How did Dame Kelly Holmes go from a world-class runner to unable to do a single press-up?

In today’s episode of ‘Is It Hot In Here?’ Dr. Naomi Potter is joined by one of the UK’s most-loved athletes, two-time Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes.

Kelly talks Dr. Naomi through her hormone journey – starting in the military, where women’s health was not discussed, and as an international athlete suffering from periods so excruciating she would be “crawling off the track” and “carried to the doctor’s.”

She also shares her struggles to accept the change in her body’s performance and, after years of strict medical monitoring in international athletics, why she rejected the idea of taking the hormones so many women rely on in mid-life.

Together, Dr. Naomi Potter and Kelly unpick the ups and downs of Kelly’s career and the resilience that has driven her to achieve greatness and how understanding the medical, physical, and emotional changes has helped her to regain her strength (both mental and physical) and embrace the future.

Follow Dame Kelly Holmes below:

Kelly’s Instagram: @damekellyholmes

Kelly’s TikTok: @damekellyholmes

Learn more about Kelly’s mission to empower more women with The Athena Effect: https://athenaeffectevents.co.uk/

Follow Athena Effects on Instagram: @athenaeffectevents

Follow Dr. Naomi Potter below:

Naomi’s Instagram: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s TikTok: @dr_naomipotter

Naomi’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18evLF7Fep/?mibextid=wwXIfr

For more information and support about menopause, you can go to: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/

Submit a question for Naomi to read at: [email protected]

#HotInHere #Menopause #KellyHolmes

Chapters

• 00:00:00 Intro
• 00:01:16 Dame Kelly Holmes' early career
• 00:03:29 An Olympian's mindset
• 00:08:27 A fear of ageing
• 00:11:20 "I don't feel strong anymore"
• 00:14:41 Feeling weaker during menopause
• 00:18:27 Considering HRT
• 00:22:49 How much HRT should I be taking?
• 00:23:49 Bleeding after menopause
• 00:26:07 Feeling strong and healthy in midlife
• 00:32:18 How do I know if I need HRT?
• 00:36:14 Testosterone during menopause
• 00:40:22 Can you come on and off HRT?
• 00:43:25 Will past women's health issues affect your menopause?
• 00:45:38 Excruciating period pains during Olympic races
• 00:50:06 Preparing for midlife earlier
• 00:51:05 Does your ethnicity affect menopause?
• 00:54:04 What's next for Kelly?
• 00:56:01 Will your menopause experience by the same as your mum's?
• 00:58:17 Could menopause hide other symptoms?
• 01:00:12 Exercise recommendations during menopause
• 01:04:01 Outro