Sports have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up playing soccer and softball and attended East Carolina University on a softball scholarship. 

Before enrolling at ECU, however, I attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where I powered through the famous "Plebe Summer,” when new students (called “plebeians”) suffer through some of the most physically and mentally demanding tests and challenges. 

That experience not only taught me how to push through fear to accomplish any goal, but it also instilled in me a deep understanding of the importance of physical fitness. 

Since then, I've completed triathlons, marathons, and all manner of races; always something to feed my need for movement, competition, and a healthy lifestyle.

But, life has gotten busy in the last few years, between running a thriving business, shooting a TV show, and juggling the demands of balancing my personal and professional lives. Staying in shape doesn't always fit into my hectic schedule, but it's always a top priority. 

So, to stay motivated when life gets crazy, I've had to get creative with how I get my healthy on. 

Here are some of my favorite ways to keep my physical well-being on track during the summer (and all year long), even when life seems bent on holding me back.

Amazingly, nearly everyone has a powerful computer in their pocket or purse. 

It’s so easy to pull out our smart phones to answer life’s most mundane, trivial, or complex questions. 

Unfortunately, it’s just as easy for a person diagnosed with a serious, chronic disease like autoimmune arthritis to read an unlimited amount of information about their illness, which can be overwhelming to those seeking answers and direction about disease management. 

Here are four strategies to help arthritis patients (or anyone living with a chronic disease) find credible and actionable information.

Women of all ages, regardless of height, weight, or parental status, are susceptible to stretch marks. This is a simple fact.

Another fact, which will hopefully make you feel a bit better, is that supermodels (yes, the bikini models you see in Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret advertisements) also have stretch marks.

If you’re like the 95% of women out there, you prefer them gone. 

Dr. Kirk Brandow, founder and director of the Brandow Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery who has appeared on national programs such as Good Morning America and 20/20, offers insights on cosmetic surgery and shares the real deal on stretch mark solutions with several facts on popular procedures and topical options to prevent and remove stretch marks. 

Here’s what he has to say...

In these highly charged times, many are asking, “Whatever happened to empathy?” 

From shunned victims of violence to those who ridicule another’s beliefs, people seem to have lost the capacity to compassionately experience the feelings of others… particularly others’ suffering.

What was once considered human nature to feel for another person’s hardships is disappearing before our eyes.

Why is this lack of empathy occurring?

Twenty years ago, we hardly heard of ADHD, an acronym for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. 

Today, the term ADHD is so loosely used that anytime anyone feels they are unfocused, overly scheduled or mentally cluttered they may say “I’m so ADHD.” 

But, are they? 

When is it just a simple lack of focus due to stress or bad habits and when might it be ADHD?

Dr. Sanam Hafeez is a NYC based licensed clinical neuropsychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services specializes in ADHD and other learning disorders. 

She offers some characteristics, that when chronic tendencies, could mean ADHD and thus worth getting screened for it.

Did you know that one male is diagnosed with testicular cancer every hour? 

April is Testicular Awareness Month, and throughout the month, organizations like ours are working in partnership with the Testicular Cancer Foundation (TCF) to bring attention to a disease that is rarely discussed.

My father, Clyde Hill, 78, is a retired farmer and construction business owner who spent his life working on land improvement projects. 

However, after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, it was up to me to build a new way of life for my father. 

Since my grandfather was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, I knew what was coming when my father’s movements became very rigid and he would freeze up when walking. These were the same initial symptoms that my grandfather experienced when he was diagnosed with the disease. 

As my father’s symptoms progressed, my family and I and sought out a neurologist who confirmed the diagnosis in 1992. 

Two years ago, my brothers and I started to see a big change in our father’s demeanor. Often in the evening or sundown, he became convinced that the CIA and/or drug dealers were going to hurt him and were inside his house, causing him to become agitated, combative and paranoid. One time when I attempted to reassure him that there were no bad guys in the house and he was safe, he even asked if I was in on “their” plan to hurt him.

I grew up in a house that was always active, either in sports or outdoors. 

So, you might wonder how someone like me, now 48 years old, has already had double bypass, six stents, and a heart attack. 

I learned I had high cholesterol when I was 13, right after my dad had quadruple bypass surgery. He was 39. We didn’t know then it was a common genetic disorder called Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH), passed on from parent to child. We were told it was just unusually high cholesterol and that my dad and I would need to be on a statin for the rest of our lives. 

I don’t remember my dad taking his statin… ever. I’m sure he did, but I just didn’t see him take it. I can tell you that he complained a lot about muscle aches, and so I have a feeling he quit and just tried to combat the high numbers with diet and exercise.