Ep 8 The Fly Girl and The OPV: Simone Biles Rising and Call the Midwife Christmas Specials | Gymnastics, Mental Health, Polio and Black Excellence

Medical Media Mixer is your go-to health and wellness podcast, shaken with cocktails and stirred with entertainment and media. 🥂 In this episode, we spotlight resilience, representation, and the intersections of health and culture. First, we cover Netflix’s Simone Biles: Rising (2024)—a raw look at the world’s most decorated gymnast as she reclaims her sport after trauma, mental health struggles, and the immense pressures of being the GOAT. We unpack the “twisties,” the history of gymnastics training in the U.S., diversity in the sport, media scrutiny, sports psychology, and the courage it takes to put mental health above medals. Next, we revisit the beloved BBC series Call the Midwife, diving into the 2013 and 2016 Christmas Specials. These episodes highlight public health crises like polio, advances in vaccination, and the role of midwives and communities in navigating illness, disability, and change. We also touch on parallels with modern health literacy and the persistence of misinformation. 🍸 Featured Cocktails: Fly Girl Spritzer (with Black Girl Magic Wines) – a toast to Black excellence and resilience. Orange Thunder – a bold citrus-forward drink inspired by the fight against polio. ✨ Key Topics Covered: Simone Biles: Rising: trauma, foster care, adoption, media pressure, and the comeback story The “twisties” explained: neurological and psychological risk in gymnastics GOAT controversy: when is “enough” enough? Diversity in gymnastics: progress, barriers, and representation Sports psychology: visualization, optimal anxiety, and positive self-talk Call the Midwife Christmas Specials (2013 & 2016): storytelling as health education Polio history, vaccines, and the global fight against re-emergence Public health lessons: stigma, resilience, and trust in science Cocktails that celebrate empowerment and remembrance 🔗 Sources & Further Reading: Simone Biles: Rising – Netflix What Are the Twisties? – TIME NPR – Women’s Gymnastics & Age at the Olympics Diversity in U.S. Gymnastics – USAG The Resistance & Repair of Simone Biles – Suzan Song, MD Sports Psychology – APA Call the Midwife – Christmas Special 2013 Call the Midwife – Christmas Special 2016 CDC – Polio Overview WHO – Poliomyelitis NYT – RFK Jr. & Polio Vaccine Debate Fly Girl Spritzer Recipe – McBride Sisters Orange Thunder Cocktail – Mile High Mitts Episodes every Monday ⭐️ Subscribe, Rate and Review! 🍸 Recipes drop on socials Discounts: 15% off Comfrt apparel Purple Carrot: 40% off your first box ClassPass: 2 weeks free 15% off non-alcoholic spirits at The Zero Proof 💳 Support us on Patreon | ☕️ Buy Me a Coffee Contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.