Meegan Cares About Midlife
Kia ora, women navigating midlife, menopause, and beyond! I’m Meegan Care, your Midlife Mentor and Psychosynthesis counsellor & coach, and I’m thrilled to welcome you to a podcast dedicated entirely to your transformative journey in this incredible stage of life. Join me as we dive deep into the heart of midlife, unraveling the complexities of menopause, and exploring the uncharted territories beyond. Together, we’ll navigate through self-doubt, bid farewell to people-pleasing, conquer imposter syndrome, and tame those overwhelming feelings. It’s time to celebrate this vibrant second chapter of life, claiming your authentic confidence and courage along the way. Midlife isn’t a time to settle; it’s a time to unleash your purpose, make an impact uniquely your own, all while prioritizing your well-being. So, buckle up for conversations that resonate with the essence of your midlife journey, because here’s to embracing this stage with authenticity, empowerment, and a sprinkle of joy.
Episodes
5 days ago
5 days ago
"Simply telling people to love their bodies without addressing underlying psychological and external influences can be harmful."
A woman's relationship to her body is incredibly complex, our body is appraised, viewed and judged from the day we are born.
So it's no surprise that women find it challenging to cope with the physical changes that come with midlife on a psychological level.
"Midlife, particularly menopause transition, is the second highest at-risk time for women to develop eating disorders."
My guest today is Emma Wright. Emma is a Body Freedom Coach who shares her own journey with disordered eating. She talks about how she overcame this challenge and completely transformed her relationship with her physical body, appearance, and overall wellbeing.
Emma addresses society's influence on women's perception of their bodies, the harm these perceptions cause as well as how these perceptions shift during menopause. She provides practical advice and valuable tools to help women feel comfortable in their bodies, irrespective of their stage in life.
Emphasizing the importance of healthy boundaries and improved inner dialogue, the episode also shatters harmful societal perceptions of ‘brokenness'. The conversation further explores the link between midlife changes and eating disorders, reassuring women that positive change is possible and that well-being goes way beyond physical appearances.
Join this thought-provoking session with Emma Wright, as she shares her journey from battling an eating disorder to embracing body neutrality. From her motherhood-inspired quest to dispel body and food myths, to her strategies for cultivating a healthy body image, Emma's story is a beacon of inspiration for women navigating through similar struggles.
About Emma Wright:
I help women, leaders, and parents find freedom from intrusive thoughts about their bodies. I also seek to make the world kinder, safer, more inclusive and accessible to all bodies, not just the ones that look like mine.
Find out more about Emma here: https://www.emmawright.co.nz
https://www.facebook.com/TalkingWithEmma
https://www.instagram.com/talkingwithemma/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/raisingbodyconfidentkids/
Follow Meegan on Instagram here
Join the waitlist for The Midlife Upgrade Course:https://meegancare.co.nz/course/
Please note: Nothing within this podcast constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider.
Wednesday May 08, 2024
Wednesday May 08, 2024
The Untold Power of Menopause and Reinvention
In midlife, we often feel disempowered due to various factors such as symptoms of perimenopause, changing roles, and the burden of doing so much for others. Feeling lost during this phase is a common experience.
However, this is actually the MOST empowered time of your life to redefine who you are and how you show up in the world. And we will dive into how to go about it today on the podcast.
Let's challenge societal norms surrounding midlife and unveil the empowering process of self-discovery. This shift involves a transition from societal conditioning of appearance and value to a profound self-appreciation of our unique attributes and individual presentation to the world.
We explore the societal pressures that persist but also highlight the genuine change that starts WITHIN, impacting not just personal development but societal perceptions as well.
Midlife often comes with feelings of invisibility and diminished worth. Instead of succumbing to these cultural pressures, we're going to explore and redefine your value system from an external to an internal locus. Through this shift, we begin to center our value on who we genuinely are and what we uniquely offer the world.
And we venture into the upgraded opportunities available to us during this stage of life. Hormonal changes not only contribute to significant physiological transformations but also set the stage for accelerated personal development. Midlife is not the winding down phase it is often perceived to be; instead, it's a powerful launch pad for a life of meaningful change and growth.
Challenge societal expectations, embrace your wisdom, and liberate your genuine self because midlife is just the beginning of your most empowering journey yet!
Follow Meegan on Instagram here
Join the waitlist for The Midlife Upgrade Course:https://meegancare.co.nz/course/
Please note: Nothing within this podcast constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider.
Wednesday May 01, 2024
The Midlife Awakening: Embracing Your True Self and Letting Go of Stagnation
Wednesday May 01, 2024
Wednesday May 01, 2024
In this episode, we look at the physiological changes that women undergo during perimenopause and early menopause and how these shifts can be a catalyst for a big awakening.
Discover how discomfort can lead to growth, and how by embracing new behaviour and activities, you create a bigger life and prevent contraction and stagnation as you age. Tap into the power of the midlife shift, and start recreating yourself. Remember the thrilling question of adolescence - 'Who will I be in the world?' – and revive that quest in midlife. Replace your self-imposed labels, and commit to finding out what truly matters to you. Our task is to reevaluate and reshape our self-identity at this time, liberating ourselves from societal conditioning and labels.
Merge with the ever-evolving journey at midlife, understand the beauty of the 'undone-ness' of life, and discover your authentic, joyful, and passionate self. Explore the notion of death and rebirth within relationships, redefine your roles in life, and dare to step into the 'slipstream of nature'. Prepare yourself for this powerful new beginning, where you are free to choose and stay true to your path.
Join me in celebrating midlife as a phase full of potential for growth and transformation, not an ending, but a powerful beginning. This episode is not just a conversation, but an invitation to a more authentic and vibrant self in midlife and beyond.
Follow Meegan on Instagram here
Join the waitlist for The Midlife Upgrade Course:https://meegancare.co.nz/course/
Please note: Nothing within this podcast constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider.
Thursday Apr 25, 2024
How To Tame Emotions In Midlife
Thursday Apr 25, 2024
Thursday Apr 25, 2024
In this revealing episode join me as I unravel my journey through trauma, Crohn's disease, menopause and the lessons learnt in becoming resilient.
This episode provides a deep dive into the crucial role of emotions in defining our life experiences, especially the turbulence that often arises in midlife, menopause, and beyond.
I share my challenges with emotional dysregulation, dissociation from feelings and the aftermath of trauma. These narratives underline my connection with my own emotions and how changing HOW I relate to emotions was pivotal in my journey of resilience and healing.
We're not here for toxic positivity, and I underline the importance of acknowledging our own range of emotions, both positive and negative. The episode underscores the necessity of self-understanding and maintaining a connection with our 'feeling selves'.
I also discuss how to use a powerful tool for managing difficult emotions – the RAIN technique, from Tara Brach, a Buddhist teacher and psychotherapist, the episode provides practical tips for its use. Detailing each step from recognizing and allowing emotions, to investigating and nurturing them with self-compassion, the RAIN technique is an effective roadmap for psychological freedom.
This discussion is not only insightful for those navigating midlife and menopause but also for anyone who wishes to embark on a self-discovery journey by initiating healthier relationships with their emotions.
Grab your headphones and join me as we tame emotions in midlife!
Follow Meegan on Instagram here
Join the waitlist for The Midlife Upgrade Course:https://meegancare.co.nz/course/
Please note: Nothing within this podcast constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider.
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Get Strong: Fiona Ross Empowers Midlife Women with Exercise Wisdom
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Midlife women's strength is their superpower! In this episode, I chat with Fiona Ross, a great friend and colleague. We explore the importance of lifting heavy (for you) weights and finding the right exercise routine for strength, confidence, and ageing well.
We share our personal experiences and address the complexities of midlife changes, resilience, and wellness among women. Fiona candidly discusses how menopause impacted her fitness and nutrition routine, and the proactive steps she took to ensure her wellbeing.
This revealing talk explores not just physical changes, but the equally significant emotional and intellectual aspects of this stage in life.
And of course, we debunk some ageing myths and risky quick-fix solutions surrounding menopause, emphasizing the need for self-awareness, patience, and careful experimentation.
As the discussion deepens, we cover critical aspects of fatigue, its impact on women, and how to manage it effectively. The importance of staying active via the correct exercise for you, along with the need to pay attention to individual needs and capabilities.
Also addressed are the psychological and emotional aspects involved in ageing and midlife transition. We talk inner peace, satisfaction levels, and the priceless wisdom gained over the years.
"I would say it it felt like I was getting my power back in the sense of Yeah. Prior to that, I was like, well, what am I doing wrong? What's happened? And it did knock, you know, my self esteem, and I also was very conscious of working with my clients and thinking, if I can't, excuse my language, short sort my shit out, then how am I supposed to help these people that are looking for advice?"
Fiona Ross is a Movement and Lifestyle Coach. "Together we uncover the best version of You"
https://www.instagram.com/fit_fi17/
https://www.instagram.com/rampagefitnessnewplymouth/
https://www.facebook.com/rampagefitnessNP
Follow Meegan on Instagram here
Join the waitlist for The Midlife Upgrade Course:https://meegancare.co.nz/course/
Please note: Nothing within this podcast constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider.
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
Transforming Irritability and Anger into a Force for Growth in Perimenopause and Midlife
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
Waves of irritability and anger used to come out of nowhere.
I was in the beginning phases of perimenopause and these mood fluctuations were an unwelcome surprise, I'd had some experience of them as a teen but I had no idea irritation, anger and even rage are common symptoms of perimenopause.
We go into why this happens in perimenopause and midlife, how to tackle these surprising fluctuations in mood, and when it's time to seek professional help.
While anger is frequently regarded as negative, especially for women, I discuss how to harness the transformative nature of anger as an agent of change, promoting self-awareness and self-acceptance, and why it's so important at this time of life.
By unmasking anger as a signal of boundary violations, and a force for personal evolution, it supports women to express emotions transparently and directly.
"If we know we're in perimenopause and this is happening, and we know that this is a common symptom of perimenopause, then how we respond to that, how we react to that, and what we do to support ourselves when this is showing up, it's going to be very different."
Midlife can be a massive opportunity for growth and evolution and when you know how to work with anger to create change you create an empowered second stage of life.
Tune in to this empowering conversation and don't miss out on the wisdom and support you deserve!
Follow Meegan on Instagram here
Join the waitlist for The Midlife Upgrade Course:https://meegancare.co.nz/course/
Please note: Nothing within this podcast constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider.
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
Justine Jeddy Dishes The Dirt On Midlife Health, Nutrition & Weight Loss
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
"No need to cut out specific foods to lose weight; all foods can fit into a healthy diet." - Justine Jeddy
This week on the podcast I'm joined by Justine Jeddy, an evidence-based health and nutrition coach specializing in women's fitness and nutrition. And I wanted to get to the truth about diet culture, weight and nutrition in perimenopause, menopause and midlife.
We debunk myths and clear up misconceptions about metabolism and insulin resistance, discuss the (surprising) long term impact of diets on weight loss, and address the challenges of perimenopause and menopause. Justine also offers strategies for navigating hunger, cravings, and fatigue. It's a must-listen for women in midlife!
Discover Justine's "2 thirds method" for balanced meals and her insights on importance of structured, balanced meals for sustained energy.
I had a lot of questions and used my own experience of midlife weight gain to understand the truth behind some of the weight and health misconceptions that are currently doing the rounds!
Tune in to gain valuable insights and be inspired to prioritize your health and well-being in midlife and beyond. Let's navigate this midlife journey together, prioritizing our health and embracing the power of community and support.
About Justine Jeddy
Justine is a Peri+Post Menopausal Fat Loss, Nutrition & Fitness Coach with over 9 years experience helping peri+post menopausal women to lose weight for the last time, have a healthier relationship with food and get their mojo and confidence back.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/coachjustinejeddy
Instagram: @iamjustinejeddy
Website: www.coachjustinejeddy.com
Follow Meegan on Instagram here
Join the waitlist for The Midlife Upgrade Course:https://meegancare.co.nz/course/
Please note: Nothing within this podcast constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider.
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Lisa Pomare Unravels the Vital Role of Vitamin D in Midlife
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
The Importance of Vitamin D for Menopausal Women: "And about 90% of them were at the very, very low end of the blood serum range of vitamin D, and some were very, very low. And these women had a lot of symptoms, and some of those are quite similar symptoms."
This week, Lisa Pomare joins us to explore the powerful impact of Vitamin D on women's health during perimenopause and menopause.
Lisa is a naturopath, nutritionist, and a menopausal woman herself, she provides invaluable insights into the role of Vitamin D in our bodies and how to achieve optimal levels for health and wellbeing.
In this episode she guides us through the importance of Vitamin D for the body and mind, how to find out if it is sub-optimal and how to treat low Vitamin D levels. We cover its essential roles and impact on not just bone health but also cardiovascular conditions, insulin resistance, vaginal and urinary symptoms. We also touch upon the association with estrogen and sunlight exposure, highlighting the critical processes our bodies undergo to produce the necessary Vitamin D levels.
Lisa also exposes shocking data on the prevalence of low to medium vitamin D levels among women and emphasises the significance of sun exposure and omega-rich food sources as alternatives for Vitamin D. Practical advice around suitable sun exposure times and Vitamin D absorption is provided.
This episode is a treasure trove of information and guidance for any woman navigating through menopause and a call to action to prioritize their health and well-being.
Lisa Pomare Next Phase Health
Lisa Pomare is a Tauranga based Naturopath and Nutritionist who is passionate about all things Peri/Menopause and healthy, happy ageing. She decided to begin her degree at age 44, while in the wild throws of her own perimenopause. She has ticked off many of the symptoms on the list, from mild to life impacting during her journey. Lisa works in clinical practice both one on one (online and in person) and providing group education, she speaks from not only research but personal experience. In her spare time Lisa loves to grow veges, read trashy novels and hang out near a beach, lake or waterfall.
https://www.nextphasehealth.co.nz
https://www.instagram.com/nextphasehealth/
Follow Meegan on Instagram here
Join the waitlist for The Midlife Upgrade Course:https://meegancare.co.nz/course/
Please note: Nothing within this podcast constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider.
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
My Three Step Empowerment Model in Midlife & Menopause
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
In this week's episode I challenge and change beliefs that no longer serve us, and advocate for awareness and intentional imagination as we embrace the next stage of life, through understanding my 3 Step Empowerment Model.
The 3 Step Empowerment Model in Menopause:
The OpportunityThe ProblemThe Solution
My 3 Step Empowerment Model dismantles stereotypes and unravels the profound nature of the midlife journey, focusing on the distinct stages of perimenopause and menopause. We dive deep and explore the internal changes, societal misconceptions, and challenges that arise during this significant life phase and highlight the often overlooked opportunity it harbours for self-growth and transformation.
Perimenopause and midlife are not just about managing challenging symptoms, it's also a gateway to a new life chapter, a period of belief reshaping, and enhanced self-awareness.
Tune in to the episode, explore the 3 Step Empowerment Menopause Model, and join me on this transformative journey towards psychological freedom and empowerment in midlife.
Follow Meegan on Instagram here
Join the waitlist for The Midlife Upgrade Course:https://meegancare.co.nz/course/
Please note: Nothing within this podcast constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider.
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
The Top 5 Mindset Mistakes Women Make In Midlife
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
"The faster we can get on board with the change, the faster we can work with our system to support it, then we can come into, once again, this collaborative relationship with our body."
This week, I delved deep into the top 5 mindset mistakes that women make in midlife and how they affect our overall well-being.
From denying or resisting the natural changes that come with perimenopause to isolating emotionally and comparing ourselves to our younger selves, these mindset patterns impact our confidence, mental health, and ability to adapt.
I shared valuable insights on how to overcome these mindset obstacles and embrace the present moment with self-compassion and acceptance.
The episode confronts the peril of perfectionism and binary thinking, promoting a shift towards embracing life's joys and nurturing organic growth. This pivot is seen as a powerful tool for boosting resilience and personal empowerment. The importance of self-validating and radical self-acceptance also receives a noteworthy mention.
I’m excited to share the transformative journey of embracing imperfection and finding strength in navigating midlife with authenticity and courage.
Timestamp:
00:00 Perimenopause symptoms subside in postmenopause journey.
04:18 Embrace hope, self-compassion, and adaptability.
09:23 Rapid adaptation crucial for perimenopause and menopause.
12:44 Healthy relationships fostered by self-acceptance, not comparison.
14:06 Valuing aging beyond patriarchy's lens reveals beauty.
19:48 Embrace imperfection, find personal empowerment, and acceptance.
22:38 Adult brain, societal conditioning, perimenopause, mindset change.
Follow Meegan on Instagram here
Join the waitlist for The Midlife Upgrade Course:https://meegancare.co.nz/course/
Please note: Nothing within this podcast constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider.
Meegan Care Midlife Mentor
I am a Certified Counsellor and Midlife Mentor with a holistic approach, dedicated to bringing clarity and life-changing breakthroughs to my clients.
I’m a Kiwi, I’m 53, and I’m now on the other side of menopause and I’ve been where you are now.
During peri-menopause I got to a stage where I was struggling to get through the week in my busy clinical practice.
Sometimes I had to postpone clients because there were mornings I was so exhausted I just couldn’t face a full client load and that broke my heart.
I was irritable, overwhelmed, and just plain over it!
Until I realised that my brain was undergoing a sort of transformation, sometimes referred to as an ‘Upgrade,’ and once I figured out how to collaborate with this Upgrade, life got so much better.
As a midlife mentor I draw on my extensive therapeutic training, over two decades of clinical and group work, and of course my own life experience.
I’ve helped clients for the past 25 years as a qualified Psychosynthesis Counsellor, Craniosacral Therapist (BCST), and experienced teacher of mindfulness and meditation.
Recovery from Crohn’s disease over 25 years ago, lead me to train extensively in various forms of therapy, mindfulness and healing with master teachers and coaches. I am the sole New Plymouth trainer for Mindfulness Works – New Zealand’s largest mindfulness training organisation. I also facilitate mindfulness education for individuals, groups and workplaces.