45 NOT OUT Una

Episode 20's guest is Freya Lewis - survivor of the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017, Children of Courage Award winner, author and now a fresher at Drama School! Freya is also a resident of the same Cheshire village as me, and talks to me about how living in the village (Holmes Chapel) helped her heal and re-set during her recovery from appalling injuries.  That same village was also the home town of superstar Harry Styles, and Freya talks about watching him on his journey in X factor and being catapulted into mega stardom.  

Despite being a survivor of that appalling attack, Freya speaks with positivity and hope and the end result is a fun, uplifting conversation about what's next for her and the benefits of being part of a small village community. This is one hell of an uplifting episode.  Enjoy! 

In this episode, I talk to Rachel Peru - a silver haired curve model, producer and host of Out Of The Bubble podcast, Instagram influencer and part of Platinum's magazine 50 over 50. Rachel became a curve model at the age of 46 and hasn't looked back since.  On the episode she talks about how she practically "fell" into modelling, what it brings to her life and gives tips about how other women can feel great about themselves.  Rachel also runs a coaching business doing just that very thing - Rediscover You.  

If you'd like to contact Rachel, you can using the links in the text above or find her on Instagram & Twitter. 

Debbie Haynes is a successful entrepreneur and business owner who had a complete epiphany and realised her true calling in life was to get involved with rescuing mistreated elephants in the wild.  Debbie had the guts to follow her heart and today works with a charity Wildlife SOS, being based as their UK representative with trips to India to help rescue and rehabilitate these gorgeous creatures. 

If you want to know more about Wildlife SOS, you can do so here.  I hope you like the episode and Debbie's tale gives you the initiative and confidence to follow your own dreams.  Go sister! 

Are you well over 45 and want to start a business but not a clue where to start? Mark Elliott - serial entrepreneur and MBA is the co-founder of Start Up School For Seniors is now a Business Coach and still an Entrepreneur working with people aged 45+ on how to start and develop a successful business. Using his vast array of experience and expertise Mark talks to me about what people of this age can do to help their fledgling business rocket skyward; where and how to find funding and some real hacks that the mainstream "business experts" won't tell you. 

In the conversation, Mark talks about some of the organisations that can offer funding, advice & support.  These are: 

Local Enterprise Partnerships 

Business Funding Council 

I hope the episode helps any potential Richard Bransons out there and you learn something from the conversation.  I know I did. 

And if you are setting off on the trail to entrepreneurship, may the sun light your path.  Go get em! 

Does menopause make your working days a living hell?  Are you trying to cope still smashing your job whilst being floored by menopausal symptoms?  You aren't alone!  75% of women have debilitating symptoms that affect their performance; 25% of menopausal women consider leaving because of it; 10% actually do.

Liz Clayton-Jones of Queen Bee who specialises in working with women suffering menopausal symptoms that affect their performance talks to me about how bad this phenomenon is in the workplace and some of the things we can do about it. Her sound and comforting advice is worth taking a listen, if only to confirm that you aren't the only one suffering. 

In the podcast, Liz mentions a raft of organisations that can help.  You can find these here: 



Gen M - Curated "best of" information on menopause on the web

British Menopause Society - Long established UK establishment 

Positive Pause - Great “magazine” site for information, and they can help organisations set up the right HR policies and procedures

Hen Picked - Useful info site with a bit of a different angle 

Menopause Matters - A site set up by Diane Danzebrink who campaigns for support and education in all matters menopause. 

Lost your job overnight due to the pandemic? This is the episode for you. It's chock full of advice and good ideas how to secure a job when you're over 45. Olga Crosse of Crosse HR is the guest and she has oodles of tips on how to get a job when you're over 45.  From how to draft out your CV - what you should and shouldn't include, through to what HR departments are looking for in applications.  Think of this episode as a consultation with your very own personal HR advisor

Olga's advice is so upbeat, soothing but yet inspirational.  Crosse HR works as an external HR partner with businesses of all sizes, and with over 20 years in the industry, Olga is an HR guru.  She is more than well placed to offer sound and honest advice to job hunters out there of a certain age.  We hope this helps :)