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EP75: Living an Unexpected Life: Aging with HIV as a Female with Martina Clark

October 05, 2023 Amanda Laden
EP75: Living an Unexpected Life: Aging with HIV as a Female with Martina Clark
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EP75: Living an Unexpected Life: Aging with HIV as a Female with Martina Clark
Oct 05, 2023
Amanda Laden

Join Amanda in a stirring narrative following Martina Clark's journey from being diagnosed with HIV in 1992 and defying the prognosis of being given 5 years to live, to thriving three decades later. Tune in as she challenges stereotypes, advocates for HIV awareness and education, and sparks a vital shift in societal perspectives.


1. The prejudice received for being diagnosed with HIV and the decades of stigma surrounding it

2. Drawbacks of women's underrepresentation in HIV clinical trials

3. What it's like to age with HIV and its impact on a woman’s body

4. Advice for women recently diagnosed with HIV

5. Assistance programs and cost of treatment for people with HIV


Resources mentioned in this episode


About Martina Clark

In 1992, Martina Clark was told she had HIV and maybe a “good five years to live.” Today, 31 years later, Martina Clark is a professor and the award-winning author and narrator of My Unexpected Life: An International Memoir of Two Pandemics, HIV and COVID-19. She writes memoirs, personal essays, and travel narratives. Before teaching, she worked for the United Nations system (including UNAIDS, UNICEF, and Peacekeeping) for decades. 

She has lived with HIV for over half her life – 31 years and counting – and survived COVID-19, the original recipe. Martina has traveled to over 90 countries and conducted condom demonstrations in at least 50. She's traveled by boat, bus, and plane but never by elephant or camel.


Connect with Martina

Website: Martina Clark 



Support the show! 

Want to learn more about us? Visit our website at www.periodtopause.com or send an email to amanda@periodtopause.com

Follow us on Instagram: @periodtopause

Follow our Facebook Page: Period to Pause

Show Notes

Join Amanda in a stirring narrative following Martina Clark's journey from being diagnosed with HIV in 1992 and defying the prognosis of being given 5 years to live, to thriving three decades later. Tune in as she challenges stereotypes, advocates for HIV awareness and education, and sparks a vital shift in societal perspectives.


1. The prejudice received for being diagnosed with HIV and the decades of stigma surrounding it

2. Drawbacks of women's underrepresentation in HIV clinical trials

3. What it's like to age with HIV and its impact on a woman’s body

4. Advice for women recently diagnosed with HIV

5. Assistance programs and cost of treatment for people with HIV


Resources mentioned in this episode


About Martina Clark

In 1992, Martina Clark was told she had HIV and maybe a “good five years to live.” Today, 31 years later, Martina Clark is a professor and the award-winning author and narrator of My Unexpected Life: An International Memoir of Two Pandemics, HIV and COVID-19. She writes memoirs, personal essays, and travel narratives. Before teaching, she worked for the United Nations system (including UNAIDS, UNICEF, and Peacekeeping) for decades. 

She has lived with HIV for over half her life – 31 years and counting – and survived COVID-19, the original recipe. Martina has traveled to over 90 countries and conducted condom demonstrations in at least 50. She's traveled by boat, bus, and plane but never by elephant or camel.


Connect with Martina

Website: Martina Clark 



Support the show! 

Want to learn more about us? Visit our website at www.periodtopause.com or send an email to amanda@periodtopause.com

Follow us on Instagram: @periodtopause

Follow our Facebook Page: Period to Pause