Celebrating Self-Love and Self-Care: Highlights From #BlogHer20 Health
#BlogHer20 Health was a smash hit! We could not have done it without our incredible attendees, wonderful panelists, and awesome sponsors. Our venue, Rolling Greens, was a lush, green paradise. Everywhere you looked, something amazing was going on. From the AstroTwins and their giant golden moon, to wellness shots from Pressed Juicery; a meet & greet with Hilary Duff to a musical keynote from LeAnn Rimes — we are feeling seriously #BLESSED for such a special day.
Couldn’t make it? We missed you! But fret not — check out the recap below to get in on the magic. See you at the next one!
hanging with hilary Duff
Not only is Hilary Duff lovely, intelligent, and bright — she is talented, motivated, and boss-ass business lady. Hilary took the stage and got oh so deliciously real with our attendees about her own mom struggles, how challenging it is to juggle having a family and having a career, and why she chose to partner with the Naturalena Foundation as the Chief Brand Strategist for Veeda and Happy Little Camper.
“I have so much guilt. SO much guilt, having 2 kids over 1 and trying to divide your time. It’s a juggling act for sure, and having a career.”
“I was not educated on what I was putting in my body. It’s changed my life. I feel so much more comfortable that I’m putting a natural product in my body than something with pesticides and fragrances. It’s no longer required to put ingredients on tampons – how is that possible in 2020? It’s pretty shocking.”
“The Naurtalena Foundation opened my eyes to a serious issue: Period poverty. This is when girls can’t get period supplies. It’s happening all over the world, but also in America. They’re missing school and work, it puts women at huge risk.”
“I’ve been lucky to dabble in a lot of spaces. With Happy Little Camper, I’m learning every single day — brand strategy, manufacturing and sustainability, and creating products that people love, that work and they trust. I’ve done my due diligence because my daughter is my guinea pig. I’m a mom and a consumer and I’m in the thick of diapers.”
Watch Our full conversation with Hilary Duff and SHE Media Partner Network’s Jessica Hall Below
busting down barriers with busy philipps
Busy Philipps is a powerhouse in every way. Joined by the incredible Nancy Northup from the Center for Reproductive Rights, Busy absolutely rocked the #BlogHer stage with her wit, fiery spirit and unfaltering strength. She and Nancy maximized their time with us by enlightening and educating our attendees on the urgency to fight to protect Roe v. Wade, the importance of using your voice and speaking out against injustice, and of course, the significance of the #METOO movement.
“You do not have equality if you don’t have bodily autonomy.”
“A bitch contains multitudes. We can talk about abortion rights and what’s happening in our country, or we can talk about Epsom Salts.”
“For me, as I was becoming an adult I assumed Roe v. Wade was a given – but I was living in a f*cking bubble… I wasn’t paying attention. It didn’t occur to me until last year that it legitimately could be the f*cking end if (the Supreme Court) does not go the same way.”
“This isn’t alright… let’s figure this out, together.”
(Busy on the response she received after sharing her story.) “The response was overwhelming in a positive way. I wasn’t fully prepared for it. The #YouKnowMe. I felt so isolated and alone, and shamed. Why as women have we allowed this. I was inspired by Tarana Burke and #METOO, When women speak up and share their experiences, we’re not alone.”
“Talk about how much you’re getting paid, because dudes do it all the time.”
Watch the entire Keynote with Busy Philipps, Nancy Northup, and Samantha Skey
Lulled to happiest hour by lEANN RIMES
Leann Rimes’ time on the #BlogHer stage as our closing keynote made the best parting gift we could possibly have given our attendees. She spoke with raw, unabashed compassion and love, getting real about her own struggles with depression and pressure from the outside world. She led us through through a heart opening, grounding, and all-around amazing breath work session that ended in a chant song. What an incredible, moving end to an incredible day.
“We need to welcome a softness and tenderness to our own hearts, as women we forget we possess this beautiful piece that’s so accessible, just taking a moment to be.”
“My advice to my younger self: breathe. Stay true to you. It’s so easy to veer off of who we are, and we forget who we are. No matter what someone’s opinion is, what do you know is true?”
“Being open with my own struggles brings it out of the shadows. When someone can see me, who they’ve known for a long time, discussing important topics from a personal point of view, it’s healing. It brings the dark to the light. It’s what we’re really needing these days — speaking truth to what has been hidden connects us on a soul level.”
more words from the wise
In addition to the ladies above, we had dozens of other incredible speakers who shared so much honest, valuable, and courages insight with our attendees. Some of these tidbits apply to business, others to reproductive health, and others to simply being a better person – all come from the mouths of bad ass, inspiring women seeking to lift up other bad ass women. We are so grateful they chose to join us at Health – and we can’t wait for the next one!
Watch Bonnie Fuller of Hollywoodlife life talk about health in hollywood with celebrity guests
“There’s the myth of the tight vagina, like it’s some desirable thing. Tight from whose perspective? This is not a female-centered perspective. We want something that can contract and relax – something healthy, supple, and strong, not tight.” – Dr. Jennifer Lange
“I do what i do today because of social media. It helped me grow as a human and a professional. Social media exploded because we relate to so many different kinds of people. Our lives are not perfect. You get to relate and see real stories and know people are just like you.” – Camila Coelho
“We can’t wallow in our misery, we need to show we’re fabulous at all ages. If people are saying you’re past your prime – no way, we haven’t gotten there yet. I’m speaking (at #BlogHer20 Health) at 71!” – Maye Musk
“It’s almost NYFW and I’m not going to a runway show that does not sell my size. I’m not going to post about that. We can all take a stand. It’s hard but that’s where change comes from.” – Hunter McGrady
“If you don’t like the answer you get from your healthcare professional, find a new one. There are lots of options out there to help, find your village, your team of providers. Your body is important and going to carry you through life, don’t brush issues under the rug.” – Dr. Marcy Crouch
“Disconnect from expected outcomes and try not to have that be the goal. I made a real shift from praying for outcomes to accepting every outcome with gratitude & grace.” – Jen Gotch of ban.do
“I’m a food blogger, my food and life has color, but I use filters responsibly – not to hide who I am, but to bring up my glow.” – Maya Howard
“I would like to see women supporting women in the next decade, the more we do the stronger we are.” – Camila Coelho
“Sex should not hurt ever – unless you want it to. Your desire and your body is so important, so many women put their own needs aside for their partner and that’s got to stop. Ask yourself: what do I really want?” – Dr. Jennifer Lange
“It was exhausting to keep up my professional and personal accounts so I combined them. If you want me, you want all of me. As I’ve entered my late 20s my purpose has become stronger than my self doubt.” – Maya Howard
“Sex should not hurt ever – unless you want it to. Your desire and your body is so important, so many women put their own needs aside for their partner and that’s got to stop. Ask yourself: what do I really want?” – Dr. Jennifer Lange
“Speak out, even if it doesn’t affect you.” – Hunter McGrady
“When you show up and continue to insist, things do change, whether it’s attitudes about natural hair, the political environment and or (conversations about) our health.” – Ryan Michelle Bathe
“We all have a responsibility to put out credible information so people who read it are not being harmed.” – Dr. Jessica Shepherd
“Being open and honest lets people know they aren’t alone.” – Brittney Vest
“I always thought periods are painful and that’s normal, I was willing to endure a lot of discomfort. It wasn’t until my husband said you yelp in pain, this can’t be normal. I finally got to a doctor who lifted her fists and said painful periods are not normal…I wish I could scream it from the rooftops. I started talking and found out everybody has fucking fibroids.” – Kelly McCreary
“You can never use too much lube.” – Dr. Marcy Crouch
“It was exhausting to keep up my professional and personal accounts so I combined them. If you want me, you want all of me. As I’ve entered my late 20s my purpose has become stronger than my self doubt.” – Maya Howard
Lastly, we want to thank our #BlogHer community
Readers, subscribers, and attendees alike – we are so grateful to have a community like you. Thank you for loving us as much as we love you! Join us at #BlogHer20 Creator’s Summit on June 18th in New York City, and be on the lookout for upcoming #BlogHer events. In the meanwhile, follow us on EVERYTHING: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and subscribe to our email newsletter here.