A midlife update from Rachel on what’s been happening lately and what’s coming up for her as we move towards summer.  She talks about: - Cherishing loved ones and coping with grief - Recent podcast episodes Being a veteran Black menopause and staying curious Staying strong and healing Embodied experience of postmenopause Discovering the joy of volunteering Finding what works in midlife The power of herbs - Questioning big claims about hormone therapy and future health - The Mind Body Spirit Festival (London) and Everywoman Festival (Cardiff) - Poverty in later life being a gendered issu ..read more

Dr. Maria Luque is a menopause fitness expert, a health science professor, and an Air Force veteran. She’s passionate about helping menopausal women become healthier, stronger, and happier. Her PhD dissertation was all about enhancing quality of life in menopause. We talk about: - What quality of life in menopause means to Maria - Maria’s research on menopause - Misinformation and fear surrounding menopause - Embracing menopause and aging - Challenging menopause narratives - The influence of marketing and misinformation - Overcoming analysis paralysis - Trusting your own knowledge and instinct ..read more

Ann Marie Jackson is the co-founder of microlending organization Mano Amiga and works with Casita Linda, which builds homes for families living in poverty in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. She’s lived as an expat in Mexico for a decade, is a columnist for Mexico Daily News and recently wrote a novel inspired by her life called the Broken Hummingbird. We talk about: - Why Ann Marie moved her family to Mexico - The joys of living in San Miguel de Allende - Ann Marie’s passion for volunteering - Her experience working on human rights in China - The dangers of white saviourism and how to navigate ..read more

Stella Duffy is an award-winning writer of 17 novels, over 70 short stories and 15 plays who’s also worked in theatre for 35 years as an actor, director and facilitator. She’s a psychotherapist and a yoga teacher. She recently completed her doctorate in existential psychotherapy and her research was in the embodied experience of post-menopause. She’s been post-menopausal since chemotherapy for breast cancer in her mid-30s. Stella has been active in equalities and diversity work in the arts and LGBTQ+ communities for many decades. We talk about: - Stella’s experience of menopause coinciding wit ..read more

Dr Kristie Ennis is a physical therapist, nutritionist, and strength and conditioning specialist. She wants to empower people to do more than they think they can and realize they are stronger than they think they are. She has a fantastic YouTube channel, which is where podcast host Rachel found her when she injured her knee. We talk about: - The importance of letting the body heal itself - Fascia and its importance in body movement - The importance of drinking enough fluid  - The dangers of sitting too long - Hormone related aches and pains in women - The importance of considering the who ..read more

Pamela Windle joins the podcast to talk about menopause, at work, for Black women, diversity of experience, the importance of representation and staying curious about big statements about women’s health, especially when those relate to race. Pamela is a women’s health coach and menstruation and menopause consultant for the workplace. She trained with the Integrated Women’s Health Institute and the International Menopause Society. She’s an adviser to the British Standards Institute for the new standard on menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace. We talk about: - Menopause ..read more

Cat Corchado is a US Air Force veteran turned founder of the Small Space Pilates Community. She’s made it her mission to help women veterans transition from the military, and is the host of the Sisters in Service podcast. We talk about: - Why Cat is still very active in the military community - Women veterans’ transition challenges and successes - The Sisters in Service podcast - The importance of identifying oneself beyond military service (as the transition to civilian life can be challenging) - What first took Cat into the military and where she served - Cat’s transition from the military a ..read more

Elaine Reynolds is a master personal trainer and yoga teacher. She teaches women over 50 to not give up or give in with the crazy things happening to our bodies. She had an epiphany at 50 and bought a one way ticket to Bali, where she lives now.  We talk about: - What’s it like being an expat in Bali and what she loves most about it - Elaine’s passion of helping older women stay fit - Issues that older women are grappling with in midlife - Menopause, aging and fitness - The importance of strengthening and stabilising muscles around joints to support aging bodies and improve recovery from ..read more

Sherry Sidoti is an author and a yogi. She recently published her first book, a memoir about her own healing journey, A Smoke and a Song. This is such a powerful and moving story highlighting how we can heal ourselves by exploring and accepting our experiences, and coming to terms with the past. We talk about: - What inspired Sherry to write her book - Sherry’s journey to writing a memoir - Sherry’s experience as a yoga teacher and how it has helped her learn to use language sparingly and effectively - Writing a memoir with a focus on self-expression and ethical considerations - How Sherry was ..read more

Dr Sola Togun-Butler is a psychotherapist and transformative life coach. She’s the founder of Butterfly Counseling Services and speaks regularly on the importance of mental health and wellness, while offering solutions to minimize stress, prevent burnout and achieve balance.  We talk about: - The importance of addressing societal expectations that lead to burnout in women, particularly in midlife - The guilt that arises from cultural and gender expectations that women should prioritize their children and family over their own needs - How changing thought patterns through cognitive restruc ..read more