Menopause Café in conversation with...

Helen sat down for a conversation with Catherine Hale about how mid-life for women can be such a turbulent time when both our hormonal and our nervous systems potentially reach states of maximum dysregulation. Catherine shares her thoughts on how to redress the imbalance as well as discussing her recent experiences of starting HRT, and her top 5 tips for navigating mid-life. 

Catherine Hale is an embodied trauma coach, educator and guide specialising in sex, love, and business who believes in the power of post-traumatic growth.A heartfelt entrepreneur, Catherine is the creator of the Thrive in Life Coaching Program, which has supported 100’s of courageous people to shift from surviving to Thriving in their lives.

Her Thrive in Business Coaching Program is for heart centred coaches and entrepreneurs wanting to Thrive in Business and to dedicate their lives to create positive and sustainable change in the world.

Her successful Trauma Awareness Training has been taken by participants in over 15 countries worldwide and continues to bridge the gap in the therapeutic community – offering trauma informed practices and perspectives where previously absent.

She is passionate about shifting the experience of menopause into one that’s culturally held knowing that we need to address this shift from both a personal and systemic perspective.

As a qualified trauma coach, sexological bodyworker, Trauma Release Exercises practitioner, and post-menopausal woman she writes a about a range of topics through the trauma informed lens: sex, love, relationships, menopause, women’s pelvic health, and post traumatic growth.

With a life long passion for the natural world she lives in Devon, UK by the river Dart with her cat Simba and can be found deepening her connection to nature while exploring ancient pathways in Dartmoor National Park.

You can connect with Catherine via her website: www.catherinehale.co.uk and find Catherine on Facebook as Thrive Coaching @catherinehale.co.uk

We sat down for a chat with Phillipa Butler, Chartered Physiotherapist and founder of Precizion Ltd - an innovative wellness platform.

Phillipa is a powerhouse of information and energy and has a wealth of experience treating musculoskeletal conditions; disorders affecting bones, joints and muscles. Phillipa is a certified Pilates teacher and 200 hours qualified Hatha Yoga instructor. She offers online physiotherapy advice, private movement coaching, group exercise sessions, courses, workplace wellness workshops and provides ongoing support to guide you on your journey to optimal health. 

Phillipa's philosophy in her own life is that prevention is better than cure and she believes that undertaking a regular programme of appropriate exercise is the key to a fitter, healthier future. 

Phillipa says that "As a woman of a certain age I am all too aware of the effects of the menopause on our bodies and I have spent some considerable time developing my Bone Healthy Pilates Programme. Pilates has been shown to improve Posture, dynamic balance and the strength of muscle and bone and is the perfect antidote to the challenges of our modern lives".

You can find and connect with Phillipa via a variety of channels and platforms - 

www.precizion.co.uk

Email: hi@precizion.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/precizion.uk/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/42810240/ 

https://www.facebook.com/precizionltd/ 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudDlTqNQujy06Bk73nBdPA 

The Precizion ‘Moving through Menopause’ Podcast; now in its second season, is my contribution to the conversation around menopause with insights, information and a few giggles. Podcast - https://anchor.fm/precizionuk/episodes/Menopause-Management-ektds0

Hayley Cockman went through the menopause at the age of 14. Now aged 39, Hayley has recently become a passionate advocate for early menopause and is determined to help others avoid some of the challenges she faced. We chatted to Hayley about what helps her navigate post-menopausal life, as well as her decision to embark upon the process of adoption. 

You can read Hayley's full story on her blog: hayleysmenopause14.blogspot.com and connect with Hayley on Twitter: @CockmanHayley as well as Instagram: @prematuremenopause14 

We sat down for a chat with the splendiferous Lizzie Bean to discuss beanhood, creativity, and how to wrap our lives up in a bit of hilarity. Lizzie helps everyone to see the colours of their soul and acknowledge the fact that they are enough.

You can find Lizzie at www.backtobean.co.uk and connect with Bean HQ across all social media platforms at @backtobean

Gardener and Menopause Café Aylesbury host, Julie Salmon chatted to Helen recently about how menopause had impacted her emotional health.

TW: contains references to suicide.

Radha Paudel is a qualified nurse, writer, advocate and activist. Radha was born and grew up in Nepal, where she now leads the Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation. Radha is also the director and founder of The Radha Paudel Foundation which has as its central aims, the promotion of emancipation for girls and women from poverty, injustices and discrimination.

"I believe the absence of war does not constitute peace when so many social maladies remain. Social problems require social solutions" 

Find and connect with Radha: .http://www.radhapaudelfoundation.org on Twitter: @radhapaudel and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radhapaudelfoundation/

Katrina Clark is a sexological bodyworker and somatic sex educator. Her aim is to educate and promote greater sexual awareness and connection to our erotic lives with a client-led approach. A registered Reiki Master, Katrina lives in Scotland with her husband and 2 children, and is an advocate for positive menopause.

Katrina talks about living a fully-embodied life, and how to incorporate self-pleasure as part of our menopause self-care toolkit. 

Find Katrina at: www.katrinaclark-reiki.co.uk and www.phoenix-tantra.co and www.sexuality-coaching.co.uk

Lesley is founder of 'Over The Bloody Moon', which she describes as a community and organisation with a social purpose. 'Over The Bloody Moon' runs workshops and courses designed to inform, equip, and empower women all through peri-menopause.

Find Lesley at: www.overthebloodymoon.com as well as IG: @overthebloodymoon and Facebook: @overthebloodymoon

Email Lesley at: hello@overthebloodymoon.com

Vicky set up the Endometriosis UK Dundee Support Group after her own diagnosis with the condition in 2017. The group provides a safe and supportive environment for those with suspected or diagnosed endometriosis to share their experiences with the condition. Vicky has recently started a post in the voluntary sector and is part of the PKAVS Tampon Taxi Team, putting period dignity at the heart of a fairer, more equal Perth & Kinross. In her spare time, Vicky is kept busy fundraising for Endometriosis UK, and Guide Dogs Scotland.

Connect with Vicky on Twitter @EndoDundee and Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/endodundee/

For more information on PKAVS Tampon Taxi, head to @PKAVSTamponTaxi or email: PeriodProducts@pkavs.org.uk

Sarah Norquoy is an author and wild-swimmer extraordinaire who rediscovered herself at the age of 49. Sarah's recently published book 'Sea salt on my skin' is a startlingly honest, authentic, as well as humorous look at a year of swimming in Orkney seas - from which she discovered that healing does indeed come in waves.

Find Sarah at: www.sarahkennedynorquoy.com and on IG as @seasaltandsarah 

Rachel Gotto works as a clinical hypnotherapist, and corporate speaker. She's an author with a vast array of lived experience. Rachel has dealt with and overcome many personal challenges in her life, including surgery for a previously deemed inoperable brain tumour, which subsequently left her paralysed down one side of her body. Rachel is a woman who quite literally walks her talk and in her professional capacity offers her wisdom and experience through helping others to acquire the knowledge necessary to come through their own personal struggles. Just by hearing her life story alone, one can’t help but be inspired, and her gripping memoir will be published in October 2021. Rachel lives in beautiful County Galway in Ireland, and she is testament to the fact that the human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.  

You can find Rachel at www.rachelgotto.com and connect with Rachel on Instagram @rachelvgotto and Twitter @RachelGotto 

Heidi Dodson is an accredited Life Coach, Counsellor, Relationship Therapist specialising in NLP and CBT, as well as a Fitness Instructor. Heidi is a passionate advocate for the life-enhancing powers of connection, conversation and laughter.

You can find Heidi at: www.heididodson.com

Elizabeth Bandeen is a massage therapist based in Glasgow. A self-confessed skin-care addict and lover of striped tops, Elizabeth shares her experience of menopause, and why a little self-care goes a long way.

Find Elizabeth at: www.elizabethbandeen.co.uk

Sue Berry is a retired primary school teacher who recently completed her Masters degree looking at how menopause affects teachers. Sue is also a veteran host of Menopause Cafe events in Kent, and a valuable contributor to our virtual Menopause Cafe events.

Dr Melanie Santorini is an author, former banker, Oxford academic, as well as retreat host and facilitator. Melanie was one of the first tranche of women to be ordained into the Church of England. We spoke to Melanie about her passion for helping women find their voice, Riding the Dragon women circle events, and her love of the beautiful Scottish landscape.

You can find Melanie at: www.melaniesantorini.org

Laura Shuckburgh is a midlife coach specialising in helping men and women get the best out of their lives, and helping them to map out a way of living and thriving through midlife. We spoke to Laura about the invisible symptoms of menopause, exercise, and the importance of involving men in conversations about menopause.

You can find Laura at: www.marvellousmidlife.co.uk