The Menopause Disruptor Podcast

When Concussion Collides with Menopause

When a brain Injury, menopause, and trauma intersect, it can be a nervous system train wreck.In my solo episode, perfectly timed with Brain Injury/Brain Health Awareness Month this March, I humbly share how a mild injury while recently vacationing in Mexico reactivated old symptoms and emotions connected to a previous traumatic brain injury in 2015. This story highlights how brain injury, hormonal shifts, and stored trauma can amplify nervous system dysregulation. But this retelling of a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) goes beyond fatigue, fog, headaches, and heightened emotional sensitivity. It's a story of community and navigating self-compassion. Ironically, three comunities I have benefitted from and deeply invested in to promote their work suddenly became more meaningful. Those communities include Love Your Brain Foundation, Broken Squirrel Wellness, located in the Comox Valley, BC, Canada, and the Brainnovation Network.If you are experiencing brain injury, nervous system dysregulation, psycological symptoms associated with menopause, or all of this above, this episode is for you. You will learn about cutting-edge innovative tools and strategies for support and healing, and how to access a variety of resources no matter where you live in the world.Resources (not affiliate links)Donate to LYB and make brain injury support more accessibleBroken Squirrel NeuroloungeJoin the Brainnovation Network CommunityLet us know if you're liking the show!Thanks to our sponsor, Hen's Den YogaA cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of yoga and fitness classes.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showMeet the host, Mary, a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting women - peri to post.Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatworkTurn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team. Connect: Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcastLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/Enjoy the show? Leave a comment on SpotifyDisclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

The “Just Do Kegels” Myth Might Be Harming Your Pelvic Floor with Dr. Lisa Kelly

Pelvic health is one of the most important  and often overlooked aspects of women’s health.Many are told that bladder leaks, pelvic pressure, or discomfort during exercise are simply part of aging, pregnancy, or menopause. But the truth is, these symptoms are common and they are also treatable.In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Kelly, Doctor of Physical Therapy and pelvic health specialist to explore how the pelvic floor connects to strength, breath, movement, and long-term mobility.We unpack some of the biggest myths about pelvic health — including why “just do Kegels” is often the wrong advice — and discuss how proper breathing, core coordination can support pelvic floor function at every stage of life.Dr. Kelly shares how pelvic health changes across the lifespan, from pregnancy and postpartum to menopause and beyond, and why early awareness and proper support can make a profound difference in quality of life.If you’ve ever experienced leakage during workouts, pelvic pressure, core weakness, or unexplained back or hip pain, this episode will help you better understand what may be happening in your body — and what you can do about it.Connect: Learn more about Dr. Lisa Kelly on her website Wave Physical Therapy and Pilates Instagram @anchorwellnesscincyLet us know if you're liking the show!Join the Menopause Café, a virtual gathering to explore menopause symptoms through the energetic body. Each month we journey through on of the seven chakra exploring how they link to the endocrine system, how to unblock these centres, and how to restore balance and alignment. Begins April 12, continuing first Sunday each month, thereafter. Reg Hen's Den YogaA serene and cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of wellness classes. Support the showMeet the host, Mary, a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting women - peri to post.Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatworkTurn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team. Connect: Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcastLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/Enjoy the show? Leave a comment on SpotifyDisclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

Closing the Menopause Care Gap: Women Deserve To Be Heard with Dr. Lindsay Shirreff

Today, we welcome Dr. Lindsay Shirreff, OB-GYN, member of the Menopause Foundation of Canda medical advisory board, and Chief Medical Officer of Blair Health. Dr. Shirreff shares her journey from traditional medicine to healthcare innovation, focusing on closing the specialist gap for menopause and women’s health through technology and AI. The conversation dives into why access to menopause care is so limited, how Blair Health’s platform works, and the importance of personalized, evidence-based treatment for women at midlife.Key Topics CoveredDr. Shirreff’s background and motivation for founding Blair Health, a tech-enabled women’s health clinicHow Blair Health uses AI to deliver personalized, evidence-based treatment plansThe importance of compassionate, proactive care and symptom trackingWhat “verticals” mean in women’s health (menopause, urology, nutrition)The nuances of menopause hormone therapy (MHT), including risks, benefits, and misconceptions from the WHI studyThe importance of individualized care—why no two women’s menopause journeys are the sameThe role of employers in supporting menopause care and the economic impact of untreated symptomsSuccess stories of reaching women in remote areas and those dismissed by the traditional systemUnderrated symptomsLet us know if you're liking the show!Join the Menopause Café, a virtual gathering to explore menopause symptoms through the energetic body. Each month we journey through on of the seven chakra exploring how they link to the endocrine system, how to unblock these centres, and how to restore balance and alignment. Begins April 12, continuing first Sunday each month, thereafter. Reg Hen's Den YogaA serene and cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of wellness classes. Support the showMeet the host, Mary, a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting women - peri to post.Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatworkTurn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team. Connect: Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcastLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/Enjoy the show? Leave a comment on SpotifyDisclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

Three Chakras to Clear for Menopause Self-Advocacy

Can't speak your truth? Experience gut-wrenching pain and butterflies when you visit your doctor? Does it feel like your feminine qualities are being suppressed?Could be your Chakras need a tune up!In this episode, Mary explore menopause through the lens of the subtle body system to build an understanding how many menopause symptoms connect to specific energy centers, known as chakras. The body's subtle energy is information and vibration and menopause is a “reckoning” that brings stored emotions and stuck energy to the surface as hormones shift and the nervous system changes. The episode focuses on three major chakras women are encouraged to clear to better advocate for their health and take agency over healthcare decisions. Specifically, the sacral chakra (Svathistana), the solar plexus (Manipura), and the throat chakra (Vishuddha ). These three chakras govern hormones and emotional fluidity and creativity, confidence, boundaries and taking agency, as well as voice, truth, and healthcare advocacy,Journey through each of these to learn why they are essential in healthcare seetings.  But it is more than just these three. Listeners are invited to join a new live monthly virtual community called the Menopause Café. This online meetup will cover one chakra per month with education and balancing practices.The first session meets via Zoom on April 12. Each session is offered on a sliding scale from $4 to $44, with registration via Eventbrite. To register visit https://bit.ly/3OrLkvy00:00 Menopause as a Reckoning01:56 Welcome Message for 2026 Momentum04:06 Why the Chakras in Menopause06:45 Subtle Body 10109:13 Chakra System Basics12:10 Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)15:44 Solar Plexus (Manipura)18:45 Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)22:03 Putting It Together23:42 Announcement: The Menopause Café (25:17 Final TakeawayLet us know if you're liking the show!Support the showMeet the host, Mary, a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting women - peri to post.Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatworkTurn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team. Connect: Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcastLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/Enjoy the show? Leave a comment on SpotifyDisclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.

The Swimsuit Fashion Gap: Rethinking Swimwear for Midlife Women with Sarah Blaser

Today, we feature fashion designer Sarah Blaser and her mother, Donna, in a heartfelt conversation about bathing suits — from the challenges of shopping and finding the right fit to the menopause-related body changes and frustration many women feel when trying to squeeze into traditional swimsuits.Inspired by her mother’s struggle to find swimwear that offered both comfort and adaptability for a changing body, founder Sarah Blaser set out to create designs that feel as good as they look. From that journey, Serotone Swim was born, based in Raleigh, North Carolina.Drawing on her background in technical sportswear and intimates, Sarah developed pieces responsive to the needs of women over 35. Her styles emphasize fit, function, and sustainability while helping women feel confident and comfortable. The brand’s water-to-table concept extends beyond swimwear to include joggers, dresses, and cover-ups made with chlorine- and saltwater-tested fabrics, power-mesh lining, and smoothing warp-knit nylon.In our conversation, Sarah shares how much of the industry remains focused on younger, slimmer bodies, often overlooking midlife fit concerns such as squeezing, skin sensitivity, changing breast support needs, and inadequate coverage. She also reflects on her decision to launch at Miami Swim Week with diverse models, pushing back against industry tensions around inclusivity and the recent swing back toward ultra-thin ideals.This conversation isn’t just about design, fabric, or the evolution of swim fashion — it’s about body confidence, chaLet us know if you're liking the show!Join the Menopause Café, a virtual gathering to explore menopause symptoms through the energetic body. Each month we journey through on of the seven chakra exploring how they link to the endocrine system, how to unblock these centres, and how to restore balance and alignment. Begins April 12, continuing first Sunday each month, thereafter. Reg Hen's Den YogaA serene and cozy home studio nestled in the Comox Valley offering a variety of wellness classes. Support the showMeet the host, Mary, a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting women - peri to post.Mary is also a corporate educator, helping forward-thinking organizations foster a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies and accommodations for employees. Click to learn more https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatworkTurn your menopause transition into a transformation with the Menopause Intelligence Course (MQ), an 8-module, self-paced learning experience, empowering you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team. Connect: Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcastLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maryhelenlee/Enjoy the show? Leave a comment on SpotifyDisclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.