Summary
Overview
In this episode of Dig It, Zoe and Jo discuss the challenges of running, share listener stories about mental health and parenting, address career changes in midlife, and receive heartwarming messages from their community. The hosts explore topics ranging from perimenopause and anxiety to the power of being open with children about difficult emotions, while also brainstorming merchandise ideas with their engaged audience.
Running Struggles and Physical Fluctuations
Jo opens up about her inconsistent running experiences, describing how one run can feel effortless while the next is brutally difficult. She discusses the mystery of what makes a good versus bad run, speculating about factors like food intake, sleep, hormones, and mental state. The conversation highlights how unlike weightlifting, aerobic exercise requires everything to align properly, and how our physiology changes daily making some workouts unexpectedly challenging.
- Jo describes contrasting running experiences - feeling like a gazelle one day, then struggling to keep up with her husband the next
- She questions whether runners ever truly enjoy running, noting she only feels good about 30 minutes after finishing
- The hosts discuss how hormones fluctuate daily, affecting our entire physiology and performance
- Weights and gym work feel consistently manageable, but aerobic exercise requires the right headspace
" I cannot believe the contrast in the run that I did like a few days ago and then the next run I did which the first one felt really good I felt like almost like a gazelle I skipped along it was all right and I laughed at Steve and I felt I was really cocky that was my downfall "
" I still struggle with running you know I was never a great runner and I still find it really hard but when I've done a run I feel fantastic give me half an hour afterwards I am so happy "
Lauren's Story: Perimenopause, Anxiety and Being Honest with Children
The hosts respond to Lauren, who experienced a mental breakdown with panic attacks and crippling anxiety that she initially attributed to family health issues. After being dismissed by one GP as too young for perimenopause, a second doctor suspected hormones and started her on HRT. Lauren's question about whether to hide struggles from children sparks a deep discussion about emotional honesty with kids and the importance of contextualizing parental emotions.
- Lauren, 39, was initially told she was too young for perimenopause, but a second GP thought differently and started her on HRT
- She chose to be open with her 8-year-old son about what was happening rather than hide her struggles
- Zoe shares she finds it very difficult to hide emotions and her kids can see through attempts to suppress tears
- Being open about emotions teaches children it's okay to talk about their feelings and struggles
- There's a balance between being honest and still being the reassuring adult who says everything will be okay
" I think it's fine to be open and upfront with your kids and then you're all in it together in a way. You're just battling things together. "
" Anxiety was my biggest stress with menopause. If you do find that it is perimenopause and if it is a hormone thing that you're going through, I think a lot of women, the anxiety is crippling. "
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