In this engaging episode, Lara and Sarena open up about the often-overlooked realities of perimenopause and menopause. Together, they dive into the physical and emotional symptoms many women experience, from midlife mood swings to the stubborn changes in body composition. Sarena shares her personal journey, from recognising early signs to adapting her nutrition, exercise, and mindset to better support her body through this phase.

They explore why building muscle becomes harder with age, the crucial role of strength training, and how nutrition, portion control, and even intermittent fasting can make a real difference, not just for fitness goals, but for gut health and overall vitality. They also unpack the complexities of menopause hormone therapy (MHT), highlighting the importance of staying informed, advocating for your own health, and embracing midlife as a time to thrive, not just survive.

Whether you’re noticing changes or simply want to be prepared, this conversation is packed with honest insights, practical tips, and plenty of empowerment for women at every stage of the journey.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Perimenopause and Menopause

02:01 Recognising Symptoms of Perimenopause

09:36 The Emotional Journey of Midlife

10:50 Health Changes and Lifestyle Adjustments

17:45 Nutrition and Exercise Strategies

24:11 Coping Mechanisms and Lifestyle Changes

28:35 Building Muscle and Strength Training for Women

32:54 Nutrition and Portion Control Insights

36:00 Intermittent Fasting and Gut Health

38:03 Understanding Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT)

51:55 Advocating for Your Health and Finding the Right Support

Useful Links:

Australian Menopause Society factsheets and scoresheet! https://www.balance-menopause.com/balance-app/

https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets

https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/gp-hp-resources/diagnosing-menopause?highlight=WyJzY29yZSJd

Diagnosing - www.menopause.org.au

In this conversation, Danielle Copeland discusses ADHD, its symptoms, diagnosis, and the impact of social media on public perception.

The discussion highlights the differences in ADHD presentation between genders, the role of diet and environment, and the importance of accurate information in understanding ADHD.

Copeland emphasises the strengths associated with ADHD and the need for self-acceptance among those diagnosed.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to ADHD and Its Misconceptions

03:10 Understanding ADHD: Symptoms and Diagnosis

06:01 The Impact of Diet and Environment on ADHD

09:08 Gender Differences in ADHD Presentation

11:59 The Role of Hormones in ADHD Symptoms

15:00 The Diagnostic Process for ADHD

17:57 Benefits of ADHD Diagnosis

21:05 Misinformation and Social Media's Role

23:47 The Importance of Accurate Information

27:09 Strengths and Challenges of ADHD

29:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Useful links:

https://scopepsych.com/

In this conversation, Lara Jezeph discusses the importance of protein in women's diets, particularly for mothers.

She highlights the recommended daily intake of protein, the benefits of increasing protein consumption, and practical tips for incorporating more protein into meals.

The discussion also covers the protein needs of children and offers creative ways to sneak protein into their diets.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Protein Needs for Women

08:06 Sneaky Ways to Increase Protein Intake

15:41 Protein Requirements for Children

Useful Links:

Protein Calculator - https://www.calculator.net/protein-calculator.html

The Mum Energy Code - FREE Download

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Erin Wilson, ultra-marathon runner and owner of Barefoot Shoes Australia, to uncover everything you need to know about making the switch to barefoot shoes, for yourself and your little ones.

We tackled the big questions, like:
✅ Can barefoot shoes help with knee pain and common postpartum foot issues?
✅ What makes a shoe truly barefoot?
✅ How can mums and kids transition safely and comfortably?
✅ And…what does Erin really think about Crocs? 👀

But here’s the thing, not everyone suits being barefoot due to different biomechanics. So as always, please listen to this episode with an open mind and take what’s going to work best for you and your family.

If you’ve been curious about barefoot shoes but aren’t sure where to start, this episode is packed with insights, myth-busting, and expert advice to help you take the next step, literally!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Barefoot Shoes

03:07 Erin's Journey into Barefoot Running

06:13 Understanding the Benefits of Barefoot Shoes

08:54 Transitioning to Barefoot Shoes

12:00 The Importance of Foot Health for Children

14:57 Addressing Common Misconceptions

17:57 Choosing the Right Barefoot Shoes

20:58 The Future of Barefoot Shoes

29:26 The Impact of Foot Alignment on Body Mechanics

32:23 Transformative Experiences with Barefoot Shoes

35:03 Choosing the Right Barefoot Shoes for Kids

40:17 Addressing Plantar Fasciitis and Foot Health

42:55 Affordable Options for Barefoot Shoes

45:54 Encouraging Mums to Embrace Barefoot Shoes

Useful Links:

https://barefootshoesaustralia.com.au/

Carrying on from last weeks episode, stick around until the end as I have another guest appearance from one of my brothers to get a male perspective on things.How do you manage differences in parenting styles between you and your partner or co-parents?Let’s talk about mum guilt—how do you handle those moments when you feel like you’re falling short?How do you carve out time for yourself amidst the chaos of parenting?If you could go back and tell yourself one thing at the start of your parenting journey, what would it be?If your kids could describe your parenting in three words, what do you think they’d say?

On today's episode I got to chat with my sister in law, mum to three and teacher Hannah Jezeph and what fun we had. So much fun I had to cut it into two episodes haha.

Can you tell us about your parenting journey so far? What has surprised you the most? How has becoming a parent changed your perspective on life or yourself? What’s the most rewarding and most challenging part of motherhood for you? Did your own upbringing influence your parenting style? If so, how? How would you describe your parenting style? Do you feel like it’s evolved over time? What do you think about the pressure to follow specific parenting philosophies or trends? How do you balance being nurturing and setting boundaries with your kids?

Today I had the pleasure of interviewing A/Professor Dr Shayanti Mukherjee who specialises in innovative cell-based therapies for pelvic floor disorders and birth trauma injuries. Researcher at Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Monash University.

Questions covered:

Giving hope for women living with a prolapse and other birth trauma injuries.

What is a prolapse, and how common is it, particularly among women?

What are the different types of prolapse, and how do they affect the body?

What are the most common causes or risk factors for prolapse?

What are some non-surgical ways to manage or improve prolapse symptoms?

When is surgery recommended, and what are the options available? How effective is it?

Lets talk about Hudson Universities latest research happening in the field of pelvic health that gives hope to women dealing with prolapse

What has working with prolapse patients taught you about resilience and healing?

Useful Links:

Podcast episode -

Olympic Lifts and Prolapses

How a pessary changed my life.

Is a pelvic floor phsyio really worth it?

Australian Birth Trauma Association with Amy Dawes - https://birthtrauma.org.au/

Articles - https://www.hudson.org.au/news/pelvic-organ-prolapse-pioneer-gets-funding-to-find-a-fix/

https://www.hudson.org.au/news/the-hidden-condition-that-we-have-to-talk-about/

Dr Shayanti is seeking urgent donations to raise money for her research. If she raises 30% of the funding then the government with donate the rest. That 30% however is around $600k for vital equipment and to push the clinical trials so we can have this amazing technology change women's lives in the next 5 years rather than delaying it 5 years.

Here's how you can support - https://www.hudson.org.au/disease/womens-newborn-health/pelvic-organ-prolapse/

Carrying on from last weeks interview with Dr Liz Jenkins.

She helps couples reconnect, repair, and reignite their love, quickly transforming their relationships or marriages into their early years' connection and passion. Married for 37+ years, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and a Certified Connection Coach.

Questions covered:

How do relationships typically change after couples have children?

Why do so many couples struggle to maintain intimacy and connection during the parenting years?

What are some common misconceptions about romance and partnership after becoming parents?

How can mums navigate feelings of resentment or imbalance when one partner seems less involved with parenting or household responsibilities?

What’s the first step couples can take to start rebuilding their connection if they feel distant?

How can busy parents create space for intimacy when it feels like there’s no time or energy?

Many mums struggle to feel sexy or desirable after kids—how can they work through these feelings?

What are some red flags that indicate a couple may need to prioritise their relationship more?

Can you share a few small, daily habits or rituals that can help couples feel closer?

What are some creative or unexpected ways to plan date nights when time and resources are limited?

What’s the best piece of advice you give to parents struggling to rekindle their connection?

What’s one thing mums should stop doing that’s holding them back from feeling closer to their partners?

If a couple feels stuck, how do they know when it’s time to seek professional help?

Useful Links:

Perfectionism as a mum - ⁠Listen to episode⁠

Blackwood Lingerie, Adelaide - ⁠https://www.blackwoodlingerie.com.au/⁠

Dr Liz's FREE Couple's Connection Checklist: ⁠https://couplescheatsheet.com/couples-connection-cheat-sheet⁠

FREE Love Languages Guide, a gamechanger that helps you both quickly understand and connect using the power of your love languages: ⁠https://learn.drlizjenkins.com/love-languages-guide⁠

FREE Love Unlocked: Creative Date Nights for Couples at Home guide, packed with inspiring ideas and activities to deepen your connection and ignite passion in the comfort of your own space. ⁠https://bit.ly/CreativeDateNights⁠

If you want to book a FREE COUPLE'S CONNECTION CALL to see which program may be a good fit for you...fill out the form on this page. Here's the link: ⁠https://drlizjenkins.com/apply