Via Zoom and Slack, we’ve celebrated birthdays, pregnancy announcements, engagements, weddings, births, holidays…with our homes, families, and pets on display in the background.
These sweetly intimate glimpses into our formerly private worlds have helped us keep the team bonds strong—actually, made them even stronger—during the pandemic. Sure, I lost my train of thought midmeeting when my husband began a rowing workout just off-screen. (Then flushed red with embarrassment when, thinking I was on mute, I yelled at him to “Stop!” Le sigh.) But seeing my colleagues smile without judgment as my guarddown outburst unfolded made me laugh right along with them.
They’ve also seen my 5-year-old, George, badger me for Roblox help—as I was introducing an important guest to the team, niiiice—and grown accustomed to my go-to hoodie-and-leggings look. (Pro tip: Up your chill workday style game with the outfits on page 40.) TBH, it feels really good to be seen as a mom/wife/goofball… as well as the boss.
My spirit animal in embracing goofball-ness is cover star Jenna Dewan, who unabashedly dances with her daughter, and reveals her post-pregnancy journey after having a baby at the start of the pandemic. It’s a whole new chapter since Jenna was on WH’s cover three years ago. Go deep with her on page 96, then check out her Tik- Tok moves. Epic.
For all of the negatives of our new virtual universe and the extra time we spend on the many social media platforms out there, let’s take a moment to appreciate the upsides. At Women’s Health, we’ve been heartened to see women digitally share their mental, emotional, and physical health truths and, at the same time, create safe spaces to find information and rally behind one another.
Digital platforms are not a substitute for medical advice or care, but the women in “Virtual Reality” (page 87) prove that tapping into virtual communities is a powerful way to find support.
I can’t wait to reunite with my teammates once the vaccine has been widely distributed and it’s safe to move about the world again. But whenever that happens and however it looks, I’ll continue stoking the vulnerable vibes that connect us on new levels.
At a recent team meeting, WH’s visual designer, Jewelyn, serenaded us with a harmonica solo to Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.” Yes, on Zoom. We all laughed and cried in utter awe. Hopefully we’ll get together in real life soon… and experience the magic of an encore (live!) performance.

Download from:
NitroFlare

• Creative Light – Issue 40 2020
• Western Hunter – January-February 2021