October 1, 2025

On International Coffee Day, Toastmaster and coffee lover, Chandana, led this week’s meeting. Instead of the usual mix of prepared speeches and impromptu table topics, the spotlight was on a special panel discussion led by Ignacio. The theme was “Health in Modern Times: More Than Food and Fitness.”

The word of the day was:

Verve (noun): vigor and spirit or enthusiasm

We also celebrated a special moment with a New Member Induction, as our Vice President Membership, Sarah, officially welcomed Robin into the club.

Ignacio welcomed the panelists: Lily, who spoke candidly about her experience with burnout and the importance of rest and mental health; Sarah, trained in Chinese medicine, who offered an Eastern perspective on balance and harmony with nature; and Preetha, a researcher with a Western medicine background, who shared insights on stress and its effects on the body. Together, they explored how health extends far beyond diet and exercise into habits, relationships, rest, and mindset.

Each panelist shared how their definition of health has evolved. Lily admitted she once equated health with looking fit, only to later discover the importance of sleep, nutrition, and emotional well-being. Sarah explained how Western culture emphasizes constant productivity, while Chinese medicine recognizes the value of rest, cycles, and balance with nature. Preetha reflected on her Western training, where health often meant blood tests and prescriptions, but now embraces a broader lens that includes psychological and social well-being.

A recurring theme was the toll of stress, especially in fast-paced environments like the Bay Area. Lily shared her personal story of burnout, where sleepless nights and unhealthy cravings were her body’s way of demanding change. Sarah highlighted how even leisure activities, such as watching stressful TV dramas before bed, can drain rather than restore us. Preetha explained how chronic stress keeps the body in fight-or-flight mode, increasing risks of hypertension, burnout, and even influencing gene expression. Their advice was simple yet profound: listen to your body, schedule true rest, and let go of constant comparison with others.

The panelists also emphasized the importance of building sustainable habits. They encouraged blocking off “do not schedule” times to prevent back-to-back meetings, choosing restorative breaks such as walking or caring for pets over passive distractions, and aligning eating and sleeping habits with natural rhythms to support long-term well-being. Small adjustments in daily choices, they noted, can accumulate into meaningful health improvements.

Ignacio’s panel reminded us that health is not a checklist of diet and gym routines, but a dynamic balance of body, mind, and relationships. It requires listening deeply to our own needs, resisting the pressure to keep up with external expectations, and honoring rest as much as activity.

A big thank you as well to Nitin for stepping in as Table Topics Master, and to Helen for evaluating Ignacio’s panel.

See you at our next meeting!