1. Terran, your journey has been nothing short of miraculous. From surviving cancer to thriving with a pacemaker and a brain tumor, how have these experiences shaped your perspective on women’s heart health, and what advice would you give to sisters who might be overlooking their own heart health?

These experiences have made me more aware of my heart health, physically and mentally. I think we must take care of our bodies physically through diet and exercise, but we must also remember that our heart health also takes care of our mental health. My advice for women is to be your own heart health advocate! I think it’s essential that women advocate for themselves. The signs and symptoms for women and heart health are different from men, and as women, we tend to care for everyone else. We must recognize instead that we ignore what our bodies are telling us & seek help before there’s a big problem.

GoRedForWomen.Org

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women.

2.You are the definition of strength and resilience! As a bodybuilder and advocate for women’s wellness, how do you balance pushing your body to its limits while also respecting its boundaries, especially given the health challenges you’ve faced?

I think I’ve always been good at really knowing my body. What I mean by that is if something feels off, I can tell and acknowledge it. I’ve always been one to push boundaries. Growing up, I was often told a lot of the things I couldn’t do, but I guess the advantage of learning that you have heart disease as a kid is that you don’t necessarily listen. I’ve always pushed my body to its limits. I’ve always been intrigued by what our bodies can do and how good they can be if we are good to them. I recently had a conversation with my doctor and asked him about exercise and heart health. The obvious is that exercise helps with your heart health. Still, I wanted to hear it right from him as an adult, and during my recent check-up, he acknowledged that part of the reason that my heart is so strong is that I’ve been able to keep up with and make the commitment to exercise and take care of my heart. Exercise isn’t a chore for me. It is a lifestyle.

3.Your vibe is all about empowerment and keeping it real. As someone who’s breaking barriers in health advocacy and fitness, how do you keep the message fresh and relatable for women who feel intimidated by starting their own health journeys?

Being unique is our superpower!

I think it’s important to meet everyone, especially women, where they are in their fitness journey. Fitness can mean something different to each individual. For some, it means completing a marathon; for some, It means competing on stage; and for others, it means getting to the gym three times a week. Whatever fitness option is available for you is the one you should take! Remember, we all started somewhere, so taking the first step is the hardest! We need to be realistic about our fitness plan to make it achievable while having those long-term goals in front of us.

4. With your work alongside organizations like the American Heart Association and Women Heart, what systemic changes do you think are most urgently needed to address disparities in women’s healthcare, particularly for women of color?

Citation: GoRedForWomen.org

• Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women.
• Nearly 45% of women ages 20+ are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.
• Among Black women ages 20 and older, nearly 59% have cardiovascular disease.
• Nearly 43% of Hispanic females have cardiovascular disease.

These statistics are alarming, to say the least. Women, particularly women of color, need to make their voices heard. We need to be actively included in the decision-making process for our treatment and be willing to participate in research opportunities to reduce male research bias.

5.Chicago has a unique energy, and as a biracial woman and a proud member of AKA, how does your identity and connection to the Midwest influence the way you approach health, wellness, and inspiring the next generation of women?

Chicago is such a fantastic city! It has a rich history, amazing architecture, excellent food, wonderful people, and some great Medical and Teaching Institutions! Whether you’d like to be involved in heart health professionally or be more aware of your health, Chicago has terrific ways to learn how to take control of your heart journey! Volunteer with an organization, participate in a heart walk, join a gym, or volunteer at a hospital. You can pick your passion here and make your path in Chicago! There are many great ways to get involved in our city and inspire yourself and others!

Terran Lamp

IG: @IAMTERRANL

M.B.A., CISSN, ACSM-CPT

TEDx Speaker, Author, Advocate, Survivor