Women's Health Unwrapped

While we're on a pause

This is a short episode to guide you while Women’s Health Unwrapped is on a pause from new full-length releases. There are 173 episodes in the back catalogue covering perimenopause, menopause, midlife health, energy, sleep, stress, hormones, strength, nutrition, and sustainable habits you can actually implement. If you’re not sure where to start, here are three simple ways to get support: 1. Explore the podcast back catalogue: lifenow.uk/podcast [https://lifenow.uk/podcast] 2. Read the blog library: lifenow.uk/blog [https://lifenow.uk/blog] 3. Take the Midlife Reset Quiz: lifenow.uk [https://lifenow.uk] Thank you for listening, and for being part of this community. Keep exploring the back catalogue, share your favourite episodes with the women in your world, and if you ever want to message me and tell me what’s helped you most – I’d genuinely love to hear. 🌎 Visit our ⁠website⁠ [http://www.lifenow.uk] 📸 Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lifenow_coaching/] 💼 Connect on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/nicolafarndell14/] 🎙 Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women create their own healthy habits and thrive through every season of life - including menopause!

#173: International Women’s Day, Recalibration, and Why I’m Pressing Pause

This is a special episode. It’s going out just ahead of International Women’s Day, and it’s also my last episode for a while. Not because I’m “done”. Not because I’m disappearing. But because I’m practising what I coach: listening to myself, telling the truth about my capacity, and making decisions from self-respect instead of self-pressure. If you’ve been pushing through, holding it together, doing what you need to do… while quietly running on fumes, this episode is for you. Because most women already know what they should do to feel better. But knowing hasn’t changed anything. This conversation is a pause with purpose. It’s about burnout (the quiet kind), leadership (the honest kind), and why recalibration is not failure — it’s wisdom. It’s what sustainable success looks like in real life. In this episode we’re unwrapping: * Why International Women’s Day matters as a moment of reflection, not just celebration. * The cost of treating women’s health like an “extra” instead of the foundation. * What burnout can look like when you’re still functioning, but you’re not okay. * Why the online space can pull you into pressure, noise and quick fixes — and what it means to step away with integrity. * What recalibration really is (and why it doesn’t mean you’ve failed). * The difference between “pausing” and “stopping” — and why this break is strategic. * The questions I’m using to guide my next chapter as I head towards turning 50. * How to make your next decision from self-respect, not self-pressure. If you'd like to use the journalling prompts I share in the episode, I've included them in a blog to accompany the episode. Check it out here. [https://lifenow.uk/blog/international-womens-day-reflection-to-prioritise-your-health] Thank you for listening, watching, sharing, and being part of this community. If you’ve loved the podcast, I’d genuinely love to hear from you: What’s helped you most? What episodes have stayed with you? What would you love more of when the podcast returns? And if you’re listening and thinking, “This is a conversation our workplace needs,” message me. I’d love to explore what’s possible. About Life Now Coaching with Nicola: We unwrap what healthy living really means, helping you cut through the confusion and overwhelm to build sustainable, healthy habits that actually fit your life. We’re here to strip back the noise and show you why prioritising your health is the key to the happy, vibrant life you’re striving for. We specialise in supporting women in midlife to take control of their wellbeing and menopause journey using our RESET plan focused on: Mindset, Movement, Nutrition, Sleep, and Stress. Because when you feel strong, capable, and in control, everything changes. Explore Our Free Resources & Support: 👉 Take the free Midlife Reset Quiz and find out what’s holding you back — and the first step to feeling like yourself again: https://nicola-w4qugfu9.scoreapp.com [https://nicola-w4qugfu9.scoreapp.com] 🌎 Visit our ⁠website⁠ [http://www.lifenow.uk] 📸 Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lifenow_coaching/] 💼 Connect on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/nicolafarndell14/] 🎥 Watch podcast episodes on ⁠YouTube⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrsvC2d1hJHrk3vTwvkKQ2g] 📖 Full episode notes available on our website ⁠here⁠ [https://lifenow.uk/podcast] 🎙 Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women create their own healthy habits and thrive through every season of life - including menopause!

#172: A grounded spiritual approach to menopause and self-worth

You can be the woman who holds everything together… and still feel quietly disconnected from yourself. Maybe you’re functioning. You’re doing what needs doing. You’re showing up. But somewhere underneath the productivity and responsibility, there’s a sense that you’ve drifted. In this episode I’m joined by Anne-Louise Harbutt — intuitive spiritual channel and author of Insights from the Soul — to explore spirituality in a grounded, practical way. Not as something “woo”. Not as an escape from real life. As a way to reconnect with your own inner voice when midlife feels noisy, emotional, foggy, or out of your control. Together we talk about the moment many women reach in perimenopause and beyond — when you finally ask yourself, What do I really want? — and why that question can bring up more emotion than you expect. You’ll also hear Anne-Louise share her own experience of menopause exhaustion, and the tools that helped her stay anchored while she moved through it. If you’ve been craving calm, clarity, and a sense of coming back to you, this conversation will meet you there. In this episode we’re unwrapping: * Why so many women feel disconnected even when life looks “fine” on the outside. * The difference between spirituality and stereotypes (and how to make it practical). * How the word “should” quietly reveals where you’re abandoning yourself. * What happens emotionally when you finally ask: What do I really want?. * Why slowing down can feel scary when you’ve lived in push mode for years. * Anne-Louise’s experience of menopause exhaustion, and what helped her through the darkest stretch. * How to work with your inner voice when it’s harsh, critical, and never satisfied. * Simple ways to rebuild self-trust: focus, feelings, intuition, and tiny daily resets. About Anne-Louise Harbutt: Anne-Louise Harbutt is an intuitive spiritual channel and the author of Insights from the Soul. She supports women who are tired of holding it all together — feeling responsible for everyone and everything — to reconnect with their intuition, reclaim their spark, and cultivate the calm, magnetic life they know is meant for them. Her work centres on activating what she calls bold elegance, helping women unlock their feminine magnetism in a way that feels grounded and real. Anne-Louise has a natural intuitive ability to access guidance beyond everyday consciousness, connecting clients with their higher self, future self, and soul-led direction. Connect with Anne-Louise: Website [https://annelouiseharbutt.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/annelouiseharbutt/ https://www.instagram.com/iamannelouiseharbutt/ About Life Now Coaching with Nicola: We unwrap what healthy living really means, helping you cut through the confusion and overwhelm to build sustainable, healthy habits that actually fit your life. We’re here to strip back the noise and show you why prioritising your health is the key to the happy, vibrant life you’re striving for. We specialise in supporting women in midlife to take control of their wellbeing and menopause journey using our RESET plan focused on: Mindset, Movement, Nutrition, Sleep, and Stress. Because when you feel strong, capable, and in control, everything changes. Explore Our Free Resources & Support: 👉 Take the free Midlife Reset Quiz and find out what’s holding you back — and the first step to feeling like yourself again: https://nicola-w4qugfu9.scoreapp.com [https://nicola-w4qugfu9.scoreapp.com] 🌎 Visit our ⁠website⁠ [http://www.lifenow.uk] 📸 Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lifenow_coaching/] 💼 Connect on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/nicolafarndell14/] 🎥 Watch podcast episodes on ⁠YouTube⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrsvC2d1hJHrk3vTwvkKQ2g] 📖 Full episode notes available on our website ⁠here⁠ [https://lifenow.uk/podcast] 🎙 Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women create their own healthy habits and thrive through every season of life - including menopause!

#171: Your mental diet in midlife: How self-talk shapes menopause health

That voice in your head is not harmless — it’s shaping how you feel in midlife. Do you ever catch yourself scrolling at night because it’s the only time that feels like yours… then waking up tired, wired, and already behind? In this episode, I’m joined by transformational coach and subconscious mindset expert Tina LeAnn, host of The Sovereign Soul Podcast, to explore how your inner world affects your outer reality in perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. Most women already know they “should” be kinder to themselves, sleep more, and spend less time on their phones. But knowing hasn’t translated into change — because the real driver is what’s happening under the surface: your nervous system state, your subconscious patterns, and the words you repeat internally every day. This conversation will help you spot what’s shaping you, and give you simple ways to interrupt it without forcing fake positivity or adding another rule to your life. In this episode we’re unwrapping: * Why your self-talk is not “just thoughts” — it becomes identity, stress, and behaviour over time. * How screen time and anxiety quietly feed each other, especially when you’re already depleted. * Why bedtime scrolling often isn’t lack of discipline — it’s your nervous system reaching for relief. * A simple 24-hour screen reset to help you feel the difference between dysregulation and calm. * What actually makes a pattern interrupt stick (and why awareness alone isn’t enough). * How Tina improved her sleep by preparing for it long before bedtime — and what a realistic menopause sleep routine can look like. * Why affirmations can backfire when your body doesn’t believe them yet. * How to rewrite harsh inner narratives into supportive statements that feel believable and implementable. * A calmer way to approach midlife changes: experimentation over catastrophising, and small steps over all-or-nothing. About Tina LeAnn: Tina LeAnn is founder of The Sovereign Soul, NLP Master Practitioner & Trainer, Human Design & Gene Keys expert, transformational coach, and host of The Sovereign Soul Podcast. Tina’s work sits at the intersection of deep energetics and practical structure.  Her approach blends NLP and MER® emotional release techniques with Human Design and Gene Keys to release subconscious imprints and emotional residue without asking clients to re-traumatize or rehash the past. She’s known for helping women rebuild unshakable self-trust, shift identity at the root, and translate clarity into action across relationships, money, and purpose. A Salt Lake City transplant and lifelong seeker, Tina brings real-world grit and lived experience to every room she leads. Connect with Tina: Website [https://thesovereignsoul.co/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/iamtinaleann] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iamtinaleann] Get Tina's Free PDF: Which Spiral Are You In? A Nervous-System-Safe Diagnostic for Identity Shifts [https://www.theninespirals.com] About Life Now Coaching with Nicola: We unwrap what healthy living really means, helping you cut through the confusion and overwhelm to build sustainable, healthy habits that actually fit your life. We’re here to strip back the noise and show you why prioritising your health is the key to the happy, vibrant life you’re striving for. We specialise in supporting women in midlife to take control of their wellbeing and menopause journey using our RESET plan focused on: Mindset, Movement, Nutrition, Sleep, and Stress. Because when you feel strong, capable, and in control, everything changes. Explore Our Free Resources & Support: 👉 Take the free Midlife Reset Quiz and find out what’s holding you back — and the first step to feeling like yourself again: https://nicola-w4qugfu9.scoreapp.com [https://nicola-w4qugfu9.scoreapp.com] 🌎 Visit our ⁠website⁠ [http://www.lifenow.uk] 📸 Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lifenow_coaching/] 💼 Connect on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/nicolafarndell14/] 🎥 Watch podcast episodes on ⁠YouTube⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrsvC2d1hJHrk3vTwvkKQ2g] 📖 Full episode notes available on our website ⁠here⁠ [https://lifenow.uk/podcast] 🎙 Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women create their own healthy habits and thrive through every season of life - including menopause!

#170: Is it ageing or alignment? How posture affects energy, brain fog and confidence in midlife

That neck ache that never quite goes away. The shoulder tension that creeps in by mid-afternoon. The back pain that flares up if you sit too long or walk too far. Most of us assume it is “just ageing”. In this episode I’m joined by chiropractor and posture specialist Dr Brett Hill to explore a different lens: what if the issue is not ageing, but alignment? We talk about why posture is not simply “sit up straight” or “pull your shoulders back”. Brett explains posture as a nervous system and anti-gravity system — the constant feedback loop between your body and your brain that influences balance, energy, stress response, confidence, and even brain fog (which so many women notice during perimenopause and menopause). Most women already know posture matters. But knowing has not translated into change — because posture is largely unconscious. So we focus on what actually helps: awareness, sensory feedback, and small daily habits that fit real life. If you’re in midlife and noticing more tension, pain, stiffness, or frequent injuries (especially if you sit at a desk, work on a laptop, or spend time on your phone), this episode will help you understand what’s going on — and give you simple implementation steps you can start today. In this episode we’re unwrapping: * What posture really is (and why “sitting up straight” is not the solution). * How posture affects the brain and nervous system — not just the muscles and joints. * Why desk work and phone use can train your body into compensation patterns over time. * The link between posture, stress response, energy, and brain fog in midlife. * Why balance is a powerful indicator of postural strength (and how to practise it safely). * Simple posture resets you can build into your day without adding pressure or time. About Dr Brett Hill: Dr. Brett Hill from YourPostureProgram.com, is a chiropractor, entrepreneur, and speaker who’s changing the way we think about posture, movement, and brain health. He founded Xperience Life Chiropractic and developed YourPostureProgram.com—an online solution that helps people transform their posture and health from anywhere in the world. Dr. Hill empowers individuals to look better and feel better by fixing their posture through practical, simple and effective strategies that fit into everyday life.  Connect with Brett: Website [https://www.yourpostureprogram.com/] Dr Brett Hill’s free posture videos [http://yourpostureprogram.com/videos] About Life Now Coaching with Nicola: We unwrap what healthy living really means, helping you cut through the confusion and overwhelm to build sustainable, healthy habits that actually fit your life. We’re here to strip back the noise and show you why prioritising your health is the key to the happy, vibrant life you’re striving for. We specialise in supporting women in midlife to take control of their wellbeing and menopause journey using our RESET plan focused on: Mindset, Movement, Nutrition, Sleep, and Stress. Because when you feel strong, capable, and in control, everything changes. Explore Our Free Resources & Support: 👉 Take the free Midlife Reset Quiz and find out what’s holding you back — and the first step to feeling like yourself again: https://nicola-w4qugfu9.scoreapp.com [https://nicola-w4qugfu9.scoreapp.com] 🌎 Visit our ⁠website⁠ [http://www.lifenow.uk] 📸 Follow on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lifenow_coaching/] 💼 Connect on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/nicolafarndell14/] 🎥 Watch podcast episodes on ⁠YouTube⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrsvC2d1hJHrk3vTwvkKQ2g] 📖 Full episode notes available on our website ⁠here⁠ [https://lifenow.uk/podcast] 🎙 Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women create their own healthy habits and thrive through every season of life - including menopause!