Changing Lanes

In this episode of Changing Lanes, Rachel and Susan sit down for a Q&A episode, answering your questions with plenty of honesty, humour and real-life reflections. 

They answer a mix of playful, personal and reflective questions about the jobs they have had, the lane changes that shaped them and the advice they still think about. They also talk about the realities of mum life and what they hope to be remembered for. 

In this episode, we cover:

• Q&A with Rachel and Susan

• Funny personal stories and wildest jobs

• Biggest life and career lane changes

• Life advice, life lessons and trusting your gut

• Mum hacks, working mum life and motherhood

• Habits they are trying to quit

• Why you are never too old to start something new

• Changing direction and figuring out what comes next

• Work life balance, family life and dream lives

• What they want to be remembered for 

CONNECT WITH US

Changing Lanes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/changinglanesthepodcast

Pilates Retreat Club Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/pilatesretreatclub

The Pilates Retreat Club → https://www.thepilatesretreatclub.com.au

If you are a busy woman, mum, professional, business owner or someone navigating a life change, career change or next chapter, subscribe to Changing Lanes for honest conversations and practical encouragement.

In Part 2 of this episode of Changing Lanes, Rachel and Susan continue their conversation with Merrin Schnabel, founder of MADGE Beauty and the Geelong Women’s Business Club.

Merrin shares the less glamorous side of entrepreneurship, including the pressure, sleepless nights and loneliness that can sit behind business success.

They also talk about building the right team, switching off without guilt, managing motherhood and multiple passions, and why women do not need to stay in one lane.

Merrin reflects on moving away from constant hustle, becoming more self-aware and learning to trust the process. She also shares her advice for anyone considering a new business or venture: back yourself, block out the outside noise and start before you feel completely ready.

In this episode, we cover:

• The reality behind business success

• Building the right team

• Switching off without guilt

• Business, motherhood and personal wellbeing

• Why women do not need to stay in one lane

• Recognising burnout before it takes over

• Moving away from hustle

• Trusting yourself and taking the leap

CONNECT WITH US

Merrin Schnabel Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/merrin_schnabelMADGE Beauty → https://www.instagram.com/madge_beauty/Geelong Women’s Business Club → https://www.instagram.com/geelong_women/Changing Lanes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/changinglanesthepodcast

Pilates Retreat Club Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/pilatesretreatclub

The Pilates Retreat Club → https://www.thepilatesretreatclub.com.au

If you are a busy woman, mum, professional, business owner or someone quietly wondering what is next for you, subscribe to Changing Lanes for honest conversations and real stories to help you navigate your next chapter.

In this episode of Changing Lanes, Rachel and Susan sit down with Merrin Schnabel, entrepreneur and founder of MADGE Beauty and the Geelong Women’s Business Club.

In Part 1, Merrin shares how entrepreneurship has always been part of who she is, from starting her first business at 19 to building a women’s business community and launching a successful beauty brand.

Merrin talks about taking the Geelong Women’s Business Club from a local community to events across Australia, creating MADGE Beauty from a product she personally wanted, and why personal brand  and showing up online have been so important in her business growth.

In this episode, we cover:

• Merran’s early journey into entrepreneurship

• Starting her first business at 19

• Building the Geelong Women’s Business Club

• Growing a local business community Australia-wide

• Launching MADGE Beauty

• Building a successful beauty business

• The role of personal brand in business growth

• Showing up online with authenticity

• Why mindset matters for entrepreneurs

• Backing yourself as a business owner

CONNECT WITH US

Merrin Schnabel Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/merrin_schnabelCheck out Madge Beauty → https://www.instagram.com/madge_beauty/

Connect with → https://www.instagram.com/geelong_women/

Changing Lanes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/changinglanesthepodcast

Pilates Retreat Club Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/pilatesretreatclub

The Pilates Retreat Club → https://www.thepilatesretreatclub.com.au

If you are a busy woman, mum, professional, business owner or someone quietly wondering what is next for you, subscribe to Changing Lanes for honest conversations, practical encouragement and real stories to help you navigate your next chapter with more clarity, confidence and support.

In Part 2 of this conversation, Rachel and Susan continue their chat with Ange Macauley, founder and CEO of the Type 1 Foundation.

This episode picks up after Lila’s Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis, as Ange reflects on the early days, the advice she gives to newly diagnosed families, and the moment she realised her family’s experience was going to become something much bigger.

Ange shares how the Type 1 Foundation was born, the emotional load parents carry, and the reality of helping others while still living the Type 1 journey at home.

In this episode, we cover:

• Ange’s advice for families after diagnosis

• Why Type 1 diabetes does not always get easier, but you get stronger

• Parent guilt and the emotional load

• How the Type 1 Foundation was born

• Why care packages matter to newly diagnosed families

• The reality of running a not-for-profit from lived experience

• Balancing family, advocacy and purpose

• Ange’s advice for anyone facing a life-changing moment

CONNECT WITH US

Type 1 Foundation → https://www.type1foundation.com.au

Type 1 Foundation Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thetype1foundation/?hl=en

Changing Lanes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/changinglanesthepodcast

Pilates Retreat Club Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/pilatesretreatclub

The Pilates Retreat Club → https://www.thepilatesretreatclub.com.au

If you are a busy woman, mum, professional, business owner or someone quietly wondering what is next for you, subscribe to Changing Lanes for honest conversations, practical encouragement and real stories to help you navigate your next chapter with more clarity, confidence and support.

A note before you listen: This episode touches on some difficult life experiences including a family member's drug addiction and mental illness, sexual assault, and eating disorders. We share these with the greatest care and respect for Ange's story. If any of these topics are sensitive for you, please take care as you listen.

In this episode of Changing Lanes, Rachel and Susan sit down with Ange Macauley, founder and CEO of the Type 1 Foundation.

In Part 1 of two-part episode, Ange shares the life experiences that shaped her, from growing up in a large family and navigating trauma, to becoming a young mum and facing the moment that changed everything: her daughter Lila’s Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis.

Ange opens up about the early signs they missed, the family holiday that became a medical emergency, and the overwhelming reality of learning to manage Type 1 Diabetes as a parent.

This episode is for any parent, mum or family who has ever had to trust their instinct, advocate for their child, or survive a diagnosis that changed life overnight.

In this episode, we cover:

• Ange’s life before the Type 1 Foundation

• How lived experience shaped her passion for helping others

• Becoming a young mum and finding peace in motherhood

• The early signs of Type 1 diabetes in children

• Lila’s symptoms before diagnosis

• When a family holiday became a medical emergency

• The moment Lyla was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes

• ICU, overwhelm and the early diagnosis load

• Managing Type 1 diabetes as a parent

CONNECT WITH US

Type 1 Foundation → https://www.type1foundation.com.au

Type 1 Foundation Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thetype1foundation/?hl=en

Changing Lanes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/changinglanesthepodcast

Pilates Retreat Club Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/pilatesretreatclub

The Pilates Retreat Club → https://www.thepilatesretreatclub.com.au

If you are a busy woman, mum, professional, business owner or someone quietly wondering what is next for you, subscribe to Changing Lanes for honest conversations, practical encouragement and real stories to help you navigate your next chapter with more clarity, confidence and support.

In this episode of Changing Lanes, Rachel and Susan sit down with Tess Holmes, content creator, makeup artist, marketer and mum of three.

Tess shares her journey from fitness and retail to makeup artistry, fashion marketing, e-commerce and working for herself again. She talks honestly about career change, burnout, mum guilt, people pleasing, creativity and the pressure to have one clear title or lane.

This episode is for any woman or mum who feels like her career no longer fits, is recovering from burnout, or is trying to work out what comes next without rushing the process.

In this episode, we cover:

• Tess talks about her journey from fitness and retail into makeup artistry

• Moving into fashion marketing and e-commerce

• Juggling a demanding role with three young children

• Burnout, people pleasing and the pressure to do 120%

• Why Tess decided to work for herself again

• How movement and Pilates support her mental clarity

• Why she no longer feels the need to fit into one career lane

• Tess’ advice for women in the middle of changing lanes

CONNECT WITH US

Tess Holmes →  Tess Holmes (@tessholmes_makeup)

Changing Lanes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/changinglanesthepodcast

Pilates Retreat Club Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/pilatesretreatclub

The Pilates Retreat Club → https://www.thepilatesretreatclub.com.au

If you are a busy woman, mum, professional, business owner or someone quietly wondering what is next for you, subscribe to Changing Lanes for honest conversations, practical encouragement and real stories to help you navigate your next chapter with more clarity, confidence and support.

In this last episode of this mini series of Changing Lanes, Rachel and Susan wrap up their How to Stay Healthy When Life Is Busy mini series with a conversation about sleep, recovery and simple ways to reset.

This episode is not about needing a full weekend away or adding more to your already full plate. It is about small, everyday habits that can help you recover, regulate your energy and feel more like yourself when life is busy.

Rachel and Susan talk about why sleep is so important, how lack of sleep can affect cravings, workouts, hormones, stress and immunity, and why recovery often gets overlooked when we are trying to stay healthy.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why sleep matters when life is busy

• How lack of sleep can affect cravings, energy, stress and immunity

• Why recovery is just as important as nutrition and exercise

• Simple ways to reset without needing a full weekend away

• How gratitude journaling can support your mood and sleep

• Why writing things down can help clear your mind

• The value of walking, fresh air and small daily resets

• How fun, friendship and movement can help reduce stress

• Why looking after yourself can be simple and realistic

CONNECT WITH US

Changing Lanes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/changinglanesthepodcast

Pilates Retreat Club Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/pilatesretreatclub

The Pilates Retreat Club → https://www.thepilatesretreatclub.com.au

Free Recipes Here → https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NmEHLeIJWxPDsyZQz1mXzuoMpy27WmBc/view

If you are a busy woman, mum, professional, business owner or someone quietly wondering how to look after yourself while life feels full, subscribe to Changing Lanes for honest conversations, practical encouragement and real stories to help you navigate your next chapter with more clarity, confidence and support.

In this mini episode of Changing Lanes, Rachel and Susan continue their How to Stay Healthy When Life Is Busy mini series with realistic exercise and movement tips for busy women and mums.

This episode is not about finding hours you do not have or forcing yourself into a perfect workout routine. It is about simple ways to move your body when life is full, whether that is walking, short workouts, movement at home or fitting exercise into the moments you already have.

This episode is for any busy woman or mum who wants to move more, feel better and look after her health without adding more pressure to her day.

In this episode, we cover:

• Simple exercise tips for busy women and mums

• Why walking wherever you can really does add up

• How to fit movement into everyday moments

• Why 10-minute workouts can still make a difference

• Easy barre, mat and strength exercises you can do at home

• How to move your body while cooking, watching TV or spending time with kids

• Why exercise is not just about fitness or weight loss

• How movement can support your energy, mood and mental clarity

• Why something is better than nothing when life is busy

CONNECT WITH US

Changing Lanes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/changinglanesthepodcast

Pilates Retreat Club Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/pilatesretreatclub

The Pilates Retreat Club → https://www.thepilatesretreatclub.com.au

Free Recipes Here → https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NmEHLeIJWxPDsyZQz1mXzuoMpy27WmBc/view

If you are a busy woman, mum, professional, business owner or someone quietly wondering how to look after yourself while life feels full, subscribe to Changing Lanes for honest conversations, practical encouragement and real stories to help you navigate your next chapter with more clarity, confidence and support.

In this mini episode of Changing Lanes, Rachel and Susan kick off their How to Stay Healthy When Life Is Busy mini series with practical nutrition tips for busy women and mums.

This episode is not about perfect meal plans or making everything from scratch. It is about finding realistic, nutritious options that fit into real life, whether you are at home, at work, in the car or rushing between everything else.

This episode is for any busy woman or mum who wants to eat better, feel more energised and make healthy choices without adding more pressure to her day.

Recipes:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NmEHLeIJWxPDsyZQz1mXzuoMpy27WmBc/view?usp=sharing

In this episode, we cover:

• Simple nutrition tips for busy women and mums

• Quick breakfast, lunch and snack ideas

• Grab-and-go options with protein, fats and fibre

• Supermarket shortcuts that still support your health

• Why meal prep does not have to be complicated

• Easy ways to make extra food while you are already cooking

• Air fryer meals, one-pan options and quick healthy recipes

• How eating well can support your energy when life is busy

CONNECT WITH US

Changing Lanes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/changinglanesthepodcast

Pilates Retreat Club Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/pilatesretreatclub

The Pilates Retreat Club → https://www.thepilatesretreatclub.com.au

If you are a busy woman, mum, professional, business owner or someone quietly wondering how to look after yourself while life feels full, subscribe to Changing Lanes for honest conversations, practical encouragement and real stories to help you navigate your next chapter with more clarity, confidence and support.

In this episode of Changing Lanes, Rachel and Susan talk about what happens after you have worked out what you want and created some space for it in your life.

Because setting the goal is one thing, but actually taking the next step can feel like the most daunting part.

They also talk about why planning can feel safe, why fear of judgement can creep in when it is time to put something out into the world, and why the right support network can make such a difference when you are changing lanes.

In this episode, we cover:

• What to do after you have set a goal

• Why taking the first step can feel so daunting

• How Rachel and Susan turned the podcast idea into action

• Why you do not need to know everything before you begin

• How to research the time, money and support your goal may need

• Why the right people, courses, coaches or community can help you move forward

• How to move from planning into action

• Why fear, doubt and judgement can creep in when you start something new

• The difference between taking a risk and taking a calculated risk

• Why timing, life experience and support all matter when changing lanes

TIME & ENERGY AUDIT → https://changing-lanes.kit.com/9fc546110d

CONNECT WITH US

Changing Lanes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/changinglanesthepodcastPilates Retreat Club Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/pilatesretreatclubThe Pilates Retreat Club → https://www.thepilatesretreatclub.com.au

If you are a busy woman, mum, professional, business owner or someone quietly wondering what is next for you, subscribe to Changing Lanes for honest conversations, practical encouragement and real stories to help you navigate your next chapter with more clarity, confidence and support.