The Happy Menopause

Jackie Lynch - Nutritionist & Author

Join award-winning nutritionist and author Jackie Lynch as she takes you on a journey through midlife to learn how diet and lifestyle can help you take control of your menopause symptoms.

Each month Jackie covers a different topic, from managing hot flushes or dealing with anxiety to intimate health and strong bones. She'll introduce you to some fascinating guests who can offer expert advice on managing midlife hormonal changes and challenges, so that you truly can have a happy menopause.

Find out more about the podcast and Jackie's work by visiting well-well-well.co.uk or follow on Facebook, Instagram or X at @WellWellWellUK.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

123 episodes
Updated July 2

Episodes123

Newest first

Oct 1, 2020 · 35 min
How Nutrition Can Help You Manage Your Menopause, with Registered Nutritional Therapist, Jackie Lynch - S2. Ep 4.
It’s October at last and my regular listeners will know that my new book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish comes out this month. This book has been burning away inside me for a long time now, as there simply isn't enough information out there to support women during this hugely transitional phase of life. So I've drawn on my clinical expertise as a nutritional therapist and included all the information about diet and lifestyle that you could wish for to empower you to build you own menopause diet and specifically target the symptoms that are troubling you. It really is the one-stop solution for every woman juggling her menopause with the daily challenges of a busy life. This episode provides a sneak preview to some of the diet and lifestyle advice in the book and I’ve handed the reins of the podcast over to my colleague and friend Christien Bird of the excellent White Hart, because I’d like you to get the perspective of another health professional. Christien is a Chartered Women’s Health Physiotherapist and features in Season 1, talking about bone health. She’s a stickler for a proper evidence-based approach, so if she approves, then it’s definitely a good sign. I know she’ll take her usual forensic approach to questioning me, so that you can be sure to get an objective inside track on the book. We discuss my favourite nutritional strategy for managing menopause symptoms and take a deep dive into the range of different symptoms that can affect women and how the right diet can make a material difference to how you feel in your 40s, 50s and beyond. Find out why this is really not the time for a crash diet and why magnesium is every menopausal woman’s best friend! If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a 5-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps to spread the word, so that new listeners can find the show. Because every woman deserves to have a happy menopause. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Sep 3, 2020 · 37 min
Finding Passion, Profit & Purpose in Midlife, with Laurie Wright, Master Neuro Coach & Business Mentor - S2. Ep 3.
September is the perfect time to be thinking about new beginnings and of course midlife can often provide an opportunity for a whole new perspective too. As reproductive hormones subside, you’ll have the headspace to become more aware of yourself and to focus on your own choices, so it can be a time of big change. Many women decide to step away from the corporate world at this time to work independently or start their own business. So if you’re ready to do things differently and are looking for a new way to live and a little confidence boost to encourage you, this is the perfect episode for you. I’m speaking to Master Neuro Coach and Business Mentor Laurie Wright who’s made it her mission to ensure that nobody gets to the end of their life and has any regrets! Laurie is also known as Not Your Average Grandma but there’s certainly nothing average about her! She’s a certified Master Neuro Coach and Business Mentor who focuses on helping empty nesters find passion, purpose and profit in their life. Queen of the Midlife Transformation, she’s drawn on her extensive experience of a busy corporate role and her own personal and professional journey in midlife to develop a highly successful coaching business. Laurie teaches women how to discover what lights them up and then how to create a business around that passion, so that they'll never dread another Monday. This could be the start of something big for you, so tune in for some brilliant advice from a fascinating woman. We discuss Laurie's extraordinary journey and her own personal midlife transformation which will have you absolutely gripped! She's an absolute inspiration and a truly dynamic woman. One thing that especially struck me is when she said “Don’t ever use age as an excuse not to make your life better”. There’s a shot in the arm, if ever I heard one! Can you afford NOT to listen if you want to get your life onto a happy and fulfilling path through midlife and beyond? If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a 5-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps to spread the word, so that new listeners can find the show. Because every woman deserves to have a happy menopause. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Sep 3, 2020 · 35 min
How to Exercise Effectively in Midlife (Part 2): Exercising in Public Spaces, with Women’s Health & Fitness Coach Baz Moffat - S2. Ep 2.
This interview is Part 2 of my exercise series and is full of brilliant advice from former Team GB rower, medallist and women’s health and fitness coach Baz Moffat on the best ways for women in midlife to exercise. It was actually recorded some months ago, just before lockdown, but much of the advice became irrelevant at that stage because we couldn’t access all those public spaces that we’d discussed. And so we recorded a lockdown special about exercising at home, which is Part 1 of this podcast and aired back in April. But now we’re out and about again and the gyms and fitness centres are open, it's time to release this episode, so you can benefit from Baz’s brilliant advice as you launch your autumn fitness regime. With a lifelong passion for sport and exercise, and a degree and a Masters in sports science and behavioural change, Baz is fully equipped to motivate and support us with our exercise challenges as we transition through the menopause. She specialises in supporting women in midlife and knows exactly what we need to be doing to get fit and stay strong, and how to motivate us to get there. We discuss all manner of different types of exercise including dancing, swimming, yoga, resistance work and pelvic floor, as well as how to keep active when you’re deskbound. Whatever your fitness status, Baz is full of simple, practical advice, so tune in for some excellent exercise analysis. If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a 5-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps to spread the word, so that new listeners can find the show and join The Happy Menopause party. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Sep 3, 2020 · 39 min
How to Have Great Hair, with Dr Sharon Wong, Consultant Dermatologist & Hair Specialist - S2. Ep 1.
Welcome to Season 2 of The Happy Menopause podcast. We're kicking off with a fascinating episode which focuses on hair, because dry and thinning hair can be one of the most frustrating symptoms of the menopause. Of course, hot flushes, anxiety and fatigue can have a hugely negative impact on women, but there’s something about hair that is particularly emotive. I think many of us carry our identity as a woman in our hair and thinning hair and poor condition can often exacerbate that loss of confidence that hits some women in midlife. So I’ve reached out for some expert advice in this episode from consultant dermatologist and hair specialist Dr Sharon Wong and what a revelation it was! Dr Sharon Wong is a consultant dermatologist who specialises in treating hair and scalp disorders. After graduating with a first class honours degree in medicine and clinical genetics, Sharon pursued her specialist training at some of the most prestigious hospitals in London. She went on to set up a dedicated hair loss clinic at Homerton Hospital. Sharon now runs her private clinic at the HCA Outpatients Centre in the iconic Shard at London Bridge and is a sought-after speaker in her specialist area. In short, she’s a super-busy woman, so I’m thrilled that she found time to record this interview. Get your notebook ready before you start listening, because you won’t want to miss a single second of her expert advice, as we discuss the impact of genetics, ethnicity, diet and lifestyle on the condition of your hair. Sharon is full of fantastic practical advice on hair products and how to look after your hair in midlife to deal with all the challenging There really is nothing like listening to an expert talk about their subject. I learned a lot from Sharon and I think you're going to really enjoy listening to everything she has to say, and you might want to rethink your approach to hair care! If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a 5-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps to spread the word, so that new listeners can find the show and join The Happy Menopause party. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Jul 2, 2020 · 32 min
Joy & Adventure: How to Make the Most of Midlife, with Jo Moseley, Joy Encourager & Midlife Adventurer - S1. Ep 18.
Summer is here and lockdown is easing in most places so I thought this would be a good time to start thinking about new adventures. Midlife is a time which can be transformational and enormously liberating because the hormones that have driven your decisions, approach and emotions for years start to subside and there’s some space for you to become more aware of yourself and consider life from a different perspective. Lockdown has also offered a period of reflection for lots of us. I’ve spoken to several people who are considering making changes to the way that they work or how they live, so this episode is a great opportunity to explore that a bit further. I’m speaking to the brilliant Jo Moseley a self-confessed midlife adventurer who says that you’re never too old to do something wild and it’s never too late to make a difference. Jo describes herself as a joy encourager, midlife adventurer & beach cleaner. In 2019 she embarked on a coast to coast challenge in the north of England, travelling along 162 miles of canals on a stand up paddleboard, picking up litter & raising money for charity. But life wasn’t always one big adventure for her. Several years ago, Jo was hit hard by the perimenopause, so tune in to find out how she went from sobbing in the supermarket to paddleboard pro! Jo is an incredibly inspiring woman and it’s so interesting to hear her story. I really love that she’s done all this alongside her day job and bringing up her children. It just goes to show that you don’t have to make a drastic life change to introduce a bit of adventure into your life. I hope this episode gives you some food for thought to embark on your own midlife adventure. This is the end of Season 1 of The Happy Menopause and I’ll be taking a break in August. This is a great chance for you to catch up with any of the episodes you haven’t listened to yet. I’ll be back in September with Season 2, which starts with a series of specials to kick things off. I’ll be speaking to more inspiring women and exploring more of those pesky menopause symptoms, so look out for episodes on skin, hair, nails and much more over the autumn. In the meantime, I hope you have a great summer, full of joy and adventure! If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps to spread the word, so that new listeners can find the show and join The Happy Menopause party. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Jun 4, 2020 · 32 min
Nutrition for Managing Stress & Boosting Resilience, with Jackie Lynch, Nutritional Therapist - S1. Ep 17.and Author
In this episode, we hear from expert nutritional therapist and host of The Happy Menopause podcast, Jackie Lynch, as she explores a nutritional approach to managing stress. It’s been a bruising few months in lockdown and everyone has faced different challenges, which can’t have been easy. Whatever’s been going on with you, the chances are that your stress levels have been going through the roof at times and the combination of stress and menopause is an explosive one. That's why it seems to be a good time to focus on relieving stress and supporting resilience, and Jackie will take you through her favourite nutritional strategies to help you keep calm and carry on. Some new research has revealed that women have been bearing the emotional brunt of the turmoil around Covid-19. It was absolutely no surprise to hear that women were more likely to be delivering essential front-line services in low-paid insecure roles; more likely to be leading on child care and home schooling, more likely to be caring for elderly relatives; more likely to have contacted someone lonely or vulnerable; more likely to have checked on family and friends and delivered supplies to someone who is self-isolating; more likely to have their employment impacted; more likely to have their employment impacted; more likely to be uncomfortable with the lifting of lockdown. And this is the main problem for women: we’re hardwired to nurture, so at a time like this the pressure really is on and women are going into overdrive to check their family is safe and well, support those around them, keep everything and everyone in the household on an even keel, perform at work and as per usual put themselves at the very bottom of the list of priorities. Add that to the pressures of the menopause and you've got a toxic combination of challenges that could be having a very negative impact on you. As lockdown starts to ease and we emerge blinking into this new world, you’re probably feeling a bit shattered by the experience which is why this episode focuses exclusively on food and discusses nutritional strategies to reduce stress and support resilience in today’s podcast. Jackie draws on all her clinical experience to provide you with a range of practical tools to empower you to . Tune in to find out about the power of protein, why vitamin C is crucial and discover the nutrient that is every menopausal woman's best friend. Jackie will also take you through a range of stress-busting ideas for meals and snacks so you have plenty of practical takeaways to add to your daily routine, so that you feel better equipped to cope with the pressures of daily life. If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a review on Apple iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps to spread the word, so that new listeners can find the show and join The Happy Menopause party. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
May 7, 2020 · 39 min
How to Improve Your Sleep with circadian neuroscientist, Professor Russell Foster - S1. Ep 16.
Sleep can feel like the holy grail for women in midlife – something you’re desperately searching for which is incredibly hard to find. There are many reasons that sleep can be elusive during the menopause – hot flushes, night sweats, palpitations and anxiety can all play their part in disrupting our slumber. And when we don’t get enough sleep, this dramatically affects our health and well-being – leading to fatigue, irritability, poor judgement and loss of creativity; affecting mental health, immune function and even contributing to weight gain. But help is at hand with my latest podcast guest, as I speak to renowned sleep expert Professor Russell Foster who’s just the person we need to help us get our sleep back on track. Russell is the Founder and Director of the Sleep & Circadian Research Institute and Head of Oxford University’s Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology and has carried out decades of research into the science of circadian rhythms and sleep cycles. With multiple awards and worldwide recognition for his work and over 250 scientific papers on the subject, there’s no doubt that we’ll be receiving the very best advice to support our sleep. Discover Russell’s 4-pillar approach to getting a good night’s sleep; learn why sleep apps are mostly a waste of time and understand the science behind our circadian rhythms and how exposure to morning light is the key to a good night’s sleep. Russell is full of fascinating insights and practical tips to make a material difference to the quality of your sleep, so tune in to hear what he has to say. If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a review on Apple iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps to spread the word, so that new listeners can find the show and join The Happy Menopause party. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Apr 2, 2020 · 38 min
How to Exercise Effectively in Midlife (Part 1): Exercising at Home, with women's health and fitness coach, Baz Moffat - S1. Ep 15.
Exercise is a non-negotiable for women in midlife. It can make a material difference to bone density and muscle tone which both decline significantly during and post-menopause, and of course it’s also crucial for heart health, mental health and stress management. And with self-isolation now part of our daily lives, it’s more important than ever at the moment, for our overall well-being. In this episode I speak to Baz Moffat, former Team GB rower and women’s health & fitness coach, who thinks we all need to move more and she’s absolutely right! The UK is in Corona virus lockdown right now, so I speak to Baz remotely from her She Shed! She’s an exercise specialist and all-round inspiration with a fascinating story and she’s made it her business to support women in midlife with her Strong To The Core exercise programmes. A lifelong fan of sport, she put the groundwork in with a BSc (Hons) in Sports Science, followed by a Masters at Bristol University, where she became fascinated by the psychology of health-related behaviour change, in other words: how can you get people to do something consistently that they fundamentally don’t want to do, even though they know it’s good for them? Does that sound familiar?! I’m sure we could all benefit from her magic touch in the exercise arena, especially now we’re all stuck at home. Her new online programme, Strong With Baz, could be just what we need in these times of self-isolation! We discuss the importance of exercise for optimum health in midlife and beyond, and Baz is full of helpful advice about how to motivate yourself to exercise effectively at home during this time of lockdown, as well as looking ahead to a time when we can go back to our gyms, parks and pools. We explore the types of exercise that are most relevant for women in midlife and how to practice “body literacy”, so that you apply the approach that’s most appropriate for you and learn when to push through and when to go easy on yourself. I really enjoyed chatting to Baz, she’s full of good suggestions and useful insights. One of the things that really chimed with me was her comment that women will be hit especially hard by the Corona virus, taking on more caring responsibilities, home schooling, worrying about food supplies, nutritious meals and the overall well-being of everyone else around them. If that sounds familiar, then there’s no doubt that this episode will be very relevant to you! If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a review on Apple iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps to spread the word, so that new listeners can find the show and join The Happy Menopause party. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Mar 8, 2020 · 30 min
International Women’s Day Special: The Menopause Café – From Light Bulb Moment to Global Movement - S1, Ep 14.
International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It’s all about getting the message out there and enabling and empowering women to make a difference to their lives. So I thought it was the perfect opportunity to interview Rachel Weiss, the founder of Menopause Café, a grassroots project to support women in midlife and raise awareness in local communities. It’s an inspirational tale of how a light bulb moment can become a global movement! Rachel Weiss is an accredited counsellor, coach and entrepreneur, plus full-on menopause champion. Her work has made a tangible difference to women in midlife when she was inspired to start Menopause Café after watching a TV programme about the menopause in 2017. It’s taken off in a big way, expanding across the UK and a whole range of countries, helping to support women in local communities. She’s also founded the annual Menopause Festival (aka #Flushfest), a celebration of women in midlife which features everything from health and wellbeing workshops, arts and crafts activities and midlife-themed cabaret and stand-up comedy. Tune in to find out more about this incredibly dynamic woman and to hear the Menopause Café story. If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a review on Apple iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps to spread the word, so that new listeners can find the show and join The Happy Menopause party. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Mar 5, 2020 · 34 min
Transformation & New Beginnings – How to Reinvent Yourself in Midlife with Camilla Sacre-Dallerup, Life Coach and Author - S1. Ep 13.
The menopause might be the end of a chapter, but it’s also an opportunity for a whole new one. This stage of life can actually be transformative and enormously liberating on a number of levels, because the hormones that have driven your decisions, your approach and your emotions since puberty start to take a back seat. It’s an opportunity for a whole new perspective and a new start, where you can become more aware of yourself and have the confidence and head space to focus on your own choices. So that’s exactly what we explore in this episode, as I speak to the inspirational Camilla Sacre-Dallerup. One of her many wise comments in this interview is that “Confidence is like a muscle that we go to the gym and train” – find out how you can increase your self-confidence and boost your motivation so that you’re as happy and fulfilled as you deserve to be for the next phase of your life. Camilla is the perfect person to talk to about transformation and new beginnings. Some of you may know her better as a hugely talented and much-loved star of Strictly Come Dancing in the UK, but she’s talking to us in her other professional capacity. After winning the show in 2008, Camilla changed direction and decided to pursue a lifelong interest in psychology. She’s gone on to launch a successful business as a life coach, hypnotherapist and meditation teacher and has just published her 3rd book: It’s Not You, It’s Me: How to Heal Your Relationship With Yourself And Others. There is no better person to speak to about building your confidence and taking care of yourself so that you can transform your life:- not only has she done it herself, but she has all the motivational and mind tools to help you do it too! If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a review on Apple iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps to spread the word, so that new listeners can find the show and join The Happy Menopause party. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Feb 6, 2020 · 34 min
How to Boost Your Libido & Have Great Sex in Midlife, with Tracey Cox, Sex and Relationship Expert - S1. Ep 12.
Low libido is one of those extra little gifts from the menopause which you may not have expected. As sex hormones start to decline, it can have a very real impact on your va va voom and there are lots of ways this might affect you – vaginal dryness might make sex too painful; you may lack body confidence – it’s hard to feel desire for your partner if you’re not feeling very desirable yourself; fatigue or headaches – classic but very real reasons for saying “no thank you” to a nudge from your partner. Low mood, depression or anxiety will directly affect your motivation and all of the above may impact your relationship. If any or all of these are an issue for you, there’s very little chance that any bedroom action is on the cards, but help is at hand with the latest episode of The Happy Menopause. This podcast is full of simple and practical advice to get your intimate life back on track, as I have a frank conversation with Tracey Cox, who’s one of the world’s foremost writers on sex and relationships. She’s just the woman we need for this subject, because she’s been writing, researching and talking about sex for thirty years and has toured the world as an international sex, body language and relationship expert. Her multiple books include the best-selling Hot Sex: How to Do It and her brand new book Great Sex Starts At 50: How to Age-Proof Your Libido simply has to be the go-to sex and relationship manual for women in midlife! Tracey has so many brilliant and practical tips that you're sure to find the solution to whatever challenges you're facing in the bedroom, and I throw in some nutrition advice to help you tackle low libido. If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a review on Apple iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps to spread the word, so that new listeners can find the show and join The Happy Menopause party. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Jan 2, 2020 · 35 min
Managing a Healthy Weight in Mid Life with Dr Zoe Harcombe, Researcher & Author - S1. Ep 11.
It’s that time of year when you might be looking to lose a few pounds which isn’t an easy task for women in midlife. As if the menopause wasn’t tough enough, with all the different symptoms you experience, the gradual increase in weight that comes with the menopause can often feel like the last straw! This is the time in life where even women who’ve never had to watch their weight may start to notice that the pounds are creeping on and most women find that it takes a lot more effort to shift a spare tyre than it used to. But help is at hand with this month's guest: the brilliant Dr Zoe Harcombe joins me to talk through her tips for successful weight loss. Zoe is a researcher, author and specialist in weight management and obesity. It’s an area she’s always been passionate about, even when she was working full-time as a senior executive for a large blue chip organisation, where she somehow found time to publish 3 books on the subject! In 2007, she left to become a full-time researcher, and this culminated in the publication of The Obesity Epidemic: What caused it? How can we stop it? Zoe has also published numerous academic papers and her Harcombe Diet Club is an online community for people who are seeking support in developing a healthier lifestyle. Her advice is definitely worth listening to, so tune in to hear what she’s got to say! You'll discover Zoe's 3-step approach to successful weight management, learn why fat is your friend during the menopause and discover a brilliant new tip to stop to snacking in the evening. If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a review on Apple iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps to spread the word, so that new listeners can find the show and join The Happy Menopause party. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Dec 5, 2019 · 31 min
Food & Fashion to Fight Hot Flushes with Nancy Zeffman & Eileen Willett of Cucumber Clothing - S1. Ep 10.
Hot flushes can be a real nightmare for some women during the menopause. They're disruptive, embarrassing and uncomfortable, especially at work, in a social situation or at night. So what can we do about it? There are lots of ways that diet and lifestyle can pro-actively address hot flushes, and there are also some fabulous clothes out there that can help you keep your cool when you’re temperature is soaring. In this episode I take a look at some practical food and fashion solutions which will make a real difference to the way that you look and feel. Tune in for The Happy Menopause Top Ten countdown of diet and lifestyle tips to relieve your hot flushes and discover a fabulous fashion collection designed to keep you cool, no matter how bad your night sweats. Meet Nancy Zeffman and Eileen Willett, two inspiring women who set out to change the face of fashion for menopausal women when they founded their brand Cucumber Clothing just two years ago. Using clever tech fibres and drawing on Eileen’s fashion background, they’ve produced some truly gorgeous clothes. Their mission is to keep you looking and feeling cool, so that you’re happy and confident during the day and much more comfortable at night. Any woman who struggles with hot flushes and night sweats will definitely want to hear what they’ve got to say. Forget everything you thought you knew about natural fibres being the best and discover a whole new world of femtech clothing which are specially designed to make you look and feel good throughout the menopause. And it's not just about looking good! Cucumber Clothing has a strong sustainable ethos at every level, from the sourcing through to the packaging and labelling. It's a truly impressive story of what two determined women can achieve! Listen in to get your promotional code for 15% off the Cucumber Clothing range, so you can treat yourself this Christmas. Check the Show Notes for this episode on my website for more information and Terms & Conditions. If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a review on Apple iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps to spread the word, so that new listeners can find the show and join The Happy Menopause party. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Nov 7, 2019 · 34 min
Your Best Life: The Importance of Self Care for a Healthy, Happy Menopause with Dr Louise Wiseman, GP and author - S1. Ep 9.
Do you spend most of your time thinking about and looking after other people? It’s something women seem hardwired to do, but how good are you at looking after yourself and putting your health and happiness first? Our nurturing gene seems to have a blind spot when it comes to our own wellbeing, yet the menopause is the very time when self-care is incredibly important. “Your health in those 10 years before the menopause can actually affect how easy your transition is through it.” Wise words indeed from this month’s guest! In this episode I speak to Dr Louise Wiseman, a former GP, now health writer and motivator for women, whose first book “Your Best Life - A Doctor’s Secret Guide to Radiant Health Over 40” is due for release in Summer 2020. Louise has researched and written about all aspects of women’s health alongside the process of healthy ageing and has worked with specialists at the forefront of their fields. She’s interviewed 45 prolific women for the book to see how 'real women think' and what influences their attitudes to health and life over 40. The result is a fascinating snapshot of female life now, alongside evidence-based information to empower you to live your best life possible whatever your age! Louise and I discuss the importance of self-care and empowering women to put themselves and their health at the top of the list, because this is your time and both you and your loved ones will benefit if you’re feeling strong, happy and confident. For more information about Louise and the work that she does, as well as helpful resources related to this episode, check out the Show Notes on my website. If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a review on Apple iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps the show get found by new listeners who will really benefit. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Oct 18, 2019 · 37 min
World Menopause Day Special: Mid Life, the Play by Author Sheila Chapman - S1. Ep 8.
It’s World Menopause Day, so we are celebrating women in midlife and shouting about the menopause in all its glory. Over the past year, the taboo around discussing the menopause has been gradually chipped away, which is encouraging, but there’s very little portrayal of the menopause in the arts, so I’m excited to tell you all about new play called Mid Life which is coming to the Barbican in London in February 2020. We have 2 free tickets to give away, so tune in to find out how you could be the lucky winner. In this episode, I speak to award-winning author Sheila Chapman who has written a play called Mid Life which charts the experiences of three very different women and their journey through the menopause. Dr Isabel De Salis is also joining us remotely and her research project is an important part of the picture. The play aims to bust myths about midlife and the menopause, and Sheila drew on some of the key themes of Isabel’s interviews with menopausal women to develop the script and to give the characters a truly authentic voice. I’m pretty sure you’ll recognise several of the challenges they face, so that you’ll laugh and cry along with them if you go to see the play! Sheila has big ambitions to extend the show and the important messages it contains beyond the theatre to reach a wider audience. She’d like to put on shows for free in community centres, places of work and in libraries and host discussions which capture the diverse voices of all kinds of different women, which could be incorporated into future iterations of the show and also into a book that will be published next year. If you’d like to support this brilliant work and help Mid Life go on tour, you can make a donation via Sheila’s crowdfunder. For more information about this episode, details of the crowdfunder and how to win tickets to see the play at the Barbican, check out the show notes on my website. If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a review on Apple iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps the show get found by new listeners who will really benefit. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Oct 18, 2019 · 31 min
World Menopause Day Special: Know Your Menopause: How to Spot the Symptoms with the Pausitivity team - S1, Ep 7.
It’s World Menopause Day today and we’re celebrating women in midlife with this special episode. There’s no better day to be busting the taboo about discussing the menopause and raising awareness of the different symptoms women experience and the range of solutions available to them, which is why I’m speaking to the brilliant team from Pausitivity. They’ve made it their business to get menopause information out there and have been having a lot of fun long the way. It’s a great story, so tune in and enjoy! In this episode, I speak to three very different women, who’d never met before and who still haven’t met in person. They came together through social media due to their frustration with the lack of menopause information available for women and their determination to do something about it. Karen Kenning, Elizabeth Carr-Ellis and Clare Shepherd are the founders of the Pausitivity poster campaign. They always say, if you want something done ask a busy woman, and the Pausitivity women have certainly got things done! They’ve taken Twitter by storm and are doing quite an amazing job of raising awareness about the menopause. Listen to their fascinating stories and learn about their journey to get their Know Your Menopause symptoms poster in every doctor’s surgery. Their #PosterSelfie campaign is causing a real stir, receiving support from GPs, MPs, health campaigners and celebrities. They’ve even managed to get several guys on board, including Tony Hadley and Jeremy Vine! It's a very inspiring story and a real testament to the power of positivity and friendship. For more information about this episode and to find helpful links in the show notes, visit my website. If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a review on Apple iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps the show get found by new listeners who will really benefit. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Oct 3, 2019 · 34 min
Managing Stress Incontinence (Or How to Stop Leaking!) by Myra Robson, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist & Founder of the Squeezy App - S1. Ep 6.
Have you ever had a little wee when you sneeze, cough or exercise? Honestly? Because it wouldn’t be surprising. It’s called stress incontinence and it happens to 1 in 3 women, yet it’s the one thing we never speak about. 40% of women are too embarrassed to consult their doctor about it and just accept what the media has coyly termed “whoops” moments as an inevitable part of ageing. But it doesn’t have to be that way – for many women, the issue can be corrected in as little as 6 weeks with the right support. In this episode, I speak to women’s health physiotherapist Myra Robson, who specialises in pelvic health at Lewisham Hospital in London, supporting women with stress incontinence and prolapse. She’s absolutely passionate about getting the message out there and is part of the Pelvic Roar campaign team which raises awareness about pelvic health. She’s also the founder of the awarding-winning Squeezy app, to help us all keep on track with our pelvic floor exercises. “Common, not normal” is her view on leaking and she unravels the mysteries of the pelvic floor, so you understand exactly what’s going on when you leak and how you can stop it. There’s an awful lot of help out there, once you know where to look, and in many cases the solution can be very simple, so there’s no reason to assume you’ll have to pad up for the rest of your life. Myra explains how to do your pelvic floor exercises correctly, so join us for a ‘squeeze-along’ and find out what inspired her to create the brilliant Squeezy app, which I think every woman should have on her phone. It certainly helps me to keep on track with my exercises. Resolving your pelvic floor issues can be life-changing and make for a happier and healthier midlife and old age. Follow Myra’s advice and you’ll be able to laugh, sneeze and run to your heart’s content and never have another whoops moment. For more information about this episode and links in the show notes visit http://www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast. If you've enjoyed this episode please leave a review on Apple iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts as it helps the show get found by new listeners who will really benefit. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Sep 5, 2019 · 32 min
Managing the Menopause at Work with Menopause Trainer, Julie Dennis - S1. Ep 5.
The menopause can be stressful enough for women without the challenges of dealing with it in front of your colleagues. 75% of women of menopausal age are in work and will be affected by a range of symptoms, from hot flushes which are uncomfortable and can embarrassing; flooding which can be a nightmare if access to a toilet is restricted; or anxiety and loss of confidence which might impact your performance. In this episode, I’m talking to Julie Dennis, a specialist trainer and menopause coach who runs workplace workshops to support women in midlife. She’s full of practical ideas to help you navigate the challenge of the menopause at work and sensible strategies to ensure that you get the support you need from your employer. She’s also got some great advice for line managers on how to offer tangible support to their female workforce during the menopause. There are so many ways that life can be made easier for you and we discuss everything from mini USB fans and sanitary supplies to flexible working and occupational health support. Even very simple changes can help to make life bearable when menopause symptoms start to affect you at work and Julie seems to have a clever solution for everything. This episode aims to empower you to take control of your environment and make sure that you get the support you need, so that you feel more confident about coping with the menopause at work. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Aug 1, 2019 · 34 min
A Herbal Approach to Menopause Symptoms with Herbalist, Ed Joy - S1. Ep 4.
For centuries, people have used herbs in a medicinal capacity, from ancient civilisations through to today, where many modern pharmaceutical drugs are originally derived from plant extracts. Drop into any health food store and you’ll find a whole range of herbal supplements; chat to your friends and they may swear by a miracle herb that banished their hot flushes but you might not find it so effective, so it’s obviously not a one-size-fits-all solution. In this episode, I’ve invited herbalist Ed Joy to join me, so that he can demystify herbs for us and give you some practical suggestions for an herbal approach to your symptoms. Ed has over 20 years’ experience and he weaves a combination of homeopathy, naturopathy and nutrition into his work, taking a truly holistic approach. Find out why you should be stocking up on sage; which herbs might help with hot flushes, and how to calm your nervous system and reduce anxiety with supportive plant compounds. Ed is a positive mine of information about herbs and the best way to approach them. He also shares some brilliant foodie tips about the benefit of cooking with herbs, so that it’s not just all about over-the-counter remedies. Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.
Jul 20, 2019 · 34 min
Dealing with Anxiety, Overwhelm & Brain Fog, with Becks Armstrong, Founder of the Clarity App - S1. Ep 3.
Forget hot flushes! Anxiety and loss of confidence are some of the most underestimated and upsetting symptoms of the menopause. Many women are taken by surprise in their mid to late forties to suddenly discover that they’re doubting themselves and their abilities; feeling overwhelmed by tasks or projects they previously handled with ease; or simply experiencing a residual sense of anxiety which is hard to shake off. If this sounds familiar, then Becks Armstrong is your woman. Becks is a women’s health specialist, acupuncturist, traditional Chinese herbalist and doula. She’s also very interested in technology and how it can support our health. One of the ways she’s applied that is by founding the Clarity mindfulness app which is specifically designed to help midlife women who are struggling with menopause symptoms. There is an increasing body of research about the benefits of mindfulness in dealing with stress and supporting mental health. In this episode of The Happy Menopause, Becks and I discuss the issue of anxiety and overwhelm which is so common to midlife women and yet relatively unrecognised as a mainstream menopause symptom. Becks explains a range of simple and practical techniques to show how mindfulness, gratitude and paced breathing can quickly help to reduce stress and anxiety. She’s incredibly clever at suggesting ways of introducing mindfulness into your daily life, which is especially helpful for people who are new to the concept or perhaps a bit hesitant about whether it’s right for them. We try out a simple mindfulness exercise that you can try out at home, while you’re listening. Becks is passionate about the importance of ‘me time’, the ultimate luxury for every menopausal woman! Check out the full Show Notes for this episode on my website www.well-well-well.co.uk/podcast, where you'll find all the relevant links and references for each guest. Learn how to build your own menopause diet to manage your symptoms with my book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish. And if you're tired of feeling tired and grappling with brain fog, check out my new book: The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy; Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body. It's available in all the usual places.