In this powerful episode of Find Your Spark: Real Life Menopause Moments, I sit down with the brilliant Helen Clarke, Women in Business Network franchisee, co-owner of Bright Red Digital, and all-around champion for women in business.

Helen shares her deeply personal journey through early surgical menopause, a path that began with years of debilitating periods, a long-awaited diagnosis of adenomyosis and the life-changing decision to have a hysterectomy at just 36. She opens up about the emotional toll of being thrown into a medically induced menopause overnight, the impact on her mental health and confidence, and the lack of support she received at the time.

We talk about:

 💡 The importance of pushing for answers when you know something isn’t right
 💡 How sudden menopause symptoms affected Helen’s work and self-esteem
 💡 Why finding the right GP (and the right support network) can transform your experience
 💡 The power of community and how joining Women in Business Network changed Helen’s life and career
 💡 Her advice for anyone navigating complex women’s health challenges, early menopause or surgery

Helen’s story is raw, relatable and full of hope. If you’ve ever felt dismissed, overwhelmed, or blindsided by menopause, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone and that finding the right information, people, and support can be life-changing.

You can find Helen through her Linkedin profile; Helen Clarke | LinkedIn, her websites are; https://www.brightred.digital and https://www.boltguitars.co.uk and to find a Women in Business Networking Meeting, https://wibn.co.uk.

I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn;

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🎙️ In this episode of Find Your Spark: Real Life Menopause Moments, I’m joined by my friend and fellow HR professional, Gemma Bromfield, founder of Go Beyond HR Consultancy.

Gemma shares her powerful story of being recently diagnosed with ADHD, alongside traits of autism and OCD, and how that intersects with her perimenopause journey. We talk openly about what it’s really like living with a neurodivergent brain, the challenges of late diagnosis and the relief of finally having answers.

Gemma also reflects on the impact of perimenopause, from heightened ADHD symptoms and mood shifts to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety and identity loss. We explore how hormonal changes exacerbate neurodivergent traits, the misconceptions around ADHD (especially in women), and the importance of self-education, validation and support.

This is a raw, honest and incredibly relatable conversation that shines a light on the often-overlooked connection between ADHD and menopause. Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, living with ADHD, or supporting someone who is, you’ll take away comfort, insights and practical advice.

✨ Topics we cover:

• Gemma’s journey to ADHD diagnosis as an adult woman
• How perimenopause amplifies neurodivergent symptoms
• Coping strategies, routines and medication
• The importance of self-compassion and asking for help
• Why awareness and education around this intersection matter so much

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about how menopause and ADHD collide and how understanding the overlap can be life-changing.

If you would like to connect with Gemma, please find her at; (2) Gemma Bromfield (ACIPD) | LinkedIn or Go Beyond HR — Studio Arlo

I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn;

www.linkedin.com/in/⭐alison-allen-chartered-mcipd

In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode, Alison welcomes Lindsey Stephens, self-proclaimed magazine geek, publisher of The Female Boss magazine, and founder of Vida Woman.

Lindsey shares the deeply personal journey that led her to create V.Hydrate Serum, a luxurious, all-natural product designed to help women experiencing intimate dryness, a common but rarely discussed symptom of perimenopause and menopause. From her 25+ years in magazine publishing to launching a product born out of her own frustration with what was available, Lindsey opens up about the challenges, research and determination it took to bring her idea to life.

We dive into why we need to talk openly about vaginas, vulvas and vaginal health without embarrassment or stigma, the difference between vaginal dryness and lack of sexual lubrication and Lindsey talks about how she worked with gynaecologists, menopause experts and women’s health professionals to develop a safe, effective and empowering product

We discussed how Lindsey's work in magazines, including The Female Boss and upcoming Divine You, is amplifying women’s voices and sparking important conversations, amongst much, much more.

This episode is raw, informative, and inspiring and might just change the way you think about self-care, body confidence and the power of saying the word “vagina” without whispering it.

You can contact Lindsey through - (10) Lindsey Stephens | LinkedIn, have a look at V Hydrate - Veda Woman and subscribe to The Female Boss magazine here - The Female boss magazine (@thefemalebossmagazine) • Instagram photos and videos

I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn;

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In this deeply personal episode, we explore the often-overlooked emotional and invisible symptoms of menopause, especially how they impact those in demanding careers like teaching. Jillian shares her journey of navigating menopause beyond traditional medical advice, shedding light on the feelings of disconnection, anxiety and self-doubt that can accompany this life stage.

After nearly 30 years in teaching, Jillian left her career in education to focus on her calling of becoming a healer. She candidly reflects on the challenge of transitioning careers and discovering new ways to support herself emotionally and physically through holistic healing modalities.

From transformational belief coding, an evidence-backed process rewiring limiting subconscious beliefs, to energy healing techniques like quantum flame healing, angelic reiki and silent counselling, she reveals how these practices helped ease her menopause symptoms when conventional treatments weren’t an option.

This episode dives into the powerful intersection of mind, body, and energy healing, showing how ancient practices combined with modern science can offer women natural and supportive tools for managing menopause. If you’ve ever felt lost in the physical and emotional storm of menopause or wondered about alternative healing paths, this episode is a must-listen.

You can find out more and connect with Jillian on; (1) Jillian Shiers | LinkedIn, (1) Facebook, Jillian Shiers Healing.

I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn;

www.linkedin.com/in/⭐alison-allen-chartered-mcipd

In this rich and expansive conversation, Alison is joined by the inspiring Amanda Green who is a Transformation Coach, Leadership Facilitator, and Spiritual Guide. Together, we explore the idea of menopause as a spiritual awakening and a powerful portal into deeper self-awareness.

Amanda shares how she works with women to connect with their spiritual intelligence, inner wisdom, and power which is often buried beneath the busy-ness and expectations of life. She talks about menopause as a time when the body and soul speak more loudly, inviting us to slow down, pay attention, and make space for healing and release.

Amanda explains how experiences like hot flushes, vivid dreams, emotional shifts, and even illness can be part of a larger energetic and spiritual shift. Amanda also touches on the roles of feminine archetypes, the elements (earth, fire, water, air), and past life healing in her work, and how menopause can be a threshold moment that awakens intuitive gifts and deepens purpose.

This is a warm and reflective chat for anyone curious about the soul side of menopause – and the possibility that what feels like falling apart might actually be a deeper becoming.

You can find Amanda on Amanda Green | LinkedIn or (4) Facebook and her website is www.amandagreencoaching.co.uk

🎧 Listen in and rediscover your spark—one real-life moment at a time

I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn;

www.linkedin.com/in/⭐alison-allen-chartered-mcipd

In this warm and inspiring episode, Alison sits down with Vicki Snell, HR Assistant at Chester Race Company, to explore how real conversations about menopause have transformed workplace culture.

Vicki shares her career journey, from barmaid to HR and offers a behind-the-scenes look at a female-led organisation that’s actively creating a more inclusive environment for people experiencing their menopause journey.

Together, we unpack how Chester Race Company identified the need for menopause awareness and education and how it sparked honest dialogue, lasting policy change and everyday workplace adjustments. From glass-walled offices and hot flushes to the freedom to wear sandals and bring notebooks into meetings, Vicki gives us real-life examples of what it means to feel seen and supported at work.

She also shares the ripple effects of the sessions, like team members recognising their own symptoms, feeling confident to speak to their GPs and using practical tools to manage brain fog in a fast-paced environment.

Following the workplace training, Vicki realised she was struggling with her own menopause journey and wasn’t getting the help she needed from health professionals. That moment of awareness led her to embark upon menopause coaching, which had a hugely positive impact on her personal wellbeing. Her story highlights the importance of not only raising awareness, but also providing the right support to take action.

This episode is full of empathy, energy and encouragement. Whether you're an HR professional, a leader, or someone navigating menopause at work, Vicki’s story shows just how powerful small changes and honest conversations, can be.

You can connect with Vicky on Linkedin - Vicky Snell | LinkedIn

🎧 Listen in and rediscover your spark—one real-life moment at a time

I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn;

www.linkedin.com/in/⭐alison-allen-chartered-mcipd

In this empowering and insightful episode, Alison sits down with Liz Boswell of Bold Moves Coaching to explore the profound impact menopause can have on women’s confidence, communication and careers. Drawing from her own journey through perimenopause and extensive coaching experience, Liz sheds light on how fluctuating hormones like oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone influence mental clarity, anxiety, self-expression and even the voice.

They candidly discuss the challenges menopausal women often face, such as brain fog, being talked over, fear of stigma and hesitation to disclose symptoms, even to doctors. Liz shares her bold decision to leave the corporate world and start her own business, highlighting how menopause can inspire transformative life changes toward greater fulfilment and work-life balance.

This episode tackles common misconceptions, emphasising that menopause doesn’t have to be a negative experience. With the right awareness, support and self-advocacy, it can be a time of renewal and empowerment. Practical advice includes reconnecting with your strengths, managing communication pace and advocating confidently in both personal and professional settings.

Whether you’re navigating menopause yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers honest conversation, valuable insights, and encouragement to embrace this transformative phase with boldness and confidence.

You can find Liz on Linkedin - (4) Liz Boswell - Bold Moves Coach | LinkedIn and through her website - https//www.boldmovescoach.co.uk

🎧 Listen in and rediscover your spark—one real-life moment at a time

I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn;

www.linkedin.com/in/⭐alison-allen-chartered-mcipd

Are you or someone you love going through the menopause? In this empowering episode of Find Your Spark: Real Life Menopause Moments, I’m joined by the brilliant Ellie from Ultimate Health by Ellie. Together, we delve into how nutrition plays a crucial role not just during menopause but also for long-term heart, brain, and bone health.

Ellie shares her own inspiring health journey, from student habits and struggles with food to becoming a qualified life and nutrition coach. We explore how she helps women, especially in their 30s, 40s and 50s, simplify nutrition, escape fad diets, and build lasting, healthy habits.

We also talk about:

• Why menopause is the perfect time to reassess your health
• The impact of reduced hormone levels on digestion, metabolism, and weight distribution
• Why the number on the scale isn’t the whole story
• How her 12-week transformation programme supports women in midlife
• The importance of hydration, protein, brain health, and gut health

This episode is packed with relatable experiences and practical tips to help you feel supported and empowered during every stage of menopause.

🎧 Listen in and rediscover your spark—one real-life moment at a time

If you would like to contact Ellie, you can find her through her Linkedin profile - (1) Ultimate Health By Ellie | LinkedIn or Facebook page - Facebook

I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn;

www.linkedin.com/in/⭐alison-allen-chartered-mcipd

In this powerful episode of Find Your Spark: Real Life Menopause Moments, host Alison welcomes Lauren Chiren, CEO of Women of a Certain Stage. Lauren shares her raw and relatable journey from senior leadership in financial services to experiencing extreme anxiety, memory loss, and burnout, only to discover she had gone through early menopause.

What followed was a complete career pivot. Lauren opens up about the moment she realised she wasn’t alone and how that led to hosting the first menopause event in London’s financial district, founding her business, and eventually creating a Menopause Coaching Diploma that Alison herself has taken.

Together, they explore the lack of awareness and support around menopause in the workplace, the importance of visibility, and how coaching and community are changing lives. This is a must-listen for anyone navigating menopause or wanting to better understand and support others through it.

🎧 Listen in if you want to hear about:

• The early signs of menopause no one talks about
• How menopause symptoms mimic dementia
• Creating change in the workplace around menopause
• Turning personal struggle into social impact
• The power of menopause coaching and community

If you would like to contact Lauren, you can find her on Linkedin (1) Lauren Chiren | LinkedIn and her website is www.womenofacertainstage.com

I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn;

www.linkedin.com/in/⭐alison-allen-chartered-mcipd

In this very first episode of Find Your Spark: Real Life Menopause Moments, host Alison a seasoned HR consultant, menopause educator, and certified menopause coach, sets the stage for an empowering and informative series.

She begins by clearly explaining what menopause is, including its three key stages: perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. Alison shares the broad range of symptoms, both physical and psychological, that can affect individuals in different ways, some mild, some severe, and some often misunderstood or unrecognised.

Alison also speaks candidly about her personal journey into menopause advocacy, driven not by her own symptoms but by witnessing the real struggles others faced, especially in the workplace. From loss of confidence and brain fog to anxiety and resignation, she highlights how menopause can disrupt careers if left unsupported.

The episode is full of real-life examples, including a powerful story of a woman who almost left her job thinking she had early-onset dementia only to find her symptoms were menopause-related. This insight led to her receiving support, treatment, and ultimately thriving again in her role.

Alison also underscores the critical need for menopause awareness in the workplace, sharing staggering statistics:

• 1 in 4 consider leaving work due to menopause
• 1 in 10 actually do
• 8 in 10 menopausal women are in work
• Replacing one person on a £25,000 salary costs over £30,000

This opening episode lays a solid foundation for the series and calls for both individual empowerment and employer responsibility. 

If you're going through menopause or supporting someone who is, this is a must-listen.

I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn;

www.linkedin.com/in/⭐alison-allen-chartered-mcipd