Hosted by Sonya Lovell, the founder of Stellar Women, a Personal Trainer with over 12 years experience and a Breast Cancer survivor, Dear Menopause will help women understand what the hell is going on, why and what they can do to make the menopause transition more manageable. With Sonya's lived experience and through the experiences of her clients, she knows that the menopausal transition, or perimenopause, is a confusing and frustrating time for many women, not all, but many. They feel exhausted, overwhelmed, helpless and that's before we even start talking about that complete loss of libido! Dear Menopause delivers a balance of episodes with a broad range of women’s health experts as guests and interviews with women who are happy to share their perimenopausal, menopausal and midlife stories. Sonya is a firm believer that knowledge is power and that through the sharing of stories we can not only educate and empower women, but also become advocate's so that we can collectively raise our voices and as Grace Tame would say, make some noise! Dear Menopause covers it all, no topic is taboo or off the table - look out! Whether you are experiencing surgical, medical or natural menopause, Sonya is making it easier for women to talk about it openly and loudly, rather than in the whispered asides that our Grandmothers had to before us. For more information about Sonya and Stellar Women, visit https://stellarwomen.com.au/
74: Atomic Health #4: Menopause: Challenging the fear-based narrative
What if you could change your perspective and embrace menopause as a positive transition rather than dreading it? Buckle up, as we, Sonya and Roma, challenge the fear-based narrative often associated with perimenopause and menopause, particularly on social media. We delve into the confusion caused by brands misusing the term 'peri' and the dire need to educate and inform women, especially in their mid to late 30s, about the onset of perimenopause.We're not just stopping there; we're also standing up for better education and healthcare standards on women’s health, specifically around menopause and perimenopause. We discuss the pressing need for enhanced training for GPs and clinicians and the establishment of national standards for information dissemination and education. Doing so, would provide women with reliable sources and eliminate the compulsion to rely on potentially misleading social media content. In this final segment, we explore the cavernous gap in support and knowledge around managing menopause. We pay tribute to the invaluable contributions of healthcare professionals like Dr Ginni Mansberg, Dr Kelly Teagle, Dr Louise Newson, and Dr Avrum Bluming in this field. We discuss the impacts of the menopausal transition, the fear-based narratives often seen on social media, and the lack of options in education and regulation around menopause and perimenopause. Join us as we discuss transforming fear into empowerment and reframing menopause as a positive life transition.Resources:Roma van der Walt | Vitelle https://www.vitelle.co/Sonya Lovell | Dear Menopause https://www.dearmenopause.au/Monash University Menopause Information SheetDr Avrum Bluming - Estrogen MattersDr Ginni MansbergDr Kelly Teagle - WellFemmeDr Louise NewsonPink HopeThank you for listening to my show! Join the fun on InstagramTake the Midlife QuizStellar Women Website
8/29/2023 • 42 minutes, 45 seconds
72: Atomic Health #2: Pilates Is Not a Cure-All for Women
As we age, the importance of a balanced approach to exercise becomes paramount, but where does Pilates fit into this mix? In this chat with Sonya Lovell and Roma van der Walt, we venture down the path of women's health and longevity, discussing Pilates and its role in overall fitness. We share our experiences and highlight the differences between mat and reformer Pilates.But don't be fooled; Pilates is not a cure-all. We emphasise the importance of aerobic exercise in combating cardiovascular diseases, a leading cause of death among women in Australia and the US. And progressive overload through resistance training to prevent osteoporosis and muscle loss in mid-life.Variety is the spice of life – and exercise? Absolutely! We delve into the world of exercise variety, emphasising the need for a well-programmed strength regimen, a specifically tailored nutrition plan, and, potentially, some supplementation for women over 35. We believe in a balanced blend of cardio, strength, conditioning, core, stability, and mobility exercises throughout your week or even a 10-day period. And while flexibility is crucial, we caution against pushing too far, highlighting the importance of awareness to prevent potential injuries.We round off our chat with a comparison of flexibility and mobility. Spoiler alert: Mobility wins! It's not just about stretching; it's about the ability to move a joint in all directions and still be able to load it. We highlight the potential dangers of performing Pilates incorrectly and its possible contribution to injuries. We also underscore the power of strength training and sensible eating in maintaining a healthy body. To top it off, we touch on the concept of mindful nutrition and how it can aid in achieving your health goals. Settle in, and listen to our insightful chat about women's health, longevity, and making informed fitness choices.Resources:Roma van der Walt | Vitelle https://www.vitelle.co/Sonya Lovell | Dear Menopause https://www.dearmenopause.au/The History of PilatesProgression of volume load and muscular adaptation during resistance exercise - European Journal of Applied PhysiologyThe Importance of Flexibility and Mobility - Penn State UniversityThank you for listening to my show! Join the fun on InstagramTake the Midlife QuizStellar Women Website
8/15/2023 • 33 minutes, 51 seconds
60: Honouring the deeper internal shifts the menopause transition may bring with Kirstin Bouse
Have you had this thought? Hang on a minute, I've done so much for others for such a long time, when will it be my time?My guest this week, Kirstin Bouse says, "If not now, when."Kirstin is a Clinical (and Forensic) Psychologist with over 25 years of experience. She has always had an interest in supporting women through significant periods of transition in their lives (motherhood and menopause). Now, having begun her own journey of perimenopause around 5 years ago, and with a few challenges along the way, Kirstin now focuses her energies on understanding, advocating and supporting women.You will hear us talk about...Taking time to do a life audit - who we are, who we want to be, how we want to show up in this stage of lifeA shifting of identities and a desire to reinvest our energiesThe opportunity to bring back into our lives activities that, before adult responsibility, brought us joy and creativity and freedomWhat to do if you feel your career is no longer serving you and you crave a changeWhat Kirstin believes are the gifts of menopauseThe dark place that Kirstin went to during her own perimenopause saw her feeling lost, overwhelmed and unhopeful. And how she still navigates good and bad days.ResourcesKirstin's WebsiteKirstin on InstagramOther Episodes You'll EnjoyMenopause and Mental HealthBeing Human In the WorkplaceVulnerability and Growth during MidlifeJoin me for 4 days at the Grace and Power Retreat in September 2023 and learn how you can do menopause, your way. All the details can be found at http://graceandpower.com.au/Thank you for listening to my show! Join the fun on InstagramTake the Midlife QuizStellar Women Website
