LIVTOSHARE

✨ This week's quote: "Fortune favours the prepared mind." – Louis Pasteur

✨ This week's life update: Health has definitely been a focus, especially as we slip into the colder months here. I caught a bit of a cold after getting back from Boston, so I've been doubling down on things to boost my immunity:

• My naturopath says the magic 3 vitamins are Vitamin C + Vitamin D + Zinc

• My morning routine this fall has included chopping up fresh ginger, squeezing lemons, and drizzling honey into a teapot. I let it steep with hot water and drink it as I wake up

• My favorite spices for reducing inflammation are turmeric, cumin, and black pepper. I literally add these to everything!

✨ This week's lesson: I recently had a therapy session where we worked through how to distinguish between doubt that's fear-based versus wisdom-based. In this particular decision of mine, we uncovered that what was holding me back was concern about others' opinions. Then I started thinking about how many times I don't do something because I'm worried what others will think. So naturally, I made a commitment to myself: every time I hesitate to do something, I take a moment to reflect on why I'm not doing it. If the reason is that I'm worried about others' opinions, I count down from 3 and make myself do it.

It sounds cheesy, but it's been a game changer and really enlightening to see how often this actually happens...

What has this led to? A conversation with a C-suite exec at a scale-up whom I really admire (and now I have their personal contact info!), allowing myself to raise my hand while singing in church (making me feel closer to spirit), and launching this newsletter to connect with all of you!

✨ Who inspired me this week: A conversation with a founder in the health tech space. His background was incredibly academic and philosophical – he did his masters in human evolution and is deeply curious about collective intelligence. He took his philosophical beliefs and curiosity and applied them to the startup he's building today, which is absolutely killing it. It was a great reminder that being curious about something is enough. Sometimes we can get caught up in a productivity trap of "why would I do this if I don't see the obvious outcome?" BUT there's something so healthy about letting yourself just lead with curiosity and doing things simply because they bring you joy. You never know where that could lead you.

✨ This week's audiobook: Glossy: Ambition, Beauty, and the Inside Story of Emily Weiss's Glossier - I've been loving using Spotify for audiobooks!

✨ This week's journal prompt: Where am I hesitating to be all-in in my life? What am I compromising on? What am I indifferent to? What does it look like for me to be all-in?

This week’s photo board 📸

On CAMH (The Center for Addiction and Mental Health) : opportunities to volunteer and/or donate

🍒 WOMEN’S HEALTH NEWS THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION 🍒

• Femasys announced a partnership with Boston IVF to deliver technology for pre-IVF patients as first-line treatment options. Their solution helps those seeking pregnancy through artificial insemination by delivering sperm directly and safely into the fallopian tube.

• NYT article on tracking abortion bans across the US – given this week's election news, I found this particularly interesting to familiarise myself with. Honestly, I felt pretty emotional going through this…

Canadian Health News:

• A Halifax woman resorts to surgery in the US for endometriosis due to Canadian wait times. As someone who recently got the referral to an endometriosis specialist and is waiting, it's crazy to me how the process works today in Canada... so much room for improvement!

• Politics and Health in Canada: I came across a video on NS Liberals promising more women's health research, with Zach Churchill saying he would appoint a minister of women’s health.

Consumer News: 

Arrae launches TRIBIOTIC, an all-in-one supplement for gut, vaginal, skin, and immune health. I haven't tried this one yet but have been following the founder Siff through her podcast for a while now and am very curious. Would love to hear if any of you try it!

⚡WHO’S HIRING?⚡

Check out this Women’s Health Jobs newsletter, subscribe here!

💸 GTM 💸

I had a coffee chat with a top Account Executive at my company about her approach to sales. Here were my top takeaways:

Her background: She has experience as an IC (independent contributor) in sales, as a sales director (manager), and in customer success.

“Don’t let perfection stand in the way of progress” - I think this is applicable in a lot of our areas in life, not just sales!

• On the emotional journey of sales: Lean on your family and support system. Remember that we're not saving lives – it's okay to calm down. If you’re reading this and your role right now is your first attempt at sales and it doesn't work out, that's okay! There are tons of other roles and industries; keeping in mind that the worst-case scenario isn't that bad at all.

• On prospecting: Finding luck through job posts, you can learn a lot about a companies needs through them. Identify their needs, connect with hiring leaders, lead with value, and find opportunities to be human in your messaging.

• On building relationships: Nurture, nurture, nurture! This reminds me of the Chinese networking philosophy, Guan Xi (关系) where it's deeply relationship-led. In North America, we say we're more direct, but people like to do business with people. Connect with people, build relationships, lead with value, and then make the ask.

• On growing in an organization: Make sure you’re always nurturing your relationship with your manager!

If you enjoyed this edition of LIVTOSHARE, forward it with a friend who's interested in women’s health and growth!

Have a BEAUTIFUL WEEK!!!

With love & light,

Livia Han 💗