In this inspirational episode, Nadia Nagamootoo is joined by Lavina Mehta MBE, wellness coach, TEDx speaker, and Founder of Feel Good with Lavina. Lavina passionately discusses her journey of normalising menopause conversations, especially within South Asian communities, and her commitment to promoting accessible health through her innovative ‘exercise snacking’ concept. From celebrating menopause publicly as a positive milestone to addressing workplace awareness, Lavina candidly shares her personal and professional experiences. The conversation also explores her groundbreaking work in making fitness inclusive, breaking cultural taboos, and empowering women to prioritise their health through practical lifestyle changes.
Key Takeaways
Menopause should be celebrated as a positive milestone to reduce stigma.
The importance of creating a supportive environment in workplaces for women experiencing menopause.
Accessible exercise methods like ‘exercise snacking’ can significantly improve overall health.
Cultural taboos in South Asian communities need addressing through open conversations and education.
Midlife can be a period of reinvention and empowerment, both personally and professionally.
Highlights
The importance of openly celebrating menopause as demonstrated by Lavina’s public menopause party.
How Lavina addresses cultural barriers and taboos within South Asian communities about women's health.
Lavina’s practical approach to fitness through ‘exercise snacking’, enabling manageable daily activity.
Insights into the benefits of strength training, particularly during menopause.
Advice to workplaces on supporting women through menopause with awareness and practical initiatives.
Guest Bio
Lavina Mehta MBE, Founder of Feel Good With Lavina, is a 46-year-old personal trainer, bestselling author, wellness coach, TEDx speaker and mum to three. Lavina was awarded an MBE for services to health and fitness during Covid-19. Her mission is to help all ages (up to 100) feel good physically, mentally and reduce risks of common chronic diseases through her concept of ‘exercise snacking’ and free desk/chair workouts (as seen on TV & Radio with her 76 year old Mother in Law). Her slogan is to “Exercise for Sanity not Vanity®.”
Lavina is a Patron of the Menopause Mandate. Lavina is a proud Ambassador for Diabetes UK, Wellbeing of Women and Alzheimer’s Society, as well as supporting many charities. She regularly runs workplace wellness workshops, menopause talks, exercise snacking workshops, keynotes and features regularly in press and podcasts.
She has been sharing her own perimenopause and menopause journey on social media and press to help normalise the conversation, especially in the workplace and in the South Asian community where many women are suffering in silence. She wants to break the taboos, raise awareness, change the narrative and help women feel empowered to find solutions, aswell as educating the men around us.
Lavina’s bestselling book, The Feel Good Fix: Boost Energy, Improve Sleep and Move More through Menopause and Beyond, published by Penguin Life is designed to improve your health in perimenopause, menopause and beyond, offering quick, fun, science-backed, bite-size exercise snacks.
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