Boardrooms and Brain Fog

It feels like we were handed a roadmap early on: school, career, partner, home, family. Then midlife arrives and the map runs out.

In episode 3 of Boardrooms and Brain Fog we take on the question of confidence and identity, and “Seriously – who the hell am I now?”

It starts with hair, and goes much deeper

We start the conversation with hair, and colouring it when it starts to turn grey – or making the decision to stop colouring it. A big surprise has been other people’s reactions when someone stops colouring their hair. There is social conditioning (excuse the pun) behind dyeing hair, and Sallyanne shares how she unpacked that.

Choosing the thing that scares you

Sallyanne shares what she did after a major life change in her 50s. She made a list of things that scared and challenged her, and then worked through it. That led to a choir and a burlesque course. “Sometimes when there’s something that scares you, there’s something to discover about yourself.”

“Aging quietly in the corner” is no longer the plan.

It’s a stereotype that women should age quietly. Are we “the first generation to refuse to fade away, wear beige and sit in the corner”, as Sasha puts it? In recent years more high-profile women have embraced their natural grey, which gives others a role model.

Push yourself towards what scares you.

After a major relationship change at 52, Sallyanne wrote a list of things that challenged her. A choir, a burlesque course, solo travel and a tango class followed. Her point is that you can choose to let big changes push you into a more confident version of yourself.

Life transitions rewrite who we are.

Each stage, such as becoming a mother or a grandmother, brings a different part of our identity to the front. Mithzay describes a period when she barely recognised herself, and how reconnecting with art, gardening and the things she loved gave her a “new layer of wholeness”.

Terri experienced three major identity shifts: corporate to wellness industry, personal trainer to competitive bodybuilder, and then a forced change after a serious injury.

Identity shifts can shake your sense of who you are.

A practical exercise

Terri shares a simple tool. Write down what you know, love and don’t love about yourself. Then sort each item into three groups: nurture it, park it, or let it go.

We’re sure you’ll want to reflect on that exercise together with Sallyanne’s point that it’s important to consider not just “Who am I now?” but also “Who am I becoming? Who do I want to become?”

Listen to the full episode of Boardrooms and Brain Fog here or wherever you get your podcasts.

Which identity have you outgrown? Tell us in the comments.

Episode 2 of Boardrooms and Brain Fog continues the introductions to the final three members of the panel of Melbourne businesswomen who have come together to chat about navigating business as a woman going through perimenopause and other challenges and experiences that crop up in the second half of life.

Sallyanne Hartnell (Reflect Coaching) explains how her amicable divorce experience led her to create a coaching business supporting people questioning relationships or navigating separation and divorce, helping clients build values-aligned teams (including family lawyers) and reduce legal costs by providing emotional and strategic support; she also shares why she’s here: she’s seeing perimenopause impact women’s relationships and businesses.

Mithzay Pomenta introduces her Core Identity Blueprint framework for reconnecting people with strengths, patterns, clarity, confidence and purpose, including support for adults discovering neurodiversity and the skill-building needed beyond diagnosis or medication, with perimenopause highlighted as a time of destabilising brain fog and hormone change.

Host Lisa Hawkins talks about her 13 years in business with Life Balance Essentials, providing life admin services and systems, increasingly supporting NDIS clients with capacity building, and brings the panel together to discuss shared perimenopause experiences; the next episode will explore confidence and identity.

00:00 Welcome and Sponsor

00:23 Sallyanne - Reflect Coaching

02:53 Kind Separation Support

04:18 Saving Legal Fees

09:55 Help Before Divorce

11:26 Practical Life Gaps

13:34 Mithzay - Core Identity Blueprint

17:09 Perimenopause Brain Fog

21:53 Neurodiversity and Traits

26:52 Lisa - Life Balance Essentials

29:51 Lisa explains how this podcast came about

31:44 Wrap Up and Next Episode

Welcome to the debut episode of Boardrooms and Brain Fog, a podcast that brings together a group of Melbourne businesswomen sharing their experiences and wisdom to empower others as they navigate through the various stages of life, particularly focusing on midlife and the challenges of perimenopause. Join Lisa Hawkins for an enlightening conversation with women entrepreneurs who share the unique ways they’ve turned their skills into passion projects that have positive impact.

Lisa is the show’s host and founder, bringing together this group of remarkable women to discuss common experiences and concerns that affect many women in midlife.

They are: Lisa Hawkins (Life Balance Essentials), Sandra McGuire (Money Wellness), Sasha Prien (Axiom Advantage), Mithzay Pomenta (Fossickpoint), Sallyanne Hartnell (Reflect Coaching), and Terri Batsakis (Coach Terri Batsakis).

Together they explore themes of empowerment, self-discovery, and the often-untold stories of midlife challenges like perimenopause, along with mindset, mental load, and turning skills into purpose-led work.

Sandra McGuire: Empowering Women in Financial Well-being

Sandra McGuire, founder of Money Wellness and a certified money coach, delves into her mission of empowering mid-age women in financial literacy and confidence. Sandra has transitioned from corporate as an accountant and financial advisor to creating accessible coaching solutions that simplify complex financial concepts. Highlighting the emotional impact of financial independence, Sandra shares insights from her workshops and community work, especially for women transitioning from domestic violence and other challenges.

Sasha Prien: Mastering Life and Business Balance

Sasha Prien, co-founder and director of Axiom Advantage, outlines her philosophy of aligning business with one’s ideal lifestyle. She focuses on helping new entrepreneurs set up businesses wisely and aiding in estate planning, based on her personal journey. Sasha emphasizes the importance of structured and informed approaches in business to achieve freedom in time, mind, and money.

Terri Batsakis: Thriving Through Midlife

Terri Batsakis, a health coach and menopause specialist, shares her journey from battling health challenges to empowering women through the tumult of menopause. Terri discusses recognizing symptoms of perimenopause and finding personal power during this transformative phase. She provides practical advice on managing health through nutrition and lifestyle adjustments, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and boundaries.

Exploring Perimenopause and Menopause: A Shared Learning Experience

We explore challenging yet enlightening experiences of confronting and understanding menopause. Sasha and Terri provide insights into the impact of hormone changes and how these experiences led to pivotal shifts in their personal and professional lives. Through shared stories, they offer a supportive narrative encouraging other women to understand and embrace these changes.

This first episode of “Boardrooms and Brain Fog” highlights the strength in stories and the power of community among women facing similar life transitions. With each speaker bringing unique insights into business, finance, health, and personal growth, listeners gain a robust foundation to tackle their own challenges. The podcast serves as an invaluable resource for women seeking guidance, support, and inspiration on their journeys.

Boardrooms and Brain Fog is sponsored by Life Balance Essentials, offering support for NDIS, aged care admin, busy professionals, and corporate programs. For program details and new offerings, explore their website:

https://lifebalanceessentials.com.au

00:00 Why We’re Here

02:37 Meet Sandra Money Wellness

04:39 Money Mindset Coaching

05:50 From Corporate To Coaching

13:00 Aged Care Paperwork Reality

14:57 Meet Sasha Axiom Advantage

16:49 Business Setup And Freedom

17:53 Brain Fog Hot Tip

18:32 Meet Terry Menopause Coach

22:51 Is It Perimenopause?

25:30 Perimenopause Vs Menopause Explained

27:19 Tracking Cycles And Symptoms

30:49 Midlife Crisis Or Breakthrough

32:49 How To Work With Us

34:19 Final Wrap

We have been recording like crazy! Take a sneak peak at what we’ve been talking about…

Don’t miss the first episode - Friday 2 October at 3PM AEST

Up first we explore women’s health, financial wellness, and business success through the insights of Sandra McGuire, Sasha Prien, and Terri Batsakis. Discover practical tips on managing menopause, finances, and building a supportive community for midlife women.

Women often suffer in silence due to lack of information and support. Breaking taboos and having open conversations can change the narrative around women’s health and wellbeing.

With Lisa Hawkins, Sandra McGuire, Sallyanne Hartnell, Sasha Prien, Mithzay Pomenta, and Terri Batsakis