Mad With The Menopause

Join me in conversation with Andrea Clare, the visionary and organiser of Scotland’s first ever Pause Summit, taking place in Glasgow on October the 18th 2026.

Andrea is a Creative Menopause Coach. helping women understand, navigate, and thrive in midlife through creativity, drawing on her own terrible experience of the perimenopause.

KEY TAKE AWAYS:

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Get your tickets here:  https://scottishpausesummit.co.uk/

LinkedIn: Andrea Clare Unlimited

ABOUT THE HOST:

Anel’s passion to help others, is evident from her professional life, having worked extensively within Recruitment, Human Resources, and the Third Sector.

This passion is predominately the inspiration for her podcast.

Blindsided by the perimenopause, when it took hold with a vengeance at the start of Lockdown, Anél is fiercely passionate about raising more awareness of the perimenopause, menopause and post menopause, and will tackle many taboo subjects head on, as she is a strong believer in ‘knowledge is power’.

CONTACT ME:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7252979209604673536/

E-mail:  [email protected]

Instagram: @anel.quilliam

DISCLAIMER: 

The views of mine and those of my guests are just that. I therefore urge you to take advise from your medical practitioner, who knows your medical history and can therefore provide advice specific to your needs.

Tile Art by:  Shawn Bennett (Rockingham Media CIC)

Alexander Perry is the founder of Alexander Clementine, a women’s health underwear brand creating soft, breathable underwear from seaweed and eucalyptus.

After studying Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry, Alexander went on to work in fashion before founding Alexander Clementine, inspired by his mother Alison’s experience with breast cancer treatment and recovery. The brand continues to innovate in her name and memory.

Alexander Clementine exists to rethink the first layer for women navigating menopause, sensitivity, recovery and everyday discomfort - combining science-led fabric innovation with beautiful, comfort-first design.

Alexander is passionate about opening more honest conversations around women’s health, menopause and the role better materials can play in supporting women’s bodies.

KEY TAKE AWAYS:

00:00 - Introduction to Alex and her journey

02:21 - The evolution of Alexander Clementine

04:16 - Sourcing fabrics and the benefits of eucalyptus

07:01 - Why Icelandic seaweed was chosen

12:14 - The product presentation and customer experience

14:08 - Range of garments and target use

17:09- - Website and shopping experience

21:00 - Future plans and industry outlook

24:30 - Most surprising learnings about menopause

26:07 - Supporting Alex's business and final thoughts

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Instagram:  @alexanderclementineltd

LinkedIn:   Alex Perry

Website:   www.alexanderclementine.com

ABOUT THE HOST:

Anel’s passion to help others, is evident from her professional life, having worked extensively within Recruitment, Human Resources, and the Third Sector.

This passion is predominately the inspiration for her podcast.

Blindsided by the perimenopause, when it took hold with a vengeance at the start of Lockdown, Anél is fiercely passionate about raising more awareness of the perimenopause, menopause and post menopause, and will tackle many taboo subjects head on, as she is a strong believer in ‘knowledge is power’.

CONTACT ME:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7252979209604673536/

E-mail:  [email protected]

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Gilly Kahn, a licensed clinical psychologist and author specialising in neurodiversity, emotion regulation, and executive functioning. Dr. Kahn is a leading voice on ADHD - especially when it comes to the often-overlooked emotional side of living with a neurodivergent brain. She is the author of 'Allow Me to Interrupt: A Psychologist Reveals the Emotional Truth Behind Women’s ADHD.'

What makes her perspective so powerful is that she bridges rigorous clinical psychology with her own personal journey with ADHD.

KEY TAKE AWAYS:

00:00 - Introduction to Gilly Kahn and her work

01:56 - Gilly’s early interest in working with autistic children

04:00 - Recognizing social withdrawal and non-anxious withdrawal in children

06:00 - Personal experiences with undiagnosed ADHD

09:00 - The journey of writing her book about women’s ADHD

12:02 - The significance of self-compassion and psycho-education

15:03 - The story behind the book’s title and stereotypes

17:01 - Advice for navigating life with ADHD

21:59 - Hormonal influences on women with ADHD and perimenopause

28:00 - Personal health experiences and the impact of stress

30:50 - Final thoughts and encouragement for self-acceptance

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Instagram:  @drgillykahn

ABOUT THE HOST:

Anel’s passion to help others, is evident from her professional life, having worked extensively within Recruitment, Human Resources, and the Third Sector.

This passion is predominately the inspiration for her podcast.

Blindsided by the perimenopause, when it took hold with a vengeance at the start of Lockdown, Anél is fiercely passionate about raising more awareness of the perimenopause, menopause and post menopause, and will tackle many taboo subjects head on, as she is a strong believer in ‘knowledge is power’.

CONTACT ME:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7252979209604673536/

E-mail:  [email protected]

In this milestone episode, Anél breaks down the 5 Pillars of Health, showing why prioritising your wellbeing matters now, more than ever as you enter perimenopause and menopause.

KEY TAKE AWAYS:

00:00 - Introduction to Menopause and the 5 Pillars of Health

02:19 - Strength Training and Bone Health

03:06 - Prioritising Sleep for Cellular Repair

04:00 - Managing Stress and Nervous System Health

04:54 - The Power of Connection and Self-Compassion

05:10 - Final Thoughts: Thriving in Menopause

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Instagram:   @anelquilliam

ABOUT THE HOST:

Anel’s passion to help others, is evident from her professional life, having worked extensively within Recruitment, Human Resources, and the Third Sector.

This passion is predominately the inspiration for her podcast.

Blindsided by the perimenopause, when it took hold with a vengeance at the start of Lockdown, Anél is fiercely passionate about raising more awareness of the perimenopause, menopause and post menopause, and will tackle many taboo subjects head on, as she is a strong believer in ‘knowledge is power’.

CONTACT ME:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7252979209604673536/

E-mail:  [email protected]

In today’s episode, I am speaking with Simon Salt, a writer, speaker, and Certified Menopause Coach whose work explores how menopause shapes relationships, communication, and workplace wellbeing. Through ‘The Quiet Transition’, Simon helps couples and organisations navigate one of life’s most overlooked transitions.

KEY TAKE AWAYS:

00:00 -  Introduction and guest introduction

01:12 -  How Simon's wife entered perimenopause

02:22 - The emotional toll and relationship changes

03:49 -  Diagnosis and understanding symptoms

04:44 -  The importance of emotional intimacy

06:10 -  Men's lack of information and support

07:16  - The shift from fixing to partnering

08:12  - Navigating identity and aging

09:20 -  The importance of lived experience

10:48  - Research and understanding the biological aspects

12:08  - Creating a new relationship dynamic

13:35 -  Providing tailored information for men

14:32 -  Sit, listen, believe framework

15:28 -  Learning from lived experiences

16:54 -  Adapting to unpredictable symptoms

18:07 -  Reframing aging as transition, not end

19:44 -  Supporting through flexibility and patience

21:14 -  The societal view of aging and menopause

22:33 -  Practical support and shared responsibilities

24:18 -  Stepping back and allowing mistakes

26:51 -  Recognizing emotional triggers and timing

28:21 -  Reading the room and emotional cues

30:54 -  The role of continuous information gathering

31:47 -  The 'Quiet Transition' content platform

32:19 -  Upcoming book and future plans

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Substack: https://substack.com/@thequiettransition

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonsalt/

Website:  https://www.thequiettransition.com/

Podcast:  https://www.thequiettransition.com/podcast

ABOUT THE HOST:

Anel’s passion to help others, is evident from her professional life, having worked extensively within Recruitment, Human Resources, and the Third Sector.

This passion is predominately the inspiration for her podcast.

Blindsided by the perimenopause, when it took hold with a vengeance at the start of Lockdown, Anél is fiercely passionate about raising more awareness of the perimenopause, menopause and post menopause, and will tackle many taboo subjects head on, as she is a strong believer in ‘knowledge is power’.

CONTACT ME:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7252979209604673536/

E-mail:  [email protected]

In today’s episode, I am speaking with Libby Stevenson, a wellbeing practitioner and a certified pregnancy, postnatal and menopause yoga teacher.

Libby’s lived experience of navigating each stage without support and knowledge motivated her to empower women physically, mentally and emotionally with yoga, science-based information, therapeutic wellbeing and women’s circle discussions so that they are better equipped to face the challenges at each stage in a positive and healthier way. 

KEY TAKE AWAYS:

00:00 - Introduction

00:11 - Journey into Women's Wellness

03:45 - The Impact of Yoga on Life Changes

07:58 - Navigating Empty Nest Syndrome

08:28 - Finding Purpose in Yoga Teaching

09:54 - Transitioning to Online Yoga Classes

11:06 - The Holistic Approach to Women's Health

11:32 - Benefits of Yoga During Menopause

16:09 - Embracing Change: The Menopausal Journey

19:21 - Meditation and Mindfulness in Yoga

22:19 - Getting Started with Yoga

24:54 - Exploring Different Yoga Styles

28:00 - Connecting with the Right Yoga Community

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Website:  https://libbystevensonwellbeing.com/

Instagram:  @libbystevenson.wellbeing

ABOUT THE HOST:

Anel’s passion to help others, is evident from her professional life, having worked extensively within Recruitment, Human Resources, and the Third Sector.

This passion is predominately the inspiration for her podcast.

Blindsided by the perimenopause, when it took hold with a vengeance at the start of Lockdown, Anél is fiercely passionate about raising more awareness of the perimenopause, menopause and post menopause, and will tackle many taboo subjects head on, as she is a strong believer in ‘knowledge is power’.

CONTACT ME:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7252979209604673536/

E-mail:  [email protected]

Sharon Pendlington is a Menopause and Nervous System Specialist with a decade of clinical experience helping women to navigate the menopause transition, with less stress and more confidence.

Sharon specialises in supporting people in midlife to sleep through the night again, stabilise their mood, and restore their sharp mental clarity. She's the founder of the 90-Day Perimenopause Nervous System Reset group program, and she works with organisations to create menopause-inclusive workplaces.

KEY TAKE AWAYS:

00:00 - Introduction to Menopause Conversations

02:28 - Sharon's Personal Journey with Menopause

05:20 - The Role of Mindfulness in Managing Symptoms

08:12 - The Importance of Community and Shared Experiences

10:40 - Developing a Mindfulness Program for Women

13:28 - Practical Tips for Starting Mindfulness

15:53 - Connecting with Sharon and Resources for Women

18:30 - Final Thoughts on Self-Care and Menopause

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Want to know your Perimenopause Archetype and start feeling better today?

Take the 3-minute Perimenopause Archetype Quiz

Website: https://www.sharonpendlington.com/

Instagram: @sharonpendlington

ABOUT THE HOST:

Anel’s passion to help others, is evident from her professional life, having worked extensively within Recruitment, Human Resources, and the Third Sector.

This passion is predominately the inspiration for her podcast.

Blindsided by the perimenopause, when it took hold with a vengeance at the start of Lockdown, Anél is fiercely passionate about raising more awareness of the perimenopause, menopause and post menopause, and will tackle many taboo subjects head on, as she is a strong believer in ‘knowledge is power’.

CONTACT ME:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7252979209604673536/

E-mail:  [email protected]

Hayley is the founder of The Promise Method, a 66-day daily self-trust practice for capable midlife women whose body no longer tolerates the pace they’ve lived at for years.

After her body finally stopped tolerating a lifetime of pushing through, Hayley began keeping one tiny daily promise to herself – a practice she has kept for more than 875 days now. What started as survival, slowly became a method for rebuilding safety, self-trust and connection inside the body.

Through honest conversations about midlife, nervous system overwhelm, emotional exhaustion, and hidden cost of always being the capable one, Haley helps women recognise that they are not broken, their body is simply no longer willing to keep overriding itself to survive.

Her work is grounded in lived experience rather than performance, helping women move from survival mode toward safety, through tiny repeatable daily actions their body does not resist.

KEY TAKE AWAYS:

00:00 - Introduction and Setting the Stage

00:12 - The Birth of The Promise Method

02:30 - Navigating Health Anxiety and Self-Discovery

05:30 - Understanding the Method: Building Habits

07:39 - The Journey of Self-Trust and Movement

11:29 - Permission to Prioritize Self-Care

13:22 - Family Dynamics and Personal Growth

15:09 - Navigating Emotional Conversations

16:22 - Understanding Beliefs and Emotions

17:15 - The Importance of Sharing Experiences

18:03 - Overcoming Information Overload

18:51 - Listening to Your Body

20:17 - Finding Movement That Resonates

23:19 - Recognizing the Need for Self-Care

24:42 - The Impact of Women's Health Awareness

25:48 - Embracing New Opportunities

28:13 - The Power of Kindness and Community

31:01 - Authenticity in Sharing Your Journey

32:59 - Trusting Your Intuition

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Website: www.thepromisemethod.co.uk

Instagram:  @thepromisemethod

ABOUT THE HOST:

Anel’s passion to help others, is evident from her professional life, having worked extensively within Recruitment, Human Resources, and the Third Sector.

This passion is predominately the inspiration for her podcast.

Blindsided by the perimenopause, when it took hold with a vengeance at the start of Lockdown, Anél is fiercely passionate about raising more awareness of the perimenopause, menopause and post menopause, and will tackle many taboo subjects head on, as she is a strong believer in ‘knowledge is power’.

CONTACT ME:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7252979209604673536/

E-mail:  [email protected]

Georgina is the founder of Purpl, a UK platform helping people with disabilities and long-term health conditions save money and access meaningful support. Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and ADHD, she understands first-hand the financial and everyday challenges her community faces. She launched Purpl to make life more affordable and less isolating by combining hundreds of brand offers,  with community support and the Purpl Grant Fund. Georgina focuses on driving real impact beyond discounts by working with brands to create meaningful change.

KEY TAKE AWAYS:

00:00 - Journey to Diagnosis: Georgina's Story

02:04 - Connecting ADHD, MS, and Hormones

05:02 - Managing Symptoms: A Holistic Approach

08:01 - The Birth of Purpl: Supporting the Disabled Community

10:29 - Building a Community: Resources and Support

13:10 - Future Plans: Expanding Purpl's Impact

16:16 - Finding Joy: Personal Life and Hobbies

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Website:  https://www.purpldiscounts.com/

Instagram:  @purpldiscounts

Socials @purpldiscounts across Facebook, TikTok and YouTube

ABOUT THE HOST:

Anel’s passion to help others, is evident from her professional life, having worked extensively within Recruitment, Human Resources, and the Third Sector.

This passion is predominately the inspiration for her podcast.

Blindsided by the perimenopause, when it took hold with a vengeance at the start of Lockdown, Anél is fiercely passionate about raising more awareness of the perimenopause, menopause and post menopause, and will tackle many taboo subjects head on, as she is a strong believer in ‘knowledge is power’.

CONTACT ME:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7252979209604673536/

E-mail:  [email protected]

Adele Wimsett is a Women’s Health Practitioner specialising in ADHD and perimenopause. Adele supports women whose mood, cognition, menstrual cycle symptoms and nervous system become increasingly dysregulated during hormonal transition, helping them understand what’s happening in their bodies and make informed, consent-led decisions about hormone support. Her work is hormone-literate, neurodivergent-informed, and grounded in education rather than one-size-fits-all protocols.

KEY TAKE AWAYS:

00:00 - Introduction

00:21 - Adele's Journey into Women's Health

03:36 - The Impact of Hormones on ADHD

07:05 - Stress and the Modern Woman's Experience

11:31 - Neurodivergent Women and Burnout

13:52 - Exploring HRT and Its Implications

15:28 - How to Work with Adele

17:46 - Understanding Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)

21:52 - Final Thoughts and Pearls of Wisdom

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Website:  https://harmoniseyou.co.uk/

Instagram:  @adele_wimsett

ABOUT THE HOST:

Anel’s passion to help others, is evident from her professional life, having worked extensively within Recruitment, Human Resources, and the Third Sector.

This passion is predominately the inspiration for her podcast.

Blindsided by the perimenopause, when it took hold with a vengeance at the start of Lockdown, Anél is fiercely passionate about raising more awareness of the perimenopause, menopause and post menopause, and will tackle many taboo subjects head on, as she is a strong believer in ‘knowledge is power’.

CONTACT ME:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7252979209604673536/

E-mail:  [email protected]