Liberté - Free to Be

Dr.Mairi Macleod is an evolutionary biologist, speaker, science writer and expert on human behaviour. She's pioneering the use of an understanding of our evolved preferences and motivations to inform how we can change our behaviour to better suit our needs in the modern world. She applies this in relationships and in the workplace, and she has a special interest in helping single, midlife women find a quality partner – having been through this challenging process herself.

Mairi now helps individuals to find a quality partner, to understand and improve their romantic and sexual relationships, to achieve greater health and wellbeing, and to find effective strategies to excel at work while achieving the work-life balance they desire.

Subjects covered

• How it all started. Dr.Mairi Macelod researched the mating and reproductive strategies of wild samango monkeys in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. On returning to the UK she began some reproduction of her own and so changed tack to more family-compatible work by becoming a freelance science writer. After her own life experiences of divorce later in life she was able to use her evolutionary behavioural biologist background to find love again. Which led to Mairi bringing a new and unique perspective to helping women achieve success and satisfaction in all realms of life.


• The challenges of finding a new partner in midlife


• How Mairi found her own partner and now husband.


• Building self-esteem and confidence


• Creating strong boundaries for yourself


• Online dating


• The importance of "Mate Value" 


• What traits should we be looking for in a new partner


• Where to make new connections, where are some of the best places to find a new partner in midlife?

For more information about Dr.Mairi's work visit-

https://www.datingevolved.com/

or join the free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/datingintelligenceover50 

*Not to be missed!

Are you a single midlife woman who’d like to find a good man for a great relationship?

There’s a real treat for you coming up on the 4th of April - if you're ready to get proactive about finding your man!

Mairi has a Free Masterclass coming up, called "Getting Ready for Successful Dating - for women over 50" 

You can register here-

https://www.datingevolved.com/registration-page-9db01ef2-5675-42e9-993b-3d1589f86efc

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!

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

I'll be back next week, so in the meantime, .... Keep being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure

 Minreet Kaur is an award winning broadcast journalist and now she's retrained to become a swimming instructor.

She is the daughter of the famous Skipping Sikh MBE and won report of the year in 2020. Minreet has now retrained and is following a very different career path becoming a swimming instructor. She is on a mission to help women, particularly from the Sikh community, to learn to swim and become more confident in the water. I love how open to change Minreet has been throughout her different career journeys as fear of change can often hold so many women back in midlife. 

This change in direction from journalist to swimming teacher is all down to wanting to help her community to become healthier and more active. Since she started training she's had lots of requests from Asian women who would like her to teach their children, as well as themselves and their parents – the referrals are endless.I love Minreet's quote "I want to help women feel confident in the deep end" as it can really be applied to lots of different aspects of our lives. Learning to sit with life changes and embracing stepping out of our comfort zones.

"Growing up, there was always a taboo around swimming.

I didn’t really see anyone who looked like me that was teaching swimming – and even in recent years not much has changed.

Culturally and traditionally, swimming hasn’t been a sport that’s been promoted to Asian women.

There are no Sikh swimming role models so of course it is not an activity that everyone wants to do." #minreetkaur

I'm a big believer in the idea of,  "If you can't see it, be it!

Subjects covered-

• The challenges of pursuing a career in journalism in her 30's


• Finding her voice and the importance of sharing our stories


• The importance of social media as a platform to be seen and heard


• Lockdown life and how the Skipping challenge started with her dad


• The importance of serving the community


• What led Minreet to become a swimming instructor


• Why representation matters


• Body confidence


• Life after divorce for a Sikh woman


• Challenging outdated views


• Learning new skills


• Finding joy through ParkRuns, making new connections and stay healthy

To follow Minreet on Twitter @minkaur5 and Instagram @minreetkaur

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!

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

I'll be back next week, so in the meantime, .... Keep being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure

I first met this weeks guest last year at the Yorkshire Blogger Awards and knew I had to ask her on the show.

Claire Kenny describes herself as a writer, mother and greyhound owner living in Yorkshire and is the woman behind My 40 Plus Life. Claire has used her blog to share with honesty and humour what life after 40 has looked like for her. Claire opens up the conversation from divorce to dating, single life and everything else in between in such. relatable manner that I know you're going to love her. 

You may have already come across her writing as she contributes to the fabulous Forty and Beyond magazine. if you haven't come across this digital magazine I recommend you take a look. It's always full of great articles that really showcases today's modern midlife women.

"This has been the decade where I’ve learned the most about myself and been brave enough to become the person I was always meant to be. Like most women in their 40s, I've been on quite a journey, and have always written about my experiences as a way of processing them."

Subjects covered-

• How writing has been therapeutic


• Learning to share your vulnerability


• Keeping it real on social media


• Dating in midlife


• Being single 


• Going out on a Saturday night as a single woman


• Valentines Day


• The freedom to stop worrying about what other people think


• Following the breadcrumbs (trusting the journey)

If you would like to follow Claire's blog-

www.myfortyplusllife.me

Follow Claire on social media-

Facebook @my40pluslife.me

Instagram @my40pluslifeme

Twitter @my40pluslife

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!

With a new year comes new plans and I'm excited to move the Out of the Bubble platform forward in 2022.

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

I'll be back next week, so in the meantime, .... Keep being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure

It's time to meet a powerhouse of a woman who really is going all out to empower women in midlife to become the best versions of themselves.

Catherine Grace O'Connell is an ageism positivist, an empowerment cat-alyst and the founder of Forever Fierce:Midlife Matters Facebook global Facebook community. If that's not enough she also hosts her Modern Midlife Talk show and podcast and is regularly invited as a motivational speaker to share her story.

Back in 2014 Catherines life looked very different, suffering from late stage Lyme disease she was left feeling physically and emotionally at rock bottom. Catherine shares her story of how she regained her self esteem and discovered her passion and purpose and why she is so passionate about supporting and celebrating other women in midlife and beyond.

"Midlife. It's not what you thought growing up! It's vibrant, it's powerful, it's creative and it's cool! 

It encompasses acceptance, confidence and self love. Embrace who you are and who you truly desire to be" #catherineoconnelll

Subjects covered-

• The road to recovery from late stage Lyme disease


• Rebuilding self esteem and confidence


• Clearing the barriers caused from her past


• Finding her passion and purpose


• Building a business later in life


• The power of sharing your story


• Ageism in society and the pressures it places on women


• Building her online Forever Fierce community, with over 8000 in the Facebook group


• Follow the fire inside you to achieve your goals

Find out more about Catherine

www.catherinegraceo.com

Instagram @catherinegraceo

Facebook @masteringmodernmidlife

Join the Facebook group @The Fierce50

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!

With a new year comes new plans and I'm excited to move the Out of the Bubble platform forward in 2022.

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

I'll be back next week, so in the meantime, .... Keep being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure

I recently had the pleasure of meeting this weeks guest as we both modelled for the latest Ambrose Wilson Jeans campaign, which if you haven't seen yet I definitely recommend you check it out! Love that brands are really starting to champion older models in their campaigns and Ambrose Wilson are helping to fly that flag. 

(You can watch it here- https://www.instagram.com/p/CZtvlmyAqdF/)

How confident do your clothes make you feel? Do you stare at your wardrobe feeling uninspired? 

Maybe it's time to reevaluate your personal style and start showing up wearing the clothes that make you feel better, bolder and brighter in this next midlife chapter?

This weeks guest is multi award winning personal stylist Anita Feron Clark.

Anita is a 50+ British-Indian Personal Stylist with over 27 years experience in the fashion industry. Anita wealth of experience includes, 12 years as a clothing buyer for Marks and Spencer and Austin Reed;  Associate Lecturer in fashion buying and merchandising at the prestigious London College of Fashion; style editor for Essence magazine, Surrey’s leading lifestyle magazine; and alongside all of this, she's been running a successful styling business for over 13 years – Feron Clark Style, with countless glowing testimonials from very happy clients. During this time, Anita has styled over 4,700 women: from CEOs to stay-at-home mums. She offers individuals, businesses and brands a broad range of services. 

“Colour can be a powerful tool to make women feel better, bolder, brighter."

Subjects covered-

• Anita's first experience of modelling in the Ambrose Wilson campaign


• Following your instinct and creating your own career path


• Anitas fashion career path


• How our style evolves through the decades


• Finding new confidence through your clothes in midlife


• Why adding colour in to your wardrobe is a powerful tool


• How to edit your wardrobe


• The benefits of working with a personal stylist

To find out more from Anita visit- https://feronclarkstyle.com

Follow Anita- 

Instagram @feronclarkstyle

Facebook @feronclarkstyle

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!

With a new year comes new plans and I'm excited to move the Out of the Bubble platform forward in 2022.

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

I'll be back next week, so in the meantime, .... Keep being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure

No one goes in to a marriage thinking they'll get divorced but the reality is that around 1/3 of marriages in the UK since 1964 end there and it will be interesting to see the effects of the last two years caused by the pandemic. You might be surprised to her that the over 45's age group are 3 and half more times likely to get divorced than the younger 25-35 yr olds.  With this in mind perhaps we need to start really talking about it more and having more open conversations on what it's really like to have to go through.

This weeks guest is Author, Lissa Collier. Lissa wrote the book Big Girl Pants taking you on her 2 year journey, from her husband’s shock decision to get divorced right through to her brand-new life – with every bumpy step along the way. It has a simple aim: to help you overcome common stumbling blocks to getting through divorce amicably. Big Girl Pants will help you through it with your head held high, and put you firmly in control of your future.

Subjects covered-

• Lissa's honest account of her husbands shock decision to get divorced


• Dealing with raw emotions


• Learning to understand what you want out of it 


• The 5 rules to help achieve an amicable divorce


• Walking therapy


• Learning to grow


• Keeping an open mind


• Building a new life for yourself


• Finding love again

Lissa shares her 5 tips on how to achieve an amicable divorce with your mental wellbeing at the heart of it all.

I love how these rules can be applied to so many other areas in life and not just in divorce.

1. Keep your eyes on the prize: Remember the outcome you want e.g. happy, well adjusted kids

2. Life’s not fair suck, it up: it’s not fair that you ex is behaving like that but you can’t control them. All you can do is control how you react to them.

3. Let that s**t go: it will be so tempting to play tit for tat or to argue your side. But all that does is add fuel to the fire. Let their comments or negativity land in the bin. Keep communications functional and unemotive. As tempting as it will be, do not engage. Don’t take the bait. It’s what they want. Let that s**t go.

4. Look after yourself: it can be exhausting trying to let s**t go. Emotionally draining. Look after you. Get out for a walk. Shout at sheep or talk to a therapist, whatever you need to keep your head (and body) in a good place.

5. Keep f*cking going: this may feel relentless but eventually it will pass. You’re doing great. Just keep on going. There is so much happiness on the other side.

Order a copy of Big Girl Pants here

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LissaCollierAuthor

Twitter- https://twitter.com/collier_lissa 

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lissa_collier_author/?hl=en-gb

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!

Jessica Buchanan is a New York Times Bestselling author of 'Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team VI' and is the co-host of "We Should Talk About That", a podcast dedicated to unpacking the uncomfortable topics that nobody is talking about, but definitely should, which is where we first met as I was invited as a guest on their podcast in 2021.

Jessica’s story starts in 2011 when she was kidnapped at gunpoint by a group of Somali pirates while on a routine field mission for her aid organization. She spent 93 days in captivity, being held out in the desert for a 45 million dollar ransom, until she was rescued by the US Special Forces, SEAL Team 6. Jessica has recently reached the 10 year anniversary of this unimaginable experience and is more than ready to close the books and write a new one.

Jessica is a champion for women and spends her days empowering them to speak their truth and stand in their power as the hero of their own stories through her 1-on-1 intuitive coaching service, Soul Speak, which supports women to connect their essence with their message, vision and business. Jessica travels the world speaking on resilience and overcoming impossible odds, and believes her life’s work is to show women how to move from patterns of self-abandonment to self-love.

Subjects covered-

• Retelling her unimaginable experience of being kidnapped at gunpoint and the event that followed


• Overcoming her experience and moving forward


• Using her experience as a tool for good to help others


• Finding her voice and learning to speak her truth


• Sitting with the uncomfortable


• Why women repeatedly abandon themselves and don't listen to their intuition


• The power of being quiet


• Writing the next book as Jess closes the chapter of the last decade

What book inspires you? You Already Know by Helen Jacobs

What song/music motivates you? Manifestation Spotify playlist

Who inspires you? People are amazing- A lot of her clients inspire her, the people in her sphere.

If you could pay yourself a compliment what would it be? "Jess,you are really interesting.

To find out more about Jess please visit www.jessbuchanan.com

You can also find her on Instagram @jessicacbuchanan

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!

With a new year comes new plans and I'm excited to move the Out of the Bubble platform forward in 2022.

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

I'll be back next week, so in the meantime, .... Keep being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure

I've been wanting to have this weeks guest on the podcast for awhile so I'm delighted she managed to join me.

This week I'm joined by Emma Parker, the founder of Playful Promises. If you haven't heard about this brand then you're in for a treat. Playful Promises is a lingerie and swimwear brand that is ground breaking it's wide range of sizes (+90) and use of diverse models.

Featuring in their Ageless Fashion campaign was definitely a career highlight of 2021. I love that Emma is committed to include the older woman in to the lingerie conversation. We had a lot to talk about!

Subjects covered

• How Emma moved from Law to the fashion and lingerie industry


• Why representation matters


• How lingerie can cost your confidence


• Societies judgement on older women who express their sensuality


• Societies fear of ageing 


• The importance of seeing older women in lingerie advertising


• Clearing out your lingerie draws and make sure the fits right


• Don't save your lingerie or clothes for best

What book inspires you? 1984 - George Orwell Her anti-establishment streak is drawn to this book and it's interesting to see possible similarities over the last few years of the pandemic!

What song motivates you?  - Anything by Leonard Cohen

Who inspires you? Emma shared her love for designer Thierry Mugler who sadly passed away last week, he really was a creative genius. 

www.playfulpromises.com

Instagram @playfulpromises

https://www.playfulpromises.com/blogs/news/how-to-accessorize-and-style-lingerie-by-our-founder-emma

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!

With a new year comes new plans and I'm excited to move the Out of the Bubble platform forward in 2022.

I have now created a FREE "Step Out of the Bubble" private group.

Last year has really shown us all the benefit of making new connections and gaining support from one another. Whilst I love sharing all the inspiring women on the podcast, I am missing that interaction from you all and am keen to expand this to provide a platform where you can all interact and share your own midlife journeys to inspire and help motivate other women.

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

I'll be back next week, so in the meantime, .... Keep being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

Give me an opportunity to talk about fashion and I'm happy! This week I'm talking with Aleksandra Olenska.

Having worked as a Stylist, Consultant and Creative Director for brands including Chanel, Celine and Tom Ford, Gucci, Vogue and Harpers for over 20 years, Aleksandra brings her expertise and European heritage to private clients as the style-whisperer, helping modern mid-life women to evolve their personal style and up-level life, to attract more love and abundance and feel more elegant, relevant, stylish confident and vavavoom!

Offering a discreet style confidant, providing a 360 degree styling service for all your style needs, and helping you to evolve your INSIDE OUT STYLE IDENTITY at this time in life, to feel like your best you! Aleksandra believes style comes from the inside out…as much as it’s about your clothes and what you surround yourself with, it’s that deep rooted feeling of inner confidence and self assuredness - the inner joy and calm that you take with you wherever you go and whatever life throws at you!

I loved talking with Aleksandra and she gave us some great tips.

What 3 words would you use to describe your style? I chose Confident, Sexy and Calm.

Subjects covered-

• Where her love for fashion began


• Behind the scenes of the fashion industry


• Developing your own sense of style


• How are style changes as we age


• How we can update our wardrobe in midlife


• What 3 words would you use to describe your style?

What book inspires you?

The Tell Tale Brain - Ramachandran

Homo Deus: a Brief History of Tomorrow - Yuval Harari

What song motivates you?

The House of the Rising Sun- The Animals

Who inspires you?

Aleksandra quotes both her grandmothers as her inspiration, recalling lots of lovely memories of both of them and how her  'babcia' Polish grandmother has influenced her.

Follow Aleksandra on Instagram You Tube

www.style-whisper.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!

With a new year comes new plans and I'm excited to move the Out of the Bubble platform forward in 2022.

I have now created a FREE "Step Out of the Bubble" private group.

Last year has really shown us all the benefit of making new connections and gaining support from one another. Whilst I love sharing all the inspiring women on the podcast, I am missing that interaction from you all and am keen to expand this to provide a platform where you can all interact and share your own midlife journeys to inspire and help motivate other women.

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

I'll be back next week, so in the meantime, .... Keep being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

Happy New Year!

I'm excited to be back sharing all these fabulous women for another year of inspiring stories.

I first connected with Monika towards the end of 2021 and after such an interesting conversation I knew she needed to come on the podcast.

Dr Monika Singh Gangotra is a children's author of The Sunflower Sisters. A beautiful story both in it’s message and it’s illustration. Tackling colourism and shining a light on the message that all skin tones are beautiful.

She’s also a psychologist and studied identity as part of her thesis.

Monika has a strong sense of her identity, which really comes across on her Instagram page where she shares her love of fashion along with a positive message of self acceptance, you are who you are. “The skin we are in is exactly as it’s meant to be”.

Monika will also be launching her new fashion brand In 2022 which will be full of beautiful prints.

Subjects covered-

• Growing up with colourism


• Finding your sense of identity


• The inspiration behind the Sunflower Sisters


• Using fashion to boost confidence


• Creating change through kindness and love


• Colourism in the fashion and media industry


• Developing her fashion brand


• Be someone else's sunflower

What book inspires you?

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa Bee

What song motivates you?

Aaj phir jeene ki From the film ‘Guide’

A song about a woman breaking free of her shackles and finding her identity. Intoxicated with her newfound freedom, Rosie buys a pair of anklets and prances about in the marketplace. For once, she is living as she should. Something that many women in midlife perhaps relate to as

Who inspires you?

Monika leaves us all with a wonderful impression of her dad, the man that she respects and admires so much.

Follow Monika on Instagram @monikasinghg 

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!

With a new year comes new plans and I'm excited to move the Out of the Bubble platform forward in 2022.

I have now created a FREE "Step Out of the Bubble" private group.

Last year has really shown us all the benefit of making new connections and gaining support from one another. Whilst I love sharing all the inspiring women on the podcast, I am missing that interaction from you all and am keen to expand this to provide a platform where you can all interact and share your own midlife journeys to inspire and help motivate other women.

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

I'll be back next week, so in the meantime, .... Keep being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)