Listen.
LIVE HEALTHY NOW - Episode 63
The bigger picture around women’s troubles
Watch.
Head down, staying quiet, feeling embarrassed because it’s that time of the month when you have to sneak into the bathroom
and check whether you’ve leaked and change your pad? This is real life - still - for so many girls and women.
“There’s this thing about sitting in front of a doctor and talking about women’s troubles. There’s still this approach to periods, having your monthly bleed, having painful periods, that feels embarrassing doesn’t it? Our menstrual cycle is such a huge part of life as a female and it’s something that’s still carrying a lot of stigma and taboo.”
— Nicola Mercer
“What we want to be doing is going into that fight v flight sympathetic branch, but then be able to naturally come back down to the parasympathetic, that rest and digest state. But the life that we lead doesn’t give us time to rest or come back to that parasympathetic branch.”
— Emily Cook
With the average age that girls starting their periods now being only 12, but can be as young as 8, we’re still lacking so much around education and support of women’s menstrual health.
Today’s guest is here to talk to us about how this lack of understanding means she thought her periods were completely normal, only to realise after years of suffering, that she actually had PCOS - Polycystic ovary syndrome. Emily Cook wants to help normalise talking about your periods and problems that so many females encounter with their menstrual cycle and reproductive system throughout the different seasons of their life.
In our conversation today we share:
The lack of understanding that girls and women have because of the way women’s health is talked about in education and beyond.
How we can create shifts in talk around periods and menstruation to normalise conversation and support all women to get the help they need.
Why there is so much stigma and shame attached to "women’s troubles”.
How Emily put up with her heavy and irregular bleeding thinking this was just how periods were meant to be.
The challenges faced when seeking medical support for your menstrual cycle and having the right knowledge about what you’re feeling to help take the right course of action.
Understanding your body and mind and listening to what it is you need.
The power of focusing on the foundations of good, strong health.
Taking one step at a time to build the right healthy habits for you.
Recognising your progress and knowing you don’t have to ‘do it all’ to be healthy.
About Emily:
Emily is your friendly neighbourhood marketeer with a serious passion for female entrepreneurship. She has spent the last 3 years spearheading multiple marketing projects with a shared value of women empowerment. From launching a global digital magazine to running a content club for founders called Girl Brand. She lives and breathes community and collaboration, and believes in the power of storytelling.
Connect with Emily:
To join Emily in the Girl Brand monthly Content Club for FREE on January 8th, register here using promo code LIVEHEALTHYNOW and save 100%!
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
“I had no idea of the impact my health was having on my happiness.”
If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps me to support more people — just like you — to finally feel healthy and happy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then I’d love for you to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow us on Instagram or LinkedIn for more inspiration, ideas and support to create your own healthy, happy, and wealthy life!
STRUGGLING TO FIND TIME TO TAKE A PAUSE?
Do you want to make changes to build healthier habits but feel like life is always too busy?
If this is you then get started today with our free download giving you five great tips to start to find time to finally get going on those new habits you’re longing to build.
These are tips that our founder Nicola used as she navigated a demanding corporate career alongside her family and home.
Get started now and create a healthy, happy life!