Just As Well, The Women's Health Podcast

Noticing more hair in your brush, a thinner ponytail or widening around your parting? Hair loss can be frightening – but understanding what’s causing it is the first step towards tackling it. 

In this episode of Just As Well Claire Sanderson and Gemma Atkinson are joined by leading trichologist Annabel Kingsley to explain why women experience hair loss during postpartum, perimenopause and menopause – and how stress, rapid weight loss, GLP-1 medication and low iron levels can also trigger shedding. 

Annabel reveals how to tell normal shedding from a potential problem, when hair loss may be reversible and when to seek expert help. She also shares the changes that can support healthier hair growth, from getting enough protein and carbohydrates to looking after your scalp properly. 

Plus, she separates fact from fiction on collagen, biotin, red-light therapy, minoxidil and expensive hair products – and explains why taking supplements without a blood test could make matters worse. 

If you’re worried about hair loss, this practical and reassuring episode will help you understand what’s happening – and what to do next. 

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Have you ever gone to the doctor knowing something wasn’t right, only to feel dismissed?

Women’s health advocate Cherry Healey joins Claire Sanderson on Just As Well to explain why women are still struggling to be heard—and how to advocate for yourself when your symptoms aren’t being taken seriously. They discuss recurrent UTIs, the perimenopause symptoms too often mistaken for depression, why heart problems can be missed in women and the signs we should never simply “put up with”.

Cherry also shares her own experience of fighting for UTI treatment, the HRT prescription that changed her life and the practical steps you can take to make your voice heard in the consulting room.

This episode contains a discussion of suicide.

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Can a diagnosis sometimes do more harm than good?

Claire Sanderson and Gemma Atkinson are joined by consultant neurologist and bestselling author Suzanne O’Sullivan to explore why more people are receiving medical labels—and whether those labels always lead to better health.

Suzanne explains the important difference between misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis, and why finding an abnormality doesn’t necessarily mean it will ever make you ill. The conversation covers the rise in ADHD and autism diagnoses, the risks of medicating children too readily, health anxiety, wearables, full-body scans and the impact of constantly monitoring our bodies.

They also ask whether ordinary sadness and anxiety are becoming overmedicalised, and how we can raise awareness of menopause without making women fear it.

Suzanne’s views have attracted criticism, but her argument isn’t that people should ignore symptoms or avoid medical care. Instead, she wants us to ask: what will this diagnosis give me, what harm could it cause and will it meaningfully improve my life?

Suzanne O’Sullivan’s latest book is The Age of Diagnosis.

This episode is for general information and discussion and should not replace personalised medical advice.

Want more from Women’s Health? Join the Women’s Health COLLECTIVE for workouts, exclusive events and expert advice to unlock your fittest self - Train smarter. Live better. Visit www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/wh-podcast

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Live from a special Just As Well event, Gemma Atkinson and Claire Sanderson sit down with fitness coach, entrepreneur and Celebrity SAS winner Gabby Allen.

Gabby shares the experiences that shaped her mindset – from undergoing scoliosis surgery as a teenager to competing in some of television's toughest challenges. She explains why consistency matters more than perfection, how strength training transformed her confidence, and the simple habits that help her stay healthy when life gets busy.

The conversation also covers:

Plus, Gabby answers audience questions on training with injuries, recovery, motivation and staying active through different stages of life.

If you've ever struggled to stay consistent with your health goals, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.

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Why do so many women feel exhausted, overwhelmed and unable to switch off — even when life looks “good” on paper?

In this episode of Just As Well, Gemma Atkinson and Claire Sanderson sit down with Dr Zoe Williams for an honest conversation about chronic stress, burnout, cortisol and the invisible mental load women carry every day.

From 3am wake-ups and brain fog to chest pain, anxiety and feeling constantly “wired but tired”, Dr Zoe explains how stress shows up in the body — and why so many women ignore the warning signs until they physically can’t anymore.

The conversation also covers:

A relatable, funny and eye-opening episode for any woman who feels like she’s juggling too much.

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Want more from Women’s Health? Join the Women’s Health COLLECTIVE for workouts, exclusive events and expert advice to unlock your fittest self - Train smarter. Live better. Visit www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/wh-podcast

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Is midlife really a time to slow down—or could it be your strongest chapter yet?

In this episode of Just As Well, Claire Sanderson is joined by women's strength and longevity coach, bestselling author and podcast host Kate Rowe-Ham.

Fresh from completing both HYROX and the London Marathon, Kate shares why challenging herself physically has become about far more than fitness. Together, Claire and Kate discuss the realities of ageing, the importance of strength training, the power of community, and why women need to stop accepting the narrative that they become invisible after 40.

They also explore practical ways to improve health and wellbeing through movement, nutrition, mindset and recovery—without striving for perfection.

In this episode:

A motivating and uplifting conversation for anyone who wants to age with strength, purpose and confidence. 

Want more from Women’s Health? Join the Women’s Health COLLECTIVE for workouts, exclusive events and expert advice to unlock your fittest self - Train smarter. Live better. Visit www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/wh-podcast

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Ashley James joins Gemma Atkinson and Claire Sanderson for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about motherhood, body confidence, women's health and finding your voice.

Known for her broadcasting career, activism and new book Bimbo, Ashley reflects on growing up in a world that taught women to take up less space and how she's spent years unlearning those messages. She opens up about the sexualisation she experienced as a teenager, the pressure women face to look a certain way, and why health should never be defined by body size. 

Ashley also shares her experience of birth trauma, prolapse, postnatal recovery and the reality of life after having children – highlighting the support she believes women deserve but too often don't receive. 

Together, the trio discuss:

This is a thoughtful, empowering

If you've ever felt pressured to

Want more from Women’s Health? Join the Women’s Health COLLECTIVE for workouts, exclusive events and expert advice to unlock your fittest self - Train smarter. Live better. Visit www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/wh-podcast

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Fitness coach, Gymshark athlete and content creator Oyinda Okunowo joins Just As Well to talk about building a healthier relationship with fitness—and why getting results doesn't have to mean cutting out everything you enjoy.

After retiring from professional football and gaining weight at university, Oyinda began her own fitness journey, eventually qualifying as a personal trainer and building an audience of millions through her relatable, evidence-based approach to health and exercise.

In this episode, Oyinda shares the lessons she's learned along the way, from navigating the overwhelming world of fitness advice to helping women feel more confident in the gym. We discuss social media myths, unrealistic transformation culture, body recomposition, and why consistency always beats quick fixes.

You'll also hear practical advice for beginners, including the importance of mastering form before chasing heavier weights, how to make fitness sustainable, and why carbohydrates aren't the enemy.

Try Oyinda's training plan here: https://link.womenshealthmag.co.uk/join/signup-womens-health-2026-summer-podcast 

Want more from Women’s Health? Join the Women’s Health COLLECTIVE for workouts, exclusive events and expert advice to unlock your fittest self - Train smarter. Live better. Visit www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/wh-podcast

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Women’s health expert and GP Dr Shireen joins Gemma Atkinson and Claire Sanderson to discuss why so many women dismiss symptoms, delay seeking help and struggle to prioritise their own health.

From perimenopause and hormones to burnout, stress, painful periods and pelvic health, this episode is packed with practical advice and honest conversation about the realities of women’s health today.

Dr Shireen also opens up about the moment trusting her instincts as a mother saved her son’s life.

A must-listen conversation about advocating for yourself, understanding your body and recognising the symptoms women should never ignore.

Want more from Women’s Health? Join the Women’s Health COLLECTIVE for workouts, exclusive events and expert advice to unlock your fittest self - Train smarter. Live better. Visit www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/wh-podcast

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Michelle Heaton joins Gemma Atkinson and Claire Sanderson for one of the most powerful episodes of Just As Well.

From her rise to fame in Liberty X to the pressures of life in the spotlight, Michelle reflects on the highs and the challenges of her career — including body image struggles and the intense scrutiny of the early 2000s.

She speaks candidly about her battle with alcohol addiction, the moment she realised she needed help, and what life was really like behind closed doors. Michelle also opens up about undergoing a full hysterectomy in her 30s after testing positive for the BRCA2 gene, and how early menopause impacted her mental and physical health.

Now nearly five years sober, Michelle shares how she rebuilt her life, her marriage and her sense of self — and the daily practices that keep her grounded today.

Want more from Women’s Health? Join the Women’s Health COLLECTIVE for workouts, exclusive events and expert advice to unlock your fittest self - Train smarter. Live better. Visit www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/wh-podcast

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