Redefining Midlife with Jo Clark Jo Clark

If you're constantly tired, don't sleep well at night, or feel the effects of the mid-afternoon slump, today's episode is for you. Thea O-Connor joins me today, and we’re talking about naps. Thea O’Connor is a senior workplace wellbeing advisor, speaker and coach. She helps leaders, teams and individuals improve their workplace engagement and effectiveness through body intelligence and better health. She draws on 30 years of experience in health promotion including in the fields of nutrition (as a dietitian), body image, sleep science and workplace health. Listen in for this fascinating episode which covers many topics including:


Biological rhythms that have us feeling droopy by mid-afternoon and the bigger life stage rhythms such as menopause. What does that mean for our nervous system.


Forging a more intimate relationship with your body and interoceptive awareness towards better sleep.


Responding intelligently to our nap needs and the enormous return when we stop and listen to our bodies.


The feeling of being wired and tired due to increasing our caffeine intake as a response to our tiredness.


Rebranding the nap and rethinking the laziness that is often associated with slowing down.


How you can increase alertness and concentration by up to three times more after a 10-to-20-minute nap. The return on investment of a short nap and, best of all, it’s free!


The groggy feeling of sleep inertia, what it means and what is an ideal nap time.


What naps in the workplace might look like and how to make it work for you.




I really hope you enjoyed this episode as much as I did and I encourage you to find out more about Thea via the links below, including access to her course Learn How to Powernap as discussed in this episode.


napnow.net.au


thea.com.au


menopauseatworkasiapacific.com.au


learn to powernap: https://napnow.net.au/learn-how-to-powernap/


Thea’s TEDx talk  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abxcO2ur_m4



You can also find me on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ and Private Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenswellnesscollective1.

 

Here’s to redefining midlife and making our next half of life even better than the first. 

In this episode of the Redefining Midlife podcast, we dive deep into a topic that is both fundamental and transformational. It's not just about listening, it's about taking action for your well-being. The importance of prioritising one's physical and mental well-being during the often chaotic and hectic midlife years is often understated. As we navigate the tumultuous seas of work, family responsibilities, and personal growth, it's easy to neglect our own health. My personal account serves as a gentle reminder of the significance of prioritising your health. Listen in as I passionately share and touch on areas such as:


What being proactive about your health really means.


My own personal experience and struggles with health issues, and how I overcame them through small, consistent habits.


Practical advice, including setting realistic and achievable goals, finding creative ways to incorporate movement into everyday activities, making mindful food choices, prioritising quality sleep, and practising daily mindfulness exercises.


The ripple effect of taking proactive measures towards one's health and how it can positively impact loved ones.


How investing in your own health is a valuable endeavour rather than a time-consuming chore.



It’s never too late to get back on track. I invite you to take advantage of my free live online workshop How to Feel Like Yourself Again: 3 Essentials for Women 40+. If you can show up live you will also receive a special bonus about the power of micro habits for busy women. You can register at https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/workshop  I’d love to see you there

The Better Than Before membership (BTB) provides health and wellness resources, community support, and accountability for women in transition. I only open it to new members a couple of times a year, but you can join at https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/better-1 to make your health and wellness a priority. 

You can also find me on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ and Private Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenswellnesscollective1.

Here’s to redefining midlife and making our next half of life even better than the first. 

Remember the start of the year when you set your goals and intentions with such excitement and anticipation? In this episode, I’m circling back to our yearly goals for a review because it’s hard to believe we are almost halfway through the year. In reality, more than half of us might be feeling a bit off course, so I share three key takeaways to help you get back on track. Listen in to find out more about:


Taking a good hard look at yourself and getting honest about where you’re at for growth and understanding.


Planning and support frameworks for accountability.


I am breaking your goals into bite-sized steps for integration into your day.


Mindsets for success.



It’s never too late to get back on track. I invite you to take advantage of my free live online workshop How to Feel Like Yourself Again: 3 Essentials for Women 40+. If you can show up live you will also receive a special bonus about the power of micro habits for busy women. You can register at https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/workshop  I’d love to see you there.

You can also find me on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ and Private Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenswellnesscollective1.

Here’s to redefining midlife and making our next half of life even better than the first. 

Episode 88 of the Redefining Midlife podcast focuses on debunking the myth of a one-size-fits-all approach to health and wellness, tailored especially for busy midlife women. Each person’s body and experience is as individual and diverse as our fingerprints, increasing the need for personalised health and wellness strategies. In this solo episode, I touch on topics including:


The ever-changing landscape of health needs, particularly during and after the menopause transition and the importance of adapting to evolving requirements.


Real-life examples of my body and how past experiences, injuries, and health issues shape current health needs and wellness practices.


The distinction between lifespan and healthspan.


Ways I am embracing the mind-body connection with an approach to health and wellness that addresses both mental and emotional well-being.



The Better Than Before membership (BTB) provides health and wellness resources, community support, and accountability for women in transition. As mentioned I will be sharing further details about upcoming workshops and how to sign up in the next episode.

You can also find me on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ and Private Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenswellnesscollective1.

Here’s to redefining midlife and making our next half of life even better than the first.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to interview amazing everyday midlife women who are doing incredible things. My goal is to use this platform to amplify their voices and showcase their achievements, instead of constantly focusing on celebrity culture. Today, we have an inspiring guest, Angela Hucker, who will share her story with us. Angela is a rare gem in her field, with over 20 years of experience as an industry expert in the male-dominated world of construction. She has an impressive portfolio which includes projects in power, oil and gas, renewables, infrastructure, commercial, civil, and industrial sectors. She has even been featured on the U.S. TV show Megastructures. However, it is her firsthand experience as a FIFO (fly-in-fly-out) worker in remote areas of Australia that has ignited her mission to eradicate the challenges faced by women in the industry and advocate for much-needed change. Angela is the founder and CEO of EPIC (Empowering People in Construction), a dynamic venture that aims to reshape the Australian construction sector by tapping into the potential of women. She is a true force for change in our society and as you will hear in our conversation, she is incredibly humble yet determined and powerful. Tune in and enjoy our discussion which covers:


Living life to the fullest, adapting to challenges, and embracing change.


Large-scale projects with budgets reaching billions, like Dubai International Airport and Ferrari Resort.


The less visible aspects of construction management, such as handling disputes and overseeing contractors.


A confrontation that had Angela terrified and determined to make a change to the industry.


The new laws that have recently been implemented and still require significant attention.


The importance of addressing subconscious biases and educating others to create a cultural shift and change behaviours.


Focusing on retention and addressing issues rather than just increasing the number of women in the construction industry.



Angela's drive to transform the industry is infectious, motivating us all as we follow her lead. I would love you to follow Angela and her company EPIC. You can find details on her website https://epicservices.group/ and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-hucker/.

The Better Than Before membership (BTB) provides health and wellness resources, community support, and accountability for women in transition. As mentioned in this episode I will be sharing further details about upcoming workshops and how to sign up shortly.

You can also find me on Instagram –

https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ and Private Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenswellnesscollective1.

Here’s to redefining midlife and making our next half of life even better than the first.

The symptoms of menopause and being overworked can often overlap, making it difficult for women to connect the dots early on. They may dismiss their exhaustion and lack of sleep as simply being overburdened with responsibilities. However, it can be hard to distinguish between hormonal changes and other stressors in life.
Today's special guest is Dr. Niamh Leonard, a GP and menopause specialist who has helped countless women manage their menopause symptoms. With a master's degree in sports and exercise medicine, she also emphasises the importance of staying active and eating well during menopause, not just for longevity but for overall quality of life. Dr. Leonard strongly believes that if women have access to accurate information, they will make the best decisions for their health. Our healthcare needs change as we age, and Niamh reminds us of this reality. Listen in as we chat about:


Are hot flushes a common experience for all women?


Understanding the importance of pH levels and beneficial bacteria in the vagina for protection against UTIs.


The function of our ovaries when producing hormones and how levels of oestrogen can fluctuate and how women may be able to supplement effectively.


How it can be challenging to find a knowledgeable and understanding GP.


Is fasting a good idea for women going through perimenopause and menopause? Some ideas that may help and useful information about the research.


Things to look forward to post menopause and changes that can alleviate symptoms.



Menopause really is a second spring and is a time to be embraced not feared! I encourage you to follow Niamh on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mymenopausedoctor/

Further information and links can also be found below:


Australian Menopause Society - https://www.menopause.org.au/


Jean Hailes For Women’s Health - https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/


Wellfemme Telehealth - https://wellfemme.com.au/



The Better Than Before membership (BTB) provides health and wellness resources, community support, and accountability for women in midlife. As mentioned in this episode I will be sharing further details about upcoming workshops and how to sign up shortly.

You can also find me on Instagram –

https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ and Private Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenswellnesscollective1.

Here’s to redefining midlife and making our next half of life even better than the first.