In this episode of A Styled Life, Alex sits down with Dani Diosi (menopause support coach, hypnotherapist, NLP Master Coach & trauma therapist) to unpack what really happens during perimenopause and menopause and why it can feel so disorientating.

Dani explains the neural side of menopause, why confidence and body image often take a hit, and how years of conditioning around “thin = good” collide with a changing body.

Together, they talk about the fashion industry’s age gap, the pressure to look younger, and why confidence isn’t a “look” it’s a practice. They also share practical mindset shifts: moving from cardio-and-calorie obsession to strength, longevity, and self-worth, plus why tracking symptoms can help you advocate for yourself with a GP.

Episode highlights

02:34 Dani’s career pivot: from pregnancy/postnatal to menopause support
05:00 “It’s not just hormones” why menopause is neural
06:57 Beauty standards, body change, and the midlife “double whammy”
09:00 Why the “ideal body” keeps changing (and why it messes with us)
12:18 The upside: the freedom of caring less and people-pleasing less
16:19 How menopause can change how you dress (comfort vs hiding)
19:15 “My wardrobe hasn’t caught up with my mindset”
20:20 Fashion’s ageism problem + “where do I shop now?”
24:20 Weight-loss jabs: why they don’t solve the root confidence story
28:10 What women struggle with most: self-doubt, body image, brain fog
33:15 Why old fitness rules stop working (cardio, cortisol, weight retention)
34:41 Senior women doubting themselves in meetings: confidence impact
39:00 The oxygen mask truth: self-care isn’t optional
43:20 Alex on shifting from “calories burned” to strength + longevity
49:10 “If you’re mid-40s, you’re likely perimenopausal” (even without hot flushes)
50:30 Dani’s menopause symptom tracker: how it helps you advocate at the GP
54:45 Quickfire style Qs: jeans, beige neutrals, the gold birthday dress

Connect with Dani:

https://www.instagram.com/danidiosicoaching/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-diosi-coaching/

Download the menopause symptom tracker:

https://danidiosi.com/menopause-symptom-tracker

Book a free style strategy call with Alex:

https://www.alexandrastandley.co.uk/service-page/style-strategy-call