Moving Past Fear

Understanding Perimenopause: Beyond Hormones Helen Shardlow shares insights on hormonal balance and lifestyle impacts and common issues that can be resolved with herbs such as UTI's and Upper Respiratory issues. Navigating through perimenopause can feel like a daunting journey, filled with misinformation and assumptions. In this enlightening discussion, Helen Shardlow sheds light on the complexities of hormonal changes and the importance of a holistic approach to health during this transition. Helen emphasises that hormones are like an orchestra, each playing a crucial role in our well-being. As women enter perimenopause, the common belief is that oestrogen and progesterone decline. However, Helen points out that early perimenopause can often see oestrogen levels spiking, while progesterone starts to taper off. This imbalance can lead to various symptoms that are frequently misunderstood.  "It's much more nuanced than just whacking more hormones in." Understanding the interplay between oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone is key. Helen explains how the metabolism of testosterone can lead to symptoms like unexpected hair growth and acne due to the production of potent metabolites. This is why hormone testing, such as the Dutch hormone test, can provide valuable insights into what’s really happening in the body. Helen argues that simply resorting to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is an overly simplistic solution. She notes that about 50% of women cannot or do not want to take HRT, leaving many without adequate support. It's crucial to consider other underlying factors, such as blood sugar levels, thyroid function, and nutritional deficiencies, that can significantly impact well-being during this stage.  "It's estimated that about 50% of women can't take HRT... that is leaving about half of the female population dry with no support." Many women experiencing symptoms like mood swings, fatigue, or poor sleep may find that the root causes lie elsewhere, such as iron deficiency or lifestyle factors. Addressing these elements can often alleviate the physical symptoms associated with perimenopause. As Helen explains, menopause is not just a biological event but a significant life transition. It offers women the opportunity to reassess their lives and priorities. While HRT can be beneficial, it should not be viewed as a means to bypass this important phase. "Menopause is like a stop take of your life. What do you want still in your life? Who do you want in your life?" Women often feel pressure to maintain their youthful selves, but acknowledging and adapting to the changes in their bodies is essential. Helen stresses the importance of supporting our bodies through this transition, including the adrenal glands, which play a vital role in producing new forms of oestrogen. The conversation highlights that the body is intelligent and capable of adapting to new hormonal levels when given the right support. By investing in nutrition, lifestyle changes, and emotional well-being, women can navigate this transition more gracefully. Understanding perimenopause requires looking beyond hormone levels and acknowledging the myriad of factors at play. Embracing this change as a natural and transformative journey can empower women to thrive in this new chapter of their lives. Listen to the full episode for deeper insights and strategies for navigating perimenopause with grace and confidence. Find Helen at: https://www.plantmedicineuk.com/

What happens when you achieve everything society tells you should make you happy, yet still feel that something is missing? In this episode of Exist Better: Conscious Conversations, I sit down with Didi Kamalika, a meditation teacher and nun in the Ananda Marga tradition, for a deeply moving conversation about spirituality, meditation and the search for lasting fulfilment. Didi shares her remarkable journey from a successful career as a lawyer, with financial security and all the outward signs of success, to leaving that life behind in pursuit of a deeper sense of meaning and purpose. She reflects on the inner calling that led her to dedicate her life to meditation, service and spiritual practice, and the lessons she has learned through choosing a very different path. Together, we explore the true purpose of meditation and why it is so much more than simply a relaxation technique. Didi explains how meditation can help us reconnect with our deeper nature, cultivate love and compassion and find peace amidst the noise of modern life. We also discuss practical ways to meditate with an overactive mind, including why using multiple points of focus can help quiet mental chatter and deepen concentration. Our conversation moves beyond technique into the deeper questions of life. We discuss love as a transformative force, what humanity needs most right now, the importance of daily spiritual practice and how inner change has the power to create outer change. Whether you're curious about meditation, searching for greater meaning or simply longing for more peace in your life, this episode offers wisdom, warmth and practical insights to help you slow down, look within and reconnect with what truly matters. You can connect with Didi on instagram: @didikamalika @anandamargaiceland

In this episode, I sit down with Danny and Sarah from Behold Retreats for a deep and fascinating conversation around plant medicine, healing, spirituality and human transformation. We explore the growing interest in psychedelic retreats and the profound impact plant medicine can have on mental health, including anxiety, depression, emotional healing and spiritual expansion. Danny and Sarah share how they first found their way into this work, the experiences that changed their lives and what led them to create Behold Retreats. We also talk about ego dissolution, inner truth and the difference between gradual spiritual practices such as meditation and the accelerated experiences that can arise through plant medicine. One of the things I really appreciated in this conversation was hearing how much care, integrity and responsibility goes into the work they do. We discuss the consultation process they take people through before attending a retreat, how they assess whether someone is suitable, the different plant medicines they work with and the importance of preparation and integration afterwards. Danny and Sarah also share what a retreat experience actually looks like, the different locations they run retreats in and the extensive support people receive before, during and after the process. This was such a warm, open and thought provoking conversation about healing, consciousness, and what people are truly searching for underneath it all.   If you'd like to know more about Behold Retreats then follow Danny & Sarah at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behold_retreats/ Website: www.behold-retreats.com

In this episode of Exist Better: Conscious Conversations, I’m joined by Dr. Pat Boulogne, a functional medicine doctor, chiropractor, acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese medicine, for a deeply insightful conversation around what it really means to get to the root cause of health issues. Dr. Pat shares her journey into this work and the experiences that led her to look beyond symptoms and begin truly listening to the body. We explore how many common issues people struggle with, such as migraines, allergies, fatigue and low energy, can often be traced back to underlying imbalances that are frequently overlooked. We talk about the role of the liver and how it can contribute to a wide range of symptoms, including migraines, as well as the importance of gallbladder health and how it impacts digestion and overall wellbeing. Dr. Pat also shares her perspective on how we fuel our bodies, including certain foods that may be doing more harm than good and how making simple shifts can have a powerful impact on how we feel. There are also some surprising insights in this conversation, including how everyday things like tight bra straps can affect the body, along with the connection between mindset and physical health. We touch on how supporting the body properly can even influence focus, clarity and academic performance. This episode is an invitation to begin seeing the body in a different way, not as something that is working against you, but as something that is constantly communicating and guiding you back into balance. You can connect with Dr. Pat and explore her work at healthteamnetwork.com and her book Why Are You Sick, Fat, and Tired? is also available for those who want to go deeper into her approach.

What if healing isn’t about pushing harder, fixing yourself or constantly doing more, but instead about softening, slowing down and gently returning to your heart? In this episode, I’m joined by Teresa Smith, who shares her journey of healing rheumatoid arthritis and how that experience led her to create her heart-led method, Qi Flow. We explore what it really means for women to step away from pressure, from striving and from the belief that we always need to be doing, especially during times like perimenopause and menopause where the body is asking for something very different. This conversation is a reminder that what we often see as weakness, our softness, our sensitivity, our openness may actually be the place where true healing begins. It is about coming back into alignment with yourself, learning to listen and allowing your inner voice to become one of compassion rather than criticism. It is gentle, but it is powerful, and it invites you to consider a different way of living, one that feels more connected, more peaceful and more like you. 🎧 Exist Better: Conscious Conversations, listen now

In this episode, I break down what it really means to become the best version of you, not as a vague idea, but as a lived, practical shift. Most of us are already living from programmes we didn’t consciously choose: habits, identities, behaviours and emotional responses that were installed early and now run on autopilot. I explore how those programmes quietly shape your life, and how to step out of them. I share four core strategies that create real change: Choose your reference point – who you are measuring yourself against and why that matters more than you think. Close the behaviour gap – where intention and action are misaligned, and how to bring them back into integrity. Interrupt autopilot – noticing the unconscious patterns that keep repeating and learning how to disrupt them. Act in alignment today – not someday, not when you feel ready, but now, in small grounded ways that compound. This episode isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about consciously choosing who you’re being, moment by moment, and creating a life that reflects that choice, rather than one that’s running on default. If you feel like you’re capable of more, but keep looping back to the same patterns, this episode will help you see why and what to do differently. If you'd like to connect: Instagram: @exist.better www.existbetter.co.uk [email protected]

As we move into 2026, many people feel the pull to change and yet remain stuck. In this solo episode of Exist Better: Conscious Conversations, Aishling explores the real reason most people don’t move forward: fear, and more importantly, avoidance. This episode breaks down the biggest patterns that keep people playing small, even when they know they want more from life. Drawing on real-world examples and lived experience, Aishling outlines three practical pillars for moving past fear and into action, without waiting to feel “ready” or confident. You’ll hear why: Fear isn’t the problem, avoidance is Growth always involves discomfort and identity change Being seen (and not liked) is part of real progress Clarity comes from action, not overthinking Small, consistent steps matter more than dramatic change This is a grounded, no-nonsense conversation for anyone who feels the pull to step into something more, whether that’s a new direction, a long-held idea, or simply a braver version of themselves. 2026 doesn’t change your life. Action does.

In this episode of Exist Better: Conscious Conversations I travel to London to meet Bea Badinska, founder of @harmonic.egg.therapy.london and who brought the first Harmonic Egg to the city. I had the chance to experience a session inside the Egg myself, and it was deeply relaxing, magical and transformative. The Harmonic Egg is a unique healing chamber that combines sacred geometry, vibration, frequency, light, colour and sound to create a space for profound rest and renewal. Bea shares her journey to discovering the Egg, how it came into her life, and the extraordinary transformations she has witnessed in those who have experienced it. We talk about how it is designed, the specific music and frequencies used, and the kinds of people who can benefit from this remarkable therapy. This is a conversation about energy, resonance and healing, filled with inspiring insights and stories of transformation. Listen now to Exist Better: Conscious Conversations on all major podcast platforms 🎧 Find out more about Bea’s work at www.harmonicegtherapy.co.uk.

In this episode I’m joined by Leanne, a woman whose work is rooted in helping others slow down, reconnect with themselves, and find presence in everyday life. Leanne shares her personal journey from working in an environment that left her feeling drained, to reaching a breaking point and realising she needed more, more space, more stillness, and more meaning. From there she discovered sound baths, found a community of like-minded souls, began creating music as Yan Soleil, and developed her unique path into embodiment photography. We explore what presence really means in day-to-day life, pausing before we rush into things, creating space for ideas and creativity to flow, and remembering that some of the most powerful practices for peace, stillness, and clarity are completely free. Leanne also opens up about feminine energy, what it actually is, how the “divine feminine” shows up in our lives, and how women can begin to embody it more fully. We talk about pleasure without guilt, listening to the wisdom of the body, and the magic that happens when women come together in safe and supportive spaces. This is a gentle yet deeply inspiring conversation about honouring your own rhythms, embracing creativity, and finding empowerment through presence. Check out Leanne’s beautiful work here: Personal IG: @vivacious-goddess Sound Healing: @earthlyelevation Photography: @elusivedepth Music as Yan Soleil: Spotify, YouTube, SoundCloud and other platforms

In this episode of Exist Better Conscious Conversations, I speak with Shakila about her transformative journey with conscious connected breath and the profound healing it has brought to her own life as well as the lives of others. We explore the benefits of this powerful practice, how it supports deep transformation, and what you can expect in a conscious connected breath session. Shakila shares how the breath can be a tool for release, clarity, and awakening, offering both personal and collective healing. She also talks about Medicine Tribe, a community she created to bring different modalities together into one space. Instead of attending separate classes for practices such as ecstatic dance, sound healing, yoga, or conscious connected breath, Medicine Tribe invites people to experience them collectively. It is about community becoming tribe, and tribe becoming medicine. Find Shakila on Instagram @lifefirehealingarts Discover more about Medicine Tribe @medicinetribe.love Some benefits of Conscious Connected Breath Shakila has shared: • Enhanced emotional regulation • Reduced anxiety & stress relief  • Trauma processing – deep releases & realisations of CPTSD • Increased self-awareness • Release of fear • Lower blood pressure & reduced heart rate • Increased energy levels • Physical ailment – improvement & cure • Stress reduction & management • Recognising & moving beyond limiting beliefs • Improved coping skills • Expanded consciousness • Personal transformation & alignment with purpose  • Enhanced gratitude • Deeper calling into one’s practices