For many women, menopause isn’t just about physical symptoms – it’s a turning point.

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, we explore the often-overlooked psychological side of midlife, from identity shifts and emotional overwhelm to grief, relationships and the pressure of caring for everyone else.

Joining us is menopause support counsellor Melinda McKeown, who has spent nearly 20 years supporting women through major life transitions. After years working in perinatal mental health, Melinda now focuses on the emotional impact of menopause – helping women understand what’s happening beneath the surface, regulate their nervous systems, and feel more like themselves again.

Together, we unpack why menopause can feel like a reset – and how women can move through it with more clarity, self-compassion and confidence.

About Melinda

Melinda McKeown is a counsellor with close to 20 years’ experience in private practice. Her work has evolved from supporting women through pregnancy and early motherhood to guiding them through the emotional and psychological shifts of menopause.

With training in counselling, full-spectrum doula care and midlife mental health through the HER Centre (Monash University), Melinda specialises in helping women understand hormonal change, regulate their nervous systems and reconnect with themselves.

She also runs a peri- and menopause support circle in the Illawarra region and is developed an accessible online model of care designed to provide ongoing, real-world support for women navigating this stage.

To learn more about Melinda’s online model of care, visit The Hormone Edition: Supportive Community for Hormone Health.

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What if preparing for menopause actually started decades earlier?

In this episode, Prevention Editor Zoe sits down with triple Olympian Lisa Curry, co-founder of Happy Healthy You, one of Australia’s leading programs supporting women through perimenopause, menopause and beyond.

Together, they share how younger women can lay the groundwork now for a smoother transition later, from building metabolic and hormonal resilience to understanding the early signals your body may already be sending.

Founded in 2015, Happy Healthy You has supported more than 1.5 million women and was one of the first programs in Australia designed to work alongside hormone replacement therapy (HRT), combining evidence-informed complementary approaches with conventional care.

Whether you’re in your 30s, 40s or already navigating change, this conversation is packed with practical, empowering insights to help you feel more in control of what’s ahead.

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If your knees, hips, shoulders or fingers have started feeling stiff, achy or inflamed during perimenopause, you’re not imagining it — and you’re certainly not alone.

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Prevention editor Zoe Meunier speaks with exercise scientist and nutritionist Amelia Phillips about why joint pain often appears during the menopausal transition — and what women can do to support their bodies through it, with loads of practical, evidence-based advice to help you move with more confidence and comfort during this stage of life.

Amelia Phillips is an accredited exercise scientist, nutritionist, and one of Australia’s leading health and fitness experts. With more than 25 years of experience in the health industry and a familiar face in Australian media, she specialises in helping people improve their physical and mental wellbeing through sustainable movement, nutrition and lifestyle strategies.

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