S4, Ep1: Why Trying Harder Is Making Everything Worse

S4, Ep1: Why Trying Harder Is Making Everything Worse

She was training six days a week. Eating less than ever. Tracking everything. And feeling worse than she had in years. Weight going on around her middle despite a calorie deficit. Exhausted but unable to sleep. Snapping at her kids. Convinced she'd lost her discipline. She hadn't lost her discipline. She'd been applying the wrong approach to a body that had quietly changed — and nobody had told her. In the first episode of Season 4, Nikki introduces Sarah, 44 — a composite case study based on the patterns she sees most consistently in her coaching practice. This episode covers the real reason the scales stop moving, why eating less makesthings worse during perimenopause, and the specific shifts that changed everything for Sarah. Perimenopause isn't the problem. The approach is. What we cover in this episode      - Why women who have always been disciplined andconsistent suddenly find nothing is working    - The real reason calorie restriction stops producingresults during perimenopause — and makes things actively worse - What chronically elevated cortisol does to fat storagespecifically around the middle     - Why the fitness industry's standard advice was neverdesigned for a perimenopausal body  - The protein-first approach and why it changeseverything - Why training less, done properly, produces betterresults than training more   - The identity shift that sits underneath the physicalsymptoms — and why it matters   Links mentioned in this episode Buy the book — Perimenopause: The No-BS Guide toHormones, Health and Taking Back Control: https://amzn.eu/d/0grHTlKA [https://amzn.eu/d/0grHTlKA] Work with Nikki — The Perimenopause Audit (£127) andthe full coaching programme (£597): www.nikkioliveira.com/work-with-me [https://www.nikkioliveira.com/home] Join the RISE Community — free:www.community.nikkioliveira.com [www.community.nikkioliveira.com]      Nikki on Instagram: @nikki.oliveira_ [https://instagram.com/nikki.oliveira_] Nikki on Facebook: @mc.nikkioliveira [https://www.facebook.com/mc.nikkioliveira] Nikki on Tiktok: @menopause.coaching [https://www.tiktok.com/@menopause.coaching] Enjoyed this episode? If it resonated, the most helpful thing you can do is share it with one woman who needs to hear it — and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Reviews help other women find the show. Even two sentences makes a difference.

S3 Ep8 - Best Exercise for 2026

If this episode helped clarify a confusing topic or supported you in making more informed decisions, please leave a review, share it with a friend, or tag me on Instagram. Your support helps these conversations reach more women who need clear, evidence-based information.Limited spaces for 1:1 online coaching now available, please message me to find out more. You can follow my work and reach me over on the following platforms: Email: menopausecoaching@outlook.com Instagram:@menopause.coaching Facebook Page:@nikkimenopausecoach Site:https://pensight.com/x/menopausecoaching

S3 Ep7 - GLP-1 Medications & Menopause

Episode Overview In this informative and balanced episode, I’m joined by a pharmacist and prescriber of GLP-1 medications, Sehar Shahid to unpack one of the most talked-about topics in midlife health right now — GLP-1 use during perimenopause and menopause. With weight gain, appetite changes, insulin resistance, and metabolic shifts becoming more common during this stage of life, many women are turning to GLP-1 medications for support. In this conversation, we move beyond headlines and social media hype to explore how these medications actually work, who they may be appropriate for, and how they can be used safely and responsibly alongside lifestyle and hormonal considerations. This episode is grounded in clinical experience and honest discussion, helping women feel informed rather than pressured, and empowered rather than confused. * What GLP-1 medications are and how they work in the body * Why GLP-1 use has increased among perimenopausal and menopausal women * How menopause affects metabolism, appetite, and weight regulation * Who may be an appropriate candidate for GLP-1 medication * Common side effects and menopause-specific considerations * Concerns around muscle loss, under-eating, and long-term metabolic health * How to protect muscle through adequate protein and resistance training * The relationship between GLP-1s, hormones, and HRT * The importance of lifestyle support alongside medication * Myths and misconceptions about GLP-1 use circulating online * Key questions women should ask before starting GLP-1 medication Sehar Shahid is a qualified pharmacist who prescribes GLP-1 medications and works closely with patients to ensure safe, informed, and personalised care. She brings a clinical perspective to a topic that is often oversimplified or sensationalised, helping women understand both the potential benefits and the responsibilities that come with using these medications. Her approach centres on education, realistic expectations, and long-term health — not quick fixes. Connect with Sehar: Instagram: @seharthepharmacist @24hrpharmacy.co.uk Website: www.24hrpharmacy.co.uk Disclaimer This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. GLP-1 medications are prescription-only and are not suitable for everyone. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, including GLP-1s or hormone therapy. Individual needs, medical history, and risk factors should always be considered. Enjoying Menopause Unplugged? If this episode helped clarify a confusing topic or supported you in making more informed decisions, please leave a review, share it with a friend, or tag me on Instagram. Your support helps these conversations reach more women who need clear, evidence-based information.Limited spaces for 1:1 online coaching now available, please message me to find out more. You can follow my work and reach me over on the following platforms: Email: menopausecoaching@outlook.com Instagram:@menopause.coaching Facebook Page:@nikkimenopausecoach Tiktok:@menopausecoaching Site:https://pensight.com/x/menopausecoaching

S3 Ep6 - Flourishing Through Menopause with Deborah

Episode Overview In this deeply inspiring and heart-led episode, I’m joined by my friend and menopause support coach Deborah, founder of Flourish with Deborah. Deborah shares her powerful personal journey of experiencing a complete hysterectomy at just 36, being thrust suddenly into menopause with little to no support, and how that life-altering experience became the catalyst for the work she does today. This conversation goes beyond symptoms and prescriptions. Together, we explore menopause as a transformational chapter, one that invites women to reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and reclaim their sense of self. Deborah openly shares how she moved from simply surviving surgical menopause to truly owning it — and how that shift now supports the women she works with. We dive into the role of sound energy healing, cold-water therapy, mindset, and body-based practices, and how these modalities can help women manage anxiety, emotional overwhelm, low confidence, and disconnection during menopause. This episode is grounding, empowering, and a reminder that menopause can be a time of deep healing, strength, and self-discovery. In This Episode We Discuss: • Deborah’s experience of a complete hysterectomy at 36 and sudden surgical menopause • The emotional and physical impact of entering menopause without support • How menopause can be a powerful personal transformation, not just a list of symptoms • The moment Deborah realised she wanted to help other women through this transition • Gaps in traditional menopause support and why holistic care matters • How sound energy healing supports the nervous system during menopause • What sound healing actually does for the body and mind • The benefits women experience from energy work and embodied practices • Cold-water therapy: why it works and how it supports emotional regulation • How cold exposure can help with anxiety, overwhelm, and confidence • Simple grounding rituals every woman can try • What working with Deborah looks like and who her work is best suited for About My Guest – Deborah, Founder of Flourish with Deborah Deborah is a menopause support coach and holistic practitioner who helps women navigate menopause through a deeply embodied, compassionate approach. After being pushed into surgical menopause at 36, Deborah experienced first-hand the lack of education, emotional support, and holistic care available to women. Through Flourish with Deborah, she now supports women using a blend of sound energy healing, mindset coaching, cold-water therapy, and body-focused practices, helping them move from disconnection and overwhelm to confidence, regulation, and empowerment. Her work is rooted in lived experience, nervous system awareness, and the belief that menopause can be a time of growth, healing, and flourishing. Instagram: @flourish_with_deborah Enjoying Menopause Unplugged? If this episode resonated with you, helped you feel less alone, or shifted how you view menopause, please leave a review, share it with a friend, or tag me on Instagram. Your support helps these conversations reach the women who need them most. Limited spaces for 1:1 online coaching now available, please message me to find out more. You can follow my work and reach me over on the following platforms: Email: menopausecoaching@outlook.com Instagram:@menopause.coaching Facebook Page:@nikkimenopausecoach Tiktok:@menopausecoaching Site:https://pensight.com/x/menopausecoaching Disclaimer This episode is for educational and inspirational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Sound healing, cold-water therapy, and mindset practices are complementary approaches and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting new therapies, especially if you have underlying health conditions or concerns related to menopause or surgical menopause.

S3 Ep5 - Endometriosis and Menopause

In this deeply important and eye-opening conversation, we dive into the reality of endometriosis and menopause, two experiences that are often misunderstood on their own — and even more so when they overlap. My guest Evelyn shares her powerful personal story of living with endometriosis, being told that a hysterectomy would “fix” her symptoms, and then discovering that not only did the pain continue, but she also had to face the sudden onset of menopausal symptoms she was never prepared for. Together, we explore what endometriosis actually is, why it is so commonly dismissed, how it affects the entire body, and what happens when menopause enters the picture. This episode brings clarity, compassion, and practical support to anyone navigating endo, surgical menopause, or both. If you’ve ever felt brushed aside, confused about your symptoms, or unsure where to turn next, this episode offers validation — and hope. In This Episode We Discuss • What endometriosis really is and why diagnosis takes so long • The physical, emotional, and day-to-day impact endo has on women • Why hysterectomies don’t cure endometriosis and why so many women aren’t told this • How endometriosis symptoms can continue or worsen after surgery • The layered challenge of facing both endo symptoms and sudden menopause symptoms • The reality of surgical menopause and what women are rarely prepared for • Practical tools and management strategies that can help with pain, fatigue, and hormonal changes • The emotional toll of long-term pain, dismissal, and navigating the healthcare system • What women should be asking when discussing treatment options with their doctors About My Guest Today’s guest Evelyn Scott is an author and women’s health advocate. She brings raw honesty and lived experience to a topic that desperately needs more awareness. Her story represents so many women who were promised relief through surgery but instead found themselves battling ongoing pain, confusion, and an abrupt transition into menopause. Through sharing her journey, she helps other women feel seen, validated, and empowered to advocate for the care and support they deserve. Connect with Evelyn: Instagram: @evelynscott1987 Site: https://linktr.ee/evelyn_scott Enjoying Menopause Unplugged? If this episode resonated with you or helped you feel understood, please leave a review, share it with a friend, or tag me on Instagram — your support helps this conversation reach more women who need it. Limited spaces for 1:1 online coaching now available, please message me to find out more. You can follow my work and reach me over on the following platforms: Email: menopausecoaching@outlook.com Instagram:@menopause.coaching Facebook Page:@nikkimenopausecoach Tiktok:@menopausecoaching Site:https://pensight.com/x/menopausecoaching Disclaimer This episode is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Endometriosis, hysterectomy decisions, and menopause management are complex and individual. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about diagnosis, treatment, or surgery. If you are struggling with symptoms, persistent pain, or concerns around surgical menopause, please speak with your GP or a specialist in endometriosis care.