The Perimenopause & Midlife Podcast

🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION: Have you ever been told your blood test results are “normal”, yet you still don’t feel like yourself? In this episode, I’m speaking with Dr Swaroopini Thangarajah, General Practitioner Obstetrician, about perimenopause, women’s health and patient advocacy. We discuss when symptoms may need further investigation, including fatigue, weight changes, poor sleep and pain, and how conditions such as iron deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, insulin resistance and PCOM can overlap with perimenopause. We also explore how to advocate for yourself, prepare for appointments and keep asking questions when something still doesn’t feel right. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: Why “normal” blood test results don’t always explain how you feel When midlife symptoms may need further investigation Why iron, thyroid, blood sugar and blood pressure matter How insulin resistance and PCOM can affect women’s health Why your personal baseline matters when assessing symptoms How longer GP appointments can help How to prepare for a medical appointment When it may be appropriate to seek another opinion Why trusting your gut and continuing to ask questions matters ABOUT DR SWAROOPINI THANGARAJAH: Dr. Swaroopini Thangarajah is a dedicated and compassionate General Practitioner Obstetrician who adopts a patient-centred approach to healthcare. Her commitment to providing comprehensive medical care spans across all age groups, with a focus on creating a supportive environment where patients feel listened to and valued. With a deep passion for empowering her patients, Dr. Thangarajah prioritises education and shared decision-making, encouraging individuals to take an active role in their health journey. Dr. Thangarajah has extensive post-graduate medical training in women's health, paediatrics and skin cancer medicine. She works as a GP in a few clinics, works in Urgent Care to keep up her emergency medical skills and she also assists regularly for gynaecological surgeries (esp. endometriosis) and elective/emergency caesarean sections at various private hospitals. CONNECT WITH DR SWAROOPINI THANGARAJAH: Web: drswaroopini.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 0433 117 082 LinkedIn: @swaroopini-thangarajah-2a312088 OFFERS AND RESOURCES: Jean Hailes Perimenopause Symptom Checklist & other symptom checklists Jean Hailes Menopause Factsheet Australasian Menopause Society Guide to MHT/HRT Doses CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS: Web: https://terribatsakis.com.au/ Instagram: @terri.batsakis Facebook: @terribatsakis YouTube: @terribatsakis

🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION: Is perimenopause changing your relationship, or making it harder to ignore what was already there? In this episode, I’m speaking with Narelle Dickinson, Clinical and Health Psychologist, about relationships, meno divorce, perimenopause and intimacy, and why midlife can bring long-standing relationship dynamics into sharper focus. We explore the impact of hormonal changes alongside poor sleep, stress, mental load, teenagers, ageing parents, career pressures and years of unmet needs. Narelle also shares how women can step back from overwhelm, reflect on what is really happening in their relationship and have more honest conversations before making major decisions. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: What “meno divorce” actually means Why menopause itself may not be the cause of relationship breakdown How resentment can build through “death by a thousand cuts” How to distinguish overwhelm from deeper relationship problems Why communication and accountability matter How partners can better support women through perimenopause Why asking for and accepting help can feel so difficult What misophonia is and why certain sounds may become harder to tolerate How therapy can help create perspective and reflection How perimenopause can affect libido, intimacy and emotional connection Why taking time before making a stay-or-leave decision matters ABOUT NARELLE DICKINSON: Narelle Dickinson is a Clinical and Health Psychologist and Director of Lotus Health and Psychology. With more than 30 years' experience, she specialises in women's mental health, fertility, pregnancy, birth, parenthood and perimenopause. She is a sought-after speaker and educator, helping women and couples understand the psychological changes that accompany major life transitions and build healthier, more connected relationships. CONNECT WITH NARELLE DICKINSON: Web: https://www.lotushp.com.au/ Instagram: @lotushealthandpsychology Facebook: @LotusHealthPsychology Phone: (07) 3132 8584 Fax: (07) 3567 9445 Email: [email protected] OFFERS AND RESOURCES: Lotus Health & Psychology Resources: https://www.lotushp.com.au/resources CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS: Web: https://terribatsakis.com.au/ Instagram: @terri.batsakis Facebook: @terribatsakis YouTube: @terribatsakis

🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION: What does strength training actually need to look like in midlife? In this episode, I’m speaking with Shawn Maftounian, Founder & Director of Prestige Personalised Training, about how women can approach strength training, progressive overload and midlife fitness without getting lost in conflicting advice or complicated workouts. We talk about why building and protecting muscle becomes increasingly important as we age, how often women need to strength train, how to know whether you’re lifting heavy enough, and why soreness isn’t necessarily a sign of a good workout. Shawn also explains how training can be adapted around poor sleep, fatigue, hot flushes, pelvic floor concerns and changing recovery needs, while still allowing women to build consistency and make progress. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: Why strength matters beyond weight loss What an effective midlife strength program can look like How to know whether you’re lifting heavy enough What progressive overload means and why it matters Why random workouts may not create measurable progress How beginners can start strength training simply Why muscle soreness isn’t a measure of success How pelvic floor concerns can be managed around training How to adjust exercise when sleep, fatigue or symptoms are affecting you Why the goal is to become stronger, not simply smaller ABOUT SHAWN MAFTOUNIAN: Shawn Maftounian is the Founder & Director of Prestige Personalised Training on the Gold Coast, one of Australia's highest-rated private personal training gyms with 380 - 5-star Google reviews. He is an award-winning coach and entrepreneur who has also been featured in the 7NEWS Queensland Young Achiever Awards. He holds a Bachelor of Sports from Griffith University and has over 15 years of experience helping people improve their health, strength and quality of life. Shawn specialises in coaching busy professionals, women navigating pre-, peri- and post menopause, adults living with chronic pain and injuries, and NDIS participants. His philosophy is simple: sustainable health comes from personalised coaching, accountability, measurable progress and a supportive community, not quick fixes. Through evidence-informed exercise and lifestyle coaching, Shawn has helped thousands of Australians become stronger, more confident and more independent at every stage of life. CONNECT WITH SHAWN MAFTOUNIAN: Web: https://www.prestigept.com.au Instagram: @Prestigeptgc Facebook: @PrestigePT Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 5620 4420 OFFERS AND RESOURCES: Personalised One-on-One Personal Training Two on One Private Personal Training Small Group Classes, capped at 10 participants Women’s Health Evolt 360 Body Composition & Health Assessments Personalised Nutrition & Lifestyle Coaching Private Gym Complimentary Initial Consultation and Health Assessment CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS: Web: https://terribatsakis.com.au/ Instagram: @terri.batsakis Facebook: @terribatsakis YouTube: @terribatsakis

🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION: You’ve raised the kids, built the career and spent years doing what needed to be done. So what happens when midlife arrives and you start asking, “What do I want now?” In this episode, I’m speaking with Jules Brooke, Business Mentor and founder of She’s The Boss, about why so many women in their 40s, 50s and beyond are rethinking work, purpose and what they want from the second half of life. We explore midlife reinvention, women in business and menopause, including why women are leaving traditional careers, the impact of ageism, the appeal of entrepreneurship, the importance of strong female networks and why getting older doesn’t mean winding down. Jules also shares her own experience of perimenopause and menopause and why more open conversations can help women feel informed, connected and confident about what comes next. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: Why many women start questioning work and purpose in midlife Why women over 45 are starting businesses and pursuing new opportunities How purpose, legacy and impact can become more important with age Why ageism can influence career decisions for women The freedom and flexibility entrepreneurship can offer Why support from other women can give us courage to take the leap How fear of failure can stop us acting on our ideas Why visibility matters for women over 50 Jules’ experience of perimenopause and menopause Why midlife can be a breakthrough rather than a crisis ABOUT JULES BROOKE: Jules is the founder of Handle Your Own PR, She’s The Boss and Australian Women Speakers. She’s The Boss Group is for women business owners 45+. The group runs over 70 online and offline events nationally in Australia per year, she has a podcast called She’s The Boss Chats and another called She’s The Boss Disruptors, a She’s The Boss YouTube channel, and shesthebossdirectory.com. Jules is also a speaker and coach around visibility and How To Become a Woman of Influence, and hosts international business retreats every year. She’s a super connector and loves to encourage women to lift each other up, and back each other. CONNECT WITH JULES BROOKE: She’s The Boss: https://shesthebossgroup.com/ She’s The Boss Directory: https://shesthebossdirectory.com/ Instagram: @julesbrooke Instagram: @shesthebossgroup Facebook: @julesbrooke Facebook: @shestheboss LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesbrooke/ OFFERS AND RESOURCES: Click the link below for full list of resources: https://terribatsakis.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/OFFERS-AND-RESOURCES-Jules-Brooke.pdf CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS: Web: https://terribatsakis.com.au/ Instagram: @terri.batsakis Facebook: @terribatsakis YouTube: @terribatsakis

🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION: What if something as important as your bone health was changing long before you knew to look for it? In this episode, I’m speaking with Nicole Cassey, founder of HeraVita, about her unexpected diagnosis of osteopenia at just 36, her strong family history of osteoporosis, and why women need to think about preventative health much earlier. We also explore bone health, menopause and women’s health, including the role of strength training, vitamin D, hormone therapy and self-advocacy. Nicole shares how her own changing body through midlife led to HeraVita and a national study using 3D body scanning to better understand the bodies of Australian women and challenge the way clothing and fit standards have traditionally been designed. This is a conversation about looking beyond the number on the scale, understanding your changing body and focusing not simply on lifespan, but health span. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: How Nicole discovered osteopenia at just 36 Why family history can be an important part of the bone health conversation The difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis Why bone health deserves attention before later life How menopause and declining oestrogen can affect bone health Why strength training becomes increasingly important as we age The role of vitamin D in supporting health Why midlife women have historically been under-researched How women’s body shape and proportions change through midlife How HeraVita is using 3D body scanning to help improve fit standards Why understanding your body and advocating for your health matters ABOUT NICOLE CASSEY: Nicole Cassey is the founder of HeraVita, a research-first women's wellness initiative dedicated to understanding how women's bodies change through midlife and advocating for the products, fit standards, and honest conversations that have never been built around them. Diagnosed with osteopenia at just 36, she experienced first-hand how easily women fall through the gaps in screening, and how often they're told the things that matter far too late. Twenty years after launching the award-winning baby sleepwear brand Bubbaroo, her work has come full circle. Through HeraVita, she's now leading a national study, using 3D body scanning to better understand the changing bodies of more than 500 Australian women and help shape the future of women's health and apparel. CONNECT WITH NICOLE CASSEY: Web: www.heravita.com.au Instagram: @heravita_official OFFERS AND RESOURCES: Become a HeraVita Founding Member Participate in HeraVita’s research into the changing bodies of midlife women Learn more about the national study using 3D body scanning Access HeraVita’s private women’s community at www.heravita.com.au CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS: Web: https://terribatsakis.com.au/ Instagram: @terri.batsakis Facebook: @terribatsakis YouTube: @terribatsakis