Magnificent Midlife

Maryon Stewart is known as the pioneer of the natural menopause movement. She created a non-drug but scientifically based program to overcome issues associated with menopause and has helped thousands of women. She’s written 28 books and is also a campaigner for education around drugs. She’s made it her mission to ensure women have all the information they need to manage menopause effectively without the need for medication in most instances. We talk about: What it means to manage your menopause naturally Why HRT isn’t the magic solution to hormonal issues The need for a midlife refuel The biggest nutritional deficiencies seen in midlife women The most common issues women present with who come to consult with Maryon The most embarrassing issues women are coping with Maryon’s advice for low libido and vaginal dryness How we can improve our diet and what it helps Bloating in midlife and how to fix it Why we can get more urinary tract infections and what to do about that And more! Find out more about Maryon: Ma

My guest today is Ricki Heller, cookbook author, holistic nutritionist and anti-candida crusader. She’s the ultimate expert, I reckon, on making dietary restrictions work, whether because you have to for health reasons or you just want to. She’s completely plant-based, sugar-free and still eats the most amazing food. This episode covers a wide range of foods you may need or want to restrict in your diet: gluten, sugar, meat, dairy, processed food etc. We talk about: Candida overgrowth, its causes, and symptoms Holistic vs allopathic medicine and their approaches to diet Nutrition and its lack of inclusion in western medical training The mysteries of the gut biome and its effects on the body Alternative eating, methods, diets, and how to stick to them Sugar alternatives, such as coconut sugar, date sugar, monk fruit, and more Baking with alternatives, gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free Junk food cravings, how and why they happen Emotional eating and its negative effects Menopause, dealing with it with a

Meet Rebecca Robertson, an independent financial advisor who set up her own business, Evolution Financial Planning specifically to empower women financially. She’s passionate about helping women get more financially secure. She’s also convinced the world will be a much better place if more of its wealth is in the hands of women, who are then able to make better decisions with it. We talk about: • Why it’s so important for women to focus on their financial security • Why it’s crucial for women to be financially empowered • How financial security enables women to make better decisions • The importance of being proactive about our finances and not abdicating responsibility • Understanding the "what if" scenarios as you get a bit older • The need for setting boundaries when it comes to money • The importance of getting good legal advice when it comes to new relationships and protecting assets • The mistakes midlife women sometimes make when it comes to money • Having your own (emergency) funds so you don’t need t

An interview with Elizabeth Solaru, the founder of Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium and maker of luxury wedding cakes. Elizabeth has a fascinating story to tell about multiple reinventions including a new one accelerated by the global pandemic. She’s the mistress of creating opportunity out of challenge. We talk about: Elizabeth’s careers before cake-making Being a microbiologist and working for the health service The trauma of child loss Why Elizabeth went back to college to study for an MBA How she started headhunting while still studying Making the leap into luxury cake making Famous clients and exotic locations Coping during Covid when your business is wedding cakes Being open to possibility and curious about how to fix issues Feeling the fear and doing it anyway And more! Find out more about Elizabeth: Her websites:  Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium | Luxury Wedding Cakes London Create the Luxury Business of Your Dreams | Luxury Business Emporium Facebook | Instagram | Twitter If you enjoyed this episode, please sub

Meet Susan Saunders, co-author of the best-selling book, The Age-Well Project and author of her latest book The Age-Well Plan, a blueprint for how to age well. The Age-Well Project is the book I wish I’d written so I was thrilled to have Susan talk to us. She will inspire you to see that you have so much impact on how you age. We talk about: How Susan’s family history lead her to want to age well How the Age-Well Project started and the research involved The six key areas of aging well Starting with a purpose: why do you want to age well? Getting the right nutrition What to include or not include in your diet if you want to age well The importance of fibre The dirty dozen and the clean fifteen The importance of movement How to do easy movement throughout the day Getting enough of the right kind of sleep How to prioritize sleep Having a positive attitude towards aging Considering the environment in which you live And more! Find out more about Susan: Susan's website Susan's books: The Age Well Project | The A

A solo episode with host Rachel Lankester talking about midlife recently, why she does what she does and the launch of her Revitalize Program. She talks about: Her son’s graduation Sending off her book draft Getting a second Covid vaccination Why she does what she does Her early menopause and moving on from secondary infertility What women in the Magnificent Midlife community say about how they feel Putting ourselves higher up the priority totem pole Dealing with a complete lack of energy Details on the live round of the Revitalize mentoring program And more! To know more about the Revitalize Program, visit: www. magnificentmidlife.com/revitalize/ If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave a review on iTunes or wherever you’re listening. Find out how to leave a review here: bit.ly/leavepodcastreview You can find out more information and get the show notes to every episode at magnificentmidlife.com. That’s also where you’ll find strategies, support and resources to help ma

Sam Palmer is a menopause fitness expert. She’s passionate about getting women in their best shape so they can thrive through menopause and beyond. She’s a qualified nurse, teacher, fitness instructor and menopause coach. We talk about: • Dealing with the anxieties of midlife • How we all benefit from being open about menopause • Why taking care of your body is so important • Why midlife fitness is no longer necessarily about looking good • Ways to change our everyday life to be more active • How changing your lifestyle takes discipline • Why Sam takes comfort in running • Other ways to be active • Making sure you don’t overdo it with exercise • Finding what works for you • Not carrying your wine • Changes of lifestyle not needing to be drastic • Why having an exercise partner can be good And more! Find out more about Sam: Sam's website: www.midlifemakeover.co.uk Facebook | Instagram | Twitter If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave a review on iTunes or wherever you’re l

My guest today is Becky Quicke who describes herself as the Menopause Psychologist. She’s dedicated to helping women cope especially with the emotional aspects of menopause. We talk all about managing anxiety but also about the tremendous power of hormonal change for women. We talk about: • Becky's personal experience of perimenopause. • Connecting with and understanding your menstrual cycle and how it affects your body • Understanding anxiety around menopause • Helping women live through menopause in the modern world • How to not fight or deny the anxiety that comes with menopause • Channelling mid-life feelings into passion Exploring the extent to which moon cycles can affect women • How menopause becomes a journey of deep connection with those around us • Sex isn’t just about reproducing and evolves as we age • Becky’s 6 step process to help women transition through menopause • Tuning into your body and facing menopause head-on And more! Find out more about Becky: Becky's website: www.beckyquick

Kay Newton is the midlife strategist. She’s a speaker and author, and she helps women over 50 get their mojo back. She’s particularly interested in what it takes to create a more simple life at any age but especially as we get a bit older. We talk about: • What Kay means by a simple life • Why it’s important to live a simple life • Kay’s journey of moving homes and shedding the weight of stuff • How materialistic and chemical everyday goods can have an effect on our hormones • How living a more simplistic lifestyle can give you the space to reflect on your day-to-day actions and how those affect the planet • How having like-minded people around can be important to encourage you to continue to live more simplistically • Kay’s table strategy for simpler living • The importance of having a healthy social circle at menopause • Listening to your body and why it’s important • Making the decision to change yourself And more! Find out more about Kay: Kay’s website: www.kaynewton.com Facebook |Youtube | Instagram Join

Tania Dalton is a healthy aging coach and fitness trainer who’s passionate about redefining age. Tania has a massive following on Instagram, is incredibly inspiring and I knew I just had to share her wonderfulness with you. We talk about: Why Tania became so interested in how lifestyle impacts aging Why she’s determined to show women menopause isn’t the end so much as a whole new beginning Simple and effective ways to transform life Staying active despite osteoarthritis Training for an ironman challenge (she has since completed this!) Being willing to try things while accepting you may not be able to complete them Why Tania feels menopause has been the best thing to happen to her The key elements to thriving in midlife and beyond The importance of prioritizing sleep How Tania manages stress The importance of getting outside a lot, especially first thing in the morning How living more simply can help with health How Tania has accepted her aging self Optimal nutrition in midlife and beyond Increasing vari

Mari Smith is one of the foremost experts in Facebook marketing and is often referred to as the Queen of Facebook. She’s been named one of 7 women shaping digital marketing by IBM and one of the Top Ten Social Media Power Influencers many years in a row. She’s shared stages with the likes of Eckhart Tolle, Sir Richard Branson, Tony Robbins and Arianna Huffington to name a few. I’m a bit gob-smacked she's joined me on the podcast! This is a long episode but there is so much goodness here. We talk about: • How Mari maintains her positive outlook • Remembering to stay grateful despite difficulties • The new ways of connecting that have come about because of Covid • The differences between the UK and US around positivity and doing your own thing • The early days of starting to be an entrepreneur • Mari’s experience of Canada, UK and US culture • Maris’ very close connection to Scotland • Her thoughts on Scottish independence and Brexit having lived in the US for so long • Taking a bigger view on the state of t

Karen Arthur is an educator, fashion designer, dancer and a podcaster. She’s the host of the Menopause Whilst Black Podcast set up to amplify Black women’s voices. We talk about: • How the BLM movement inspired Karen to create her podcast • Menopause isn’t one size fits all • Making sure your workplace is taking care of you through menopause • The different menopause experience of Black women • How to actually make a difference around racial injustice • Karen’s experience with her depression • Karen’s realization she was going through menopause and how it changed her life • Experiences around therapy and doing it when you’re ready • Realizing when you need help • Knowing when to say no and take care of your body • Establishing boundaries with yourself • Honoring getting older • Allowing the wonderful midlife to happen rather than resisting it • What menopause can give you And more! Find out more about Karen: Website: reddskin.co.uk Podcast: Menopause Whilst Black Facebook| Twitter| Pinterest | Li

Jacqueline Perez is the founder of Kuel Life, an online magazine and shop for women over 45. Her mission is to redefine midlife for the modern woman and to create relevant content and products for older women. We talk about: • Jack's journey into entrepreneurship in starting Kuel Life • How Kuel Life was a huge pivot for Jack in thinking about the world • Jack's initial struggle in coming to terms with ageing • How Jack wants to help both younger and midlife women • Jack's realization that change needed to happen in her life • Feeling brave to speak out on what you want • Why menopause should be taught and talked about more with women early on in life • The problems with how we treat our elders in English-speaking societies • The differences between cultures and how they view age, and how that reflects on women in particular • The matriarchs in Jack's Cuban family • Jack's experience at a Bedouin wedding in Jordan • Jack's expertise in taekwondo and journey into power-lifting • How some of the best relatio

Gilly Smith is an award-winning food writer, broadcaster, university lecturer, a retreat host and most recently podcaster. She’s written lots of books and presents and produces a number of food related podcasts including the Right 2 Food podcast for the Food Foundation. We talk about: • How and why Gilly got started with her latest podcast: ‘Right 2 Food’ • Why Gilly became passionate about food sustainability • How Covid has brought food sustainability and availability to the fore • Why knowing where your food comes from and how it gets to you is important • Who to support with your money when it comes to food • Things you can do for your local food markets • Recognizing the simple things right under our noses • Why culturally linked foods are so important • Learning about the importance of food sustainability • Gilly’s experience with her own family recipes • Helping other find their voice through teaching about podcasting • Appreciating the foods you’re exposed to • It’s easier and cheaper to cook with a

I interview Juju Hook, author of Hot Flashes, Carpools, and Dirty Martinis—The Quintessential Guide for Turning Midlife into PrimeTime. There is so much wisdom in this episode on how to get out of our own way to create a magnificent next chapter. Truth bombs throughout! We talk about: • How Juju took her first steps into writing • How to rediscover yourself at 45 or 60 • The lies we tell ourselves that hold us back • Breaking out of labels and self-made mental restraints • Not letting fear stop us trying new things • Using truth to move past self-loathing • Recognising our own mastery and making the most of that • Finding your leadership ability within • How to move past resistance to visibility • Leaning into our “essence” of influence • The joy of course-correction • Why we cover ourselves up as midlife women • Easy tools to deal with self-judgement and insecure thinking • How human attraction really works • Being true to yourself • Re-discovering yourself without changing yourself And more! Find ou

A solo catchup episode with Rachel talking about: My joy at the US election result Not taking democracy for granted. Life under lockdown in the UK The roadmap out of lockdown Being able to finally see my mum – I hope How Christmas plans went askew Not having time to waste when you’re 86 Making the best of separation Vaccination rollout and accepting the jab My amazing recent podcast guests Finding resilience from hearing Jessica Buchanan’s desert kidnap nightmare Jackie Lynch and how to have a happy menopause How we go from what to who in midlife The pole dancing queen Makeda Smith Making more of a difference in the world with Alisoun Mackenzie How I failed to get into the BBC but now have my own podcast The importance of self-care and building our resilience Radical replenishment so we’re ready for the end of lockdown And more! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave a review on iTunes or wherever you’re listening. Find out how to leave a review here: bit.ly/leavepodcastrevi

Meet Alisoun Mackenzie, coach, author, retreat leader, yoga teacher and speaker amongst other things. She’s passionate about enabling all of us to make more of a difference in the world. We talk about: • How Alisoun went from finance to building schools • Why our values get harder to ignore the older we get • Learning to listen to our inner voice, that niggling feeling • Making a difference as a white person without being a ‘white saviour’ • Questioning why you want to make a difference and where • How to channel your passion to give back to the planet • Having an extra layer of trauma when you’re childless not by choice • Why Alisoun decided to become a yoga teacher • How to always question yourself and constantly reinvent yourself • Camper vans just might be the new trend • Being strategic with your business’s fundraising • How fundraising can be a powerful tool for yourself and others • Making sure to always look after yourself And more! This website was mentioned: nowhitesaviors.org You may als

I interview Makeda Smith, celebrity publicist, and pole and exotic dancer. She began her pole and aerial training at the age of 50 and created her own exotic dance brand called FlyingOver50. A decade later, she's on a mission to enable older women to unleash their inner goddess.  We talk about: • How Makeda came to start pole dancing at age 50 • How pole dancing changed her life • Why sexy never gets old • The Everybody Visible movement on social media • How women in midlife and beyond can stay feeling sexy • How to get over the fear of injury when staying active as we age • Taking the fear out of the pole aspect of what Makeda does • Cultural differences in responses to older women being sexy • Balancing PR and pole dancing • Those very high shoes Makeda wears • Adapting to classes in a Covid world • Awakening the sleeping goddess in all of us And more! Find out more about Makeda: Makeda's websites: www.FlyingOver50.com and www.JazzmynePR.com Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you enjoyed this episo

Jackie Lynch is a Registered Nutritional Therapist who’s written a very interesting book called The Happy Menopause. It’s specifically about how nutrition can help us flourish and I just love the title Happy Menopause. We talk about: Why Jackie believes menopause is a transformational time in a woman’s life in a good way Estrogen as the biddable, nurturing hormone Why some women suffer badly in menopause and others don’t The importance of diet and lifestyle in midlife and beyond How the manner in which we lived when younger can impact our menopause experience The impact of stress and the myth of having it all How Rachel got her periods back after a diagnosis of early menopause The importance of maintaining stable blood sugar levels How the body produces stress hormones when blood sugar levels are not stable How menopause may not be to blame for what’s happening to us How our thoughts and beliefs can impact our experience of menopause The importance of eating more protein with every meal and snack Getting mag

Meet the remarkable Jessica Buchanan, the NYT bestselling co-author of Impossible Odds, a memoir that details her 93 days held in the desert by Somali land pirates, and her dramatic rescue by US Navy SEAL Team VI. I am so inspired by Jess and found this such an empowering story of survival against truly impossible odds that can help all of us cope better under duress. We talk about: How Jess finds the strength to keep telling her survival story to the world. How she fell in love with Africa and met her husband. Her work as an aid worker in Africa and particularly in Somalia. How she kept herself going day to day with nothing in the desert. Anger management in the desert when she wasn’t allowed to show any emotion. How she survived the ordeal and even found herself in the desert. Meeting the Navy seals who rescued her and finally realizing she was the hero of her own story. The story of the night she was rescued. Jess’s President Obama story. The difficulties of surviving survival and trying to rebuild a