Do Pause for Menopause: Busting Midlife Myths with Rachel Lankester

In this episode of Sound of Breaking Glass, host Hristina Vaceva speaks with Rachel Lankester, founder of Magnificent Midlife, about redefining midlife for women and embracing aging with empowerment. Diagnosed with early menopause at 41, Rachel set out to change how society views midlife and menopause, advocating for women to embrace this stage with self-acceptance and resilience. She dives into the cultural narratives around aging, the impact of the anti-aging industry, and how societal pressures affect women’s self-worth.

Key Takeaways:

• Redefining Midlife: Midlife is a dynamic stage, not a decline, and can span from around 40 to 60 years, offering opportunities for growth and fulfillment.
• Cultural Influence on Aging Perceptions: Societies with less ageism tend to value older women more, while Western marketing drives fear and insecurities around aging.
• Menopause as a Gateway: Menopause can be a time for self-reflection and reassessment, encouraging women to focus on mental, emotional, and physical health.
• Challenging Anti-Aging Narratives: Embracing the natural aging process allows for authenticity and self-acceptance, counteracting the pressures to ‘reverse’ aging.
• Flexibility and Self-Care at Work: Workplaces and personal lives should adapt to support cyclical and evolving needs as women age.

Tune in to this episode to hear Rachel’s refreshing take on how women can reclaim their narratives, embrace midlife, and redefine what aging means in modern society.

Find out more about Rachel's work and podcast here: https://magnificentmidlife.com/book/

Grab yourself a copy of Rachel's book: https://magnificentmidlife.com/book/

For more exclusive content, don't forget to join the Breaking Glass community on IG @soundofbreakingglasspod

Follow the show on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/sound-of-breaking-glass