Sage Women

Menopause and Chronic Pain with Stacey Roberts: Pelvic Floor, Hormones & Root Causes

Menopause and chronic pain are more connected than many women realize. In this episode, Stacey Roberts — holistic RN, physiotherapist, and functional medicine specialist — explains how hormones, pelvic floor dysfunction, inflammation, stress, and gut health can all contribute to pain in midlife. We discuss why declining estrogen during perimenopause and menopause can increase pain sensitivity, why pelvic floor issues are often overlooked, and why addressing the root cause matters more than simply masking symptoms with medication. If you’re dealing with joint pain, muscle pain, pelvic symptoms, stiffness, inflammation, or unexplained changes in your body during menopause, this episode offers a more holistic and empowering perspective. Stacey Roberts is the author of the #1 best-selling book, The Pain Free Formula: Solving The Puzzle of Muscle and Joint Pain Without Surgery, Drugs, or Injections [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-pain-free-formula-stacey-roberts/1147270708&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1776143703630430&usg=AOvVaw3E7fllS4mixIpKNz4Bb3Yb] and the host of the #1 podcast on chronic pain, The Pain Free Formula [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-pain-free-formula/id1802518411&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1776143703630430&usg=AOvVaw1gTtxSWTXY6cxEWVgNnuct]. Discover more at https://newyouhealthandwellness.com [https://newyouhealthandwellness.com]

The Best Exercise for Menopause: Strength, Bone Health and Midlife Prevention with Clio Austin

In this episode, Melanie speaks with exercise physiologist Clio Austin about why exercise is essential during menopause, perimenopause and postmenopause. They explore how declining estrogen affects muscle mass, bone density, body composition and weight. Clio also shares practical strategies to help women build strength, improve health and prevent frailty in midlife - whether they’re already exercising or just getting started. https://www.linkedin.com/in/clio-austin-891a1719b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/clio-austin-891a1719b/] https://www.instagram.com/menopause_exercisephys/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/menopause_exercisephys/?hl=en] https://www.clioaustin.com.au/ [https://www.clioaustin.com.au/]

Why Women Are So Burnt Out - How to Reset Your Nervous System (Dr Julie Merriman)

Why chronic stress leaves so many midlife women burnt out and how nervous system regulation can restore energy, boundaries and intimacy. In this episode of Sage Women, therapist and professor Dr Julie Merriman explains why so many women experience burnout, chronic stress, and disconnection from their bodies. We explore how nervous system dysregulation affects women’s health, relationships, and intimacy, especially during midlife. Dr Merriman shares practical tools including grounding exercises, body awareness and breathing techniques to help regulate the nervous system and restore balance. Connect with Julie: Julie Merriman - Freebie: Reignite Your Desire & Fire https://colossal-speaker-6707.kit.com/62dfb355a6, www.juliemerrimanphd.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-julie-merriman-wellness-llc-b9a332155/

Menopause, Midlife & Story Intelligence: Using Authentic Storytelling to Build Career Confidence

In this episode, Melanie sits down with business storytelling expert Gabrielle Dolan to explore how midlife women - especially those navigating menopause, perimenopause, hormonal shifts, and confidence challenges like brain fog or self-doubt - can stop overpreparing and self-editing and start leading with their authentic voice. In a world saturated with AI-generated content, Gabrielle explains why personal storytelling is a leadership superpower. She shares her four types of stories and practical tools to build credibility in meetings, job interviews, and everyday leadership, while using AI as a creative support without losing your unique voice. Connect with Gabrielle: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielledolan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielledolan/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gabrielledolan.1/ [https://www.instagram.com/gabrielledolan.1/] Universal Podcast Link - https://podfollow.com/keeping-it-real-with-jac-and-ral [https://podfollow.com/keeping-it-real-with-jac-and-ral] Free storytelling starter kit - https://gabrielledolan.com/starterkit/ [https://gabrielledolan.com/starterkit/] Books - https://gabrielledolan.com/books/ [https://gabrielledolan.com/books/] Website - https://gabrielledolan.com/ [https://gabrielledolan.com/]

Navigating Midlife: Nutrition, Menopause, and the Power of Protein

Today, Melanie and registered dietitian and coach Amanda Mannes explore midlife nutrition challenges and how women's dietary needs evolve during this pivotal life stage. They discuss the impact of stress and sleep on overall health, with Amanda sharing a candid account of weight gain during a stressful period - even while eating clean - to remind us that non-food factors can influence the scale. The conversation dives into practical nutrition, including protein needs for midlife women (Amanda suggests about 1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight) and easy swaps like high-protein yogurt, pairing carbohydrates with protein to stabilise blood sugar and curb cravings, and a quick look at cholesterol management with plant sterols. They also highlight a crucial strategy: making one effective dietary change at a time to build sustainable, lasting habits. Connect with Amanda here: https://www.amandamannes.com.au/ [https://www.amandamannes.com.au/] Learn more about protein intake in midlife & menopause here: https://www.sagewomenshealth.com/menopause/weight-gain-loss/prioritising-protein-drop-size-menopause [https://www.sagewomenshealth.com/menopause/weight-gain-loss/prioritising-protein-drop-size-menopause] Learn more about cholesterol management here: https://www.sagewomenshealth.com/menopause/cholesterol-and-menopause [https://www.sagewomenshealth.com/menopause/cholesterol-and-menopause]