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Menopause - The Real Deal

Menopause - The Real Deal

By: Michelle Rowlinson
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About this listen

 "Menopause - The Real Deal" is your go-to podcast for honest, expert-driven conversations about perimenopause and menopause. Hosted by Michelle, a senior Physiotherapist, Menopause Wellbeing Practitioner, and best selling author, this podcast dives deep into the real experiences of women navigating this transformative stage of life. Each episode features insightful interviews with health professionals, business leaders, corporate women, and past clients who share their journeys, challenges, and triumphs. We debunk common myths, explore the impact of menopause on health and work life, and provide practical advice to help you manage symptoms and thrive. Whether you’re approaching perimenopause, in the midst of it, or supporting someone who is, "Menopause - The Real Deal" offers the education and support you need to embrace this phase with confidence. Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Understanding Pelvic Health through Menopause with Francoise De Smet

    Understanding Pelvic Health through Menopause with Francoise De Smet
    Mar 11 2026
    I sit down with women's health practitioner Francoise De Smet to pull back the curtain on a topic far too many of us have been taught to suffer through in silence: pelvic floor dysfunction. For years, women have been told that leaks and heaviness are just part of aging, but Francoise is here to flip that narrative on its head. We dive deep into the crucial distinction between a weak and a hypertonic pelvic floor, explaining why traditional kegels might actually be making your symptoms worse. By learning to manage internal pressure through lateral breathing and posture, you’ll learn to reconnect with your core and reclaim a sense of strength and function that you might have thought was gone for good. Francoise Reveals Why many pelvic issues, like leaking when sneezing or coughing, are actually caused by a hypertonic or overactive pelvic floor How hypopressives use lateral breathing and specific postures to manage internal pressure, lifting and restoring the entire core Why internal pressure management is key. When the diaphragm and abdominal walls are tight or dysfunctional, every cough or jump sends pressure downward, forcing the pelvic floor to compensate or fail. Who symptoms like lower back pain, a persistent urge to find a bathroom, or even post-void leaking are often dismissed but can be early indicators of pelvic floor dysfunction or prolapse. BEST MOMENTS "Go and get stronger! It’s a total pressure on women that we've got to be able to handle it all." "Your pelvic floor is sending you signals that your entirety and your nervous system isn't coping. And that is a good opportunity for you to give yourself a little break." “That softness, that pause, and that gentleness is going to be so incredibly impactful." “Collectively there is something wrong, and that is the misinformation that we have. By raising awareness, we can fix it for all of us." EPISODE LINKS Demonstration from episode video https://youtu.be/B_wzsYUB_HM https://www.hypocore.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/speakingfrank HOST BIO Michelle is a highly respected Physiotherapist and Menopause Wellbeing Practitioner with over two decades of experience in the health and wellness industry. After experiencing seven years of debilitating symptoms herself before realising it was perimenopause, Michelle has since dedicated her career to helping other women navigate this transformative stage of life. Her personal journey fuels her passion for educating and empowering women, as well as training businesses and health professionals through her specialised menopause and wellbeing workshops. A best-selling author and sought-after speaker, Michelle combines deep clinical expertise with relatable, real-world experience. Through her podcast, "Menopause - The Real Deal," she offers evidence-based guidance, authentic conversations, and practical strategies. Listeners trust Michelle for her empathetic understanding and her commitment to helping women thrive, making her a leading voice in the menopause space. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/michelle.kimp.9/ Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@michelle_rowlinson Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-rowlinson-38330b21a Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@MenopauseTheRealDeal My Book: You, me conquering perimenopause & menopause https://amzn.eu/d/hCcbjag Website www.panaceapause.co.uk
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    50 mins
  • Menopause Hair Loss and Scalp Changes: Rebuilding Confidence with Trichologist Kate Holohan

    Menopause Hair Loss and Scalp Changes: Rebuilding Confidence with Trichologist Kate Holohan
    Mar 4 2026
    I talk with award-winning trichologist Kate Holohan to discuss a topic that catches so many of us off guard: the dramatic ways menopause can transform our hair and scalp. As a hair and scalp specialist with over two decades of experience, Kate is an expert in navigating the confusing world of shedding, thinning, and texture changes that often accompany hormonal shifts. From spotting early warning signs like Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia to understanding why go-to products might suddenly be failing, this conversation will shift your perspective from frustration to proactive care, and leave you equipped with the clinical knowledge you need to advocate for your hair health, whether that’s at the pharmacy, the salon, or the doctor's office Kate Reveals How trichologists bridge the gap between cosmetic care and medical diagnosis. Why menopause triggers hair changes, and removes a protective element, allowing testosterone to convert more easily into DHT, which can lead to genetic thinning. Why permanent scarring conditions like Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA) early diagnosis is vital Why significant shedding is often a low-level marker or a physical warning from your body that something is out of balance BEST MOMENTS "Your hair is a barometer of your overall health." "It’s not vanity to want to nurture and look after your hair... if it’s bothering you, then it is a problem." "We need to get rid of this 'oh it’s just getting old, it’s just this, it’s just that'. Don't accept it." "The earlier you get help, the better your prognosis will be." EPISODE LINKS Website http://hairtherapyuk.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hairtherapyuk/ Podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1640149 HOST BIO Michelle is a highly respected Physiotherapist and Menopause Wellbeing Practitioner with over two decades of experience in the health and wellness industry. After experiencing seven years of debilitating symptoms herself before realising it was perimenopause, Michelle has since dedicated her career to helping other women navigate this transformative stage of life. Her personal journey fuels her passion for educating and empowering women, as well as training businesses and health professionals through her specialised menopause and wellbeing workshops. A best-selling author and sought-after speaker, Michelle combines deep clinical expertise with relatable, real-world experience. Through her podcast, "Menopause - The Real Deal," she offers evidence-based guidance, authentic conversations, and practical strategies. Listeners trust Michelle for her empathetic understanding and her commitment to helping women thrive, making her a leading voice in the menopause space. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/michelle.kimp.9/ Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@michelle_rowlinson Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-rowlinson-38330b21a Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@MenopauseTheRealDeal My Book: You, me conquering perimenopause & menopause https://amzn.eu/d/hCcbjag Website www.panaceapause.co.uk
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    59 mins
  • Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Menopause with Sarah Turner

    Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Menopause with Sarah Turner
    Feb 25 2026
    I sit down with psychotherapist and emotion regulation specialist Sarah Turner to discuss the profound and often overlooked psychological shifts that occur during midlife. I share my own experiences with the emotional load of aging parents, career pressure, and changing family dynamics, while Sarah offers a hopeful perspective: that menopause is not a crisis to be feared, but a powerful catalyst for self-discovery. We explore why women often feel a dip in confidence or a rise in unjustified guilt, and I learn about the practical, empowering tools of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy that can help us move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling grounded and self-full. Sarah Reveals Why midlife women frequently experience a combination of overwhelm, identity shifts, loss of confidence, difficulty with self-prioritisation, struggles with assertion, and a desire for deeper connection. Why rather than viewing this stage as a falling apart, it can be embraced as a transitional invitation to review one's life and finally prioritise personal ambitions and dreams. How Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is particularly effective for menopause because it balances self-acceptance with the motivation to change, helping women regulate intense emotions. Why when emotions run high, acting opposite to the behavioural urge such as engaging in intense physical exercise to burn off cortisol can be more effective than trying to jump straight into calm meditation. BEST MOMENTS "Midlife is not a crisis. It is a catalyst. A chance to rediscover who you are and build a life that finally includes you." "I love the word 'self-full' better. It’s not selfish to look after ourselves... you can’t give from an empty cup." "We expect ourselves to be superwomen and we're not. We’re just human beings." "The emotional rollercoaster of midlife is not a sign that you’re falling apart, but a sign that you are evolving." EPISODE LINKS contact@flourishcourses.co.uk www.flourishcourses.co.uk HOST BIO Michelle is a highly respected Physiotherapist and Menopause Wellbeing Practitioner with over two decades of experience in the health and wellness industry. After experiencing seven years of debilitating symptoms herself before realising it was perimenopause, Michelle has since dedicated her career to helping other women navigate this transformative stage of life. Her personal journey fuels her passion for educating and empowering women, as well as training businesses and health professionals through her specialised menopause and wellbeing workshops. A best-selling author and sought-after speaker, Michelle combines deep clinical expertise with relatable, real-world experience. Through her podcast, "Menopause - The Real Deal," she offers evidence-based guidance, authentic conversations, and practical strategies. Listeners trust Michelle for her empathetic understanding and her commitment to helping women thrive, making her a leading voice in the menopause space. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/michelle.kimp.9/ Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@michelle_rowlinson Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-rowlinson-38330b21a Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@MenopauseTheRealDeal My Book: You, me conquering perimenopause & menopause https://amzn.eu/d/hCcbjag Website www.panaceapause.co.uk
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    44 mins
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