The Upgrade - how the female brain gets stronger and better in midlife and beyond.

What if we changed the language we used to talk about Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause. Away from a medicalised framework to one more aligned with how we feel and in those phases of life? Because after all, we are human and they are phases, not a disease.Dr Louann Brizendine is ushering us to do just that, to instead call these phases of life The Transition & The Upgrade. Just saying those words feels more uplifting and empowering.Her book ‘The Upgrade - How The Female Brain Gets Stronger And Better In Midlife And Beyond’ is a must read for any woman in her 30’s and older. Heck, for men too! Based on research, scientific facts and years of clinical practice experience this book is an easy read loaded with practical advice. Peppered with relatable stories of women she’s helped in her Mood and Hormone Clinic since 1994! She’s a trailblazer, very much ahead of her time and current conversations.Join Erica and I as we talk about the contents that caught our attention:* the impact changing the language around menopause for women can have.* Who Will We Be? Personal growth fueled by the power to explore with intention and purpose.* the body:brain connection and the importance of appreciating our brains are calling the shots - hormones driving behaviour change and responses. Rather than seeing these life stages as driven by our reproductive organs alone.* Life after the Fertility Phase of our 20’s and 30’s. The fear of letting go of how we were in that stage of life (where the focus was on how we looked in order to ‘hunt the right sperm’) our identity then, to embrace how we are in The Upgrade. The tensions we feel when society says we should be this way and that, but inside we feel another. Being true to ourselves. * The 6 Stages of The Upgrade - so many transitions: * Looks * Sex * Loss * Death Anxiety * Facing Dying &* Planning for a Good Death. Wanting More? Buy The Book: ‘The Upgrade - how the female brain gets stronger and better in midlife and beyond’ by Dr Louann Brizendine where ever you get you good books from. Here is where you can find it on her website and at the same time, found out more about this incredible woman.Related Topics: In our podcast, Midlife Unfiltered, we’ve invited guests to chat with us about many of the topics mentioned in this book. * Identity in Midlife & Beyond - with guests Cat Matson & Alex Hanlon* Where We Fear To Tread - let’s talk about death * Facing Death - with end of life doula Jacqui Williams* Grief (& Loss) - there’s more to it than deathWe also have episodes talking about Menopause from different perspectives with guest experts - a naturopath and menopause coach, integrative doctor, women’s health GP, Clinical Psychologist (women’s health specialty) as well as personal stories of women who have each had a very different Transition experience - medically induced, surgically induced, ‘natural’, and early transition. Find them all on our Midlife Unfiltered page here on Substack. If you’ve enjoyed this episode of Midlife Unfiltered, share the love! We’d be most appreciative too. To your brilliant Upgrade. Thank you to everyone who tuned into our live video! Join us for our next live video in the app.Anita xx This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit midlifeunfiltered.substack.com