Dr Anastasia Hronis, author of the bestselling The Dopamine Brain, joins me to share insights on motivation, habits, and living with purpose. We explore brain health, sleep, and neuroplasticity, with practical tips for thriving in midlife and beyond. A conversation full of inspiration, science, and actionable tips for women ready to nourish their body, mind, and spirit.
Dance, Resilience & Reinvention: The Gillian Halkett Story
What does it take to reinvent yourself after 50? To move through adversity, loss, and the challenges of menopause — and still find the strength to create something vibrant and life-changing?
In this episode of the Simply Nourish Podcast, Brenda Bickerstaff sits down with Gillian Halkett, founder of Dance Fitness Christchurch, one of the city’s largest independent dance fitness communities. Gillian’s journey is one of resilience, joy, and reinvention — a story that will inspire women everywhere navigating midlife and beyond.
Gillian shares openly about:
💃 Her love of dance and how it became a source of healing and empowerment
🔥 The difficult years of bullying in the fitness industry — and how she found the strength to keep going
🌿 Her personal menopause journey and the challenges of navigating change at midlife
❤️ How grief, including the loss of her daughter, shaped her outlook on life, resilience, and community
🌟 The creation and growth of Dance Fitness Christchurch, from a small hall class to a thriving community of nearly 500 members
This conversation is about more than movement. It’s about finding your voice, rebuilding confidence, and recognising that midlife is not the end — it’s a new beginning. Gillian’s story shows what’s possible when we step forward with courage, community, and joy.
🎧 Tune in if you’re ready for real talk on:
Menopause and midlife transitions
Building resilience after adversity
Healing through movement and dance
Community, connection, and joy
Thriving after 50
✨ Episode Extras
🎶 Check out Gillian’s Boogie Wonderland September 2025 playlist here:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/20N9zl9G1jFMm7usk9aipc?si=a2rNLd98TZCbcnJ-K0PkBw
📲 Connect with Gillian on Facebook: Dance Fitness Chch
✨ The Simply Nourish Podcast is about real women, real stories, and real change. Hosted by Brenda Bickerstaff, this monthly show explores health, wellbeing, and transformation through the menopause transition and beyond.
The Story Behind Simply Nourish: Strength, Menopause & Finding Purpose”
