Director of Menopause, My Way
Dr. Sharmila Kumar graduated from the University of Sydney and is a fellow of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners with more than 20 years of clinical experience in all aspects of General Practice.
Her special interests are women’s health (peri/menopause and antenatal shared care) dermatology, ophthalmology, aged care and social prescribing. Sharmila is a AMS (Australasian Menopause Society) doctor, licensed champion MEG (Menopause Experts Group), medical educator for the RACGP and is an adjunct lecturer of University of Sydney Medical School.
Dr Jodie Carter graduated from the University of Qld in 1992 and has been working in the field of Psychiatry since 1996. Dr Carter is a General Adult Psychiatrist with interests in Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Intellectual Disability Psychiatry, Chronic Pain and Adult ADHD.
Jodie's incredible experience combined with her generous, kind and empathetic nature makes her a wonderful ambassador for our women's wellness.
Claire also works as a menopause trainer for various organisations including Corporate Wellness Solutions.
Katie is a certified menopause support coach and founder of The Mid Shift, who can be booked for face to face or online coaching support. With a background in psychology, mental health, pharmaceuticals and crisis support, Katie offers specialised one-on-one, or small group support for her clients to assist with their holistic wellness during their midlife.
As CEO of Women's Wellness Warriors and supporting businesses,
Separation Support Network, Family Counselling Support Network and Corporate Wellness Solutions, Susan is very passionate about providing this collaborative women's hub guidance to her clients and the wider community.
A qualified, highly experienced award-winning financial planner, speaker and author, and founder of On Your Own Two Feet, a financial advice service that specialises in helping women across Australia gain and retain their financial freedom.
Helen regularly appears in the Australian media as a finance expert, sharing her practical financial advice.
Helen is soon releasing another book and financial wellness course which aims to help women in particular improve their overall financial education and potential. "Women need to plan, and not react."
As women, our bodies are challenged, intricate, unique, everchanging and need our attention and care. We need to stop and know our body and where it is at!
Too often we put ourselves last in the pecking order, which at the time we often validate, but deep down we know that neglecting ourselves can come back to haunt us in many different ways - mentally, physically and socially. Physical wellness in the form of periodic and age based health checks, regular exercise, a balanced diet, hormonal management, self care, stress reduction and sufficient sleep, are all keystones of physical well-being.
We know all that! But are we doing that?
We know you are probably laughing and saying - as if and when do I have time?
We offer some great, easy to follow tips, that won't have you feeling overwhelmed. We are also not shy in having some courageous and genuine conversations about topics which were hushed or which women unnecessarily associated with sense of shame or stigma. We tackle all the 'taboo' topics without any judgement.
Menopause, for some very lucky women, comes and goes relatively uneventfully, with perhaps just the obvious physiological changes, but for many women 'the pause' can sneak up and slap you when you least expect it, or can hit you like one gigantic tidal wave seemingly affecting every aspect of your wellness and life. We validate your experience no matter what age, what symptoms you get and provide you with some helpful wellness education, support and solutions to assist you to become more meno-wise and less meno-impacted.
We will assist you to understand the biological, emotional and mental impacts the 'pause' can have from peri to post pause. We can help you identify the key indicator and provide key strategies to help you. We share stories from many of our clients, real women, with real stories and how they have survived to thrive! Some are understandably difficult to hear, some emotional, and others well...........they will put a smile on your dial.
We try to answer your questions from - what is happening to my hair (on my head and face!), my sleep, skin, weight, brain, libido, moods, periods........it might all sound a little overwhelming but as we collaborate, share and encourage, there is a lot of connection and support that comes from it all. Trust us, we have all been on the journey too.
The more we share and care, the better 50% of the population will fare!
Feminine reproductive wellness covers the intricate balance of hormones - menstrual irregularities, hormonal imbalances, the reproductive system and the unique challenges women face during with their fertility, endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, pregnancy and peri and post natal wellness, incontinence and prolapse. These issues can significantly impact the quality of life of a woman - physically, mentally, socially and can have in turn an impact on their relationships and ability to work.
No two women are the same and their experiences with mental health may be determined by a number of factors including culture, genetics, biology, age, environment, lifestyle, relationships and life experiences.
Women however do account for higher occurrences of some mental health concerns such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, non-suicidal self injury and depression. Our bid to 'juggle the load' by balancing work, education, family, social commitments, finances, household duties, providing caring assistance for elderly parents - can have a serious impact on our mental and emotional health and physical wellness.
Dealing with the ebb and flow of emotions is part of being a human and as women, we are often having to navigate many emotions. Emotional wellness includes learning how to understand, express and effectively manage emotions. It includes finding things we love to do, reconnecting with ourselves, examining our triggers, setting our boundaries, practicing self-compassion, building our resilience, and support networks.
It also includes how we manage our professional lives - balancing career goals with personal values - maintaining the healthy work-life balance so we can thrive both personally and professionally without jeopardising our mental and emotional wellness.
WWW (The Women's Wellness Warriors) are made up of a number of incredible specialists who provide women's wellness guidance, support, resources and host a number of National events, retreats, conferences and webinars across Australia.
Our WWW specialists include:
fitness experts, nutritionists, nurses, menopause experts, post oncology support, financial advisors, career advisors, psychologists and counsellors, separation/divorce coaches, domestic and family violence experts, life coaches, mindset coaches, doctors, breath work, yoga and Pilates experts and rural women's support.
We also work in conjunction with Corporate Wellness Solutions to provide small to large corporates businesses with the opportunity to raise awareness and support of key women's wellness issues. www.corporatewellnesssolutions.com.au
Whether you are in a relationship, divorced, widowed, or are single and just want to better understand your financial situation, how to get help to save, budget, plan, access financial resources we provide you with some excellent, credible and reliable guidance from experts.
The 'Respecting You' programs
Female adolescent rites of passage provide young women with the ability to be seen, heard, respected, on their important transitional pathway to womanhood.
We provide guidance on the importance of these opportunities, how we can all work together to raise strong women and young women who respect themselves, and deserve full respect in return.
We provide details on courses, programs and events.
Women are inherently social beings and our connections and social networks play a really important role in our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. The support we get from friends, family and our community offer us emotional resilience and an important sense of belonging. Since covid 19, we have found that society, and in particular, workplaces have increasingly disconnected for a variety of reasons - possibly due to our concerns about keeping distance due to health issues, flexible working hours and work from home opportunities, financial hardship reducing social attendances, hiding behind social media and Netflix.......?
Recent studies have shown that isolation and loneliness are causing mental health issues to rise to incredibly concerning levels to the point that in 2022 loneliness was described as one of the most pressing Australian public health priorities in Australia and was the key variables causing a reduction in peoples life satisfaction. Social isolation causing loneliness has been linked to mental illness, emotional distress, development of dementia, premature death..
Our upcoming webinars, podcasts, online activities, events and Konnect bookclub are just the beginning to improve connection whether in person or at least online.
You are not alone x
These can all be extremely difficult, frustrating, overwhelming, scary and lonely times!
We provide you with tips and advice from the experts to get you through these challenges and to help you emerge more confidently, educated, supported and less stressed.
We have a number of fabulous in person and online courses, workshops, webinars and events launching soon.
PODCAST SERIES
Join us from in November with the launch of our podcast series, 'KEEPING IT REAL WITH SUSAN & FRIENDS', we interview an awesome group of humans, including all things women!
THE BOOKCLUB IS COMING
As requested by our clients, KONNECT ONLINE BOOKCLUB, will launch in January 2025 in conjunction with the amazing 'Book Doula,' Vanessa Barrington of Healing House Publishing. The bookclub will have a realistic monthly book read requirement for our clubbers and will also have a library of books you can purchase anytime that offer great insight into women wellness, parenting, co-parenting etc. All the resources have been handpicked by our specialist team.
Join Konnect Bookclub now to go into the draw for a gorgeous prize from one of our sponsors @inspirational tea company.
Go to www.konnectbookclub.com
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