At the age of 31, shortly after giving birth to her son Diego, Kisha Stewart experienced a life-threatening heart attack caused by a rare and often under-recognized condition called SCAD. What started as what she thought was normal postpartum fatigue quickly turned into chest pain, dizziness, and nausea — symptoms that could have been easily dismissed.

In this episode, Kisha opens up about that terrifying night, the role her intuition played in getting the care she needed, and the challenges of navigating gender bias in the healthcare system. She also shares her journey of rebuilding both her physical health and trust in her body, and offers vital insight into warning signs every woman should know. This is a story of resilience, awareness, and empowerment that every listener can learn from.

About Kisha Stewart:

Kisha Stewart, a nurse and mother of three, survived a near-fatal "widowmaker" heart attack (SCAD) at age 31, just two weeks after giving birth. Despite having a medical background, her symptoms were initially dismissed as anxiety. Now a Go Red for Women advocate, she shares her story to highlight postpartum risks, racial disparities in care and the need for self-advocacy. She documented her experience in the book "Sonata for a Damaged Heart: A Young Mother's Journey of Survival After a Near Fatal Heart Attack.

Keep up with Kisha:

Read her story at the American Heart Association: https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart-disease-in-women/class-of-survivors/kisha-stewart

IG - https://www.instagram.com/kishaandscad/

Book - https://www.amazon.com/Sonata-Damaged-Heart-Expanded-Survival-ebook/dp/B0CLKZJKW6

Stay Connected:

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it to hello@flourishheights.com

Subscribe to our quarterly newsletters: Flourish Heights Newsletter

Visit our website + nutrition blog: www.flourishheights.com

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @flourishheights / Women's Health Hub: @hersidebyfh / @valerieagyeman

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishheights

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Have you heard of insulin resistance? It’s one of those things that can sneak up on you without you realizing it. Maybe you’re noticing weight gain in your midsection, afternoon crashes, cravings that just won’t quit, or even irregular cycles — and you’re like, “What is happening with my body?” I see this so often with women, and the good news is, it’s manageable.

In this episode, we’re talking insulin resistance — what it is, why it happens, and how things like meals, movement, sleep, and stress fit into the bigger picture, along with labs and supplements that are often part of the conversation. Listen up!!

Her Side by Flourish Heights was made for women, by women. To be empowered in health starts with a true connection with your body. Join Valerie Agyeman, a women’s health dietitian and journalist as she explores overlooked women’s health conversations, blending expert insight with real stories around periods, hormones, nutrition, and body awareness.

*This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your health.

Stay Connected:

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it to hello@flourishheights.com

Subscribe to our quarterly newsletters: Flourish Heights Newsletter

Visit our website + nutrition blog: www.flourishheights.com

Resources:

Insulin Resistance Review (NIH): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507839/

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @flourishheights / Women's Health Hub: @hersidebyfh / @valerieagyeman

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishheights

Want to support this podcast? Leave a rating, write a review and share! Thank you!

Motherhood didn’t unfold the way Beth expected. After becoming pregnant easily at 39, she assumed her second journey would look the same. Instead, she faced multiple miscarriages, failed IVF transfers, and the unexpected discovery of Hashimoto’s — an autoimmune condition that had gone undiagnosed.

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/tr_X8EdRDMQ

In this deeply vulnerable episode, Beth shares what the fertility journey really looks like behind the scenes: the grief, the advocacy, the emotional toll, and the pressure of watching time pass.

We talk about:

-The myth of the 35 “cliff”

-Dating with a fertility timeline

-How pressure impacts women’s mental health

-The dark side of the fertility industry

-And the resilience that comes from rewriting the rules

At the end of the episode, Beth shares what she would tell her younger self and offers powerful words for women who feel like they’re behind.

Her Side by Flourish Heights was made for women, by women. To be empowered in health starts with a true connection with your body. Join Valerie Agyeman, a women’s health dietitian and journalist as she explores overlooked women’s health conversations, blending expert insight with real stories around periods, hormones, nutrition, and body awareness.

Listener Note: This conversation includes discussions of miscarriage, IVF, and pregnancy loss, which may be sensitive for some listeners.

About Beth Gulotta:

Beth Gulotta, LMHC, is a psychotherapist, group private practice owner, boy mom, and host of the Quiet the Clock podcast, where she explores fertility, identity, and the pressure of societal timelines. She is the founder of NYC Therapeutic Wellness, a New York City based group practice, and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York State with a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Manhattan College. After years of following the “I should” path into finance before answering the “I want” call to therapy, Beth built a career centered on partnership, self-connection, and emotional healing. Her work is deeply informed by her personal fertility journey, which includes multiple IVF failures, miscarriages, and secondary infertility; she welcomed her first son through natural conception at age 40 and is currently expecting her second child after conceiving naturally at 44, bringing lived experience, nuance, and compassion to conversations often shaped by fear and silence.

Keep up with Beth at:

IG - https://www.instagram.com/quiettheclockpod/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@quiettheclock

Website - https://www.nyctherapeuticwellness.com/

Stay Connected:

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it to hello@flourishheights.com

Subscribe to our quarterly newsletters: Flourish Heights Newsletter

Visit our website + nutrition blog: www.flourishheights.com

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @flourishheights / Women's Health Hub: @hersidebyfh / @valerieagyeman

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishheights

Want to support this podcast? Leave a rating, write a review and share! Thank you!