From Burnout to Breakthrough with Ann Marie McQueen of HotFlash Inc

In this raw and illuminating episode, I sit down with Ann Marie McQueen (and her cat - you may hear some meows!)—investigative journalist and founder of HotFlash Inc.—for a no-holds-barred conversation about the emotional, physical, and cultural reckoning that comes with menopause.  From navigating anxiety and health crashes in her early 40s to launching one of the most refreshing menopause platforms in the world, Ann Marie brings an honest, globally informed perspective to the conversation around midlife women’s health. Together, we explore the difference between being fixed and being revealed, the myths around hormone therapy, the commercialization of menopause care, and the essential power of reconnecting with your body. This episode is a permission slip to pause, reassess, and reclaim your truth. If you What We Talk About: ✨ Ann Marie’s personal story: from health struggles to advocacy ✨ The pivotal moment she realized she was in perimenopause ✨ How grief, stress, and identity crisis can shape midlife ✨ The bias, confusion, and fear-based messaging around hormone therapy ✨ The global perspective on menopause and how other cultures handle it ✨ The importance of emotion processing, slowing down, and reconnecting with your inner knowing If you love this conversation, you’ll love WOMAN UP - the full day, in-person event I’m hosting in October. Get on the waitlist to find out more at www.womanupuxbridge.com Connect with Ann Marie McQueen: Instagram: @hotflashinc Newsletter & Substack: hotflash.substack.com Website: hotflashinc.com Follow & Subscribe to Grown Up Girl Talk: Don’t miss future episodes that pull back the curtain on health, hormones, identity, and reinvention. Hit subscribe, leave a review, and share with a woman who needs to hear this conversation.  

This conversation lit me up in the best way. I sat down with Dr. Vikram Talaulikar—reproductive endocrinologist, menopause specialist, researcher and co-founder of The Menopause Clinic London (UK), and one of the most evidence-based, grounded voices in this space. This conversation goes deep into what’s really going on in perimenopause and menopause. We talk about: The actual hormone changes during perimenopause (hint: it’s not just estrogen!) Why so many women (and doctors!) are still confused about HRT in 2025 Bioidentical vs. compounded hormones—what’s safe, effective, and evidence-based What the research really says about breast cancer risk And how YOU can walk into your doctor’s office with the language, tools, and confidence to advocate for your own hormone health. How to find the best combination of hormone therapy for you Whether you're already on hormone therapy, curious about starting, or navigating symptoms and wondering WTF is going on—you’re going to get so much clarity, validation, and actionable advice here. This one is a must-listen. I wish every woman (and doctor) could hear it. 💛 If this episode gets you curious and excited to take charge of your hormone health, let’s connect! Find out how we can work together at www.leighasaundersnd.com And remember, WOMAN UP is happening in October 2025. This one day, in-person event is going to bring together women in a powerful way. Add your name to the waitlist here: www.womanupuxbridge.com

👉 Shirley’s joining us live at WOMAN UP this October! Add your name to the waitlist and be the first to get your ticket: http://www.womanupuxbridge.com This episode is one I could not wait to share with you — I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Shirley Weir, founder of Menopause Chicks, who is changing the narrative around midlife and menopause in the most empowering way. Shirley shares her journey of hitting a breaking point in her early 40s and realizing the information and support women were receiving just wasn’t enough — or accurate. She took matters into her own hands and has since built one of the most respected, community-centered menopause platforms out there. In our conversation, we talk about: ✨ Why midlife is the perfect time to rewrite your own rules ✨ The massive gap between what we should know about menopause and what we’re actually told ✨ The real story on hormone therapy — and what the research (not fear) actually says ✨ How to confidently speak to your healthcare provider about symptoms and treatment ✨ The difference between perimenopause and menopause — and why knowing the difference matters so much Whether you’re navigating hot flashes, mood shifts, sleep struggles, or just wondering “Is this normal?” — this episode will leave you feeling informed, validated, and supported. Shirley has a gift for making complex information feel human and empowering, and I love how she encourages women to get curious, advocate for themselves, and choose what’s right for them — not just what they’ve been told to tolerate. 🎧 Tune in and let me know what resonates most with you!   🧠 Helpful Resources:  ✅ Hormone Therapy Position Statement (2022) https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/professional/nams-2022-hormone-therapy-position-statement.pdf ✅ Join the Menopause Chicks Private FB Community https://menopausecommunity.com ✅ Visit MenopauseChicks.com https://menopausechicks.com ✅ Follow Shirley on Instagram https://instagram.com/menopausechicks

Hey there, beautiful friend – I’m back behind the mic, and I am SO excited to have you here for a conversation that’s been living in my heart for a while. In this solo episode, I’m sharing why Grown Up Girl Talk exists — because we need to start having the real conversations that we’ve been avoiding or quietly having inside our own heads. The ones about midlife identity shifts, feeling stuck even when life looks “perfect” on paper, breaking free from old programming, and finally stepping into radical responsibility for the life we actually want.   We’re talking about: ✨ What happens when you check all the boxes, but still feel unfulfilled ✨ The deeply ingrained “good girl” beliefs that keep us stuck ✨ Why waiting for someone to save you is keeping you small ✨ The 3 C’s I want every woman to have to up-level her health & happiness ✨ How to stop "should-ing" yourself and move into true alignment   This isn’t about having it all figured out or doing it perfectly. It’s about creating enough awareness and honesty to take your next step — even when it feels messy. I also share a bit of my own story — the moments of "radical audacity" I’ve had to move through (hello, selling my clinic when it no longer felt aligned) — and how I’ve learned that quitting can actually be one of the most powerful forms of success. ✨ Your Truth or Dare for this episode: Truth: Acknowledge your “not this.” What’s the part of your life that doesn’t feel aligned? Dare: Let yourself imagine your most beautiful life — even if you don’t know how you’ll get there yet. I hope this episode lands where it needs to land for you today. If it does, please share it with a friend who needs to hear it too 💛 Come back next week for some powerful guest conversations that are going to help you move through midlife, hormones, and health with more clarity and confidence. — Follow, subscribe, and let’s keep having these conversations of truth for women who dare. 🔥

Hey, I'm so excited to be here. It has been almost two years since I recorded a podcast episode, and we’re calling this one “The Final Word on the Sleep” — because it's wrapping up a chapter and stepping into something brand new. This is not goodbye — it's a transformation. The podcast is evolving into a whole new set of conversations I can't wait to bring to you. Here’s the thing: as a naturopathic doctor, I get to sit across from women in the most intimate, honest conversations and what I know for sure is, so many of us feel alone. Whether it’s about health, relationships, finances, or just life… you are not alone. I’m sharing my own story here — the real behind-the-scenes of my hiatus, including recording with a baby on the bed, my son being home sick again, the burnout that knocked me sideways, and even a massive unexpected stress that I kept secret. It’s a story of overachievement, resistance to rest, and finally... surrender. But mostly, it’s a story of returning. To myself. To this mic. To deeper, truer conversations. This is the final episode of Word on the Sleep, and the beginning of something bold and new: find out what when you listen. If you're feeling the pull to reconnect with your body, your voice, your purpose — you're in the right place. Want to get finally feel like yourself again too? Start here to learn cruise through resources I’ve curated for you and to learn how we can work together.

In this short solo episode, I share what my plan is for the next 2 months and how you can fix your sleep in the meantime!   If you're someone who falls asleep fine but wakes up in the night and struggles to get back to sleep, take the Break Up With The Wake Up Quiz here (https://leighasaundersnd.com/quiz).    Ready to fix your broken sleep now? I share all my secrets at www.thesleepfix.com

Wondering where I’ve been over the past 6 weeks?  In this short episode, I share a little life update (it’s actually a big one), the 3 things I’ve learned and encourage you to take away as well.  Are you someone who falls asleep fine but wakes up in the night? Take the Break Up With The Wake Up Quiz here: www.leighasaundersnd.com/quiz

Do you find it difficult to quiet your mind at night, or turn off your busy brain? Maybe you have restless, ruminating thoughts that repeat over and over when your head hits the pillow or when you wake up in the middle of the night. While our tendency can be to ignore this inner voice, my guest, Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur ND, encourages women to listen in. In this episode, we talk about how women too often ignore their inner voice and intuition, which becomes a huge source of stress that ultimately keeps you up at night. Instead, Dr. Sarah has a powerful message to encourage women to reconnect with their bodies, tune into their inner voice and intuition and speak their truths to ultimately reclaim their health. This was such an incredibly open and empowering conversation - I hope you love listening to it as much as I loved recording it and it inspires you to use your own voice, too! You can reach Dr. Sarah on social, @drsarahvadeboncoeur, https://www.instagram.com/sarahvadeboncoeur/ or on Facebook Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur ND; https://www.facebook.com/DrSarahVadeboncoeurND

If you are someone who struggles with anxiety - or the “busy brain” - or what I like to call “Monkey Mind” at night, this episode is for you. I’m joined by my friend and colleague, Dr. Katie Thomson Aitken. Katie has a clinical focus in treating anxiety and is the creator of The Tranquil Minds Program and author of Create Calm - and has graciously shared a free copy of her audiobook with you! In this episode, Katie and I have a beautiful conversation about anxiety and sleep. We went deep and talked about:  The 3 archetypes of anxiety and how where they come from Why we’re really feeling anxious What we actually need to do during the day to get better sleep at night How to quiet our busy brains to create calm and invite sleep Katie also shares her story of sleep struggles through postpartum depression and grief after experiencing a stillbirth, and what tools and techniques she found helpful to heal through that journey. Connect with Dr. Katie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilmindnaturopath And download her free audiobook, Create Calm here:   https://katiethomsonaitken.com/createcalm-audiobook/ Dr. Katie Thomson Aitken is Naturopathic Doctor & a Mental Wellness Advocate. She is the author of Create Calm: The Professionals Guide to Overcoming Anxiety from the Inside out, and the founder of the Tranquil Minds Anxiety Programs. Katie creates calm in her own life by singing in her church choir and spending time with her husband and daughter. 

What if you reframed your trouble sleeping as something positive? Say whaaaaat?! My guest on this episode is Adele Tevlin, my very own mindset coach, and biz mentor. Adele is known for her ability to bust limiting beliefs that keep people stuck and experiencing limited success in their health, relationships, careers, and finances. She is a master at reframing our experiences into opportunities. Adele can see people’s blind spots and all that gets in the way of their ability to accomplish their goals. She's a pattern interrupter and behavioral expert and can help shift any undesired behaviors over time to create sustainable change. How does she do this? Well… If you are someone who has: Been “on and off” of any plan or protocol  Been spinning your wheels, feeling like you’re trying “everything” to get where you’re wanting to go in any aspect of your life Paused or given up on a goal because “something” gets in your way, then listen to this episode to learn more. Adele and I had a beautiful conversation and I shared my experience in working with Adele over the past year as well. If I could make this episode mandatory to listen to, I would. So, enjoy! Follow Adele on Instagram @adele_tevlin Find out more about the next C.E.O Blueprint Masterclass, happening on October 20 here. Adele Tevlin is the CEO and Founder of C.E.O Blueprint, a Transformational Leadership Development Company. Over the past 20 years, Adele has specialized in helping business leaders in North America create and produce massive elevations in their leadership and performance. Not only does her work apply to the business environment, but it also allows her clients to incorporate her methodology into their personal lives and relationships. "How you do one thing is how you do everything." She is a behavioral expert and pattern interrupter that uses a combination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), neuroscience, and psychology to ensure clients achieve the transformation and breakthroughs they are committed to making in their lives. Superpower: Adele can see people’s blind-spots and all that gets in the way of their ability to accomplish their goals. She's a pattern interrupter and behavioral expert and can help shift any undesired behaviors over time to create sustainable change. Adele is also a lifelong learner and is now enrolled in her dream program at Harvard University in the Masters of Psychology program. That is after already attaining a B.Sc in Neuropsychology, a certificate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a Diploma in Applied Holistic Nutrition.