The Perimenopause & Midlife Podcast

<p><strong>🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION:</strong></p><p>In this episode, I’m speaking with Accredited Practising Dietitian Annie Barry about why so many women in perimenopause struggle with weight, cravings, overeating, and feeling constantly hungry, despite trying so hard to “eat less.”</p><p>We unpack the connection between under-fuelling, blood sugar balance, stress, sleep, hormones, meal structure, and the unrealistic dieting advice many women have followed for decades.</p><p>This conversation is incredibly practical, reassuring, and refreshing for women who feel frustrated by midlife weight changes and overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice.</p><p>If you’ve ever found yourself skipping meals, surviving on coffee, raiding the kids’ lunchboxes at 3pm, or feeling like your willpower is the problem, this episode will resonate deeply.</p><p> </p><p><strong>IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:</strong></p><ul><li>Why under-fuelling often leads to overeating later in the day</li><li>The connection between blood sugar balance, cravings, and energy crashes</li><li>Why many women struggle with afternoon and evening snacking</li><li>How decades of dieting impact women’s relationship with food</li><li>Why protein and fibre matter during perimenopause</li><li>Simple meal structure strategies that support hormones and energy</li><li>Practical snack ideas for busy women</li><li>How to nourish your body without restrictive dieting</li><li>Why sustainable nutrition is about systems, not perfection</li><li>How to create healthier meals without cooking separate meals for the family</li></ul><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>ABOUT ANNIE BARRY:</strong></p><p>Annie Barry is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with over 20 years of experience, a food and wine lover, and someone who genuinely believes that willpower is not the reason most women over 40 struggle with their weight. Annie runs All Round Wellness, where she helps women in perimenopause lose weight, manage symptoms and feel like themselves again, without giving up their favourite foods or cooking separate meals for the family. Her approach is built on practical systems rather than restriction, because she knows the strategies that worked in your 20s or 30s simply don't cut it anymore. Annie is passionate about giving women the tools and confidence to take back control of their health for good.</p><p> </p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH ANNIE BARRY:</strong></p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.allroundwellness.com.au/">https://www.allroundwellness.com.au/</a> </p><p>Instagram: @healthy.habits.dietitian</p><p> </p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS:</strong></p><p>Web: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://terribatsakis.com.au/">https://terribatsakis.com.au/</a> </p><p>Instagram: @terri.batsakis </p><p>Facebook: @terribatsakis </p><p>YouTube: @terribatsakis</p>

<p><strong>🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION:</strong></p><p>In this solo episode, I unpack 9 key hormones and brain chemicals that can significantly influence women during perimenopause and menopause, including oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, insulin, serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and melatonin.</p><p>I explain how hormonal shifts may impact mood, energy, sleep, cravings, stress, motivation, confidence, weight changes, and overall wellbeing during midlife.</p><p>We also discuss why perimenopause is a natural life transition, much like puberty, and the practical lifestyle strategies that may help women feel more supported, informed, and in control again.</p><p>This episode is educational, empowering, and designed to help women better understand what may be happening inside their bodies during this stage of life.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:</strong></p><ul><li>The role oestrogen plays in metabolism, mood, and body composition</li><li>Why progesterone changes can increase anxiety and poor sleep</li><li>How testosterone impacts motivation, confidence, and muscle mass</li><li>The connection between cortisol, stress, and belly fat</li><li>How insulin resistance may contribute to cravings and fatigue</li><li>Why serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin influence mood and emotional wellbeing</li><li>How melatonin disruptions impact sleep during midlife</li><li>Why hormones work together rather than in isolation</li><li>Practical ways to support your hormones naturally through lifestyle habits</li><li>The importance of nutrition, movement, hydration, sleep, and stress management during perimenopause and menopause</li></ul><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS:</strong></p><p>Web: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://terribatsakis.com.au/">https://terribatsakis.com.au/</a> </p><p>Instagram: @terri.batsakis </p><p>Facebook: @terribatsakis </p><p>YouTube: @terribatsakis</p>

<p><strong>🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION:</strong></p><p>In this episode, I’m speaking with Personal Stylist and Colour Analyst Lorna Woodcock about midlife fashion, confidence, body shape changes, and learning how to dress for the woman you are today.</p><p>We discuss how perimenopause and aging can impact the way women feel in their clothes, why so many women lose confidence in midlife, and how understanding your body shape, proportions, personal style, and colour palette can completely change the way you shop and dress.</p><p>This conversation is about so much more than fashion trends.</p><p>It’s about confidence, self-expression, reducing overwhelm, and creating a wardrobe that actually works for your changing body and lifestyle.</p><p>If you’ve ever looked in your wardrobe and felt frustrated, uncomfortable, outdated, or unsure what suits you anymore, this episode is packed with practical insights and empowering advice.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:</strong></p><ul><li>How perimenopause and midlife can impact body confidence</li><li>Why clothing proportions matter more than women realise</li><li>How to dress for your changing body shape</li><li>The importance of understanding your colour palette</li><li>Why personal style evolves during midlife</li><li>How to reduce shopping overwhelm</li><li>Tips for creating a wardrobe that actually works together</li><li>Why midlife is the perfect time for a style reset</li><li>The emotional connection between confidence and clothing</li></ul><p> </p><p><strong>ABOUT LORNA WOODCOCK:</strong></p><p>Lorna is a 52-year-old, married, working mum of 2 girls. A few years ago, while enduring both Covid lockdowns and peri-menopause, she made the decision to change both her own personal style, and her entire career path in midlife!</p><p>Now, after extensive training and several years of practical styling experience she is a Personal Stylist and Colour Analyst specialising in supporting women in midlife. She is passionate about helping women 40+ find confidence and joy in getting dressed every day.</p><p>With a previous background in psychology, and a long career in teaching, Lorna combine's colour science, body-shape expertise and practical wardrobe strategies to help clients feel confident and effortless. She creates wardrobes that flatter changing midlife body shapes, fit busy lifestyles and support evolving careers, using clear, teachable methods so every piece works harder and getting dressed becomes simple, and aligned with each client's own personal style.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH LORNA:</strong></p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.styledforlife.com.au/">https://www.styledforlife.com.au/</a> </p><p>Email: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> </p><p>Instagram/Facebook: @styledforlife </p><p>LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://linkedin.com/in/lorna-woodcock-a0ab13323">https://linkedin.com/in/lorna-woodcock-a0ab13323</a></p><p> </p><p><strong>🎁 FREE RESOURCE: </strong>Lorna’s Perimenopause Shopping Bible is available via her website and social platforms.</p><p> </p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS:</strong></p><p>Web: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://terribatsakis.com.au/">https://terribatsakis.com.au/</a> </p><p>Instagram: @terri.batsakis </p><p>Facebook: @terribatsakis </p><p>YouTube: @terribatsakis</p>

<p><strong>EPISODE DESCRIPTION:</strong></p><p>In this episode, I’m speaking with Adrian Stone, holistic nutritionist and naturopath, about a more personalised and root-cause approach to supporting women through perimenopause.</p><p>We explore how looking beyond symptoms and understanding the bigger picture can help you better navigate hormonal changes in midlife.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:</strong></p><ul><li>Why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work in perimenopause</li><li>How gut health directly impacts hormone balance</li><li>The role of stress and past experiences on your hormones</li><li>What functional testing can reveal beyond standard blood tests</li><li>Simple, practical ways to support your body right now</li><li>Why simplifying your health approach can create better results</li></ul><p>This conversation brings a different perspective to women’s health, focusing on understanding your body as a whole, rather than treating isolated symptoms.</p><p> </p><p><strong>ABOUT ADRIAN STONE</strong></p><p>Adrian Stone is a holistic nutritionist and certified naturopath with over 13 years of clinical experience. He is the co-founder of Living Holistic Health, a naturopathy and nutritional medicine clinic based in Geelong, supporting clients both locally and via Telehealth across Australia.</p><p>Adrian specialises in uncovering the root causes of health issues, using a personalised and integrative approach that includes nutrition, lifestyle interventions, and advanced functional testing.</p><p>He is also a member of the Human Research Ethics Committee at the National Institute for Integrative Medicine in Melbourne, and a member of the Australian Natural Therapists Association.</p><p> </p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH ADRIAN</strong></p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.livingholistichealth.com.au">www.livingholistichealth.com.au</a></p><p>Instagram: @livingholistichealth</p><p>Facebook: Living Holistic Health</p><p>YouTube: Living Holistic Health</p><p> </p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS:</strong></p><p>Web: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://terribatsakis.com.au/">https://terribatsakis.com.au/</a></p><p>IG: @terri.batsakis</p><p>FB: @terribatsakis</p><p>YouTube: @terribatsakis</p>

<p><strong>🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION:</strong></p><p>In this episode, I’m speaking with Angela Lee Jenkins, leadership wellbeing consultant, speaker and coach, about what she calls <em>wellbeing intelligence</em> and why it matters more than ever for women in midlife.</p><p>We explore how stress, leadership demands, family life and internal expectations can impact your nervous system, and how small, intentional shifts can help you feel more grounded, in control and connected to yourself again.</p><p>This is a powerful conversation that goes beyond surface-level strategies and into what really supports your wellbeing day to day.</p><p> </p><p><strong>IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:</strong></p><ul><li>What “wellbeing intelligence” is and why it’s foundational</li><li>How chronic stress and invisible load impact women in midlife</li><li>Simple ways to set boundaries without guilt</li><li>The power of micro breaks to reset your nervous system</li><li>How to reconnect with yourself when life feels overwhelming</li><li>Why aligning with your values changes everything</li><li>How small daily actions can create meaningful change</li></ul><p>Angela also shares her deeply personal story behind the <em>Will to Liv</em> message, and how purpose, connection and small moments can shift the way we experience life.</p><p> </p><p><strong>ABOUT ANGELA LEE JENKINS</strong></p><p>Angela Lee Jenkins is a leadership wellbeing consultant, speaker, author and coach specialising in what she calls Wellbeing Intelligence.</p><p>With a background in exercise physiology, coaching, and postgraduate studies in mental health and wellbeing, Angela takes a whole-person approach to supporting women, particularly those in their 40s and 50s, navigating stress, life transitions, and the demands of both career and personal life.</p><p>Her work focuses on helping women regulate their nervous system, reconnect with themselves, and build simple, sustainable ways to support their wellbeing.</p><p>Angela is also the creator of the <em>Will to Liv</em> message and framework, inspired by her own lived experience and grounded in the belief that the will to live starts now, even in the middle of challenge.</p><p> </p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH ANGELA</strong></p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://angelaleejenkins.com">https://angelaleejenkins.com</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/angelajenkins104will">https://www.instagram.com/angelajenkins104will</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-lee-jenkins">https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-lee-jenkins</a></p><p> </p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS:</strong></p><p>Web: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://terribatsakis.com.au/">https://terribatsakis.com.au/</a></p><p>IG: @terri.batsakis</p><p>FB: @terribatsakis</p><p>YouTube: @terribatsakis</p>