Real Menopause Talk

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

Today’s Bonus Episode is an International smorgasboard of experience and information and continuing on from yesterday’s Bonus Episode with a cause, we share more information about how you can get involved in this year’s GLOBAL MENOPAUSE WALK. Nathalie Bonfé, originally from France and now based in Conneticut is a research scientist gone rogue. She holds a PhD in Philosophy, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry. These days, she specialises in Women’s Health, runs Menopause cafés and is an End of Life Doula. Sallyanne Brady has gone from feeling lost on a dark path in Perimenopause to running the number one support group for women going through Perimenopause in Ireland: The Irish Menopause. “If it’s this easily fixed, why did I not know this and why does nobody else know?” Both, clearly care enormously about others and support them with all their knowledge and heart. Unsurprisingly, they are instrumental in Stride by Side, the Global Menopause Walk of 2022: The goal is to walk or move 50,000 steps throughout the month of October. Why 50,000? 50 is because approximately 50% of the population will experience Menopause, because it is roughly the average age of Menopause and the length of a marathon. The purpose is to raise money for research into Women’s Health. To find out more and register NOW, go to: https://www.charityfootprints.com/StrideBySide/ You can find Nathalie on https://nathaliebonafe.com/ @nath_bonafe on Insta https://www.facebook.com/nathaliemlbonafe You can find Sallyanne on https://theirishmenopause.com @theirish_menopause on Insta https://www.facebook.com/theirishmenopausepage AND https://www.facebook.com/groups/287737948785200  https://twitter.com/IrishMenopause

This is a Bonus Episode for more than one reason. Bonus because I am joined by TWO powerhouse, fabulous women to talk about Peri to Post Menopause and their experiences. Bonus because it’s an extra episode this week and possibly most importantly, bonus because YOU can get involved. Emily Barclay heads up The Perimenopause Hub, bringing together world wide resources and experts on Perimenopause and Menopause so that women feel supported and heard. “Just getting that word, Perimenopause, was a weight lifted.” Loretta Dignam is an award-winning Marketer of the Year, who is CEO of The Menopause Hub, Ireland's first and only dedicated multidisciplinary menopause clinic, opened in December 2018. In this episode we discuss, Testosterone, Brain Health, Chronic Fatigue, the Wilderness of Perimenopause, Dry Eye, Migraines, being sent to A&E for symptoms and Loretta’s story of hot flash magnets - not to be missed! Most importantly, we introduce the Menopause Walk 22 - Stride by Side - what, when and why and how YOU can get involved. https://www.charityfootprints.com/StrideBySide/ You can find Emily at https://perimenopausehub.com Perimenopause Hub on FB, @perimenopausehub on Insta @perimenohub on Twitter. You can find Loretta at https://www.themenopausehub.ie/ @menopausehub on Insta The Menopause Hub on LinkedIn

When you combine open, honest, feisty, and strong with a good sense of humour and a full tonne of knowledge, you get Erin Holt. Having struggled with an eating disorder for 13 years, she decided to educate herself so that she could heal. She has a great, high energy and solid knowledge laced with humour for a unique and customised approach to women’s health. She dives deep with women to get to the root cause of their health issues and finally get answers to their mystery symptoms. “We shouldn’t normalise suffering. Perimenopause is not a time when you need to suffer.” In this episode, Erin shares how to set your day up for success, why we should have confidence in our own knowledge, especially when it comes to our own bodies, and she gives seriously sound advice if you are ready to take charge of your life. You can find Erin on Instagram @the.funktional.nutritionist & on her website https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com and her podcast is https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/the-funktional-nutrition-podcast

Freddy’s story is one of self reinvention time and again, especially during her perimenopausal and menopausal years. Now 20 years Post Menopause she is able to share with us why Menopause is so much more than the end of bleeding. From suicidal ideation through divorce to dancing on stage and celebrating herself, Freddy now shares her knowledge and experience with others and the glory of being Post Menopause. “It’s a really interesting thing, that morning when you wake up and think, I don’t give a damn anymore.” In this episode, we discuss her life, her strategies, the impact of declining estrogen on people’s lives, “Menopause is never a solitary experience” and what symptoms she believes you should look out for. She also has five things she would like to say to men. You can find Freddy on LinkedIn @FreddyCarrick and you can find her book, ‘Menopause Unzipped’ and her tracker, “What the Heck is Wrong with Me?” on Amazon.

Are you having good orgasms? A practising midwife for 20 years, Nadine has gathered and harnessed an expansive knowledge of herbology, breathwork, fire walking and sexuality to become the Embodied Wild Woman and Sacred Sexuality Coach she is today. Are you feeling like a shadow of your former self, unseen, low libido, a bit lost? Is there help? Yes! Nadine understands we need to be seen, nourished and cherished and sexuality is about far more than just sex, it’s a life force. “Women Change The World.” In this episode, we talk a lot about the importance of sex and sexuality. How, when it comes to midlife, you don’t want to be worrying about your floppy boobs falling into your armpits! How women’s number one sexual need is to feel desired and why you need to find your passion - what lights you up?! “Perimenopause is your life saying, ‘Stop messing around!’ We are no longer going to compromise.” You can find Nadine on IG @iamnadinerobinson and on her website https://nadinerobinson.com