💤 Why Sleep is the Most Important Nutrient After Oxygen

In this episode of Menopause Conversations, Angela dives deep into why sleep is critical for women’s health—especially during the menopause transition.

You’ll discover:

• Why poor sleep raises risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even dementia.
• The difference between deep sleep (detoxifying the brain and body) and REM sleep (memory, learning, and emotional regulation).
• How changing hormones affect sleep cycles and brain “remodeling” during menopause.
• Practical strategies to improve sleep, from morning sunlight and regular routines to winding down with calming rituals.
• Why your sleep tracker isn’t always telling you the full story.

👉 Angela also shares a free downloadable Sleep Guide to help you make sleep a true priority for your health and wellbeing. Download the Sleep Guide here.

If you’ve ever struggled with restless nights or wondered how to wake up feeling truly refreshed, this episode is for you.

Energy in Menopause: What’s Draining It — and How to Get It Back

In this episode, Angela breaks down why energy can decrease during the menopause transition and what you can do about it.

From hormonal shifts that affect your energy systems to everyday habits and hidden drains most women miss, she shares simple steps to rebuild steady energy without relying on things like caffeine.

She covers:

• What “energy” really means (and how your body produces it)
• Why energy drops in menopause: hormones, stress load, sleep disruption, nutrition gaps, alcohol, iron deficiency, toxin exposure, overcommitting your time
• What to check if you’re always tired: iron levels, sleep routine, daily stressors, diet quality, hydration, environmental chemicals
• Boundaries = energy: how saying no protects your reserves
• Move to make energy: why any movement helps (especially when you don’t feel like it)
• Build more energy (no coffee required): where you can start
• Eye-opening statistic: though we may be living long now, 70% of people over 60 are in poor health and will stay in poor health for the rest of their life — be the 30% who buck the trend

Next week: a deep dive on sleep and how to get it working again.

If this episode helps, follow/subscribe and share it with a friend who’s feeling flat.

Struggling with memory lapses, brain fog, or feeling like you’re losing your edge during menopause? In this empowering episode of the Menopause Conversations podcast, host Angela Counsel explains why these symptoms are common—and what you can do about them.

Drawing from cutting-edge neuroscience and her own experiences, Angela reveals that your brain isn’t breaking down—it’s upgrading.

Discover the real reason behind menopausal brain fog as Angela compares the brain’s hormonal rewiring to a chaotic home renovation. She unpacks how the communication between your brain, ovaries, and adrenal glands shifts during this transition, and what that means for your focus, decision-making, and emotional clarity.

Angela also explores practical, science-based strategies to support your brain:

🧠 Foods that nourish cognition

💤 How sleep flushes out toxins

🚫 Why alcohol disrupts brain repair

📅 Life-saving tools like sticky notes & calendar reminders

Plus, she highlights research from leading experts Dr. Lisa Mosconi (The Menopause Brain) and Dr. Louann Brizendine (The Upgrade), showing that women don’t lose intelligence through menopause—in fact, they gain wisdom.

This episode is a must-listen for women in business or leadership roles who want to thrive through the menopause transition.

Free Resource:

🎓Menopause Brain Masterclass + Smart Woman’s Brain Boost Guide

Share This Episode:

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or colleague navigating this same stage of life. Let’s keep the Menopause Conversation going!

In this insightful episode, Angela unpacks a powerful truth: not every symptom you’re experiencing is automatically “just menopause.” From brain fog and weight gain to low energy and hair loss, many of the signs we blame on hormones might have deeper underlying causes.

Is the shift in your hormones the cause of your symptoms or triggering some of the symptoms that your hormones were previously masking from other underlying issues?

Angela explores:

• How thyroid dysfunction (including subclinical issues) may be flying under the radar.
• The role of nutrient deficiencies like iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium.
• Why insulin resistance and that stubborn “meno belly” are often overlooked.
• The impact of chronic stress and high cortisol on digestion, hormones, and weight.
• Practical lifestyle shifts for reducing internal stress and supporting your body naturally.

This is a must-listen if you’ve ever been dismissed, told “it’s just your age” or just intuitively know something is not quite right.

You’ll walk away with a clearer picture of what else to check, plus empowering steps you can take to feel like yourself again. Get some answers to questions you have probably been asking for a while now.

📘 Download Angela's free eBook: Thriving in Menopause

🎧 Related Episodes: Nutrient Series

• Magnesium
• Iron
• Calcium
• Zinc

📝 Rate & Review if this episode resonates—help more women get the support they deserve.

Do You Have a Health Plan for Midlife and Beyond?

You have a business plan. You have a financial plan. But what about a health plan?

In this episode of the Menopause Conversations podcast, Angela poses one of the most important — and overlooked — questions midlife women need to ask themselves:

Do I have a plan for my health as I age?

With honesty and insight, Angela dives into the concept of health span vs. lifespan, and there’s a difference you probably haven't considered. Most women begin to experience a noticeable health decline around the age of 63 BUT that doesn't have to be your reality.

She explores the everyday symptoms so many women brush off or tolerate — brain fog, fatigue, sleep disturbances, weight gain, aches and pains, hot flushes, rising blood pressure or cholesterol — and explains how these are signals your body is out of balance, not just inevitable signs of aging.

You’ll also hear:

• The real reason symptoms only show up once the body is already under stress.
• What movement does to your brain and hormones (and why you need more of it).
• How simple, sustainable choices — from better food to fresh air — can help you thrive.
• An honest question to ask yourself about where you want to be in 6 months, 1 year… or even 5 years?

Angela shares her personal story of slipping out of balance earlier this year, how she found her way back through consistency and mindset shifts, and how you can do the same — without overhauling your entire life.

This episode is your invitation to stop putting your health last, and start building the future you want to live in.

Grab your free guide: Thriving in Menopause

Welcome to Series 5 of Menopause Conversations with your host Angela Counsel! After a short break, we're back—and this season, we're diving deep into a topic that is not talked about enough: the impact of menopause on women running businesses, leading teams, and holding corporate roles.

In this powerful opening episode, Angela shares personal stories and expert insights on how hormonal shifts affect your brain, energy, confidence, and ability to show up in your work. She explains why symptoms like brain fog, disrupted sleep, and burnout aren't just "part of the deal"—and what you can do to take back control.

Angela introduces the idea of becoming the CEO of your health, with real, actionable strategies to help you thrive both personally and professionally during menopause.

Learn why your schedule, energy cycles, and even the way you eat and move might need a reset—and how aligning your lifestyle with your biology can change everything.

✨ Whether you're a business owner, leader, or career-driven woman navigating midlife, this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 Download your free Smart Woman’s Brain Boost Guide here

🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

📺 Now streaming live weekly on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube!

This year has marked a significant shift in how menopause is perceived and discussed, both globally and in our region. We've witnessed a great move towards openness and support.

In Australia we have seen a Senate inquiry into perimenopause and menopause, resulting in 25 recommendations aimed at better supporting women. In New Zealand, we’ve seen organisations like Gender at Work being instrumental in promoting menopause awareness and celebrating World Menopause Day on October 18, 2024, with resources designed to smash stigma and highlight support options.

Globally, high-profile women like Michelle Obama, Naomi Watts, Halle Berry & more, have been candid about their menopause journeys, further normalising the conversation and advocating for increased research and education on menopause.

In addition to this, we talk through some other key highlights including:

• Menopause-inclusive workplace initiatives in New Zealand and beyond.
• Breakthrough research on hormone therapy and its impact on health.
• Lifestyle Implications and the role of active lifestyles in managing menopause symptoms.
• Personal wins, challenges, and reflections from our host, including the success of the embrace Program.
• The M Factor Movie.
• A couple of great books to explore to support your menopause transition & symptoms.

As we wrap up the year, I encourage you to reflect on your wins and lessons learned. We tend to focus on what we didn’t achieve or what went wrong, but let’s focus on what you did do really well, what lessons you learned even if through challenging times and what has this led you to do differently?

What are you ready to leave behind in 2024, and what are your goals for 2025?

🎧 Listen now and celebrate the journey with us.

Want to learn more? Join my upcoming FREE workshop on the Secret to Thriving in Menopause without HRT.

Register at bit.ly/thrivemenopause

Follow me on social media - Facebook or https://www.instagram.com/angelacounsel

Were you aware of Australia's Senate inquiry into Menopause over the past few months?

If not, you're not alone.

In today’s episode of Menopause Conversations, I’m joined by Sonya Lovell, an advocate for challenging societal stigmas and taboos, and for promoting better education and resources for all people as they transition through menopause.

Sonya’s journey began at 47 when she experienced induced menopause due to breast cancer treatment. Feeling overwhelmed, unsupported, and under-educated about menopause, Sonya struggled to understand what was happening to her rapidly changing health.

Experiencing anxiety, mild depression, and a host of other physical symptoms, Sonya set off on a mission to understand everything she could about peri-menopause and menopause.

This has led her to recently presenting at the Senate inquiry into Peri-Menopause and Menopause, and she’s here to discuss:

• What a Senate inquiry is and why it was necessary
• What unfolded during the inquiry
• Who participated, including people with lived experiences, health professionals, government bodies, University Representatives
• The key recommendations and next steps

We also explore how every one of us can contribute to ensuring these recommendations are implemented—whether by writing to local and federal representatives or initiating conversations at schools, workplaces, and in our personal lives.

Menopause impacts everyone: over 50% of the population will directly experience the transition, and 100% will feel its ripple effects. By starting conversations and advocating for change, we can make a significant difference for the generations to come.

This inspiring & encouraging episode highlights the power of advocacy, education, and conversation in creating real change.

I encourage you to learn more about Sonya Lovell and what you can do to advocate for change by taking a look at these resources:

• Menopause After Cancer: Sonya Lovell’s Personal Journey
• Dear Menopause Podcast

Want to take action? Download a template to write to your local member and join the movement for better peri-menopause and menopause support: Demand Action on Peri & Menopause! - WellFemme

Be a part of the change you want to see!

Want to learn more about the menopause transition? Join my upcoming FREE workshop on the Secret to Thriving in Menopause without HRT.

Register at bit.ly/thrivemenopause

Follow me on social media - Facebook or https://www.instagram.com/angelacounsel

Have you found yourself wondering why your body feels off-kilter during the menopause transition? It might be time to look deeper into your gut health.

Imagine your body as a symphony orchestra. Each hormone plays an essential role, but the one conducting the gig is your gut. There is more to your gut than just digestion, it's central to hormone balance.

In this episode of Menopause Conversations we explore how different hormones are influenced by your gut such as:

• Serotonin - Your Feel Good Maestro
• Melatonin - Your Sleep Regulator
• Thyroid Hormones - Your Metabolic Pacesetters
• Oestrogen - Your Feminine Essence

We'll also look at the signs your gut is giving you when it needs help and when it may be time to seek professional help.

If you think your gut is fine, sometimes the signs are more subtle than you expect so I'll share how you can bring your gut and hormones back into harmony.

To top it off, I share some tips to build a sustainable routine.

Consistency is key when it comes to your gut health and when you take care of your gut, every part of your body will follow suit.

If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend and if you haven't already, subscribe to the Menopause Conversations Podcast so you never miss an episode.

Want to learn more about the menopause transition? Join my upcoming FREE workshop on the Secret to Thriving in Menopause without HRT.

Register at bit.ly/thrivemenopause

Follow me on social media - Facebook or https://www.instagram.com/angelacounsel

Menopause changes more than your hormones—it transforms your skin, also.

In this episode of Menopause Conversations, we highlight the surprising ways menopause impacts your skin and how you can take charge of your skin’s health with natural, effective strategies.

Many women will experience dryness, wrinkles, dullness, or sensitivity during perimenopause and beyond, but it’s not just because you're “getting older.” Hormonal shifts, particularly declining oestrogen levels, play a big role in hydration, elasticity, and collagen production.

Beyond hormones, factors like gut health, hydration, and stress management all influence how our skin looks and feels.

In this episode, we uncover:

• What’s Behind the Changes? Explore how declining oestrogen impacts hydration, elasticity, and collagen production, leading to dryness, wrinkles, and thinning skin.
• Gut Health and Skin: Learn why your gut microbiome (especially the estrobolome) is key to clear, glowing skin and how to naturally support gut health with prebiotic foods and regular detoxification.
• Hydration Hacks: Discover how much water you really need (hint: it’s more than you think!) and how hydration impacts both your skin and digestion.
• Collagen’s Role: Find out why we lose up to 30% of our collagen in the first 5 years of menopause and which types of collagen (hint: marine collagen Types I and III) are best for supporting skin health naturally.
• Topical Solutions: Get tips on using hyaluronic acid, antioxidant serums, and facial oils like rosehip and argan oil to hydrate, protect, and nourish your skin.
• Face Yoga for Skin Health: We revisit Episode 170 with Vanamala from Face Yoga Australia to explore how simple exercises can tone facial muscles, boost circulation, and reduce wrinkles.
• Nutrition for Vibrant Skin: Understand the importance of omega-3s, brightly colored fruits and vegetables, and fiber-rich foods in promoting radiant skin from the inside out.
• Stress and Skin: Learn how chronic stress accelerates aging through cortisol’s effects on collagen and simple practices like breathwork and meditation to manage stress effectively.

This episode is packed with natural, actionable tips to help you embrace your skin’s journey through menopause. With the right care, your skin can remain healthy, glowing, and vibrant at any age.

Take care of yourself and your skin and don’t forget to revisit Episode 170 on face yoga and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Want to learn more about the menopause transition? Join my upcoming FREE workshop on the Secret to Thriving in Menopause without HRT.

Register at bit.ly/thrivemenopause

Follow me on social media - Facebook or https://www.instagram.com/angelacounsel