00:00 – 00:47 Introduction

• Host Cynthia Kirkpatrick introduces Amy Rivera
• Introduction of Amy as author, speaker, business owner, and lymphedema advocate

00:47 – 04:27 Amy’s Early Life and Diagnosis

• Amy explains being born with primary lymphedema
• Description of her right side being twice the size of her left at birth
• Parents being told it was due to how she was carried in the womb
• Growing up with an undiagnosed condition
• Her leg growing to 200% larger than her left leg

04:27 – 07:05 The Journey to Diagnosis

• Discussion about how medical knowledge has changed
• Amy’s self-diagnosis journey beginning in 2013
• Google searches leading to discoveries
• Finding physicians in other countries

07:05 – 10:20 Getting an Official Diagnosis

• Meeting with a physician in Chicago
• Learning about primary lymphedema
• Discovering that 10 million Americans suffer from it
• Recognizing the systemic problems in the lymphedema community

10:20 – 13:17 Emotional Response to Diagnosis

• Processing emotions after diagnosis
• Turning anger into action
• Stages of grief with lymphedema

13:17 – 16:47 Finding Purpose in Pain

• Discussion about being a “victor not victim”
• Amy’s husband encouraging her to tell her story
• Taking speaking classes
• Beginning to share her story with others

16:47 – 19:47 Understanding Lymphedema

• Explanation of what the lymphatic system does
• How lymphedema develops
• Impact on the body

19:47 – 23:55 Managing Lymphedema

• Treatment methods including compression
• Manual lymphatic drainage
• Impact on the body beyond the affected area

23:55 – 26:28 Building a Support System

• Amy’s early consultations
• Expanding from patients to healthcare providers
• Development of her consulting business

26:28 – 30:19 The Business Journey

• How Amy built her expertise
• Learning about business while managing lymphedema
• The importance of passion with purpose

30:19 – 35:15 Entrepreneurial Challenges

• Discussion about failures and pivoting
• Being a “professional firefighter” in business
• The importance of preparation and routine

35:15 – 39:04 Self-Care as an Entrepreneur

• Amy’s routine and preparation strategies
• Managing inflammation triggers
• Balancing business demands with health needs

39:04 – 42:08 Amy’s Business Ecosystem

• Speaking engagements around the world
• Starting the Ninjas Fighting Lymphedema Foundation
• Philosophy behind the “ninja” concept

42:08 – 46:56 Compression Innovations

• Development of Amy’s compression product business
• How she discovered Fast and Go Hybrid Compression Bandages
• Creating Revera Hybrid Solutions

46:56 – 52:33 Educational Programs

• Creation of the Lymphedema Blueprint Course
• Bringing experts together
• Focus on mindset before education

52:33 – 58:56 The Importance of Advocacy

• Being your own advocate in healthcare
• How to communicate effectively with healthcare providers
• Building partnerships with medical professionals

58:56 – 01:03:39 The Ongoing Journey

• Amy’s current work with National Institutes of Health
• The rarity of her condition (0.2% of population)
• Continuing to learn and grow

01:03:39 – 01:07:35 Growth Through Vulnerability

• The importance of listening
• Learning from others
• The “onion” metaphor for personal growth

01:07:35 – 01:10:50 Closing Thoughts

• Where to find Amy and her resources
• The impact of Amy’s story beyond lymphedema
• Future possibilities