*Disclaimer - anytime I fill these out I seem to portray myself as a) weird b) horrible or c) both. I'm neither - promise! But here goes! And bear in mind, I'm not super serious in all my answers... - Name/Nickname/Username: Susan - What part of the country are you in: Metro Detroit area - Where you grew up: Ireland - Favorite movie: Fatal Attraction (see disclaimer!) - Favorite book: I really don't have one. I like Alice in Wonderland a lot. I'm a huge fan of True Crime books, I have well over a hundred(again...disclaimer....). - How did you hear about EmpowHer.com? Through Tina Tran. - Favorite hobby: Painting (acrylics on canvas) - Favorite Food: Anything with tons of fat and salt. - Favorite T.V. Show: The Office, any property shows like HGTV, Intervention and I like no-brain-required shows like Real Housewives of Orange County and True Life. - Favorite type of music: Pop and 80s. - Favorite quote: Anything by Groucho Marx - Book that you are currently reading: My own, it is being edited. - Favorite person to talk to: Myself. And the answers are always intelligent, witty, thought provoking... - How would you describe yourself: Fun, straight-forward, humorous, honest, hard-working, creative, very motherly to my children....and hot. - Do you have a particular health condition that you're interested in? Tell us more. Breast cancer, vegetarianism (not that it's a health condition) creative arts therapy, I'd like to learn more about autism. - What do you find is the most valuable part of an online community? Hearing other people's stories and experiences and solutions.

- What part of the country are you in: Central TX - Where you grew up: around the world - Favorite movie: anything with Bette Davis - Favorite book: how about play: Cyrano de Bergerac - How did you hear about EmpowHer.com? online ad - Favorite hobby: hmmm....so many! 6 months of every year, I'm a slow fat runner in training for a marathon - Favorite Food: dark Belgian chocolate - Favorite T.V. Show: House, Project Runway, Top Chef - Favorite type of music: Classical, Flamenco - Favorite quote: "Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death." Auntie Mame - Book that you are currently reading: Jane Austen collection and several IT books - Favorite person to talk to: my fish - hahaha! he doesn't talk back - How would you describe yourself: definitely not boring - Do you have a particular health condition that you're interested in? Tell us more. Lupus - I write about it a lot - What do you find is the most valuable part of an online community? the ability to interact with people across time zones and geographic locations woo-hoo!

Ok, here's a little about me...love to hear from others! (It's a great way to "post" your first message...it's nerve-racking to hit "post" for the 1st time...it's so final and public!) :-) - Name/Nickname/Username: Alison - What part of the country are you in: Central Texas - Where you grew up: Texas and Virginia - Favorite movie: Princess Bride - Favorite book: So many! Right now, I'm reading Loud & Clear by Anna Quindlen. Love her! Also enjoyed Kite Runner. - How did you hear about EmpowHer.com? Tina T. - Favorite hobby: playing with my 15 month old son, softball, running (er, jogging slow), eating Tex-Mex (that's a hobby right?!) - Favorite Food: oops..see above! Tex-Mex...I LOVE it! - Favorite T.V. Show: The Office, Project Runway, What Not to Wear...anything on HGTV - Favorite type of music: don't know...what "type" includes Sheryl Crow, Lyle Lovett, and 80's Love Ballads?! - Favorite quote: "Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end." - Book that you are currently reading: Loud & Clear by Anna Quindlen and Idiot's Guide to Parenting your Toddler (no, really!!! ha ha!) - Favorite person to talk to: anyone who will listen! :-) - How would you describe yourself: friendly, smart, nurturing, empathetic, good learner, good listener, shy-at-times and outspoken-at-other-times - Do you have a particular health condition that you're interested in? mental wellness and it's effect on overall health. - What do you find is the most valuable part of an online community? sharing, talking and listening! I love finding "nuggets" of helpful information from others.

Name/Nickname/Username: Tina T
- What part of the country are you in: Arizona
- Where you grew up: Arizona (adventurous, eh?)
- Favorite movie: Apocalypse Now, Pan's Labyrinth, Amelie
- Favorite book: Kafka on the Shore, Kite Runner
- How did you hear about EmpowHer.com? Hmmmm.
- Favorite hobby: Reading, traveling, yoga, cycling;
- Favorite Food: Pho (Vietnamese soup)
- Favorite T.V. Show: Scrubs or anything on HGTV;
- Favorite type of music: Gipsy Kings, Tom Waits, Reggae, Classical.
- Favorite quote: "Don't compromise yourself, you're all you've got" -- Janis Joplin
- Book that you are currently reading: Suite Francaise
- Favorite person to talk to: My turtle (she listens without judging) Actually -- my husband. He always challenges me.
- How would you describe yourself: Laid back, but energetic;
- Do you have a particular health condition that you're interested in? Tell us more. Have always been very interested in health and staying active.
- What do you find is the most valuable part of an online community? Those words of wisdom that you run across that sometimes make you feel like you've unearthed buried treasure.

- Name/Nickname/Username: ToddHartley - What part of the country are you in: Arizona - Where you grew up: Manhattan Beach, CA - Favorite movie: On Golden Pond - Favorite book: Conversations With God - How did you hear about EmpowHer.com? I was in the room when we came up with the company's name. - Favorite hobby: Photography - Favorite Food: Mexican & Greek - Favorite T.V. Show: Brother & Sisters - Favorite type of music: Classic Rock - Favorite Quote: My wife says, "Smile and everyone, everywhere" and I love that. You should try it. It will change your day. - Book that you are currently reading: Just work related stuff. Any recommendations? - Favorite person to talk to: My wife. She's got the healthiest outlook on life - How would you describe yourself: Fun! - Do you have a particular health condition that you're interested in? Tell us more. My heart has an irregular beat. But if you've seen me dance, you'd already know that. - What do you find is the most valuable part of an online community? Knowing that you can share honestly. -Favorite Weekend Event: Holding hands with my wife as we walk to the farmers market.

- Most people simply call me "Beth", although I will answer to "Hanahula". - I now live in New Jersey, However, I was born in Boston, Raised in New York and attended college in North Carolina (which I miss terribly.) - My favorite movie is "A Room With A View". "The Matrix" is a Close Second. - I have been a bookworm since I learned how to read, but my favorite book is actually from childhood: "A Wrinkle In Time" by Madeleine L'Engle. - I was drawn into empowerHer by BlogHer, although I do not visit that site frequently. - I am a runner and have been since my freshman year in college. Cannot live without it. - I don't eat it often, but I love pasta. - I am experiencing withdrawal symptoms from Grey's Anatomy at the moment. - I am more drawn to alternative music than any other kind, but I enjoy anything that I can sing and/or dance along with. - Favorite quote: "We can do no great things, only small things with great love." - Mother Teresa - Book that you are currently reading: "The Closers" by Michael Connelly - Favorite person to talk to: My son - How would you describe yourself: Sensitive, thoughtful, introspective - Do you have a particular health condition that you're interested in? I know that the site is currently focusing on heart disease, but I am primarily interested in mental health issues, particularly suicide and depression. - What do you find is the most valuable part of an online community? The positive support and sharing of first-hand experiences.

Thank you for taking the time to introduce yourself. I noticed in your posting that you are primarily interested in mental health issues. You may find our PPD boards a valuable tool. It's great you are reaching out to others and I think you will find the experiences of other women to be a tremendous inspiration. One such woman is Kristin Park, who works with us at EmpowHer.com. She has been very open about her battle with PPD and is active in several communities. She could be a wonderful and sensitive resource. http://empowher.com/community/forum/cond... Also, Postpartum Support International can be reached by calling 1.800.944.4PPD. You can find their Web site at http://www.postpartum.net/. http://www.afsp.org has information on suicide prevention and depression. We're happy to have you here and look forward to your insight.

Ok, here goes... :) - Name/Nickname/Username: Krista/Katy/Katydaqueen - What part of the country are you in: Arizona - Where you grew up: California & AZ - Favorite movie: That would take too much time, although I tend to love campy movies such as Josie & the Pussycats & Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Favorite book: The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley - How did you hear about EmpowHer.com? Francine Hardaway - Favorite hobby: Cross-stitching - Favorite Food: Anything I don't make, Sushi - Favorite T.V. Show: Don't really watch TV - Favorite type of music: Darn... ummm all? - Favorite quote: "Bringing up a family should be an adventure, not an anxious discipline in which everybody is constantly graded for performance." ~ Milton R. Sapirstein (Paradoxes of Everyday Life) - Book that you are currently reading: Great Expectations - Favorite person to talk to: My Fiancé and my best friend in CA - How would you describe yourself: Passionate, Exhausted, Resilient, Intelligent Mother of 2 - Do you have a particular health condition that you're interested in? Tell us more. I have Non-classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. It is a rare disease that looks a lot like PCOS but responds to an entirely different treatment. I am also a mental health advocate, and am interested in the differences for mental health issues for men and women. - What do you find is the most valuable part of an online community? Information dissemination and support. Also idea generation.

- Name/Nickname/Username: Calliope - What part of the country are you in: Northeast Florida - Where you grew up: We moved every three years. Give me a year & I will tell you where I was then. - How did you hear about EmpowHer.com? From the Blogher site - How would you describe yourself: I am a woman on pause. My life is totally & 100% dedicated to the full time care of my Grandmother. It has been that way for over 5 years now. I have this deep fear that my entire 30's will have been lived under a haze of caregiving. - Do you have a particular health condition that you're interested in? Tell us more. There are 3 generations in my home. My Grandmother suffers with Alzheimers, my Mother has MS, and I have infertility and all of the heapings of depression that stem from caregiving and infertility. - What do you find is the most valuable part of an online community? Support. Someone else saying, "I've been there. I've survived that." It can save your life to hear that. Calliope http://www.creatingmotherhood.com

Welcome to EmpowHer.com. Calliope, it sounds like you have much knowledge that can benefit other women including infertility and caregiving issues. I just read your blog and and especially enjoyed your Friday photos.

Wow, you certainly have a lot on your plate as a caregiver and I admire your strength and fortitude. Big hugs to you.

- Name/Nickname/Username: Cammi - What part of the country are you in: New York - Where you grew up: New York - Favorite movie: so many...but Rent/Hairspray/Auntie Mame/Officer & Gentleman/Sweet Home Alabama - Favorite book:Eat,Pray,Love...Left To Tell, 5 Wishes, The Secret, A New Earth, Simple Abundance, An Hour to Live, A Lifetime to Love - How did you hear about EmpowHer.com? HybridMom - Favorite hobby:Running, Biking, Rollerblading, Yoga, Hiking, Theater, Meditation, Writing, Reading, Dancing - Favorite Food: Indian, Thai, Mexican...anything really spicy! - Favorite T.V. Show: Amazing Race, American Idol & Grey's Anatomy - Favorite type of music: Pop, Hip Hop, Old Standards, Classic Rock, Blues - Favorite quote: "When People show you who they are, believe them" by Maya Angelou - Book that you are currently reading:Maya Angelou: A Glorius Celebration - Favorite person to talk to: My boys (ages 14 & 10) & My Husband & Mom - How would you describe yourself: Passionate, Athletic, Centered, Spontaneous, Talented, Smart, Fun & Spiritual - Do you have a particular health condition that you're interested in? Tell us more. Hypothyroidism, Breast tumors (non cancer) - What do you find is the most valuable part of an online community? Interaction with others, sharing experiences & information,

Thanks for taking a minute to introduce yourself! We have a ton of great information on the topics you're interested in.

For example, on you'll find an article about Hypothyroidism's affect on the heart written by a Phoenix-based cardiologist.

as well as extensive video addressing various aspects of hypothyroidism.

For breast information, check out this link

Other great sources for information on breast tumors include:
The National Institute of Health;

The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital; and

Harvard Medical School.

We look forward to your posts!

Name/Nickname/Username: - What part of the country are you in: Long Island, South Shore of Nassau County - Where you grew up: Long Island, North Shore of Nassau County - Favorite movie: When Harry Met Sally - Favorite book: Anything about Queen Elizabeth - How did you hear about EmpowHer.com? Hybrid Mom - Favorite hobby: developing my business - Favorite Food: cold cereal - Favorite T.V. Show: Oswald (oh wait, that's my 4 year old's answer) - Favorite type of music: I'm pretty open to anything - Favorite quote: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" - Book that you are currently reading: "She Means Business" by Grant j. Schneider - Favorite person to talk to: depends on the day. Today it's my mom. - How would you describe yourself: Energetic, happy, loving, good sense of humor - Do you have a particular health condition that you're interested in? Tell us more. I've had a diskectomy in the past year, and since then have been in the best shape of my life. Back pain should not take over your life; a healthy lifestyle and staying strong is key to prevent injury. - What do you find is the most valuable part of an online community? I love that an online community makes the world bigger and a little smaller at the same time!

Hi Corrie, So glad you found us, and I loved what you said about an online community making the world bigger...yet a little smaller at the same time. I feel the same way! I read that you had a diskectomy, and that you've lived with back pain. I think our readers (and myself) could learn a lot about your experience; this is a new area that we have not discussed on this site! I'll do some basic research and start a forum discussion, I hope you'll add to the discussion from a real-life perspective. We also have quite a bit of discussion regarding parenting on this site in our forum, as well as certain blogs related to children's health. I hope you'll join in on these discussion as well! (I have a 17 month old, and I've found this topic extremely helpful and informative). oh--and feel free to email any of us if you have any questions. Have a great day! Take care, Alison