In today's episode, Michelle engages in a heartfelt conversation with Eleri Kossler, a remarkable entrepreneur and former corporate lawyer, who shares her transformative journey through menopause. Eleri opens up about her personal struggles with perimenopause, including debilitating symptoms like depression, lethargy, and weight gain, and discusses the lack of support and understanding she faced. As the founder of Love Entrepreneurs and Silvertree, she emphasises the importance of reinvention and resilience, offering practical advice and insights for managing menopause symptoms.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The journey through menopause can be profoundly challenging, with symptoms such as extreme lethargy, depression, and anxiety affecting daily life and work performance. It's important to recognise that these experiences can vary significantly among women.

• Open discussions about menopause are crucial for breaking the stigma surrounding it. Sharing experiences can help raise awareness and foster understanding among partners, families, and workplaces.

• Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet and making lifestyle changes, such as reducing sugar intake, can significantly alleviate menopause symptoms. Personal responsibility for health choices is emphasised as a key factor in managing symptoms.

• There is a call for improved understanding and treatment options for menopause within the medical community. Many women feel that their symptoms are not adequately addressed by traditional medical approaches, highlighting the need for more comprehensive care.

• Eleri encourages employers to adopt flexible working arrangements to accommodate the needs of women experiencing menopause. This includes allowing for varied work hours and creating supportive environments that recognize the impact of menopause on productivity and well-being.

BEST MOMENTS

"I went from somebody that could function and work 12 hours a day with lots of energy to somebody that had to go to bed every two hours."

"I think men are realising now that these were economic losses for the business."

"I had to just accept it and give myself permission to just go to sleep if I needed to."

"If this had happened to men, there'd be, you know, no question there'd be a solution."

"I think we need to start thinking more about how we're going to holistically work this."

GUEST LINKS

https://growinspires.org/silvatree

http://love-entrepreneurs.com/

HOST BIO

Michelle is a highly respected Physiotherapist and Menopause Wellbeing Practitioner with over two decades of experience in the health and wellness industry. After experiencing seven years of debilitating symptoms herself before realising it was perimenopause, Michelle has since dedicated her career to helping other women navigate this transformative stage of life. Her personal journey fuels her passion for educating and empowering women, as well as training businesses and health professionals through her specialised menopause and wellbeing workshops. A best-selling author and sought-after speaker, Michelle combines deep clinical expertise with relatable, real-world experience. Through her podcast, "Menopause - The Real Deal," she offers evidence-based guidance, authentic conversations, and practical strategies. Listeners trust Michelle for her empathetic understanding and her commitment to helping women thrive, making her a leading voice in the menopause space.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/michelle.kimp.9/

Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@michelle_rowlinson

Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-rowlinson-38330b21a

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@MenopauseTheRealDeal

My Book: You, me conquering perimenopause & menopause https://amzn.eu/d/hCcbjag

Website www.panaceapause.co.uk

https://amzn.eu/d/j9xCawt

In this episode, Michelle explores the often-overlooked symptom of travel anxiety during menopause. Drawing from her personal experiences, Michelle shares how her confidence behind the wheel diminished unexpectedly, linking this change to hormonal fluctuations associated with perimenopause. She discusses the physiological reasons behind increased anxiety, particularly the decline in progesterone, and how it can manifest in various travel-related fears, such as driving at night or flying. The episode offers practical strategies for managing this anxiety, including taking small steps, practising mindfulness, and seeking support from others.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Many women experience sudden travel-related anxiety during menopause, affecting their confidence in driving, flying, and using public transport.

• The decline in hormone levels, particularly progesterone, during perimenopause and menopause can lead to increased anxiety and fear in situations that were previously comfortable.

• Sharing experiences with other women reveals that travel anxiety is a widespread issue, with many facing similar fears, such as avoiding night driving or public transport.

• Effective ways to manage travel anxiety include acknowledging the feelings, taking gradual steps to regain confidence, practising mindfulness and breathing exercises, discussing experiences with others, and seeking professional help if necessary.

• Talking about menopause symptoms, including travel anxiety, is crucial for support and validation, helping women realise they are not alone in their experiences.

BEST MOMENTS

"I thought maybe it was just a fluke or that I'd suddenly developed this irrational fear."

"When I started talking to other women about my experience, I found out just how common this issue is."

"As we go through perimenopause and menopause, our hormone levels decline, particularly progesterone."

"It's easy to feel like you're losing your confidence or that something's wrong with you."

"If the anxiety becomes overwhelming or starts to interfere with your day-to-day life, it might be worth speaking to a therapist or a counsellor."

HOST BIO

Michelle is a highly respected Physiotherapist and Menopause Wellbeing Practitioner with over two decades of experience in the health and wellness industry. After experiencing seven years of debilitating symptoms herself before realising it was perimenopause, Michelle has since dedicated her career to helping other women navigate this transformative stage of life. Her personal journey fuels her passion for educating and empowering women, as well as training businesses and health professionals through her specialised menopause and wellbeing workshops. A best-selling author and sought-after speaker, Michelle combines deep clinical expertise with relatable, real-world experience. Through her podcast, "Menopause - The Real Deal," she offers evidence-based guidance, authentic conversations, and practical strategies. Listeners trust Michelle for her empathetic understanding and her commitment to helping women thrive, making her a leading voice in the menopause space.

www.panaceapause.co.uk

@MenopauseTheRealDeal

@Michelle_rowlinson

In this episode, Michelle speaks with Dr. Debs Eastwood, a pioneering medical doctor and co-founder of Elixir Holistic Health. With a rich background in traditional medicine, including anaesthesia and stem cell research, Dr. Eastwood shares her transformative journey into holistic health, driven by personal experiences and a desire to revolutionise wellness. They delve into the complexities of menopause, exploring how holistic therapies can complement conventional treatments and improve women's health. Dr. Eastwood emphasises the importance of self-awareness, movement, and sleep, while also discussing the creation of a groundbreaking database of holistic practitioners.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Traditional medicine has its place, especially in acute situations, but a holistic approach can provide additional benefits for managing symptoms, particularly during menopause. This includes exploring natural remedies and lifestyle changes alongside conventional treatments.

• Women should develop a strong self-awareness of their bodies and listen to their needs, especially regarding sleep, movement, and nutrition. Recognising when to rest and when to be active can significantly improve overall well-being during menopause.

• Open conversations about menopause among colleagues, friends, and family can foster understanding and support. Sharing experiences and remedies can create a sense of camaraderie and help women feel less isolated in their struggles.

• Diet and lifestyle choices play a crucial role in managing menopause symptoms. Regular movement, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep are fundamental to maintaining hormonal balance and overall health.

• There is a significant gap in menopause education among healthcare professionals. Increased training and awareness about menopause can lead to better support for women experiencing symptoms, ultimately improving their quality of life.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think traditional medicine has a place, but for managing pain symptoms, I want something more natural and in tune with my body's rhythms."

"I now feel that there are so many other ways to address problems with regard to the way your wretched hormones make you feel."

"It's nice to sort of get a variety of ideas so that you can try new things and see if it works for you."

"A red flag is people that have no lived experience of it and obviously no training."

"If you feel exhausted by nine o'clock at night, listen to your body. Go to bed at nine o'clock."

GUEST RESOURCES

https://www.linkedin.com/in/debs-eastwood-31309b112

https://www.facebook.com/debby.eastwood

HOST BIO

Michelle is a highly respected Physiotherapist and Menopause Wellbeing Practitioner with over two decades of experience in the health and wellness industry. After experiencing seven years of debilitating symptoms herself before realising it was perimenopause, Michelle has since dedicated her career to helping other women navigate this transformative stage of life. Her personal journey fuels her passion for educating and empowering women, as well as training businesses and health professionals through her specialised menopause and wellbeing workshops. A best-selling author and sought-after speaker, Michelle combines deep clinical expertise with relatable, real-world experience. Through her podcast, "Menopause - The Real Deal," she offers evidence-based guidance, authentic conversations, and practical strategies. Listeners trust Michelle for her empathetic understanding and her commitment to helping women thrive, making her a leading voice in the menopause space.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/michelle.kimp.9/

Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@michelle_rowlinson

Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-rowlinson-38330b21a

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@MenopauseTheRealDeal

My Book: You, me conquering perimenopause & menopause https://amzn.eu/d/hCcbjag

Website www.panaceapause.co.uk