All Things Menopausal Mary Lee, Menopause Doula & Licensed Menopause Expert Champion

How can my pelvic floor health help me through menopause? What is andropause? Why should I consider my hormonal changes during menopause?


In this episode of All Things Menopausal, Francois Gagnon, Chief Medical Exercise Specialist at the Other Pain Clinic, dives into the multifaceted realm of menopause, pelvic floor health, hormonal transitions, & andropause.


With 15+ years of experience in empowering individuals with chronic pain to reclaim vitality and mobility through innovative treatments and holistic coaching. 


In this episode you’ll learn:


Using pfilAtes (pelvic floor strengthening system) and pelvic floor health to be proactive during your menopause transitionHormone education and its impact on alleviating menopause symptoms A comparative look at menopause and andropause: a global perspective and impacts on overall healthTestosterone and relationship dynamics: insights into maintaining harmony amidst hormonal transitions

Resources:
Get in touch with Francios Gagnon at the Other Pain Clinic
Francois’s recommended read: "Poke the Box" by Seth Godin (not an affiliate link)
Support the Show.
Meet your host:
Mary is a certified Menopause Doula and Licensed Menopause Champion with Menopause Experts Group. She supports high-achieving GenX women power through her transition - peri to post.


Let’s connect:
Navigate your menopausal journey with confidence - book your free call here
Take this 5-minute menopause symptom survey
Stay in the loop with new episodes via Instagram


Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare professional(s).


Credits:
Music: Zakhar Valaha, Pixabay
Cover photo: VI Portraits

In this episode of All Things Menopausal, Ray Doktor, Psy. D. (yes, his last name is Doktor!) discusses the benefits of integrating Eastern and Western healing approaches and practical tools for self-discovery.




Over the past 27 years Ray Doktor, Psy. D. has helped over 6k clients break through limiting beliefs, have better relationships, and improve their family life through relationship & life coaching. 




In this episode you’ll learn:




1. The Power of Self-Awareness: overcoming our insecurities to create a healthier relationship with ourselves and with a partner.




2. Integration of Eastern and Western Healing Modalities: techniques such as yoga, integration of the feminine and masculine energies, and the importance of somatic experiences in therapy and everyday stress management




3. The Benefits of Self-Care: in whatever form of relaxation it might be, the aim is to experience pleasure and joy




4. Practical Tools for Self-Discovery, Personal Development, and Healing: how to break old patterns of limiting beliefs to find personal empowerment 




5. Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity: releasing trauma, letting go, and creating a safe space for exploration as we transition through midlife and the years beyond.




Resources:


All It Takes Is One: Drop Your One Big Hidden Belief and Master Your Life book by Dr. Ray (not an affiliate link)


Dr. Ray’s website


Support the Show.
Meet your host:
Mary is a certified Menopause Doula and Licensed Menopause Champion with Menopause Experts Group. She supports high-achieving GenX women power through her transition - peri to post.


Let’s connect:
Navigate your menopausal journey with confidence - book your free call here
Take this 5-minute menopause symptom survey
Stay in the loop with new episodes via Instagram


Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare professional(s).


Credits:
Music: Zakhar Valaha, Pixabay
Cover photo: VI Portraits

In this solo episode, I delve into the lesser-explored connection between menopause and PTSD, particularly in women with service in uniform backgrounds. Drawing from my own professional journey, I shed light on how hormonal shifts during menopause can intensify PTSD symptoms, presenting a distinct challenge for serving and veteran women.
Throughout the episode, I stress the significance of cognitive behavior therapy, hormonal treatments, and tailored healthcare strategies for women navigating both menopause and PTSD, especially those who have served. I advocate for increased awareness, education, and support tailored to this unique demographic, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing their specific needs for their overall well-being in the workforce including military forces and civilian organizations.

For more indepth details on hormonal health and cognitive effects with menopause, listen to my episode with Dr. Fiona Lovely. To learn more about the need to prioritize menopausal awareness in the workplace, read the following blog article.

Sever mental illness with perimenpause is also a complex intersection that has recently garnered attention thanks to a recent groundbreaking study.  For a summary of the study's findings, read the following blog article.


One last point, not mentioned in this episode but coming up in a future episode is Yoga for Traumatic Brain Injury and for Trauma. Learn how to take your holistic healing one step further, visit the Love Your Brain website for more details. If you live in the Comox Valley, check out the class offerings at Broken Squirrel Wellness.


Support the Show.
Meet your host:
Mary is a certified Menopause Doula and Licensed Menopause Champion with Menopause Experts Group. She supports high-achieving GenX women power through her transition - peri to post.


Let’s connect:
Navigate your menopausal journey with confidence - book your free call here
Take this 5-minute menopause symptom survey
Stay in the loop with new episodes via Instagram


Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare professional(s).


Credits:
Music: Zakhar Valaha, Pixabay
Cover photo: VI Portraits

Hey there listeners, I'm sharing with you an important albeit brief discussion on the dreaded weight gain with menopause because this topic is so prevalent among women. 

It deserves more attention but let me just emphasis the importance of lifestyle choices including exercise, diet, sleep management and stress reduction - more four pillars to menopause management that I share with my clients. 

In this mini, you will  breifly learn about the impact of estrogen levels on the body's metabolism and get a firehose dose of simple, yet achievable tips for managing weight and overall health during this phase. Consider one or all of the noted approaches mentioned, including Zone 2 cardio, strength training, yoga, stress management, and hormone replacement therapy for symptom relief.

Previous episodes mentioned in this podcast include:
Overcoming Physical Limitations in Midlife with Kim RahirOmega 3 Unveiled with Michaela MorrellHormones, Trauma and Brain Health with Dr. Fiona LovelyEat Wise for Menopause with Kim HynesThe Yogi Mystic's Guide to Menopause Mastery with Prakash CheguYou can also follow articles in my blog to learn more about the gut microbiome, cortisol reduction techniques, stress management, and so much more.

Until next time, remember to take care of yourself. Practice self love and self soothing to get that cortisol level down. That alone is causing excess something, something around the waistline, guaranteed!


Support the Show.
Meet your host:
Mary is a certified Menopause Doula and Licensed Menopause Champion with Menopause Experts Group. She supports high-achieving GenX women power through her transition - peri to post.


Let’s connect:
Navigate your menopausal journey with confidence - book your free call here
Take this 5-minute menopause symptom survey
Stay in the loop with new episodes via Instagram


Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare professional(s).


Credits:
Music: Zakhar Valaha, Pixabay
Cover photo: VI Portraits

In this episode, I engage in the most raw and captivating conversation with Angel Forrest, a celebrated singer-songwriter, as she shares her compelling narrative of navigating menopause. Angel shares the magic of the transformative power of music, holistic symptom managment practices, and self-acceptance in embracing the unique menopausal experience, while also underscoring the importance of stress management and personal growth during this life transition.

Angel, who hails from Pointe Claire, Quebec, has had a prolific career spanning over three decades, starting in 1988 with her debut album Secondhand Blues Angel gained prominence with her tribute show to Janis Joplin, and later released as Angel Sings Janis Live.

Notably, her original album Here For You sold over 30,000 copies, followed by several LPs earning her accolades such as the Lys Blues Album of the Year. She also won Songwriter of the Year at the 2014 Maple Blues Awards. In 2016, Forrest released Angel's 11, collaborating with 11 prominent guitarists and winning multiple awards at the Maple Blues Awards. Her live album Electric Love was a global success, and she has been named Female Vocalist of the Year by the Toronto Blues Society seven times between 2013 and 2021. Her 2019 album Hell Bent with Grace was critically acclaimed and nominated for a JUNO Award for Blues Album of the Year in 2020.

While not on tour, Angel and her songwriting muscisian husband Denis Coloumbe are busy launchng their new tourism company Sun Corona, based a a classic wooden fishing vessel that take guests on unforgettable cruise around beautiful Hornby Island, British Columbia Canada. Find them on suncorona.ca.

Find Angel at angelforrest.ca  and you can download her music just about anywhere you play your favourite artisits including Spotify
She is on Intagram at @angelforrest and on Facebook at angelforrest2



Support the Show.
Meet your host:
Mary is a certified Menopause Doula and Licensed Menopause Champion with Menopause Experts Group. She supports high-achieving GenX women power through her transition - peri to post.


Let’s connect:
Navigate your menopausal journey with confidence - book your free call here
Take this 5-minute menopause symptom survey
Stay in the loop with new episodes via Instagram


Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare professional(s).


Credits:
Music: Zakhar Valaha, Pixabay
Cover photo: VI Portraits

In this profoundly intimate episode, I delve into a heartfelt monologue sharing my thoughts and experiences surrounding menopause, grief, and the path to healing. I underscore the significance of community, self-care, and confronting one's authentic self during this transformative phase.
Exploring the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges that women encounter, I emphasize how menopause can serve as an opportunity to confront and heal from past traumas and obstacles. Reflecting on my recent loss and the journey following the passing of my birth mother, I stress the importance of support, transparency, and resilience.
With a message of hope and empowerment, I encourage listeners to embrace their individual journeys and the wisdom inherent in menopause. Drawing from both personal anecdotes and professional insights, I aim to foster a sense of connection and encouragement among my resilient audience.


In loving memory of Anne 🩷
To Maxine and Anne, I pay tribute to you! 🫶🏻🫶🏻

Learn more about the topic of energetic bodies, as mentioned in this episode, in the book The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy by Cyndi Dale.







Support the Show.
Meet your host:
Mary is a certified Menopause Doula and Licensed Menopause Champion with Menopause Experts Group. She supports high-achieving GenX women power through her transition - peri to post.


Let’s connect:
Navigate your menopausal journey with confidence - book your free call here
Take this 5-minute menopause symptom survey
Stay in the loop with new episodes via Instagram


Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare professional(s).


Credits:
Music: Zakhar Valaha, Pixabay
Cover photo: VI Portraits