Brett Blumenthal

Bestselling Author and Owner, SheerBalance.com

Many individuals in the medical profession chalk disease up to genetics. And that is fair. Genetics play a big role. Yet studies continue to show that our lifestyle choices, although not 100 percent foolproof, play a huge role in making our genes for disease present themselves.

Jordan Smoller

Associate Vice Chair, MGH Department of Psychiatry

The most contentious debates circling the DSM-5 process are all tied to the fundamental question of how we define the boundaries of disorder and the lines between normal and abnormal.

Hollye Harrington Jacobs

Nurse, Social Worker, Educator, Author www.TheSilverPen.com

We have two choices about how we handle painful life experiences: from a place of fear or optimism. When I was sick I chose (and it was a very active, decisive choice) optimism in the form of Silver Linings.

Barbara Hannah Grufferman

Author, 'The Best of Everything After 50'; Columnist, AARP; Host, AARP YouTube Channel

A few years ago -- around the time I was turning 50 and trying to come to grips with the changes my body, mind and life were going through -- I decided to start running, against my better judgment.

Colleen Crinion

progressive, feminist, activist, writer

I don't know if my mother could have been saved, or simply had her life extended, if she had better access to medical care. It's possible that for her, there wasn't anything else to do. For so many other mothers though, that is not the case.

Ira Israel

Psychotherapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Yoga Therapist

Instructing somebody to meditate -- to release or dis-identify with his or her thoughts -- is like trying to instruct somebody to instantly sneeze, or like telling someone just not to think, when the mind but built to do little else but that.

Shelley Ross

Emmy Award-winning Producer, Director; Founder of Daily Xpress News and Pop Culture Blog

Disclosure of something as personal as having had both breasts removed is quite a daunting decision for many reasons, least of which is fear of being seen as "less of a woman," as even a world-class sex siren felt obligated to note.

Janice L. Marturano

Founder and Executive Director, Institute for Mindful Leadership

We are born with the capacity to be present. It is in this space that we can bring all of our experiences, education and inner wisdom to the moment. It is in this space that we begin to reveal our humanity and embody our passion to make a difference, to lead with excellence.

Lauren Boggi

Founder and CEO, Lithe Method and FitHipHealthy.com, Eternal Cheerleader

It took me almost 365 days to just feel "normal," or, better yet, stable mentally and physically. Almost another year later and I'm finally feeling strong, lithe and sexy again -- in a whole new way, much different than before my pregnancy.

Holly B. Clegg

Author of the trim&TERRIFIC® cookbook series and specialized diabetic and cancer cookbooks

Although a variety of foods are always important, there are certain vitamins and nutrients that specifically help prevent inflammation and ease the symptoms of arthritis.

Robert Klitzman, M.D.

Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Director of the Masters of Bioethics Program, Columbia University; author, 'Am I My Genes?'

Angelina Jolie's openness about her decision to undergo mastectomies because of the BRCA1 mutation can help inspire countless women to face this difficult decision. Yet several obstacles exist that deserve attention, concerning doctors and costs of testing.

Lynn R. Goldman

Dean, George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services

The truth is that from the college campus to the workplace, we are all members of a national and increasingly global community. We must all learn the signs of depression and other mental disorders and reach out to someone in trouble.

Ken Page

Psychotherapist and author, upcoming "Deeper Dating" (Shambhala, 2014)

If we can name our own awkward, ardent gifts, and extricate them from the shame and wounds that keep them buried, we'll find ourselves on a bullet train to deep, surprising, life-changing intimacy.

Nicole Glassman

Holistic Nutritionist, Founder of Mindful Health

We can choose to let fear be a noose around our neck, holding our breath through life. We can choose to hold onto what we believe we can control, saying no to experiences that may seem risky. We can choose to be satisfied, but less than passionate. Or we can choose to cut the cord.

Tom Frieden, MD, MPH and Pamela Hyde

Research has shown us that intervening early at the individual, family, and community level can delay or prevent the on-set of mental and substance use disorders. We also know that these can be treated, and individuals with these conditions can lead healthy productive lives.

Mirabai Holland

Boomer fitness guru, creator, Moving Free® Technique

I've seen it time and time again: determined beginners pushing so hard and either getting hurt and quitting or just quitting because they couldn't take it any more.

Jennifer Merschdorf

Chief Executive Officer, Young Survival Coalition

I hope all of us use this news as an opportunity to encourage people to learn and ask questions about their own family cancer history and raise awareness that young women can and do get breast cancer.