Life After Menopause

By Karen O‘ConnorSociety & Culture Health & Fitness Education Self-Improvement

Life After Menopause episodes

February 20, 2024 Why it's crucial to process our negative emotions with Dr Marny Lishman
Many of us grew up with people telling us not to be angry or not to be "ridiculous" - this idea that we can show some emotion, but we have to suppress others.

Dr Marny Lishman is a psychologist who joins me this episode to talk about adaptability, wellbeing and change. After the last couple of years, many of us have become more stressed, unhappy, and ultimately mentally unwell. And unfortunately, we have been grown up without being taught to properly process negative emotions, leaving us overwhelmed, and triggered at any moment.

Join us in this episode to talk about mental health and how you can best identify and express your emotions.

Find out more here: https://www.mmmpodcast.me/ep230
43 min
February 13, 2024Suzanne Storrie: Creating a Routine for Focus and Goal Achievement
In this thought-provoking episode, join us as we venture into the multifaceted world of Suzanne Storrie, a former corporate executive turned dairy farmer and executive coach. Suzanne takes us through her incredible life transformation, sharing insights on how cultivating a meaningful routine can anchor us in the present and direct us towards a future filled with intention and purpose.

Suzanne is a former high-profile executive with a diverse career at NRL, Layton, CBA, and Qantas. Amidst the challenges of COVID, she made a transformative shift from corporate leadership to becoming a dairy farmer and executive coach. Her story explores the complexities of balancing vastly different lifestyles and finding renewed confidence and peace.

Key Takeaways:
How to establish a daily routine, like the "Sphere of Silence," to enhance focus
How embracing change is pivotal for personal growth and developing self-reliance.
Learn how to prioritise tasks to maintain a balance between work, family, and self-care.
Why Suzzane transitioned into farming, offsetting the demands of her previous corporate roles.
Why transition periods offer unique opportunities for re-alignment with personal values and setting new goals.

Quote:
We all want to see that we're making progress... the research says you're 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you write your goals down.

Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction
0:01:11 - Dwelling on past mistakes and regrets
0:04:12 - Letting go of anger, sadness, and bitterness
0:07:08 - Learning to detach and focus on the present
0:08:40 - Handing over responsibilities and seeking support
0:11:03 - Redefining the mother-daughter relationship in a business context
0:14:38 - Overcoming self-indulgence and sharing personal experiences
0:18:12 - Dealing with unhappiness in a relationship without a major reason

Find out more here: https://lifeaftermenopause.net/ep229
48 min
February 06, 2024 The Guilt and Grief of Midlife
Midlife comes with a whole heap of angst, worries, concerns, confronting changes, all of it. In this episode, I take a look at how to handle all the changes that are going on without losing your mind (too much!)
Find out more here: lifeaftermenopause.net/ep228
25 min
January 30, 2024Fake Forgiveness, Passive Aggression and Why Being Grateful Suppresses Women’s Power
In this episode, Karen reflects on her personal journey of self-discovery and shares their thoughts on gratitude and forgiveness. She explores the idea of gratitude being linked to the patriarchy and how it may be used to suppress women's power. She also discuss forgiveness and express her skepticism towards the concept of "fake forgiveness" and emphasises the importance of honesty and setting boundaries, rather than avoiding confrontation and pretending to forgive.

Key Takeaways:
How gratitude can occasionally create feelings of powerlessness contrasting with the empowering effect of appreciation.
The association of gratitude with dependency may be linked to the patriarchy and the suppression of women's power.
How appreciation allows us to take ownership of our creations, providing a more empowering perspective.
The consequences of "fake forgiveness" and passive-aggressive behavior
Quote
"Fake it till you make it. I don't like that. To me, it's dishonest."

Timestamps
03:12 - Differentiating between gratitude and appreciation
06:44 - Exploring the potential connection between gratitude and the patriarchy
09:51 - Challenging societal expectations of gratitude and appreciation
12:03 - Criticising the insincerity of some expressions of forgiveness and gratitude
15:16 - The importance of being true to oneself
19:07 - Triggering experiences and self-reflection
20:51 - Drawing the line and sending a message to the universe

Find out more here: https://lifeaftermenopause.net/ep227
24 min
January 23, 2024Dr Ivana Matic-Stancin: Approaching Perimenopause Holistically, and Why Women Need Each Other During and After Menopause
Dr. Ivana Matic Stanson discusses the importance of taking a holistic approach to perimenopausal health. She also highlights the societal messages and expectations that can add to the stress and overwhelm experienced by women during this transition. By providing education, support, and guidance, Dr. Stanson helps women navigate perimenopause and embrace the next stage of their lives with confidence and well-being.

Dr. Ivana Matic Stanson is a perimenopausal health specialist, she also provides one-on-one consultations, group appointments, and online coaching to help women navigate the challenges of perimenopause and transition to a healthier and happier stage of life.

Key Takeaways:
Why does perimenopause demand a holistic approach
What are the factors that can contribute to the severity and duration of perimenopausal symptoms
How mindfulness and reflection can help women navigate the challenges of perimenopause
Why understanding the physiological changes happening in the body during perimenopause is crucial for women to make informed decisions

Quotes:
"Perimenopausal health is about addressing all possible angles because we are such complex beings." - Dr. Ivana Matic Stanson
Timestamp

01:25 - Dr. Ivana Matic Stanson's approach to holistic perimenopausal health
07:28 - Importance of community and sense of belonging in healthcare
12:02 - Perimenopausal symptoms and the importance of lifestyle and stress management
19:42 - Slowing down, reflecting, and finding a new way of being
25:28 - Understanding the physiology of the body is crucial for managing symptoms.
30:39 - Adjusting eating habits and self-care is necessary during menopause.
36:56 - Transitioning to perimenopause in a healthy and informed way
37:23 - Conclusion and closing remarks

Find out more here: https://lifeaftermenopause.net/ep226
40 min
January 16, 2024Lyndal Stellenberg: Overcoming Body Image Issues, and Embracing Summer
Lyndal Sterenberg, founder of Es Una, talks about her journey in creating a swimwear brand that focuses on body confidence and comfort. Lyndal emphasises the importance of finding swimwear that takes away the anxiety many women feel about their bodies and allows them to enjoy summer activities without self-consciousness. She also discusses the impact of social media on body image and the need for women to embrace their bodies and share their stories.

In addition to her work with Es Una, Lyndal is involved in a program called Making Her Mark, which aims to encourage women and girls to pursue nontraditional careers. She shares her passion for supporting women in male-dominated industries and helping them find the courage to pursue their goals.

Key Takeaways:
How finding the right swimwear that takes away that anxiety can help women enjoy summer activities without self-consciousness.
Why women should embrace their bodies and share their stories.
How social media can have a negative impact on body image
How to build confidence and overcoming your inner critic.
Lindell's challenges and successes encountered in establishing a Es Una
Quotes:
"Finding swimwear that takes away the anxiety many women feel about their bodies allows them to enjoy summer activities without self-consciousness." - Lyndal Stellenberg
Timestamps
03:40 The inspiration behind Lyndal's swimwear designs
05:38 The impact of social media on body confidence
12:23 The importance of courage and confidence to enjoy summer activities
15:34 Overcoming inner critic through research and planning
17:44 Building confidence by taking on challenges
19:32 Lyndal's journey into fashion design
24:29 Addressing individual body issues and finding solutions

Find out more here: https://lifeaftermenopause.net/ep225
33 min
January 09, 2024Life After Menopause: The Importance of Trusting Your Intuition and Recognising Toxic Relationships
In this episode, Karen reflects on her personal experiences over the past year and discusses the importance of trusting one's gut instinct and recognising toxic relationships. She shares her journey of post-menopause and how it has brought clarity and a sense of liberation. She also delves into her recent business experiences, highlighting the importance of trusting her instincts and recognising toxic relationships.

Key Takeaways:
How to trust your intuition
Why sharing personal experiences allows for connection and validation.
How to recognise the people you tolerate in your life and evaluate if they are toxic.
Discovering your untapped potential - why it matters
Empowerment and coping strategies in menopause women
Quote:
"I am thoroughly postmenopausal and very glad for it. I cannot tell you how nice it is to be post menopause because there's just so many more things available."

Timestamp
00:31 - Transition to focusing on life after menopause and personal experiences
04:45 - Recap of the past year, including separation, house sale, and podcasting business
05:26 - Difficulty in ending relationships with people who are "just okay"
06:37 - Negative impact of marketing relationship on podcast downloads and business
09:14 - Realisation that many "tolerated" people are toxic narcissists
10:26 - Frustration with people who don't learn from feedback
12:06 - Importance of sharing experiences and validating others' feelings

Find out more here: https://lifeaftermenopause.net/ep224
15 min
January 02, 2024The most dramatic year of my life: Turning 60, Separation, Moving House
In this episode, Karen O'Connor reflects on her podcast journey and shares updates on her life over the past year. She discusses the vulnerability and challenges of sharing personal thoughts and experiences. Karen explores the concept of finding purpose in life and the pressure society places on individuals to have a singular purpose. She also delves into her decision to take a break from her long-term marriage to rediscover herself and her desires. Karen highlights the importance of addressing discomfort and making changes to live a more fulfilling life.

Key Takeaways:
Why finding a singular purpose in life can be challenging, and it's okay to have multiple purposes and goals.
How goals can feel restrictive, and how focusing on outcomes and experiences can provide more freedom and possibilities.
The importance of prioritising one's own wants and needs instead of solely focusing on others.
How society's expectations and gender roles can limit personal growth and fulfillment.
How taking action and addressing discomfort can lead to personal growth and a more authentic life.
Quote:
"I don't have a single purpose in life, a single goal that I want to achieve, a single thing that I'm going to do and make it my life's meaning."

Timestamp

03:37 - The limitations of setting goals and finding meaning
08:17 - Exploring the idea of spending time apart in a long-term relationship
13:26 - The difficulty of making the decision to separate
18:07 - Taking action and embracing uncertainty is perceived as unusual
24:11 - Gender differences are mostly a result of societal training
27:49 - Children's response to bullying is ostracising the bully.
33:05 - Tolerating inappropriate behavior as a woman.
35:52 - Realisation of tolerating discomfort and danger in life.
39:14 - Feeling the cognitive dissonance of being a woman in patriarchy.
43 min
December 26, 2023The Best of 2023: Menopause, Toxic Relationships, Essential Oils and more!
Karen O'Connor reflects on the most popular episodes of her podcast from the past year. She highlights snippets from interviews with various guests, covering topics such as aromatherapy for menopause symptoms, managing hormones in menopause, toxic relationships, essential oils, and the importance of self-awareness, setting boundaries, and finding ways to cope with trauma and stress.

Key Takeaways:
How aromatherapy can be helpful for managing menopause symptoms, hormone levels and sensitivities.
How recognising and understanding patterns of behavior can help break negative cycles and promote personal growth.
Coping with Trauma from both major events and smaller, cumulative experiences, often leading to addictive behaviors.
Managing stress and promoting mental well-being through exercise and meditation
Why Gaslighting Awareness is vital in preserving one's thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Quotes:
"Menopause is not a Xanax deficiency. It's about supporting our bodies and finding ways to alleviate symptoms." - Lisa Baker
Timestamp

07:41 - The risks and benefits of ingesting essential oils with aromatherapist Amy Anthony
12:03 - How Lisa Baker helps women through the menopause period
15:25 - Reclaiming agency over body and health choices
17:14 - Fear of expressing ourselves and being accepted
20:43 - Dealing with fragility, anxiety, and uncertainty
25:00 - Importance of guidelines for letting go of stress and trauma.
27:22 - Breaking negative relationship patterns through therapy and self-awareness.
30:51 - Coping with toxic behavior by focusing on meditation and exercise.
35:24 - Differentiating between extreme gaslighting and normal relationship dynamics.

Find out more here: https://www.mmmpodcast.me/ep222
37 min
December 19, 2023The Shocking Truth Behind Your Menopausal Weight Gain with Sylvia North
In this episode, Sylvia North discusses the impact of insulin resistance on women's health during perimenopause and menopause. If you have gained weight and are having difficulty losing weight, you may have a resistance to insulin. As we get older we lose a lot of estrogen which can lead to this resistance, and increases the risk of heart problems, bone density issues, and diabetes. Sylvia shares how best to manage blood sugar levels and the best diet for menopausal women. She also delves into the role of stress, exercise, and sleep in maintaining metabolic health.

What is insulin resistance?
Insulin resistance occurs when cells become less efficient at using different types of fuels, such as glucose and fat.

Key Takeaways:
How insulin resistance induces metabolic alterations, elevates the risk of chronic diseases and affects the body's ability to use glucose and fat efficiently, resulting in weight gain and difficulty losing weight.
The importance of adequate protein intake during menopause to support muscle and bone health.
Why balanced meals and snacks are essential for stable blood sugar levels
Factors contributing to insulin resistance and metabolic health
Recommended diet and holistic approaches to maintaining metabolic health during menopause

Quotes:
And insulin is a storage hormone, it's a growth hormone. It also makes you hungry.
Chapters

01:12 - Hidden impacts of perimenopause and menopause
03:24 - Insulin resistance and its effects on the body
09:00 - Impact of high carb diet on brain fog
11:15 - Managing blood sugar during perimenopause
16:52 - Good nutrition during perimenopause
22:29 - Use hand size as a guide for protein portion sizes
24:21 - Importance of getting enough protein in meals
26:38 - Considerations for intermittent fasting and protein intake
30:11 - Strategies for weight loss and improving metabolic flexibility
36:35 - The best diet and reducing hunger cravings

Find out more here: https://www.mmmpodcast.me/ep221
42 min