Dare To Be Brave with Joy Foster
Redundancy. Maternity leave. Perimenopause. Menopause. Illness. Caring for ageing parents.
Sound familiar?
If you're a woman in midlife, chances are you've faced one - or several - of these life transitions. And somewhere along the way, you may have pressed pause on your career… your confidence… or even your sense of direction.
But what if this chapter isn’t the end of your story—what if it’s the moment you learn to be brave?
Dare To Be Brave with Joy Foster is a powerful solo podcast that blends real-life insight with the neuroscience of courage, confidence, and change.
Each episode unpacks what’s really happening in your brain when you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to move forward—and shows you how to work with your brain, not against it.
You’ll learn how to:
- Rebuild confidence after a setback
- Take action even when fear is loud
- Break free from overthinking and self-doubt
- Navigate change with clarity and resilience
- Redefine success on your own terms
Whether you're returning to work, starting something new, or simply trying to figure out what’s next, this podcast will give you the tools - and the courage - to move forward.
Because bravery isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build.
And this is where it begins.
Dare To Be Brave with Joy Foster
Perimenopause at 41? You’re Not Too Young!
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Turning 40 can feel daunting - but what if the real challenge isn’t ageing… it’s the lack of information?
In this episode, I share my personal journey from feeling fearful about turning 40 to navigating early menopause symptoms at 41 - despite being fit, healthy, and running marathons.
From being dismissed by doctors to finally advocating for myself and getting the support I needed, this is an honest and empowering conversation about what really happens in your 40s - and what you can do about it.
If you’ve ever felt “off” and not been taken seriously… this episode is for you.
What We Cover
- Why turning 40 felt more emotional than expected
- The confidence patterns I saw in women in their 40s
- Early menopause symptoms (and how they can be misdiagnosed)
- My experience with injury, osteoarthritis, and hidden hormonal changes
- Being told I was “too young” for HRT
- The importance of self-advocacy in healthcare
- Why antidepressants are often prescribed instead of treating the root cause
- How education can completely change your experience
Key Takeaways
- You are not “too young” to experience menopause symptoms
- Symptoms can show up in unexpected ways (not just hot flushes)
- You must advocate for yourself - not all doctors will listen
- Education is your most powerful tool
- Ignoring symptoms won’t make them go away
Resources Mentioned
- Dr. Mary Claire Haver – The New Menopause
- Dr. Lisa Mosconi – The Menopause Brain
- Davina McCall – Menopausing
- Laura Lamb – non-HRT support programmes
Your Brave Dare This Week
If you’re in (or approaching) your 40s:
- Educate yourself about menopause
- Speak to female relatives about their experience
- Write down your symptoms
- Advocate for yourself at the doctor
- If you’re not heard - find a new doctor
Want to transform your life? TechPixies has helped more than 16,000 women return to work, change careers or start a business through its award-winning social media training and life coaching.
💪 Discover how to leverage social media with our 21 Day Social Media Confidence Challenge.
🚀 Take your social media to the next level by watching our Social Media Masterclass.
🌈 Enjoy a super quick shift in your mindset with our 12 Day Design Your Dream Life Challenge.
Want to transform your life?
💪 Discover how to leverage social media with our 21 Day Social Media Confidence Challenge.
🚀 Take your social media to the next level by watching our Social Media Masterclass.
🌈 Enjoy a super quick shift in your mindset with our 12 Day Design Your Dream Life Challenge.
Follow us on social media @techpixies and ping us a DM or drop us a line at support@techpixies.com
Thanks for listening!