Episode 068: What If Bone Health Were A Lifestyle Brand

Bone density doesn’t wait until your 60s, and neither should we. We’re joined by Marie Berry, a serial entrepreneur and global marketing executive, to talk about the moment a DEXA scan revealed osteopenia even though she felt strong, fit, and “healthy.” That shock sent her down a practical path of strength training, nutrition changes, and a new kind of daily movement that could actually stick, and it sparked a bigger question: why does women’s bone health still feel so clinical, so masculine, and so late? 

Marie shares how that question became Evo Warrior, starting with a female-specific weighted vest designed around women’s ergonomics, comfort, and heat management (because perimenopause and menopause are already warm enough). We dig into what a DEXA scan measures (bone density plus body composition like muscle mass), why earlier testing matters, and how pairing a wellness product with diagnostics can turn vague “I should do something” energy into a plan you can discuss with a doctor or PT. 

We also get specific about habit building, including a realistic approach to load and consistency, plus why impact matters for bones. Marie explains how their community incorporates simple moves like jumps alongside weighted walks, and why the real magic is the Evo Warrior Tribe: in-person connection, accountability, and honest conversations about midlife, longevity, and feeling confident in your body. We cover how to join local groups, how lead warriors help new cities launch, and what to know about HSA/FSA eligibility through TrueMed. 

If you want a clearer, more empowering roadmap for osteoporosis prevention and bone health in menopause, hit play and walk with us. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs a nudge to measure, lift, and stay consistent.

Marie Berry is a serial entrepreneur and global marketing executive building YVO, a wellness brand with the ambition to become the leading bone health platform for women. Born in Bolivia with Indigenous roots, raised in Europe, and having lived in Asia before settling in the US, she brings a global perspective to everything she builds. Marie blends her personal health journey with a background in marketing, creativity, and commerce - on a mission to make bone health sexy. Previously, she served as CMO and Operating Partner at an early-stage venture fund and IP firm, founded and exited two companies, and led WPP agencies for global brands including adidas, Chanel, and Ford. Marie holds a Triple Master’s in International Business from ESCP Business School and lives in Miami with her husband and two daughters.

YVO (pronounced “ee-voh”) is a women’s wellness brand focused on bone health. The company combines their first product (a female-specific weighted vest), diagnostics (DEXA scans via BodySpec), cultural partnerships, and a fast-growing community (the YVO Warrior Tribe). Founded by seasoned entrepreneurs Marie Berry and Chiara Moore, YVO is building a category-defining brand at the intersection of women’s health, fitness, and community.

Website: www.yvowarrior.com

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MiDOViA is dedicated to changing the narrative about menopause by educating, raising awareness & supporting women in this stage of life, both at home and in the workplace. Visit midovia.com to learn more.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images & other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 

Transcript

Welcome To Medovia Menopause

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome to the Medovia Menopause Podcast, your trusted source for information about menopause and midlife. Join us each episode as we have great conversations with great people. Tune in and enjoy the show. Hi everyone. Today we have Marie Berry on the show. Marie is a serial entrepreneur and global marketing executive building Evo. It's a wellness brand with the ambition to become the leading bone health platform for women. Marie has a very interesting background. She blends her personal health journey with a background in marketing, creativity, and commerce. And she's on a mission to make bone health sexy. This is a great conversation, one that I think you will find fascinating as we talk about Evo, which is a women's wellness brand that is focused on bone health. Her company combined the first product, which is a female-specific weighted vest, with diagnostics like DEXA scans via Body Skept, aspect rather cultural partnerships, and a fast-growing community, the Evo Warrior Tribe. It was really founded by seasoned entrepreneurs like Marie and Chiara Moore. And Evo is building a category-defining brand at the intersection of women's health, fitness, and community. We have a great conversation coming up. So let's dive

Meet Marie Berry And Evo

SPEAKER_01 1:28

right in. Marie, it's so great to have you on the show. Welcome. Thank you. I'm excited to be here. Yeah, this is a going to be a great conversation. There's so much buzz around weighted vests, and this has been a long time coming. I know you and I connected many months ago, and our calendars finally aligned. So excited for this conversation. And I know that our audience members are as well. But I think your story is so interesting and how you filled a gap. You've you saw a need in your personal life, you filled that gap, which, like many rock star women are doing these days. So can we start there and have you take us back to that moment when you started Evo? And what happened? You had a diagnosis and it was an aha moment for you.

Osteopenia And The Silent Decline

SPEAKER_00 2:20

For sure. Yeah, I'm happy to share that story. And it's actually two journeys that happened that led me to really start it. Um, but there was the one, which was a health diagnosis. So I heard about the fact that I had osteopenia, so lower bone density than I should have for my age. And in the beginning, I didn't believe it because I'm like, what do you mean? I'm healthy, I'm fit, I do triathlons, I play tennis. Like I looked and felt fit and strong, and always assumed uh my bones are normal or strong. Um and then um, yeah, I learned about some of the stats and that it is this silent crisis, and it can be um a complete shock to many people because you don't see it, right? It's like happening slowly over time. But um, some of the stats that I didn't know was um the fact that bone density actually peaks in your mid-20s and you start losing it in your mid-30s, roughly. And then from your mid-30s, you start losing a percent every year. Um and then women, because of hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause, can lose up to 15% um of bone density. So that's why it's so important to build a good base and um really are aware of bone density, um, so that it's not just, you know, once there is a fracture or once you're diagnosed, you start. Um, in hindsight, I'm grateful that I was relatively young. I was 38 a few years ago uh when I heard about it, um, because now I can do something about it.

SPEAKER_01 4:04

Yeah, I think you're right though. Most people don't think about osteopenia, osteoporosis until we're older. Um, I mean, frankly, you know, before coming into the menopause space, I thought, oh, that's for old people, right? I don't have to worry about that. But you make a great point that we start losing our bone density in our late 20s. That's yeah, it should be an aha for everybody.

SPEAKER_00 4:29

It's afterwards more about maintaining. Um, and you sometimes um what's interesting because now I'm speaking to so many practitioners um about bone density. And you know, you sometimes see on Instagram like, oh, you can reverse osteopenia and osteoporosis. And yes, there are cases where you can do it, but it's actually um someone mentioned it recently. Um, it's actually a lifelong, um it's a lifelong situation, it's a lifelong disease that you have, and it's more about controlling it, um, which I think is much better to think about because it's there's not one quick fix, right? Like anything you do, you have to continue doing, like strength training and resistance uh training, like your nutrition, you have to be aware of it and continue living that way. Um, so I thought that was interesting, you know, versus trying the one fix or the one solution. Um, that's not it.

SPEAKER_01 5:30

There's usually not a one fix, uh, right? Exactly. Yeah. A magic pill that we have to take. And lifestyle changes, I think, are the hardest for us because they are long-term and it takes that consistency and building that over time. I'm wondering, I'm trying to put myself in your shoes. And you're in your 30s, you get this diagnosis with um osteopenia. What was going through your head at the time?

SPEAKER_00 5:57

Yeah, um, so once I then learned about what osteopenia actually is, and because before I associated it with my grandmother. Um, so then I um asked the doctor and I said, okay, what can I do? And um you it's it's really all about like load-bearing movement, so resistance training, strength training, nutrition. Um, so I changed a lot in my lifestyle because I have to admit, I feel like a lot of us, I did a lot more cardio and durings, um, you know, a lot of running and spinning, like yoga, uh, but I didn't really go into the strength corner in the gym. Um, and so I started uh changing that. I did that, and I also changed my diet because I was vegan for um six years, which probably didn't help. Um so it's like all aspects of life are kind of re-evaluated. Um, and then I also started walking with a weighted vest, um, which is, you know, a compliment. Um, I think I see it a lot of people use it as a starting point um to their health journey. Um, but for me it was like a compliment. I up-leveled my walks through that and made sure it's heavy enough. Um, and yeah, so that's that was like completely new. And I think I would have dismissed it um like even just five, six years ago uh when I was like in my peak triathlon um training and would be like walking even with weight or rocking, you know, when I learned about it, um, is not like enough. Uh so that's yeah, a lot of things changed. And um now I'm seeing this entire ecosystem of health um, you know, adjustments, habits. Um, and so yeah, I changed a lot of that.

SPEAKER_01 7:52

I find it fascinating that um you you got the diagnosis and you followed advice, I'm sure, a lot of this lifestyle, the lifestyle changes that you noted. I'm sure that your physician um gave you that advice, but not just did you follow the advice, but you started a company. So you put the weighted vesting, right? And then what? You you decided to make your own vest. Tell me a little bit more about that. Why did you do that?

SPEAKER_00 8:20

Yeah, and this is I alluded to it um in the very beginning. So there's another journey that happened um at the same

Adoption Roots And The Warrior Story

SPEAKER_00 8:30

time. Uh, I reconnected with my origin, with my background a lot more. Um I'm originally from Bolivia. I was adopted as a baby from an orphanage in Bolivia and grew up in Germany. Um, I grew up in a small town, uh, and my German parents uh who adopted me had already two kids. So I have two older brothers, uh, then they adopted me, and then they had one more kid. So my younger sister um is a year younger. And they're blonde blue eyes, like German, you know, very um different to me. But I grew up uh very protected, had an amazing childhood. And um funny enough, as a kid, I feel like I connected with my origin and like my indigenous background, which um my biological mom was indigenous. Um I feel like as a kid I reconnected with that aspect um much more because my parents always told me that I was adopted. And I feel like kids are more playful with you know information like this. Um, but then I left Germany for my studies. I um went to London, Madrid, Paris, and then started working, um, lived in China for six years and then moved to the US. So every time I moved, I felt like I became more of a global citizen and like an international, took on like an international identity. Um, and I don't regret any of that. It was great, but I felt like I kind of lost my tribal like roots, you know, indigenous background. And it's only now in the last few years, um, probably because I have kids, I live in Miami, where you know, people speak Spanish with me automatically, and also like stage of life that I feel like I'm now reconnecting with that indigenous root, like background with my indigenous roots. And um the tribe uh that I'm from is known for having a lot of female warriors. So all this is happening at the same time as I got the diagnosis. And um I think I'm I just have this founder bug that I'm like, okay, wait a minute, I'm not accepting this status quo because I started walking with a weighted vest. They are all very kind of bulky, uh masculine, look like I'm going to war. Um, and uh not not built for the female body. And I started calling a couple of my friends. Um, I started my career at Adidas actually in Germany and then in Paris, and also have a pretty strong network in China, um, all in the apparel world. And I called some of them and said, Do you have a better vest? And they didn't. And that's when I started designing. And um, you know, I had tried all of them on the market, but was in the beginning really more so designing it for myself. Um yeah.

SPEAKER_01 11:41

Yeah, I mean, I've tried other vests. I've tried some, you know, early several years ago on Amazon, and you're absolutely right, they're not comfortable. Um, so I love that you filled that gap.

Designing A Female-Fit Weighted Vest

SPEAKER_01 11:53

Talk to me about other aspects about the vests that were broken and what give me a little sense of what you how yours is designed and why it's designed the way that it is.

SPEAKER_00 12:07

Yeah. Um, it's funny because it's actually really basic. Uh, because I wanted to make sure that it's built for the female body, meaning it we have uh usually a more curved spine. Um, we have uh breasts. So like making sure it's not lying on top, but going around. Um, so the shape and the form, I worked with a um physiologist actually, um also again through my Adidas connections to like work on the female body because our center of gravity is different than men. Um, so that's why the weight, for example, in the front especially is like lower, um, is not like lying on your shoulders or on your chest, it's lower, um closer to the hips. Um, so that's in general just the ergonomic changes. Um, but outside of that, the really basic things of like I want to be able to wash it, I want to have enough pockets, and um yeah, and I want to make sure that there's um like it's not getting too hot because uh, you know, it's like we try to keep it minimal so it's not like entirely covering your body. Um, because I live in Miami, so it's like often very hot. But also again, like for most of the women that um buy our vests are in that stage of like parametopause, menopause. So no one wants to be hot in addition to like being hot.

SPEAKER_01 13:43

Yeah, we just want to peel it off and take it off. Yeah. Can you can you add additional weight to your vest? So and remove, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 13:51

Yes. Um, that's another thing which I think that some of the vests caught up to make sure it's adjustable. So it comes with like two and a half weight uh pouches, two and a half pound weight pouches. Um, so you can go up to 20 pounds if it's fully loaded. Um and that way, you know, you can gradually start with even just like two and a half pounds, um, up to 20 pounds. Um, make sure your posture still is good. Um, yeah. So that's the vest on its own. But like uh I mentioned for me, the trigger was really the osteopenia diagnosis. And I'm now on a mission to make bone health sexy. So, and I do think there's this huge gap between um treatment for osteoporosis and osteopenia and prevention in a more lifestyle aspirational way. Um, and that's why I also said I think there's no um, there's not like yeah, the one magic pill. So it's a lot of different um things and aspects in your life. But I think right now um everything seems very uh utilitarian or clinical. So if we think about the vests, right, they seem more utilitarian. If I think about like PT or strength training for osteoporosis, you know, it starts with osteo, like, or a lot of the kind of tools and solutions, courses, like everything starts with osteo. And like for someone like me, I'm you know, now early 40s, like I don't want I still want to feel normal and feel sexy and beautiful. Like I don't want to be uh feeling like I'm uh now a medical case, you know? And um, and so that's why it's also important for us to make sure that this vest is beautiful and doesn't feel too functional only. It has the function, but um, it's also beautiful, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 16:01

Yeah, I love that. I mean, you're you're younger than me. I'm 57. Um, I'll be 58 this year, which I can't believe. I am I'm getting close to that 60, 60-year-old um age range, but I want to feel sexy. I still want to be beautiful. I mean, I don't want to feel like we're in this category of old lady, right? Yeah. And we all want to be pretty, we all want to feel sexy, and I think we can do that. And I love that you are uh designing something that is functional, but can also be cute and sexy and not bulky, and we don't have to feel like we're the old people out there taking care of our bodies. That that message I think is important.

DEXA Scans And Measuring Progress

SPEAKER_01 16:44

Your vest, um, your vest, I want to I have several questions for you, but your vest um also comes with a free DEXA scan. Is that correct? So um talk to me a little bit about DEXA scans for the audience that might not be familiar with them. What do they do? How does that work in conjunction with the purchase of the vest and why is it important?

SPEAKER_00 17:08

Yes. Um, so a DEXA scan is currently the gold standard for testing bone density and body composition, so also muscle mass and um the composition of that. And um it is a pretty easy test to do um in order to see where you are on the range and in comparison to people in your age group. Um so that's also how I found out that I had osteopenia. But normally in the US, according to the US um health standards, it's only in your 60s that it's a standard test, which is obviously way too late. Um so that's why I wanted to make sure that you can wear the vest and you can buy it for vain reasons because it's beautiful and you want to, you know, be part of the weighted vest club. I don't care about that. But I do want to I wanted to make sure that there is the awareness of health. And so that's why I started this partnership with Body Spec. They're the largest DEXA scan provider in the US at the moment, um, co-founded by a husband, wife team, and um Elaine, the CEO, is also an amazing, uh became an amazing friend, but like is an amazing founder and strong woman. And uh it's, I don't know, I just love the fact that, you know, it's not just like this partnership with the Dexter scan, but also working with other like strong women. Um, and yeah, so it just enables uh people to book their scans through the body spec website. And hopefully it will be the start of a health journey, right? Because then they have more information uh because you can do something once you can measure it. Um, that's my hope.

SPEAKER_01 19:08

Yeah. So the DEXA scan um measures the your bone density, you get a report, I'm assuming, thereafter with your results. And for someone that might uh that result might come back with osteopenia, osteoporosis, in your opinion, what's the next step? I mean, you've got the weighted vest, but you and you mentioned lifestyle changes. Is there anything at that point that advice that you would give to women to say, if you have this um in the report, what's next?

SPEAKER_00 19:43

Yeah, I would definitely go um and find a doctor um to make sure that you can show those results and say, this is what they found out. There's also other bone density tests. Um, so for example, you can um have a diagnostic test where you can look more into detail where exactly is the osteopenia and um but usually uh that is being done after a DEXA scan. Um but in general, like everything I'm suggesting are lifestyle changes, but it doesn't replace you know going to a doctor or strength training. So um I would uh for sure, yeah, like consult um a doctor, PT, anyone that you know, maybe that person is working with already um to understand, okay, what should I do? Because um, if there's, for example, severe osteoporosis, you know, and there's a big fracture risk, it's not good to wear a weighted vest. Um so I can't generalize, you know, um the statement.

SPEAKER_01 20:55

It's not it's not the best practice for everyone to throw on the 20 pounds with the weighted vest and go go out and go rucking, right?

A Simple Weighted Vest Routine

SPEAKER_01 21:03

Well, let's talk about um let's talk about um an individual with healthy bones or maybe someone that's not on that extreme end of the spectrum. You describe um the actual practice of what you're prescribing with the vest as a 10% of your body weight, 30 minutes, four to five times a week protocol. Is that right?

SPEAKER_00 21:27

Yes. Um, even though whenever I say protocol, um, you know, it's not really um like a scientific, again, like I'm not a doctor, right? So it's it's not based on like one study. It's it's rather based on like a broader body of evidence that bones respond to mechanical load, right? And so that's why, for example, the weighted vest, we um when we go in like uh a group, we make sure that we always do 20 jumps. Um, we do jump squats um to make sure that there is this impact. Um, but yeah, to go back, I would start with um wearing the vest, probably putting like one uh of the weight pouches in each pocket. So that's like um if you do just the front pockets, maybe five pounds. Um if you do the back pocket, it's like seven and a half pounds, just in the beginning for a week to make sure that you can walk and keep a good posture. And then you can gradually um increase. The reason we're saying 30 minutes and like four to five five times a week is really more about like uh making sure that you can make it a habit because none of the health uh tools or tips, advice is working if you're not consistent. So it's really about that consistency, making sure there's enough load that actually spurs bone growth, right? Like with the vs through the jumps, um, that there is uh that impact. And then um yeah, 30 minutes uh walking, because we believe that that's something anyone can, even if it's 20 minutes, 20 to 30 minutes, like squeeze into your day. Um, and then the four or five times we suggest, especially in the beginning, to like build that routine and uh habit.

SPEAKER_01 23:29

Mm-hmm. Yeah, build the habits. I love that you brought up the the impact piece of this because there's we're seeing um the trend, right? Upward trend of the weighted vest. And then we're also hearing um that guess what? Um there isn't as much data that confirms that this is has a positive effect on bones. But I think what you're recommending with that impact is really where we see the difference, right? The walking, obviously, with weights or weighted vest helps cardiovascularly. It's good for anyone. Move your body, get out there, increase your lung capacity, right? I wear one when I'm training to go hikes. Uh, we go weekend hiking. It's great for that cardiovascular health. But the impact is really where we see strengthening in the bones, correct?

SPEAKER_00 24:24

Correct, yes. Um, and there's several studies, the Lived More studies, one of those, um, where it shows that resistance training and that impact and jump uh jumping helps. Um, I believe Dr. Vander Wright is saying even just 20 jumps per day um will improve. And so that's why now in our community, and I can speak about that in a second. Like that yeah, we um always uh do 20 jump squats. We also do um plants with the vest, uh, which is definitely more difficult. Yeah. Um, so yeah, and then often we have like other strength training um throughout the walk. And it's I love like just seeing women feeling more empowered and then you know, saying anecdotally, like telling me like I love that now I feel stronger, and maybe they need friends um doing that walk and start also lifting, right? Because this does not replace lifting. Um, so like I said, I I see this really as like the gateway habit towards a longer bone health journey. Um, and Evo is here to support it with the weighted vest as our first product, but we have many other products like focused on bone health in the pipeline.

SPEAKER_01 25:50

Which I love, and I can't wait to hear about those. It's exciting when that news comes out. But you're essentially saying this is a launch pad, and and it's important to really emphasize here that we do feel more confident when we feel stronger. And I can see where being in a community with other women, having this vest, doing those jumps, you know, doing the planks, which sounds really hard. I might have to try that uh later on this afternoon to see how long I can hold that plank. Uh, but there is something to be said for that in that confidence and building that confidence and getting yourself into the gym and trying new things and building that strength. So it is it is a launch pad. Um, and I love that you're building that runway for women.

Building The Evo Warrior Tribe

SPEAKER_01 26:36

The other piece of this that you mentioned, and and I really want to spend some time on this, is the community that you're building around this. We hear every single day when we run sessions in organizations from women that say, I'm lonely, um, I want community. What's next? Now I have this information. What do I do with it? Um, and they're really looking for that connection. And you have built that. So can you talk to me a little bit about the community around Evo?

SPEAKER_00 27:08

Yes. Um, and that was earlier. Your question was like, How did you start? I think that was the final trigger was really the community that I built in the beginning accidentally. Um, because it was in the beginning, just like me walking with a weighted vest. And I had a few friends that last year, because it became such a trend, were saying, like, hey, um, can I walk with you? Or like we just did a WhatsApp group um with my friends in New York. And I thought, okay, sure, that's like an accountability partner that you have. Like, and it was like five women in a WhatsApp group, but then they have friends, right? And so it kind of snowballed, and within a week we were more than a hundred women. And everyone asked me, which vest do you use? And so that's when I was like, okay, um, calling my friends. I'm like, I I had tried already all of them. I'm like, I don't have a good recommendation. And so that was, yeah, the trigger. Um, and now this community, I mean, we're like uh just like under a thousand women walking every week in different markets. We have Miami, Austin, LA, the Hamptons, um, soon a couple of other markets like Colorado and Atlanta, and uh do several events with other partners. We're being asked all the time to partner. Um, and that's the most beautiful byproduct of building this company because um I see women and how special this community is of like walking, uh, and we don't have a rule about phones or anything, but it's so interesting to see how present everyone is and almost like feeling great about the fact that you know it's not online and it's like in-person and often very um intimate topics, and because it's all women, you know, like that's what we do. Exactly. Like we talk about our kids, our aging parents, our own um, you know, health journey, and also just have fun. So yeah, that was like an unexpected side of the business, which I pressure, like I I treasure so much. And um yeah, it's it's really great. And I have a head of community um that is managing all this because in the beginning we almost couldn't keep up with the growth of the community. Um and yeah, so it's also for me, like you said earlier, like a launch pad. For me, it's also a testing ground, right? Like the initial prototypes, like a lot of the women in Miami have tried different prototypes and have given feedback. And that's how um yeah, I made sure that I also got that feedback.

SPEAKER_01 30:06

Yeah, yeah. Well, they get to be they get to be a part of it, they're building it with you, which is really great.

SPEAKER_00 30:11

Exactly.

SPEAKER_01 30:11

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Everyone is building it together. Yeah, exactly. You're building your tribe, um, literally building your tribe. Yeah, walking, talking, sharing life, uh, testing, testing those uh prototypes. It's fascinating.

Joining Walks And Leading Groups

SPEAKER_01 30:27

How you know, in those markets where you already have um your groups, how do people get involved with those? And if someone is interested in starting another market, how does that work?

SPEAKER_00 30:40

Yeah, we have um on our website, um evo warrior.com, uh, there's a community page where you can see in which markets we are and um, you know, join everything is managed right now through WhatsApp. So uh we have a global tribe for people that we actually have quite a few international people, um, but also for people that live in markets where we're not yet doing wiki walks. Um, and we do like challenges and um just overall kind of motivation and sharing of tips. And then we have the city tribes in um where it's more about the logistics of like where do we meet and um you know, just like forming that initial group. And it's managed by I call them lead warriors. So they are the uh volunteers. We have um usually like two, sometimes three per route that make sure that every week one of them like is walking and guiding the entire group. And um, you know, normally we do like a WhatsApp poll, so just the logistics of like doing those on a weekly basis. Um, and I'm so grateful because it's uh it wouldn't work without um all these volunteers. Um, everyone gets like the lead warriors get a free vest and also an affiliate code if they like. There's no pressure to sell, but you know, they automatically are ambassadors and so often like sell a lot of vests. So um they get an affiliate code and um that's how it works. Uh but we also we get inbound all the time, like if someone is interested in starting a new group, um, like not just through our website, uh, but also on uh Instagram, we get DMs. So I'm always open, yeah. Uh like some of the groups definitely started that way that people were like, I want to get involved, and I already have a walk-in group.

SPEAKER_01 32:47

Yeah, let's let's make it official, right? Yeah, and you're giving them um various workouts and things that they can focus on, which I think is helpful. They don't have to go research that on their own. You know what it reminds me of, Marie, is the whole pickleball movement. And um, you know, in talking to a lot of my friends who are playing pickleball right now, they they love it for the exercise, but they the the biggest piece of it is the community. Um, they get to be with other people, other women, and they're doing something that's physically active and it's bringing them together. And I think it's opportunities like this, especially in the world that we live in today, we can be, we can get so isolated and on our phones and we don't have to leave our home. We can order food and have it delivered. And I think this is the community piece is incredibly important on top of the health benefits that you mentioned before. So I absolutely love what you're doing.

HSA FSA And How To Buy

SPEAKER_01 33:43

Um, if people want to purchase one of the vests, you've mentioned the website. Is it eligible for wellness dollars? Can you get reimbursed with your vest? How does that work?

SPEAKER_00 33:55

Yeah, we are um eligible for um HSA FSA um credits. So also through our website, you can actually just purchase this and get you can get up to 30% discount. Um and uh yeah, that's a great addition. And we see a lot of people taking advantage of it. And we love it because it's um yeah, like already part of the health journey, which you know we're trying to do to advocate for, anyways.

SPEAKER_01 34:27

Yeah, I love that. And oftentimes those those uh funds go unused. So that's the reason that I mention it because we always wait till the end of the year and then we're like, oh no, what can I what can I use these for? Um and this is so fun, right?

SPEAKER_00 34:42

It's uh yeah, exactly. TrueMed is who we use. Um a great partner, yeah. So it's all kind of managed through TrueMed.

SPEAKER_01 34:50

Yeah, makes it easy. Yeah.

New Products And Mother Daughter Walks

SPEAKER_01 34:53

So you mentioned um that you were exploring other opportunities. Is there anything that you can tease us with? Is there a seed that you can drop here or do we wait?

SPEAKER_00 35:06

Um everyone will wait, but okay, okay. I mean, um we you'll see already in the next few weeks, um, we're going to launch several products. It's it's a mix. It's a mix of like products that are specifically for bone health. Um, and I mentioned before, resistance training helps. So, you know, like there's definitely products um that support strength training and resistance training. Um, but then also just because we want to make sure this brand is aspirational. And like you said, at any age, you still want to feel beautiful and sexy. That we also have lifestyle products um because now we do have the brand. Um, right, and people want to be part of it. So um that's the idea, you know, to not fall into the trap of like now coming out with a medical device for bone health, but rather think about how we can close the gap between treatment and prevention and create lifestyle products that are aspirational but good for your bones and support your bones. Um, and some of them are uh have a more direct correlation to that support, and some others are a ducer. Um and then obviously also some merch and you know things around.

SPEAKER_01 36:30

Yeah, yeah, merch is always fun too, though, I have to say. I love cute merch. Um you know, and I'm also thinking about the um intergenerational opportunities here too. Um, before we started recording, we talked about our kids, and I have young adults in my home. My daughter's in her um, you know, early 20s, and we're constantly talking about bone health and get your strength training and now build that foundation because I too ended up with an osteopenia diagnosis. And like you, I consider myself healthy and marathons and triathlons and have always been physically active. It actually shocked me to get that diagnosis, um, frankly. So I love the um, you know, educational awareness, but I also love the again coming back to your communities and just walking with those weighted vests. It it you can have that intergenerational opportunity there um for women of all ages. And I think it's so important to raise awareness. So in a fun, beautiful way. So um thank you for doing that.

SPEAKER_00 37:38

Yeah, no, thank you for for picking that up. I I love hearing this because um I also feel like you know, my kids hopefully don't have to, you know, have this like experience of like, oh, I'm diagnosed with this. Like, and they like you said, you're talking to your adult kids already about this, which is great. Um, and this is also where because of the times we live in and like checking phone and the information we get, right? It it's not how it used to be, where it was like the older and wiser, you know, shared knowledge and wisdom with the younger generations. And I mean, trust me, I'm all pro tech and um all this. Yeah, listening to that, but but that aspect is important. And we recently for Mother's Day did um a mother-daughter walk for exactly that reason to go back to like that transfer of wisdom um with older generations to younger generations, because there is some of the things that goes beyond just like the health information and kind of the something that's on a human-to-human level.

SPEAKER_01 38:53

Yeah, exactly. The human-to-human. And I think it's important for our daughters and the next generation to see women in their 40s and 50s and 60s and beyond strong. Um, and to our help because this is about longevity, and we we don't have to fear this stage of life. And so we flip that narrative completely on its head, right? Um, and we should, because this is a fantastic part of our lives, and we have a long time to live, don't we, Marie? Um agreed, yes.

Best Advice: Motion Versus Progress

SPEAKER_01 39:26

We ask every guest this last question, so I'll ask this of you as well. What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

SPEAKER_00 39:36

Um, it's actually when um I lived in China, and I was at that time, I would call myself like an overachiever and was like working very hard, um, also partying very hard. It was in my 20s. But um I was I had a mentor who um knew that I was very hungry and ambitious, but it was before I actually started uh companies. So this is my third company. Um, but it was like still when I was in the corporate world, and he said, don't confuse motion with progress. And that stuck with me because I felt like I was doing everything and I was so good in like moving my career forward. Um but you know, it's it's really this like busy work versus being productive and effective and like actually having an impact. And when he gave me that advice, it was more in a corporate context, but I think about this now more than ever, right? Being a founder, you can create busy work and motion um very easily, but it doesn't always bring you forward. So progress looks differently, and um progress looks different. Um, and so I think that's where I'm now much more aware of like which motion, which actions actually have an impact and actually drive growth.

SPEAKER_01 41:10

Yeah, and that's where you spend your time because we don't have any less amount of time, right? As a founder. No, I don't have and as anyone, right? Whether you're a founder or not, women were busy. We are caring for kids, we're working, we're caring for aging parents, and so prioritizing that and focusing on what's important. It reminds me of Stephen Covey's first things first, right? Put the big rocks in, and yeah, and then the smaller, and then pour the sand, right? Um, exactly. I think that'd be a really great reminder.

Where To Follow And Final Farewell

SPEAKER_01 41:37

Well, you've mentioned your website and where people can find you, yvo warrior.com, correct? Where can they find you on social?

SPEAKER_00 41:46

Um same handle um evo warrior, yvo warrior on Instagram, on TikTok, um, and YouTube. And then also, you know, feel free to reach out to me directly, MarieBerry 008. Um, I'm still at this stage um someone who loves direct feedback and just you know hearing from women. Um, and I yeah, we get this all the time, like how it's changing people's life, uh lives, and it's yeah, it's a big part of the job. So I love that.

SPEAKER_01 42:23

It keeps you motivated, I'm sure, getting up every day and doing what you're doing. Well, I'm gonna have to bring one of your communities to Seattle. It rains here, so um, hopefully your vest is water resistant, waterproof, dries easy. Oh, yes.

SPEAKER_00 42:39

I mentioned this earlier. Yeah, you can wash it in the washing machine. Yeah, so you can take out all of the weights, yeah, and wash them.

SPEAKER_01 42:47

We have to have that in the Pacific Northwest. So um it's been a delight. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and your passion. And we're looking forward to more community, more weighted vests, better bone health, and all of the fun things that you have to come in the future. Thanks so much for being here, Marie. Yes, thank you. This is fun. And for our audience, until we meet again, go find joy in the journey. Take care, everyone. Thank you for listening to the Medovia Menopause podcast. If you enjoyed today's show, please give it a thumbs up, subscribe for future episodes, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend. Modovia is out to change the narrative. Learn more at Medovia.com. That's M I D O V I A.com.