Series 2: Episode 4 – Midlife Balance

November 3, 2023

In this episode Sarah is joined by Claire Russell, Mental Health in Business (MHIB), and BIBA’s very own Neil Jenkinson, to discuss the everchanging hormones in our bodies. Together they share their personal experiences and what they are doing to help turn a ‘midlife crisis’ into a ‘midlife balance’. MHIB deliver menopause training and Claire is a part of the

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Key Takeaways

Everyone has hormones and throughout life they fluctuate but there are things you can do to feel better.
There are clear differences between the Menopause and Andropause but symptoms can be similar.
It is important to push for the help you feel you need, whether that is through the NHS or privately.
There are a number of ways businesses can support employees through their midlife, including Employee Assistance Programs and Mental Health First Aiders.

Quotes of the Episode

“We’re all humans and we all have an endocrine system that creates hormones. Those hormones are responsible for pretty much every function that happens in the body and mind. Whether we are biologically male or biologically female, all of us will go through changes throughout our lives during puberty and midlife. So I think it’s important that we have that overarching view and we understand that hormones affect all of us in different ways and at different points in our lives.” Claire Russell, MHIB

“Because everybody has struggles in the morning, getting up and putting the game face on and going to work. Sometimes you really just don’t feel like doing it. But you do it. You know, because you’re a professional and you get on with your job and you get on with your life and maybe your family life as well. So I think there has been a huge benefit for me on this journey, which is nowhere near the end, but I do think that there were signs there. I just didn’t want to acknowledge them and I remember sort of hiding behind it.” Neil Jenkinson, BIBA

About the guests

Claire is the Founder & CEO of Mental Health in Business, her vision is to lead a global shift in mental health in the workplace. With her personal lived experience of mental ill health, and losing her partner to suicide in 2018; she is passionate about helping to effect change, break down taboos and open up the conversation about mental health. She is a (youth and adult) mental health first aid instructor, a suicide awareness and intervention trainer and creator of multiple mental health training programs.

Neil went straight into insurance from school and has held many roles, mostly broker facing, over the last 35 years. He has built longstanding relationships and friendships working in the industry. Neil now works at BIBA as a Regional Manager in the commercial team with the aim to engage with members and regional committees.

About the Host

Sarah Myerscough is the Sales and Marketing Director of Boston Tullis Group. The founder of The Insurance Brokers Podcast, she brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective on communication in the insurance sector. Boston Tullis works with insurance professionals to build effective communication both internally and externally through podcasting, event reporting, videography, and internal communications facilitation.