Liberté - Free to Be

Happy New Year! 

Jenni Retourné has worked in beauty for nearly 20 years, as a beauty editor and marketing manager before launching Willowberry skincare in 2017.   Championing Age Without Apology, Willowberry was born from Jenni’s desire to provide natural skincare designed especially for the needs of grown-up skin, without telling women to 'reverse' their faces.   

Jenni campaigns for better age diversity in beauty and launched the Age Without Apology Pledge, with the goal to change the perception, representation and language of age and ageing in beauty and ensure that age is celebrated and revered, not feared.   Willowberry's work towards this has been featured in the national media and recognised by the British Beauty Council Jenni is also on the Diversity and Inclusion committee to represent age diversity in the beauty industry.   

Willowberry carried out a survey with 1000 women and 97% wanted to see more older women in beauty campaigns, Let’s hope that conversations like these can create a ripple effect for change in the beauty industry.   One thing for sure is Jenni’s passion and commitment to be part of the conversation.  

https://www.willowberry.co.uk 

 Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1  

 I'll be back in a fortnight but in the meantime  

Keep being fabulous  

Rachel x 

 https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble

The last show of 2022 and this week I'm wrapping up with Part 2 of the Midlife Body Confidence survey.

This survey was carried out to gauge how women over 40 really feel about their bodies and what impacts, positive or negative, may alter their body confidence, as this age group so often get left out of the equation.

Q8. Have you ever cut the label out of your clothes to hide the size?

 70% said No 

30% reported Yes, they had

Q9.Do you feel represented on the high street?

70% said No they didn’t feel seen

30% felt they were represented

Q10. What has the biggest impact on your body confidence? Positive or negative?

Out of 184 comments some common themes appeared-

Here are the most common issues cited that have a negative impact

·  The changes to our bodies as age and still comparing it to when you were younger

·  Weight gain

·  Menopause symptoms

·  Lack of women you can relate to on social media and advertising

·  Shopping and finding clothes that suit you that make you feel good

Compared to those that created a positive impact

·  Following a diverse set of people on social media and seeing bodies that look like yours

·  Wearing clothes that fit well

·  Caring less about what other people might think

·  Changing your mindset-Accepting the changes to your body and focussing on the parts you do like

Q11. Do you criticise your body when you are with your friends?

53% Yes occasionally

29% No we’ve banned it

15% Often

3% Yes always

Q12.How comfortable are you when receiving a compliment?

44% mildly uncomfortable- they usually try and bat it off

26% were somewhat comfortable and didn’t mind

23% they loved receiving compliments

8% reported being squeamishly uncomfortable

It's clear there is still work to be done to help women In midlife and beyond feel good in their bodies, to live a fulfilled life without negative thoughts about our bodies to hold us back!

To read the Midlife Body Confidence Survey see- https://www.rachelperu.co.uk/the-midlife-body-confidence-report

Thank you to all the fabulous women who have joined me on the podcast this year, it's been a privilege to share all their stories.

Wishing you all a fabulous Christmas break and I'll be back next year!

So in the meantime...

Keep being fabulous 

Rachel x

(Data was collected anonymously, via google from between June and October 2022)

I decided to carry out this Midlife Body Confidence survey to gauge how women over 40 really feel about their bodies and what impacts, positive or negative, may alter their body confidence, as this age group so often get left out of the equation.

I'll be sharing my thoughts on the results over 2 podcast episodes , as you know it's a subject I am very passionate about so I had a lot to say! 

What does it mean to be body confident?

Body confidence is feeling good in your own skin, no matter your size, shape, or age. It's about accepting and loving yourself, just as you are. And while that might sound easy enough, achieving body confidence can be a real challenge—especially for women over 40.

Think about it: By the time we reach our 40s, we've been through a lot. We've borne children, weathered breakups, and divorce, and dealt with job losses and financial setbacks. We've also been bombarded by society's unrealistic standards of beauty. As a result, it's no wonder that so many of us struggle with self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy.

It is possible to overcome negative feelings and achieve true body confidence at any age.

Here's some useful tips:

1. Accept your age

One of the best things you can do for your body confidence is to accept the fact that you are no longer in your 20s (or 30s). That doesn't mean resigning yourself to a life of frumpy clothes and taking it easy on the weekends. Rather, it means accepting that your body has changed and that those changes are perfectly normal.

2. Don't compare yourself to others

It's human nature to compare ourselves to others, but when it comes to body confidence, comparisons are always going to leave us feeling worse about ourselves. Instead of dwelling on what you don't have, focus on what you do have—and be grateful for it.

3. Focus on health, not looks

Oftentimes, we become so focused on how we look that we forget about how we feel. But true body confidence comes from feeling our best—mentally and physically. In other words, worry less about fitting into those skinny jeans and more about eating healthy foods, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep. When you take care of yourself, you'll feel better both inside and out—and that will show in your appearance as well as in your overall sense of well-being.

4. Find something to love about your body

We all have aspects of our appearance that we're self-conscious about—but instead of fixating on those things, try to find one thing that you love about your body for every aspect that you're not crazy about. For example, if you don't like your arms, think about how strong they are from all those years of carrying around kids or grocery bags. If you're not thrilled with your hips, remember how feminine they make you look. Focusing on the positive will help you see yourself in a whole new light—and feel more confident as a result."

The most important thing to remember is that everyone's definition of body confidence is different—and there's no "right" way to achieve it. Just do what feels right for you—and don't be afraid to ask for help along the way! If you're struggling to love your body just as it is, consider reaching out to a therapist or counsellor who can help you learn to appreciate all that YOU are—inside and out

*Data was collected anonymously, via google from between June and October 2022.

You can read the report summary here-

 https://www.rachelperu.co.uk/the-midlife-body-confidence-report

I'll be back with Part 2 next week

but in the meantime

Keep being fabulous Rachel x

https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

Meet Dawn-Maria France who is an accomplished award-winning journalist and the Editor-in-chief of a news-led women’s magazine Yorkshire Women’s Life. She is a also travel writer, children's author and broadcaster. A fellow Yorkshire lass, Dawn-Maria is not only passionate about her Caribbean Asian roots but also on important issues including women’s rights, equality, diversity and mental health.

Dawn has a breadth of  broadcasting experience appearing on the BBC TV & radio, Sky News as well as European channels including Spain's largest English-speaking radio station: Talk Radio Europe, where Dawn-Maria talked about women in the media.

Dawn-Maria has presented awards at award ceremonies and has sat on news panels discussing 'women in the news', and 'global news stories'. She was a panellist on 'Views in the News' at the highly respected Women of the World festival.

Dawn-Maria has interviewed celebrities and prominent public figures including Lord Andrew Adonis and Businesswoman, CEO, celebrity Caprice Bourret.

Dawn and I had so much to talk about from women in the media, why representation is so important and what inspired her to write her children’s picture books: The Adventures of Jenny and Philip. Through her books Dawn aims to teach children about ethics and morals , about the world them and their place in it.

Subjects covered-

• What drew Dawn-Maria to journalism and wanting to share other peoples stories


• Life as a young black journalist from the north of England


• The mental wellbeing impact of racism 


• Staying true to your roots and being your authentic self


• Why representation matters


• The need to hear more working class voices from the North represented in the media


• Where the inspiration came from to write The Adventures of Jenny and Philip


• Self publishing v the traditional publishing root

Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1 

I'll be back for a solo last episode of 2022 

but in the meantime

Keep being fabulous Rachel x

https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

I am so excited about this weeks guest as I am huge fan of her poetry.

Donna Ashworth is the Sunday Times Bestselling author of several poetry books. Collections to provide inspiration and comfort for absolutely every bump in life’s road. From marriage, parenting, self-love, ageing, body image, grief, loss and much more, no stone is left unturned and no trouble unheard within these covers. I Wish I Knew has been shared around the world and across social media and resonated with so many women during lockdown.

A mother of two, Donna lives in the idyllic Scottish hills with her husband, sons, and dogs and has created a real stir in the poetry arena. 

She first started writing her poems during lockdown hiding her real name and quickly gained fans including celebrities such as Fearne Cotton. There comes a point when imposter syndrome needs to move to one side and Donna began to own her work and started to show up as her authentic self on social media.

Donna describes herself as a woman’s woman who would love nothing more than banish the societal expectations placed upon us on our body image and the ageing process and as a body confidence activist myself I couldn't love her work more!

Donna has almost a million followers across social media, as well as many celebrity readers, and enjoys engaging with them all, reminding each other daily that we are here to thrive! 

Subjects covered-

• The impact of lockdown life


• Tapping in to your creative intuition


• Imposter syndrome


• Where the inspiration come from 


• Moving back to Scotland


• Finding simple pleasures in life


• The writing process


• Gaining a publishing contract


• What's next

.https://donnaashworth.com

Instagram- @donnaashworthwords

Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1 

I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime

Keep being fabulous Rachel x

https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

Amy Bates is the Founder of the Beauty Rebellion, a positive body image activist and beauty industry educator. The Beauty Rebellion is a multi-layered coaching business that teaches beauty professionals how to run an ethical, inclusive and body positive beauty business that helps their clients learn to be confident in their bodies and improve their self-esteem aswell as coaching individuals to improve their body confidence. 

She is a number one bestselling author of The Body Confidence Masterplan and podcast show host of Girl talk - a signposting and support show for beauty industry professionals to help themselves and clients with issues that affect women. She is on a mission to help people stop spending so much time worrying about what we look like and more time living happy and fulfilled lives and drive change in the beauty industry. She started her career as a Police Officer and changed direction to the world of Bridal Beauty in 2011.

The Rebellion has evolved into educating beauty professionals in building clients self-esteem and having a positive impact on body positivity through better education and representation. You can complete an accredited course on how to be a body positive beauty business.

The affiliate programme allows beauty pro's to represent their business as a driver of change for the impact the industry has on mental health.

The Beauty Rebellion offers professionals the opportunity to promote positive body image personal development courses and self-esteem building retail items for clients.

 "Rebels & non-conformists are the pioneers and designers of change." #Indira Ghandi

And that is exactly what the Beauty Rebellion is here to do. To create change in the beauty industry, create change in the way we see beauty and build confidence and self-esteem in the women and men we see ! We need to  see that the next generation develops tools to combat the issues surrounding the way they see themselves and others.

Subjects covered-

• Career shifts from the police force to the beauty industry


• Confidence is key


• The lack of diversity and inclusion in the beauty industry


• Why representation matters


• What sparked Amy's passion to create change


• Body confidence and self esteem


• What's next?

If you would like to find out more about The Beauty Rebellion and Amy please visit-https://beautyrebellion.co.uk/home

I had the pleasure of joining Amy on her Girl Talk podcast recently and you can hear our interview here

Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1 

I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime

Keep being fabulous Rachel x

https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

Those that have followed me for a while will know that I’m a big fan of wearing vintage and preloved clothes, before modelling I used to have my own vintage clothing business called All About Eve and I loved it.

What better way to remind everyone about #secondhandseptember than talking with sustainable stylist Sara Ibrahim.

Sara is the Founder and Lead Stylist of SIMA. As an experienced sustainable stylist and a graduate of London School of Styling. Sara strives to redesign her clients wardrobe habits, creating new from old outfits that reflect their personality and lifestyle. Sara also challenges them to rethink old potentially mindless shopping habits into something positive and joyful.

“As a woman and as a Sustainable Personal Stylist, I want to collaborate building a world where our clothes do not restrict us, but rather empower us.

Because fashion is confidence!”

As an experienced sustainable personal stylist and graduate of London School of Styling, Sara works with her clients to clean up and revamp their existing wardrobe, find suitable pieces to fill the gaps and challenge them to rethink old shopping habits.

When was the last time you shopped in your wardrobe? You might find some hidden gems you’d forgotten about

When you think of booking a stylist you may still be worried that they’re going to come into your wardrobe and throw away all your clothes and expect you to have a big bag of money to replace them with. Thankfully this isn’t the case and Sara can help you to shop in your own wardrobe strive to redesign your wardrobe habits, creating new from old outfits that reflect your personality and lifestyle.

Subjects covered-

·  What is sustainable style?

·  Why is it so important

·  Losing our sense of identity after 40

·  Ditching the numbers

·  Body confidence

·  Secondhand September

·  How we can reboot our confidence through our clothes

·  How to stop feeling overwhelmed in Charity shopping

·  The differences between Italian and women in the UK

·  Fashion should be fun!

·  If you’d like to know more about Sara please visit-

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-ibrahim

https://www.simastylist.com

https://www.instagram.com/simastylistlondon/

Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1 

I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime

Keep being fabulous Rachel x

https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

This weeks guest is joining me from her home in the South of France. Living the dream life with some curve balls along the way. 

Honor Marks is an instagram Coach and gîte owner in the South of France. Honor shares her journey on social media with honesty, good humour and a good dose of reality. She is passionate about supporting other women in midlife and helping them refine their mojo. 

Whilst some of us still might dream of moving to France (It's on my future plans list!) Honor moved from London with her then husband and daughter to experience a new way of life. Life has a way of throwing you unexpected curve balls in midlife and as Honor shares so openly the breakdown of her marriage around her 50th birthday was one of those moments. Followed by the pandemic which saw an abrupt stop to her gite rental business she was left at a crossroads. 

She had already created a strong social media following on Instagram with confidence so she turned her hand to coaching and helping other women become more confident and visible as an Instagram coach. Life has slowly returned back to normal with a summer full of gite guests so what's next for Honor and her French adventures?

Subject covered-

• Moving to France and making someone else's dream work


• Becoming a site owner


• Curve balls at 50 and getting divorced


• Going solo


• Navigating the pandemic and changing direction


• Instagram and social media coaching


• Confidence is key 


• Dating in your 50's and finding love later in life


• Why Honor is so passionate about helping support other women in midlife


• Women supporting women- womens retreats


• What comes next...

Do you dream of moving abroad? If so what's stopping you? I know for me it's family ties, I want to wait until my youngest has finished her degree next year before I start planning, but that doesn't stop me doing the research of which areas we like best and I lose endless hours scrolling through Rightmove. 

One thing I have learnt from interviewing all these fabulous women is that nothing is impossible! 

Follow Honor on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/honestlywithhonor/

https://www.honestlywithhonor.com

www.maisondelaroche.com

Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1 

I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime

Keep being fabulous Rachel x

https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

Baroness Helen Newlove has been on my guest wish list for several years so I was so delighted to finally have the opportunity to talk with her and I wasn't disappointed, we had so much to talk about.

Helen has so many strings to her bow including broadcaster, public speaker, Author of 'It Could Happen To You', Pro Vice Chancellor University of Bolton and not forgetting the current Deputy Speaker House of Lords

The sad truth is Helen's drive and sense of purpose comes from a place of unimaginable trauma that no one should have to experience. Helen Newlove came to prominence after her husband, Garry Newlove was murdered by three youths in 2007. After Garrys death she set up a number of foundations that aimed to tackle the UK drinking culture as well as providing support to young people. 

All her hard work didn't go unnoticed which led to her to becoming the Victims Commissioner in 2012 and is now serving as the Deputy Speaker of House of Lords.

Helen was driven by her own experience of dealing with a traumatic life changing event; she wanted to ensure others didn't have to go through the same ordeal and that lessons could be learnt.

"I am just an ordinary woman, propelled into high profile by a set of horrifying circumstances which I wish with all my heart had never occurred."

Subjects covered-

• Garrys tragic murder and life afterwards 


• The justice system and what inspired Helen to campaign for change


• Finding her own voice 


• The power of sharing your story


• The importance of community


• Stepping out of her comfort zone and taking on new roles that she could never have imagined


• Imposter syndrome 


• Life in the House of Lords 


• Finding that work/life balance and what Helens self care looks like


• What's next? Connecting with others and become a coach.

If you'd like to learn more about Baroness Helen Newlove you can find her-

Instagram- @baronessnewlove 

Twitter-@baronessnewlove

Linkedin- Baroness Newlove

Listen to her Desert Island Discs episode-https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bbnlyz

Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1 

I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime

Keep being fabulous Rachel x

https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

Rachel Lankester is no stranger to the show, in fact this is her second visit since our first interview back on Ep.20 , in 2019 but she's been a busy woman since then so I couldn't wait for round 2! 

Rachel is the founder of Magnificent Midlife, an online hub inspiring woman in midlife and beyond. Magnificent Midlife exists to challenge negative stereotypes of older women, change perceptions, and transform midlife and beyond into a time of excitement and fulfilment.

Like me Rachel is passionate about celebrating, championing and empowering women in midlife and beyond and her Magnificent Midlife Podcast does just that. She can also add author to her list of her credentials after recently publishing Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause and Beyond  which I found thought provoking and left me feeling even more positive about my own next chapter.

Subjects covered-

-Going through early menopause

-Where the inspiration came from to start Magnificent Midlife

-Why it's important we challenge the outdated stereo types of midlife women

-Midlife transformations

-Why Rachel believes we need to hear more positive stories around the menopause

-Different attitudes to ageing across the world

-What we can learn from whales!

-Writing her first book, the highs and the lows

-Whats next?

You can find out lots more from Rachel  -https://magnificentmidlife.com

Whilst it is undeniable that lots of women really struggle with the physical and mental impact of the menopasue we should also include the positive side to this stage of life because it's definitely not all doom and gloom. I want to hear more stories from post-menopausal women so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1 

I love sharing all these amazing and inspiring women and have learnt so much from all of them, If you enjoy listening to them as much as I do, then please feel free to Buy Me A Coffee I really appreciate your support. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RachelPeru1  

I have now created a FREE "Step Out of the Bubble" private group. A safe space to share and feel part of a community of women all finding their own way through midlife. Where you get to hear from amazing women who are embracing life and leaving a trail of inspiration along the way.

Encouraging women after 40 to try something new and step out of their own bubble. A group to share, celebrate wins, encourage and support other members. It's your time to shine!

Join here https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepoutofthebubble

I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime

Keep being fabulous Rachel x

https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)