In this powerful episode of Find Your Spark: Real Life Menopause Moments, I sit down with the brilliant Helen Clarke, Women in Business Network franchisee, co-owner of Bright Red Digital, and all-around champion for women in business.

Helen shares her deeply personal journey through early surgical menopause, a path that began with years of debilitating periods, a long-awaited diagnosis of adenomyosis and the life-changing decision to have a hysterectomy at just 36. She opens up about the emotional toll of being thrown into a medically induced menopause overnight, the impact on her mental health and confidence, and the lack of support she received at the time.

We talk about:

💡 The importance of pushing for answers when you know something isn’t right
💡 How sudden menopause symptoms affected Helen’s work and self-esteem
💡 Why finding the right GP (and the right support network) can transform your experience
💡 The power of community and how joining Women in Business Network changed Helen’s life and career
💡 Her advice for anyone navigating complex women’s health challenges, early menopause or surgery

Helen’s story is raw, relatable and full of hope. If you’ve ever felt dismissed, overwhelmed, or blindsided by menopause, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone and that finding the right information, people, and support can be life-changing.

You can find Helen through her Linkedin profile; Helen Clarke | LinkedIn, her websites are; https://www.brightred.digital and https://www.boltguitars.co.uk and to find a Women in Business Networking Meeting, https://wibn.co.uk.

I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn;

www.linkedin.com/in/⭐alison-allen-chartered-mcipd

🎙️ In this episode of Find Your Spark: Real Life Menopause Moments, I’m joined by my friend and fellow HR professional, Gemma Bromfield, founder of Go Beyond HR Consultancy.

Gemma shares her powerful story of being recently diagnosed with ADHD, alongside traits of autism and OCD, and how that intersects with her perimenopause journey. We talk openly about what it’s really like living with a neurodivergent brain, the challenges of late diagnosis and the relief of finally having answers.

Gemma also reflects on the impact of perimenopause, from heightened ADHD symptoms and mood shifts to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety and identity loss. We explore how hormonal changes exacerbate neurodivergent traits, the misconceptions around ADHD (especially in women), and the importance of self-education, validation and support.

This is a raw, honest and incredibly relatable conversation that shines a light on the often-overlooked connection between ADHD and menopause. Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, living with ADHD, or supporting someone who is, you’ll take away comfort, insights and practical advice.

✨ Topics we cover:

• Gemma’s journey to ADHD diagnosis as an adult woman
• How perimenopause amplifies neurodivergent symptoms
• Coping strategies, routines and medication
• The importance of self-compassion and asking for help
• Why awareness and education around this intersection matter so much

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about how menopause and ADHD collide and how understanding the overlap can be life-changing.

If you would like to connect with Gemma, please find her at; (2) Gemma Bromfield (ACIPD) | LinkedIn or Go Beyond HR — Studio Arlo

I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn;

www.linkedin.com/in/⭐alison-allen-chartered-mcipd

In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode, Alison welcomes Lindsey Stephens, self-proclaimed magazine geek, publisher of The Female Boss magazine, and founder of Vida Woman.

Lindsey shares the deeply personal journey that led her to create V.Hydrate Serum, a luxurious, all-natural product designed to help women experiencing intimate dryness, a common but rarely discussed symptom of perimenopause and menopause. From her 25+ years in magazine publishing to launching a product born out of her own frustration with what was available, Lindsey opens up about the challenges, research and determination it took to bring her idea to life.

We dive into why we need to talk openly about vaginas, vulvas and vaginal health without embarrassment or stigma, the difference between vaginal dryness and lack of sexual lubrication and Lindsey talks about how she worked with gynaecologists, menopause experts and women’s health professionals to develop a safe, effective and empowering product

We discussed how Lindsey's work in magazines, including The Female Boss and upcoming Divine You, is amplifying women’s voices and sparking important conversations, amongst much, much more.

This episode is raw, informative, and inspiring and might just change the way you think about self-care, body confidence and the power of saying the word “vagina” without whispering it.

You can contact Lindsey through - (10) Lindsey Stephens | LinkedIn, have a look at V Hydrate - Veda Woman and subscribe to The Female Boss magazine here - The Female boss magazine (@thefemalebossmagazine) • Instagram photos and videos

I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn;

www.linkedin.com/in/⭐alison-allen-chartered-mcipd