On March 19th we gathered at the Women’s Health Pavilion at MemorialCare Saddleback for an evening of insight and meaningful conversation around health, self-care and living with purpose.
A key theme of our Women’s Wellness panel was that health is deeply personal—there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Our panelists reminded us that what works for one person may not work for another, underscoring the importance of individualized care and seeking professional guidance for our unique journeys. They also reminded us to start small, and that incremental changes make for transformational shifts in long term health.
Expertly moderated by Impact 100 OC member, Christy Ward, the panel featured Doctor Bhavana Pathak, MD, Medical Director, Integrative Oncology at Saddleback Medical Center; Doctor Rachael Lopez, OB/GYN; Clinical Dietician Mandy Trimmell; and home fitness expert Chanel Schweer of JoyMovement.
Inspiring Insights on Women’s Wellness
✨ Dr. Pathak encouraged us to “treat yourself with compassion and believe that you are worthy of something great.” She advised the audience that “you are a leader inyour own life. When you stray from a path you want to be on, bring yourself back, but do so with love and not admonishment.”
✨ Dr. Lopez compared health to financial security, emphasizing, “Health is like saving for retirement. You need to pay yourself first, or you won’t have anything left to give others.”
✨ Chanel Schweer reminded us that “Comparison is the thief of joy,” and that consistent, small improvements and positive actions, rather than dramatic transformations, are key. “I always push habits over goals,” said Schweer. “I’d rather see someone meditate for five minutes a day or do 10 bodyweight squats while popping popcorn. The more you do it the easier it gets.” She also stressed the importance of strength training for women.
✨ Mandy Trimmel inspired us to “find your passion and live life driven by the things that inspire you.” She also advised those interested in leveling up to “start where you’re at. If you’re eating two vegetables a day let’s get you to three.”
Another theme that emerged was to allow experts to guide you. It’s tempting in the age of search engines and social media to outsource your health guidance to the internet, but real wellness is achieved in collaboration with real life health experts who can take your personal goals and health status into account. Which is why we’re sharing more information and how to get in touch with the experts on our panel below.
Learn more and get in touch:
Yoga with Doctor Bhavana Pathak, MD, Medical Dir, Integrative Oncology, Saddleback
Home fitness expert Chanel Schweer of JoyMovement
Looking Ahead: Join Us in Making an Impact
If you weren’t able to attend, we missed you! We hope to see you at a future event. In the meantime, we invite you to join Impact100 Orange County, where collective giving turns into transformative grants for local nonprofits.
Key Dates:
May 31, 2025 – Deadline for donations to be included in our 2025 grant
June 1, 2025 – Announcement of our 2025 grant recipient
Upcoming Events:
April
Thursday, April 3rd: Spring into Action | 5:30 PM |Laguna Hills
Tuesday, April 15th: Brunch & Bloom | 9:30 AM | Laguna Niguel
May
Sunday, May 18th: Last Call Happy Hour | 4:00 PM | Laguna Hills