Real Menopause Talk

If you're a friend of the show, you will remember the lovely Victoria Hardy from Season 3, when she talked about how surgical menopause changed her life at home and at work, the struggles, frustrations and the way she handled the hurdles - powerfully, I would say.  We get to catch up with her here, about a year on from our last conversation: she's come a long way, transformed how she feels and... she's written a book. But it is so much more than a book. 'My Menopause, My Journal, My Rules' is somthing to be treasured. It's a work of art, an intimate look into Victoria's life, a diary, it's interactive, it's other people's stories, it's informative and supportive, encouraging and a massive great hug just when you need it. After all, "Being yourself is a fucking Superpower!" In this episode, Victoria fills us in on her most recent year, what made her choose to write a book, how she created such a beautiful work, her transformation and what propels her to continue speaking up about menopause and being a proud representative for those in surgical menopause. You can find Victoria on IG @ginge_unhinged and TikTok @gingeunhinged and you can buy her book 'My Menopause, My Journal, My Rules' at gingeunhinged.com and on Amazon.

Lisa and Adrienne are joyous company and in our time together, they taught me a thing or two about keeping life interesting and fun! They met in North Carolina, where they now live together, at a running club - and they've been running together ever since.  Between them, they have an extraordinary list of credentials, including physical therapy, integrative manual therapy, personal training and massage therapy. Having studies as atheletes, the natural progression for them, was to share their knowledge and insight into living well, especially post Menopause, with all women, not just the super athletic.  In this episode, they share their personal and individual experiences of Menopause, what they have learnt from it and from each other and how they are navigate ageing. For most of us, the notion of 'getting older' hold negative connotations but Lisa and Adrienne and turning this idea on its head - just wait until you hear how they continue to challenge themselves and enjoy life - true renegades!  You can find Adrienne and Lisa on their website: agelikearenegade.com and on socials as @age_like_a_renegade 

When you meet somebody who just 'gets it' and who solves every problem they encounter with an openness and a curiosity that is at the same time intriguing and calming, it is so easy to listen. Jacqui Burge is just that person.  Going from a rock and roll lifestyle, touring with Nirvana in the 90's, into the Health & Wellness industry was a natural progression for Jacqui. This may sound like a contradiction but it actually makes perfect sense and many of us have lived our twenties and thirties like rockstars and are now embracing good long-term lifestyle choices and health.  In this episode we talk about the benefits of tequila at lunchtime - yes really! - about solutions for constipation (at last an episode that addresses the reality) and sleep issues and, of course, her protein and supplement business with co-founder of XO Jacqui, Alexis Davis. A business run by women for women that truly understands the demands on us, the physical transformations we go through and the support we need.  You can find Jacqui at xojacqui.com and on IG @xojacquiproducts and the protein blend is available on Amazon.

Daria Tiesler has many stories to tell.  A former pro-athlete, mother, wife and high end personal trainer, she calls herself a 360 degree Transformation Coach and she really does delve deep into creating profound wellbeing for her clients by looking at the spiritual as much as the physical.  In this episode, she shares her life and experiences, why she feels so strongly about training women who are Peri to Post Menopausal, why she wants them to set new goals and really live their lives to the fullest. We also talk about the greater meaning and purpose of Perimenopause - what this transition can bring when it comes to the change in attitude towards ourselves along with the challenges of making ourselves a higher priority on a long list of things to do.  Daria talks freely about the benefit of exercise on maintaining healthy balanced. hormones and the added bonus that, "if we add lean muscle mass, we don't have to work as hard at this." Choosing our time, and the people in our lives wisely has powerful, positive consequences and Daria is here to share them all. You can find Daria on IG @daria.tiesler and her website houseofholisticperformance.com And on a final note, we're thrilled to have been mentioned by Feedspot as number 28 out of the 60 Best Menopause Podcasts - thank-you Feedspot!  https://blog.feedspot.com/menopause_podcasts/

Siobhan McCarthy is the Co-Founder of Living M. Living M is the most luxurious thing to happen to my skin since Perimenopause began and I say that from the bottom of my heart. It is also so much more than skincare - there is a warm community and camaraderie that brings women together. For many of us, it's easier to see when our symptoms began; for Siobhan, it was in her late 30's when Perimenopause simply wasn't on her radar and because they weren't "the classics" she thought she was probably imagining it. I am sure many of you can relate. And sure enough, just as one thing is under control, another pops up elsewhere. In this episode, we discuss her experience of eczema, dry eye, surprising skin changes and, her least favourite symptom - brain fog. Siobhan also brings up the relevant and interesting topic of resistance to ageing and how this can feed into something of a denial when it comes to Menopause - especially because of the way society has viewed women in Menopause.  "The fear of dying is human, the fear of ageing is cultural."  Speaking to Siobhan makes me smile, I hope listening to her makes you smile too.  You can find Siobhan on wearelivingm.com and on IG, FB and Twitter all as @wearelivingm

Maryjane Fahey is an artist, creator, writer, straight talker, and Founder of Glorious Broads.  Maryjane is the Original Glorious Broad - calling out ageism, discovering bold kindred spirits on the streets of New York, creating beauty, writing for the soul, lifting weights and sipping martinis. She draws the most inspiring, creative and glamorous people to her as she is one herself and takes absolutely zero crap.  Every time I visit her website or IG page, I feel enriched. Maryjane and all her Glorious Broads are exactly who I want to be - they are themselves - unapologetic, open, interesting, curious, and magnetic at all ages. They're a feast for the senses and make you think - understand who you are and who you can be. And it's all with a sense of fun and great enjoyment!  In this episode, we talk about art, pleasure, the changes friendships go through, working out who you are, partners, sex, sensuality and her philosophy in life, "Take more chances when you see the exit is nearer. I always thought I would write a play and now I'm doing it. Push yourself to take those chances in life." You can find Maryjane at gloriousbroads.com and on socials as @gloriousbroads Photograph by Russ Rowland

Elizabeth Sherman has many qualifications in the realm of Health and Wellbeing. She is a Master Certified Health and Life Coach who helps women in Perimenopause and Menopause manage their symptoms as well as other stressful demands that accompany this life season.  She has her own podcast, Done with Dieting, which offers tools and skills to feel good around food and to make smart choices more easily. Who would you like, alive or dead, to run your life with you? It's a fun concept and one that can actually propel you forward to succeeding in all sorts of areas of living with power and fun. In this episode, we discuss a later-in-life diagnosis of ADD and ADHD - what this looks like to others, navigating a new way of identifying and communicating this with the people around you.  We also talk about complicated relationships with food and how to address what may be lifelong beliefs now that we really need to fuel ourselves optimally.  Plus, Elizabeth shares some illuminating insights into the relationship so many women have with pleasure and how to find pleasure in healthy choices.   You can find Elizabeth here:  Website: [www.elizabethsherman.com] Podcast: Done with Dieting [www.elizabethsherman.com/podcast] Facebook: [www.facebook.com/totalhealthbyeliz] Instagram: [www.instagram.com/donewithdietingpodcast] LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethsherma]   And on a final note, we're thrilled to have been mentioned by Feedspot as number 28 out of the 60 Best Menopause Podcasts - thank-you Feedspot!  https://blog.feedspot.com/menopause_podcasts/  

If you want to know what NASA and Menopause have in common, this is the episode for you.  Today, we combine Menopause, Business, Sex and Innovation, celebrating openness and creativity - all delivered by Amy Buckalter.  Amy's early work was with Nike and Sports Brand Management which opens us up to so many possible puns and a world of innuendo while we discuss personal lubrication and intimacy. So I apologise in advance*! But, as you will soon discover, Pulse is indeed a game-changing device and is not only a creation of great beauty but also joy* - read into that what you will!  Amy shares her experience of Menopause, what drove her to create a solution for vaginal dryness and so much more. Keeping midlife interesting and open to new experiences is what it is all about and Amy is a great role model. So tune in and enjoy! You can find Amy at lovemypulse.com and on IG @lovemypulse

Clara Mosha is full of life and vibrancy. Previously a Masters Figure Champion in bodybuilding, competitive Strong Woman and Power Lifter she now specialises in coaching women over 40 to be their fittest and strongest yet. If you know anything about these worlds, you will know that her achievements are no mean feat and if you are resisting the land of lifting, prepare to have your mind changed dramatically and all those popular beliefs blown :-)  Her focus on coaching midlife women comes as no surprise given how caring she is and her deep understanding not only of the female body but also of the demands put on it outside the gym. As a working mum of twins, she is all too familiar with how crammed life can be and how easy it is to make excuses to neglect ourselves. Diet, sleep and training are all key components to living well in our forties and beyond. We have a lot of fun talking about role models, perceptions in and out of the gym, the beauty of strength training and, of course, her own experience of Menopause and how she learned to 'tame' her symptoms. You're going to love what she says it has taught her and 'the gift' it gives.  You can find Clara and Ultimate Physique Training on IG and YouTube @uptbyclaramosha on FB as Clara Mosha and her website https://ultimatephysiquetraining.podia.com/

Dr Lisa Petty @drlisapetty is living proof that education about this life phase... you know the one 😉, yes we're talking Menopause of course, can mean the difference between sinking and riding the storm like a champion. ⁠ ⁠ This is why we have to share our knowledge with the generation coming up behind us so that they know, understand, can prepare and live gloriously well.⁠ ⁠ Lisa knew exactly what to expect and decided that she was going to glide through Perimenopause. So she did. ⁠ ⁠ Lisa describes her process as the intersection between science and woo which I think is perfectly fitting. ⁠ ⁠ She offers simple strategies to immediately get out of our head and into our body, reducing stress and increasing our intuition because, as we all know, midlife involves so much mentally, physically and emotionally with more than enough on our plate at all times. ⁠ ⁠ In this episode we talk about how mindset is King... or Queen, about The Stirrings, you know that feeling when you know you have more to give but haven't quite found what it is yet let alone how to do it and we finally go there - Boredom! The boredom that can creep in during midlife and you start to wonder, is that all there is? So listen in and discover how to transform something mundane into something miraculous!⁠ ⁠ You can find Lisa, the Midlife Alchemist and Women's Coach, here on IG @drlisapetty and on her website lisapetty.com and on both LI and FB as Lisa Petty PHD.⁠