Q&A: TV host, author and advocate Raquel Horn talks health and IVF
Raquel M. Horn is an author, TV host and entrepreneur. She is also one of the many women across the globe who has struggled with infertility.
Horn and fiance, hip hop entrepreneur Damon Dash, struggled for seven years to have children before turning to in vitro fertilization. After the egg retrieval and fertilization process, there were two viable embryos. One was transferred and the couple became pregnant with a baby girl. But in 2019, at seven and half months pregnant, Horn had a miscarriage. And it was all documented on the couple's reality TV show.
In 2020, the couple became pregnant again and welcomed baby boy, Dusko.
The Hilton Head, S.C., native has been open about their fertility struggles and is taking her focus on health and wellness to a new level with her FOX Soul show "Health Is Wealth" which airs every Monday night.
We got a chance to talk with Horn about her show and what motivates her! Check out our Q&A below:
Tell me about your show and why health and wellness is so important to you.
Raquel: For me, health is the ultimate wealth. We can't do anything if we aren't healthy, live for our kids, provide for our families. My health and wellness journey started young, I always loved to eat but I had stomach problems. I self-diagnosed the issue by paying attention to what was going into my body rather than use medication. Damon is a type 1 diabetic so a healthy lifestyle and good food choices helps him maintain his blood sugar. Our health is something we spend time thinking about every day and we've learned so much about food and each other by sharing this journey. Health is Wealth is our way of sharing it with others.
How hard is it as a parent and working mom to incorporate healthy routines into your life?
Raquel: I'm not gonna lie, it's hard. But, establishing healthy patterns early is what's most important for me and my child. I want him to have a long and happy life, and I want to be there for it.
What is something easy that people can do to take care of themselves better? (eating more veggies, just getting more active?)
Raquel: Sitting down as a family and eating a meal together, or even better, preparing a meal together, connects you to each other and your food. It's especially important for kids so that they know where their food comes from.
Going through IVF was one of the hardest things I've ever been through, how did that experience change you as a person?
Raquel: I have more appreciation for women and what our bodies can do. I had never been through much trauma before, so the experience grounded me and forced me to reassess my priorities. It made me more aware of the realities of the world, how things can be taken so quickly, and how wonderful things can still happen any time. Also, the science behind it is really cool.
What prompted you to share your story about fertility issues? What feedback have you gotten from people?
Raquel: Damon and I both believe that experiencing trauma is an opportunity for you to learn from it, so I knew that I had to share my journey with others and maybe they can learn from it too. I've received an overwhelming amount of support, love, and connection from other women that I didn't know was possible. People have shared their stories about the struggle to have a family, and it's really hard for a lot of people. I'm so grateful for the perspective it's offered me.
