Real Menopause Talk

Julian wants to bring Menopause out of the darkness and he's well placed to do so as founder of Propaganda Agency and chair of Gen M.  We start our conversation with some of Julian's working background because, whilst interesting in its own right, it gives some context to how and why he does what he does today in the 'Menosphere'.  We get a little bit of the history of make-up as we know it today, his former company Illamasqua and I tell you, he is a visionary.  It's easy for those of us who are in this space to simply demand the highest quality solutions to Menopause symptoms but Julian offers an alternative perspective and one that really got me thinking. We still need to reach so many millions of women who remain unaware of what is happening to them in Perimenopause and some of them are scared. Awareness must come first. Of course none of us want to be taken for a ride as a consumer but his view is good food for thought.  Julian shares with us how he became such a champion of the underdog that is Menopause and the real emotional trigger that encouraged him along this path. It is a story which many of you may find deeply upsetting and is one that you will know if you have heard of David Salmon. It is truly heartbreaking and still needs to be told so nobody else may suffer the same.  Julian talks about how men can help, how brands are innately powerful in our society and how women don't need to be told what to do: "A Choice. That's what women need, a choice." You can find Julian @Julian Kynaston on Linked In  Click here for Real Menopause Therapy Sign Up Here For Free

This is possibly one of the most important episodes yet because of the information, passion, honesty and balance that Catherine offers. Catherine initially built her career in finance, working for an investment bank. When she 'met' Perimenopause, she soon realised that brain fog had no place in her life as she needed to be switched on at all times and function at a high level. She began to puzzle out what was going on. Once she realised what was happening and that it was normal, it was a huge relief and opened up the headspace to investigate how to support herself on a practical level, through this transitional time. This ultimately fuelled her passion to bring awareness to Menopause today and in essence, this is why and how this podcast began in the first place: to help women with their personal puzzle and to bring relief, knowing their experience is normal and shared by many others. Catherine talks sense, real sense about symptom management as well as the broader picture of respecting one another's freedom of choice. And yes, we even discuss the recent NICE guidelines on CBT and HRT - we dare to go there! :-) "There's no magic bullet to Menopause because of the individual nature of the experience." Catherine O’Keeffe is a Menopause Workplace Consultant, founder of Wellness Warrior, and creator of the Menopause Success Summit. Catherine is the author of the best seller All you need to know about menopause. She helps organisations implement a comprehensive menopause strategy that leads to meaningful change. She’s helped hundreds of companies choose support over silence including Workday International, StateStreet, Department of Health, Sainsburys, and Microsoft. Catherine is on a mission to shatter the menopause taboo, for good. You can find @Catherine O'Keeffe on LI and @wellnesswarrior.ie on IG Access Real Menopause Therapy HERE

Jodie Patterson sees herself as a Starfish - she has the ability to stretch far and wide and reach people as she does so. At 53, she has perfected the art through many careers, self-grown businesses, 5 children (currently spanning 30 - 14 years of age), volunteer work, art and a vibrant life of travel and friendships.  Jodie is a Native New Yorker who grew up on the Upper West Side in a creative neighbourhood and an actively Black family. She comes from a long line of activists and entrepreneurs and continues this lineage with many successes along the way, clearly drawn towards women with strong voices who inspire, she embodies these qualities too. 'The Bold World' is one of the most striking and memorable books I have ever read. I cried, I laughed, I resonated and learned. It is Jodie's story of her life so far and the transformation of her family both immediate and extended. When her son, Penelope, came to her aged 2 and said, "Mama, I'm not a girl. I am a boy." it blew her world wide open. In this book, she shares just how. I am not letting go of my own copy but I am giving it out to everyone I know and you should too.  This episode is not all about Menopause. It is about identity, creativity, community, freedom, curiosity, transition and transformation and how all of it is an inside job, "We can be who we are from the inside out."   You can find Jodie on IG @jodiepatterson and https://jodiepatterson.com and you can find "The Bold World" wherever you choose to get your books. If you are in the UK, you may have to be a little more patient for it to arrive but it is well worth the wait :-)    

Selene Yeager is an elite athlete who started professionally competing at 40. She's also a Health & fitness writer who lives what she writes as a NASM certified trainer, USA Cycling coach, Pn1 certified nutrition coach, pro licensed off-road racer, and All-American Ironman triathlete and content creator for Feisty Media.  Selene is grounded and into her own zone and power, Post Menopause. But it didn't start off like that. Perimenopause was a deeply confusing time to her because, like so many of us, it caught her unaware, She lost muscle seemingly overnight, her joints started aching like never before and her sleep became unusually erratic. She is keen to share as much information about this time of life as possible and to make sure that we all do the same in order to take the shock, confusion and fear out of it. We must share all the information from night sweats to vaginal dryness and everything in between.  In this episode we discuss the changing landscape of elite endurance sports - spoiler alert: more mature women are competing and they're winning! We talk about new studies emerging on women that are relevant to hormonal health, muscle health and brain health and one that has just dropped on low carb availability: could you be sensitive to carbohydrate deprivation? Is intermittent fasting or low-carb dieting not feeling good to you? And why should we exercise after all?  You can find Selene on IG @FitChick3, on https://seleneyeager.contently.com and if you haven't found it yet - listen to Hit Play Not Pause, you're in for a treat.

Dr Colette Haydon oozes French charm and is wonderfully frank and easy to talk to. She gives real, raw insights into how menopause was for her and feels it is crucial to be honest with those who ask - especially when it comes to the question, "How long does it last?" At 64, she still has symptoms from time to time so what does she do about it? Colette gives a great explanation of how night sweats and disturbed sleep create anxieties and additional symptoms, she talks about the crucial role of therapy for her in dealing with these anxieties when she felt she couldn't do so in her usual way and she shares The Secret of Beauty. Having worked as a pharmacist and consultant for major brands in the cosmetics industry, she set up her own range of skincare in her late 50's. Colette explains why your favourite moisturiser has stopped working for you and how to bring joy to your daily skincare routine, "It's a moment with yourself. It's just lovely." You can find Dr Colette Haydon on IG @lixirskin and on her website lixirskin.co.uk and her products are available at Sephora, John Lewis, Selfridges, Liberty, Harrods and many more. 

100 Episodes in!  There have been occasions when I have not expected to reach 100 episodes. As anyone knows, who has a podcast, there is a huge amount of time and effort that goes into putting even 1 episode together, especially when it is created by one person from conception to release. So why do it? Right from the beginning, I wanted people's stories to be told. I didn't want anyone else to feel as lost and confused as I did when Perimenopause hit.  It seems there are thousands more people like me and I have the honour of meeting just a few of them - to share their stories, their expertise, knowledge and energy. I love meeting these brilliant, inspiring people - they lift my day and I hope they lift yours too.  Imagine my joy, when the gorgeous Lisa Stockman, a truly inspiring stylist - reached out and we ended up meeting in person - for real - in person and she came all the way from Melbourne to London!  So we had to do things a little differently and film an episode. I will be the first to admit that it doesn't work so well as a podcast in audio-only form but we had so much fun and I hope it goes some way to showcase Lisa's talent. I know I left feeling inspired to up my getting-dressed game (buttoning my shirt properly and zipping my fly is a start - see video 🤦🏼‍♀️)  Lisa is a natural born stylist who has actively been picking out clothes for people from the age of 9! She gives the gift of confidence with simple, easy to do tips and tricks that really make you feel great.  She gives us the inside scoop on shopping for jeans, the benefits of a v-neck, how to style shirts, blazers, shoes and it's all within everyone's grasp.  "Tits Up, Shoulders Back, Ladies" xoxo You can find Lisa on IG @lisastockmanstylist and her website https://www.lisastockman.com.au Head over to YouTube for the full effect. Please share REAL MENOPAUSE TALK The Podcast with everyone you know and LEAVE A REVIEW  as this is what will ultimately make the difference and it helps us keep the podcast going.  🌎 😍 🙏 Follow us wherever you get your podcasts and subscribe to our newsletter by signing up on the website realmenopausetalk.com😃 #realmenopausetalk #perimenopause #menopause #fashion

Hannah Studley, an accomplished author known for her novel 'Very Well,' shares her insights on menopause and healing from trauma. She candidly discusses her harrowing journey through chronic pain and the challenges of a decade-long perimenopause, including debilitating brain fog. The conversation highlights the mind-body connection in healing and the importance of mindfulness. Hannah also critiques Freud's impact on women's psychology and emphasizes the value of community and acceptance in midlife. Her inspiring journey is a testament to resilience and joy.

It is very clear that Dr Monica Williams cares deeply for people and their complete wellbeing. It seems she always has done, as though caring is written into her DNA. ⁠ ⁠ Having trained originally as a paediatrician, and worked in family medicine for over 25 years, Dr Monica now takes care of as many people as she can through functional and integrative medicine. ⁠ ⁠ Today, we discuss the differences that women of colour may experience when it comes to Perimenopause and Menopause. Dr Monica shares her own experience of fibroids and the impact of stress on general health. We talk about how education and being aware and prepared can change the course of someone's physical condition, how to address concerns around Menopause even when they feel taboo and the importance of making sure that everyone - EVERYONE - has access to the healthcare they deserve. ⁠ ⁠ You can find Dr Monica on IG @deep-rooted-health and at https://www.deeprootedhealth.org⁠

If you have been around here for a while, you cannot have failed to have encountered Amanda Thebe - fitness and women's health expert, fount of knowledge on all things Menopause and exactly the person you would want to have a good natter with.  I am fortunate enough to have her as my guest this week! As author of best-seller Menopocalypse, host of her FB Group Menopausing So Hard, member of the Canadian and North American Menopause Society and with 30 years in the fitness industry, she has seen it all and isn't afraid to tell it how it is.  In this episode, we talk about her own Menopause, of course, the most common symptoms women endure - the migraines, weight gain, anxiety, brain fog and depression - the glorious hindsight of Perimenopause, her methods for not only getting through, but getting the most out of this phase of life and the freedom it can ultimately bring. All, naturally, in the most relatable way.  You can find Amanda on IG @amanda.thebe, on her website https://amandathebe.com and of course her book is available in book stores IRL and online.

We're back to round off Season 5, all with a fresh new look and more fabulous guests. It is SO good to have you here. Thank-you for your continued support and feedback.⁠ ⁠ It is thanks to today's guest, that we go right back to our roots. The reason Real Menopause Talk was set up in the first place was to share real life experiences of Peri to Post Menopause and share our tips, struggles and successes. ⁠ ⁠ And this is exactly what you will find as Michelle Baines and I have a chat in this episode. She reached out to me, wanting to share her story so far so that others can relate and nobody need feel alone, which was how she felt when she first started experiencing symptoms.⁠ ⁠ Her headaches, digestive issues, depression and anxiety became overwhelming and even the day before we recorded, she had spent 3 hours in her car, in tears. When it's bad, it's bad and I'm sure we can all understand how that feels. ⁠ ⁠ This all highlights the importance of education of our doctors, ourselves and the generations coming up behind us. For physical AND mental health support. ⁠ ⁠ Michelle has one message here: "Be more Brave" ❤️⁠