12 Good Things in 2023 – Our Year in Review

For the 2023 year in review, we chose to do something a little different.  We wanted to focus on 12 good things that happened during 2023 (kind of like a 12 Days of Christmas).  It was a really big year for me and the company, and it’s been a joy to sit back and reflect on all of these events. Our whole staff is celebrating growth, self-discovery, community, transitions, and the completion of some big programs! So, without further ado….

12 Good Things of 2023 #1 – Our Costa Rica Retreat

These retreats are SO special to me. Each one has been life changing.

I get the privilege of connecting with friends and colleagues on a deep level, while we all disconnect from the internet, work, and never ending to-do lists.  

We get to be totally off the grid in Costa Rica.  And only a few things are as blissful as not having the internet, email, or social media constantly beckoning for your time and attention.

While we retreat, I have the honor of guiding, but also being guided by beautiful people during meditation and medical therapeutic yoga.  We eat well, play in the water, and basically spend all week outside in nature.  It’s healing on so many levels.

Thank you to everyone who made it this year and made it such a special experience. I can’t wait for the next one!

To join our waitlist for 2025, simply drop us an email at info@gingergarner.com.

12 Good Things of 2023 #2 – Training Over 140 Therapists in Voice to Pelvic Floor

Over the course of 2023, I taught over 140 therapists about the Voice to Pelvic Floor therapy that is the foundation of everything I do with my patients and courses that I teach.

I love having the opportunity to show others how to utilize the 3 diaphragm approach for helping their patients and clients overcome pelvic pain/issues, hip pain, and vocal problems.  

This connection of the voice to the pelvic floor turns out to be the missing link for so many people who struggle with pelvic pain or dysfunction, using their voice, singing, or even hip pain. 

If you’d like to learn more about it, join our email list and also visit our educational partners for The Voice and the Pelvic Floor 2024 dates.

12 Good Things of 2023 #3 – We Launched a Podcast!

Launching a podcast was something I’ve been thinking about for years!  I kept sitting on it…thinking it was going to be too hard, too much work, and a number of other reasons and excuses that consistently showed up in my head.  

But this year, it seemed to be the right year, and we have already published 24 episodes of Living Well with Dr. Ginger Garner, a podcast about ending medical gaslighting and improving access to pelvic health services, but in a specific way – to improve access to scientifically proven integrative whole-person care.

Thank you to all the different guests that came on our show!  Check out our full line up on your favorite podcast platform.

This whole process has been amazing and I am so grateful to everyone who has made time in their busy schedules to sit down and talk with me.  There are so many people out there who are doing absolutely amazing things in healthcare and pelvic health and I could easily get overwhelmed by considering all the ways in which you each are changing the world for the better.

Thank you so much.  I’ve truly enjoyed each and every interview I’ve done and I hope you have found value in listening.  Check it out wherever you listen to podcasts, Living Well with Dr. Ginger Garner, and share with your friends and family. We would be eternally grateful for anything you shared.

12 Good Things of 2023 #4 – YouTube Channel Growth

Thank you to everyone who has ever watched a YouTube video, subscribed to our channel or liked a video.  It’s a pleasure and an honor to share information about medical gaslighting, voice to pelvic floor therapy, 3D health, medical therapeutic yoga, and integrative and lifestyle medicine. We now have 22,000 subscribers and our videos are getting nearly 60,000 views per month!

We believe with all of our heart that the opportunity for optimal health is something that everyone deserves. No matter what, you deserve to be healthy and have every opportunity to thrive in this world.

Our YouTube channel is just one way we can share information to help more people learn about their bodies and learn tools to find optimal health and well-being.

Thank you again for watching! Subscribe for Free here

12 Good Things of 2023 #5 – I turned 50 AND and Got a Validating, Life-Saving Diagnosis: Endometriosis.

My 2023 word of the year was EMBRACE. And embrace was just what I did as I turned the magical age of 50 and had major surgery.  Embracing is what allowed me to be present, nurturing, and supportive of myself regardless of the circumstances.

2 months after turning 50, I underwent major abdominal surgery for endometriosis.

Decades of pain and medical gaslighting are now officially over. During that time I underwent multiple abdominal and pelvic surgeries with well meaning colleagues, who always missed the root cause. 

I’m grateful for my background in Functional, Integrative, and Lifestyle Medicine – it was the only way I was able to make it as long as I did, and also manage the excruciating pain it brings, as well as mitigate uncontrolled spread of the disease.

I’m also forever grateful for the expertise and expert care of Dr. Ken Sinervo at The Center for Endometriosis Care.  Everyone at the center was amazing, knowledgeable, compassionate, and supportive. The care was truly top notch at the Center and Northside Hospital.

Endometriosis is a horrible disease with no cure, and affects at least 1 out of every 10 women. The closest cure we have is excision surgery, of course, supported by top notch integrative pelvic physical therapy/occupational therapy. I will be undergoing my own pelvic physical therapy for months to come – so I can achieve a full recovery.

One in ten women suffer from endo, and I am 1 in 10. If you want to see more of my journey navigating endometriosis, visit me on YouTube.

I send my love to all my patients and everyone struggling with endometriosis and undiagnosed pelvic pain.

12 Good Things of 2023 #6 – Meeting Ronan Farrow!

We all get star struck from time to time and I am no exception. In April I had the good fortune to meet Ronan Farrow in person when he came to Guilford College in Greensboro, NC to talk about his NYT Bestselling book, Catch and Kill.

He is such a important journalist and author in our world and continues to advocate for social and gender-based justice.  He is a courageous human being – and meeting him really helped to keep my fire alive for fighting for what’s right. In fact, that’s what I’m telling him in the photo 😉

12 Good Things of 2023 #7 – Garner Pelvic Health Grew!

At Garner Pelvic Health, we are so fortunate to have an amazing small business of passionate, experienced, and knowledgeable women helping people with pelvic and musculoskeletal pain. Earlier this year, we GREW! We welcomed Dr. Sue Mann to our team, alongside Dr. Keeli Gailes and myself.

I am so grateful to share a space and a common passion with these women.  They each bring a unique perspective and experience that help to expand our capacity to serve our community of Greensboro, NC and beyond.

Thank you for being a part of this business.  We are part of a bigger movement and are providing a much needed service for our community.

12 Good Things of 2023 #8 – The Transition of Living Well Institute

The only constant in life is change. Check out the full message at https://www.instagram.com/p/C1FK6v9ssfc/

This was not an easy decision to make. Yet, suddenly it made perfect sense and was the obvious and only direction forward. Taking the time on my 1 month sabbatical gave me the space and opportunity to see this next step with the utmost clarity.

I have so many wonderful memories from teaching medical therapeutic yoga, hip differential diagnosis and treatment, and integrative and lifestyle medicine to the thousands of therapists and healthcare professionals who took these courses and there are many, many things I’ll miss.  But this change brings the opportunity for so many other things that I am excited about doing!  

I want to have more time to write, connect, and teach from new ideas and new perspectives.

Medical Therapeutic Yoga and Integrative Lifestyle Medicine Certification Programs are not going away.  On the contrary, they are GROWING. Now they’ll just have new homes and be far more accessible!

Thank you to everyone who has ever taken a course with me.  I have learned so much from each of you and I hope our relationships simply grow and deepen in the coming years.

12 Good Things of 2023 #9 – Taking a Sabbatical

Wisdom came to me by finding space and taking a break.

Here are a few of the things that I learned and experienced through my 1 month sabbatical.

• I have more grit than I ever knew was possible.  Living outside in a camper with 4 other men/boys (my family) and a dog takes creativity and resilience to be present with whatever shows up (weather, broken down vehicles, and all!).
• A deeper understanding of grace.  I am replaceable, and that’s a good thing really.  The world goes on without you.  That’s one of many reasons I mentor people, so that more and more people can treat patients using the same principles and knowledge.
• I found so much gratitude.  To have the opportunity to travel 6500 miles with my family for 1 month was such a special experience and a gift that I will always cherish.
• Growth is inevitable when we are living our life to the fullest.  This came so naturally during our time camping and traveling.
• Living with so little, gave me so much freedom.  I learned how little we need to be happy and content.
• Nature is such an important part of who I am and where I want to spend my time.
• Clarity comes from making space and stepping away.  I’ve learned the value of creating more space in my life, regularly.

While having the chance to live out of a camper van and taking 1 month off work, is a luxury that I know not everyone has the opportunity to experience.  But, we can all find more of our innate wisdom and clarity by making more space in our lives.

I hope you make some time for openness, freedom, gratitude, connection, creativity and space in 2024.  I know I will! Check out the 1 minute recap on IG

12 Good Things of 2023 #10 – Viral YouTube Videos and Amazing Instagram Growth

It has been a year for growth in many ways for us in 2023.  

We went viral this year with 365,000 views on YouTube in just a few short days. What a pleasant and enigmatic surprise that was! Turns out – LOTS of folks need orofacial help. The video was all about orofacial pain and a few things you can do about it!  Check it out:

Additionally, our Instagram page grew to 11,000+ followers and has reached over 120K+ good humans! Posting on Instagram takes a steady intention and an amazing team…but ultimately we are hoping to share information that can actually make a positive difference in people’s lives.  

So, with the deepest gratitude, thank you for being a part of this community and thank you for watching!

12 Good Things of 2023 #11 – We completed our Synergy Business and Catalyst Self Care Coaching Programs.

It was an honor serving the community of healthcare professionals looking for a different way to work and live.  I’ll truly miss the extra time with these women and wish them all love, success, and joy in their future endeavors in their business and personal lives.

This was a year of letting many things go…but as we are winding down at the end of the year I’m looking towards the doors that are waiting to be opened.

12 Good Things #12 – I retired my ATC License after nearly 30 years!

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 28 years since…I became an ATC (Athletic Trainer).  This year, I made the hard decision to let that certification go and focus on physical therapy, medical therapeutic yoga, and lifestyle medicine. The National Athletic Trainers Association, the Board of Certification, and our state board here in North Carolina have been great resources and groups and thank you for letting me be a licensed and certified Athletic Trainer for nearly 30 years. 

It’s been a great run and I will always cherish the doors you have opened for me.

50 is the new 30!

Thank you to all the memories from 2023, the people who supported me during some major life events and business transitions, and everyone who found time in their busy lives to be a part of mine. Wishing you all a lovely end of year and beautiful start to 2024!