Real Menopause Talk

Tania Elfersy is a wife, mum of three, educator, certified transformative coach and author. She has lived in London, Paris, Ho Chi Min City and now resides in Israel. If you are interested in how simple a natural cure can be for Perimenopause symptoms, and how swift, this episode is for you. As I am sure you know, a holiday can transform the way you feel mentally and physically. Tania examines this notion at a deep level and shares how she cured her Perimenopause symptoms (migraines, ,mood swings, night sweats, skin problems and sore breasts) in a matter of days. We talk about Menopause in history, which is truly eye-opening and fascinating, how HRT is not a pre-ordained part of your life (with notable exceptions such as surgical menopause for example), how so many 40 somethings know nothing of Perimenopause and the ancient wisdom of the body. "Our healing is so much simpler than we think." You can find Tania on her website https://thewiserwoman.com

Maryon Stewart is possibly best known as a tv presenter and author but she is renowned for her charitable endeavours and her work in the field of non-drug medicine specialising in Menopause. If you cannot or choose not to take HRT, this episode is for you. And even if you do choose hormone replacement, there is more to learn about successful symptom management! I ask Maryon, "Am I missing out if I don't take HRT?" and "How quickly can symptoms be resolved naturally?" We talk about how she managed her own Perimenopause, her book, 'Manage Your Menopause Naturally', her Midlife Refuel Club and the importance of doing something that lights up your heart every day. "You can get back to your normal, sexy self again." You can find Maryon on Instagram @maryonstewartmenopause & on her website https://maryonstewart.com and her book is available in all the usual places.

Kath Berry holds a masters degree in acupuncture for drug and alcohol addiction, is a mother of two and has lived around the world. Ever wondered why you can't party like you used to? Kath has the answers. Currently living in Ibiza, party capital of the world, she found perimenopausal and menopausal women coming into her clinic saying they were not getting any pleasure from recreational alcohol and drug use in the way they had done. For over 4.5 years, she gathered the world's top brains on Menopause, even coaxing one out of retirement, to collate research, knowledge and understanding into a book - 'Menopause, A comprehensive guide for Practitioners' - to educate practitioners further and to bring them up to date on Menopause research to better support their clients. In essence, she has the 'Blueprint for Menopause' and she feels it is her responsibility to live this blueprint and to thrive through midlife and the rest of life. In this episode, we talk about sleep, alcohol and cocaine, the importance of sex and staying in touch with your vagina and how Perimenopause is a great time to do a life audit of things that no longer serve you - including friends. "We need to reframe feeling invisible as a new space to be more authentic, a space to wear, do and say what you want and for women as a whole to show up as powerful & influential." You can find Kath on Instagram @kathbberry & on the website https://www.treatingwomen.com/contact

Dr Ron Eaker is a breath of fresh air. He has a profound knowledge, understanding and appreciation of women (he clearly loves his wife, two daughters and female pets!) and he genuinely wants to support us all. He also wants us to fully understand our bodies and take a holistic approach to feeling good - not adequate - good! "You can really blossom and find joy at this time of life." Many of us have had negative experiences at this life phase with physicians but if anyone is lucky enough to go straight to Dr Eaker, they will only know understanding, compassion and positive action. This is women's health at its best! In this episode, we discuss the starting point of expectation, that Peri through to Post Menopause is a natural, normal and inevitable part of life but the symptoms are not. He shares his approach to weight management, stress management and sex drive and how he likes women to live their happiest, healthiest lives. You can find Dr Ron Eaker on Instagram @mymdvip & on his website https://roneaker.com

A mini pod to mark World Menopause Day and a few reasons why some of the wonderful women I met at the rally outside the Houses of Parliament are supporters of the Menopause Mandate and are fiercly advocating for women's health. With enormous thanks to Carolyn Harris, Mariella Frostrup and Diane Danzebrink for being instrumental in bringing this together among many others and for their comments, thanks go to: Carol Vorderman @carolvorders Kate Rowe-Ham @katerh_fitness Lavina Mehta @feelgoodwithlavina Lisa Snowdon @lisa_snowdon Penny Lancaster @penny.lancaster Sam Simister @genm_official & Victoria Hardy @ginge_unhinged #MenopauseMandate

Alexandra and Sjanie are the co-founders and co-directors of Red School. Red school provides a radical new approach towards women's health, creativity, leadership and spiritual life, accessed through Menstrual Cycle Awareness. For those of you who are sceptical, bear with me here because I felt the same way until I read their first book, 'Wild Power'. As testimony to Alexandra and Sjanie's teachings, my 16 year old daughter is actually on board with the seasonal approach to her cycle (although not yet embracing the process fully!) and my 10 year old is no longer fearful of starting her period. For those of you who already know - just dive in! When I heard about 'Wise Power', I was intrigued and extremely excited. And it doesn't disappoint. Alexandra suffered from endometriosis and from her pain, she began work. Together, she and Sjanie have encapsulated the potency and power of what is at work both during menstruation and, most importantly here, Menopause. The work that both these wonderful women do is extraordinary yet somehow the deep spirituality is relatable and accessible, plus the understanding and compassion that they have is profoundly human which actually makes it even more extraordinary. In this episode, we talk about how Menopause is currently portrayed in the world, the fact it has a voice, how naming the experience can make you feel seen and the importance of story telling. There is much to be celebrated about this life phase and much to be learned. We also mention mental health so if you are struggling, please, please get in touch and we can support you and point you in the right direction. You are not alone. "Menopause is this extraordinary awakening moment." You can find Alexandra & Sjanie on Instagram @red.school & on the website https://www.redschool.net and the must read Wise Power is available now.

Thelma is a former celebrity publicist and has spent the past ten years as a women's health coach, encouraging black women and women of colour into deep, radical nourishing self and health care. Thelma sees ageing as a plus and something that makes us "extra wise, seasoned, and spicy - let's face it nobody wants to be bland and boring." She is adamant that we don't have to experience Menopause the way our mothers did and she can't wait to show the world that ageing never looked so good. In this episode, we cover so much ground and have a good giggle: Thelma shares her Perimenopause experiences in depth, how you get to know yourself and your body really well through this stage of life, how stress can manifest itself and trigger Menopause symptoms, plus representation, food and culture and how it may be worth it to try, try and try again when it comes to HRT. "You can't out HRT bad lifestyle choices." You can find Thelma on Instagram @after9lifestyle & on her website https://after9lifestyle.com

Dr Louann Brizendine is Professor of Neuropsychiatry at the University of California, SF, Founder of the Women's Mood & Hormone Clinic and Author of The Male Brain, The Female Brain and The Upgrade. If you haven't read The Upgrade already - please do! It is the most positive, informative and relatable book I have come across so far and is packed full of useful information on how to get the very best out of this phase of life. "Being true to yourself is something we have all been so hungry for." In this episode, we discuss what happens when you sleep - and how to get more of it, why mood swings happen, what is going on in our brains and bodies with irregular periods, arguments for consideration with regards to HRT, sensitivity to heat changes and I get properly called out when it comes to coffee! "A key piece in your toolbag?… saying 'Let me finish this first'." You can find Louann on Instagram @louannbrizendine & on her website https://louannbrizendine.com and The Upgrade can be found in all the usual places. I cannot recommend it highly enough :-)

Sally Mueller was tired, irritable, had mood swings and dry skin but put it all down to travelling for work and perhaps being a little burnt out. She then discovered she had early onset osteoporosis and was in Perimenopause. Her search for remedies and solutions was so disheartening that she decided to take on the Menopause space and renovate it from the ground up. She and Michelle Jacobs, created Womaness and they take their responsibility to help and support women very seriously. In this episode, Sally shares her experience, her 'aha' moment and how she is working to Modernise Menopause, spark Menopositivity and take care of Sleep, Skin and Sexual Wellness for women across the globe. "We do want to celebrate it and talk about it." PLUS you can join the Womaness team throughout the month of October on their Menopositivity Tour - tune in to find out more. I would also love to meet you as I will be in Santa Monica at the start of their tour on October 1st - drop me a line if you're going to be there! You can find Sally on Instagram @thesallym & on her website https://womaness.com and Womaness @mywomaness

Gayle Stevens-White has many wonderful strings to her bow. She comes from a teaching background and is currently a grass roots activist for Women's Health and Menopause as well as running a business and a home. She had lost the ability to function, was suffering from debilitating fatigue, chronic overwhelm and for her, the toughest challenge of Perimenopause was a feeling of zero cognitive function. If this sounds at all familiar, listen in - there is a positive! In this episode, Gayle shares what she did to get herself feeling fit, healthy and able to function well and the process she went through. She is frank, funny and has a few tales to tell along the way. You'll love spending time with her! You can find Gayle on Instagram @gswmenoflock and @rockandrebellion and @menopausecafe & on her website https://menoflock.com