Show Notes
You've made it through perimenopause. The hot flushes have settled, your periods have stopped, and you're breathing a sigh of relief. What many women don't realise is that reaching menopause isn't the finish line. It's actually the starting point for a crucial new phase of health that demands your attention. In this honest conversation with Dr Sian Hebron, our specialist GP in women's health, we explore what happens to your body after that final ovulation and why the years ahead require a different kind of awareness and action. Key Takeaways Menopause is forever, not just a phase Once your final ovulation has happened, you’re in menopause for life. Your body’s needs have changed, even if you don’t feel it day to day. Without oestrogen, your bones lose density faster, your heart needs more care, and your overall health deserves more attention. Your bones need you Oestrogen is used to protect your bones, and without it, the risk of fractures increases. Strength training, getting enough calcium and vitamin D, and possibly HRT can all make a big difference. Don’t wait until your seventies to check your bone density. Start in your fifties and stay proactive. Heart health matters more than ever With lower oestrogen, your risk of heart disease and stroke goes up. Starting HRT within the first ten years after menopause can offer protection, but the basics still matter most: eat well, move regularly, and know your numbers when it comes to blood pressure and cholesterol. Be the CEO of your health Make space for proper women’s health appointments, not quick chats squeezed in at the end of another visit. Ask for the tests you need. If your GP isn’t confident with menopause care, find someone who is. You’re not being difficult—you’re taking charge of your wellbeing. Start small It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the advice, but small steps lead to big change. Choose one thing to focus on: better sleep, a morning walk, saying no more often, or reconnecting with a friend. It’s never too late to start feeling better. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress. Links mentioned in this podcast Episode 130 - Sex in Midlife https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/AJpTnYzaOXb Episode 119 - Heart Health, Hormones, and Weight Gain https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/4kRkr0zaOXb Episode 105 - Doctor in Your Corner https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/2Vo5u2zaOXb Episode 46 - Better Bone Health with Professor Belinda Beck https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/2pGMtgHaOXb
https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/
Join us Join Dr Sian Hebron and me on Saturday, 8 November, for the Shifting Tides event at Noosa Springs Spa Resort. It's an intimate and supportive gathering where you'll gain valuable medical insights, practical frameworks, and a genuine connection with other women navigating this stage of life. You can get your tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/shifting-tides-your-guide-to-menopause-midlife-whats-next-tickets-1681453666179?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl Connect with me Book your 20-minute connection call https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07
RE-IMAGINE: A personalised 1:1 six-week mentoring programme https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me
Share your journey with me by sending me a message on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/
Email me your success story at [email protected].
Remember, there's so much untapped brilliance in midlife women. You are wise, strong, and talented. You just need the space to hear yourself and the courage to act on what you know. The second half of your life can be even better than the first.
More from Redefining Midlife with Jo Clark
Picture two women at the end of a long year: one waits for January, the other starts now with a few small choices each day. In this episode, Jo shares why that difference matters so much in midlife, and how ten minutes a day can carry you into the new year already feeling more like yourself. In this episode, we explore: Why “I’ll start again in January” is one of the sneakiest traps we fall into
“ How you start your day is how you live your day. How you live your day is how you live your life," says Louise Hay. So what if the first minute of yours belonged to you? Jo shares how a small morning ritual took her from running on empty to starting each day by choice. No 5 am alarm and no spare hour needed. In this episode, we explore: Why so many of us start the day on autopilot
In this episode, Jo Clark unpacks the quiet, everyday ways women shrink themselves to keep others comfortable. It's not one big dramatic moment; it's the small stuff: the apology that wasn't needed, the opinion you swallowed, the yes you didn't mean. If you've ever wondered why these old patterns get louder in midlife, this one's for you. In this episode, we explore: Why old people-pleasing habits get louder in midlife
On episode 201, Jo takes you back to day one. No plan, no experience, just a microphone and a feeling that something was missing. She shares the four real reasons she hit record, and why they matter more now than ever. In this episode, we explore: Why Jo couldn't find a podcast that spoke to her The gap between celebrity midlife and real midlife Why trustworthy health information matters so much Turning listening into real, usable change The unexpected global community this show has created Four years, four reasons, one very honest episode. Hit play and hear the story behind the show. Connect with JoRediscover You – https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/shop Re Imagine mentoring: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/
For the first time in 200 episodes, Jo hands the microphone to someone else: her husband of 30 years, Philip. He answers listener-submitted questions with total honesty, some of it funny, some of it surprisingly raw, about what it's really like to watch your partner move through midlife from the outside looking in. In this episode, we explore: What it was like watching Jo build a whole new career from scratch