58-Year-Old Women’s Health CEO Reveals Daily Habits: Walking for Mental Clarity and Nightly Ice Cream Ritual

This first-person account is drawn from a discussion with Joanna Strober, the 58-year-old cofounder and CEO of Midi Health, a virtual care platform aimed at modernizing women’s healthcare. Based in Los Altos Hills, California, Strober’s story has been condensed and clarified for readability.

As the founder and CEO of Midi Health, I launched the company to close the healthcare gap by offering specialized, insurance-covered care for women in their 30s through 60s.

For years, I neglected self-care while juggling three children and a career—an all-consuming challenge.

A wake-up call came at 44 when a minor fall fractured my shoulder, revealing osteopenia—low bone density—at an unusually young age. That signaled the need to prioritize prevention and self-care, and I’ve been catching up ever since.

I rise at 6:30 a.m. and start with two Nespresso pods and two slices of dense multigrain Levain bread from Manresa Bread—a staple of my breakfast for the past decade, enjoyed as soon as the bakery opens.

Next, I walk for roughly an hour—the cornerstone of my routine—while listening to podcasts on politics or AI, such as ‘Hard Fork,’ ‘The Daily,’ ‘The Ezra Klein Show,’ and ‘Call Me Back.’

I arrive at the office by 8:15 a.m. Though I aim to lift weights post-walk, it doesn’t always happen; the day quickly fills with Zoom calls and product meetings.

I aim for a second 45-minute walk around lunch, often taking phone calls—neighbors joke about my loud walking conversations.

I limit myself to one Diet Coke daily, otherwise sipping chamomile tea in the afternoon.

Bone health is a top priority: I take Midi’s Omega-3+ (with vitamins D and K) for osteopenia, plus creatine and fiber (via Midi gummies or dietary sources), and use hormone replacement therapy to curb bone loss.

I’m not rigid about meals—lunch is a salad, sandwich, or a walk to a nearby spot. With my kids grown and gone, the freedom from meal scheduling lets me work later with fewer constraints.

Dinner typically falls between 6:30 and 7 p.m.—sometimes takeout, pasta, or simply ice cream.

Evenings involve British detective shows and a nightly bowl of chocolate ice cream topped with low-sugar blackberry jam from the farmers market—a ritual I find deeply relaxing, especially since I don’t drink or use drugs.

I’m usually asleep by 9:30 p.m.

Walking is my primary stress relief. I’ve experimented with meditation apps without much success, but moving my body for hours daily—exceeding 10,000 steps—keeps me grounded. Morning hill walks are routine; on flat terrain I add a weighted vest. Weekends include multiple hikes up The Dish, a 3.5-mile uphill trail in Palo Alto, plus one or two daily walks with friends for social connection.

Weekends also feature farmers market trips and cooking.

My 81-year-old mother still cooks Friday dinner for my husband and me, a tradition dating back to when she fed our whole family. It’s a cherished weekly moment of being cared for.

Prevention dominates my mindset: I fear frailty, Alzheimer’s (which runs in my family), heart disease, and bone issues. While I don’t track macros, I’m meticulous about cancer screenings and foundational habits—adequate sleep, nutritious food, consistent exercise—to maximize healthy longevity and someday keep up with grandchildren.

This article does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult a qualified healthcare provider.