Is the productivity crisis in the workforce actually an ageism crisis?

In this episode, I sit down with Lucy Standing, Chartered Psychologist and founder of Brave Starts, CIC – a non profit organisation supporting 300 – 400 people a year to plan and consider their future career development. Lucy specialising in mid career development with specific expertise in the ageing population.

Together, we explore ageism in the workplace, reinvention after 50, the rise of "quilted careers," and why many experienced professionals are choosing a a pay cut for fulfilling work that brings purpose and meaning.

Lucy challenges the outdated belief that our value declines with age and shares compelling evidence that resilience, emotional intelligence, experience, and purpose-driven leadership often peak in midlife. She has contributed hert research to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and spoken in the UK Parliament on ageing and employment policy.

Lucy is co-author of Age Against the Machine with Martin Hyde and Dr. Maggi Evans that argues the talent shortage gripping British business isn't a talent problem - it's a filtering problem.

Connect:

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucystanding/

Brave Starts:
https://www.bravestarts.com/

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Hen's Den Yoga
A serene and cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of wellness classes.

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. She is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.

Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/
• Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoaching

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

Today, I bring back the Goddess Journey meditation series with a new guided meditation for the wise woman's personal shift toward intuition, letting go of mental rumination, while integrating spiritual wisdom.

You don't have to be a Gemini under a Sun or Moon sign to reap all the benfits of balancing dual forces that reside within each and every one of us.

This journey will begin with storytelling of how I arrived back in a place of quiet reflection while taking a pause from pushing the play button on life, accepting the intuitive call to rest in the flow of life instead.

This meditation calls for you to soak in stillness and allow what arrives in mind and body without pushing against it, judging, or analysing. Listeners will be guided through breathwork, nervous-system calming, and positive affirmations to cultivate heart-centre self-trust with intuition.

Use this practice to begin your day, during a work break, or to gently close out your evening. Anytime of day is a beautiful time to return home to you.

00:00 Intuitive Stirring

02:36 Astrology Shift

04:02 Heart Chakra Bridge

04:59 Grounding and Sisterhood

06:51 Settle In and Breathe

09:22 Gemini Breath Balance

10:55 Hands and Integration

13:35 Safety Affirmations

14:55 Embody Your Wise Self

17:18 Closing and Return

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. She is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.

Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/
• Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoaching

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

Feel like your body suddenly changed in midlife — increased belly fat, energy crashes, cravings, brain fog, disrupted sleep, or feeling like you’re “doing everything right” but nothing is working anymore — this episode is for you.

In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by health coach Michelle Dwyer to unpack the critical connection between hormones, blood sugar, metabolism, stress, and overall health during perimenopause and menopause.

Michelle shares her own personal healing journey after a prolonged illness led her to completely rethink health and wellness, eventually inspiring her to help women better understand their bodies with compassion instead of self-blame.

Together we explore:

• Why blood sugar regulation matters so much in midlife
• How estrogen changes impact insulin sensitivity and metabolism
• What A1C actually means and why women should pay attention to it
• The role of muscle mass, protein, healthy fats, sleep, and stress
• How continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can provide personalized insight
• Why health is about awareness and nourishment — not perfection

Connect with Michelle Dwyer:

• Website + CGM Experience Support Program: Health Coach Michelle
• Instagram: Michelle Dwyer on Instagram
• LinkedIn: Michelle Dwyer on LinkedIn

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Hen's Den Yoga
A serene and cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of wellness classes.

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. She is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.

Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/
• Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoaching

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

What if pain isn’t just “wear and tear”… and aging doesn’t have to hurt?

In this episode, Mary sits down with physical therapist and nurse Stacey Roberts to unpack a completely different approach to pain-free living.

After decades in traditional medicine, Stacey began questioning why so many patients weren’t getting better. What she discovered changes everything: pain isn’t just structural—it’s influenced by your brain, hormones, gut health, and even your mindset.

We dive into her discovery of a non-invasive treatment, SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Therapy (TRT) and why she became the first clinic to purchase one. She will also share the Pain-Free Formula and explain why common treatments like cortisone injections may not be the best solution we once believed.

Connect:

• Stacey's clinic: https://newyouhealthandwellness.com
• Book: The Pain-Free Formula: Solving the Puzzle of Muscle and Joint Pain Without Surgery, Drugs, or Injections (available on Amazon)
• SoftWave TRT providers: https://softwavetrt.com

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Hen's Den Yoga
A serene and cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of wellness classes.

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. She is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.

Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/
• Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoaching

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

When a brain Injury, menopause, and trauma intersect, it can be a nervous system train wreck.

In my solo episode, perfectly timed with Brain Injury/Brain Health Awareness Month this March, I humbly share how a mild injury while recently vacationing in Mexico reactivated old symptoms and emotions connected to a previous traumatic brain injury in 2015.

This story highlights how brain injury, hormonal shifts, and stored trauma can amplify nervous system dysregulation. But this retelling of a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) goes beyond fatigue, fog, headaches, and heightened emotional sensitivity. It's a story of community and navigating self-compassion.

Ironically, three comunities I have benefitted from and deeply invested in to promote their work suddenly became more meaningful. Those communities include Love Your Brain Foundation, Broken Squirrel Wellness, located in the Comox Valley, BC, Canada, and the Brainnovation Network.

Resources (not affiliate links)

• Donate to LYB and make brain injury support more accessible
• Broken Squirrel Neurolounge
• Join the Brainnovation Network Community
• Symphony Brain Performance
• The Concussion Nerds Podcast
• Episode 67: Yoga Nidra

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. She is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.

Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/
• Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoaching

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

Pelvic health is one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of women’s health.

Many are told that bladder leaks, pelvic pressure, or discomfort during exercise are simply part of aging, pregnancy, or menopause. But the truth is, these symptoms are common and they are also treatable.

In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Kelly, Doctor of Physical Therapy and pelvic health specialist to explore how the pelvic floor connects to strength, breath, movement, and long-term mobility.

We unpack some of the biggest myths about pelvic health — including why “just do Kegels” is often the wrong advice — and discuss how proper breathing, core coordination can support pelvic floor function at every stage of life.

Dr. Kelly shares how pelvic health changes across the lifespan, from pregnancy and postpartum to menopause and beyond, and why early awareness and proper support can make a profound difference in quality of life.

If you’ve ever experienced leakage during workouts, pelvic pressure, core weakness, or unexplained back or hip pain, this episode will help you better understand what may be happening in your body — and what you can do about it.

Connect:

• Learn more about Dr. Lisa Kelly on her website
• Wave Physical Therapy and Pilates
• Instagram @anchorwellnesscincy

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Hen's Den Yoga
A serene and cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of wellness classes.

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. She is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.

Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/
• Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoaching

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

Today, we welcome Dr. Lindsay Shirreff, OB-GYN, member of the Menopause Foundation of Canda medical advisory board, and Chief Medical Officer of Blair Health.

Dr. Shirreff shares her journey from traditional medicine to healthcare innovation, focusing on closing the specialist gap for menopause and women’s health through technology and AI.

The conversation dives into why access to menopause care is so limited, how Blair Health’s platform works, and the importance of personalized, evidence-based treatment for women at midlife.

Key Topics Covered

• Dr. Shirreff’s background and motivation for founding Blair Health, a tech-enabled women’s health clinic
• How Blair Health uses AI to deliver personalized, evidence-based treatment plans
• The importance of compassionate, proactive care and symptom tracking
• What “verticals” mean in women’s health (menopause, urology, nutrition)
• The nuances of menopause hormone therapy (MHT), including risks, benefits, and misconceptions from the WHI study
• The importance of individualized care—why no two women’s menopause journeys are the same
• The role of employers in supporting menopause care and the economic impact of untreated symptoms
• Success stories of reaching women in remote areas and those dismissed by the traditional system
• Underrated symptoms, healthy habits, and what gives Dr. Shirreff hope for women’s health

Resources & Links

• Learn more about Blair Health: Blair Health
• Menopause Foundation of Canada workplace guidelines: Menopause Foundation of Canada

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Hen's Den Yoga
A serene and cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of wellness classes.

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. She is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.

Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/
• Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoaching

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

Can't speak your truth? Experience gut-wrenching pain and butterflies when you visit your doctor? Does it feel like your feminine qualities are being suppressed?Could be your Chakras need a tune up!

In this episode, Mary explore menopause through the lens of the subtle body system to build an understanding how many menopause symptoms connect to specific energy centers, known as chakras. The body's subtle energy is information and vibration and menopause is a “reckoning” that brings stored emotions and stuck energy to the surface as hormones shift and the nervous system changes.

The episode focuses on three major chakras women are encouraged to clear to better advocate for their health and take agency over healthcare decisions. Specifically, the sacral chakra (Svathistana), the solar plexus (Manipura), and the throat chakra (Vishuddha ). These three chakras govern hormones and emotional fluidity and creativity, confidence, boundaries and taking agency, as well as voice, truth, and healthcare advocacy,

Journey through each of these to learn why they are essential in healthcare seetings. But it is more than just these three. Listeners are invited to join a new live monthly virtual community called the Menopause Café. This online meetup will cover one chakra per month with education and balancing practices.

Registration via Eventbrite.

Let us know if you're liking the show!

Support the show

Meet the host, Mary, a certified Menopause Doula and Women’s Coaching Specialist. She is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees.

Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

Connect:

• Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast
• LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/
• Subscribe on Substack @emmeellecoaching

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.