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In this episode of Hear Me Roar, the conversation centers around the concept of MEN-opause, exploring the challenges men face during midlife, particularly focusing on andropause. James Davis shares his journey from psychology to becoming a men's health advocate, discussing the importance of understanding and addressing the symptoms of andropause. The episode delves into lifestyle changes, the role of NLP in mentoring, and the significance of communication in relationships. Listeners are encouraged to take proactive steps towards better health and to foster open discussions about men's health issues.

James Davis is an Associate Member of the International Society For Coaching Psychologists, author of The Midlife Male Handbook, men’s health advocate and public speaker. With his wife Claire he hosts the podcast, The Midlife Mentors, which is in the top 1.5% of global podcast charts, aiming to redefine midlife from a ‘crisis’ into an opportunity. James mentors clients using his experience in psychology, NLP, stress management, personal training, nutrition and life/business coaching. His own midlife challenges impacted on his physical and mental health, so through championing the andropause he’s giving men over 40 the tools they need to make meaningful change to their lives.

jamespdavis.com

themidlifementors.com

F: facebook.com/themidlifementors
TT: tiktok.com/@themidlifementors

I: instagram.com/midlifementors

YT: youtube.com/c/themidlifementors

(Neuro-Linguistic Programming - NLP

An approach to communication, personal development, and psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between neurological processes, language, and behavioural patterns learned through experience.)

Takeaways

Andropause is a real issue that many men face.

Men often struggle with their identity and social connections in midlife.

Lifestyle changes can significantly impact testosterone levels.

Resistance training is crucial for maintaining hormone health.

Communication about health issues is essential for men and women.

Men's health awareness is increasing, but there's still work to do.

The Midlife Male Handbook provides practical tools for men.

Support systems and friendships are vital for mental health.

Understanding andropause can improve relationships.

Taking small steps towards health can lead to significant changes.

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In this engaging conversation, Jacqui shares her journey as a debut author and podcaster, discussing her book 'The Daphne Project' and the themes of self-discovery and midlife transitions. She reflects on her experiences with self-publishing, the creative process, and the importance of community, all while navigating the challenges of life changes. The discussion also touches on her podcasting journey, the joy of storytelling, and her unique hobby of axe throwing, culminating in her aspirations for future projects.

Jacqui Lents, a proud Michigan native, is a debut author and the host of an award-winning podcast, Jacqui Just Chatters. When she is not writing, you can find her planning her next trip, solving mysteries with her husband, or tossing axes responsibly.

www.jacquilents.com

IG @jacquilents

FB https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069970208082

Takeaways

Jacqui's journey into writing was sparked by a desire for creativity after leaving a toxic teaching career.

The character Daphne reflects Jacqui's own life changes and existential questions in midlife.

Midlife transitions can be overwhelming, but they also offer opportunities for growth and self-discovery.

Self-publishing allowed Jacqui to share her work with her mother sooner than traditional publishing would have allowed.

Jacqui emphasizes the importance of community and support in both writing and axe throwing.

Her podcast, 'Jacqui Just Chatters', was born out of boredom and a desire to connect with others.

Jacqui's approach to podcasting is centered around storytelling and sharing unique perspectives.

Winning an award for her podcast was a surprising and validating experience for Jacqui.

Jacqui's future projects include sequels to 'The Daphne Project' and exploring new characters.

The conversation highlights the importance of embracing change and pursuing passions at any age.

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Trigger warning: This episode mentions childhood sexual abuse. There are no graphic descriptions. The focus is on healing.

Summary: In this episode, Jenny Hodgson shares her inspiring journey from childhood trauma to healing and self-acceptance. She discusses the impact of her past experiences on her mental health, the recognition of PTSD, and the therapeutic techniques that helped her reclaim her life. Jenny emphasises the importance of support systems, mindfulness practices, and finding joy in hobbies as essential components of her recovery. Her story is a testament to resilience and the power of hope in overcoming adversity.

Bio: After what felt like a lightbulb moment in her teens, Jenny Hodgson changed from being a laidback kid into a highly driven, slightly obsessive perfectionist. A published writer at 21, winner of scholarships and an Ivy League graduate, she became a Fast Streamer and senior civil servant before moving into the private sector. She even featured in a national newspaper for her achievements.

Then she hit her 40s, her past caught up with her and her life as she knew it changed forever. Now she’s getting back to being that laidback kid and living a new type of life that she never imagined was possible.

Takeaways:

Jenny transformed from a laid-back teen to a perfectionist after a pivotal moment in her life.

Childhood trauma led to years of struggle with self-worth and PTSD symptoms.

The Me Too movement triggered Jenny's memories of past abuse, leading her to seek help.

Nightmares were a constant for Jenny, stemming from her childhood trauma.

Therapy helped Jenny understand the connection between her trauma and mental health issues.

EMDR therapy was a turning point in Jenny's healing journey.

Mindfulness practices, like meditation and knitting, became essential tools for Jenny.

Jenny found joy in life again through hobbies and community activities.

Support from family and friends played a crucial role in Jenny's recovery.

Jenny emphasizes the importance of never giving up and finding hope in healing.

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In this engaging conversation, Margaret Marlow (Grumpy and Me) shares her journey from retirement to finding purpose through writing and building a supportive online community. She discusses the challenges of ageing, the importance of laughter, and her recent forays into technology and weight loss. The dialogue highlights the significance of kindness in online interactions and the joy of connecting with others, regardless of age. Margaret's humorous take on life and her reflections on confidence and purpose resonate deeply, making for an inspiring and uplifting discussion.

Margaret is 72, a mam of 3 and a wife of one. She is a Geordie by birth and a Knutsfordian by adoption. She fell into the Civil Service after school because she could walk to work and her dad said it was a good job for a girl. At school, her report said she “wasted time in silliness”; in her opinion silliness is never wasted.

She’s never really enjoyed hobbies, but she reads a lot and faffs with flowers. She does enjoy a good piano piece from Alexis Ffrench to Rachmaninov. In her 60s she started her Facebook page, ‘Grumpy and Me’ where she entertains her 29 thousand followers and makes them laugh a lot.

https://www.facebook.com/grumpyandi

Instagram: @thehouse_no15

https://www.youtube.com/@MegMarlow

Takeaways

Retirement can lead to a loss of purpose and boredom.

Writing became a way to express thoughts and connect with others.

Building a community online can foster positivity and laughter.

Kindness is essential in online interactions.

Age should not limit one's ability to learn and grow.

Embracing technology can be daunting but rewarding.

Weight loss journeys can be shared and documented for accountability.

Confidence can wane with age, but it can be rebuilt.

Finding joy in small things can enhance life satisfaction.

Humour can bridge gaps and create connections.

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In this engaging conversation, Niloufar Lamakan shares her journey as an author, discussing her debut novel 'Aged to Perfection' and the challenges she faced in the writing and publishing process. She emphasises the importance of resilience in the face of rejection and the need to break stereotypes surrounding age in literature. Niloufar also highlights her passion for dancing and her unique approach to marketing her book, while looking forward to future projects that continue to celebrate age defiance.

Niloufar Lamakan is an Iranian-born author and artist. She moved to the UK as a child and has lived in London most of her life. She came to writing after careers in technology, design, art, and property. Her debut novel, Aged to Perfection, won the Commendation Award at the Comedy Women in Print Prize and was a finalist at the Page Turner Awards.

She writes bold, romantic comedies that are unapologetically age defiant. Her art also explores the connections between age, identity, and society’s perceptions of beauty. When she’s not painting or writing, you’ll find her on the dancefloor.

Links:

Amazon link https://mybook.to/2x8xO

Instagram Niloufar Lamakan, Author (@nlamakan) • Instagram photos and videos

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nlamakan

Website https://www.niloufarlamakan.com/

Takeaways

Niloufar's debut novel won the commendation award at the Comedy Women in Print Prize.

She faced 42 rejections before finding success with her book.

Resilience is key in the writing and publishing journey.

Niloufar aims to challenge age stereotypes in literature.

Her protagonist is a 60-year-old woman, showcasing age defiance.

Marketing a book often falls on the author, not just the publisher.

Dancing brings joy and a sense of freedom to Niloufar's life.

She believes there is no such thing as age-appropriate behaviour.

Niloufar is currently working on her second novel.

The Sophia Spritzer cocktail reflects her protagonist's personality.

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In this engaging conversation, Maralyn shares her inspiring journey from a childhood in Paris and London to becoming a renowned stained glass artist. She discusses the pivotal moments in her life, including motherhood, health challenges, and the rediscovery of her artistic passion. Maralyn reflects on her experiences in the art world, the impact of her work, and the importance of legacy as she prepares to pass her knowledge to the next generation. The conversation concludes with a lighthearted discussion about a cocktail inspired by her creative spirit.

Maralyn is one of the UK's foremost stained glass artists, with work in countries all over the world. After 30 years as an artist, she recently retired to enjoy life.

Born in the 50’s, Maralyn’s youth was spent in Paris & London where she fell in love with the shop windows and architecture. However, she was told by her art teacher that she would never amount to anything!

After travelling the world, aged 40 and suffering from a debilitating illness, Maralyn enrolled on an art degree from Sunderland University specialising in glass and ceramics where she found her calling. Her work has included public & private commissions ranging from personal windows to an entire cathedral.

For commissions, contact artcetera@live.co.uk

Takeaways

Maralyn's childhood in Paris influenced her artistic journey.

Motherhood sparked Maralyn's return to creativity.

An art teacher's discouragement fuelled Maralyn's determination.

Health challenges led Maralyn to pursue her art education later in life.

Maralyn's work in stained glass has brought her joy and fulfilment.

Art can play a significant role in healing and recovery.

Maralyn's family has been a strong support system throughout her career.

The importance of legacy in passing on knowledge to future generations.

Maralyn's experiences have opened many doors in her life.

Creativity can be spontaneous and deeply personal.

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In this engaging conversation, Barbara Barnes shares her inspiring life journey, from her early career as a primary school teacher to her extensive community service and charity work. At 84, she reflects on her adventures, including daring fundraising activities like wing walking and abseiling, all while advocating for Alzheimer's Scotland. Barbara discusses the challenges of aging, her motivations for helping others, and her philosophy on life, emphasizing that age should not limit one's aspirations. The episode concludes with a light-hearted discussion about her unique cocktail creation, Scottea, blending her Scottish and Yorkshire roots.

Barbara retired as a primary teacher in 2001. She has been a Justice of the Peace, a member of the board for Alzheimer Scotland for 10 years, a Vale of Leven Citizen and was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2013.

From 1999, aged 59, she started doing amazing things to raise money for various charities including: Alzheimer Scotland, the Stroke Association and Talking Newspaper. She has done: 5 abseils, 6 zip lines, a sky dive, 3 sponsored walks and 2 fire walks. For fun she has also climbed Ben Lomond and Sydney Harbour Bridge, gone gliding, had a helicopter ride and at aged 70 she did a wing walk!

Takeaways

Barbara was a primary school teacher for most of her working life and notes that the profession has changed enormously since she retired.

Barbara has been involved with Alzheimer's Scotland since 1986 due to her family's history with dementia.

She runs a choir for people with dementia and their carers, providing a supportive community.

Barbara has raised thousands for various charities through adventurous activities.

She completed a wing walk at the age of 70, showcasing her adventurous spirit.

Barbara believes age should not limit one's ability to try new things.

She has participated in numerous fundraising stunts, including abseiling and fire walking.

Barbara's son supports her actively.

Her cocktail, Scottea, combines whisky and Yorkshire tea, reflecting her heritage.

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In this engaging conversation, Pete Fenner shares his deep-rooted passion for Eurovision, recounting his journey from a young fan to a prominent commentary writer and lyricist. The discussion delves into the technical challenges faced during broadcasts, memorable anecdotes from various Eurovision events, and the intricacies of songwriting and translation. Pete also reflects on the evolution of the contest and shares a delightful cocktail recipe, adding a culinary twist to the conversation.

Pete’s love of Eurovision began in 1968. His first actual visit was in 1995 when it was held in Dublin. From 1997 (when the UK last won) to 2004 he was a volunteer reporter for local radio stations, where he became friends with the Icelandic delegation. He worked on some of their songs and wrote publicity for their acts, translating the song into various languages. From 2005 onwards he was a researcher and commentator assistant for Iceland and wrote lyrics for their 2007 and 2008 entries as well as songs for albums the artists then released.

From 2016 he was a researcher for the international commentators, presenting trivia about each year's contestants to help fill ten hours of television.

Takeaways

Pete's love for Eurovision began in the late 1960s.

He started attending Eurovision in 1995 in Dublin.

Pete has written lyrics for Icelandic entries in Eurovision.

He has worked with various radio stations and commentators over the years.

The importance of humour in Eurovision commentary is emphasised.

Technical issues are a common occurrence during broadcasts.

Songwriting in foreign languages presents unique challenges.

Pete's experiences include memorable backstage anecdotes.

The evolution of Eurovision has changed how commentators work.

Cocktails and culinary delights are a fun addition to the conversation.

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