In this episode, Jana Pittman shares her inspiring journey from an elite athlete to passionate advocate for women's health and entry into medicine specialising in obstetrics and gynecology whilst raising 6 children, now as a solo mother.
Discover how her personal setbacks fueled her purpose and the powerful lessons of resilience and determination reinforced by her own upbringing of strong family values, hard workers and high achievers.
This is an uplifting conversation, one that encourages self-advocacy around women's health issues, including menopause. It also invites balance and self-compassion around the role of parent, whilst juggling career and ambition.
When I asked the question: "If you had the ability to give every mother in the world a gift that she couldn't buy, what would you like that to be?", Jana responded "Personal time and a magic glass of wine that took her mother guilt away.
Enjoy!
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Jana Pittman's journey and achievements
02:02 - The personal struggles behind her athletic wins
03:58 - How Olympic disappointment redirected her to medicine
04:53 - Turning setbacks into purpose: women's health advocacy
07:00 - Balancing motherhood, career, and personal growth
09:01 - Challenging the myth of needing to choose between career and motherhood
11:21 - Managing priorities during busy training and life chapters
14:07 - Breaking societal taboos around women’s private health issues
16:21 - Navigating perimenopause and menopause with empowerment
18:38 - The importance of seeking individualised treatment and wariness of societal stigma
21:44 - Who is Jana today? Embracing a balanced, slower-paced life
23:53 - How life experience helps protect energy and priorities
24:59 - The gift every mother deserves: personal time and compassion
26:16 - Supporting postpartum women through the chaos and self-doubt
27:36 - Final thoughts and encouragement for women navigating life’s transitions
Resources & Links:
Connect with Yanna Pittman:
This episode offers a heartfelt perspective on resilience, advocating for open conversations around women’s health, and embracing life's transitions with courage and self-love.
