Real Menopause Talk

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. ⁠
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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. ⁠
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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. ⁠
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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.⁠
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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. ⁠
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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.⁠
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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. ⁠
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This all highlights the importance of education of our doctors, ourselves and the generations coming up behind us. For physical AND mental health support. ⁠
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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

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/