Welcome to The Unrushed Hour, where we break away from the hustle of hurried medical visits to put patients’ stories, and time, at the center. In our very first episode, Dr. Angela Mineo, a board-certified nurse practitioner and founder of Cheval Wellness, describes her personal journey from ICU nurse to patient searching for answers, and ultimately to healthcare provider dedicated to unrushed, personalized care. She delves into the frustrations many women face when their symptoms are dismissed or overlooked, the pitfalls of relying solely on “normal” lab results, and why taking the time to truly listen makes all the difference. If you’ve ever left a doctor’s office with more questions than answers, this episode is for you.
Timestamps
00:00 Struggling with unexplained fatigue
05:35 Challenges with insurance in healthcare
08:25 Comprehensive intake and lab process
12:22 Core values at Cheval Wellness
14:51 Helping women find clarity
16:42 Focusing on women's hormone health
The Unrushed Hour: Insights on Women's Health, Fatigue, and Finding Answers
In the first episode of The Unrushed Hour podcast, you’ll hear the story of Dr. Angela Mineo, founder of Cheval Wellness and board-certified nurse practitioner. This episode is a deep dive into the challenges many women face when it comes to feeling dismissed in healthcare, particularly in relation to persistent fatigue, hormone health, and the difficulty of finding real answers.
The Mystery of Fatigue and an Unanswered Journey
Dr. Angela Mineo shares her personal story, describing years of struggling with extreme fatigue despite being a healthcare provider herself. Even after visiting primary care doctors and specialists, she still felt exhausted and was prescribed stimulants without real root-cause solutions. Her experience of sleeping excessively even on days off and feeling dismissed by providers is something many listeners may relate to, especially women whose concerns are often minimized or attributed simply to age or stress.
What makes Dr. Mineo's perspective unique is her journey from ICU nurse to nurse practitioner, which taught her firsthand how the conventional system’s time constraints and insurance restrictions can limit the level of care patients truly need.
The Power of Comprehensive Care
With a background rooted in critical care, Dr. Angela Mineo brings the ICU approach of thoroughness and critical thinking into her own practice. She explains how Cheval Wellness revolves around the concept of the "unrushed visit," allowing her to spend a full hour with each patient instead of the typical brief appointment. This extra time makes it possible to deeply analyze symptoms, discuss comprehensive intake paperwork, and review detailed lab work, which is often not feasible in traditional healthcare settings.
She emphasizes the necessity of going beyond "normal" laboratory ranges. For instance, hormone levels technically within reference intervals can still result in severe symptoms. She found her own hormones, particularly testosterone, were low, even though she had spent years being told her labs were fine. This realization became a turning point, both in her health and in how she helps her patients.
Busting Myths Around Women's Health
During a rapid-fire "myth-busting" segment, Dr. Mineo firmly dispels several misconceptions: “If your labs are normal, you’re fine,” and “Being tired all the time is just part of being a busy woman.” She clarifies that many so-called “normal” levels are based on population averages, not optimized wellness, and often do not reflect whether a patient truly feels their best. Fatigue, she argues, can usually be traced to an underlying cause that deserves thorough investigation.
She also addresses the stigma of being a "difficult patient" for asking too many questions. In rushed systems, patients might worry about taking up too much time, but Dr. Angela Mineo encourages listeners to advocate for themselves and write down symptoms and timelines ahead of appointments to ensure nothing important is overlooked.
Shaping a Better Future in Women's Health
Dr. Mineo's experience as a patient inspired her to prioritize patient respect and compassion at her practice. She highlights the need for more research dedicated to women's health, noting that conditions like endometriosis are under-studied and underdiagnosed, causing unnecessary suffering and confusion.
The episode’s core message is for women who feel ignored or at a loss for answers. Dr. Mineo wants listeners to have clarity and confidence in their next steps, instead of turning to the internet or AI alone for their health concerns. She affirms that hormone optimization and personalized approaches are beneficial at every stage of womanhood, from menstruation and fertility challenges to perimenopause and healthy aging.
Takeaway: Empower Yourself in Your Health Journey
The Unrushed Hour is more than a podcast. It aims to create a supportive community where women can learn, feel heard, and start advocating for the healthcare they deserve. If you have ever left a doctor’s office with more questions than answers, this episode’s wisdom is essential listening. Dr. Angela Mineo provides hope and practical tips for listeners to take the next steps toward healthier, more empowered living.
Subscribe to The Unrushed Hour and share the episode with friends or loved ones who might benefit from a different approach to women’s health. For more on Dr. Angela Mineo and Cheval Wellness, visit their website and stay tuned for future podcast episodes diving even deeper into the realities behind phrases like, “Your labs are normal.”
Cheval Wellness - https://chevalwellness.com/
Cheval Wellness Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chevalwellness/
Cheval Wellness Blog - https://weightlossclinicnewportrichey.blogspot.com/
“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”