Miss Represented Podcast: Episode 45 - Featuring Holly Plank

Release Date: September 29, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 45 of the Miss Represented Podcast, host Lisa Opie welcomes a special guest, Holly Plank, who proudly holds the title of Mrs. Maryland, United States. The episode delves deep into Holly's inspiring journey through health challenges, her venture into lifestyle medicine, and her newfound passion for pageantry.

Holly’s Health Journey

Diagnosis and Symptoms

Holly opens up about her struggle with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a journey that began in her 30s after spending her 20s as a musician. She describes the myriad symptoms she faced:

"I was diagnosed in my 30s and I was like, what is this?" (01:06)

"You can experience hair loss, you can experience hair growth in areas that you might not want, you might experience really high testosterone levels... cystic acne. It's just literally horrible experience." (01:06)

Holly highlights the severe impact PCOS had on her physical and emotional well-being, including weight gain and fertility issues. She emphasizes the long-term health risks associated with PCOS, such as doubled odds of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Natural Treatment and Lifestyle Changes

Determined to take control of her health, Holly embarked on a holistic transformation. She combined traditional medicine with naturopathic approaches, focusing on comprehensive lifestyle modifications:

• Diet Overhaul: Eliminating refined sugars and processed foods.
• Exercise: Incorporating weight training and becoming a Pilates instructor.
• Stress Management: Prioritizing sleep and reducing stress levels.

"Naturally, I was able to bring my testosterone levels down from 270 to 140, which is technically in the normal range." (02:00)

"I also have the insulin resistant kind... I was able to bring my A1C levels down below 6. So I'm at 5.5, which is natural." (03:27)

These dedicated efforts over approximately a year led to significant health improvements, inspiring Holly to share her story and advocate for others facing similar challenges.

Advocacy and Communication

Educational Pursuit

Motivated by her personal health victories, Holly returned to academia to earn a master's degree in communication from Johns Hopkins. Her goal was clear:

"I have to communicate this message... how we can take our health into our own hands." (04:36)

Collaboration with PCRM

Holly now works full-time with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), where she engages in digital media and social media initiatives to spread awareness about lifestyle medicine. She expresses profound gratitude for the support and resources PCRM provided during her health journey.

"I'm working for PCRM full time doing digital media for them and social media. It's so fun. It's so rewarding." (10:58)

Transition to Pageantry

Discovering Pageants

Holly's foray into pageantry was serendipitous. While scrolling through Instagram, she stumbled upon a Mrs. Pageant clip featuring a watermelon costume, which sparked her interest:

"I felt like pageantry was so awesome because it also gives women the opportunity to talk about what's important to them. It gives you a platform." (16:01)

First Pageant Experience

Deciding to blend her passion for performance with her advocacy, Holly entered her first pageant as Mrs. Maryland, United States. She finds the pageant community to be a supportive and empowering 'girls' club', where participants champion their causes with courage and dedication.

"I feel like I'm already grown so much this year... I have to start training." (17:24)

National Competition and Plans

Looking forward to the nationals, Holly is excited about showcasing her Blue Crab costume, symbolizing Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay heroes. Additionally, she is passionate about promoting her charity initiative:

"I've been working on branding it... the Half Plate Challenge... encouraging people to add more fruits and vegetables to their diet." (18:30)

The Half Plate Challenge

Recognizing the widespread issue of insufficient fiber intake among Americans, Holly launched the Half Plate Challenge. This initiative aims to motivate individuals to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their daily meals, thereby improving overall health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

"Half of that plate at every meal should be fruits and vegetables. So I was like, what if I did a challenge where people sign up for two weeks and you just challenge yourself to add a fruit and add a vegetable to every meal?" (19:25)

Holly's approach is about making incremental changes, encouraging participants to view these additions as manageable baby steps rather than overwhelming overhauls.

"So I work. It's work. It's, you know, I have to think, I have to change." (21:52)

Lifestyle Medicine Insights

Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine

Holly outlines the Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine as defined by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM):

1. Diet
2. Movement
3. Stress Reduction
4. Avoiding Toxic Substances
5. Community
6. Sleep (11:38)

She emphasizes the interconnectedness of these pillars, stating that isolating one from the others undermines overall wellness.

"I think everyone should do it. Everyone should do a patch." (11:50)

Impact of Diet and Exercise

Diet and physical activity were pivotal in Holly's health transformation. She explains how building muscle through weight-bearing exercises like Pilates not only improves insulin sensitivity but also acts as an endocrine aid in combating metabolic issues.

"Our muscles become little, you know, endocrine factories or little factories." (13:07)

Personal Insights and Advice

Turning Jealousy into Motivation

Holly shares a unique perspective on managing jealousy, transforming it into a positive driving force:

"I try to turn jealousy into a positive emotion... Use it to fuel you... this is something that I want." (27:04)

This mindset helps her identify her true passions and pushes her to pursue them confidently.

Dealing with Negativity and Haters

Addressing the inevitable presence of haters, Holly advises focusing on self-advocacy and surrounding oneself with supportive individuals:

"You tune it out. Do you... find that team and that crew that's also doing their own thing and confident." (28:06)

Personal Background and Hobbies

Educational and Musical Pursuits

Holly's academic background includes a Bachelor's and a Master's in Communication, which have been instrumental in her advocacy efforts. Alongside her studies, she maintained a strong connection to music, both as a performer and educator.

"I taught privately. I taught at elementary schools. I was performing." (26:13)

Becoming a Pilates Instructor

Amid her health journey, Holly became a certified Pilates instructor, recognizing the significant benefits of muscle strengthening and its role in managing PCOS.

"I ended up becoming a Pilates instructor. So that was a big thing that I learned... this is amazing." (13:07)

Conclusion

Holly Plank's story is a testament to resilience, advocacy, and the power of holistic health practices. From overcoming PCOS through disciplined lifestyle changes to harnessing the platform of pageantry for greater good, Holly embodies empowerment and dedication. Her initiatives like the Half Plate Challenge continue to inspire many to take charge of their health and well-being.

For those interested in following Holly's journey and gaining more insights into healthy living and Pilates, you can connect with her on social media:

• Personal Page: Holly and Plank
• Wellness and Recipes: Holly Planks

"Thank you for using your platform to empower so many women." (32:48)

For a deeper dive into Holly's conversation and more empowering stories, be sure to subscribe to the Miss Represented Podcast and join the community of Queens taking on the world, one fabulous episode at a time!