Redefining Midlife with Jo Clark

Episode 88 of the Redefining Midlife podcast focuses on debunking the myth of a one-size-fits-all approach to health and wellness, tailored especially for busy midlife women. Each person’s body and experience is as individual and diverse as our fingerprints, increasing the need for personalised health and wellness strategies. In this solo episode, I touch on topics including:

• The ever-changing landscape of health needs, particularly during and after the menopause transition and the importance of adapting to evolving requirements.

• Real-life examples of my body and how past experiences, injuries, and health issues shape current health needs and wellness practices.

• The distinction between lifespan and healthspan.

• Ways I am embracing the mind-body connection with an approach to health and wellness that addresses both mental and emotional well-being.

The Better Than Before membership (BTB) provides health and wellness resources, community support, and accountability for women in transition. As mentioned I will be sharing further details about upcoming workshops and how to sign up in the next episode.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to interview amazing everyday midlife women who are doing incredible things. My goal is to use this platform to amplify their voices and showcase their achievements, instead of constantly focusing on celebrity culture. Today, we have an inspiring guest, Angela Hucker, who will share her story with us. Angela is a rare gem in her field, with over 20 years of experience as an industry expert in the male-dominated world of construction. She has an impressive portfolio which includes projects in power, oil and gas, renewables, infrastructure, commercial, civil, and industrial sectors. She has even been featured on the U.S. TV show Megastructures. However, it is her firsthand experience as a FIFO (fly-in-fly-out) worker in remote areas of Australia that has ignited her mission to eradicate the challenges faced by women in the industry and advocate for much-needed change. Angela is the founder and CEO of EPIC (Empowering People in Construction), a dynamic venture that aims to reshape the Australian construction sector by tapping into the potential of women. She is a true force for change in our society and as you will hear in our conversation, she is incredibly humble yet determined and powerful. Tune in and enjoy our discussion which covers:

• Living life to the fullest, adapting to challenges, and embracing change.

• Large-scale projects with budgets reaching billions, like Dubai International Airport and Ferrari Resort.

• The less visible aspects of construction management, such as handling disputes and overseeing contractors.

• A confrontation that had Angela terrified and determined to make a change to the industry.

• The new laws that have recently been implemented and still require significant attention.

• The importance of addressing subconscious biases and educating others to create a cultural shift and change behaviours.

• Focusing on retention and addressing issues rather than just increasing the number of women in the construction industry.

The symptoms of menopause and being overworked can often overlap, making it difficult for women to connect the dots early on. They may dismiss their exhaustion and lack of sleep as simply being overburdened with responsibilities. However, it can be hard to distinguish between hormonal changes and other stressors in life. Today's special guest is Dr. Niamh Leonard, a GP and menopause specialist who has helped countless women manage their menopause symptoms. With a master's degree in sports and exercise medicine, she also emphasises the importance of staying active and eating well during menopause, not just for longevity but for overall quality of life. Dr. Leonard strongly believes that if women have access to accurate information, they will make the best decisions for their health. Our healthcare needs change as we age, and Niamh reminds us of this reality. Listen in as we chat about:

• Are hot flushes a common experience for all women?

• Understanding the importance of pH levels and beneficial bacteria in the vagina for protection against UTIs.

• The function of our ovaries when producing hormones and how levels of oestrogen can fluctuate and how women may be able to supplement effectively.

• How it can be challenging to find a knowledgeable and understanding GP.

• Is fasting a good idea for women going through perimenopause and menopause? Some ideas that may help and useful information about the research.

• Things to look forward to post menopause and changes that can alleviate symptoms.

The term ‘midlife’ can make many of us uncomfortable due to its negative connotations and societal expectations. Midlife is also a stage of life that is often misunderstood and misrepresented in media and advertising. 

Due to increased life expectancy, midlife has become a newly defined stage and in this episode, I am redefining midlife - exactly as the podcast says. Tune in as I talk about this important topic and cover:

• Why we need to rebrand midlife. 

• When midlife occurs - typically between the ages of 40 - 65.

• The multiple transitions that occur (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) during this stage.

• The internal and external changes that occur as we re-evaluate our goals, relationships and sometimes even contemplate our own mortality.

• The societal pressures to look young and defy the ageing process, especially for women.

• The positive benefits of wisdom, resilience, emotional maturity, freedom and increased happiness that occur in midlife. 

Reframing how we view midlife isn't just about boosting our self-esteem, it's about living our best lives. By embracing this stage with enthusiasm and openness, we open ourselves up to new opportunities for growth, fulfilment, and happiness. You’re not too old and it’s never too late to redefine your midlife. 

There have been several common themes throughout the 84 episodes of the Redefining Midlife Podcast so far and in today’s solo episode I would like to share with you 3 Essential Strategies to Thrive in Midlife. Research emphasises the critical importance of lifestyle habits during this phase and how implementing modest changes can yield significant health improvements. Despite knowing the importance, many women struggle to translate this knowledge into action. Listen as I talk about:

• Prioritising health and wellness for longevity and firing on all cylinders.

• Investing in yourself for self-discovery and personal growth, in particular moving from living on autopilot to living a life by design.

• How small steps, like journaling or seeking mentorship, can lead to transformative change.

• The significance of cultivating supportive relationships and surrounding yourself with supportive and uplifting people.

• Exploring new groups, hobbies, or communities to connect with like-minded individuals.

Implementing these three essentials—prioritising health, investing in self, and cultivating supportive relationships—can transform your midlife. I look forward to bringing you further insights and guests who can provide knowledge and value alongside the life you are building and thriving in.

The emotional rollercoaster of midlife can be like a tangled mess of wild emotions, ranging from ecstatic highs to abysmal lows and this can come as a huge surprise for many women. For this episode we have the pleasure of inviting Kirstin Bouse back to the podcast, a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist with nearly three decades of experience who specialises working with midlife women. When her own perimenopause journey began six years ago, Kirstin looked to psychology and other health disciplines to make sense of and address what she was experiencing. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Since then, with considerable perseverance Kirstin found many colleagues across health disciplines ‘hiding in the shadows’ who are experienced in, and passionate about, working with women during this significant life stage. Listen in as Kirstin shares her experience and knowledge and we talk about:

• How we cannot ignore the histories of our lives that we bring to menopause and, although there are many events that affect us internally, they also have an external expression and experience.
• Statistics that suggest the higher rate of depression and anxiety at various stages of the menopause transition and how it tends to look different than at other times in a woman’s life.
• When rage takes over, the anger and irritability side of the roller coaster.
• Fluctuations of hormones, crashes in mood, and women who may not fit the typical criteria for depression, making us feel like we’re going a bit mad.
• Challenges in identity, value and how we feel about ourselves.

Kirstin has brought practitioners together and founded All About Her - The Centre for Menopause. The Centre is a community of practitioners from a wide range of health-related disciplines dedicated to elevating the voices, wellbeing, and lives of those who are navigating the menopausal years. As such, All About Her offers up-to-date information, evidence-based health-care services and innovative events and programs to menopausal women. In line with their core purpose of being ‘All About Her’, they offer their practitioner ongoing professional development and training and opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

In this episode, we are introduced to Dr. Karen Coates, a leading holistic medical doctor and naturopathic physician. She shares insights on longevity medicine, lifestyle choices, and evidence-based healthcare. She has also co-authoured the book How to Be Well, a Handbook for Women with Sharon Kolkka. Karen continues to share her knowledge through regular workshops on integrative medicine, women's health, wellness and longevity. Her expertise has also attracted the attention of Australia's highest profile celebrities and elite Olympic athletes who seek her guidance as a medical consultant. This is an amazing episode where you can hear all about:

• How our unique genetics and lifestyle choices impact our ability to thrive in our stress driven society.
• Evidence for food-based options rather than supplements in many situations because much of what we put into our mouths speaks directly to our genes.
• Looking at cardiovascular health in a pre-emptive way rather than a reactive way.
• Stress as an inevitable part of women in their 40s and how it can create anxiety and depression.
• How multitasking can actively destroy nerve cells in our brains.
• Epigenetics - how our lifestyle and what we eat has the ability to switch our genes on or off - leading to positive or negative health outcomes.
• How Dr. Karen increased her lifespan by over a decade and ideas about how you can as well.

Dr Karen is not just a medical doctor; she is a visionary in the field of longevity medicine. Her dedication to evidence-based practice, and her expertise in integrative medicine, makes her a true pioneer in the pursuit of optimal health and well-being.

In episode 81, we'll be discussing a topic you may not have heard of before: intuitive eating. Our guest, Dr. Jen Salib Huber, is a registered dietitian and naturopathic doctor who helps women manage menopause without diets or food rules. During this transition, many women experience weight gain and body changes, influenced by societal pressure for a certain size or shape. Dr. Huber works to normalise that bodies change for all kinds of reasons and aims to teach women to become intuitive eaters and build body confidence in midlife. I just know you will gain so much from this episode as we discuss topics such as:

• How it can feel like the carpet is pulled out from under us and nothing works like it used to in our earlier years.

• Assumptions about health, ageing, and body images that go against women as unique individuals.

• Natural vs managed menopause.

• Similar changes in our brains and hormone receptors in puberty and menopause.

• Weight changes in midlife (they aren’t what we are led to think!)

• Un-dieting and retraining old cycles.

When I think of today's guest, Tania Jolley, the words that come to mind include self-belief, intelligence, tenacity, courage, and determination. She is an extraordinary woman who wears many hats - innovator, entrepreneur, wife, mother, and a fierce player in the beauty industry with her groundbreaking product, Lashes of Change. In today’s episode I chat with my friend and find inspiration throughout her life and as she makes a positive impact on the world. Listen in as we talk about:

• Her early life with an undetected hearing difficulty which didn’t stop her from streaking ahead.

• How she is a survivor, having battled breast cancer in 2017. This challenging journey has fuelled her philanthropic mission, with her product aiming to address both medical and environmental issues.

• Her childhood and the challenging moments of her 20s have shaped who she is today.

• Her character growth as she navigated through life's ups and downs while remaining focused on her goals.

Sharing difficult moments may not be easy, but it allows us to connect with others, offer help and support, and feel less alone. Tania is deeply committed to leaving a positive impact on the world and aims to divert over 1 million mascaras from ending up in landfills (where they currently all end up). She also has a strong desire to leave a lasting legacy of a world free of breast cancer.

Since the start of the year, how many women have managed to stick to their resolutions? There are several common hurdles in achieving goals, such as lack of clarity, accountability, and fear of failure. In today’s short solo episode, I’m breaking those goals into actionable steps, and focusing on progress over perfection to achieve success. Listen in as I discuss:

• Research that suggests a small percent of people don’t follow through with resolutions from the start of the year.

• Unintentional reasons why we sabotage our goals.

• Lack of clarity and specificity when defining what we want to achieve.

• Finding community for support and encouragement.

• How we can sometimes get paralysed into inaction which impedes our chances of success.

Recently, at a networking conference for women in business, I spoke to women in their forties to mid-sixties who were going through multiple transitions and feeling unprepared. They realised they had lost a sense of self and hadn't thought about what they wanted this stage of life to be like. As someone who has experienced this, I know how overwhelming it can be. That's why investing in personal development is necessary, not just a luxury, especially for women in midlife. Let's explore five reasons why and address common barriers that may hold you back from exploring this further. In this episode you will learn and hear about:

• What rediscovering your passions and purpose can do for women in midlife.

• Feeling disconnected from ourselves after raising children or pursuing a career.

• Our physical and mental wellbeing and nurturing your body and soul as well.

• Reinvention. The ticket to making things happen.

• Self-help vs shelf help. It's not enough to just simply see, read, and absorb the information that you've got if you don’t take action to see change in your life.

Rediscover your passions and purpose, enhance your physical and mental wellbeing, create a fulfilling life, overcome limiting beliefs, and realise that knowledge alone is not enough. Personal development means saying yes to what makes you come alive, taking care of yourself, embracing change and chasing dreams, silencing doubts and fears, and turning knowledge into action. By doing so, you not only improve your own life but also inspire those around you. We have more opportunities than any other generation of women before us.

Today I have the pleasure of introducing my good friend Kirstie Smolenski. She is a multifaceted woman juggling various roles and pursuing new educational endeavours at 56. Her journey emphasises the importance of taking action, embracing change, and seizing opportunities for personal growth and reinvention. As you’ll hear in our chat, Kirstie continues to defy the expectations around her, so listen in as we chat about:

• Reminiscing about how she was actually one of the shyest kids you could ever come across and how different that is today.

• How she has stood firm in her professional career, even when others didn’t believe in her.

• Caring for her ageing and sick father with young children and how that defined a lot of her journey.

• Going back to study later in life, in a completely different direction to what she thought was possible.

• How running for local council and as an independent in the last election was a huge learning curve and recognising what the community needs and the old-fashioned ways that still remain within the political scene.

Step into the powerful story of Barb Mosslar, a woman who has risen above countless adversities throughout her life. Her journey is one of incredible transformation and resilience, as she has overcome challenges that could have easily held her back. The Barb Mosslar we will meet in this episode is a very different woman to the one from her younger years. Today, she is happily living in the vibrant city of Brisbane with her husband and two young adult sons. Listen in as Barb shares many remarkable stories and talks about:

• How life wasn't always rosy for Barb. Her difficult upbringing and struggled with low self-esteem and limiting beliefs due to being a heavier girl.

• Writing from a young age and premiering in New Idea back in the day.

• Her love for her role as mother, and how her boys drove her to change for the better.

• How consistency, determination and one step at a time plays a part.

• Studying under somewhat difficult circumstances and setting goals that she was able to achieve with young children by her side.

• Her adventure to becoming a published authour.

• Finding love in her midlife and a cheeky story about yes vs no and how the stars aligned in their favour.

She is the author of The Do-able Diet, published in 2006 by Allen & Unwin, which documents her extraordinary weight loss of more than 45kgs at age 26.  To top it all off, she is currently writing her second book which tells the story of how her weight loss and book success led to a total life and mindset reinvention!

I encourage you to follow her travel and lifestyle adventures on Instagram @brissiebarb.

Women in midlife are seeking a life full of energy, both now and into the future. We lead busy lives and often it can be hard to make time for healthy habits. In today’s episode we’re diving into the fascinating world of habits, in particular, micro-habits. I can honestly say for me, adding micro-habits into my day over time changed my life and it's changing the lives of the women that I coach and mentor. Listen in to this short episode as I share what has worked and why and talk about:

• Understanding that health is built on numerous small decisions daily.

• Definitions and impact of micro-habits on overall wellness as they integrate into your daily life.

• Focusing on small, achievable steps rather than significant changes.

• Creating patterns and routines in neural pathways.

•  How micro-habits can cultivate discipline, resilience, and self-awareness for mental health benefits.

• Change begins with one step, emphasising progress over perfection.

• Joining forces with like-minded individuals enhances accountability and support and how friendly competition within a group boosts motivation and goal achievement.

For as long as this podcast has lived, I have dreamed of this show being a place where everyday women in this stage of life can also feel seen and heard. And today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Michelle Parsonage, who also has a podcast very similar to this one. Like most of us, Michelle doesn't think that her past or her present is particularly interesting or important. That's not the case at all. As a listener, you might hear parts of Michelle's background story and find that they might be similar to yours. Listen in as we chat about:

• How she found her wings and never looked back.

• Finding herself at a crossroads as her children became self-sufficient.

• How we can reflect on our choices later in life.

• Going to uncomfortable places and finding purpose in the process.

• The power of unravelling conditioning after decades of stories and beliefs we have held onto, how that is easier in company of others and speeds up the process.

• How wisdom can help you to keep unravelling and moving forward to another level.

By the time you get to midlife, the majority, if not all women have gone through some sort of hardship, adversity and difficult times and Kat Finnerty has certainly had her fair share. When she was diagnosed with MS at 24 and given a prognosis that she would be wheelchair-bound by 40 she refused to let her disease define her. Against all odds, Kat managed to cure her "incurable" disease and that is only part of her story. Listen as I chat with Kat about:

• Being the eldest of 5 children in a somewhat chaotic small space and how experiencing grief has shaped her journey.

• The interesting and surprising approach to how Kat views a gift received on her birthday.

• Mental health hurdles and how Kat sees that every joy has sadness and ecstasy has an agony.

• How she delved into the world of yoga, Buddhism, and alternative therapies, transforming her mind and body in profound ways.

• Choosing 12 hours after a betrayal felt like it turned her life upside down.

• And of course…never letting a good disaster go to waste.

In today’s solo episode I’m exploring big transitions, specifically when entering the empty nest stage. Every single major life stage or transition that your child enters also means that you have one as well. I've experienced them all firsthand, so I know that they can be incredibly difficult and emotional. Tune in as I share my understanding about how your life can feel like it's suddenly turned upside down and chat about five strategies including:

• Exploring or revisiting hobbies and interests. Creative activities such as visual arts, writing, dancing, joining a book club or gardening group.

• Focusing on health and wellness. With newfound time, parents can establish regular exercise routines, adopt stress-management practices, and explore new nutritious recipes.

• Reconnecting with partners and friends. This period is an opportunity to rekindle relationships that may have taken a backseat due to parenting demands.

• Personal or professional development. Consider this transitional phase as a time for self-discovery and setting new goals.

• Redesigning and repurposing home spaces. As children move out, parents can reimagine their living spaces to suit their current lifestyle.

The redefining midlife podcast speaks to women, many of whom are mothers. Today I have Jane Bards, a dedicated psychologist, working in private practice, where she employs a holistic and neuro affirming approach to therapy. Her therapeutic style combines evidence-based practices with a deep understanding of individual needs, fostering personal growth and resilience. Jane has completed additional study in perinatal psychology and is a Circle of Security Parenting facilitator. Jane considers her role as ‘Mum’ to be the most important, challenging, and fulfilling aspect of her life. Navigating the complexities of parenthood has not only shaped her personally but has also enriched her professional journey as a psychologist, providing unique insights into the intricate tapestry of human relationships and personal growth. Listen in as I chat to Jane and talk about:

• Building on connections and parenting throughout the lives of our children.

• The changes we have seen in parenting in the past 20 years, including advancements in technology and regulation skills.

• Increased access to information which can allow for reflection, learning and intentional parenting in different ways to previous generations.

• How the role of mother doesn’t always get easier, it’s just different.

• Being the support person and often observing mistakes without interfering.

• Caring for ourselves throughout our mothering journey.

What happens when two women called Jo meet and chat for the Redefining Midlife Podcast? A wonderful and full of life conversation centred around the community! Jo Harvey brings a vibrancy and energy to this conversation which cannot help but ooze and overflow into a smile on your face. She is candid and refreshingly honest and generously shares her own ups and downs throughout her life. After working in publishing for most of her working life, Jo established 50sowhat, a community for like-minded and the young-at-heart where you can celebrate being as relevant, hip, and cool as the first time you slipped on a pair of skinny jeans. When she’s not road-testing the latest cosmetics, or investigating the hottest lifestyle, travel, fashion, and beauty trends for over 45’s, Jo is often back home catching up with family and friends. Listen in as I chat with Jo and talk about:

• The misrepresentation of midlifers in media and how this prompted Jo to create a community of like minded women who can laugh, share, talk, cry, and be there for each other.

• Growing up with a free childhood in New Zealand and how that has fueled fun and satisfaction in her midlife years.

• Her journey in media, including career at New Idea and falling in love with marketing and sales.

• Inspiration from her mum and sister, including seeing shifts and incredible journeys in midlife.

• Health hurdles for her husband, with an increased outcome of putting yourself first and not letting life get you down.

• Social media as a platform for the midlife community to connect, have incredible conversations, and open-up to possibilities.

• The privilege and excitement of getting older and how we evolve together.

It’s hard to believe 2024 is just around the corner and while we enjoy a break for the festive season, I invite you to a few recaps of popular episodes of the Redefining Midlife Podcast. Firstly, I’m revisiting episode 19 which talks about the power of a word for the year. For the past couple of years, I’ve chosen a word of the year and it’s really helped me to be more intentional about my thoughts and my actions. If you’re feeling the need for a change, or you’re wanting to improve something, a great way to go into a brand spanking new year is to have a focus word. This has proven to be more successful than resolutions and can really help you to hone in on what you want more of in your life. Jo explores her own experiences in this solo episode and chats about:

• The benefit of having a focus word is that it provides an anchor and encourages you to think both consciously and subconsciously when you’re making decisions. Specifically, what you want more of and what you want less of in your life. 

• The focus words for the last few years and what is coming up for 2024.

• How to come up with your word of the year, what to improve, do differently, what we want more of in our lives.

• How to keep your focus in the forefront of your mind.

In today's episode, we're delving into a topic that strikes a chord with many women—navigating the complexities of the festive season. Beyond the glittering lights and holiday cheer, this time of year can bring unique challenges, stress, and heightened expectations. Joining us for this insightful discussion is Kirstin Bouse, a clinical and forensic psychologist with nearly three decades of experience. She is the owner of Perth Psychology Collective, who offer a wide range of psychological assessment and therapy services to the local community. When her own perimenopause journey began 6-years ago, Kirstin looked to psychology and other health disciplines to make sense of and address what she was experiencing. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Since then, with considerable perseverance Kirstin found many colleagues across health disciplines ‘hiding in the shadows’ who are experienced in, and passionate about, working with women during this significant life stage. Listen in as we discuss:

• Women bearing the brunt of a lot of the pressures which come with Christmas and planning, organisation, responsibilities and more surrounding the festive season.

• Increased stress and anxiety at the end of the year, especially with different family structures which are now surrounding us in society.

• Expectations we put on ourselves that can elevate stress, anxiety, and anticipatory anxiety.

• How Christmas can be a perfect storm of variables.

• Challenging relationships and carrying unconscious load. How we often try to smooth the edges.

• Loneliness and grief at Christmas.

• Practical ways we can continue building our resilience muscles (even when it’s not Christmas time).

• Setting boundaries and practicing how it feels, what it looks like and what it means in midlife.

• Dividing up our own 100% and conversations about planning, dividing up and different family dynamics.

There is no doubt that by the time women reach midlife we have had our fair share of experiences. My guest today has gone through more than lots of women put together and she talks about it easily and freely now which is why this episode will be part 1 of 2 which will follow next week.

Before diving into the details, I would like to recognise that these discussions can be triggering for some and encourage you to prioritise your wellbeing while listening along to our conversation.

Bev Williams-Krause is an incredible individual who shares her stories of cancer treatment in her early twenties, mental health challenges, pregnancy loss, grief and heartache, her immigration and more. I have no doubt you will be as mesmerised as I was by this fabulous woman as we discuss:

• How her life is a treasure of stories and much more than meets the eye.

• Her dream of moving to Australia from Birmingham in the UK at around eight years old and eventually landing safely at age 48.

• How freedom in her childhood both benefited her and helped her learn a few lessons along the way!

• Responses from her body when getting pregnant and the gratitude for teamwork as she was finally able to carry her daughter to 28 weeks.

• Differences in the responses from medical professionals decades ago in comparison to current practices.

• Trying to compartmentalise our lives to the point where everything bursts open.

• Mental health breakdowns and how she navigated through a long healing and still uses many tools today.

We’re approaching the end of the year rapidly, and today I'm discussing how we can overcome five common pitfalls to succeed in 2024. Let's examine our behaviours and explore ways to change for better success and completion. Listen as I explore:

• The statistics and research behind failure rates.

• Looking beyond resolutions and countering behaviours that hinder progress.

• Lofty and unrealistic statements.

• The importance of the SMART goal setting framework, how it works, and examples of actionable goals.

• The significance of planning.

• Holding ourselves accountable to achieve important resolutions.

• Visioning, determination, commitment, and success.

Belinda Joyce is thinking outside the box and creating new and exciting career opportunities in midlife. As a midwife, maternal and child health nurse, mother of four and author of ‘Survive and Enjoy Your Baby, How to Find Your Path to Parenthood’ she is a shining example of how to redefine your midlife. Throughout her career of over 20

years, she has worked with thousands of parents and newborns during childbirth

education, prenatal, labour, birth, postnatal and special care nursery. Listen in as we chat about:

• Nostalgic moments from our childhood, including playing with dolls and dreaming of futures.

• Her support for parents throughout her career and within her own parenting journey.

• How she extended her wisdom and understanding for mothers after becoming a mother herself.

• How she has extended her studies to further her career.

• How our big ideas of how we want to mother can change once we are living it day to day.

• Mothering once our children have left the nest, how it never ends, just changes and grows alongside you.

• Our identities as mothers in midlife.

Belinda now provides online resources and programs for Mums, corporate parent groups, and has 'The Baby Circle', a supportive online community for new Mums.

One of the things I love most about each passing year is the amazing people who come into my life for the very first time. Today’s guest is one of those very special ladies who I met only this year. Talented and beautiful with an infectious laugh, she is a woman of many talents. Aims is a founder and mentor at indybindy.com.au. This is where you’ll find her fabric store that specialises in independent designer fabrics from Japan and the Indy Bindy Sewciety. Aims has created a community for sewists to gather and connect over a shared passion. She is dedicated to helping sewists dive deeper into their creativity, bring more joy to their days and see the ripple effects in the rest of their lives. Listen in as we chat about:

• Her love of travel all over the world and the many places she has visited.

• Growing up wanting to fit in and assimilate.

• Navigating cultural differences.

• Pushing ourselves outside our boundaries and Aims experience living overseas as a student and what that taught her.

• A love story of how she met her husband and the many aspects they had in common.

• Her passion for sewing and how it was a part of her identity outside of motherhood.

• The love for community and crafting.

• Her other love for martial arts and her dreams, desires, and aspirations within the sport.

Today is a personal episode about what redefining your life means and my path from the past to my life now. Specifically about my work life now in comparison to what it has been in the past. If you’ve been listening to the podcast in the past you may remember I left a solid and reliable teaching career to take a big leap into entrepreneurship. I hope it lands for some listeners, with a caution it may be triggering in some aspects as I cover topics that women often keep to themselves. Listen in as I talk about:

• Excitement and happiness as I walked back into my office after a trip of a lifetime to France.

• The horrible sinking feeling when the holidays were going to be coming to an end, particularly those big summer holidays, Groundhog Days, and running on an emty tank.

• How my identity was wrapped up in my work and how teaching changed and morphed and was no longer aligning with my beliefs of education.

• Empty nesting and grief in midlife alongside the hormonal ups and downs of perimenopause.

• The bathroom floor moment that shook me up and led me to making big decisions.

• Realising you haven’t had a chance to think about your second half of life and nothing is going to change unless I did.

• Learning to meditate and how much it changed everything.

• Finding and supporting others through leading through example.

• The small steps to create the life that you truly deserve.

If you were in a place where you couldn’t jot down the questions I asked myself as discussed in this episode, here they are below:

• How do I want the next half of my life to look?

• What can I do to change the things that I'm not happy with?

• What do I really want to do for the next three to four decades?

• How do I want to feel and be when I'm 80?

• And what are my next steps going to be? 

The book mentioned in this podcast that I recommend is The Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware.

Recently I’d suffered the effects of many months of ongoing frequent and severe migraines and believed it was a result of chronic sinusitis. Yet, through persistence and research I discovered this was a common misunderstanding. It was at this time I came across the work of Professor Anne MacGregor. She has over 35 years clinical experience across headache and women’s health, which means she is well equipped to help women who experience migraine and suspect hormones are playing a part in that. This was an area of medicine that had a huge impact on people’s lives but was rarely taken seriously and very under researched. She became particularly interested in how women’s hormones affected headaches and took up additional posts in menopause and contraception to complement her work in headache. Anne and I discuss such an interesting topic and chat about:

• The difference between headache and migraine.

• Chemical reactions, circadian rhythms, and how they contribute to migraine attacks.

• Migraine misdiagnosis and confusing factors, especially in midlife.

• HRT and hormonal contributions to migraine.

• Contributing factors such as genetics, brain awareness, hypervigilance, balance, glucose, and sleep.

• Myths when it comes to migraines and the importance for women to trust and listen to their bodies.

• Migraine thresholds and education to manage and acknowledge to lessen the impact of stress in our daily lives.

• How the role of oestrogen, progesterone, hot flushes, and cycles in perimenopause can be specific to your individual makeup.

You are about to meet a very special person in my own midlife journey who I met a number of years ago and who I felt an instant alignment with. Tracy Harris is the founder and head coach at tracyharris.co, which happens to be Australia's leading online community and online education platform for mums in business. She is fiercely dedicated to supporting big hearted women who are wanting to design their life first and a business second by using Instagram as part of a complete digital strategy as a successful seven plus figure digital entrepreneur. She also helps women to grow and scale their own online courses and memberships. Listen in to this wonderful conversation as we discuss:

• Her immigration story and spending her first few years in Cape Town, South Africa.
• Common threads through her life which have contributed to her success today and a wake-up call that left her determined to live each experience to the max.
• How we can have less attachment to money and choose love, memories, and experiences through the choices we make and the life we create.
• Her life as an educator and learner, how she continues to facilitate integration and embodiment of knowledge.
• What a good mentor and being a mentee to others means to her.
• Her own identity shifts and how she missed the bigger picture while feeling stuck and swallowed after having children.
• How she started and grew her business with her now husband Karl and the honest truth about reprogramming our brains as digital entrepreneurs.

Tracy is a strong advocate for increasing the profile of mums in business and helping more women to become successful entrepreneurs themselves, whilst honouring family life and values. I hope you got just as much from this conversation as I did.

Today on the podcast, we'll be talking about a topic that is rarely discussed openly, often seen as a taboo subject. Yet, it's a life altering health issue that affects one in three women. We're going to be talking about pelvic floor disorders and how for many women, these issues can increase substantially during perimenopause and menopause.

To help us learn more, our guest expert is Christina Machray. Christina is a highly experienced women's health physiotherapist from Embody Movement on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. She has got a special interest in women's health physiotherapy, and she helps women who have issues with incontinence, prolapse, pelvic floor dysfunction, pre and postnatal care.

Tune in as we chat about:

• Christina’s own career progression and how she landed in pelvic care and physiotherapy.

• Differentiating that while a lot of people may experience pelvic floor dysfunction, common does not equal normal.

• The role our pelvic organs plan in helping to support our spine, upper body, and daily functions.

• Changes in oestrogen and tissue as we approach perimenopause and menopause and how it can have different impacts for different people.

• Leakage. What to expect, increase in midlife, and how it can impact our lives. What role physiotherapy can play in curing and reducing incontinence (you may be surprised at the statistic!)

• Prolapses and what to think about for redefining our own midlives as women.

And as always, we learn that prevention is better than cure and please remember this episode talks about general information, it is not a one size fits all. Talking openly about a very common, yet a very personal issue really does help to remove any shame or embarrassment. So this is definitely an episode that I encourage you to share with the other women in your life.

Our guest on the podcast today is Dr Peta Wright. She is a highly qualified and well respected gynaecologist and founder of Vera Women's Wellness. Dr Peta strives to take a holistic approach to managing the health concerns of women of all ages. And when it comes to treating any gynaecological condition, Peta ensures that she educates and informs her patients and aims to empower them to achieve the best quality of life possible.

Peta completed her undergraduate medical degree at Monash University in Melbourne in 2004. She has completed a master's of reproductive medicine and also a certificate in women's integrative medicine. In today's episode, we talk about her approach to women's health, as well as cover some important information about the menopause transition.

Dr Peta also answered some of the most common questions women in the transition want answers to. We also discussed her brand new book, Pelvic Pain, that has recently been published. And this book is going to change the lives of countless women. I'm in absolute awe of Dr Peta Wright. She's a difference maker and her approach to women's health is so refreshing.

This episode is jam packed with so much helpful information and we need more women to hear what Dr Peta shares today. So make sure that you share this episode with the women in your world who would benefit from hearing it.

This week we’re revisiting the final two most downloaded episodes of the Redefining Midlife Podcast. I’d love to welcome back Letetia Berthelsen from Episode 26 and Melina Bagnato from Episode 20.

Both women are near and dear to my heart. With their relatable and down-to-earth nature, they share their unique stories with their own edge of personality and flair. I’m amazed at their bravery and courage and I know you’re going to enjoy the highlights from Letetia and Melina.

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In this episode of the Redefining Midlife Podcast, we sit down with the extraordinary Sally Oulton, a woman whose life story reads a bit like a Hollywood blockbuster. Sally's journey began in rural New South Wales, where she once dreamt of becoming a farmer's wife. However, fate had something entirely different in store for her. We delve into Sally's incredible adventures, from meeting a King to cooking for a Prince and even being chased by pirates on the Red Sea. Her tales are nothing short of awe-inspiring, and the ease with which she shares them left me saying "wow" more times than you can count. Though Sally has traded the high seas for a quieter life with her husband and two daughters, the past decade has seen her transform a mere $4,000 investment from the back of her garage into a thriving business. She's a woman who embraces bravery and bold action, and her story will leave you eagerly anticipating the next chapters of her life. Relax and listen as we chat about:

• Overcoming being in a minority and dealing with how having a hearing impairment has not stopped her at all.

• Life adventures which seemed to show her resilience and courage.

• Importance of goal setting and writing them down.

• A huge range of sea adventures which have taken her all around the world.

• Finding gaps in the market and turning them into opportunities.

• Her bespoke tour adventures in Bali and plans for the future.

There’s something special about 55. It happens to be my birthday number this year and it also has a great feel to it. Last week we revisited the most downloaded episode of the Redefining Midlife Podcast and this week I’ve decided to recap two other guests who are incredibly inspiring. Kate Toon from episode 18 and Vanya Insull from episode 33. While they have different life experiences, there are common threads to their stories. Both have also released bestselling books since their episodes were aired. I’m in awe of how talented both Kate and Vanya are, and I know you’re going to enjoy the highlights from each of them.

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Ellice De Giovanni lives, learns, and teaches alongside her motto of simplify to magnify. She believes the brain is the master switch for our health and wellness and it’s a matter of use it or lose it. Ellice has an extensive health and wellness background spanning 20+ years. From ex-athlete, advance care paramedic, health coach, and functional neurology. Everything she does is very geared towards helping others thrive in this lifetime. Take a listen as I chat to her about:

• Recovering and recuperating our bodies so that we can move well again.

• Thinking about neurology-based exercise and what that looks like for the future.

• The brain as the boss of your body corporation, how movement fits into only a small percentage of information we have coming in.

• Her F.A.S.T. tools for optimal brain health and wellbeing of the body.

• Jo’s real-life example of how you can activate the input and output for your brain, and how you can use it too.

• Different ways we stimulate (or don’t stimulate) certain aspects of our brain as we enter midlife such as vision, balance and coordination.

• How pain comes from our brain and how poorly mapped regions can be strengthened.

• The role of the lymphatic system and how we can help ‘empty the bins’ in midlife. Including some great visual examples!

The Redefining Midlife Podcast is reaching a big milestone today, with 50 episodes to celebrate. Given 90% of podcasts don’t even get past three episodes and a further 90% who do get past three, don’t make it past 20 I reckon that is something to be really proud of. Today I’m featuring one of our most downloaded episodes to date. It was a short solo episode all the way back at episode 14 called Perimenopause, Puberty in Reverse.

If you’re like me and the majority of women, you probably thought that menopause just happened. Some hot flushes when in your fifties, your period stops, and you ticked off a list and carried on. It’s way more than that. It is not only important for women, but also important for anyone who lives with, works with, or is in a relationship with a person who has menstrual cycles. Basically, everyone. Tune in as I revisit this episode and talk about:

• Puberty in reverse and how it is the winding down, rather than the ramping up.

• How perimenopause starts happening without you even realising and how it can be entirely different, or with some similarities to other women around you.

• How hormones play a part. Starting with lower progesterone, paired with erratic oestrogen, with changes to insulin metabolism. Meaning our hormones are in a constant state of flux.

• How the years of perimenopause are a critical window for your health and wellness and what we can do to manage health problems from turning into larger and more permanent health problems in the future.

I look forward to bringing you many more episodes just like this one, and recapping a few more special ones for you to listen to in the coming weeks.

Were you asked the question, what do you want to be when you grow up? Maybe your answer changed on the daily, there generally isn’t a one size fits all, wake up one day and decide this is going to be the thing I’m going to do for the rest of my life. My guest today is Sonya Choi La Rosa and, like many, she has worn many hats in her journey to midlife. For more than 25 years Sonya has helped women elevate their personal and professional lives. As a Certified Fashion Stylist and holding an MBA in Technology, strategic transformation is at the core of her work. Listen in as we chat about:

• Growing up with a love for the sewing machine, textiles, and design. And a Eurasian background and how that shaped her past, present, and future.
• The ability to create something from nothing and pleasure found in design.
• When we have tunnel vision and are focused on an endpoint, not realising that the tunnel we are following does not fulfil.
• The importance of style and feeling comfortable and passionate about midlife.
• How to politely talk to naysayers who may try to talk you out of your dreams.
• Juggling many balls in the air in her career and home.
• Thinking about the wardrobe from yesteryear and how we can adapt our style in midlife.

What happens when two women called Jo meet and chat for the Redefining Midlife Podcast? A wonderful and full of life conversation centred around the community! Jo Harvey brings a vibrancy and energy to this conversation which cannot help but ooze and overflow into a smile on your face. She is candid and refreshingly honest and generously shares her own ups and downs throughout her life. After working in publishing for most of her working life, Jo established 50sowhat, a community for like-minded and the young-at-heart where you can celebrate being as relevant, hip, and cool as the first time you slipped on a pair of skinny jeans. When she’s not road-testing the latest cosmetics, or investigating the hottest lifestyle, travel, fashion, and beauty trends for over 45’s, Jo is often back home catching up with family and friends. Listen in as I chat with Jo and talk about:

• The misrepresentation of midlifers in media and how this prompted Jo to create a community of like minded women who can laugh, share, talk, cry, and be there for each other.

• Growing up with a free childhood in New Zealand and how that has fueled fun and satisfaction in her midlife years.

• Her journey in media, including career at New Idea and falling in love with marketing and sales.

• Inspiration from her mum and sister, including seeing shifts and incredible journeys in midlife.

• Health hurdles for her husband, with an increased outcome of putting yourself first and not letting life get you down.

• Social media as a platform for the midlife community to connect, have incredible conversations, and open-up to possibilities.

• The privilege and excitement of getting older and how we evolve together.

As women in midlife, we all have a unique life story. A few years ago, my life was quite different and on the outside, I seemed just fine. But in reality, I was like a duck paddling underwater. I really didn’t want to examine my life too closely, and certainly didn’t want to bore or burden anyone with the details. It turns out that we’re quite often like others in our own hot messes. Listen as I reflect, share my story and chat about:

When life looks great on the outside and the idea of soldiering on, even though life is going at breakneck speed.

How our role changes in midlife, whether it’s due to empty nest, loss of our parents, changing careers and more.

The seesaw of perimenopause and hormones.

The bathroom floor moment that brings us to our knees and how they can help bring us back to our senses.

Seeing firsthand the consequences of chronic disease and poor medical advice and taking responsibility that I did not want for myself.

I recognise that my inner transformation work, decades of teaching experience, studies and mentoring expertise have all led me to create a heart-led business that supports women through this phase of life. 

If you’re wanting to make some positive changes in your life but you’re not sure where to start I would love to invite you to explore with me the options as mentioned in this episode.

When I introduce Alena for this week's episode, I explain she is an amazing everyday woman who is doing extraordinary things, and this conversation has only extended my thoughts further. Her life experiences have ignited a passion in her that has paved the way for helping others, particularly mothers who face maternal depletion. She is an award-winning educator, podcaster, and holistic health mentor with over 30 years of experience. Listen in as I chat with her about:

• Early life trauma patterns, big T and little t and stigmatisation of family dynamics that may help us understand more in midlife.

• Overcoming abusive addiction, including homelessness, rehabilitation and catalysts for change.

• Single motherhood challenges which have helped to shape Alena’s current relationship and led to contrasting outcomes.

• Extended her family in her early 40s.

• Our right to authenticity and how motherhood gives us an opportunity to rethink who we are, but often that opportunity is not embraced.

• Our relationship and connection to ourselves and those surrounding us.

The menopause transition can give a smorgasbord of brain-based symptoms that, for some women, can be debilitating. On the podcast today we’re going to find out exactly what’s going on with our brain during this time with Australian-based, Kiwi born, neuroscientist Dr Sarah McKay. Sarah is the director of The Neuroscience Academy, which offers professional development training in applied neuroscience and brain health. The best thing, she makes it easy to understand and considers recent scientific developments in the process. In this powerful and insightful discussion I chat with her about:

• Gender equality and how medical sciences are adjusting. Plus the impact and change that has on research and questions currently being explored within neuroscience.

• Pregnancy and motherhood through the lens of neuroscience and positive upsides that carry through to midlife.

• HRT culture, past and present. Hindsight and better understanding of past research, alongside how it can assist women who are currently going through symptoms in midlife.

• How the brain adapts as we settle into the midlife phase and the physiological changes we experience in our body.

• Influences of melatonin, adrenaline, oestrogen and progesterone in the neuroscience realm.

• The importance of sleep. How much it impacts so many cognitive functions and brain abilities, especially in midlife.

• Genetics and breaking the cycle by investing in your health and wellbeing.

My guest today is Kim Adams. She exemplifies how our life can have twists and turns, yet still provide us with ample opportunities which are still left to explore. Kim has led an ambitious and outwardly confident life, while also living as an introvert masquerading as an extrovert. She admitted to enjoying a fast paced life that was hiding chronic anxiety and contributing to an eating disorder. Listen in as I chat with Kim about a number of topics including:

• How life has changed for her over the years, from a country childhood and hairdressing to executive leadership and working overseas.

• Health and fitness and relationships between our body image and eating.

• Anxiety and depression. Longing to understand to improve ourselves, while also making sure we don’t get stuck on trying to find out why.

• The psychology side of yoga and what Kim learn about Balinese spirituality and using yoga as a tool to manage anxiety and finding self-acceptance in who you are.

• Finding balance between being curious, trying lots of different things and reminding yourself that none of those things are the answer. That comes from within and it’s up to you.

The other morning when I woke up, I knew something didn’t feel quite right. It had been a while since I’d felt that low so it took me by surprise to the point of sideswipe. If you’ve been listening along for a while you probably realise I’m usually fairly upbeat, but sometimes life throws a few things all at once and I found myself in the swing of moods that so many women experience in perimenopause. Listen as I share my experience and talk about:

• The hormonal changes in your body, such as fluctuating oestrogen. 

• How mood swings can affect you and those around you when you’re not feeling quite yourself.

• Feeling overwhelmed, but not really being able to explain why and how this can impact your self-esteem and confidence.

• Giving yourself some TLC, including walking in nature and getting your body moving with fresh air.

• Water and nutritious food and not making your treats your meals in order to try to feel better.

Life isn’t all rainbows and unicorns for me either and I do hope that sharing my emotions and experiences allows you to realise you are not alone out there. Mood swings are a normal part of the perimenopause process and I encourage you to practise a little self compassion by reminding yourself that you’re doing the best you can.

Deciding if or when to have a baby is a big decision for most women. With so many layers attached, there's no black or white answer, and every single woman will have her own unique set of circumstances to take into account. Today’s guest has an incredible story to share on her road to children and the twists and turns that she took in order to get her happy ending. It was after a relationship breakup in her early 30’s that a colleague asked Meg if she was worried that she wouldn’t have children of her own. This hadn’t even occurred to Meg, she thought that she would meet someone one day, and they would start a family. Though, as her 30’s sped by and became her 40’s, she realised that even though there were sometimes men around to date she didn’t feel like having children with any of them. She still wasn’t too worried, her mother and grandmother had children naturally in their early 40’s, she was just following a family tradition. Listen in as I chat with Meg and talk about:

• Remote living and the lessons it can teach you for later in life.

• IVF as a single, midlife woman and the long process that she went through.

• How finding people to support you through difficult times can be an absolute blessing.

• The emotional rollercoaster and dealing with difficult hurdles.

• Finding strength in who you are as a person and learning what you want out of life.

Our guest today is Jess Soto-Ramirez and this conversation sparkles with enthusiasm, inspiration and a genuine edge that shines through. Jess has realised over the years how much of a mind game it can be to be in business and how her experiences have taught her skills to work alongside our mind, rather than against it. Jess is a near and dear friend of mine, which means you can listen in to the conversation with ease as we discuss:

• Women in relationships. Mothers, daughters, grandmothers and the strength that stands firm in our hearts with some of our very first teachers in the world.

• Self-worth and awareness. Two big terms, with an even bigger impact on our lives and how we show up. 

• What self-sacrificing has to do with it all and what we can do in order to work with all the moving parts. Plus a real life example of what can happen when we put our needs at the cost of others.

• Do you care what others think? Jess and I question what this really means underneath the surface and getting clear on our fear of judgement and more!

• Changing the narrative, both inside and out in order to create new. Reframing through gratitude and our own mindset.

• The giggles and thrills about what life looks like into the future as we redefine and create the life we want.