Men for perhaps various reasons are more reluctant to monitor their health, note changes and seek medical advice. Ignoring symptoms or signs can become serious.

Jonathan Prince MBE is Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Foundation, an organisation which raises awareness of, and encourages men to take positive action to safeguard their health & wellbeing. Jonathan delivers informative talks on various men's health topics and body parts that we are too often embarrassed to speak about openly.

1. How do men in general do health?
2. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in UK men. Do you find that many people are unaware the free NHS health-check?
3. What are symptoms of prostate cancer?
4. What can we do for men's mental health?

Contact us [email protected],uk about our Men's health seminar/webinar for your workplace and reduce the taboo.

www.blueribbonfoundation.org.uk

www.menwhotalk.org

www.mankindprojectuki.org

www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/men

Menopause is a chapter of every woman's life, and with 80% of women experiencing menopausal symptoms it can also mean that many partners, colleagues, friends also experience menopause indirectly. It can be a difficult time knowing when, how or what to do to support so I hope this is a helpful guide.

I'm joined by Steve Foulger (Director of HR Services & Organisational Design at Connor) – you may have heard my episode about menopause in the workplace with Steve for Connor Conversations podcast (link below if you haven't) but this time we're switching roles and Steve is guest and so I'd like to know his thoughts on menopause in the workplace and his experience of supporting women going through the menopause.

1. Do you know much about menopause?
2. Examples of where you've experienced complex menopause absence cases?
3. Advice on starting a menopause conversation
4. From a partner point of view, what would you advise?
5. Does male menopause exist?

Menopause awareness is building in terms of awareness of symptom management options and also how partners, friends and colleagues can support women through this chapter. If you follow me on social media you may have seen I spoke at the BMS annual conference in Apr. I spoke about nutrition and menopause, and as a menopause specialist (in addition to being a nutritionist) I'm passionate about supporting both women and the workplace to raise awareness.

If you'd like menopause awareness webinars for employees, manager training or menopause 1:1 consultations in your workplace reach out to me at [email protected]

Links

CIPD Line Manager Guide https://www.cipd.co.uk/Images/line-manager-guide-to-menopause_tcm18-95174.pdf

Connor Conversations podcast https://connor.co.uk/landing-pages/connor-conversations/

Gut health and mental health. There's so much conversation about improving gut health using probiotics, prebiotics and fermented foods, but it can be confusing.

Jo Webster medical herbalist, nutritionist, gut health and fermented food specialist is joining me in this episode to answer a few questions I'm often asked when delivering webinars to organisations as part of their health & wellbeing activities;

• What is fermentation?
• What to look out for when buying fermented foods?
• How to make your own fermented food
• Do you need to buy a fermenting kit?
• What is your favourite ferment?

Jo completed a 4 year degree qualifying as a herbalist (with distinction), she has a post-graduate diploma in nutritional medicine from Surrey University (with distinction) and in the final stages of the MSc Nutritional Medicine. Jo is a full member of the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy and the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. She used to be a lawyer and also has a degree in psychology.

Jo is devoted to helping people address their health issues using nutrition, medicinal herbs and a focus on gut health. An important aspect is encouraging people to take responsibility for their own health and providing them with the support, tools and information they need to do so..

In her own life, Jo strives to be the change she wants to see in the world, so she knows from first-hand experience how challenging changing entrenched behaviours can be. She walks the walk rather than just talking the talk. Jo is mother to 4 young people and has a love of reading, learning, asking questions, being outside, fermenting, herbing and laughing.

Website: theumbel.org

IG: @the.umbel

FB: the.umbel

Twitter:@theumbel

LI: Jo Webster

1. How to find the stress "sweet spot"

2. How to manage our own mental health at work.

3. How to help a colleague struggling

4. What can organisations do to create a more supportive environment

5. 'Reasonable' workplace adjustments

Links for further support:

www.mhfaengland.org

www.mhfaengland.org/startwell

https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/campaigns/my-whole-self-2022/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin/in/simonblake/

Twitter: @MHFAEngland

Instagram: @mhfaengland

FB: @MHFAEngland

Bio

Simon joined MHFA England as Chief Executive in October 2018 and has been responsible for setting the organisation's new strategic vision to improve the mental health of the nation through its mission to train one in ten of the population in mental health skills, knowledge and awareness. He has also been instrumental in leading the organisation's commitment to become a truly anti-racist social enterprise, and is the executive sponsor for MHFA England's race equity programme.

Simon is a respected thought leader on the subject of mental health, workplace wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion. He writes regularly for the MHFA England blog, contributes to media articles and plays an active role on mental health and wellbeing events, either chairing or contributing his expertise as a speaker or panellist.

Before joining MHFA England, Simon dedicated his career to working with young people and has a long track record of championing difference and creating platforms for people's voices to be heard. In doing this, Simon has worked on some of the most talked about and complex social issues of today: sex and relationships education, sexual and reproductive rights, volatile substance abuse, Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship and LGBTQ rights. He is driven by a passion for a better, more inclusive society where everyone can be themselves.

With over 20 years working with young people Simon has been involved in several projects and initiatives to promote positive wellbeing and mental health. He has written over 40 publications on all aspects of PSHE and Citizenship.

In his roles at the Sex Education Forum, National Children's Bureau, sexual health and wellbeing charity Brook and, most recently, as Chief Executive of the National Union of Students (NUS), Simon has considerable experience in balancing the competing agendas of various high-profile organisations and stakeholders, finding ways to build consensus and collaboration to achieve positive social outcomes.

Simon received an OBE in 2011 for his services to the voluntary sector and young people. He was recognised as a 2020 Global Diversity Champion in the Global Diversity List and the 2021 Pride Power List. He is Chair of the Dying Matters Campaign and the Support After Suicide Partnership. Prior to these voluntary roles he has held a number of trustee positions including trustee and vice chair of the Black Health Agency (2004 – 2011), Chair of Diversity Role Models (2012 – 2015) and vice chair of Stonewall (2015 – 2021). Simon is a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute.

We can't always remove the stress but we can improve our awareness and resilience.

• Can stress be invisible?
• Is some stress good?
• Which resilience techniques really work?

My guest on this episode is Debbie Kleiner who has a MSc in Workplace Health & Wellbeing, further qualifications in stress management and is a mental health first aid trainer. I'm looking forward to asking Debbie some of the questions I am often asked when delivering my Improving resilience webinar to organisations as part of their health & wellbeing activities.

1. Is stress bad?
2. How can we identify if we are stressed?
3. What techniques do you suggest as a MHFA trainer and workplace wellbeing specialist?

If you enjoyed the content in this podcast and you would like your employer to provide wellbeing webinars with a nutrition twist, contact [email protected] to receive the list of 21 webinar topics available ranging from Improving resilience to Managing menopause, Men's health and Insomnia.

You can contact Debbie:

[email protected]

www.wellbeing-inwork.co.uk

We take a deeper dive into nutrition in this 2nd part of Bitesize Nutrition podcast epsiode with Dr Giles Yeo and discuss:

1. Is LCHF (low carb high fat) healthy?
2. What is a healthy way to achieve an optimum weight?
3. Where calories may be helpful

Bio

Giles is author of Why calories don't count and Gene eating.

He also has an 8-part podcast series; Dr Giles Yeo Chews the Fat

Giles is also a presenter for BBC Horizon. His first programme was 'Why are we getting so fat?', which aired June 2016. Most recently, His investigative piece 'Clean eating – The dirty truth' for BBC Horizon was screened on January 2017. The film has been critically acclaimed and has prompted an important national debate about dieting advice and evidence-based science.

IG & Twitter: @GilesYeo

Do you calorie count?

You've probably seen Dr Giles Yeo as a science presenter on the BBC. Giles is a geneticist researching obesity and brain control over the last 20 years.

In part 1 of this Bitesize Nutrition podcast episode we talk about his most recent book #WhyCaloriesDontCount and the myths surrounding weight-loss.

1. What affects body weight?

2. Can microbiome influence weight?

3. "The reason I am so large is because my metabolism is so slow."

Bio

Giles is author of Why calories don't count and Gene eating.

He also has an 8-part podcast series; Dr Giles Yeo Chews the Fat.

Giles is also a presenter for BBC Horizon. His first programme was 'Why are we getting so fat?', which aired June 2016. Most recently, His investigative piece 'Clean eating – The dirty truth' for BBC Horizon was screened on January 2017. The film has been critically acclaimed and has prompted an important national debate about dieting advice and evidence-based science.

IG & Twitter: GilesYeo

Nutrition & hydration week this year is 14-20 Mar. It's one of the NHS health awareness days to highlight and educate on the importance of food and drink to maintain health and wellbeing.

I receive lots of great nutrition questions when delivering wellbeing webinars and as it will soon be N&H week I thought Dr Simon Steenson could help me answer a few of these popular questions. Simon is Nutrition Scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, a charity that provides impartial, evidence-based information, resources and training on food and nutrition.

We discuss in this episode:

1. How much liquid should we drink per day and does tea/coffee count?
2. Does intermittent fasting appear to be a sensible way to maintain a healthy weight?
3. How important is 5-a-day, or should we be thinking about 30 per week challenge?
4. Do you think there are some nutrients which may become deficient in next few years – perhaps as a result of eliminating some food groups?

Bio

Simon graduated from the University of Nottingham with a BSc in Nutritional Biochemistry, after which he spent 18 months working as a researcher within the Medical Research Council's Human Nutrition Research unit in Cambridge, investigating the effects of vitamin D status on bone health. Simon completed his PhD in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Surrey in September 2018, and his doctoral research focused on the impact of fructose sugar on cardiovascular disease risk, with a specific focus on its effects on fat metabolism in the small intestine. Simon joined the BNF in November 2018 as a Nutrition Scientist.

Link to free BNF resources for Nutrition & Hydration week (including activities, posters, certificate, online events): https://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthy-eating-week/why-healthy-eating-week/

Follow The British Nutrition Foundation on social media:

LinkedIn: British Nutrition Foundation

Twitter: @NutritionOrgUK

The British Nutrition Foundation https://www.nutrition.org.uk/

According to ONS, in 2020 males and females aged 45-49 years had the highest age-specific suicide rates. What is going on at this stage of life and what can we do to provide support:

1. What are your thoughts on this startling statistic – why this particular age group?
2. Does midlife crisis exist?
3. Many people share their experiences with you through your research. Have you noticed any particular forms of support are better than others?

If you are affected by this episode or you are struggling with your mental health and you would like further help, please contact your Doctor or a qualified medical professional.

Tatiana is an academic, researcher and facilitator based at Henley Business School, University of Reading, UK and responsible for the personal development of students on MBA, Masters and Undergraduate programmes.

Originally trained as a counselling and clinical psychologist, Tatiana an experienced and qualified executive coach, learning & development consultant and facilitator. Her consulting expertise lies in the areas of Executive Coaching, Learning and Development and Occupational Assessment, working with several high profile national and international, public and private organisations in the UK, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates. Tatiana practises in a wide range of sectors including banking and finance, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, media, energy and manufacturing.

Tatiana's research takes a life-course perspective to explore life, work and career transitions, with a focus on midlife and beyond. In particular how these transitions interact with the experience of ageing, health and well-being at work, and impact on the labour force participation and economic activity in later life. She is a published scholar and passionate about research that improves the quality of life of people in the real world.

Follow Tatiana on social media:

LinkedIn: drtatianarowson

Twitter: drtatianarowson

In this episode I discuss:

1. What is plant based eating

2. Is it healthy?

3. Possible nutrient deficiencies

4. Meal & snack suggestions

Join me to find out if plant based eating may improve your health. If you'd like to find out more contact me [email protected] about our Plant based webinar which can be delivered by your employer to improve employee health & wellbeing.