Episode 46: Hormonal Harmony: Women’s Health at Every Life Stage with Dr Karen Coates & Sharon Kolkka

Bone health is something many of us don’t think about until we’re faced with low bone density, osteoporosis or an unexpected fracture. But what if we could take steps today to protect our strength, mobility and independence for years to come?

Belinda sits down with Olympic gold medallist, world record holder and mum of five Libby Trickett for an honest conversation about identity, motherhood, mental health, anxiety, resilience and the heart attack she had just two months after giving birth to her fifth child, after her symptoms were initially dismissed as anxiety. Libby opens up about growing up around mental illness and addiction, being estranged from her father, the impact her upbringing had on her relationships and self-worth, and the pressure she put on herself to keep achieving.

Perimenopause and menopause can affect far more than your cycle, from sleep, mood and anxiety to libido, weight, bone health and overall wellbeing. In this episode, Belinda sits down with Women’s Health GP Dr Christine Greenwood for a conversation about perimenopause, menopause and post-menopausal care. They talk about HRT, hormones, nutrition, weight loss, exercise, supplements and the health checks women should be thinking about in midlife. Christine specialises in helping women navigate this stage of life with a practical, evidence-based approach.

What happens when the symptoms you’ve spent years dismissing as “normal” turn out to be something far more serious? In this episode, Belinda sits down with fitness and nutrition coach, mum of four, author and podcaster Danni Duncan to talk about her journey from body image struggles and disordered eating to rebuilding her relationship with health, and ultimately being diagnosed with bowel cancer at just 39. Danni opens up about the extreme fatigue, low iron, bloating and ongoing gut issues that eventually led to her diagnosis, as well as the emotional reality of undergoing surgery and chemotherapy while raising four young children.

In this episode, Belinda sits down with men’s performance coach and endurance athlete Lachlan Stuart to unpack the lessons behind some extraordinary physical challenges, and the mental battles that came with them. From losing his identity after professional rugby to rebuilding his life, becoming a father and pushing himself to his limits, Lachlan shares what resilience looks like when motivation disappears.