Keep Hope Alive Podcast
Keep Hope Alive through the power of knowing who you are as a person and expressing self-love. Life is a journey and with the blank pages we create our story. Keep Hope Alive is about the power of knowledge in today's world. ALL topics are welcomed.
Keep Hope Alive Podcast
Why Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle Can Transform Your Life and Relationships
Sarah Rose Heeley joins the Keep Hope Alive podcast to reveal the transformative power of understanding your menstrual cycle. This conversation uncovers why cycle awareness isn't just about periods—it's about reclaiming an ancient wisdom that has been systematically suppressed for centuries.
"As women, we are not meant to be the same all the time," Sarah explains, challenging the linear productivity model we've all been conditioned to follow. While society functions on a rigid 24-hour cycle, women naturally operate on a 28-29 day rhythm. This fundamental mismatch creates unnecessary suffering as women judge themselves for natural fluctuations in energy, mood, and capabilities.
The discussion takes a fascinating turn as Sarah reveals how menstrual cycles were once revered as a source of wisdom and intuition. Women in their "moon time" were considered to be at the height of their spiritual connection. This perspective stands in stark contrast to modern attitudes that have medicalized and pathologized natural menstrual symptoms. As Sarah points out, PMS isn't a syndrome—it's your body signaling what needs attention in your life.
Perhaps most compelling is how cycle awareness transforms relationships. By honoring her need for rest before her period, Sarah found herself becoming more present and patient with her family. "Practicing menstrual cycle awareness makes me a better mother," she shares, highlighting how self-care directly enhances our capacity to care for others.
The conversation also explores perimenopause, offering valuable insights about symptoms beyond hot flashes—including brain fog, anxiety, and unpredictable cycles. Sarah emphasizes that in perimenopause, the primary directive is rest, challenging women to practice discernment about where they direct their shifting energy.
Whether you're currently cycling, approaching perimenopause, or beyond menopause, this episode offers profound wisdom about reconnecting with your body's natural rhythms. By understanding the seasons of your cycle and honoring your changing needs, you can move through life with greater self-acceptance, energy, and joy.
Ready to transform your relationship with your cycle? Connect with Sarah on Instagram @sarahroseheeley to learn about her workshops and one-on-one coaching programs designed to help women embrace their natural rhythms for radical self-care.
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Love & Light - Keep Hope Alive
Hello and welcome to Keep Hope Alive podcast. Today I got Ms Sarah Rose Healy here. She's a cycle awareness mentor and a woman's empowerment coach and we're going to be diving into her story on everything she does. And she does restored naps and you know me from past shows if you watched them. I was always on Ambien for five years, so I have those stories. But if you could teach me how to nap, that's great and welcome to the show. Thank you, oh, you're welcome. So before we get started, I do have a question for you. Let's say we had a best friend and she was getting married and we were going to the wedding and everything. We're walking into the ceremony part and to the right we saw something we had to sign to let them know we were there. What would we be signing? The guest book.
Speaker 2:I actually did that at the wedding once, so now, I know, see, there's so many different things.
Speaker 1:I hear the picture frame, I hear Jenga pieces, some people I had somebody actually say their life away, and I just kind of giggle at that one because, no, we don't sign their life away. But, however, life on Record is one of our sponsors here at Keep Hope Alive and what they do instead of the guest book. This is so cool. They have a vintage rotary phone for the guests to pick up and right next to it they put a QR code. In case the line's too long, your guests can use their mobile device and scan that and leave a message on that phone. But you go on the vintage phone, pick it up. Congratulations, you guys. We're so happy for you. You guys are buried. Long love, happiness and best wishes. Or maybe it's the groomsman saying, hey, it's about time you put a ring on her finger.
Speaker 1:So all these messages I call it the gift of voice gets collected and they will either burn it on a 12-inch vinyl record and the whole thing is customized about. You know so-and-so's wedding and here's the messages. Or they have a little. I call it the boom box, but it's a speaker and you know, just think about it. So let's say it's almost at their one year anniversary. They can sit back, eat that cake that they're supposed to save and listen to all the messages and just reflect back on that big special day. So it's great.
Speaker 1:It goes for any different events. Yes, I'm going to say funerals. I think that is a key one funerals, anniversaries, corporate events. I used it for my son's football team when a kiddo got hurt and broke his leg. We had everybody call in and leave a message for him. So it's used in so many different ways. Now you get the phone number. I have to say number, because the phone is so cute You'll want to keep it, but you have to return it. You get it for one year. Now, especially with weddings, I would say call back before their one year anniversary and wish them a happy anniversary. Their plans start at $99, which is very, very good, and you get that gift of voice. I love it. To find out more information about Life on Record, visit them at wwwlifeonrecordcom. All right, so the biggest question we have today. Another one, I love throwing questions who is Sarah Rose Healy?
Speaker 2:Well, I always find those kinds of questions like so awkward to you know, you're like where do you start? You know, um, but I think I think where I want to start and like kind of where I want to go now is, um, really, when I started to feel this calling to do this cycle awareness work because that's what really it is is a calling because I never thought I would be speaking and writing online about periods and menstrual cycles. It wasn't like I was like I'm going to go, this is what I'm doing for my life's work. But over the last 10 years, and really in the last five, after my daughter my daughter ended up getting sick with Lyme disease and she needed me to be here with her all the time and so I was home for really like two years for like straight, for really like two years for like straight, without really leaving because she couldn't, she needed me there. But it was a time of that 10 years ago, I started to question things.
Speaker 2:In different groups that I was in, I was like why is it that we don't talk about menstrual cycle awareness? Like why is it that we don't like it's not part of like all these different things? Like it just started to like come into my awareness and it baffled me and I, when I would ask questions, um, I wouldn't get any answers and it was really frustrating Cause I was like it's like this doesn't even exist, it's like we don't, it's not part of who we are, even though it's this gigantic piece of the puzzle and the ancient wisdom that is within us. And I know I'm kind of like not even saying anything about myself, so maybe do I. Should I wait and talk?
Speaker 1:about no, you're all good, I'm drawn in. I love hearing this.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so. So I actually tried to do this work about. I think it was about five years ago where I was trying to help people heal their period pain, but that wasn't. It wasn't like this passion for me in that space, because the part that I really love working with women on is their self connection and self understanding, because I I felt like for myself when I was missing information about who I was and how my body functioned and how I functioned. I misunderstood myself and then I judged myself constantly and I had these expectations of myself to be a certain way, when what I say all the time is as not.
Speaker 2:As women, we are not meant to be the same all the time, like we are not meant to function in a linear way. We are cyclical beings and the interesting thing that I find fascinating is that men cycle daily. Their home run cycles go up and down daily. Women cycle, so they cycle in 24 hours and we cycle in a 28, 29 day. It's, you know, varies, for everyone cycle, but we live. We live in a society that functions in a 24 hour cycle and that that's the productivity cycle that we're conditioned and like indoctrinated into and that we've actually never even questioned because it's just like that's been our reality, right? Yeah, I'm sorry if you hear banging, but I live in an old house and the heat is banging.
Speaker 1:So I don't hear anything, but that's cool yeah.
Speaker 2:So that was really like when I started to get really like lit up about this work and then I was introduced to another layer of it. Oh well, I actually healed my own cycle and my relationship to it through just starting to pay attention and starting to pay attention to like what I was naturally drawn to do, and it like it wasn't a full concept back then when I started it. And now, looking back, I'm like, oh, that's what I was doing and I know the why. And so I remember a specific night where it was like I think I was probably just about to start my period. So it was like a few days before.
Speaker 2:When you know that like you get really tired, you can feel more cranky, Maybe you feel like you want to withdraw.
Speaker 2:And my daughter was going to do a tryout for a play and I just was like it was like a long drive with a lot of people and I just I finally just like chose myself and I was like ask my husband if he would take her, not that he would always do that, but I just it was I was planning on doing it, and so I asked him to take her and I just laid on the couch and did nothing and like it was like not anything profound but it was, when I look back, that was like my turning point to claiming what I actually needed to take care of myself.
Speaker 2:And and I've done this, like it's grown over time to into like a calling and the work that I'm now doing in the world with women, in the world with women, and that like it was this, that was my restorative rest, where then I was able to be present with my family later on in a deeper way because I paid attention to what I needed and it made me a better mother, like that's the other. It's like this practicing menstrual cycle awareness makes me a better mother. It makes me a better friend because I'm paying attention and I'm I'm learning who I am on a really deep cellular, like ancient, because there's this ancient blueprint within all of us that has been ignored and suppressed and repressed and vilified and shamed. And you know, it's like now. I'm like doing research on the history of our cycles and it's like mind boggling and so upsetting to learn about it, but it's important, it's important work.
Speaker 1:Well, I hear you definitely with cycles and everything. I'm glad we're having this conversation. I really don't care on my end, who knows this about me. But here let me throw this at you See, what you know, everybody does have a blueprint, but the people who have actually had a hysterectomy full ovaries out, full Now I don't know if this is a hormonal thing, because everybody's like I don't know if this is a hormonal thing because everybody's like no, we don't know what's wrong with you.
Speaker 1:I went to a top specialist for gynecology and cancer and all he said is my blood work is like cows, chickens and horses. And I was like oh, did you win all these awards here? And he's like yes, and I was like you just called me a farm animal, I'm out. Here is what. He was like yes, and I was like you just called me a farm animal, I'm out. Here is what it was happening to me. So I mean, it's been years since I had that procedure, and when they do my blood work, I hear congratulations, aren't you excited? And I'm like I'm what? Well, you're pregnant? I'm not. I'm not pregnant. It's happened a total of nine times now and nobody can figure it out and I have no answers. So, but I've been. If I look back at it, I've been pregnant for three years.
Speaker 1:I think it was funny because my doctor is like well, you just got tested again and I did. And the lady who I'll never forget this, she's like don't say anything. And I was going to tell her. I'm a hard stick, that's all I was going to tell her and I stayed quiet. She got it on the first try. I'm very happy about that. But she's like aren't you excited? And I go no, you think I'm pregnant, don't you? She goes it's right here, you're pregnant, you're pregnant. And it's like Christmas time. And I was like, no, I had a hysterectomy and ovaries out, there's no baby. She goes Mary, I go I'm not Mary from the Bible.
Speaker 2:So I was like God did not put a child right inside of me. So, yeah, I kid around with my daughter. It was an immaculate conception.
Speaker 1:Yeah right, I was like when is this going to happen?
Speaker 2:That is really disturbing, to be honest, that that's what's happening to you. I mean, in a way of just like, how is that the way that they're? Yeah, how is that possible? But how are they bringing that to you with that lack of awareness, like well?
Speaker 1:here's the crazy thing, I can't say the hospital of his eye. It was a really good one. They're like we can't do this. We got to send you to this bigger hospital in Dallas. They didn't even touch it. I don't even think they wanted to. You know, check it out honestly. So I was in the hospital but they found something more concerning that they had to do an emergency surgery on. So it kind of got overlooked and I'm still without answers. But you know I'm not going to worry about it and leaving it in God's hands, obviously.
Speaker 1:But when we talked about hormones and stuff, the blueprint for me is confusing and I guess it's the way the blood flows. But you follow that. And then I remember, as you were talking too, when I did have my cycles. I wish I had a better understanding of how not to let the seven days go by and be miserable. The only blueprint. I was like what is going to make me comfortable? Do I have my adult? Do I have my Aleve? Do I have a heating pad to help me? And then it just got so bad. You know how women get really, really bad periods. Mine was unbelievable. So that's why I just I went to go see the doctor and get the hysterectomy, but it's just kind of like a float, because you are so right on. That is, how can you be the better person while you have to go through this? So I'm sorry, I just had to tell you that.
Speaker 2:No, I mean, this is a very common story, I think, because there's such, there's such misinformation and lack of information out there about women's hormones, women's cycles, and women feel like that one. Their only choice to get better is to have a hysterectomy. You know, and it's not a wrong choice, it's, it is. It's, I feel like it's a product of like, of not. There's not a lot of research that's been done on women and their cycles and their hormones, and doctors don't get a ton of training on menopause, perimenopause and just like cycle awareness, and so that's why we're seeing so much sickness, you know, dis-ease in women connected to their cycles, because we have this huge disconnection between because it is a spirit, it's a group of, or I'm trying to say there's a company called Red School and they teach all about this work and that they have coined it women's original spiritual practice, because everything that we need to know about what needs to happen for us is in that.
Speaker 2:And even if, even like you, are still a cyclical, being connected to the moon cycles, that's not something I like. I love that, but I'm not. I don't pay tons of attention to it Yet I haven't really dived deep into it, but I feel like I think it's just so important for us now to really learn about this so that we understand ourselves and so that we are getting, like we don't give up, like you deserve to have answers and have someone who's going to be your advocate. And there are women, there are. There are, you know, women's wellness practitioners you're in like the like naturopathic world that are going to be able to dive deeper and give you more information and even do, like hormone testing and all of those things that you'd be able to get a lot more information about what's going on in your body, because that, you know, lack of information and an answer to me is unacceptable, like it is, and my friend just talked to me and she goes.
Speaker 1:she went there and she wanted to get answers but they had nothing for her. Yeah, and.
Speaker 2:I've come up against that myself where, yeah, I'm going to, like I'm going to my what were they the midwives have? It's like I'm really one of my other. Like passions is like empowered wellness and like really advocating for women, getting the answer. Like not giving up and getting the answers and being advocated for like self, like self advocating and and not going, oh, it must be just me, right? Instead, it's like no, the system is not designed to support you. We need to dig deeper than that. Like you know, this is my soapbox because I I get really fired up about that.
Speaker 1:I was like what if we excuse me, guys, I'm still getting over laryngitis. What if we dug so deep and found out like and if it's spiritual awareness, what if we could take away menopause? That would?
Speaker 2:be so fun. And the thing is is that PMS, you know, and menopause have been, has been medicalized and made to be like it's a syndrome, right, Like PMS syndrome, and I told myself I wasn't going to talk about this today, but but like.
Speaker 1:No, I want you to not these are it's, it's.
Speaker 2:This isn't to minimize what's going on for women, because it is real, like what you experience is real. But calling it a syndrome and putting it in the DSM as like a brain based disorder is like, like it's maddening for one thing, but it takes away the fact that these are signals from your body giving you information about what is not working, because your cycle has actually been considered the sixth vital sign, because it gives you all the information Like something's not working, something's not right, and so we're getting this information. But it makes total sense. Like it's not our fault. It's not our fault because we weren't taught this. No, like the information hasn't been free flowing until you know.
Speaker 2:Now it's starting to be a lot more you know out there, but you have to do the research and it feels hard, right. It's like you're scratching the surface of something that has been suppressed for millennia, like it changed it never. Like women used to be when they were on their period, when they were in their, on their moon time. They used to be revered in communities. It was a sacred thing where you're tuned into like your highest self, your intuition, like wisdom, and they were revered and supported. This is how it used to be, and I feel like it could be kind of triggering to hear all this stuff.
Speaker 1:You're like how did this happen? I?
Speaker 2:don't know.
Speaker 2:It's interesting and and and as well. I mean there's like specific time when things started to shift and it's kind of like going back to like the witch hunts and all of that, when women who are just powerful medicine, women, healers, were being, you know, vilified for just being. You know who. We, you know you probably interview a lot of these women now, right, um, but this is like, um, like there was all this.
Speaker 2:It feels like all this information that was put out about how menstrual cycles would like kill crops could make men impotent, like I literally read something the other day that was saying it could kill the bees. Like this is the stuff that we don't even know. That's been like running under the surface, why we're walking around feeling like, okay, I don't want anyone to know I'm buying tampons, right, like because there's been it's just been a underlying whatever climate of shame and hiding and thinking this makes us whatever dirty, or all the things that we've been, you know. Think about all the things that you've been conditioned to believe about your cycle, that it makes you, you know you're hormonal and you know, uh, but really that's just your what happens?
Speaker 2:like when you get closer to your cycle, you just have less tolerance for that. Closer to your cycle, you just have less tolerance for that Like there's almost like this, you don't feel everything is acutely, and then it gets closer to your cycle and all the stuff that you were like this didn't sit well with me comes back up. And that's why, like, this is where I work with women is about looking at that stuff. That's coming up and taking action to make a change. Right, instead of just being like I'm just being can I swear, oh, you can. Okay, I'm just being bitchy, right, it's like, no, you've been dishonoring yourself for so long, not realizing that's what you're doing, right, because we don't even know.
Speaker 2:And it comes up like you're like power potency, you're like no more, and but that's been vilified about us, but instead it's really about your discernment and your ability to be like I'm not okay with the thing that that person said and I need to go like have a conversation with them. And so what I found as I started doing that, as I started paying attention to those potencies, my PMS symptoms started to go away and I was like, and again like I want to re-term the PMS word, but for right now it's understood by many people. So that's why I'm using it, so that I would get to the point where I didn't even know I was about to get my period anymore, because I no longer had all that stuff. Because if you look at it through Chinese medicine, they talk about PMS being blocked qi, which is life force energy, and so when you start to clear the blocks, you release the blocks in your life force energy and you reduce your symptoms.
Speaker 1:Wow, I like that term. Yeah, we're superheroes, yes, well, I think all women are superheroes. I mean, we've had to go through all these cycles and it's a learning experience too. So but yeah, I remember getting mean the first couple of days and I didn't want to be mean, but that's just. You know, with everything fluctuating, it's like I felt bad because I'd be like, just don't talk to me, no, just let me be, I need a couple of days, and I hated saying that. And when my daughter finally got older, she was, oh my gosh, she was a clone of me. So payback, like, get away, mom, okay, but you know, how is it that women who have best friends, they can jump on the same cycle?
Speaker 2:I mean that I feel like that's like the big mystery, right, like. But we pull the like. I said to my daughter I'm like you pulled me into your orbit, you know, because she pulled me in, and I mean, I think it's just, it's. I think it's what it's meant to happen, like I don't, I don't have an answer for that, but but what I did want to say is that you're meant, you're meant to pull away. Like there is this need to separate. That is like a biological ancient blueprint within you, and we're like fighting against it. So it's causing friction, but like and we also don't live in a society that really supports you know, it's all about productivity versus rest, and so I just looked at the clock and it's 1111. I love it, that's a good number.
Speaker 1:You're just like me. That's a good. That's a good number.
Speaker 2:But even just acknowledging, like sometimes it's not even about taking action, but it's like acknowledging the fact that, like I am meant to pull away right now, Like I'm meant to be alone, so where can I get, like, where can I take time for myself in honoring that, even in just a small like shift, because I think we tend to be this like I have to do it all now, right, and then it feels overwhelming, but really it's like it's an internal mental shift and then a slow shift into how can I do this in a different way.
Speaker 1:Um, yeah, I, I had to make a joke. It's a really bad joke, but I'm starting to date again. And I told this guy I only want to date you for like three years. And he just started giggling. Why I go? Because menopause is going to hit. And he goes oh, you're right. It's like giving him the card to go away.
Speaker 1:But you know early signs. I didn't know if it was and that's where my doctor was like no, she didn't really know. But I remember I went on Amazon and bought one of those. What is it? It's like a neck fan. And I was like, oh my gosh, and it's so funny because it really cools you down. And then that, compared to my last job which is really funny I had to dress up in a mascot outfit.
Speaker 1:Oh God, I didn't know there was a fan inside it. Nobody told me. But I was outside dancing in this costume and I got heat stroke and it was not good and I was like, when we got the costume off, I was melting. I was like, oh my gosh, I wonder if menopause is like this heat stroke thing. Like I started to think about that, like I'm trying to prepare myself for the years coming up. When am I going to go through and how can I make it better, because I'm such a planner and organizer. What am I going to go through and how can I make it better, because I'm such a planner and organizer.
Speaker 2:But drawing that pathway to knowing it's just, is that something you teach people? Yeah, I mean, you know, I'm I am in perimenopause, I'm I'm 47. And so I'm noticing and learning all of this stuff now, so I hopefully eventually will be able to support women in a greater way. However, I am taking, um, uh, two women through my program right now, so I hopefully eventually will be able to support women in a greater way. However, I am taking two women through my program right now, and one of them is is in perimenopause as well, so I'm learning so much about how to support myself.
Speaker 1:I want to know really quick I'm like jumping in what are the symptoms of perimenopause.
Speaker 2:I mean there's so many symptoms of perimenopause. I mean there's so many and a lot of the ones that have popped up for me, and there's like a bunch of surprising ones. So like, obviously, hot flashes are like what most people think about, but there's like brain fog, which is enough, and mood swings because your hormones, like. I have a graph. I should share it with you after, but it's like it shows you like your, you know your menstruating years and then your perimenopause years and it's like, so like you wonder why it's because you're getting, you know your estrogen is dropping and so and it's very unpredictable and that's why it can be so disconcerting.
Speaker 2:And also because we haven't been educated on what it looks like until usually we're in it, or even then I've had talked to so many women who are like my husband thought I was going crazy, like I didn't know what this was, and it's like to me that like I want to help change that, because I feel like when you start practicing menstrual cycle awareness wherever you are in your journey, like you can start now, like it doesn't matter Cause you can also I feel like you heal your past, you know cycling self through this awareness of like you kind of have these like aha moments of like oh, that's why like that makes sense, but like increased anxiety. So that's one thing that I've noticed a lot of like I never used to be afraid to drive, like I've driven all over the like across the country, and like I just and now I have like anxiety driving and I was like what is this and that? And so that was like cause it can be like very um, uh, word drops. Dropping words is also another. I have a couple of really amazing articles that explain how perimenopause actually or like menopause perimenopause creates like a neurodivergence in your brain, because it's literally your brain is literally changing and rewiring and you're becoming different and so like that's the key is that paying attention to what's going on for you and then working to to like support yourself and there's like tons of stuff out there now with like diet and then different things, but really have to.
Speaker 2:I think you have to do what works for you and know that like you don't have to suffer, but it is very, it's a very challenging time, and that if you want to go into the rest piece, like in perimenopause, your number one, like one like directive, is rest, because it's like rest and rest more and rest again and rest and then saying no, like really practicing discernment around, like what you're going to put your energy in, because your energy is shifting and you don't have the same amount of energy, and so I think part of what we do is we fight against this natural shift and we want to be able to keep going in the same way that we've always been going and we cannot, like it's just not, like your body is not going to allow you to, and when and again, we live in a society that expects us to blah, blah, blah, blah, and so I think that's a lot of the reasons why I mean I, I believe in doing what works for you and your life and how you you know.
Speaker 2:So I I don't have a judgment about, like you know, because there's hormone replacement therapy, there's natural hormone replacement therapies that people use so they can keep going at that fast pace.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I think for like the working women in corporate America, like it's going to be hard for them just to say, oh, my change is coming. So I had to change at work. You know, the one thing I noticed that I would do on my lunch break I would take like a power nap for 20 minutes. I would eat really fast, go in my car, take a little power nap and then go back to work because I felt like rest is really important to me and right now I'm unemployed. Um, so I've been taking a little more cat naps, but my body, it feels like it's a catch up, a catch up, catch up moment. So that's important to keep the energy going at the speed you want it to still, but you have to honor what needs to be done to gain it. It sounds like yeah.
Speaker 2:So yeah, and that's, I think, work that I would love to support women and like who are working in corporate America to like how do you honor it while you're still doing like? Because I think there's ways that you can shift. Part of it is knowing that you need that and then trying to find ways to incorporate, incorporate that into your life, which is obviously easier said than done, but I feel like my half of the battle is the mindset shift into that it is.
Speaker 1:It is, and I know with my son like he's coming up on breaks and stuff and on the weekend I think he noticed with me like he likes to play PlayStation, the Madden football stuff, and that's great because I know he's going to be on there for an hour and I'm like, okay, you're using my big screen TV, you sit up at the edge of the bed to play. I'm taking my nap and I just put my AirPods in, listen and I'm like dozed away. But when I wake up, what do you want to do? Now? I have like all this energy to give him my heart, my soul, and he sees the difference too. And so sometimes, as you know, I'm the same age as you, but for me for me, not saying you I feel like I'm getting older, because you start to notice at age 40 how fast the world is turning and it's just going to blow by us, you know. So you want to make use of that time, but, like, because my kids are 10 years apart and my son is so young, I already know that I need to put myself in a situation of his direction. He wants to go and play football, hopefully for OU, so we're moving to Oklahoma and my dad is out there my mom, so you know spending more time with the family and we have a church and we have a school and he knows people already out there because he spends a lot of time on the holidays out there. So making this move is going to only help, but finding that direction and course is very important in your life.
Speaker 1:It seems like it's a time management thing too, when you're going through this Like everybody's thinking oh, I got to do this, I have kids to raise, I got this and that, but when are we taking the time for ourselves? And you're absolutely right, we should. We should know. It's like football we need to play, we've got to figure it out. If this happens, which way are we going? We can't run to the doctor all the time because, you're right, they don't know much about the menopause and stuff. They'll probably be like take a cold bath, you know we might get that stuff. They'll probably be like take a cold bath, you know we might get that. But I think if people became more aware of what women go through and these hormonal changes were not going to be thrown because, like I told you, that doctor that was a specialist comparing me to a farm animal. I mean, couldn't he just go to the back and say hey, alexa, I got this. You know, come out with a better answer than calling me a farm animal.
Speaker 2:So yes, yeah, and I I love hearing you talk about like you're centering rest in front of your kid and it's like that's such a great modeling tool for like for them to see you caring for yourself and how it re-energizes you like. To me, that's that's where I started to heal my relationship with rest, because I wanted to be awake, alive and present with my kid. I have I have an only child and like I want to be there and witness everything. And if I felt I found myself like going through the motions kind of feeling, because I was chronically exhausted and part of it was like situationally in my life, her, her sleep was out of it was like reversed and so I was like staying up all night with her because she was sick and and then I would sleep part of the day and there's like the guilt piece, right that keeps that we should be doing something else. But I had to reframe that and I think I also had to change how I because I wanted. So I had this. I'm going all over the place, this is my squirrel but I had this conversation with my husband and he was saying like he hates sleep and he just like doesn't care about it and whatever. And I was like I love it so much. But what I realized was that, like I said to him, I was like I love sleep because it allows me to live my life and experience it in a way where I feel good and I'm alive and I'm awake and I'm moving through it, and it never like I've always needed it. But it's gotten even more important for me during perimenopause and these the stage because I literally can be non-functioning if I do not get enough sleep and then I'm not like my brain doesn't work well, I don't have clear thoughts, like it's, like it increases your perimenopause symptoms and so like part of why practicing menstrual cycle awareness is so important is that you can start to get an understanding of your patterns and like your own cyclical way of being, if you start to track, because you can look back. And I mean, sometimes I feel like these things happen. An example, just so I can share them.
Speaker 2:But yesterday was what was day 17 for me and I looked back and last day, 17, was like a rough day, like it was like low mood, I couldn't get out of my brain fog, I was exhausted, I like slept a full night but I could not like break through, and so I rested a lot yesterday. And now I wake up today and I and I know now, like that I can trust that I'm going to be different tomorrow, that this isn't going to last. But before I would think I'm doomed, like you know, like so my self talk was be, would be, I'm never going to get better, like this is how it's always gonna be right, like when we're in that it's easy to go down that road. But I knew, if I choose rest today and I had something I had to go to last night which I wanted to be in a good headspace for If I choose rest now because I can, I work from home, I work for myself it's obviously harder and you have to do different things that I would feel better today.
Speaker 2:And even though I didn't even sleep last night really at all, I feel like a different person today. But I know it's because I honored what my body was asking for. So I made a note to my future self that said next day, 17, take the day off and do nothing and sleep if you have to, because, because I know it serves me all month long and it serves me. And so this is what like we get to like we get to empower ourselves around our cycles versus.
Speaker 1:It's so funny because, as I'm looking for work, and thank God, right now, I don't have cycles, but could you imagine, yeah, day 17. I cannot work.
Speaker 2:No, I say you just call and sit.
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, you know, um, I know like what overseas they let people that work, sleep and stuff, and that's probably really smart, because you're going to get more energy out of that person if they can take a nap too.
Speaker 2:So I thought you said like. So like Italy and Spain practice siesta, so like the businesses close between three and five and everyone, like, has lunch and then takes a nap or rest, and so I always say I was born in the wrong country because that works for me really well. And the other thing is, in Spain they just passed a law where people get, I think it's five days paid menstrual leave. Can you?
Speaker 1:imagine Okay America, where are you? We're the same people Like some of those roles, yeah.
Speaker 2:Because women will be more productive if they're, you know, if they're actually honoring themselves during that time, Like so this is like, yeah, that's the work that I just am really lit up about, as you can see.
Speaker 1:Yeah, well, no, it's called passion in what you do and bringing awareness, and a lot of people do need this. I mean, I'm learning a lot from you today, but I'm going to put you on a brief pause really quick because I got to go into our next sponsor. So our next sponsor is Snap Bands. You've probably seen them on Facebook and it's this cute little bracelet. Mine says hope on it. Imagine that that is called a mantra word. So they come with different mantra words peace, hope, love. They just created faith. So if you're on their website and you wanted the word faith in their code little bar, you put K-H-A for keep hope alive and you get the word faith. They come in many different colors the fun colors for kids, like the bright pinks, reds, blues. They also have black, brown, beige and stuff. So if you're wearing it for work or corporate, you can do that as well.
Speaker 1:Now, on the back of these they have an elastic band that you pull out and what it does when you pull it out and let it dump right here it sends a signal to the brain to help you redirect your thought process. So this is for depression, anxiety and I'm going to throw PTSD in there. So, whatever you're facing, you can use the mantra word that you have. So, for example, every time I go to the hospital and they had to find a vein, I will pray like so hard over the person who has to stick me that it's a one-time thing and not an eight-time thing. So I will take it and dump it and use it, and I've been using mine for sleep as well. So it is a proven fact that they did the studies on this. It's really helping people with their anxiety and bringing it down to that new level. So, with all the purchases for the Snap fans, they give a portion to different charities and foundations who work in those fields and they're wonderful.
Speaker 1:I want you to visit them at snapbandscom and it's spelled S-N-A-P-P-B-A-N-D-Zcom. You can make a difference. Check them out. All right, let's get back to this. So I mean, we're going over with your plan and everything Like this is just amazing. So people can gain the self-acceptance of what they have to go through once they learn everything. And if you're a young listener, maybe you're 13 right now and you're like ah, I'm trying to think what age I got my period. I think I was like 10 or 12. Nobody will school prep to me. That's a funny thing. Mom didn't quite prep me that well, you know. Um, so it is, and I heard my other friends weren't getting prepped at all either, so it'd be like we would go through. Uh, mom, I'm bleeding. Why is blood coming out of me?
Speaker 2:You know so we had to learn that To not know it is scary, yeah, it is scary.
Speaker 1:So, but when you get it and then you learn about the female body is going to change on you. That's a lot to take in at that age because you're like, okay, what's going to happen. You know, of course and I'm just saying I don't care your breast they're going to develop. You know all the different changes as you're going through your cycle and period, whether it's before, during and even after. So it's kind of like setting your brain this is what's going to happen when you're young. You still have to go to school. In your brain, this is what's going to happen when you're young. You still have to go to school.
Speaker 1:I remember sometimes it was hard to be in school because you're raising your hand and whether it's just going to pee or actually being on the period. So teachers sometimes would tell you no, and I would get up from my desk. I remember I had to do this a few times. I go listen, I'm at my period, I need to change. Okay, just go. It's like the woman that we're talking to as our teacher should know this and it's happening to us and we're feeling, ah, because what people don't like, especially men we're gushing and it's not a good feeling. So when you want to change, you want to change and you want to do it quickly. But there's times that you know either you have what they call what a light period, or you have the very heavy period, or maybe it's just a mid in between. But either way, the emotions are the emotions, so never be scared of it. Learn from this show, because you know what, Sarah, you, you're teaching me a lot and I'm just going to shut up now.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, I mean, I think part of this work, too, is all about, you know, healing. Healing our experience, like our early experience. You know I help people walk through you know, remembering your first period and writing about it to heal, you know, to look at that and heal it and and I'm I'm so grateful, like I I've been talking to my daughter about this stuff since she was little and like just, it was just like a normal part of her knowing. So it wasn't anything, it was no surprise. And I think the more we're aware, because you're right, like our, our generation, our mothers and then their mother, I mean it was worse for them, right, because their mothers had no information and that's the thing. It's a generational trauma that has happened that needs to be healed.
Speaker 2:That, like you know, no one talks like and I think, that's why it's like we need to start talking about it, you know, and, and so it was like a non-thing for her, for my daughter, and like I'm not going to talk a lot about it because I think she would be mortified if I did. But I think it's just they. They are very different in her school at least, about it, and they provide products for them, like it's very much supported in it. And so I feel like that is a really important piece, that it's not the like we bring our baggage with us of like all of that stuff that wasn't, that was happening and that was real. Like that's real for you and for all of our experiences.
Speaker 2:And I think the more that we educate ourselves, even just carrying the energy of like this is a natural process, like you're going to go through it, it's not bad. Of like this is a natural process, like you're going to go through it, it's not bad, it's not like a curse, it's not, you know, terrible, it's just part of being a woman, it's part of your natural process. Like we. This is literally a powerful process. I mean the fact that we are, we give, we can give birth to new life, like life. This is all part of this power that women have held or have and and that we have kind of suppressed. Yeah, so, going back to that, but, um, I feel like there's something else you said that I wanted to comment on.
Speaker 1:I can't remember now so so I get brain fog all the time, so I know.
Speaker 2:I'm going through changes.
Speaker 1:all the time. I could be talking to my friends and be like blah, blah, blah and I'm like what did I say? Like it's embarrassing to me. And then sometimes for me, growing up with epilepsy, I'm just like ah, and the one thing for me I wish I had more information on is because I have epilepsy and if I don't sleep I will have a seizure the next day. It doesn't matter if I take my medicine or not. The sleep was missing and that's a price I have to pay. And for some of my seizures it feels like I'm dying. I'm dying. Are you taking me now? Am I going Like that's real? But I remember also, um, having my period while having a seizure. Oh, that was not fun.
Speaker 1:That was not fun as a young one Um so it feels good to talk about this stuff even though the world can listen.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I feel like that's so important. This like it's just fascinating to me how much is wrapped up in it and all these like pieces and these trauma experiences that have happened to us that we kind of just like don't process because like where are you going to right? I think it's so important for women to just even acknowledge those experiences and how hard it was or how you know just how you experienced it and what that meant to you and how it felt, and all of that.
Speaker 1:I do got a funny story. I can't believe it if I share it. You know what? Screw it, sorry. I said screw it guys. You're going to have to listen to this because it is all about the period today, right, we're going there. Listen to this, because it is all about the period today, right?
Speaker 1:When I was younger, I went on a trip with my friend, her mom, sister. We went to Galveston at the beach, but of course me, I got my cycle, so I was not going to go. And my friend is like you're not going to even try to put a bathing suit on and I needed tampons. So I was like, no, I will just sit here in the sand, blah, blah, blah.
Speaker 1:So she's out, she's having a good time, and she sees these two cute boys I think we were like 15, 16 at the time and she's like please, water stops blood, please go in the ocean. Let's go buy you a bathing suit. I want to talk to these guys. And I go water stops blood, are you sure? And she's like yes, and so I bought a bathing suit. I was just like, just run, run to them and I did. And she's like and it was really sad because the voice she thought was cute was talking to me and I was like, oh, okay, you know. And I was like, okay, so water stopped, you know, I don't feel any issues and the good looking guy goes I would love to take you on a walk down the beach, I go sure, let me go get my shorts on. They were white, oh, of course. Yeah, they were red by the time I got back.
Speaker 1:He never noticed, everybody has one of those stories you know, I was like doesn't the water just stop it for good, you know? And then, thinking about it, I was like I'm living in the ocean that could cause a shark like duh. I was like what was I thinking? Just to go out there. But I just to this day I think about that because I've seen that stupid. It's not a stupid movie, but it scares the crap out of me Open Water. I probably watched it 15 times to scare myself.
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh, I can't watch that kind of stuff, yeah, and people are like it's not really real. And I was like of course it could be really real, Like I don't care what other people say, no in my life, I'd be in there and I'd be eating just like that you know, by a shark.
Speaker 1:So but yeah, you just the different things that everybody has an embarrassing story and usually it comes when we're out on a date hanging out with friends or whatever it may be. So there's so many terminology, things that can happen with having your cycle and different timing. Sometimes we don't get our cycles. You know that month and we're like where did it go? Why is it gone? Why didn't it show up? And then it throws our body for a loop. I remember those times I was like what's going on? I want to be normal.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I definitely am in that phase where it goes 36 days, 46 days, 30 days, like it's all over the place.
Speaker 1:but that that's to be expected Exactly, yeah, no, I do have a question.
Speaker 2:Oh, go ahead Okay. No no no, no, Go ahead. Oh, I was going to say that's where, like paying attention and tracking so you know where you are is really helpful.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, that really is. So I want to go into your teachings and helping people. Are you offering like courses that are on Zoom, or tell me about that process?
Speaker 2:on zoom or tell me about that process. So I have. So I have a workshop that I do, um, I can do it online or I do it in person, um, and it's called awaken your cycle wisdom three strategies to relieve stress and reclaim well-being, and so that is like kind of like my intro um workshop. It's a two-hour live workshop, but again, I can do it online as well, um, and that really just is like it introduces women to this work and to ways that they can start to incorporate this into their life now, because really this work is, it's for all women. Like this, this work belongs to us like I am.
Speaker 2:I am a, I call myself a connector because I bring information to people that to help them increase their own self-awareness and increase their self-love and their acceptance and all of that.
Speaker 2:So this is like um, I take from other people's work that has really inspired and supported me. So there's two books called wild power and wise power, and those books were really transformative as long with my mentor, who one of my mentors who helped me um, understand like they're the seasons of our cycles and so and that's a really huge piece of the work that I do. But so I do that. And then I also offer a 90 day one to one program and that is called the deeply connected woman and it's your 90 day journey to embracing your natural rhythms for radical self care. And that really is about holding yeah, holding a container for women to tune into their cycle and track, track it really intimately, with support, so that while stuff is coming up, we can work through that. They get, you know, six calls and it's really beautiful, transformative work. And it also works with um, like the nervous system and helping us really like be centered and grounded in who we are, and with tons of tools and information and resources. That is so cool.
Speaker 1:So would they go onto your website to book you, or Would they go onto your website to book you or?
Speaker 2:So right now I don't have a website. That is going to be in the works soon. I connect with people pretty much on Instagram and it's Sarah Rose Healy on Instagram. They can DM me or they could email me. We can give them my email address. Email me. We can give them my email address I also could give you.
Speaker 2:I have a QR code for like for my 30 minute discovery calls, if people want my free discovery call, so I can give you that as well. Just to you know we can. We can get on a call and and look at what's going on for you. What you're struggling with the most because a lot of women come on and they're struggling with they just don't know how to like, they don't allow themselves to. What you're struggling with the most because a lot of women come on and they're struggling with they just don't know how to like, they don't allow themselves to rest, or they're struggling with overwhelm. And we can talk, we can figure out what those things are and and start to figure out a plan that is specific to you.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, definitely. Are you on Facebook at all?
Speaker 2:Because I know I yeah, yep, I'm on Facebook. It's also Sarah Rose Healy on Facebook.
Speaker 1:Okay, good, good good, because the one thing with Keep Hope Alive, we have the group page and now there's another one called the VIP, so you'll be able to sign up for free, which is nice, so you can share that QR code with the people who are on the VIP list and everything. So get that out there and spread it to the world and I'll put it on our regular group as well. So, but, and then also I can add it on the website at wwwkeephelpalivepodcastcom, there is a storefront, but I can share that QR code so they can scroll down. I'll put a description there so they can get that session from you also. Oh, awesome, yes.
Speaker 2:I would love that. Thank you.
Speaker 1:Yay, I'm so excited.
Speaker 2:I have a free guide that I've created and it was really something I created for, because I always am like I want all the information that I want to quickly reference in one spot, and so it's. It's a quick reference cycle guide and it's a key to understanding the phases of your cycle and it breaks it down, so it's like what are the days, the seasons, like the strength and weakness of it, and things you can do to support yourself, and it also has a graphic that you can put on your phone screen. So if you want a quick reference on your phone, I use that all the time. So that's a free, that's a free gift that I offer.
Speaker 1:Oh my, that is awesome. Yes, and we're going to get that on there too. I'm just so excited. I love all this because I think everybody needs to know which way they're going, especially me, because it's something I've been thinking about. But now you've got my brain going a mile a minute going. I better prep. Not only that, if I'm dating again, I better prep the guy when I'm going to go through and see if he really wants to be around.
Speaker 2:It's an amazing time and you will just be in more of your like, magic and potency especially coming into it with awareness.
Speaker 1:Yeah, definitely, definitely. I'm looking forward to it. Then Bring it on 50s right around the corner. That's right, exactly. Well, I want to say, sarah, thank you so much for coming on to the show and teaching us a lot of stuff about our cycles and just bringing us all this awareness. It's greatly. And I love talking about the next, because I was like, why am I sleeping so much? And I'm learning that it was to restore and get more energy and it's normal, and I just got to make my 12-year-old son really understand that now Because he's so young, mom's getting old. Let me take a nap.
Speaker 2:Believe me, I get that too, but you just have to claim it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm going to claim it. Nap time Claim it. It's like a little baby when they're sleeping, they get nap time too. After we get older, we need nap time. But guys, yes, yes, it is amazing. So, guys, like I said, you can visit our website at wwwkeephopealivepodcastcom. Now, what's really fun on the website, there is a leave a message. It's like a voicemail, it's really cool. So you can leave Sarah a message. I will send it over to her if you have any questions and we'll get that answered for you. If you would like to become a guest on the show, there's a guest intake form on the website as well. We'd love to hear from you. But other than that, until our next show. Thank you for listening and wherever you find your podcast, you will be able to find Keep Hope Alive. And to our sponsors, thank you so much for keeping hope afloat. So thank you once again, until our next show. Love and light.
