other hand, those with testes are on less of a time crunch in this regard, as they produce a new batch of sperm every three months. Recognizing these biological differences allows us to tailor family planning strategies to each person or couple’s unique situation. It's essential for everyone, regardless of gender identity, to get assessed and understand their fertility health. With the right information and support, it's possible to plan a future that includes both a fulfilling career and a family, making informed choices that reflect one’s personal and professional aspirations.
Publishers: Hannah Morreale, Aliah Janoudy Business Development Manager: Sarah Ferreira, Maddie MacNeil Senior Strategic Account Manager: Sierra Nardella Strategic Account Director: Jessica Golyatov Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Production Lead: Michael Taylor Creative Lead: Kylie Armishaw Web Editor: Christina Morgan Digital Media Coordinator: Kristen Neals Digital Traffic Strategist: Karm Rathod Content Strategy Manager: Nicole Kansakar All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The Toronto Star or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.