Today’s episode is an important one — and an honest one.

Fliss Hoyle is back for her second conversation with me, and this time she’s sharing a story that far too many women are living quietly: surgical menopause.

Fliss is the founder of Lived Experience Inspires, a company dedicated to bringing the patient voice and lived experience into the heart of healthcare, education, and workplace culture. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to break the stigma, build compassion, and empower people — from students to senior leaders — to create environments rooted in understanding, well-being, and genuine human connection.

In this episode, Fliss opens up about her hysterectomy and the sudden hormonal crash that followed. While the world is finally starting to talk about menopause — often framed as “natural menopause” — very few conversations address what happens when a woman is thrust overnight into surgical menopause.

There is no “peri.”
There is no gradual transition.
There is just a crash.

A crash of estrogen.
A crash of progesterone.
A crash of identity, well-being, and stability — often without adequate education, support, or hormone replacement offered.

Fliss speaks candidly about what it feels like when hormones are abruptly removed, the impact on mental health, physical health, relationships, and self-trust, and how historically, women in this situation were expected to cope — silently.

This conversation matters.
Because surgical menopause is menopause.
Because hormone loss is not benign.
And because lived experience deserves to be heard, believed, and acted on.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed, confused, or blindsided by your body — or if you care about creating safer, more compassionate systems for women — this episode is for you.

This is Sharing Out Loud.
And this is a conversation every woman deserves to hear.

Please follow Fliss @fliss_livedexperienceinspires

And visit her brand new website! https://www.livedexperienceinspires.com/

And let's keep the conversation going by SHARING THIS EPISODE!

xoxo,

Heather

Because midlife doesn’t need a makeover; it needs a microphone! And it also needs LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of women talking about it, sometimes for hours at a time😘.

So, what happens when women drop the polite, watered-down version of midlife and finally say what’s actually going on?

Magic. Truth. Relief. And a whole lot of “Why did no one tell me this sooner?”

That’s exactly what unfolded during the very first Midlife Table Talk—a raw, unrushed, radically honest roundtable hosted by me and Angela Burk, speaker, midlife blogger, and author of the new book, The Real Girls Guide to Midlife! We are joined by three powerhouse women who work on the front lines of midlife every single day:

• Cris Amato, RN, MSN, RNFA, APN-C, founder of Grace Concierge, and an expert in hormones and women’s health
• Amy Johnson, fitness expert and nutrition coach who helps midlife women rebuild strength, metabolism, and confidence
• Heather Dillavou, PT, MS, a pelvic floor specialist who brings clarity (and hope!) to the parts no one ever talks about

Together, we dive into the unfiltered reality of hormones, aging, identity shifts, pelvic floor challenges, strength changes, brain fog, energy fluctuations—and the empowering truth that midlife isn’t the end of anything. It’s the beginning of understanding your body, your power, and your voice on a whole new level.

If you’ve ever felt confused, dismissed, or alone in your midlife experience, pull up a chair.

This is the conversation every woman deserves to hear.
Listen on a walk, in the car, on your lunch break—however it fits into your day. You don’t even have to listen all at once.

But trust me… the information is that good.
You won’t want to miss a single minute.

Please be sure to SHARE THIS EPISODE WITH FRIENDS and, of course, follow these amazing women on social media (except for Heather D., who is not yet active for her professional life).

Cris: @graceconcierge and graceconcierge.com

Amy: @amyjohnstonfitness and amyjohnstonfitness.com

Angela: @realgirlsguide55 and realgirlsguide55.com

xoxo,

Heather

In this enlightening episode, I had the privilege of speaking with the brilliant Dr. Kim Johnson Hatchett, a board-certified neurologist, author, and motivational speaker. Together, we dove into the fascinating interplay between brain health and hormonal changes during menopause, uncovering how this life stage impacts cognitive function and overall well-being.

Dr. Hatchett shared her expertise on how hormonal shifts during menopause influence brain chemistry, potentially affecting memory, focus, and emotional resilience. She emphasized the importance of understanding these changes to empower women during this transformative phase of life.

We also explored the profound role lifestyle choices play in maintaining brain health. From the benefits of regular exercise and balanced nutrition to the importance of stress management, Dr. Hatchett provided actionable insights to help listeners nurture their brains earlier so they can thrive through menopause and beyond.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about the brain-hormone connection and how intentional changes (including HRT) can lead to a healthier, sharper mind, and maybe even reduce your risk for Alzheimer's and Dementia.

Be sure to follow Dr. Kim on Instagram @drkimneurodoc

And check out her website: drkimberlyjhatchett.com, where you can learn more about Dr. Kim, listen to other media interviews, AND sign up for her FREE newsletter!

If you haven't yet started to educate yourself about the impact of hormones on your overall health, consider grabbing the following books and find a qualified doctor today to discuss your symptoms and options:

ESTROGEN MATTERS

THE MENOPAUSE MOMENT

THE PERIMENOPAUSE SURVIVAL GUIDE

Find a doctor here:

THE MENOPAUSE SOCIETY

Other Instagram Doctors to follow:

@askdrnoor

@dunnewithmenopause

@menopause_doctor