It Has to Be Me cover art

It Has to Be Me

It Has to Be Me

Written by: Tess Masters
Listen for free

What are your “It has to be me” moments? Those key points in your life where you know “This is what I want to do” and you go for it! I’m Tess Masters and I’m getting the skinny from people who are smashing their fears and doubts to make the things they want happen. Let’s dive in, get fired up, and go after your next “It Has To Be Me!”Copyright 2024 It Has To Be Me Tess Masters, Inc. All Rights Reserved Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Leadership Management & Leadership Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • The New Rules Of Women's Health | 104

    The New Rules Of Women's Health | 104
    Apr 30 2026
    Ladies: Do not miss this conversation with Meghan Rabbit—journalist and author of The New Rules Of Women’s Health—for breaking news that can save your life. We start the conversation with how historical neglect of women’s bodies in medical research has lasting impacts, ranging from screening equipment poorly suited to our anatomy to healthcare systems that don’t understand or support our needs. Meghan lays out the gaps, challenges, and overlooked truths in women’s healthcare, and explains why we find ourselves misdiagnosed, dismissed, or left without real answers. From chronic pain, osteoporosis, and autoimmune disease to depression and Alzheimer’s, women make up 70 to 80% of patients yet wait longer to be evaluated and taken seriously. We explore why heart disease is the number-one cause of death in women, how female hearts and signs of heart attack differ from those of men, and what to say at the emergency room so you get seen by a doctor now, not shoved into some corridor. We then dive into how hormone health impacts everything from brain function to immune responses to bone health, why pain should never be ignored, and how to assess your breast health beyond mammograms. Meghan targets menopause as our strategic window of opportunity for preventing disease over 50. She covers how to find good doctors and prepare for appointments, and the most effective ways to communicate with practitioners for the best healthcare experience. The key takeaway: Get to know your body so you can advocate for yourself and fast-track your way to solutions. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: Women make up 80% of people with autoimmune disease and osteoporosis. Women mount stronger immune responses than men which can lead to autoimmune disease. Women make up 70% of chronic pain patients, and 2/3 of people with Alzheimer’s disease. To prevent chronic pain, don’t push through—listen to pain signals, and seek treatment.Only about 30% of participants in drug trials are women. Participating in studies increases data on women’s health and helps you access medical care.Only 4% of women take hormone therapy. But often, the benefits outweigh the risks. Many women don’t do mammograms because of radiation. You get more exposure on a plane. ABOUT MEGHAN RABBITTAuthor of The New Rules Of Women's Health, Meghan Rabbitt is an award-winning journalist who specializes in writing about women’s health and wellness. Her work has appeared in numerous media outlets, including Women’s Health, Prevention, Oprah Daily, Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper, NPR, and others. She’s known for translating complex medical and scientific topics into clear, actionable information—and for telling stories that help women better understand their bodies, their health, and themselves.CONNECT WITH MEGHANThe New Rules Of Women's Health: https://newrulesofwomenshealth.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanrabbittLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-rabbitt-04b80116/MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 6 mins
  • Perimenopause Treatment: It’s Not Just About Hormones | 103

    Perimenopause Treatment: It’s Not Just About Hormones | 103
    Apr 23 2026
    Struggling through perimenopause? Dr. Emilie Wilson, naturopath and acupuncturist, talks about how she helps women over 40 reclaim their health and vitality with functional medicine. Healing is a creative process, and a good practitioner will partner with you to develop a personalized action plan that fits your lifestyle and needs. Dr Emilie emphasizes the importance of looking at the whole story to identify the root causes of hormone imbalances. We explore why so many women feel dismissed, confused, or stuck when it comes to their symptoms, especially when their labs are “normal” yet they don’t feel like themselves. Hormone health is never just about hormones. Starting with the most common symptoms women experience, such as weight gain, sleep issues, and brain fog, Dr. Emilie explains how gut health, blood sugar, and metabolism are all connected to our hormone health. And how symptoms indicate deeper imbalances that can be corrected with a holistic approach that addresses diet, exercise, sleep, stress, and hydration. From there, she walks us through key labs and tests every woman over 40 should consider to move beyond guesswork and into clarity. We discuss microbiome stool testing, advanced thyroid panels, micronutrient and organic acid tests, and DEXA scans. Tracking patterns, not just numbers, is the path to solutions and sustainable health. Key takeaway: Stop chasing quick fixes. No pill, patch, cream, medication, or supplement will solve all your health issues in midlife. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS Metabolic dysfunction and chronic illnesses are common. But, common doesn’t mean normal. “Normal” lab results don’t always mean optimal health. Advanced testing may be required. In perimenopause and menopause, we can lose our resilience without a holistic treatment plan. Better gut health is foundational. Rebalance your gut to rebalance everything else. HRT, medications, or supplements alone are not golden tickets to optimal health. The Organic Acids Test looks at metabolic capacity and can identify nutrient deficiencies. The DUTCH PlusTM Test indicates how your body is processing available hormones. A comprehensive adrenal assessment reveals how stress is impacting hormone levels. ABOUT DR. EMILIE WILSON Founder of Sanos Wellness, naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist Dr. Emilie Wilson helps women over 40 investigate the causes of hormone imbalances and optimize their metabolism and health during perimenopause and menopause. With over 15 years’ clinical experience in functional medicine, Dr Emilie draws from her personal journey with burnout, weight gain, postpartum depression, and hormone issues to support her patients with custom holistic treatment plans. The author of POST: The Essential Guide to Creating Your Postpartum Self-Care Plan in Pregnancy, Dr. Emilie also writes about women’s health for a diversity of online magazines and websites. CONNECT WITH DR. EMILIE Website: https://www.sanoswellness.com/ Lab Guide: https://www.sanoswellness.com/perimenopause-lab-cheat-sheet Power Hour: https://www.sanoswellness.com/perimenopause-power-hour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanoswellness/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SanosWellness/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilie-wilson-2320a22a1/ MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Get Your Body Back Over 50 | 102

    Get Your Body Back Over 50 | 102
    Apr 16 2026
    Over 50 and want to get your body back? Christi, Sara, and Christine—three members of the 60-Day Reset—talk with me about how they shed the pounds and took control of their lives by taking self-care to the next level.Christi came in struggling with digestive issues, IBS, kidney stones, and candida. She wasn’t showing up for life the way she wanted. By nourishing her body and eating more, not less, she empowered herself with food that sparked a renewed joy of cooking. Sharing the knowledge and enthusiasm, her husband and teenage children all improved their health with her.Sara used her 50th birthday as motivation to finally let go of dieting. After trying plans from vegan to paleo to Whole30, she was exhausted, in chronic pain, and frustrated that “doing everything right” still wasn’t working. Embracing a more flexible approach to food helped her address stress in every part of her life. She gained confidence, and started a new business.Likewise at 50, Christine realized her approach didn’t serve her in midlife. After numbing herself with food and alcohol, she got sober and achieved a freedom with eating she’d not experienced before. Through the lens of her relationship with food, she gained a better understanding of her other choices, and upgraded her communication and action in her work and relationships.We discuss the impact of familial and societal conditioning around food, and the peer pressure built into eating out with others. And how the “Good, Better, or Best, Not Perfect” philosophy of the Skinny60® community provides an alternative to rigid and restrictive thinking.Exploring how strategic eating moves beyond healthy eating, we celebrate what happens when we understand our bodies and listen to them, instead of fighting them at every turn. Using our approach to food as a vehicle for gaining clarity about our other choices sparks a reclamation that has a ripple effect.TESS’S TAKEAWAYS:Strategic eating goes beyond healthy eating and focuses on bio-individual needsChronic dieting disrupts metabolism and can lead to weight gain despite “healthy” eating.For optimal metabolic function and weight-loss, the thyroid requires regular nourishment.Hormone health is directly influenced by gut health, blood sugar, and metabolism.Approaching self-care as a non-negotiable daily practice promotes consistency.Emotional eating often has links to trauma and to nervous-system dysregulation.Create a path to freedom with food by flexibility rather than rigidity.Community support helps you make changes with long-term success.MEET OUR GUESTSCHRISTIA functional fitness coach, Christi Bruzzi is on a mission to prove that exercising can be a source of joy, not a chore. Specializing in the evolving body, Christi blends the technical precision of Balanced Body Pilates with the infectious energy of line dancing and cardio drumming. Whether implementing strength and wellness programs or leading a high-intensity Spin class, Christi aims to make every fitness journey as enjoyable as it is effective. She empowers clients to feel strong and healthy at every stage of life. Find her at Clubchristi.com.SARAFounder of Integro Communications, Sara Kline partners with organizations to develop strategy and storytelling so they grow with clarity and purpose, uncover opportunities, and map a strategic path forward. She’s known for bringing structure, definition and momentum to teams ready to grow but unsure where to focus. Outside her client work, she helps women build careers that align with their lives, and mentors women in building a version of success that prioritizes professional growth and well-being. She is passionate about health and wellness.CHRISTINEWith over 25 years’ experience in financial leadership, Christine Walsh is a certified coach, fractional CFO, speaker, and author of Be The Queen of Your Money. Coaching women to increase their income and profitability with mindset work and accessible tools, Christine teaches how to create an abundant future by transforming the financial narratives holding us back from life on our terms. She is revolutionizing the way women access financial independence through RebelRiseFinance.com and on her podcast Made For Money.MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: ...
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 40 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c
No reviews yet