Grown Up Girl Talk

Why Self-Connection Matters Most in Perimenopause

This episode is a little different. 💛 I recently joined Ann Marie McQueen on her podcast, Hotflash Inc, and the conversation was too good not to share here. We talked deeply about women's health, burnout, the broken healthcare system, and what it really means to take radical responsibility for your own body, especially in midlife. Highlights: ✨ I share how my Woman Up event united over 100 women seeking health and happiness. ✨ Why "normal" bloodwork isn't always optimal, and how the medical system continues to fail women. ✨ How midlife hormones lower our tolerance for stress and change the way we recover. ✨ My own burnout and "dark night of the soul", and how I turned it into a healing experience. ✨ Why perimenopause can sound like "I don't feel like myself" and what that really means. ✨ The danger of assuming every symptom is perimenopause, and what to test instead. ✨ Iron, B12, and protein deficiencies: the hidden causes behind fatigue and low mood. ✨ Why collaboration between medical and naturopathic doctors is the future of women's health. If you've ever felt dismissed, overlooked, or "not quite yourself," this conversation will remind you that your body isn't broken - it's just asking you to listen. This episode is both a reflection and a rallying cry for women everywhere to woman up, speak up, and take charge of their own wellbeing. Originally aired on Hotflash Inc with Ann Marie McQueen... shared here with love. Get on the waitlist for Woman Up 2026 Join us as we continue to gather women in powerful, transformative spaces. https://womanupuxbridge.com/2026

Owning Your Worth, Inside and Out with Jamie Gallacher of refine Facial + Brow Studio

This episode is a raw, funny, and inspiring conversation about what it really takes for women to reclaim their sense of self — in their health, their beauty, and their everyday choices. Jamie, an in-demand esthetician and unapologetic truth-teller, shares her personal journey from burnout and self-neglect to strength, confidence, and deep authenticity. We unpack why so many women feel guilty about investing in themselves, how judgment often reflects our own unfulfilled needs, and why aging is a privilege — not something to fight against. You'll hear the moment a blunt physio changed the course of Jamie's health, how she built the discipline that transformed her body and mind, and why she believes every woman can (and must) make time for what matters most. What You'll Learn in This Episode: - Why self-care guilt runs so deep — and how to dismantle it. - The hidden mental load of "who do I have to be today?" - How to spot when judgment is really about you. - Jamie's empowering take on beauty, aging, and authenticity. - The real story behind her year-long health and fitness transformation. - Practical mindset shifts to help you prioritize your well-being without apology. Why Listen: If you've ever felt torn between showing up for everyone else and taking care of yourself, this conversation will feel like a permission slip you didn't know you needed. Jamie's candor, humor, and hard-earned wisdom will leave you inspired to drop the guilt, own your choices, and unapologetically do what makes you feel your best — inside and out. Resources & Links 1. WOMAN UP tickets & details: womanupuxbridge.com 2. Follow Jamie: https://www.instagram.com/jamie.your.aesthetician 3. Follow Leigha: www.instagram.com/drleighasaundersnd

Everything Is Figureoutable: Dallas James on Divorce, Boundaries & Becoming Yourself at 50

When life sideswipes your plans, what do you do next? Realtor, designer, former pro singer, and mom of three Dallas James shares the raw middle of separation, learning boundaries, feeling grief in real time, and finding her way back to joy at 50. We talk about the power of community, why "everything is figureoutable," the mind–body link (hello, cry-dancing), and how to stop outsourcing your decisions so you can trust yourself again. We also invite you to WOMAN UP — Sunday, October 26, 2025 at the Uxbridge Music Hall (Uxbridge, ON). Expect courage, connection, music (Dallas may sing 👀), and the kind of sisterhood that makes change feel possible. You'll hear: 1. "Borrow my belief until you have your own" — using community to cross hard seasons 2. Boundaries 101 (and the 'boxes of grief' visual you won't forget) 3. Grief as body work: dance, tears, breath, and why feeling it moves it 4. "Choose your hard" — staying vs. going, and modeling truth for your kids 5. Small daily choices that rebuild self-trust (coffee/tea, eggs/yogurt—and why it matters) Resources & Links 1. WOMAN UP tickets & details: womanupuxbridge.com 2. Follow Dallas: www.instagram.com/athomewithdallas 3. Follow Leigha: www.instagram.com/drleighasaundersnd

Eating for the Magic of Midlife (with Jenn, The Menopause Nutritionist)

What if the way you ate in midlife wasn't about fear of weight gain, but about fueling yourself for energy, strength, and joy? In this powerful conversation with Jenn, Registered Dietitian, Naturopathic Doctor, intuitive eating coach, and host of The Midlife Feast podcast, we bust through fear-based nutrition narratives and explore how women can reclaim their relationship with food during perimenopause and menopause. Jenn shares her own journey from disordered eating and orthorexia to embracing gentle nutrition and intuitive eating — and how these approaches can transform not just your plate, but your life. We talk about protein (and how much you actually need), why "normal eating" beats perfection, and the very real body composition changes that happen in midlife. You'll learn: ✨ Why intuitive eating isn't about "throwing nutrition out the window" — it's about eating with curiosity, compassion, and consistency. ✨ How perimenopause changes muscle, fat distribution, and appetite — and what that means for how you fuel yourself. ✨ The capsule wardrobe approach to meal planning that takes the mental load out of "what's for dinner?" ✨ How to make protein easy (without turning it into a full-time job). ✨ Why satisfaction is the missing piece in so many women's eating patterns — and how to bring joy back to your meals. ✨ How to think beyond the scale and start eating for your future self (the 70-year-old you who still feels vibrant). Plus, Jenn gives us a dare to reflect on: How would you eat if you knew there was so much to look forward to instead of fearing what's to come? Whether you're navigating hot flashes, mood swings, midlife weight changes, or just want to feel more in tune with your body, this episode will leave you feeling grounded, inspired, and ready to Woman Up. Resources & Links: * Connect with Jenn on Instagram: @menopause.nutritionist [https://www.instagram.com/menopause.nutritionist] * Pre-order Jenn's new book, Eat to Thrive During Menopause (out Oct 21) * Learn more about the Woman Up event (Oct 26) and join us in person Jenn is joining us at Woman UP! Get your ticket here and experience her magic, in person! www.womanupuxbridge.com

How To Just Do the Damn Thing with Rachel Molenda AKA DJ RAE

What would happen if you stopped waiting for the "perfect" moment and just… did the damn thing? In this energizing conversation, I sit down with Rachel Molenda — mindset coach, motivational speaker, DJ, and founder of Reunion, the alcohol-free women's dance party designed to help you remember who you are. Rachel shares her winding journey from holistic nutritionist to intuitive eating coach to mindset mentor and now DJ — and how every pivot was fueled by one thing: listening to her intuition and acting on it, even when it was terrifying. We talk about the courage it takes to walk away from "perfectly fine" jobs and relationships, how to rebuild self-trust, and why following your aliveness always leads somewhere better. Rachel opens up about her own cycle health journey, how she plans her events around her menstrual phases, and why she believes menstrual health is mental health. You'll learn: - Why perfection is the enemy of progress (and how to reframe worst-case scenarios). - The truth about pivots: why you don't need to be "special" to start over. - How to rebuild your connection with intuition when you've been ignoring it. - The most powerful, life-changing moments she's witnessed on the dance floor. Rachel is DJ'ing at WOMAN UP! Grab your spot at www.womanupuxbridge.com and join us. Resources & Links: - Follow Rachel on Instagram: @rachelmelenda - Follow Reunion Dance Party on Instagram: @reuniondanceparty - Learn more: thereuniondanceparty.com - Join us at Woman Up (Oct 26, Uxbridge, ON) www.womanupuxbridge.com