Menopause Café in conversation with...

Heather Jackson is one half of GEN-M, the one-stop, online resource for all-things-menopause. Helen caught up with Heather to hear all about GEN-M's 2020 'Invisibility Report' whitepaper, as well as the '48 for 48' campaign which launches in September 2021. Heather describes herself as a serial entrepreneur with a passion for social movement, and believes that together we can make the menopause better for everyone.   Get in touch with Heather via email: [email protected] and connect with GenM via the following channels: WWW.GEN-M.COM #WEAREGENM  Instagram: @GENM_OFFICIAL  Twitter: @GENM  Facebook: @GENMOFFICIAL  LinkedIn: @GEN-MOFFICIAL

Helen sat down for a conversation with Catherine Hale about how mid-life for women can be such a turbulent time when both our hormonal and our nervous systems potentially reach states of maximum dysregulation. Catherine shares her thoughts on how to redress the imbalance as well as discussing her recent experiences of starting HRT, and her top 5 tips for navigating mid-life.  Catherine Hale is an embodied trauma coach, educator and guide specialising in sex, love, and business who believes in the power of post-traumatic growth.A heartfelt entrepreneur, Catherine is the creator of the Thrive in Life Coaching Program, which has supported 100’s of courageous people to shift from surviving to Thriving in their lives. Her Thrive in Business Coaching Program is for heart centred coaches and entrepreneurs wanting to Thrive in Business and to dedicate their lives to create positive and sustainable change in the world. Her successful Trauma Awareness Training has been taken by participants in over 15 countries worldwide and continues to bridge the gap in the therapeutic community – offering trauma informed practices and perspectives where previously absent. She is passionate about shifting the experience of menopause into one that’s culturally held knowing that we need to address this shift from both a personal and systemic perspective. As a qualified trauma coach, sexological bodyworker, Trauma Release Exercises practitioner, and post-menopausal woman she writes a about a range of topics through the trauma informed lens: sex, love, relationships, menopause, women’s pelvic health, and post traumatic growth. With a life long passion for the natural world she lives in Devon, UK by the river Dart with her cat Simba and can be found deepening her connection to nature while exploring ancient pathways in Dartmoor National Park. You can connect with Catherine via her website: www.catherinehale.co.uk and find Catherine on Facebook as Thrive Coaching @catherinehale.co.uk

We sat down for a chat with Phillipa Butler, Chartered Physiotherapist and founder of Precizion Ltd - an innovative wellness platform. Phillipa is a powerhouse of information and energy and has a wealth of experience treating musculoskeletal conditions; disorders affecting bones, joints and muscles. Phillipa is a certified Pilates teacher and 200 hours qualified Hatha Yoga instructor. She offers online physiotherapy advice, private movement coaching, group exercise sessions, courses, workplace wellness workshops and provides ongoing support to guide you on your journey to optimal health.  Phillipa's philosophy in her own life is that prevention is better than cure and she believes that undertaking a regular programme of appropriate exercise is the key to a fitter, healthier future.  Phillipa says that "As a woman of a certain age I am all too aware of the effects of the menopause on our bodies and I have spent some considerable time developing my Bone Healthy Pilates Programme. Pilates has been shown to improve Posture, dynamic balance and the strength of muscle and bone and is the perfect antidote to the challenges of our modern lives". You can find and connect with Phillipa via a variety of channels and platforms -  www.precizion.co.uk Email: [email protected] https://www.instagram.com/precizion.uk/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/42810240/  https://www.facebook.com/precizionltd/  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCudDlTqNQujy06Bk73nBdPA  The Precizion ‘Moving through Menopause’ Podcast; now in its second season, is my contribution to the conversation around menopause with insights, information and a few giggles. Podcast - https://anchor.fm/precizionuk/episodes/Menopause-Management-ektds0

Manjit Rai-Taylor MCIPD O.A.Dip. NLP., is founder of "Buddhi - Mindfulness, Heartfulness & Kindfulness" which supports everyone's emotional, mental health & physical wellbeing. We sat down to chat about living life in times of COVID19, the power of positivity and dealing with menopause in lockdown. Find and connect with Manjit,  बुद्धि ਬੌਧੀ (The People's Buddhi) via the following: facebook.com/BuddhiByManjit twitter@BuddhiByM instagram@buddhibymanjit email: [email protected]

Hayley Cockman went through the menopause at the age of 14. Now aged 39, Hayley has recently become a passionate advocate for early menopause and is determined to help others avoid some of the challenges she faced. We chatted to Hayley about what helps her navigate post-menopausal life, as well as her decision to embark upon the process of adoption.  You can read Hayley's full story on her blog: hayleysmenopause14.blogspot.com and connect with Hayley on Twitter: @CockmanHayley as well as Instagram: @prematuremenopause14 

We sat down for a chat with the splendiferous Lizzie Bean to discuss beanhood, creativity, and how to wrap our lives up in a bit of hilarity. Lizzie helps everyone to see the colours of their soul and acknowledge the fact that they are enough. You can find Lizzie at www.backtobean.co.uk and connect with Bean HQ across all social media platforms at @backtobean

Gardener and Menopause Café Aylesbury host, Julie Salmon chatted to Helen recently about how menopause had impacted her emotional health. TW: contains references to suicide.

Radha Paudel is a qualified nurse, writer, advocate and activist. Radha was born and grew up in Nepal, where she now leads the Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation. Radha is also the director and founder of The Radha Paudel Foundation which has as its central aims, the promotion of emancipation for girls and women from poverty, injustices and discrimination. "I believe the absence of war does not constitute peace when so many social maladies remain. Social problems require social solutions"  Find and connect with Radha: .http://www.radhapaudelfoundation.org on Twitter: @radhapaudel and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radhapaudelfoundation/

Katrina Clark is a sexological bodyworker and somatic sex educator. Her aim is to educate and promote greater sexual awareness and connection to our erotic lives with a client-led approach. A registered Reiki Master, Katrina lives in Scotland with her husband and 2 children, and is an advocate for positive menopause. Katrina talks about living a fully-embodied life, and how to incorporate self-pleasure as part of our menopause self-care toolkit.  Find Katrina at: www.katrinaclark-reiki.co.uk and www.phoenix-tantra.co and www.sexuality-coaching.co.uk

Lesley is founder of 'Over The Bloody Moon', which she describes as a community and organisation with a social purpose. 'Over The Bloody Moon' runs workshops and courses designed to inform, equip, and empower women all through peri-menopause. Find Lesley at: www.overthebloodymoon.com as well as IG: @overthebloodymoon and Facebook: @overthebloodymoon Email Lesley at: [email protected]