Walking This Way

This week, Lise is joined by Lorraine Candy, co-host of the award-winning podcast Postcards from Midlife, a journalist who has edited some of Britain's biggest magazines, and a mother of four who is refreshingly honest about what's actually going on in her life - from HRT and perimenopause to friendships and swimming. In this episode, she and Lise dig into the real challenges facing midlife women today, the ongoing debate over HRT, the importance of female friendship and how moving every day - and taking on the occasional swimming challenge - can have a transformative impact on your health and wellbeing.In this episode, join Lise and discover:Why two-thirds of women are wrongly prescribed antidepressants during perimenopause The shocking statistic that only around 10% of women who would benefit from HRT are actually getting itWhat the "anticipatory load" is, why it's neurologically exhausting, and why it falls so disproportionately on womenLorraine's honest journey through perimenopause, from night terrors and panic attacks to finding what actually workedWhy female friendship isn't a luxury in midlife; according to the research, it might literally save your life.Quote of the episode:"If you've got a choice between career and ambition, or helping a friend, or being with a friend, or being good - choose the friendship. Because that is the grit that sees you through." - Lorraine CandyUseful links:Lorraine's podcast: https://www.postcardsfrommidlife.com/Lorraine's booksLorraine's Substack: https://lorrainecandy.substack.com/Lorraine's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorrainecandy/Watergate Bay Hotel: https://watergatebay.co.uk/Be a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...Follow the show and get all the links you need on LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/walking_this_wayEmail us: walkingthisway@hotmail.comUse the get in touch form HERE - https://tr.ee/r-ePylKE8HSend us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/WalkingThisWayProduced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Have you ever wondered if what you’re experiencing in midlife is more than just perimenopause? If brain fog, overwhelm, emotional dysregulation and sheer exhaustion sound familiar, this episode is going to give you a lot to think about.Lise is joined by Dr Helen Wall: a GP with over 25 years’ experience, a BBC Breakfast and BBC Morning Live regular and one of the UK’s leading voices on women’s hormonal health. Helen has spent years joining the dots between perimenopause and ADHD, and what she’s uncovered will resonate with so many of you.In this episode, join Lise and discover…Why so many women only discover they have ADHD in midlife, and why that’s not an accidentHow our hormones affect the chemical messengers in our brains The difference between perimenopause and menopauseWhat masking really means and the hidden cost it carriesWhat to do if you’re sitting there thinking ‘is this me?’Quote of the Episode“These are not women who’ve just suddenly woken up in perimenopause and developed ADHD. These are women who have always had things going on through their lives that never quite fitted – because what they’ve essentially done all their lives is masked.” - Dr Helen WallDr Helen WallWebsite: https://tvhealthdoctor.com/LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-helen-wall-9b7906235/Helen's Book, Menopause and ADHD: Out on May 14, preorder HEREBe a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...Follow the show and get all the links you need on LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/walking_this_wayEmail us: walkingthisway@hotmail.comUse the get in touch form HERE - https://tr.ee/r-ePylKE8HSend us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/WalkingThisWayProduced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Sinéad Laffan has lived a lot of lives. Irish girl, English teacher, corporate hire, freelancer, dog mum, stepmother, Hungarian resident, Bristolian, and now - somewhat unexpectedly - a wedding celebrant in the Midlands. But the thread running through all of it has been the same question: what are the conditions of my own wellbeing, and am I actually living in them?This week, Lise is joined by Sinéad to explore the power of where you plant yourself, why ferocious self-compassion matters more than we think, the 'wedding industrial complex', and why the best ceremonies (and the best lives) are about everyone being in it together - not performing or being on show for each other.STOP PRESS: The day before this episode was released, Hungary (Sinéad's former home) overwhelmingly voted to oust Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his right wing government from power, electing Péter Magyar's Tisza party in its place.Join Lise and Sinéad to discoverHow being "ferociously and aggressively compassionate" with yourself isn't soft, it's the hardest work there isWhat an independent celebrant actually does and why ceremony is far more than a pretty momentThe philosophy behind Sinead's approach: making the couple the hosts, not the performanceThe midlife pivot that brought it all together: coaching, storytelling, design and the art of being with peopleQuote of the Episode"All of these neural pathways in your brain for years have been laid down to tell you that you're not enough. You have to undo those. And the only way to undo those is to be ferociously and aggressively compassionate."Sinéad LaffanFollow SinéadInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/celebrationsbysinead/Website: https://www.celebrationsbysinead.com/Be a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...Follow the show and get all the links you need on LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/walking_this_wayEmail us: walkingthisway@hotmail.comUse the get in touch form HERE - https://tr.ee/r-ePylKE8HSend us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/WalkingThisWayProduced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Lise sits down with Claire Hattrick, executive menopause coach, workplace educator and author, whose story is as jaw-dropping as it is important. Claire lost over a decade of her life to undiagnosed menopausal joint pain, seeing more than 15 specialists, undergoing 2,500+ blood tests, and spending two and a half years sleeping upright against a doorframe because lying down triggered panic attacks. All without a single correct diagnosis.When Claire finally got her answers - thanks to a male physiotherapist who'd simply noticed that every woman in his clinic that day had joint problems - she didn't just rebuild her life, she dedicated it to making sure no other woman goes through what she did.This episode is raw, honest and at times genuinely shocking. Claire shares the full story: the misdiagnoses, the loneliness, the dark moments at the top of a car park, and the extraordinary journey from beauty therapist in calipers to sell-out theatre shows and boardroom presentations. If you've ever been told there's nothing wrong with you when you know there is, this one is for you.In this episode, you'll discover:How Claire lost ten years of her life to joint pain that every consultant missed and what finally unlocked the answerWhy perimenopause is so much more than hot flushes: anxiety, panic attacks, joint pain and the 70+ symptoms nobody talks aboutWhy suicide rates for women peak between the ages of 45 and 49 (and why that's no coincidence)How to build your menopause toolkit: HRT, green space, blue space, movement, supplements and communityWhat Claire wishes every employer, male or female, understood about menopause in the workplaceQuote of the Episode: "My motto is suffering should not be an option." Clare HattrickFollow Claire:Website: https://www.theexecutivemenopausecoach.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexecutivemenopausecoach/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-hattrick-020809159/Buy Claire's Book here: https://www.theexecutivemenopausecoach.com/product/menopause-help-before-during-and-after-book-copy/Be a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...Follow the show and get all the links you need on LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/walking_this_wayEmail us: walkingthisway@hotmail.comUse the get in touch form HERE - https://tr.ee/r-ePylKE8HSend us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/WalkingThisWayProduced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Lise sits down with Lara Milward - leadership and performance coach to, amongst others, the Branson family; endurance athlete, CrossFit champion and someone who's cycled 1,000+ kilometres under human power to summit the Matterhorn. No big deal.Lara doesn't just talk about confidence, resilience and high performance from theory. She's studied the neuroscience behind it, lived it through extreme physical challenges and now teaches leaders how to build mental muscle the same way you build physical muscle - through challenge, repetition and rest.This episode is packed with practical, brain-based tools for midlife women who are tired of feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like they're "just a mum." Lara breaks down the science of confidence, explains why movement is non-negotiable for mental health, and shares why you absolutely can rewire your brain, even in midlife.Fair warning: This conversation will make you want to go for a walk or sign up for something that scares you!In this episode, you'll discover:Why strong women are seen as intimidating (and what Lara said that gave Lise an "aha moment")The neuroscience of confidence: You can't "un-wire" your brain, but you CAN create new, louder wiresLimbic friction: The emotional resistance that stops you trying new thingsWhy no one is confident all the time, not Taylor Swift, not Beyoncé, not royalty Lara's metFrom London to the Matterhorn: 1,000km under human power in one monthQuote of the Episode:"If every child in this world had one person behind them that said 'I stand by you, I believe in you, yes you can' - half the world's problems would be solved." - Lara MilwardFollow LaraWebsite: https://laramilward.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laramilward/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-milward/Be a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...Follow the show and get all the links you need on LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/walking_this_wayEmail us: walkingthisway@hotmail.comUse the get in touch form HERE - https://tr.ee/r-ePylKE8HSend us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/WalkingThisWayProduced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Lise catches up with her dear friend from boarding school, Clare Capper, whose transformation story can't fail to leave you feeling inspired. In 2018, at 41, Claire hit rock bottom - drinking too much, smoking, avoiding the life she knew she needed to face. Then, in early 2019, on a hungover morning in Queenstown, New Zealand, Lise planted a seed that would change her life: "Do a triathlon."What happened next was extraordinary.Since then Clare's lost four stone, completed multiple triathlons, fallen in love with cycling and endurance adventures and pushed herself to extraordinary limits. She has:Cycled Land's End to John O'Groats (930 miles in 9 days)Bikepacked 400 miles through the Alps on a mountain bikeCompleted the North Coast 500 in ScotlandRaced gravel bikes across EuropeAnd in May 2026, she's taking on a 500-mile ultra-distance cycling eventBut here's what makes Clare's story so powerful for midlife women: she started all of this at 41. She couldn't swim. She was unfit. She was lost. And she transformed her entire life through movement, one step at a time.In this episode, you'll discover:The moment Clare made the promise that changed everythingHow she learned to swim at 41Swimming on a bungee cord in a wild Dartmoor pool during lockdown (yes, really)The dinner that was just peanuts and jelly babies after cycling 90 milesWhy Clare is motivated by fearHow cycling brings freedom, swimming brings meditation, and walking brings therapyFollow Clare:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clare_cycles/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clare.capper/Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/3500234Be a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...Follow the show and get all the links you need on LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/walking_this_wayEmail us: walkingthisway@hotmail.comUse the get in touch form HERE - https://tr.ee/r-ePylKE8HSend us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/WalkingThisWayProduced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk

This week on Walking This Way, we’re talking about something that can feel uncomfortable and overwhelming for many of us in midlife: money.Lise is joined by returning guest Adrienne D’Souza (co-pilot of The Money Conversation) for an honest, down-to-earth discussion about:Why so many midlife women lack confidence around moneyThe investing fear that keeps us stuckThe story we tell ourselves about being “bad at maths”And how even £10 can change how you see yourselfTogether, Lise and Adrienne talk about how financial confidence isn’t about being wealthy or clever. It’s about understanding a few key ideas, asking questions without shame and taking small steps that build over time.In this episode, they explore: How early money messages shape our confidence (often without us realising) Why so many midlife women feel they’ve missed their chance The difference between saving and investing - in simple terms What “purchasing power” really means (with a loaf of bread to explain it) How to cope when markets fall and fear creeps in Why starting with £10 can completely shift your mindset Where to find hidden money through simple spending audits How fees quietly eat into long-term returns Listener questions on ISAs, premium bonds and investing in your 60s Why financial clarity is really about self-worthAnd because this is Walking This Way, Lise also reflects on winter moods, hormones, long marriages, teenagers behind bedroom doors and that strange in-between space of still being needed… but differently.About The Money ConversationWebsite: https://www.themoneyconversation.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.moneyconversation/ Important Disclaimer:Lise and Adrienne are not financial advisors - they provide financial education and coaching. All content is for educational purposes only. Always do your own research and consider seeking professional advice for your individual circumstances.Be a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...Follow the show and get all the links you need on LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/walking_this_wayEmail us: walkingthisway@hotmail.comUse the get in touch form HERE - https://tr.ee/r-ePylKE8HSend us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/WalkingThisWayProduced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk

In this episode of Walking This Way, Lise is joined by Tallulah Bamford (nee O'Hea), founder of The Body Conversation, for an open, thoughtful and deeply compassionate discussion about body image, body awareness and how our relationship with our bodies evolves across a lifetime.This conversation moves beyond surface-level body confidence and into something much richer: how early messages about bodies shape us, how those messages linger into midlife, and how awareness - rather than judgement - can be a powerful place to begin healing.Tallulah brings insight from her work with people of all ages, from school settings through to coaching midlife women, offering a rare intergenerational perspective on how body image is formed, challenged and reshaped.In this episode, Lise and Tallulah explore:How body image conversations often begin far earlier than we realiseThe long-term impact of language, messaging and comparisonWhy midlife can resurface old beliefs about bodies, and why that mattersThe difference between body image and body awarenessHow to reconnect with your body in a way that feels safe and supportiveWhy neutrality and curiosity can be more powerful than forced positivityHow we can model healthier body conversations for the next generationThis is a gentle but important reminder that our bodies are not projects to be fixed, they are places we live, experience joy, navigate change and carry wisdom.About TallulahTallulah Bamford is the founder of The Body Conversation, working across generations to open up honest, supportive conversations about body image and body awareness. She works in schools as well as with adults and midlife women, helping people reconnect with their bodies in healthier, more compassionate ways.Be a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...Follow the show and get all the links you need on LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/walking_this_wayEmail us: walkingthisway@hotmail.comUse the get in touch form HERE - https://tr.ee/r-ePylKE8HSend us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/WalkingThisWayProduced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Clutter. Stuff. The things we keep “just in case”, the cupboards we avoid opening, and the quiet mental load that comes with living surrounded by things that no longer serve us.In this episode, Lisa is joined by her long-time friend Katrina Hassan, a Master Level Certified KonMari Consultant and founder of Spark Joy London, for an honest, funny and deeply thoughtful conversation about clutter – and why it’s never just about the stuff.Together, they explore how tidying can become a powerful tool for self-trust, decision-making and reclaiming space in midlife – physically, mentally and emotionally.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your home, stuck in old narratives about who you should be, or quietly craving a lighter way of living, this episode is for you.In this episode, we talk about:Why clutter is often a symptom, not the problemHow the KonMari method goes far beyond declutteringThe emotional weight of inherited items and sentimental possessionsLetting go of “shoulds” and perfectionism (including matching wine glasses)What tidying teaches us about confidence, choice and self-trustMidlife transitions, menopause, burnout and the need for spaceHow creating order at home can unlock clarity in work, relationships and lifeAbout this episode's guest: Katrina HassanKatrina Hassan is a Master Level Certified KonMari Consultant and the founder of Spark Joy London. After nearly a decade teaching in a London primary school, Katrina discovered Marie Kondo’s work during pregnancy – a turning point that transformed not just her home, but her entire life.Trained directly by Marie Kondo, Katrina now supports clients through their own “tidying festivals”, helping them create homes – and lives – that feel calmer, lighter and aligned with who they truly are.Be a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...Follow the show and get all the links you need on LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/walking_this_wayEmail us: walkingthisway@hotmail.comUse the get in touch form HERE - https://tr.ee/r-ePylKE8HSend us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/WalkingThisWayProduced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Hello again, Rockstars – and happy New Year! Welcome to the very first episode of 2026.In this episode of Walking This Way, I’m joined by one of my favourite humans, longest-standing friends, and the original “move every day” inspiration in my life – the brilliant Robyn Phillips.Robyn is a registered osteopath, movement advocate and fierce challenger of the idea that ageing automatically means slowing down or living in pain. She trained while raising two small children, rebuilt her strength after breast cancer, and lives her message every single day: ability matters more than age.This conversation is honest, funny, deeply practical – and exactly what so many midlife women need as we step into a new year without pressure, perfection or punishing resolutions.Tune in to hear us talking about:Why “move every day” doesn’t mean exercise – and definitely doesn’t mean sufferingHow movement builds confidence, independence and connection as we ageRunning, knees, aches, menopause and the myths that stop women even startingWhy fitness plans fail – and what actually works for lifeAgeing well, fear of falling, and why doing too much for older people can be unhelpfulCreating a personal “movement toolbox” for energy, joy and resilienceAnd because this is Walking This Way, I also share:Christmas reflections, family expectations and learning to let goCold water dips, hot tubs, saunas and why water is my happy placeWhy I don’t do New Year’s resolutions – and what I’m choosing insteadPlus, I answer your brilliant voice notes and messages from listeners around the world, covering:Resetting gently after a tough yearBody acceptance, wobbly bits and self-worthRecovery, resilience and becoming “better than before”Divorce, fresh starts and the importance of kindness to yourselfBe a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...Follow the show and get all the links you need on LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/walking_this_wayEmail us: walkingthisway@hotmail.comUse the get in touch form HERE - https://tr.ee/r-ePylKE8HSend us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/WalkingThisWayProduced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Hello again, Rockstars! In this festive episode, I’m joined by the irrepressible Adrienne d’Souza - queen of Christmas chaos, community champion and one of the funniest, warmest women I know.Adrienne spent her life at the heart of Christmas: growing up in her family’s toy shops, running the iconic Hamleys and Harrods toy departments, and later running one of London’s best-loved party shops for 15 years. She has seen everything - the queues, the meltdowns, the impossible-to-find toys, and the mega celebs who tried to do their shopping on 23 December with no security.But this episode is about much more than retail madness. We talk about: ✨ The emotional weight midlife women carry trying to “make the magic happen” ✨ Christmas after losing a loved one, and how Adrienne rebuilt joy after her mum died ✨ Parenting, empty nest Christmases, new traditions and letting go of perfection ✨ Sensory overwhelm and recognising that magical moments aren’t universal ✨ The small, unexpected acts of kindness that become the heart of the seasonAnd Lise answers some of your festive questions, from present wrapping tips (using tea towels!), to the joys of open water swimming.In this episode you’ll hear:The behind-the-scenes reality of Christmas in Harrods and HamleysAdrienne’s first Christmas without her mum — and how she created new traditionsWhy midlife women often feel crushed by expectationsThoughts on sensory overload, neurodivergent families and seasonal overwhelmPractical ideas for finding calm, connection and joy this ChristmasBe a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...Follow the show and get all the links you need on LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/walking_this_wayEmail us: walkingthisway@hotmail.comUse the get in touch form HERE - https://tr.ee/r-ePylKE8HSend us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/WalkingThisWayProduced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Hello you gorgeous rock stars! Welcome back to Walking This Way - and if you’re new here, you are so very welcome. This is the show for midlife women who want honesty, connection, courage and a bit of nonsense alongside the messy, magical bits of this chapter of life.Today I’m joined by the fabulous Vanessa McDaid, a woman who radiates bravery, energy and kindness. Vanessa and I talk about how we met (spoiler: it involves water, Instagram DMs, and eventually a naked photoshoot with strangers), and how a single toe-dip outside your comfort zone can change everything.Vanessa shares her story of walking away from a high-flying corporate career at 50, navigating family dynamics, volunteering in hospice care, rediscovering purpose and building a life that feels as successful as it looks. We unwrap jealousy, partnership, parenting older kids, midlife emotions, and why this season of life is less about loss, and much more about rebirth, reinvention and rediscovering yourself.If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, tired, unsure, or just quietly desperate for a fresh start… this episode is a gentle hand on your back saying: “Go on. Take the first step.”In this episode you’ll hear:How one brave message led to swimming lessons, new friendships and a life-changing photoshootWhy midlife is the perfect time to pivot, try new things and form new neural pathwaysThe emotional load of modern motherhood, and how jealousy, guilt and resentment show upWhat Vanessa learned from stepping away from corporate life and doing volunteeringHow to change your “state” when life feels stuckWhy this chapter of life is a relaunch, not a declineThe power of vulnerability, female friendships and saying yes before you feel readyBe a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...Follow the show and get all the links you need on LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/walking_this_wayEmail us: walkingthisway@hotmail.comUse the get in touch form HERE - https://tr.ee/r-ePylKE8HSend us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/WalkingThisWayProduced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Hello you gorgeous rock stars! Welcome to the very first episode of Walking This Way - my new space for midlife women who are ready to rediscover their fabulousness, one brave step at a time.In this episode, I’m sharing how this whole thing began: the moment I realised I’d lost myself a little, the scary trip to a Muay Thai retreat that changed everything and the parkrun that taught me more about courage (and tears!) than any medal ever could.This is about movement, midlife and self-care in its truest sense - showing up for yourself, even when it feels hard. Whether you’re juggling kids, parents, hormones or hope, Walking This Way is here to remind you that every small act of self-love counts.So lace up your trainers, grab a cuppa, and let’s start walking this way together.In this episode you’ll hear:How a Muay Thai retreat helped Lise reconnect with her confidence and purpose.The parkrun story that became a metaphor for showing up — no matter your size, pace or fear.Why courage often looks like everyday self-care.An invitation to midlife women everywhere to take part, share stories and inspire each other.Be a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...Follow the show and get all the links you need on LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/walking_this_wayEmail us: walkingthisway@hotmail.comUse the get in touch form HERE - https://tr.ee/r-ePylKE8HSend us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/WalkingThisWayProduced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk