The Capsule in Conversation

In the final episode of this series, Natalie is joined by GP & Menopause Specialist Dr Louise Newson to debunk the myths and misinformation around perimenopause and menopause. From menopause being labelled a disability to the idea of it being over medicalised, Natalie and Louise bring their individual thoughts to the table with Dr Newson providing expert insight and advice on how to manage symptoms. Whilst the conversation covers various aspects of Louise’s role as a specialist and pioneering doctor, we are also given a more personal view of Louise as the woman behind the public persona and how she has dealt with difficult situations in her own life, including shedding light on her own perimenopause experience. Throughout the chat the pair discuss the rise of menowashing and the unfairness of companies preying on desperate women for financial gain and how medical professionals are also falling prey to the commercialisation of menopause. Elsewhere Louise talks frankly about how cycle tracking, lifestyle changes and open conversations in our personal relationships can help us feel more empowered during the perimenopause transition and how hormonal treatment across our reproductive and post reproductive years needs to be discussed on a wider level, with frequent reform to ensure women are receiving the best possible care. Listen in for an informative and personal conversation with one of the leading voices in menopause care. For more from Dr Newson you can follow her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/menopause_doctor or visit the Newson Health website at www.newsonhealth.co.uk

This week Natalie is joined by actor, life coach & entrepreneur Gemma Merna to talk all about her journey with anxiety and building her wellbeing community Mind & Wellness. From her days as a shy young singer to stepping into the spotlight on C4 soap Hollyoaks, Gemma nostalgically looks back at her younger years and notes how during one of the most prominent parts of her career as an actor she was struggling with overwhelming anxiety. She recalls how the passing of her Dad exacerbated what she had already struggled with as a young performer and that during the end of her tenure at Hollyoaks she no longer felt tough enough to be immersed in the competitive world of TV. It was at this point that she came to discover the importance of self compassion and care. As an avid yoga fan Gemma trained to become a practitioner and followed on her wellness education with qualifications as a life coach and hypnotherapist. Gemma details how this personal journey lead her to create her wellbeing platform Mind & Wellness as a way to empower others dealing with anxiety, stress and trauma. During the conversation Gemma notes how helping others feels like her purpose and that by working through her own struggles she is adamant about passing on everything she’s learned to help other people feel less alone. She talks at length about how her work in the wellbeing sector has allowed her to move away from the polished veneer of the entertainment world and to a place of self acceptance and that whilst she still loves acting building her online community has enabled her to feel confident and empowered. Listen in for an inspirational conversation that unpacks anxiety and healing. For more from Gemma you can find her on Instagram www.instagram.com/gemmamerna or visit the Mind & Wellness website www.mindandwellness.co.uk

This week Natalie is joined by fitness instructor, author and founder of Owning Your Menopause, Kate Rowe-Ham to talk all about the importance of exercise, strength training and the work life balance in mid life. From her entry into personal training to releasing her first hugely successful book ‘Owning Your Menopause: Fitter, Calmer, Stronger in 30 days’, Kate discusses her journey from mum life to becoming one of the most sought after experts in the health and wellness space. She highlights her own personal experience of going from post natal to perimenopause and how it was during this transition that she found exercise to be her anchor for protecting her mental health as her hormones fluctuated. During the conversation, Kate notes how like many women she’s had to learn to accept her changing shape during perimenopause and that by shifting her focus from weight to strength she has built a stronger, fitter and healthier mind and body that allows her function at her best and that with her online platform Owning Your Menopause she hopes she can help other women do the same and change the narrative around mid life. Listen in for an empowering, educational chat that will help you take control of your mind, body and overall wellbeing. For more from Kate you can follow her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/katerh_fitness or visit the website www.owningyourmenopause.com

This week Natalie is joined by Dr Shahzadi Harper to talk the transition from post natal to perimenopause and how to manage hormonal weight gain. A dynamic doctor interested in optimising women's health and wellbeing Dr Harper is the founder of the designated Harper clinic, a registered menopause clinic in the heart of London that has a 360 approach to women’s wellbeing and she is also the co author of the hugely successful book ‘The Perimenopause Solution’ alongside being a member of the British Menopause Society. During this episode she brings her expertise to the table whilst discussing a number of topics as she is passionate about helping women take control of their hormonal health and wellbeing. Noting the large number of symptoms many women may experience with a variety of women’s health issues Dr Harper suggests that our 40’s are a great time to ask for an overall health check so that we can take control of our mental and physical health as we journey towards menopause and that by being better informed we will be able to manage symptoms better. Dr Harper highlights how lifestyle and stress factors can have a huge impact on symptoms and that by analysing and taking charge of these areas early on we can combat the more frustrating symptoms associated with perimenopause such as hormonal weight gain. Dr Harper discusses how as part of a personal challenge she has also developed a lifestyle programme aptly named ‘Let’s Get Waisted’ to help women understand what may be leading to unexpected weight gain as we age. Listen in for a hugely informative chat with one of Britains best women’s health specialists. For more from Dr Harper please visit www.theharperclinic.com

This week Natalie is joined by TV personality Tanya Bardsley to talk the complexities of ADHD and how being diagnosed as an adult has ignited Tanya’s passion to make change for others. In a deeply honest and informative conversation, Tanya reflects on her life as a teenager and how she always felt like an outsider or different to her peers, noting that it was at home with her family where she sought solace from school bullying. She details her early battles with anxiety, depression and imposter syndrome and how now with an ADHD diagnosis she recognises that these were traits of the condition that were unrecognised at that time. Tanya talks frankly about the dark moments leading up to seeing a doctor and the relief she felt when finally she was given answers and a diagnosis of ADHD. In an informative part of the chat Tanya breaks down the symptoms, behaviours and mis conceptions of the condition and the first steps towards managing it, highlighting however that she is currently campaigning for diagnosis referral waiting times to be reduced in order to help more people. In managing her own symptoms, Tanya attributes going sober with having one of the biggest impacts and how being alcohol free allows her to feel more in control of her mental health and wellbeing. Elsewhere in the episode Tanya discusses her passion for manifestation and how using the techniques which she first began practicing as a teenager have enabled her to create a life she always dreamed of. When discussing her journey with The Real Housewives franchise, Tanya notes how the show allowed her to be her most authentic self and gave her the opportunity to be open about her mental health struggles, her honesty resonating with millions of other women. From this Tanya has built a prominent platform where she is able to inform, educate and shed light on various mental health issues. Listen in for an informative, honest and inspiring conversation with one of our most loved TV faces. For more from Tanya you can follow on Instagram at www.instagram.com/tanyabardsley7 or visit her website www.tanyabardo.com