In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Giselle Monbiot – therapist, breathwork facilitator, and Compassionate Inquiry practitioner – to unpack the emotional, physical, and spiritual upheaval that so many women experience in midlife. From increased anxiety to identity shifts, they explore why perimenopause can feel like a breakdown, and how it might just be the breakthrough we didn’t know we needed. Giselle shares her own journey through perimenopause and late-in-life ADHD diagnosis, and offers deeply compassionate, practical advice on how to navigate this phase with more self-awareness, connection, and agency. Expect science, soul, laughter, and lots of goosebump-inducing moments. YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT: 💊 Why so many women are given SSRIs when they might actually need HRT 🌪 How perimenopause brings up unresolved trauma and identity questions 🗣️ “If it’s hysterical, it’s historical” – how past pain shows up in present reactions 🌬️ The power of breathwork to regulate the nervous system and release stored emotions 🔥 Why perimenopause can spark relationship shifts and even divorces 🌈 How this chapter can be a portal to authenticity, growth, and freedom TOP QUOTES: “This isn’t a breakdown, it’s a breakthrough.” “You don’t need to earn your right to be heard – it’s yours already.” “Most of life is us trying to avoid pain. But healing is about learning to sit with it.” MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: – Dr. Gabor Maté and Compassionate Inquiry – The role of the vagus nerve in regulating stress – Breathwork as trauma release – Perimenopause symptom trackers – Hormone therapy vs antidepressants Let me know if you have any questions in the comments Lisa x   About Giselle Monbiot Giselle Monbiot is a Compassionate Inquiry® Practitioner trained by Dr. Gabor Maté, a trauma-release specialist, and an advanced breathwork facilitator. She has spent the past 26 years guiding women through healing and transformation, helping them reconnect with their truth and step into a life where they truly thrive.  Giselle takes an integrative approach that works with the mind, body, and breath. Her work supports women in untangling deep-seated beliefs, releasing emotional burdens, and creating space for healing and growth. She is passionate about holding a safe, nurturing space where women can explore the deeper layers of themselves, particularly during life’s transitions, such as perimenopause. This phase can bring profound shifts - physically, emotionally, and mentally - often surfacing unresolved wounds and patterns. Through one-to-one sessions and group work, Giselle helps women move beyond self-doubt, reconnect with their inner wisdom, and cultivate resilience, clarity, and vibrancy in their lives.   Follow Giselle Monbiot Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giselle.monbiot/  Website:  https://gisellemonbiot.com/  Breathwork Workshops: https://gisellemonbiot.com/courses/breathwork/    Follow Am I Crazy? Or…  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amicrazyorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amicrazyorpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmICrazyOr/videos  Website: https://www.amicrazyor.com/   Podcast Host & Producer: Lisa Paasche Podcast Editor & Producer: Luke Naylor-Perrot   LINKS + RESOURCES:  🎧 10-minute Guided Breathwork