In this deeply personal episode, I sit down with my mother, Anna, and my daughter, Sophie, to trace the evolving landscape of women’s health through three generations. Anna opens up about her perimenopause journey in an era when such topics were shrouded in silence. Sophie, in contrast, shares her generation’s open dialogue about periods, mental health, and body image, free from the stigma that once weighed heavily.From Anna’s 1970s fitness craze, driven by the pursuit of thinness, to Sophie’s advocacy for menopause awareness and holistic well-being, we uncover how perspectives on health have transformed. Through honest stories and heartfelt reflections, this conversation is a tribute to the women who’ve shaped me, bridging past and present to pave the way for a healthier, more empowered future.Owning Your Menopause is produced by Urban Podcasts.
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35:49
Kelly Swingler's Journey to Finding Balance
Feeling drained, mistaking burnout for menopause, or trapped in relentless stress? In this episode of the Owning Your Menopause podcast, I am joined by Kelly Swingler, burnout expert and founder of The Chrysalis Crew. Kelly shares her raw, powerful story: collapsing in agony from a toxic job, ignoring her body’s cries until her sons pleaded, “Mum, your job’s killing you.” Once an HR leader, she’s now a fierce advocate for human-first workplaces, speaking directly to midlife women balancing work, family, and hormonal shifts.We dive into how burnout and menopause symptoms blur, fuelled by societal expectations and outdated work cultures. Kelly makes it clear: burnout isn’t your fault, it’s systemic, often rooted in misaligned values. She shares practical steps to set boundaries, release impossible standards, and advocate for change.Find out more about Kelly’s work here and connect with her on LinkedIn.Owning Your Menopause is produced by Urban Podcasts.
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51:56
Food as Medicine: Mastering Menopause Nutrition with Dr Linia Patel
Can colourful, whole foods transform your menopause experience? In this episode, Dr. Linia Patel, a dietitian and author of Food for Menopause, shares clear, science-backed advice with her PhD expertise and no-fluff approach.Together, we explore how menopause shifts your body’s needs; gut health, blood sugar, and inflammation, and how to eat well without restrictive diets.Ditching fads, Linia promotes a vibrant diet rich in fibre, offering practical tips on fasting, protein, pre-workout nutrition and breaking free from yo-yo dieting’s emotional strain.Learn more with Dr Linia Patel (PhD), RD, MBDALinia is a leading Dietitian, Sports Nutritionist and public health researcher with extensive experience in several nutrition settings including women’s health, performance nutrition, corporate wellness and public health. She also has a PhD in Public Health. Her passion is translating nutritional science into easy-to-digest and practical advice. She is the author of the bestselling book Food for Menopause. Outside of work Linia is a big foodie and loves to socialise over good (and nutritious!) food.Buy Linia's book.Join Midlife Mastery.Owning Your Menopause is produced by Urban Podcasts.
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37:15
Breaking the Age Barrier with Georgia Zaris
How can we reframe aging and menopause as a vibrant, bold chapter instead of a decline? In this episode, I sit down with Georgia Zaris, a former actress turned speaker and content creator who’s smashing midlife myths. Georgia’s journey—from battling self-doubt in a cutthroat industry to embracing midlife with authenticity—hits hard. Having faced cancer, a hysterectomy, and menopause, she’s living with humour, grit, and a fierce rejection of society’s “fading worth” narrative.We explore the messy beauty of midlife: gender health gaps, the backhanded “you look good for your age,” and why blaming menopause for everything might hold us back. Georgia shares practical tools—drawn from her own struggles and wins. She cuts through the noise, urging us to trust our bodies and the wisdom we’ve earned. This isn’t about surviving midlife; it’s about owning it, unapologetically.Follow Georgia on Instagram.Owning Your Menopause is produced by Urban Podcasts.
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36:54
Redefining Strength in Motherhood and Beyond with Shakira Akabusi
In this episode of Owning Your Menopause, I sit down with Shakira Akabusi—pre and postnatal fitness guru, Mum of four, and founder of Strong Like Mum—who, after twins via caesarean and battling anxiety, is on a mission to empower women through movement, with strength training as her go-to for tougher bones, calmer minds, and owning pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause.We unpack Move the Gap, our collab with Jenny Stout and Shakira’s pull-up-master Mum, smashing the gender health gap with real strength at any age.Shakira keeps it raw: listen to your body, embrace the chaos, and thrive. No fluff—just honest, inspiring talk for anyone juggling life’s wild ride.Learn more about Shakira here.Owning Your Menopause is produced by Urban Podcasts.
I'm Kate Rowe-Ham, menopause fitness coach, author of the bestselling book Owning Your Menopause: Fitter, Calmer, Stronger in 30 Days and founder of the Owning Your Menopause app.
Navigating this life stage can seem daunting and almost impossible for many women, but I want to help you reframe how you see this chapter.
In each episode of Owning Your Menopause, my guests share one thing you can implement to start thriving through menopause and beyond.
I will talk to women like you and me who will share their experiences, good and bad, alongside expert guests who will help you start Owning Your Menopause.
Ireland