Discovering Your New Self at Menopause with Terri Batsakis

In this episode, I am joined by Terri Batsakis, a certified menopause coaching specialist and women's health, nutrition, and mindset coach, for an honest conversation about what really changes in midlife—and how women can feel empowered (not blindsided) through perimenopause and menopause.

Terri shares her personal turning point during perimenopause, how it reshaped her identity and career direction, and why so many women feel like "what used to work" (food, exercise, coping strategies) suddenly stops working.

• Why midlife can feel like a full identity shift: changing hormones can impact mood, confidence, relationships, and the way your body responds to food and movement.
• Terri's story: navigating perimenopause symptoms while running a high-demand business, and the moment she realised she needed a major life pivot.
• The "I don't know who I am anymore" experience: anxiety, resentment, insecurity, people-pleasing, and confidence loss—especially when kids are leaving home, careers are evolving, and caregiving pressures increase.
• Nutrition in midlife: moving away from the old diet culture mindset (restriction, deprivation, constant snacking) toward nourishment, stable blood sugar, and perimenopause-aligned habits.
• Movement changes: why some women feel better shifting from lots of cardio to more strength training and restorative movement to support stress and body composition.
• Emotional eating + self-sabotage: recognising triggers and building new coping strategies (connection, movement, meditation, support) rather than using food for comfort.
• Relationship dynamics: how dropping oestrogen/progesterone can affect patience, nurturing behaviour, boundaries, and why conflict can increase at home if no one understands what's happening.
• Menopause hormone therapy (MHT/HRT): why Terri encourages women not to rule it out based on old fears, and how to ask better questions so you can make an informed choice.

• Sleep first: better sleep supports mood, appetite regulation, energy, cravings, and resilience.
• Hydration: drinking enough water (and using electrolytes when needed), especially with hot flushes, exercise, or warm weather.
• Stress management: understanding that "stress" can include poor sleep, under-eating, food intolerances, pain, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies—and building daily tools to regulate your nervous system.

Terri supports women through perimenopause and menopause with education and coaching across key midlife pillars—sleep, stress, nutrition, hydration, and movement—plus mindset and behavioural coaching around emotional eating, people-pleasing, confidence, and boundaries.

She offers:

• 1:1 coaching and nutrition coaching options.
• Programs focused on harmonising hormones through lifestyle support.
• Community support, including group-style learning and connection (as discussed in the episode).

• Website: **https://terribatsakis.com.au/**
• About: **https://terribatsakis.com.au/about-us/**
• Contact: **https://terribatsakis.com.au/contact-us-for-help-in-balancing-your-hormones-through-menopause/**
• LinkedIn: **https://www.linkedin.com/in/terri-batsakis-1002ba15a**

Reminder: This podcast is for education only and is not medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.