I haven’t yet decided whether it was a lie when they told us we could have it all, or whether it’s true you can have it all, just not at the same time. But for those of us deeply entrenched in being everything to everyone, I have just the thing for you: Super Woman Rx.
In a previous career, during the course of seven years, I had the privilege of working with some of the world’s top doctors and health experts, creating and marketing integrative medicine programs, educating medical professionals. Many of the physicians I worked with were women who rose through the ranks proving themselves academically, professionally, and socially. That takes a certain type of woman who is dedicated, strong, exceptionally intelligent, and determined. I read an interview once of one of these renowned female physicians. A mother herself and an extremely nice person, she was asked the secret to having it all. She answered that you work hard, put your heart into it, etc., and of course, “you have to have a nanny.”
Unless you’re a famous physician, Kardashian, or have significant wealth, you (like me) probably are the nanny. And the chef, housekeeper, secretary, landscaper, project planner, CEO, and in some cases, bread-winner. Now what?
Super Woman Rx to the rescue
One of the physicians that went through our Fellowship, Tasneem Bhatia, MD
As a physician, she is agnostic in her approach to healing, addressing the root cause of symptoms rather than just treating the symptoms. She says Super Woman Rx is the culmination of all her experience treating women in private practice. As she listened to her patients’ stories, diagnosed conditions, and treated women in her practice, she noticed parallels in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine [TCM], integrative and functional medicine, and certain archetypes became evident to her.
Personalized medicine for the price of a book
Finding a physician like Bhatia close to home, with a thorough understanding of the body’s systems, willingness to listen, the ability to accurately diagnose, and patience to treat, is difficult. But truly, this book transmits her wisdom in a very personalized way.
Through quizzes that assess your physical appearance, energy and sleep, mental issues, digestive issues, hormonal symptoms, pain and medical conditions, emotions, and lifestyle, Bhatia synthesizes diagnostic techniques from a number of traditions. You’re then assigned a Power Type: Gypsy Girl, Boss Lady, Savvy Chick, Earth Mama, or Nightingale, or a combination of a few. She tells you what conditions you’re likely to suffer from (and if you’re reading the book, you’re probably already there), what tests to ask your doctor for, what the Ayurvedic and TCM take would be, and what action steps to take. Bhatia walks you through nutrition, lifestyle, exercise, and supplementation recommendations specific to you.
Sounds crazy – does it work?
I already thought highly of Bhatia when I began reading the book, just from what I knew of her during Fellowship. But I’ll admit, I found it hard to believe my personality, strengths and weaknesses, and health conditions could be pinpointed by a quiz in a book. I came up as the Boss Lady (obviously – my mom could have told you that’s who I’d be when I was 5 years old.) And as I read how accurate the description of my Power Type was, the cynic in me began questioning the weighting scheme of the points in the quiz, the balance of diagnostic questions, and the “algorithm” that would deliver such precise results. How is it possible? I still don’t know.
My major dysfunctions when I began reading this book were debilitating fatigue and reflux. I’m still tired, but at that point it was consuming me. So, following the suggestions in the book, I began an exercise regimen, focused a little more on mind/body and sleep, followed the supplement recommendations, and adopted the nutritional guidelines. Bhatia has quite a few recipes for each plan, but, full disclosure, I’m not following them; instead, I’m eating the things she told me to, avoiding the things she told me to avoid, and I’m counting calories. As a result, I also began making other lifestyle improvements, independent of the book. I’m getting back to where I want to be. So far, I’ve hardly had any reflux, my weight is under better control, and best of all, I feel like I’ve rejoined the land of the living, focusing on life rather than on wondering when I’ll ever be able to sleep again.
Check out these great podcast interviews:
Super Woman Syndrome by The goop Podcast
Health, Happiness, Success – How to be a Superwoman with Dr. Taz. #463 by Bulletproof Radio
Is Super Woman Rx the cure?
Bhatia imbues such an enthusiasm for and comprehensive view of medicine in this book. She possesses the experience and knowledge of a full team of practitioners and brings all the personalized recommendations of a specialized practice directly to you. Of course, the difficult part is putting her recommendations into practice and owning your own health. Are you willing to disrupt the life patterns that dug you into a ditch in the first place? Are you willing to make a daily habit of good health? Some readers may need an additional push of in-person coaching or doctor’s counseling, but for many, Super Woman Rx may be exactly what you need to ignite your journey to good health.
