Menopause Part 3 : Lifestyle, past traumas and life beyond menopause

​Topics covered include:​ Alcoholism​, domestic violence​, hypervigilance​, compassion​, motherhood​, self-abandonment​, being a carer​, death and loss​, grief​, faith​, spirituality​, forgiveness​, love​, safety​, self-worth​, self-sabotage​, overwhelm​, healing​. This week I'm joined by Master Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner, Executive Coach and founder of The Navigation Coach, Tara Rafter. Tara lives in Mayo with her husband Kevin and their son Kai. In this deeply honest conversation, Tara shares the story of her childhood growing up in a home impacted by alcoholism and domestic violence. She speaks candidly about the hypervigilance she developed from a young age, the lasting impact those experiences had on her life, and the remarkable compassion she holds for her father despite the challenges her family faced. Tara's story is one of resilience, but also of love, forgiveness and understanding. She reflects on her relationship with both of her parents, who died far too young. Her father passed away at the age of 58, while her beloved mother​, who was her anchor throughout life​, lived with COPD for several years before she died. We also explore motherhood, self-abandonment, self-worth, self-sabotage, overwhelm​ and what it means to truly feel safe in yourself. Alongside the more difficult chapters, this conversation is full of warmth and humour. Tara talks about her love of music​ and heading off to gigs on her own, her deep faith and the practices that have helped her navigate life's challenges. You can connect with Tara here: Website: thenavigationcoach.com Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Multiple sclerosis, childfree by choice, travel, freedom, simple living.  This week, I sit down with author Susan Bennett to chat about her memoir, One Year. Susan and her husband Chris live in Antrim. After both receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis just three days apart, they made a decision that would change the course of their lives.  Years later, they packed up their much loved campervan, fondly known as Hans, and set off on an unforgettable journey through 17 countries across Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this snippet I speak to online fitness coach and content creator Siobhán O'Hagan about being pregnant with her second child and her decision to become become a solo parent through IVF. Siobhán lives in Dublin with her daughter Cadhla, who will be 3 in August. At the time of recording, she was 15 weeks pregnant and she shares how she has found the experience so far and why she felt confident making such a significant life decision on her own. * If you're considering fertility treatment or have any questions about your own circumstances, please speak with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional. To connect with Siobhán : Siobhan O'Hagan (@siobh.ohagan) • Instagram photos and videos The Self-Improvement Project | fitness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

​Topics covered : Building a career in the fitness industry​, solo travel and the search for freedom​, holotropic breathwork​, solo motherhood through IVF​, ​pregnancy and preparing for baby number two​, navigating criticism and online trolling​, the importance of family support​ and creating a life on your own terms​. A quick note : If you're considering fertility treatment or have any questions about your own circumstances, please speak with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional. This week on Ready to be Real, I'm joined by online fitness coach and content creator Siobh​án O'Hagan. For more than a decade, Siobh​án has worked in the fitness industry, building a successful online coaching business and sharing her life with a large audience online. But this conversation goes far beyond fitness. S​he speaks openly about her love of travel and adventure, living in places like Thailand​ and Bali and the importance of freedom and independence in her life. She reflects on discovering she was pregnant with her daughter Cadhla, becoming a single mother, and more recently making the decision to have a second child through IVF as a solo parent. At the time of recording, Siobh​án was 15 weeks pregnant and shares how she has found the experience so far, the reactions she has received, and why she felt confident making such a significant life decision on her own. We also discuss the realities of sharing your life online, dealing with criticism and trolling, the role her parents play in supporting her, and the lessons she has learned through motherhood. This is an empowering conversation about trusting yourself, creating a life that feels right for you, and having the courage to make unconventional choices. ​We talk about : her career in fitness, pregnancy and early motherhood with Cadhla, solo pregnancy and IVF, trolling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Navy Captain Marie Gleeson speaks about the most profound and heartbreaking experience of her life. During her pregnancy with her son Ciarán, Marie and her husband John received devastating news about his health. What followed was a journey marked by immense love and, ultimately, deep grief. If you'd like to hear the full conversation, Marie also speaks about life in the Navy and what the sea taught her about navigating life.   It's available to listen to anytime now. ​And if anything discussed in this episode feels difficult or brings up emotions for you, please know that you are not alone. Support Links – Pregnancy & Infant Loss Ireland ​​Ireland helplines and hotlines ​Marie’s memoir, ​'Be Like the Sea​ - Life, Learnings and Leadership from an Irish Navy Captain', is out now, and it's brilliant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.