Real Menopause Talk

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" ❤️⁠

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