CHRISTINA PARUAG IS THE FOUNDER OF FEMEVOLVE AND THE ORGANIZER OF THE TORONTO PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S MEETUP. SHE IS AN ADVOCATE AND RESEARCHER FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS, CURRENTLY WORKING IN STROKE AND EPILEPSY RESEARCH. CHRISTINA LIVES WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS AND SPEAKS REGULARLY ABOUT THE IMPACT IT HAS ON HER LIFE. HER EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND IS IN MEDICAL PHYSICS. SHE’S A PUBLIC SPEAKER, SHARING ABOUT TOPICS IN HEALTH AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT TO INSPIRE OTHERS TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST.
I’m a science nerd, lover of all things health and wellness and obsessed with my toy maltipoo dog named Max. Growing up, I would constantly be asked to model or asked if I model due to my thin shape and height, however I had a high value on education and wanted to stay focused on that. That’s not to say that I don’t value modelling and now I do enjoy it, I just couldn’t see myself pursuing it as a career, I wanted people to stop judging me for my looks and admire my intelligence and ideas instead.
In school I struggled to choose between writing and science. I did well in both, was challenged by both and found them to stimulate my brain in different ways (creativity vs. concepts and theories). I decided to pursue physics in Grade 11 as I thought it made more sense at the time long-term, and I chose an undergraduate program at Ryerson University called Medical Physics, which can be described as the study radiation therapy used for cancer. I loved the program, it combines advanced math with physics concepts, anatomy/physiology and medicine. We even had to do courses on communication and computer science so I constantly felt challenged and like I was growing tremendously by completing the program. My plan was to go to medical school and become a radiologist after the program, until I was diagnosed with endometriosis which significantly impacted my life and made me reconsider maybe becoming a medical physicist. This didn’t seem like the best option when I looked at career options, and in 2018 I launched my first business, FemEvolve. This business combined my two interests in science and writing as I began to dive deep and translate scientific concepts about health into everyday language for our readers. I also had to learn how to build and manage a team, how to use social media to grow a business, marketing, sales and more. The business didn’t go the way I had planned and I had to step back from it. I’m so thankful I started however, it as it led me to discover public speaking which I now use to share my message, and it led me to take over the Toronto Professional Women’s Meetup group.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON OR SKILL YOU LEARNED INSIDE THE CLASSROOM OR LAB?
The importance of speaking up. In school, I used to be really shy to ask questions. Why? I’m not so sure, I think it was a fear of being judged by everyone else. As I got older and got to university, I was missing so much school due to my health that I really valued being in class. I started raising my hand more and showing up to office hours. I learned that it’s better to ask questions than to say that you know something, when you don’t. It’ll increase your understanding, and you never know who else has the same question but is also scared to ask. This is something I use in my research with my supervisors and co-workers as well, always making sure that I have a clear understanding of the project and any next steps.
The importance of communication. Similar to speaking up, however communication is a huge part of our lives. We use it in business to sell and engage with our audience, we even use it in our friendships and our partnerships to support each other and learn/grow. Communicating is more than asking questions, it’s feeling open and comfortable with sharing what’s on your mind without fear of judgement. I’ve seen a lot of my friendships improve by being able to be open and honest in how I speak and listen to my friends.
WHO WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE TEACHER?
I have so many, but my top two are Mr. Brand, my grade 3 teacher and Mrs. Eliopoulos, my grade 11 English teacher. Mr. Brand started this journal contest where every month the student with the most and best journal entries would win a prize, like a toy. I think I won 8 out of 10 months because I was so motivated to win that it made me write more. He was always giving me great feedback and telling me my drawings were good even though they were terrible (I’m a scientist, not an artist haha). Mrs. Eliopoulos really saw something in my writing and she constantly encouraged me to keep setting bigger goals. She was also the first person to ever mention that I might had a health condition related to my reproductive system after she saw me throw up one day at school following a gym class and I told her about the constant pain I was in. Both of these teachers pushed me to grow and inspired me to keep learning.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START FEMEVOLVE AND THE TORONTO PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S MEETUP?
I started FemEvolve as a direct result of years of pain and misdiagnosis. I was constantly told by doctors that nothing was wrong with me and that I had a “normal” period. I knew this wasn’t true and started listening to my body when things got worse - I ended up going to the hospital with a ruptured ovarian cyst in 2013 and I had a surgery to be diagnosed months later in 2014. It took me almost 10 years to be diagnosed, and I was bed-ridden for 75% of every month for almost two years. In the summer of 2016, I had two near death experiences related to the endometriosis and kidney infections, and that’s when I really changed my perspective on life and how I was living. I decided to take this idea that I had for so long to help women, and turn it into a platform and publication to discuss taboo topics. I’ve taken a step back from it as of recently, however I got involved with the Toronto Professional Women’s Meetup as a result of what I learned through starting FemEvolve.
The Toronto Professional Women’s Meetup group was created by my good friend, Christine Fernandes, about 4 years ago. She wanted to connect professional women in Toronto and help them with personal and professional development. She hosted tons of networking and meetup events and grew the group substantially. Today, there’s close to 3,000 professional women in the Meetup group and over 1,000 in the Facebook group. I feel so grateful to be able to continue what Christine started as the new organizer and take what I learned through FemEvolve to teach others about business.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR CAREER AND SIDE HUSTLES WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS AND THE PAIN THAT COMES WITH IT?
This is a really fitting question, because lately I’ve had to take some time off work due to my health. It’s not easy, and I feel really guilty calling in sick or cancelling a meeting or on a friend. I’ve learned to embrace the days that I do feel well and make the most of it, and take some much needed rest when my body truly needs it (it’s so important to listen to our bodies!).
I’ve learned to embrace the days that I do feel well and make the most of it, and take some much needed rest when my body truly needs it (it’s so important to listen to our bodies!)... It takes a lot to advocate for yourself and be transparent in telling your boss/supervisor that you’re not well, but I’ve found that the right employer will understand, and the right friends will stick around even when you cancel.
I’m lucky that one of my jobs (I currently have three) has the option to do some work from home, so I try to complete this work on my down days and show up as best I can to my jobs when I need to be there. It takes a lot to advocate for yourself and be transparent in telling your boss/supervisor that you’re not well, but I’ve found that the right employer will understand, and the right friends will stick around even when you cancel.
Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams! When I was growing up, I constantly felt like I needed to please everyone around me, instead of focusing on what makes me happy. Later on I realized that the things I love most include being a researcher and an entrepreneur. If your heart desires being an artist, a scientist or a writer, listen to yourself and pursue it because it’s something that you want to do. Once you set the intention to do the things your heart desires, everything will align, the right people will show up on your journey to support you and you’ll learn invaluable lessons about life and yourself.
WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW (OR FAVOURITE BOOK)?
I’m really loving Brenè Brown’s work. I’m currently reading The Gifts of Imperfection - Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. I chose this book as my current read mainly because sometimes I’m so stuck on how I want to be, that I forget to just be present and accept myself as I am. That’s really the first step to making any changes in life.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN TODAY?
From Brenè Brown’s book, there’s this really cool distinction between fitting in and belonging. She states, “Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to be accepted. Belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are.”
Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to be accepted. Belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are.
I think this is so important and something I wish my younger self was taught. I remember wanting to be approved by my parents, friends, teachers, boyfriends, etc. Now that I’m a bit older, I focus on embracing who I am and look for those that love me without wanting to change me.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?
Thank you for asking me to be part of this. I love what LPE is doing to spread awareness about girls’ education and I feel so lucky to be able to share a bit of my story.
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU?
Connect with Christina on her personal Instagram page, and learn more about the Toronto Professional Women's Network events on Eventbrite, Instagram on Facebook. Check out Femevolve on Instagram and Facebook. Follow
Professional Women’s network on Instagram, Facebook and Eventbrite.