The podcast I Am You is hosted by Dr. Nitza Alvarez, a board-certified cardiologist and bestselling author. Each episode is designed to empower women to take control of their well-being and become the CEO of their own health. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez speaks with Barb Easlick, a vibrant and active woman whose life was turned upside down after a bout with COVID left her struggling to breathe and robbed her of the energy she once thrived on.

Barb’s journey is one of resilience and self-advocacy. Despite being told by multiple doctors that her lungs were fine and her heart was healthy, Barb knew something wasn’t right. Test after test came back “normal,” yet she continued to experience debilitating shortness of breath and fatigue. Frustrated but undeterred, Barb refused to settle for a diagnosis that didn’t match how she felt.

Her persistence led her to Dr. Alvarez, who looked beyond the standard metrics and recognized the signs of microvascular heart disease—a condition often missed in women due to limitations in traditional testing. With the right diagnosis and treatment plan, Barb was finally able to reclaim her health, energy, and independence.

This episode is a powerful reminder that women’s symptoms are too often dismissed or misdiagnosed—and that trusting your instincts can be life-saving. Barb’s story highlights the importance of not giving up, seeking second opinions, and insisting on being heard. Most of all, it inspires every woman to become the CEO of her own health, leading with strength, awareness, and determination on the path to wellness.