Alyssa Blais

Tag: Personal narrative

  • Questioning Age and Gender Norms

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    Alyssa
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    Are ageism, sexism, and power dynamics present in today’s healthcare system? Ageism may be one of the greatest social barriers to aging well. Does gender play a role in healthcare and long-term care? Is there a gendered pattern over the life course because of the inequities women experience—as both caregivers and recipients of care? We…

  • Menopause Isn’t a Problem—It’s a Reality to Embrace

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    Alyssa
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    I was in my early forties, playing cards at a friend’s house when my girlfriend at the time—who was in her late forties—had a hot flash. It was my first real exposure to menopause through someone else’s experience. She was fanning herself, embarrassed and ashamed, while the men in the room either dismissed or laughed…

  • From Cardio Queen to Strength Advocate

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    Alyssa
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    Growing up in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, I was all about cardio—Jane Fonda, Kathy Smith, aerobics, leotards, step aerobics, the ThighMaster, the StairMaster, Buns of Steel! Back then, the focus was always on being thin, staying slim, and doing as much high-energy cardio as possible. Strength training wasn’t even on my radar, nor was…