What does menopause actually feel like when you're living through it — rather than reading about it?

In this episode of Mind Your Being, I’m joined by my long-time friend Sam for an open and honest conversation about her experience of the menopause transition.

Sam and I have been friends for around 13 years, and we’ve shared plenty of conversations about health and wellbeing over that time. She also spent many years working as a nurse, so I was particularly interested to hear what she had learned both personally and professionally about menopause, ageing and looking after our health as we get older.

Sam shares what she first noticed during her menopause transition — including night sweats, disrupted sleep, exhaustion, restless legs and migraines — and how long it took her to realise these symptoms could be connected to menopause.

We talk openly about seeking medical help, finding a doctor she felt comfortable talking to, and her decision to use menopausal hormone therapy (MHT/HRT) after initially feeling quite fearful about hormone treatment.

But this conversation goes well beyond symptoms and treatment.

We also talk about changing bodies, menopause and self-esteem, the pressure women can feel to look a certain way, and Sam’s deeply personal experience of disordered eating and how menopause has been a trigger for some of those thoughts and behaviours.

There’s also a bigger conversation about ageing well — why strength and mobility matter, how quickly we can lose muscle when we’re inactive or unwell, and why maintaining physical function may be far more important than focusing on how our bodies look.

And perhaps most importantly, we talk about friendship, asking for help, self-compassion and why women shouldn't have to navigate menopause alone.

This is a lived experience conversation rather than medical advice, and Sam’s experience is her own. We hope by talking openly about things that can sometimes feel difficult, uncomfortable or even taboo, that if you recognize yourself in some of what we talk about, you might feel a little bit less alone and feel more comfortable reaching out for support.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of disordered eating, body image and eating disorder behaviours.

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Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

How do happy, healthy relationships stay strong through the many seasons of life?

In this episode of Mind Your Being, I’m joined by registered counsellor and psychotherapist Margie Mitchell for a thoughtful conversation about maintaining connection in long-term relationships.

Midlife can bring career pressures, raising children, caring for ageing parents, menopause, shifting identities and the empty nest. With so much happening, it's easy for relationships to become more functional than emotionally connected.

Margie shares practical, compassionate advice on how couples can nurture emotional intimacy, communicate with kindness, and reconnect through life's inevitable transitions. We also explore how childhood experiences shape the way we communicate, why small daily moments of connection matter, and how partners can better support one another through perimenopause and menopause.

In this episode we discuss:

• What healthy communication really looks like
• Why couples drift apart without realising it
• Rebuilding emotional intimacy
• Staying connected during busy family life
• Practical rituals that strengthen relationships
• Menopause and its impact on relationships
• Empty nest and other midlife transitions
• Supporting your partner with empathy and understanding
• Why kindness, curiosity and appreciation matter

Whether your relationship feels strong or you're simply wanting to invest in it before problems arise, this conversation offers practical insights to help couples stay connected over time.

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https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

What can a year of conversations with psychologists, neuroscientists, doctors, exercise physiologists, nutrition experts and researchers teach us about living well?

In this special anniversary episode of Mind Your Being, I reflect on the biggest lessons I've learned after a year of conversations with health experts—and how those conversations have completely changed the way I think about health and wellbeing.

When I started the podcast, I believed our health was interconnected. But after speaking with experts across mental health, brain health, bone health, nutrition, relationships and healthy ageing, I've come to appreciate just how deeply connected our bodies, minds and lives really are.

In this episode, I share:

• Why strength has become one of the foundations of healthy ageing

• What surprised me about the connection between brain health, heart health and metabolic health

• The lessons I've learned about vulnerability, shame and self-acceptance

• Why curiosity has become more important than having all the answers

• And the one question I keep coming back to:

How can we live well?

Whether you've been listening since Episode 1 or you've only just discovered Mind Your Being, thank you for being here.

I hope this conversation helps you feel a little more informed, a little more curious... and reminds you that you're not alone.

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

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https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.