Ep 36. Pageantry, Purpose & Pain: Akifa Khattak’s FemTech Mission to End Endometriosis Silence

Akifa Khattak was not just one of the Miss Universe Pakistan finalists - she’s also a healthcare attorney, biotech entrepreneur, and women’s health advocate on a mission to change how we diagnose and treat endometriosis.In this powerful conversation, Akifa shares how a rare, life-altering health journey led her to co-found Her Health AI, a FemTech company pioneering non-invasive endometriosis diagnostics and surgical lesion mapping. She opens up about cultural taboos around pelvic health, the unseen financial and family costs of chronic illness, and why pageantry became an unexpected but transformative platform to bridge East and West.This episode is about turning pain into purpose, breaking silence around women’s health, and redefining success as “contentment of the soul.”Episode Takeaways:Why endometriosis remains one of the most painful yet underdiagnosed diseases worldwideHow Akifa turned her personal health battle into Her Health AI The role of family, male allyship, and cultural attitudes in women’s health journeysWhy pelvic health conversations matter — intimacy, identity, and everyday lifeHow pageantry became a global platform for advocacy, representation, and bridging culturesPerfectionism, resilience, and Akifa’s take on failing forwardWhat it means to reimagine success through legacy, balance, and contentmentAbout Our Guest — Akifa Khattak, JD, MHA, MS Biotech Akifa Khattak is a healthcare attorney and biotech entrepreneur. With advanced degrees from Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and Harvard, she has worked at the intersection of law, biotech, and health policy — including women’s health reimbursement initiatives with the White House. After being diagnosed with endometriosis and undergoing multiple surgeries, she co-founded Her Health AI to create a non-invasive diagnostic and lesion-mapping tool for the millions of women worldwide affected by this disease. Akifa is also the founder of Codiva, a holistic women’s health supplement brand, and an advocate for bridging East and West through pageantry, creativity, and global representation.Connect with Akifa: 🌐 Website: https://herhealthai.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akifa-khattak-jd-mha-ms-biotech-558a041b/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akifakhattak/About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking🌐 No-Cost Application to Join The Unmasking Perfectionism Community: https://unmaskingperfectionism.com/📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s ❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.Content Note This episode includes discussion of chronic pain, fertility, surgeries, and women’s reproductive health challenges.