Women’s Health Unwrapped
Episode 144:
Rediscovering confidence in midlife
Have you found yourself thinking, “I’ve lost my confidence”?
“So many women in midlife believe that if they can just find the perfect diet or lose weight, they’ll feel like themselves again. But what I’ve seen, and what this conversation with Justin confirmed, is that midlife health is about so much more than food and exercise. It’s about understanding the mind-body connection in perimenopause and menopause, and allowing ourselves to slow down so we can heal in a deeper, sustainable way.”
— Nicola Farndell
“The person who got you sick can’t be the person who gets you well. You can’t keep living in the same patterns of overgiving, perfectionism and chronic stress, expecting your body to heal. It’s not about changing everything about who you are, but about allowing yourself to slow down, find stillness, and create a new energy for your body to feel safe enough to recover.”
— Helen Packham
In this episode of Women’s Health Unwrapped:
In this powerful and grounded conversation, I’m joined by speaker coach and TEDx speaker Helen Packham to unravel what really happens to our confidence in midlife, and why the answer isn’t to fix yourself, but to reconnect with who you are now. We explore the emotional terrain of perimenopause, identity shifts, and what it means to lose your sense of self, even when everything on the outside looks fine. This isn’t about performance. It’s about presence.
Whether you're navigating perimenopause, coming out of burnout, or simply feeling out of sync with yourself, this episode will meet you where you are—and gently guide you back.
You haven’t lost your confidence. It’s still there. Let’s find your way back to it.
Here’s what we unwrap in this episode:
Why confidence dips during hormonal and life transitions.
How anxiety masks as self-doubt (and what to do when it spirals).
Personal development is a continuous journey, but one that becomes an integral part of who you are.
The role of distraction—alcohol, sugar, scrolling—in numbing what we really need.
How self-care is essential for mental wellbeing.
The tools Helen uses to reconnect with herself and rebuild trust.
Three powerful steps to help you feel like you again.
About Helen Packham:
Helen Packham is a speaker coach and verbal communications strategist helping leaders 10x the impact of their verbal communication to engage, retain and maximise the potential of their people. She has 15 years experience in leadership and executive development and 10 years in entrepreneurship. A TEDx curator and speaker, Helen passes on the powerful tool of storytelling to her clients so that they can confidently present and speak with impact.
Connect with Helen:
Get Helen’s free AIR assessment
Feeling stuck in a cycle of doing more, yet still not feeling yourself?
You are not alone—and you’re not failing.
If you’ve spent years pushing, striving, and trying to hold it all together, only to feel disconnected, exhausted, and unsure what your body needs now, it doesn’t have to stay this way.
My free Perimenopause Revival Guide will help you take gentle, manageable steps to reconnect with yourself, support your energy, and build a mind-body connection that allows you to feel stronger and clearer in this season of life.
Inside, you’ll discover practical, realistic ways to slow down without guilt, tune into what your body needs, and create habits that support you—without overwhelm or quick-fix pressure.
Download your free guide and start rebuilding your health in a way that truly lasts.
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“I just thought I had to fight through menopause and didn’t realise
I could actually support myself to feel great!”
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