Out Of The Bubble

Going solo for a quick catch up and to tell you all why I'm saying goodbye to Out of the Bubble and hello to Liberté-Free to Be! Don't panic, I'm not going anywhere but I am having a big rebrand and embracing change. Since I first started the podcast in 2018 I've been on my own journey of growth alongside the 124 women I've interviewed. I started Out of the Bubble because when I first started modelling at 46 I was often overwhelmed with imposter syndrome, had wobbles of insecurity and self doubt and I gained great strength and inspiration from other women's stories on social media. I wanted to create a platform for these women to create a positive ripple effect on other women in midlife. The name came from my own life changes, such as divorce that took me to a new stage of life where I just had to step out of my own bubble and I've never looked back. I'm 53 this May and I feel the most aligned and confident now than at any stage of my adult life and that's exciting. It's a liberating feeling to stop worrying about if you fail, to stop caring what others might be thinking of you and to embrace all of you, flaws and all. Which is what's led me to the rebrand decision, I started feeling like I'd stepped out of the bubble and was ready to move on, I hope I've taken lots of you with me! The podcast will now be called Liberté- Free To Be and It will be business as usual just with an extra sparkle of my new vava voom! My new logo reflects where I'm at right now in life and it feels good to be showing up this way. I will be launching the next series 6, on Tuesday 2nd May and I'm planning a special day of live interviews across all my social media platforms to celebrate. Don't worry I'll be back before then to keep you update with all the details! What does Free to Be mean to you? Back soon but in the meantime... Keep being fabulous Rachel x

Are you one of the many that ditched the alcohol for a dry January this year, only to go straight back on it February?  One of the things I've noticed now I'm going through the menopause is the effect alcohol has on my mental wellbeing, it increases my anxiety levels and zaps my energy so I've cut right back. I still have the odd G & T but I can imagine ditching it all together at some point so I was very interested to talk with Claire Owen. Meet Claire Owen , aka the Soberholic. Claire went from drinking 100 units a week (10 bottles of wine) to quitting and has never looked back! I know lots of women like myself that are going through the menopause or peri-menopause and alcohol is no longer working for them. So many of us continue to drink , partly out of habit and perhaps because it's so ingrained in our culture but what would it feel like to stop?  After volunteering in a recovery clinic, Claire retrained as a life coach; after being inspired to question her own relationship with alcohol after watching her good friend's health decline. She now supports women worldwide to take back control without judgement, shame or fear.   Claire's mission is to rebrand sober as the goal-seeking choice for women who desire more than a bottle of wine after another stressful day. Her service inspires women to put down the glass and aim for the life of their dreams.   Claire is now 4 years alcohol free and her husband's joined her too with almost 2 years alcohol free and she had no idea life could be so good without wine!   Food for thought! Subjects covered- -Claires former relationship with alcohol -Deciding to ditch the bottle -What differences Claire noticed alcohol free -How the alcohol industry have targeting women with their marketing -Saying yes to new opportunities If you'd like to know visit- www.thesoberholic.com Join Claire's free Facebook group- https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesoberholic I'll be back in a fortnight but in the meantime  Keep being fabulous  Rachel x ⁠ https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble  

What better way for me to celebrate Mother's Day this year than to invite my own mum along for a chat. I started this podcast because I wanted women over 40 to have a platform to share their stories , to be heard and feel seen so I couldn't think of a better way to show my mum some love than to include her in this conversation.  How often do we really sit down and listen to older members of our family and friends , It's easy to forget they had a life before being a parent and I loved this weeks chat with my mum. To say that my mum has had her share of battles along the way is an under statement yet her attitude to life has always remained positive and she has shown my sister Deborah and I such strength of character.  My mum has suffered with Multiple Sclerosis since I was 2 years old and has had a rollercoaster life with remissions and long periods of illness but her upbeat attitude has helped carry her through. Unfortunately she now has a rare blood cancer to cope with and as we expected she is tackling this with her usual tenacious and pragmatic attitude. Glenda will be 78 this year and there's been many times when she was told she wouldn't make it so every moment spent together is even more precious.   Subjects covered-  - Adoption  - Leaving home at 16 an moving to another place solo  - Music & Life in the 60's   - Being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 27 - the impact that had her life and our the family   - Multiple Sclerosis Society charity It is estimated that more than 130,000 people live with multiple sclerosis in the UK. MS damages nerves in your body and makes it harder to do everyday things like walking, talking, eating and thinking. It can be relentless, painful and disabling. Across the UK more than 240 local MS Society groups provide support and information to anyone living with MS. The groups, all run by volunteers, offer a brilliant way to meet others affected by the condition and help reduce isolation. A wide range of services and support are available, from social activities and exercise classes, to therapies like physio and massage. The free MS Helpline receives thousands of calls every year from people with MS or their friends, family and carers. Specially trained staff and volunteers provide confidential and free emotional support and information on anything to do with MS, including symptoms, treatments, disability benefits and exercise. MS nurses are on hand to answer medical related queries and a befriending service is available too.The MS Helpline can be contacted on 0808 800 8000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm except bank holidays. You can also email helpline@mssociety.org.uk  - Finding courage to start again after divorce at 40  - Community work and confidence building  - Travel  - Lockdown life  - Finding joy through her Grandchildren  - Ancestry- Discovering family history and finding closure  - Living with cancer  I hope you enjoy this episode and more importantly I hope it encourages you to stop and take time out to spend with your loved ones too.  Happy Mothers Day!  I'll be back in a fortnight but in the meantime  Keep being fabulous  Rachel x  https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble

Money talk! Why do so many women still find it difficult to talk openly about money? I know from my own personal experience of going through a divorce at 40 , how important it is to have a financial plan in place. I found myself practically invisible when it came to my financial status and have spent the last decade building my credit rating and financial stability back up. If only I'd met this weeks guest earlier life might have been a little bit less stressful! Sarah Siddons set up her practice, Siddons & Co Financial Planning, from scratch in 2008 after a major career change. Providing bespoke goals-based advice helping clients with practical solutions to their financial issues. Sarah's aim is to ensure her clients have financial security and enough money to enjoy their retirement. It is about the importance of financial planning for women. Subjects covered- * How Sarah's own experience sparked a real passion about this area and how important it is for women to take control of their finances. * Why women often find it difficult to talk about money openly?*  After having gone through the divorce process herself Sarah shares lessons learnt from her own experiences. * If you are instigating the divorce, what do you need to do? *What is the ideal process to follow to ensure that you are making the best possible decisions about your finances from an informed position and help you achieve the financial outcome you need for you and your children. * If a divorce has been thrust upon you, how do you take control when you suddenly feel like all control is gone and you're firefighting. There are ways to take back control, you just need to know what to do and the key things you need to have in place. For more information - www.siddonsand.co You can also find Sarah on social media- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SiddonsandCoFP  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siddonsandcofinancialplanning/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddonsandcofp/  Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1 I'll be back in a fortnight but in the meantime Keep being fabulous Rachel x https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble

Those that have followed me for awhile will already know how passionate I am about representation of older women in the fashion and beauty industry. We all need to see women that we can relate to, no matter what age, shape or size and it matters for our mental wellbeing.So I already knew that this weeks guest and I would have a LOT to talk about! When Stephanie O Dell started her 'Celebrate the Gray' blog little did you know she know what she was creating. Stephanie is the founder of Celebrate the grey agency, representing grey models, influencers and women over 50 to help change the ageist narrative in the fashion industry. Like me, Stephanie is passionate about updating the age of models used in marketing and giving women their power back in their ageing journey. She has built a strong following and community of like-minded women who want to change the face of aging. Celebrate The Gray Collective represents over 200 gray/silver haired “real” models. It has access to 100s of ambassadors 50+ and offers age inclusion consulting for brands and companies. Women want to be seen as they age in marketing and want their faces, bodies, voices and opinions valued and authentically represented. “We are a strong, engaged collective of women who are passionate about updating the way women are viewed as we age,” O’Dell says. “We want our facies, bodies, voices, and opinions valued and authentically represented. I believe that being a woman today means not letting anyone define you. You define you!” Stephanie is a national speaker and thought leader on age inclusion. You can find out more-https://www.celebratethegray.com Follow on instagram-@celebratethegray Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1 I'll be back in a fortnight but in the meantime Keep being fabulous Rachel x https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble

Have you ever been told you're the shy one? Or felt like you've been written off as the quiet one? I was always labelled as being ‘shy’ when I was younger and not in a positive way. The more you hear it the more you retreat but those that knew me well enough would always see the real me. For years I struggled to show my inner confidence but I could feel it in there waiting to burst out. I like my own space and I’m quietly confident but it doesn’t mean I can’t roar like a lion when needed! Confidence comes in all different shapes and sizes, loud, quiet, big, small and it’s never too late to find yours! #staytruetoyourself  Sarah Bryer worked for a well-known Insurer, looking after a team of introverts. Clever, capable women, who were being held back because they didn't shout about their achievements, they didn't network or small talk by the coffee machine. As Sarah started one of the women had just returned from stress leave. Visibly shaking as she met her. Sarah worked with these women on internal bureaucracy and navigating the company politics, manager ego's, networking and how to manage upwards. Sarah protected them until they were strong enough to do it all themselves. They managed difficult people, hosted project meetings like a boss. Picked up the phone to call people they'd only ever emailed as she watched on, knowing the research that had gone into them and the work they had done was paying off. Sarah saw first hand how their confidence was rebuilt and then her role was made redundant. This was the point where she found her purpose, to build these women up. Show Girl Coaching has been created for Introverted Women. To increase their confidence and self-awareness. Show Girl is a non-judgemental coaching practice that is 100% focused on increasing confidence and enhancing a positive mindset in smart Introverted Women. To find out more- https://www.showgirlcoaching.com How would you describe your confidence?  I'll be back in a fortnight but in the meantime Keep being fabulous  Rachel x https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

So many women over 40 are left feeling invisible on the high street which showed in the results in my Midlife Body Confidence survey last year when 70% of the 200 women reported feeling invisible. I will be focusing more on those small independent brands that are showing up for women of all ages, shapes and sizes this year on the podcast as we need to shine a light and support them.  Rebecca Rodden is the founder of Eluroom, offering a beautiful collection of key wardrobe pieces that you return to time and time again as you look and feel amazing in them.  Chic yet comfortable, versatile enough to travel easily with you for those 'life on the go' moments. Rebecca is on a mission to inspire women to radiate JOY through effortless style & mindset to live a full spirited life with confidence.  Rebecca grew up in Australia and has spent all of her adult life in London, enjoying a career in fashion, starting out as a receptionist at Ted Baker & progressing through the ranks to Buying Director, which she loved. Rebecca love creating things,  seeing the pleasure people get in dressing. Working with partners around the world such as Harrods, Selfridges, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom. She has an extensive knowledge about creating collections and how to guide people in adapting their style and move it forward.  Gaining insight into how you dress & what you wear can set your mood or mindset for the day. Rebecca's other favourite thing (aside from my husband and children) is yoga and meditation. After a life time of practice she became a teacher and gets such a buzz sharing in an uplifting experience. Rebecca took the plunge and left her role in March 2020 - talk about timing to reinvent her life!  She has learnt so much and met so many beautiful souls in the creation of Eluroom. Rebecca believes that how your dress, your mood and mindset are interwoven and is committed to inspiring women to radiate joy through effortless style and mindset to live a full spirited life with confidence.  "I love drama in my clothes not in my life!"  #rebeccarodden  Visit Eluroom- https://www.eluroom.com  Follow on social media- Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eluroom_/  Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/eluroom1/  Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1   I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime  Keep being fabulous  Rachel x  https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

Happy New Year!  Jenni Retourné has worked in beauty for nearly 20 years, as a beauty editor and marketing manager before launching Willowberry skincare in 2017.   Championing Age Without Apology, Willowberry was born from Jenni’s desire to provide natural skincare designed especially for the needs of grown-up skin, without telling women to 'reverse' their faces.    Jenni campaigns for better age diversity in beauty and launched the Age Without Apology Pledge, with the goal to change the perception, representation and language of age and ageing in beauty and ensure that age is celebrated and revered, not feared.   Willowberry's work towards this has been featured in the national media and recognised by the British Beauty Council Jenni is also on the Diversity and Inclusion committee to represent age diversity in the beauty industry.    Willowberry carried out a survey with 1000 women and 97% wanted to see more older women in beauty campaigns, Let’s hope that conversations like these can create a ripple effect for change in the beauty industry.   One thing for sure is Jenni’s passion and commitment to be part of the conversation.   https://www.willowberry.co.uk   Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1    I'll be back in a fortnight but in the meantime   Keep being fabulous   Rachel x   https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble

The last show of 2022 and this week I'm wrapping up with Part 2 of the Midlife Body Confidence survey. This survey was carried out to gauge how women over 40 really feel about their bodies and what impacts, positive or negative, may alter their body confidence, as this age group so often get left out of the equation. Q8. Have you ever cut the label out of your clothes to hide the size?  70% said No  30% reported Yes, they had Q9.Do you feel represented on the high street? 70% said No they didn’t feel seen 30% felt they were represented Q10. What has the biggest impact on your body confidence? Positive or negative? Out of 184 comments some common themes appeared- Here are the most common issues cited that have a negative impact ·  The changes to our bodies as age and still comparing it to when you were younger ·  Weight gain ·  Menopause symptoms ·  Lack of women you can relate to on social media and advertising ·  Shopping and finding clothes that suit you that make you feel good Compared to those that created a positive impact ·  Following a diverse set of people on social media and seeing bodies that look like yours ·  Wearing clothes that fit well ·  Caring less about what other people might think ·  Changing your mindset-Accepting the changes to your body and focussing on the parts you do like Q11. Do you criticise your body when you are with your friends? 53% Yes occasionally 29% No we’ve banned it 15% Often 3% Yes always Q12.How comfortable are you when receiving a compliment? 44% mildly uncomfortable- they usually try and bat it off 26% were somewhat comfortable and didn’t mind 23% they loved receiving compliments 8% reported being squeamishly uncomfortable It's clear there is still work to be done to help women In midlife and beyond feel good in their bodies, to live a fulfilled life without negative thoughts about our bodies to hold us back! To read the Midlife Body Confidence Survey see- https://www.rachelperu.co.uk/the-midlife-body-confidence-report Thank you to all the fabulous women who have joined me on the podcast this year, it's been a privilege to share all their stories. Wishing you all a fabulous Christmas break and I'll be back next year! So in the meantime... Keep being fabulous  Rachel x (Data was collected anonymously, via google from between June and October 2022)

I decided to carry out this Midlife Body Confidence survey to gauge how women over 40 really feel about their bodies and what impacts, positive or negative, may alter their body confidence, as this age group so often get left out of the equation. I'll be sharing my thoughts on the results over 2 podcast episodes , as you know it's a subject I am very passionate about so I had a lot to say!  What does it mean to be body confident? Body confidence is feeling good in your own skin, no matter your size, shape, or age. It's about accepting and loving yourself, just as you are. And while that might sound easy enough, achieving body confidence can be a real challenge—especially for women over 40. Think about it: By the time we reach our 40s, we've been through a lot. We've borne children, weathered breakups, and divorce, and dealt with job losses and financial setbacks. We've also been bombarded by society's unrealistic standards of beauty. As a result, it's no wonder that so many of us struggle with self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy. It is possible to overcome negative feelings and achieve true body confidence at any age. Here's some useful tips: 1. Accept your age One of the best things you can do for your body confidence is to accept the fact that you are no longer in your 20s (or 30s). That doesn't mean resigning yourself to a life of frumpy clothes and taking it easy on the weekends. Rather, it means accepting that your body has changed and that those changes are perfectly normal. 2. Don't compare yourself to others It's human nature to compare ourselves to others, but when it comes to body confidence, comparisons are always going to leave us feeling worse about ourselves. Instead of dwelling on what you don't have, focus on what you do have—and be grateful for it. 3. Focus on health, not looks Oftentimes, we become so focused on how we look that we forget about how we feel. But true body confidence comes from feeling our best—mentally and physically. In other words, worry less about fitting into those skinny jeans and more about eating healthy foods, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep. When you take care of yourself, you'll feel better both inside and out—and that will show in your appearance as well as in your overall sense of well-being. 4. Find something to love about your body We all have aspects of our appearance that we're self-conscious about—but instead of fixating on those things, try to find one thing that you love about your body for every aspect that you're not crazy about. For example, if you don't like your arms, think about how strong they are from all those years of carrying around kids or grocery bags. If you're not thrilled with your hips, remember how feminine they make you look. Focusing on the positive will help you see yourself in a whole new light—and feel more confident as a result." The most important thing to remember is that everyone's definition of body confidence is different—and there's no "right" way to achieve it. Just do what feels right for you—and don't be afraid to ask for help along the way! If you're struggling to love your body just as it is, consider reaching out to a therapist or counsellor who can help you learn to appreciate all that YOU are—inside and out *Data was collected anonymously, via google from between June and October 2022. You can read the report summary here-  https://www.rachelperu.co.uk/the-midlife-body-confidence-report I'll be back with Part 2 next week but in the meantime Keep being fabulous Rachel x https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

Meet Dawn-Maria France who is an accomplished award-winning journalist and the Editor-in-chief of a news-led women’s magazine Yorkshire Women’s Life. She is a also travel writer, children's author and broadcaster. A fellow Yorkshire lass, Dawn-Maria is not only passionate about her Caribbean Asian roots but also on important issues including women’s rights, equality, diversity and mental health. Dawn has a breadth of  broadcasting experience appearing on the BBC TV & radio, Sky News as well as European channels including Spain's largest English-speaking radio station: Talk Radio Europe, where Dawn-Maria talked about women in the media. Dawn-Maria has presented awards at award ceremonies and has sat on news panels discussing 'women in the news', and 'global news stories'. She was a panellist on 'Views in the News' at the highly respected Women of the World festival. Dawn-Maria has interviewed celebrities and prominent public figures including Lord Andrew Adonis and Businesswoman, CEO, celebrity Caprice Bourret. Dawn and I had so much to talk about from women in the media, why representation is so important and what inspired her to write her children’s picture books: The Adventures of Jenny and Philip. Through her books Dawn aims to teach children about ethics and morals , about the world them and their place in it. Subjects covered- What drew Dawn-Maria to journalism and wanting to share other peoples stories Life as a young black journalist from the north of England The mental wellbeing impact of racism  Staying true to your roots and being your authentic self Why representation matters The need to hear more working class voices from the North represented in the media Where the inspiration came from to write The Adventures of Jenny and Philip Self publishing v the traditional publishing root Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1  I'll be back for a solo last episode of 2022  but in the meantime Keep being fabulous Rachel x https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

I am so excited about this weeks guest as I am huge fan of her poetry. Donna Ashworth is the Sunday Times Bestselling author of several poetry books. Collections to provide inspiration and comfort for absolutely every bump in life’s road. From marriage, parenting, self-love, ageing, body image, grief, loss and much more, no stone is left unturned and no trouble unheard within these covers. I Wish I Knew has been shared around the world and across social media and resonated with so many women during lockdown. A mother of two, Donna lives in the idyllic Scottish hills with her husband, sons, and dogs and has created a real stir in the poetry arena.  She first started writing her poems during lockdown hiding her real name and quickly gained fans including celebrities such as Fearne Cotton. There comes a point when imposter syndrome needs to move to one side and Donna began to own her work and started to show up as her authentic self on social media. Donna describes herself as a woman’s woman who would love nothing more than banish the societal expectations placed upon us on our body image and the ageing process and as a body confidence activist myself I couldn't love her work more! Donna has almost a million followers across social media, as well as many celebrity readers, and enjoys engaging with them all, reminding each other daily that we are here to thrive!  Subjects covered- The impact of lockdown life Tapping in to your creative intuition Imposter syndrome Where the inspiration come from  Moving back to Scotland Finding simple pleasures in life The writing process Gaining a publishing contract What's next .https://donnaashworth.com Instagram- @donnaashworthwords Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1  I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime Keep being fabulous Rachel x https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

Amy Bates is the Founder of the Beauty Rebellion, a positive body image activist and beauty industry educator. The Beauty Rebellion is a multi-layered coaching business that teaches beauty professionals how to run an ethical, inclusive and body positive beauty business that helps their clients learn to be confident in their bodies and improve their self-esteem aswell as coaching individuals to improve their body confidence.  She is a number one bestselling author of The Body Confidence Masterplan and podcast show host of Girl talk - a signposting and support show for beauty industry professionals to help themselves and clients with issues that affect women. She is on a mission to help people stop spending so much time worrying about what we look like and more time living happy and fulfilled lives and drive change in the beauty industry. She started her career as a Police Officer and changed direction to the world of Bridal Beauty in 2011. The Rebellion has evolved into educating beauty professionals in building clients self-esteem and having a positive impact on body positivity through better education and representation. You can complete an accredited course on how to be a body positive beauty business. The affiliate programme allows beauty pro's to represent their business as a driver of change for the impact the industry has on mental health. The Beauty Rebellion offers professionals the opportunity to promote positive body image personal development courses and self-esteem building retail items for clients.  "Rebels & non-conformists are the pioneers and designers of change." #Indira Ghandi And that is exactly what the Beauty Rebellion is here to do. To create change in the beauty industry, create change in the way we see beauty and build confidence and self-esteem in the women and men we see ! We need to  see that the next generation develops tools to combat the issues surrounding the way they see themselves and others. Subjects covered- Career shifts from the police force to the beauty industry Confidence is key The lack of diversity and inclusion in the beauty industry Why representation matters What sparked Amy's passion to create change Body confidence and self esteem What's next? If you would like to find out more about The Beauty Rebellion and Amy please visit-https://beautyrebellion.co.uk/home I had the pleasure of joining Amy on her Girl Talk podcast recently and you can hear our interview here Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1  I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime Keep being fabulous Rachel x https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

Those that have followed me for a while will know that I’m a big fan of wearing vintage and preloved clothes, before modelling I used to have my own vintage clothing business called All About Eve and I loved it. What better way to remind everyone about #secondhandseptember than talking with sustainable stylist Sara Ibrahim. Sara is the Founder and Lead Stylist of SIMA. As an experienced sustainable stylist and a graduate of London School of Styling. Sara strives to redesign her clients wardrobe habits, creating new from old outfits that reflect their personality and lifestyle. Sara also challenges them to rethink old potentially mindless shopping habits into something positive and joyful. “As a woman and as a Sustainable Personal Stylist, I want to collaborate building a world where our clothes do not restrict us, but rather empower us. Because fashion is confidence!” As an experienced sustainable personal stylist and graduate of London School of Styling, Sara works with her clients to clean up and revamp their existing wardrobe, find suitable pieces to fill the gaps and challenge them to rethink old shopping habits. When was the last time you shopped in your wardrobe? You might find some hidden gems you’d forgotten about Let's build a world where our clothes don't restrict us but empower us"  When you think of booking a stylist you may still be worried that they’re going to come into your wardrobe and throw away all your clothes and expect you to have a big bag of money to replace them with. Thankfully this isn’t the case and Sara can help you to shop in your own wardrobe strive to redesign your wardrobe habits, creating new from old outfits that reflect your personality and lifestyle. Subjects covered- ·  What is sustainable style? ·  Why is it so important ·  Losing our sense of identity after 40 ·  Ditching the numbers ·  Body confidence ·  Secondhand September ·  How we can reboot our confidence through our clothes ·  How to stop feeling overwhelmed in Charity shopping ·  The differences between Italian and women in the UK ·  Fashion should be fun! ·  If you’d like to know more about Sara please visit- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-ibrahim https://www.simastylist.com https://www.instagram.com/simastylistlondon/ Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1  I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime Keep being fabulous Rachel x https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

This weeks guest is joining me from her home in the South of France. Living the dream life with some curve balls along the way.  Honor Marks is an instagram Coach and gîte owner in the South of France. Honor shares her journey on social media with honesty, good humour and a good dose of reality. She is passionate about supporting other women in midlife and helping them refine their mojo.  Whilst some of us still might dream of moving to France (It's on my future plans list!) Honor moved from London with her then husband and daughter to experience a new way of life. Life has a way of throwing you unexpected curve balls in midlife and as Honor shares so openly the breakdown of her marriage around her 50th birthday was one of those moments. Followed by the pandemic which saw an abrupt stop to her gite rental business she was left at a crossroads.  She had already created a strong social media following on Instagram with confidence so she turned her hand to coaching and helping other women become more confident and visible as an Instagram coach. Life has slowly returned back to normal with a summer full of gite guests so what's next for Honor and her French adventures? Subject covered- Moving to France and making someone else's dream work Becoming a site owner Curve balls at 50 and getting divorced Going solo Navigating the pandemic and changing direction Instagram and social media coaching Confidence is key  Dating in your 50's and finding love later in life Why Honor is so passionate about helping support other women in midlife Women supporting women- womens retreats What comes next... Do you dream of moving abroad? If so what's stopping you? I know for me it's family ties, I want to wait until my youngest has finished her degree next year before I start planning, but that doesn't stop me doing the research of which areas we like best and I lose endless hours scrolling through Rightmove.  One thing I have learnt from interviewing all these fabulous women is that nothing is impossible!  Follow Honor on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/honestlywithhonor/ https://www.honestlywithhonor.com www.maisondelaroche.com Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1  I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime Keep being fabulous Rachel x https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

Baroness Helen Newlove has been on my guest wish list for several years so I was so delighted to finally have the opportunity to talk with her and I wasn't disappointed, we had so much to talk about. Helen has so many strings to her bow including broadcaster, public speaker, Author of 'It Could Happen To You', Pro Vice Chancellor University of Bolton and not forgetting the current Deputy Speaker House of Lords The sad truth is Helen's drive and sense of purpose comes from a place of unimaginable trauma that no one should have to experience. Helen Newlove came to prominence after her husband, Garry Newlove was murdered by three youths in 2007. After Garrys death she set up a number of foundations that aimed to tackle the UK drinking culture as well as providing support to young people.  All her hard work didn't go unnoticed which led to her to becoming the Victims Commissioner in 2012 and is now serving as the Deputy Speaker of House of Lords. Helen was driven by her own experience of dealing with a traumatic life changing event; she wanted to ensure others didn't have to go through the same ordeal and that lessons could be learnt. "I am just an ordinary woman, propelled into high profile by a set of horrifying circumstances which I wish with all my heart had never occurred." Subjects covered- Garrys tragic murder and life afterwards  The justice system and what inspired Helen to campaign for change Finding her own voice  The power of sharing your story The importance of community Stepping out of her comfort zone and taking on new roles that she could never have imagined Imposter syndrome  Life in the House of Lords  Finding that work/life balance and what Helens self care looks like What's next? Connecting with others and become a coach. If you'd like to learn more about Baroness Helen Newlove you can find her- Instagram- @baronessnewlove  Twitter-@baronessnewlove Linkedin- Baroness Newlove Listen to her Desert Island Discs episode-https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bbnlyz Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1  I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime Keep being fabulous Rachel x https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble 

Rachel Lankester is no stranger to the show, in fact this is her second visit since our first interview back on Ep.20 , in 2019 but she's been a busy woman since then so I couldn't wait for round 2!  Rachel is the founder of Magnificent Midlife, an online hub inspiring woman in midlife and beyond. Magnificent Midlife exists to challenge negative stereotypes of older women, change perceptions, and transform midlife and beyond into a time of excitement and fulfilment. Like me Rachel is passionate about celebrating, championing and empowering women in midlife and beyond and her Magnificent Midlife Podcast does just that. She can also add author to her list of her credentials after recently publishing Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause and Beyond  which I found thought provoking and left me feeling even more positive about my own next chapter. Subjects covered- -Going through early menopause -Where the inspiration came from to start Magnificent Midlife -Why it's important we challenge the outdated stereo types of midlife women -Midlife transformations -Why Rachel believes we need to hear more positive stories around the menopause -Different attitudes to ageing across the world -What we can learn from whales! -Writing her first book, the highs and the lows -Whats next? You can find out lots more from Rachel  -https://magnificentmidlife.com Whilst it is undeniable that lots of women really struggle with the physical and mental impact of the menopasue we should also include the positive side to this stage of life because it's definitely not all doom and gloom. I want to hear more stories from post-menopausal women so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1  I love sharing all these amazing and inspiring women and have learnt so much from all of them, If you enjoy listening to them as much as I do, then please feel free to Buy Me A Coffee I really appreciate your support. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RachelPeru1   I have now created a FREE "Step Out of the Bubble" private group. A safe space to share and feel part of a community of women all finding their own way through midlife. Where you get to hear from amazing women who are embracing life and leaving a trail of inspiration along the way. Encouraging women after 40 to try something new and step out of their own bubble. A group to share, celebrate wins, encourage and support other members. It's your time to shine! Join here https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepoutofthebubble I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime Keep being fabulous Rachel x https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble  (Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

*Trigger warning- This episode discusses healing and recovering from disordered eating and poor body image  I'll be honest after years of yoyo dieting and disordered food habits I've been avoiding this subject on the podcast because I still see so much pressure on women to be a certain size and body shape pushed by the media and advertising. I've been following this weeks guest for awhile now and I really like her approach to finding food freedom and breaking down those negative thought patterns so I knew I had to invite her on the show. Mel Wakeman specialises in non-diet nutrition and counselling for eating disorders and disordered eating, chronic dieting, compulsive exercise, weight and body image concerns, all through a weight inclusive lens. She also runs the food freedom community and hosts the podcast Cake Over Keto. Subjects covered- Mel's story How Mel faced her own food demons The manipulation of the diet industry Breaking down the negative narrative around food and our bodies There is more than one way to have a healthy happy body and it doesn't involve dieting Where do the 'food rules' come from? Learning to appreciate our bodies Why women in midlife are vulnerable to eating disorders What part do our hormones play in midlife and our changing bodies Stigma and discrimination of our bodies in todays society To find out more from Mel visit- www.wakemannutrition.com,  instagram.com/mel_wakeman_rnutr, www.instagram.com/cakeoverketo, Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1  I love sharing all these amazing and inspiring women and have learnt so much from all of them, If you enjoy listening to them as much as I do, then please feel free to Buy Me A Coffee I really appreciate your support. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RachelPeru1   I have now created a FREE "Step Out of the Bubble" private group. A safe space to share and feel part of a community of women all finding their own way through midlife. Where you get to hear from amazing women who are embracing life and leaving a trail of inspiration along the way. Encouraging women after 40 to try something new and step out of their own bubble. A group to share, celebrate wins, encourage and support other members. It's your time to shine! Join here https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepoutofthebubble I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime Keep being fabulous Rachel x https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble  (Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

I first interviewed Carron Cummings in 2020 and was blown away by her drive and determination, she really is a woman with mission.  Carron's personal story and life experiences have taken her on a journey that she could never have anticipated. She's the founder of SimplyLadies.com, which is one of the UK's fastest growing women's lifestyle networking group in the country and her passion for helping and supporting other women is amazing.  Carron is not settling here on her mission to support and empower women.She is now using all her skills and personal experience to help other women through her coaching work and next stop is tackling the fashion industry. We share the same opinions on the lack of diversity in the fashion industry and rather than sit back and watch with frustration Carron has started her own modelling agency to help represent people that not ally get missed by standard agencies. This is a woman who has found her voice and is using it to her best ability to help create change and support others. She's a fabulous inspiration and I hugely admire the work she is doing and her dedication. Subjects covered- Carrons traumatic life experiences that forced change Dealing with grief  Finding inspiration to connect with other women  Starting the SimplyLadies lifestyle group on a shoestring budget How Carron is using her own life experiences and skills to help lift other women up through her coaching work Women empowerment in fashion The next chapter - Code modelling -Why she's now tackling the lack of diversity in the fashion industry head on From a studio to billboards- Defining moments London Fashion Week- saying yes to new opportunities Drive and determination How to find Carron- Facebook - Coachedbycarron  Facebook @codemodelling  For more details about Simply Ladies-  https://www.facebook.com/Simply Twitter & Instagram @simplyladiesinc Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1  I love sharing all these amazing and inspiring women and have learnt so much from all of them, If you enjoy listening to them as much as I do, then please feel free to Buy Me A Coffee I really appreciate your support. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RachelPeru1   I have now created a FREE "Step Out of the Bubble" private group. A safe space to share and feel part of a community of women all finding their own way through midlife. Where you get to hear from amazing women who are embracing life and leaving a trail of inspiration along the way. Encouraging women after 40 to try something new and step out of their own bubble. A group to share, celebrate wins, encourage and support other members. It's your time to shine! Join here https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepoutofthebubble I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime Keep being fabulous Rachel x https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble  (Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

This weeks guest is someone I have followed on Twitter for a while now, we have a very similar approach to midlife and both love sharing and inspiring other women.  Wendy Battles is a pro-age influencer, speaker and host of the "Rebellious Rebels" podcast which is all about sharing women's stories of reinvention later in life and on paper I would guess you'd say she's one of my podcast competitors.   Wendy describes herself as a "curious soul who loves to talk to people and understand their experiences". Believing that reinvention is a natural part of life, something that many of us have done numerous times. Wendy has found her voice in her fifties and she is unapologetically  pursuing her biggest dreams and desires.  "I created this podcast because I’m DONE with the limiting narrative about older women in our society. The narrative that’s focused on all things we lose as we age. I see it differently. I see this as an amazing time where wise women can find their true voice and step into a new sense of freedom – in an exciting and badass way" #wendybattles  Subjects covered-  Where the inspiration came from to start the podcast  How society portrays older women in general  How we can shift the narrative and celebrate older women  Breaking down stereo typical barriers  What does pro-ageing mean for Women  Finding your voice and owning your story  Collaborating with your competitors  To find out more about Wendy's work visit ReinventionRebels.com   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReinventionRebels/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/rebelsreinvent  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reinventionrebels/  Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1  I love sharing all these amazing and inspiring women and have learnt so much from all of them, If you enjoy listening to them as much as I do, then please feel free to Buy Me A Coffee I really appreciate your support. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RachelPeru1    I have now created a FREE "Step Out of the Bubble" private group. A safe space to share and feel part of a community of women all finding their own way through midlife. Where you get to hear from amazing women who are embracing life and leaving a trail of inspiration along the way.  Encouraging women after 40 to try something new and step out of their own bubble. A group to share, celebrate wins, encourage and support other members. It's your time to shine!  Join here https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepoutofthebubble  I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime  Keep being fabulous Rachel x  https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble   (Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

I talk to lots of women over 40 who tell me they feel disconnected from their bodies as they reach midlife, especially when they enter the peri-menopause and menopause. I know from my own experience that I started to struggle with the changes my body is going through in the menopause and that body confidence is never a done deal so it was great to talk to Sophie Cleere who is as passionate about helping women feel sexy and confident as I do.  Sophie Cleere is a women’s coach, yoga teacher and conscious sexuality educator. She is passionate about helping women feel sexy, fabulous and excited about the next chapter of their live and I’m all here for that! “Our sexuality has very little to do with being young and fertile and looking a certain way. In fact I feel the older we get, the more we know ourselves the sexier we are.” #Sophiecleere  Subjects covered-  Sophies own conscious sexuality journey  Body confidence  Sex and the peri-menopause and menopause  Womens sexuality  Re-connecting with our bodies later in life  Midlife transitions  Why there is still a stigma attached to discussing sexuality openly  The UK’s attitude to nudity compared other countries  The freedom of knowing our bodies  Self love  You can find out more about Sophies work www.sophiecleere.com and you will also follow on Instagram @sophie.cleere  Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1  I love sharing all these amazing and inspiring women and have learnt so much from all of them, If you enjoy listening to them as much as I do, then please feel free to Buy Me A Coffee I really appreciate your support. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RachelPeru1    I have now created a FREE "Step Out of the Bubble" private group. A safe space to share and feel part of a community of women all finding their own way through midlife. Where you get to hear from amazing women who are embracing life and leaving a trail of inspiration along the way. Encouraging women after 40 to try something new and step out of their own bubble.  A group to share, celebrate wins, encourage and support other members. It's your time to shine! Join here https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepoutofthebubble  I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime  Keep being fabulous Rachel x  https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble  (Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

To celebrate my 52nd birthday I thought it would be a good idea to go solo this week,  reflecting on the last year and sharing some of my own midlife journey. I've learnt so much from the 103 women I've interviewed so far and each story brings me so much inspiration and reminds me how fabulous women are.  Here's the top 3 things I'm constantly reminded of 1. Women over 40 are bloody amazing, we are strong, resilient, brave and capable of living such amazing fulfilled lives.  2. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary but it's also the place where real magic can happen. So many of my guests have stepped 'out of their bubble' entering unknown territory and gone on to have amazing adventures, started new careers and changed direction. It's time to put our big knickers on and trust the process. 3. Keeping an open mind is the key to embracing this next chapter. Saying yes to new opportunities and trying new things, for no other reason than to explore what brings you real joy. It should be part of our self love routine. The menopause and my own body confidence journey On this weeks episode I also share how this last year has been a rollercoaster when it came to the menopause and my own body confidence. It will always be work in progress but I can manage the negative feelings so much better than I used to so it's about recognising those triggers and focussing on the positives. The surge of anxiety threw me as well , although I've been on HRT since 2018- which helps, I'm now increasing my daily active levels, with a mixture of wild swimming, yoga, running and EMS (Electric Muscle Stimulation) training and I'm starting to feel a lot calmer and more in control which is a relief. #keepingitreal How I feel in my 50's compared to my 40's Reflections of my own self development and growth Just getting started- sharing my dreams, aspirations and goals for the next year Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1 I love sharing all these amazing and inspiring women and have learnt so much from all of them, If you enjoy listening to them as much as I do, then please feel free to Buy Me A Coffee I really appreciate your support. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RachelPeru1          I have now created a FREE "Step Out of the Bubble" private group. A safe space to share and feel part of a community of women all finding their own way through midlife. Where you get to hear from amazing women who are embracing life and leaving a trail of inspiration along the way. Encouraging women after 40 to try something new and step out of their own bubble. A group to share, celebrate wins, encourage and support other members. It's your time to shine! Join here https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepoutofthebubble I'll be back next week, but in the meantime  Keep being fabulous Rachel x https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble (Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

It's time we talked more openly about money and began being more honest about our financial goals, dreams and aspirations. When it comes to money women still find it difficult to talk about, I know it's not something my friends and I don't regularly talk about. I'm sure I'm not the only one that grew up in the 70's hearing phrases like " money doesn't grow on trees" or "money should be saved for a rainy day". My parents drummed it in to me that talking about money was vulgar and we should never brag about it. I've spent lots of time working on my money mindset and learning to shed those limiting money beliefs that have held me back.  Helen Louise Adams is the Global Leader of the Female Business Revolution. She helps female entrepreneurs all around the globe to create the unlimited income they desire and deserve so they can spend more time living the first class lives they really want. And she helps them do it in the fastest and most powerful way…..using their intuition! After spending too many years living according to other people’s expectations , and suffering financially as a result, she decided to follow her soul, and teach other women to open up and do the same. Her mission within the next 10 years is to empower one million women all around the world to create the income THEY desire….with no limits. My conversation with Helen has really made me think about my own financial goals and expectations and I've spent time writing a 5 year plan. I definitely recommend it.  With this in mind I have looked at ways that I can create some income from producing the Out of the Bubble podcast as up until now it has been a pure passion project with no financial reward. I love sharing all these amazing and inspiring women and have learnt so much from all of them, If you enjoy listening to them as much as I do, then please feel free to Buy Me A Coffee, I really appreciate your support. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RachelPeru1 We all have a money story, what's yours? You can find more about Helens work here- linktr.ee/helenlouiseadams Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram! @rachelperu1 I have now created a FREE "Step Out of the Bubble" private group. A safe space to share and feel part of a community of women all finding their own way through midlife. Where you get to hear from amazing women who are embracing life and leaving a trail of inspiration along the way. Encouraging women after 40 to try something new and step out of their own bubble. A group to share, celebrate wins, encourage and support other members. It's your time to shine! Join here https://www.facebook.com/groups/stepoutofthebubble I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime .... Keep being fabulous Rachel x https://linktr.ee/outofthebubble (Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

I'm going to let you in to a little secret! I love the art behind Burlesque dancing and learning to burlesque dance and perform live once in my life is at the top of my bucket list. So you can imagine how excited I was when I recently came across Judith Vandepeer otherwise known as "Pupin Devert".  Judith started burlesque 3 years ago at the age of 55, and absolutely loved it.  She really wanted to capture something about herself that she'd not shown before and to show a glamour which fully embraced her age, size and her newly grown out natural grey hair. The fact that she's a fellow silver and very sassy woman was the icing on the cake.  Judith is burlesque performer based in Hastings, and has been performing burlesque for over 3 years, as well as producing her own shows - both live and online. Travelling with her acts all over the UK and abroad, and has collected national and international titles in burlesque and cabaret.    Judith is also a ‘Grey Model’ and loves creating body/age/sex positive images, as well as working on commercial shoots for companies such as Snag Tights and The Bias Cut Boutique.  She is passionate about wanting to create a space which is positive and judgement free, and wants to spread the message that ‘Burlesque is for Everyone’   We had so much to talk about and I love Judith's new found body confidence and how she's smashing down those midlife stereo-typical barriers, showing other women in their 50's that we are definitely not invisible.   Subjects covered-  The history of burlesque  Dita Von Teese   Costume design and creativity  Ageism in the burlesque world  Body confidence  Other peoples reaction  Overcoming her fears in her first performance  How she chose her stage name  Why burlesque is so empowering  The Solid Gold Silver show  Teaching classes  What's next!  I recommend you start following Judith on her instagram @pupindevert for heaps of body confidence inspiration and some fabulous outfits!  If you're in the Hastings area you can also find out about her burlesque classes. What would your burlesque name be?  I'm thinking of Lucy Lark or Glenda Ganda ( something with a bit of Yorkshire in it.... work in progress!!).  If you're enjoying the interviews and I leave you felling inspired please feel free to Buy Me A Coffee! Your support is much appreciated - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RachelPeru1 Don't miss any of the inspiring Out of the Bubble women, you can go and subscribe at www.rachelperu.co.uk and come and say hello on Instagram!  I have now created a FREE "Step Out of the Bubble" private group. A safe space to share and feel part of a community of women all finding their own way through midlife. Where you get to hear from amazing women who are embracing life and leaving a trail of inspiration along the way.  Encouraging women after 40 to try something new and step out of their own bubble. A group to share, celebrate wins, encourage and support other members. It's your time to shine! Join here  I'll be back in a fortnight, but in the meantime ....   Keep being fabulous  Rachel x  (Music credited to Scott Holmes- By Big Adventure)

It's good to be back after the Easter break and I have a bumper season of women to share with you.  If you are enjoying listening to my interviews and I leave you feeling inspired then please feel free to Buy Me A Coffee. Your support is much appreciated. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RachelPeru1 Starting with t