Liberté - Free to Be

I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing twice now and I still get excited and inspired by her story.

Tricia Cusden is the founder of Look Fabulous Forever, an award-winning makeup and skincare brand with a range of products specially formulated for older skin. The brand is proudly pro-age - it's Tricia's belief that age is no barrier to looking and feeling fabulous. She founded the business at the age of 65 having become disillusioned with buying makeup that no longer worked on her older skin and by the anti-ageing language of the beauty industry.

In 2013, she took a leap of faith and launched LFF as a face to face social selling business. Thanks to two YouTube videos she posted showing the products being used on older women, she soon changed direction and became an ecommerce brand. She now has over 100 tutorials on YouTube with over 7 million views between them and in 2018, she wrote a book, Living the Life More Fabulous - a guide to beauty, style and empowerment for older women. She also works with her two daughters, Anna who is the managing director and Suzy who is LFF's operations director.

Subjects covered-

·  Ditching retirement life

·  Ageist society

·  Inspiration behind Look Fabulous Forever

·  The power of make up

·  Building a community

·  The highs and lows of starting a business

·  A trip to the Oscars

·  Ageism in the beauty industry

·  Pro-ageing

·  Life in lockdown and Tricia’s Super Troopers

·  Make up tips for ageing skin

To find out more please visit- www.lookfabulousforever.com

Facebook - lookfabulousforeveruk

Instagram - @lookfabforever

Twitter - @lookfabforever

YouTube - Tricia Cusden

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 weeks guest fills my instagram feed with so much daily inspiration her passion for wild swimming, writing and photography shines through her work as a self employed editor. Sara Barnes is based in the beautiful and rural Lake District where she finds an endless source of inspiration. I find out why wild swimming in remote places has really stolen her heart. Sara is such an interesting an engaging woman and we had so much to talk about. 

I started wild swimming last year during lockdown and found it exhilarating and very calming.

Subjects covered-

• Rural isolation and loneliness: "not only is it hard to meet a partner living in rural Cumbria, working from home and being a single parent, but you feel a total disconnect from the rest of the world. I want to be part of the conversation, part of the bigger picture." 


• Lockdown life: "when we were locked down in March 2020 I thought, oh, now everyone else is like me and suddenly I didn't feel lonely anymore and became far more connected because my daughter was at home every day, everyone was in the same boat. I had the tools to survive and I thrived actually! It was a paradigm shift for me. Wild swimming and posting my swims with a story make me feel part of a community and I have made friends online and in real life that way."


• Body confidence: "As a wild swimmer and an active Instagrammer (@bumblebarnes) I often post photos of me in my swimsuit, so I have had to learn to be objective about my body and admit maybe I look good. It's not about being big headed, more being confident and allowing that confidence to shine through. It's strange: I am comfortable with my body, I don't think I've got any major hang ups, to me nudity is natural (in appropriate situations!). But, as a naturally shy person, who hates having photos taken by anyone but my daughter when she gets me to model for her, presenting my body to social media has been a tough journey in itself."


•  Wild swimming - "how it makes me feel, what benefits I have derived from it - how it has released my creative spirit and ability, brought me through loneliness, loss of friendships and most recently grief of losing mum"


• Becoming braver-. "Wild swimming makes me feel brave, alive and the best I can be and is the ultimate dichotomy: it brings out the child in me and the sensual woman. If I can be brave enough to walk naked into 3 degree water on my own I can be brave enough to face people who want to put me down, difficult situations or anything else I might need to deal with.


• Sara also shares some great advice for those wanting to try wild swimming for the first time.

There's lots of helpful resources on the following websites https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com and https://www.wildswimming.co.uk/outdoor-swimming-society/. You can also search Facebook for any local wild swimming groups near you.

Go and say hello to Sara on instagram @bumblebarnes

You can also find out more about Sara https://bumbleworks.wordpress.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 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

Eleanor Mills is the founder and editor in chief of Noon , a new website, platform and community to empower women in midlife. An award- winning Editor, Eleanor spent 23 years at The Sunday Times as a columnist, Editorial Director and Editor of the Sunday Times magazine.  Her long list of interviewees include Mikhail Gorbachev, David Cameron and we cant forget the famous leather trouser debacle with Theresa May. 

 Eleanor has consistently shown up for women through out her career and was chair of Women in Journalism from 2014-2021 so it's no surprise that her next venture has been creating the empowering midlife platform and community, Noon.org.uk. Noon was born through Eleanors frustration at the lack of positive and honest representation of women in midlife in the media. Eleanor talks openly about life after being made redundant in 2020, how she learnt to embrace this next chapter and her story epitomises the reason why I wanted to start the Out of the Bubble podcast, sharing positive stories of women in midlife who are trailblazing and leading the way. 

Subjects covered-

• Life as Editor of the Sunday Times 


• Being made redundant after 23 years 


• Finding a new rhythm to life 


• Where the inspiration for Noon came from 


• What can we expect from Noon? 


• Media representation of women in midlife 


• Using your voice 


• Embracing the new freedom and next chapter 

I love the work that Noon are already doing and Eleanor has a power house team of strong women involved so it's exciting to see how it will develop.

 Go check out the website here- Noon.org.uk 

You can also keep up to date with Noon across social media- Instagram, Twitter, 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 #stepoutofthebubble #personaljournals #sharingstories #inspiringwomen #celebratingmidlife #womensupportingwomen

This weeks interview is all about sport and getting active. If like me you are still scarred from 1970's school sports lessons, you might still struggle to find that one activity that brings you joy and keeps you motivated. Whilst I enjoy keeping active by dog walking, jogging and swimming I've still not found my one thing. After talking with Kate I left with renewed motivation to keep trying new activities.

 Kate Rowe-Ham is a Level 3 qualified personal trainer who specialises in helping women reach their fitness potential.  She will help you find a love of exercise, giving you tools you need to adopt a sustainable approach to exercise giving, you long-lasting results.  

As a mum of 3, Kate knows how needs needs can fall by the wayside and is passionate about motivating and inspiring women, in helping you find ways to time to get fit and stay fit.  Having suffered from disordered eating, Kate knows first hand how hard it can be to regain your body confidence especially after children.  She has first hand experience of heading into peri-menopause and how some of the symptoms can leave you feeling very overwhelmed and anxious. Kate is determined to help you reach and achieve your fitness goals, so you stay strong mentally and physically. 

I'm a huge fan of Kate's free live instagram workouts, aimed at women who struggle to find the time to workout. Kate wants to encourage you to see how a healthy diet and exercise can make a positive impact on how you feel, and for you to you can gain an understanding of how mind and body work together , so you truly appreciate what you are capable of regardless of your shape, size or age.

Subjects covered-

• Finding joy through sports later in life


• Stepping away from the weighing scales and disassociating the joy of being active from those number on the scales.


• Becoming a personal trainer after 40


• Your changing body after 40


• Peri menopause


• Gaining inspiration from Joe Wicks


• Ageism in the fitness industry


• Setting goals and challenges

If you'd like to know about Kates personal training service please visit her fabulous Instagram page

you can also find Kate on 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 #personaljournals #sharingstories #inspiringwomen #celebratingmidlife #womensupportingwomen

It's all about the power of your story this week as I chat with Chocolate PR founder Jo Swann. 

Jo is the founder of Chocolate PR, an award winning PR agency she established 15 years ago, after working in journalism, media, marketing and PR agencies. She built the business up organically from scratch, and has over the years worked with companies of all sizes including the likes of Whistles, NSPCC, learndirect, Marriot Hotels, Yo! Sushi, Dale Carnegie, Skipton Building Society to name just a few, winning many awards along the way. BUT - a niggling feeling was always lurking, and when you know her you know that that her passion for PR goes further than just ticking a few corporate boxes. What she lives for is helping small businesses, and particularly female entrepreneurs harness the power of PR, so they can tap into it as a cost effective, creative marketing medium. She believes PR is for all of us, not just the big boys and helps women who really don’t believe in themselves get empowered through coverage in the national press. Facing imposter syndrome head on Jo works with her clients to create confidence in their message, and to craft their story in a way that produces pride around their business and an excitement for future growth

Jo and I have a shared passion and belief that we all have as story to tell. 

Subjects covered-

• Jo's career 20 year PR career 


• Balancing work and home life


• What is PR?


• Why PR is a powerful tool?


• Everyone has a story to tell


• Learning to own your story


• Sharing your vulnerability and stepping out of your comfort zone


• Investing in yourself 


• Stepping out of your comfort zone and keeping an open mind


• Exciting new opportunities

If you'd like to know more about Chocolate PR , visit the website here.

You can also follow them on social media Facebook, Twitter and 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 #personaljournals #sharingstories #inspiringwomen #celebratingmidlife #womensupportingwomen

This weeks guest is the founder of the Intuition revolution Ange De Lumiere.

 After a very successful fifteen year career as an international business lawyer, Ange branched out into clinical hypnotherapy, healing and the psychic arts. She supports female entrepreneurs who suffer from self doubt and imposter syndrome, build their confidence through tapping into their intuition in order to create a business that lights them up.

How good are you at tuning and listening to your intuition? I've found it's become easier as I've got older and I'm definitely more open minded than ever before. 

Subjects covered-

• Building a successful career as an International lawyer but not feeling aligned


• Leaving the corporate world behind


• Starting again


• Self development


• Following your intuition


• The impact on others judgement 


• Defining ourselves by our career titles


• Breaking down those barriers


• Listening and learning


• Energy, prosperity, intuition and the 3 C's "Courage, Confidence and Clarity"


• Creating the Intuition Movement

I found it particularly interesting to hear how Ange found the courage to truly own herself and the work that she is now doing , finding courage to be your true self is one of the biggest gifts you can allow yourself.

If you would like to find out more from Ange please visit her website here

You can also follow her on Facebook and Linkedin

www.rachelperu.co.uk

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

This weeks guest is no stranger to stepping out of her comfort zone, some times through choice but lots of time through life circumstances. 

Caroline Gray started modelling at 17 and has been on a fascinating career journey ever since until finally following her true passion for designing clothes, becoming a fashion and accessories designer at 50. We had so much to talk about and I was really struck by Caroline resilience and determination that carried her through some very tough and difficult times after losing everything, finding herself sofa surfing at 39.

Subjects covered-

• Young modelling career in the 1980's


• Taking on new challenges and starting her own business at 24


• The pitfalls and reality of owning your own business


• Being open minded to new opportunities 


• Losing everything at 39 and how you can get start again at any age


• Following your passions and returning to her love of fashion


• Finding new love in your forties


• Becoming a fashion designer and starting a new business in the year of a pandemic.

If you would like to know more about Caroline please visit-

https://www.1968accessories.com/shop-2

You can also follow Caroline on social media-

Facebook-Instagram-Linkedin

www.rachelperu.co.uk

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

Tara Chatzakis helps women create positive, fulfilling relationships with themselves, their loved ones, their businesses and clients, and with money. Bringing an abundance of wealth, love, happiness and joy into their lives. Tara offers lots of great advice on how we can overcome those limiting beliefs by understanding that you are always in control of your life, and how using the law of attraction you can visualise a phenomenal future. We are designing our future reality now.  

After spending years, desperate to get off the corporate treadmill and on to her own path Tara tried many paths, training as a T-Tapp Trainer in 2011 and a Law of Attraction Practitioner a few years later. Like lots of women who are trying to figure out their path in life Tara always struggled, not knowing where to start so, often didn’t. Eventually settling on life coaching, and trained as a Robbins Madanes Coach she thought she'd found her calling. Yet, their was still something missing, Tara could see women out there fumbling around just as she had, trying to get enough traction to lift off. So, trusting her instinct Tara shifted again. This time she knew she wanted to empower women to become new entrepreneurs, to step out into the world and make an impact which brings us up to present day. 

Tara is also the host of the Happy Inspired Motivated Podcast 

Subjects covered-

•  Leaving the corporate world behind 


• Trusting your natural instinct 


• Exploring your spirituality 


• Self love and forgiveness 


• The power of manifestation 


• Finding your purpose in life 


• Following your passions 


• Empowering women 

To find out more from Tara please visit- www.tarachatzakis.com 

 www.rachelperu.co.uk 

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

Amy Rowlinson is a leader in purpose and fulfilment. With a fascination for understanding WHY people do what they do in life, Amy is on a mission to help entrepreneurs become values-based, purpose-driven and people-centred. She achieves this through life purpose coaching, mentoring and podcasting.

Host of two successful global podcasts, Amy now also mentors people to launch their podcasts. In her Top 1.5%  podcast, Focus on WHY, Amy speaks with people from all walks of life providing uplifting and relatable conversations designed to inspire the audience to take action. In property, Amy has been a residential landlord for 15 years, has an HMO property portfolio in the South of England, is a SSAS trustee and was co-host of The Property Vault Podcast.

What's you why? It's such a great question and once. you nail that everything else will start to fall in place.

Subjects covered-

Amy's property background

Moving direction

Lockdown life

Embracing change

Finding your why

Overcoming self doubts

Finding your voice

Living a fulfilled and purposeful life

If you are looking for coaching or mentoring in Purpose, Podcasting or Property, please reach out to Amy for a free call - https://calendly.com/amyrowlinson/call

Amy Rowlinson Website - https://www.amyrowlinson.com/

Focus on WHY Podcast -  https://podfollow.com/focus-on-why

Amy Rowlinson Social Media Links - https://linktr.ee/AmyRowlinson

You can also find me on all social media platforms- Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

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

This weeks guest is another example of how you can overcome huge hurdles in life and go on to really find your true passion and purpose. 

Shandra Shultz is an Integrative Life Coach and Energy Healer who came back from a traumatic brain injury 6.5 years ago where she was left with memory loss as well as having to learn how to be all over again (including reading, writing, speaking, etc). Shandra gained a sense of deep spirituality along the journey to find herself which lead to me realising that she had to let go of who she was/thought herself to be in order to become  her authentic self. Shandra's journey has included shadow work, meditation, mindset shifts and energy healing and she has spent the better part of the last 3 years building a spiritually based business that teaches others how to let their authentic self shine through.

Subjects covered-

• The impact of sexual abuse


• Stepping away from the wrong tribe


• Spirituality


• Living in an abusive relationship


• Addictions


• Following your intuitions


• Dealing with brain injury and long term memory loss


• Finding love


• Finding your way back to yourself 

If you'd like to find out more about Shandra please visit her website- www.igotthewoo.com  

You can also follow her on Facebook- healingsoflightandlove  and Instagram @CelticHealerShandra

You can also find me on all social media platforms- Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

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