Liberté - Free to Be

I’m so grateful to all my guests that have generously shared their stories on the podcast this year. All 26 women brought a different story to the show and offered inspiration, some midlife food for thought and have kept me feeling motivated during this difficult year.

Reflecting on the year I wanted to share some of those conversations that have stayed with me throughout the year.

·  Ep.62 Queen of podcasting with Anna Parker Naples

·  Ep.70 What’s Your Why with Amy Rowlinson

·  Ep. 64 with Olympian, Life Coach, Mentor and trainer Michelle Griffith Robinson

·  Ep.67 What if I don’t know what my passion is? With Margaret Shenken

·  Ep.78 Look Fabulous Forever with Tricia Cusden

·  Ep.74 What’s Your Story with Jo Swann, Chocolate PR.

·  Ep.68 Let’s talk about money with successful businesswoman Lisa Johnson

·  Ep. 76 Why representation matters with Eleanor Mills

·  Ep. 65 Body Confidence with Astrid Longhurst

·  Ep.87 Body Confidence and Boudoir with Jane Earnshaw, Chique studios.

·  Ep. 84 Living life to the full, with Julie Kelly

I'll be back in the new year but in the meantime..

Keep being fabulous x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelperu.substack.com

It feels so good to be back interviewing inspiring women and even more so now that I can meet the women face to face. 

This weeks guest is very much on the same page as I am when it comes to helping empower women to feel more confident in their bodies.

Jane Earnshaw is the founder of Chique Studios,  a photography and make over business, with studios in Leeds, Sheffield and Hull. 

Helping to inspire women to become more confident in front of the camera and embrace their natural beauty. 

Have you ever wanted to book a photo session but been too scared to try? I spent the day with Jane to hopefully help bust some of those fears away and show you just how accessible it is for everyone and what an impact it can have on someones confidence.

I was lucky to spend the day behind the scenes with the Chique team at the Sheffield studio to experience first hand how their team work to lift people up and I can't wait to share the photos from our shoot. The studio is incredible with so many different sets ready to create some magic.

Jane started Chique in her forties and is now on a mission to reach as many people as she can with her positive message.

“Feeling confident, being comfortable in your own skin - that’s what really makes you beautiful.”  

Subjects covered-

• Jane's journey to becoming a business woman


• Finding confidence later in life


• What is Chique Studios all about?


• How you can find new body confidence in front of a camera


• The difference in body confidence as we age


• Social media and filters


• Empowering lingerie range

You can find out more about the Chique Studios-

Follow-

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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'll be back in a fortnight, so in the meantime, .... Keep being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelperu.substack.com

Some of you may remember todays guest from my Midlife Inspiration event back in February 2021. I interviewed 22 women live on instagram from 8.30am until 9.30pm, in aid of two women's charities. I'm proud to say I raised over £1500 that day for Smart Works Leeds and Motherwell Cheshire womens charity.

After talking with todays guest, Anj Handa I knew I wanted to continue our conversation here on the podcast as she has such an inspiring story to tell and is definitely a woman who's found her passion and purpose. There's a reason why Forbes recognised Anj as one of the 10 Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazers You Need to Get Familiar With.

In 2014, Anj's life changed after being introduced to Afusat Saliu and her two little daughters. This led a high-profile campaign on their claim for asylum based on the risk of Female Genital Mutilation to the little girls in Nigeria. She managed to pull together a top legal team and started a Change.org petition which gathered 126,500 signatures.

The campaign attracted attention from the global media, MPs and even personalities such as Richard Branson! Unfortunately, the family were eventually deported but her fundraising campaign through a local charity secured their accommodation and schooling for a full year.

Anj learnt that by gathering professional, motivated people together, it’s possible to make an impact on the lives of others on a massive scale. 

This led to Anj founding the Inspiring Women Changemakers

(https://www.inspiringwomenchangemakers.co.uk/)

Inspiring Women Changemakers inspires women to speak up about the things that matter to them, to take responsibility, and to take action. 

Subjects covered-

• How it all started meeting Afusat Saliu


• Adapting quickly to the challenges of leading a high profile campaign


• Female Genital Mutilation- women and young girls at risk in the U.K


• The aftermath, coping with events that didn't go as planned


• Lessons learnt 


• The inspiration behind Inspiring Women Changemakers


• Boundaries and self care


• How we can use our voices for good


• Examples of successful Inspiring Women Changemaker members


• Finding your passion and purpose 

You can find out more about the Inspiring Women Changemakers-https://www.inspiringwomenchangemakers.co.uk/

Follow them @Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/inspiringwomenchangemakers/Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/InspiringWomenChangemakers/

Twitter-https://twitter.com/WmnChangemakers/

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'll be back in a fortnight, so in the meantime, .... Keeping being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelperu.substack.com

*Trigger warning- This episode contains conversation around self harming.

Invisible to Invincible is this weeks inspiring guests motto and I love it!

It's great to be back after the summer break, back sharing all these inspiring womens stories.

I first came across this weeks guest on Twitter this time last year after I'd read her story and I was so impressed with her honesty and drive to succeed . Nicola McPhun shares her personal story of going through terrible depression and anxiety which also led to self harming, all linked to the menopause. Find out how sport saved Nicola and brought her a new sense of purpose and exciting challenges.

There are so many older women who are thriving in competitive sports later in life that just don't get the spotlight they deserve. Nicola is a perfect example showing us it's never too late to find new passion and purpose in midlife.

Nicola has just been selected as part of Team GB for the Age Group (55-59) Duathlon World Championships in 2022 which was something she dreamt about since the thought of trying to qualify came into her head when she hit 50 but only dared declare it publicly last year.

You can join Nicolas Facebook group Invisible to Invincible - Beating menopause through sport and support here- 

Subjects covered-

• Peri-menopause


• Life after a long career in the Police


• Coping with anxiety, depression and self harming


• Recovery through sport


• Finding new joy


• Setting new challenges and dreaming big


• Discovering a competitive nature in midlife


• Determination and drive


• Invisible to Invisible


• Women sharing stories to help others


• Using our voices


• Owning your story

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'll be back in a fortnight, so in the meantime, .... Keeping being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelperu.substack.com

I am delighted to have Julie Kelly as my final guest before I take a Summer break. Julie really epitomises why I wanted to set up the podcast in the first place, leaving us all with lots of inspiration to lead a more fulfilled life in midlife. 
Julie launched Oxford Craft Studio officially last year, although she’s been enjoying trying her hand at most crafts for the last 15 years. In October 2020 a friend suggested she should enter a competition to win a 60 minute live show on Sewing Street TV (Sky 670). Julie’s Film Production graduate daughter helped her with a 3 minute video and she appeared live on 20th November 2020 demonstrating her sustainable, stencilled linen bread bag- they sold 100 kits!
Since then Julie has been invited back as a guest demonstrator and now has a 2 hour live sewing demo every month! Continuing to say yes to new opportunities Julie also applied and got picked for a campaign in February 2021, for The Bias Cut "Ageism is never in style"- her first modelling job at 52! 
You might also have spotted Julie in Platinum magazine August edition , after answering a FB call for home sewers in April 2021 edition , wearing an ensemble of all my own hand-made clothes. I have a feeling we will be seeing and hearing a lot more from Julie as she continues to step out of her comfort zone and saying yes to new opportunities that will no doubt come her way! 
Subjects covered- 
·  Rekindling her love for crafting and sewing 
·  Allowing yourself time to do the things you love
·  Saying yes to new opportunities 
·  From sewing in her shed to sharing her kits on television
 ·  Modelling for The-Bias-Cut.com 
·  Meeting and being photographed by Rankin! #goals
 ·  Physical challenges- getting out on your bike
 ·  Drop the guilt- its ok to allow yourself time out from family commitments 
·  Appearing in the August edition of Platinum magazine 
·  Dreams and ambitions- Why it’s never too late! 
You can follow Julies adventures here- IG: JulieKelly 7730 and OxfordCraftStudio 
For more crafting inspiration please visit Julies website- www.oxfordcraftstudio.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!
 I'll be back in the Autumn but, in the meantime, .... Keeping being fabulous 
Rachel x 
(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelperu.substack.com

It's time we started to talk more openly as women about sex to help remove the stigma and I'm delighted to be joined by psychotherapist and sexologist expert Dania Schiftan. 

A recognized expert in sexuality, partnership, and successful relationships, Dania is a regular contributor for many well-known various newspapers (online and print), columns and blogs (Galaxus, Any working Mom). 

Her first book "COMING SOON - " (Piper) was released in Germany in August 2018. The book was an overwhelming success and has now been translated into English – COMING SOON: Great Orgasms and Better Sex at Your Fingertips (Greystone) 

I have talked with so many women who begin to feel disconnected with their bodies as they become peri-menopausal and hit the menopause but we are still often reluctant to acknowledge and share the impact it can have on our sex lives. We aren't prepared for the vaginal dryness, reoccurring cystitis and thrush that can begin to plague us never mind the loss of libido and body confidence. 

Dania is passionate about helping women normalise these conversations, so if you want to have a happy sex life then you can begin to explore new ways with confidence at every chapter of your life. I loved hearing that one of her oldest clients was an 85 year old woman , once agin showing us all its never to late to learn something new!

Subjects covered-

• Why sexology?


• Opening up honest conversations around sex?


• The importance of early sex education


• Call it what it is


• How to embrace our ever changing bodies


• Learning to reconnect with your body during the menopause


• Claiming back ownership of sexual pleasure


• Lifting the shame around the subject of sex


• The importance of true representation of womens bodies 


• Links between Sex, body confidence and our mental wellbeing 

If you'd like to find out more about Dania please visit her website-  https://www.daniaschiftan.ch

Order a copy of Coming Soon:Great Orgasms and Better Sex at your Fingertips 

Just like with anything else in life, if you want to get better at sex, you need to practice. And if you want to understand the female orgasm, you need to start by understanding the female body. In Coming Soon Dania shares her ten-step program for women to increase sexual responsiveness and deepen their awareness of their body's sensations, leading to more satisfying orgasms through penetration, the ability to control when and how to orgasm, and more empowering sex with a partner. .

You can also follow Dania on social media- Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin

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'll be back next week but, in the meantime, ....

Keeping being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

#outofthebubblepodcast #personaljournals #sextalk #midlifewomen #bodyconfidence #inspiration

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelperu.substack.com

* TRIGGER WARNING* This episode includes conversation around physical and emotional abuse and trauma recovery.

Claire Louise Chamberlain is a survivor of emotional and physical abuse, finding her own way through the maze of pain, trauma and the mass of healing advice out there. It took her forever, but she reached the other side and figured out it shouldn't be this hard, so she is now on mission to support and create positive changes for other abuse and trauma survivors. 

We had so much to talk about and when Claire quite rightly points out that over an 8th of the population is directly affected by this form of abuse we should all know how to spot the signs and know how to support survivors.  

Claire is child and domestic abuse survivor. She escaped a few years ago and found herself unable to access mental health support due to long waiting lists and then the restrictions around being a witness in the police investigation. She was told that if she went to therapy, her testimony would be thrown out of court as "coached"! So was abandoned with no mental health support for 3 years.  She was also left in thousands of debt by her last abuser. She resorted to food banks and charities to save her & her 3 young children from homelessness, all while being attacked, stalked and harrassed by him.  So she journaled and figured a way out of her trauma induced C-PTSD by building the four cornerstones of healing. She soon found that she wasn't alone so began sharing her healing structure/programme with others and finally setting up her own business, Chamberlain Expressions, providing these resources to organisations looking to help. (She never charges survivors and has a free support group where she shares everything) Later this year She's holding a virtual conference to spread the word even further and try to change the landscape for victims and survivors. 

Claire uses her own experience to deliver talks, workshops and training around narcissistic abuse and intimate partner violence to help and empower other women.



Subjects covered-

Claires history of abuse and where it all started.

Womens Aid- Freedom course

Recognising abusive relationships

Keeping your s**t together for your children

Finding her way back again

Unrealistic self-help expectations

Taking back to basics

The power from sharing her story

The Clearpath Conference

To find out more about the groundbreaking Clearpath virtual Conference on September 30th please visit-  https://clearpathconference.org

Follow Claire on social media- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin. 

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'll be back next week but, in the meantime, ....

Keeping being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

#outofthebubblepodcast #stepoutofthebubble #personalj

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelperu.substack.com

It was so great to see Davina McCall’s Sex, Myths and the Menopause documentary on mainstream television and I hope this has opened the doors to more conversations.

I’m delighted to be joined by the co-founders of the new Gen-M one stop shop platform.

Driven by co-founders Heather Jackson and Sam Simister, who both found the menopause hard to navigate and felt there was no advice out there for women experiencing the menopause. GEN M is the one stop shop for the Menopause and wants to make menopause better today than it was yesterday.

GEN M believe women deserve better right now from brands, retailers and manufacturers in terms of menopause, and why brands have a part to play in breaking this taboo and social issue just as much as doctors, employers, partners, friends, family members and work colleagues.

GEN M is more than just a website that brings the best of the menopause to one place, and Sam and Heather are determined that through collaborative actions driven by ourselves, we can make a real change to the change.

Subjects covered-

·  Meet the women behind Gen M

·  An idea born from frustration and desperation

·  What is GenM?

·  48 Symptoms of the Peri menopause and menopause.

·  The Invisibility Report

·  Tackling the taboo subjects

·  Why brands are still not showing up for women in midlife

·  What changes would Gen-M like to see?

·  Lifting the stigma attached to the menopause

·  Knowledge is power

·  Why we need to see women come together and unite

·  Addressing the menopause as a societal issue and not just a women’s issue.

If you’d like to know more, please visit-  Gen-m.com

Instagram @genm_official

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'll be back next week but, in the meantime, ....

Keeping being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

#outofthebubblepodcast #stepoutofthebubble #personaljournals #sharingstories #inspiringwomen #celebratingmidlife #womensupportingwomen #proageing #menopause #menopausematters #genm #midlifematters #midlifewomen

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelperu.substack.com

Whilst the majority of the women on the Out of the Bubble podcast are over 40, sometimes I come across a woman’s story who might be slightly younger but have an inspiring and motivating story to tell that we can all learn from. Rebecca McCann is a self-taught, self-made entrepreneur. Rebecca launched Pro Blo Group in November 2014, initially operating from her mum's kitchen with a plan to sell her hair tool on Ebay however Ebay never happened. 

Rebecca launched her brand into Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdales, Sainsburys and stores across the globe. The brand is loved worldwide and boasts an organic cult following across social media. With distribution in UK, USA UAE and Russia. Rebecca continues to expand her business at a rapid growth. Lockdown brought a new project, that quickly developed into SLEEP London and Rebecca is following a similar strategy to grow the brand globally. 

I just love Rebecca belief in her mantra: Say YES and make it happen! So many women are starting new businesses later and I just know that Rebecca’s story can inspire those sitting on the fence with their own business idea to get started. It’s never too late! 

Subjects covered- 

• Developing entrepreneurial skills early in life  


• From having an idea to creating a business 


• Saying YES to life and staying open to new opportunities   


• Self-belief 


• Accepting that you will make mistakes along the way 


• Dealing with fast growth 


• Networking and being ok to ask for help  


• Owning your brand and staying true to yourself


• Motivation and positive mindset 


• Ambitious future plans 

To find out more about Problo- www.problogroup.com 

Instagram @problogroup 

Instagram @rebecca_pbg

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'll be back next week but in the meantime ..... 

Keeping being fabulous 

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure) 

#outofthebubblepodcast #stepoutofthebubble #personaljournals #sharingstories #inspiringwomen #celebratingmidlife #womensupportingwomen #haircare 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelperu.substack.com

Lilli Badcock is a woman who is embracing life to the full and helping others to do the same. She is a Transformational Confidence and Spiritual Purpose Coach, using Singing as a tool to help others connect to the truth of who they are. Lilli's is also a  Professional Singer and International Best Selling Author. Founder and Host of The Confidence Academy Podcast and Rest & Reset Retreats and Director of The Evolution and Harmony Collective Choirs.

As with so many of my guests, it has not been plain sailing with lots of bumps along the way to finding her true purpose. Anxiety is a common issue in midlife and can often create a huge barrier to people wanting to move forward or change direction later in life. Lilli uses her platforms to share her own experience of coping with anxiety and some of the tips that helped her through it.

I loved Lilli's story of Nanny Nanette learning to sing in her 90's and what a great reminder to us all that it's never too late to try something new!

Subjects covered-

·  Singing and music

·  Losing her voice

·  Dealing with anxiety

·  Coping with self doubt

·  Resisting change

·  Finding your true purpose and passion

·  The power of the song

·  Finding joy in activities

·  Never too old to learn to sing!

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

https://www.lillibadcock.com

Listen to the Confidence Academy podcast- https://tcapodcast.libsyn.com

You can also follow her on social media-

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillibadcock

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/lilli.badcock

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'll be back next week but in the meantime .....

Keeping being fabulous

Rachel x

(Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

#outofthebubblepodcast #stepoutofthebubble #personaljournals #sharingstories #inspiringwomen #celebratingmidlife #womensupportingwomen #proageing #makeup #lookfabulousforever

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rachelperu.substack.com