22# Lavina Mehta MBE on Reinventing Life After 40, Turning a Midlife Crisis into a Calling & Building a Global Wellness Movement from Scratch

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So welcome, Lavina. So wonderful to have you here.

. Hello. Hello. Welcome to the show. Thank you sO much. I'm honestly so excited to have you here. So Sweet. Thank you. And I've been following your journey for quite some time, and honestly, it's been so inspirational and obviously before.

This podcast I was researching you reading your bio and I just wanted to share some of the accomplishments that you've had, with your brand, which is just so incredible. Aww. And so inspiring. So obviously you awarded an MBE for services to Health and Fitness during COVID-19. you're the bestselling author of the Feel Good Fix, which hit number one across multiple Amazon categories.

You are obviously a global, menopause and wellness advocate. and you've obviously spoken at, you know, major corporations including Google. You've been to Houses of Parliament and you know, you've built this incredible community now of like over 180,000 followers on Instagram and of course being a South Asian woman in her forties.

And I think that is just, that's just so amazing. Aw, thank you so much. My gosh.

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So just take us a little bit back to the start of the journey and how this all started.

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And that was for a big, uh, dot com. and BP was actually their client, so I became a global like project manager very early on. because I had some amazing experience like in the.com industry after I graduated. so the career was, pretty fast paced and I absolutely loved it. And then, I did actually fight for a job share.

This is back, you know, like 20 some years ago when things like flexible working didn't really exist. Yeah. And I had a really supportive, actually South Asian boss who I did speak to a few weeks ago, and I said, you know, punk, his name's punk. I was like, I, I actually. Talk about you in so many interviews and podcasts as being an ally and a champion to actually get flexible working in place for me, because it was quite unknown, even in a company like, BP and I fought for a job share with his help and I was doing like five days in three, you know, it was like, it was trying to make it work.

I was doing a lot of global travel. I had teams onshore, offshores, a lot of responsibility. And then when I had my youngest, I was like, okay, I'm gonna just give it up, and focus on being mom. Which I have no regrets 'cause I actually got a really good promotion to quite a senior level before I left. So I was like, I got to where I wanted and then I spent about a decade just being mom and like getting the boys, prepped for their senior schools, like my older two.

I was just running around, you know, doing all their activities and I was living in a joint family. Wow. So yeah, there were nine of us in the house and, you know, I love cooking. My mom's a cookery writer. She's got two books and she's a teacher. So I was, just embracing, you know, like. Home life being a housewife, but, being part of a big family, I was from quite a small family and then into the big family.

and I was never into exercise. Like literally. That's the, the one thing I like to point out is that I never grew up enjoying exercise. In fact, I used to bunk off most of the classes at school, wherever I could. So where, you know, if you think about how surreal it is for me to now be in the fitness space and in wellness, and it was really because of lack of education and awareness.

You know, like as we grew up, I didn't really understand the importance to our health. And when I, after my youngest. I had probably put on a lot of weight. a lot of Indians were like, oh, you're happily married, you know, but I was just starting to feel like, oh my gosh, like, you know, you just kind of lose a bit of confidence, self-esteem, nothing was fitting.

Yeah. And I started thinking about my health. I also had typed up my mom's book. It was called Feel Good With Food, which is where Feel good with Levia. Just randomly I picked an Instagram handle thinking I'm gonna just do something like mom, and pick that name. But when I typed her book, it was all about the science of food and nutrition and things that I'd never learned about.

She was a biological like scientist. She'd re research everything about what we, why we eat, you know, like really, an eyeopener for me. And I almost kind of, just thought, look, I've gotta do something about my health. So I joined the gym locally. like a lot of moms do. I've just drop off, you know, when my youngest was in, In education, I'd just go straight to the gym and I would just try lots of different classes and then I'd have lots of coffee mornings and just sit and chat and you know, like that social connection with the mums. But I wasn't really getting anywhere in terms of my weight. I was probably, I nearly like, nearly double my size.

Wow. but it was more, I think now I think, gosh, I would've been on the road to type two diabetes for sure. 'cause it's like rife in my own family in our communities. Yeah. And it was when I fell in love with strength training. So when I got myself a pt, that's when I really started seeing results physically.

Yes. which obviously made me feel better, but it was more mentally that was just transformational and just like dealing with, you know, like life's issues and things that, go on behind closed doors. It was just how exercise, especially when I was lifting heavy weights, like I would just sew now, it would get me in that flow state and I was like, this is so powerful.

I wanna learn about it. And I sat these courses at home, never thinking I'd sit exams again. I was literally doing biology like a level with my middle son trying to teach me his, you know, he'd just done GCSE biology and I was like, I'm totally lost. You know how the diaphragm and the heart works and all of this.

And I just did it in the evenings without telling anyone apart from the kids. You know, I'd put them to sleep and I'd just thought I'd just learn about it. 'cause I was fascinated by what it had done to me. never thinking it would be a career. And here we are now. It's like,

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Like, there's just so much to unpack there. Yeah. There's just so much to go into. So first of all, I think. I didn't realize you were a like, you know, I hate using the word just a mom because I feel like that's like really degrading because no one's just a mom. It's like the hardest job in the world.

Yeah. In the world. World. Exactly. So you had those 10 years,

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At the age of 18, I'd done RA level and obviously being Indian, my parents were like, God, you know, you're not a lawyer, accountant, doctor. Yeah, pharmacist. Like keep art as a hobby, which is my mom's really greatest advice. And she did believe that. 'cause she's. Carried that on that passion. We always go to galleries.

We always think about art a lot. but I studied management at UMass. but yeah, so I dabbled a little bit in those 10 years. I did a, when I went part-time, I did something for myself as well as the sort of gym and the exercise. I went back to art classes and that was really therapeutic. but yeah, no, it'd been a full decade of, I think it's the best investment.

I was very lucky that I didn't have to work. Right. Yeah. My husband had given me that choice. and it wasn't like, you know, stay at home like a traditional Indian, housewife, right? Yeah. Like our parents probably had to go through. I had a very supportive family. My father-in-law, bless him, who passed away from a brain tumor, yeah, 12 years ago, who was like the closest to me in the whole family.

Like now obviously my mother-in-law, us and me are so close. We do the free workout. We've just done one this morning every week. You know, like we've carried that on for nearly five years. But my father-in-law was instrumental. Like he'd be the one that would drop me before to the station at work. He'd like go for walks with me.

They encouraged me to do, go and do the art classes. It was never like any restriction. and my husband's always been very supportive, but there was no like, oh, you've gotta work, kind of thing. So I was in a, a blessed position that way. but. Yeah. It's like, it's bizarre, right? Yeah. That you just kind of, it's a best investment in the sense that I wanted to get my kids in the right schools.

Yes. I really like, that's what I've grown up with, that ethos that my parents instilled in me. It was always like, really focus on your education. 'cause that's, you know, like something you can fall back on always. Right? Yeah. And I wanted to instill that in my boys. So I was really like, I'm so proud of, you know, all of them, very different, but I made a point to kind of really invest in their schooling and play an active role.

I used to volunteer at the schools and. I'd be one of those moms that wanted to do like all the school trips and like library duty. I was a library like, monitor and reader reading with the little kids and yeah, it was a lovely decade. I love that belittle. Did I know what was around the corner?

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I think because there's been this rise, like on Instagram mm-hmm. Of like really young founders. Like business women in their like literally now, like early twenties, I know. Crushing it. Like we didn't have those opportunities. Obviously I'm in my thirties still, but when I was in my twenties, I, there was no YouTube, there was no Instagram, there was no Facebook.

Actually nothing. Thing. Yeah. And I think so many old, older, mm-hmm. Women, I'm saying that, you know, within embedded common, they're like, oh, I've kind of missed the bow. It is too late. Yeah, too late. you know, my career is like, you know, is just, is too late to get started. Now what would you say to that?

arted your brand back, was it: 2019

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Anyone watching, listening? If you're thinking about doing something, if I can do it, you could do it. And age is just a number. It is seriously never too late. Like I truly believe that, you know, I do a lot of like. Talks, you know, obviously I love going to workplaces with a complete different hat on and getting people exercise, snacking, moving, or talking about menopause or health.

But a lot of the talks I'm doing now is around this journey. And especially like in the business space, I feel, there's a whole. Rise. I hope to encourage, especially South Asian women, yes. That if you have given up your roles, like your jobs or your passion for whatever reason, whether you're a mom or not, but some people are in jobs that are unfulfilling, right?

Midlife is the perfect time to reinvent your career. And I truly believe that. Like if I can do it, and I found this passion, and I just feel like it's my purpose now, right? I'm like living and breathing. You see? I'm like, you know, doing crazy things everywhere, getting people squatting in like Parliament outside Downing Street.

I've got no showroom, right? I've got no, I just wanna get movement normalized. I want to provide these free tools to everyone. And I think you just have to find that sort of self-belief, like that confidence that a lot of women we do lose. Like my perimenopause, you know, just to keep it brief was a time, a real transition.

But I, it's now something that I talk about openly to help women to understand that yes, I've had challenges as well. You know, everything from anxiety to the lack of sleep to the brain fog, which is really worrying when you are, public speaking or if you're on tv, radio, like lives on Instagram and things like that.

I was doing multiple times a day. There's like a toolkit that I just want everyone to have and it's all for free and it's all backed by science. And obviously I've written a book about it. It's everything I promote on social media, like on all these different platforms. It's what I do in talks and, you know, go into community centers and I've done like thousands of, you know, community and, you know, the, I'm Jane, so I'm, I dunno if you know about Jainism.

Yes, yes. and it's. A, it's a big, community, but growing up, you know, it was never something that I distinguished at school or anything. I never told anyone I was Jane. I just embraced Hinduism because that's what was kind of more well known. And now I make a point to say that I'm Jane, like, 'cause I'd love to shine a light on my community.

and I love the fact that it's a way of life and it's all about non harm and. Non-violence. And you know, there's a lot of beautiful concepts that arise from Buddhism, where Jainism also originated for from. But you'll see I also work with every community I can. Yeah. Love. So from the pandemic, I was like, look, I've got this idea.

You know, I was calling people saying, I've started streaming live on, you know, my small Instagram and I know you guys are doing Zoom and I might not be part of your community. But I had so many different communities. So my husband's like the nav nut community, also Jane. Then I contacted the Luana community, the JI community.

I did Ramadan workouts. For me, I wanted to get everyone involved. Like I just feel, it doesn't have to, you know, like there's so many different communities in the south asian com. Yeah. That I always say even to like medium brands, I'm like. Representation's so important, but don't just get someone brown like, then you've ticked the box.

We are all very different.but yeah, what I'm trying to say is like, I wanna make it inclusive, right? Mm-hmm. So it is been, it's been great because so many other communities I never thought I would reach, they've really welcomed me in, which has been lovely. So I thank them all because they've all been part of the journey.

And there's a whole list, you know, like the one Jane community, there's so many different ones that I work for. I'm sorry if I've missed anyone.but yeah, it's been wonderful.

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To start. Yeah. You know, no one's ever too old. And I think that actually, I feel like there's gonna be this rise of, you know, female entrepreneurs, you know, in their thirties mm-hmm. And forties, because that is the best time for reinvention. And that is also the best time to find out, you know, you've lived enough life.

I was just gonna say experience. Yeah. The

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I never thought of it as a business. I just thought of it as how, and it's still that, how many people can I help? Yeah. Like I just interrupted this old couple on the train today and just got talking to them because they were like amazing. They must have like been in their eighties Wow. With a walking stick, still carrying their shopping.

It's such a cute couple. And I was like, just very quickly, you know, can I give you my YouTube channel? If you wanna join my workout, sell all for free. It's always been like, how many people can I help? I think that was the thing that I never imagined this as a business. Like obviously now, yeah, I'm a CEO, I'm a founder.

I'm like director, whatever you wanna call it a feel good with Levia, but it started off as a passion. So I think if you're thinking about it, think about, you know, something that really is meaningful to you. Right? And something that has turned out to be a business, but it's something that I just love, right?

It doesn't feel like work. That's the beauty of you always hear people say, oh, you know, I love what I do, and it doesn't feel like work. Yeah. And I often do those hashtags love what you do, but it's so true. Like I. I feel very blessed and grateful that I'm doing something so enjoyable to me. But that's so different, right?

For everyone. Yeah. But I think that life experience is so valuable, so important. Yeah.

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Yeah, I know. Like, like, and life is so short. You hear about so many young people having Mm gosh. Like the worst, you know, health conditions to, it's just been like such bad news. I keep hearing all the time with people that I always say, life is so short. Like, you see me, I'm like vibrant. I'm out there. I you, I've written a lot about this in my book as well, like about how, you know, I've chaired like my personal sort of.

You sort of sort of start thinking, okay, not that I don't give a crap about anything, but I want women, especially in our communities, to prioritize themselves because it's always about giving to others. Right? And I'm like that I'm a giver as well. Like I want everyone around me to feel like, you know, like I'm doing stuff for them.

It's like a validation, right? In our communities, it's just cultural. But what I want women to realize is that yes, like okay, we do have, you know, our in-laws, our aging parents, our kids, like who, whatever you've got around you, there's lots of demands, but you've got to prioritize your own health. Like, if we don't have our health and our strengths mm-hmm.

alendar, which was surreal in: 2019

And then I was on various times and then I raised this campaign. I was like, once I got that sort of national, international exposure, I was like, okay, forget. I'm just gonna go for it. Yeah. And, but what was scary is the rise in things like obviously type two pre-diabetes, especially in our communities, we, I was always quoting, you know, six times more likely than the average white person I think is probably worse.

Oh my gosh. Now with even younger people, you know, with ultra processed foods Yeah. With the lack of act like with just sitting for too long or sedentary lifestyles, a lack of physical activity, like so many things. Technology. Yeah. You know, like it's really played its part. So that scares me. but we know that type two diabetes and pre-diabetes is diver is reversible through lifestyle changes.

Yes. And I'm an ambassador for diabetes UK now. from everything to like bone health, muscle health, you know, dementia, Alzheimer's, things that our communities don't talk about openly. And I'm obviously sharing a lot on social media as an ambassador now for Alzheimer's Society, but because I saw my own nanny, my grandmother, she had Alzheimer's for a decade and.

for the last decade of her life, it was like heartbreaking. D our family didn't so difficult, didn't understand it. They didn't know what to do. You don't know what support, what care to give. It was, it's just heartbreaking, you know, like when I think back of it and. It's it's awareness, right? It's about health really.

And health is, I think, our biggest

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Mm-hmm. They take it a little bit slow. it sounds like you were the complete opposite, which would explain a lot of things. So how did you have the confidence to really, 'cause it sounds like you just went for it and obviously it was the year before COVID, like when you started, 'cause you've built your back brand, like everyone from scratch.

Like how, like what was the kind of mindset shift you had and like, how did it all just start, I guess.

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Just talking to the camera, having the phone there and like it's. It's like, it's become part of my life. But women often stop me, especially women and you know, in our communities as well. Like, they sort of say, you know, how am I supposed to start? Like, and I'm like, please don't perfect it. Like for me, the biggest tip that I think has worked for me is I just keep it very real and it's very raw, it's unedited.

I don't have a team, I don't have a pa, I don't have Wow. A management. I don't have, you know, an agent, I don't have anyone. Someone asked me, do you have someone following you around filming you? And I was like, oh my God, I wish I had like a whole team. That would be the dream one day. But no, it's just me like randomly asking people, you know, and, and wherever I am an event or whatever, can you just quickly just take a quick clip of my phone or it's just me with a little tripod.

Like the workouts I do on, YouTube, like every Friday with my mother-in-law is literally the most basic setup. I've had no time to improve things. You know, like if people would probably come in and think those young, like influencers probably think, oh my God, what is she doing? But I think in a way being re relatable has been to my advantage, right?

Because I just feel I'm just like keeping it real. I'd say I've been winging it, to be honest. Like, you know, there's, I love, that's not been a strategy, but there's been a lot of feedback that has fueled me like to continue. Like it's just that one message a day that usually I get from somewhere. Like it could be WhatsApp, or if it's tms, I'm terrible on dms, but you know, like a comment, I try and address all my comments you'll see on Instagram, like it has killed me sometimes, but.

I think building that community's been important. Like having me answer the dms, you know, like to, yes. So it's that personal interaction. It's not just like a bot, you know, that's giving the standard thing, when I know it's someone that I know, I want to like, have that personal relationship. So it's like a, it's that connection as a social connection is like the bit in the book, you know, even though it's all a lot on exercise, snacking and mental health snacks, there's a whole section on like, feel good for life and it's sleep, nutrition, stress management, but social connection I've written in depth about, and it's the one thing that I research for happy, healthy life.

It's the most important thing. Yes. But then nowadays it's like social media mm-hmm. Is obviously like, a huge part of our lives. And then there's nothing, obviously that beats face-to-face connection, but it's striking that balance. Right. So I do feel close to my community. I feel. I guess the message is if you're thinking about doing just even an Instagram story or a post.

Just go for it. Don't overthink it. Don't try and get the best angle. Don't try and, you know, use the best filter. I think the audience, for me anyway, you could correct me if I'm wrong. that's what's worked for me, right? I just kind of, It is weird. I've got that confidence 'cause I was never gonna be, camera facing.

Right.

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Carousels are back. Views are more important than shares or saves. Like, there's just so much and it constantly changes. And actually I was experimenting a couple of weeks ago, with my Instagram content and I actually built my business up. Back in, like back in the day, like around 20 18, 20 19 on Facebook Live.

I used to have a Facebook group. Same. Yeah. Used to just go live on face. It was so easy. And just, I did

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I didn't edit it. I had to get that content up before I went on holiday. Good. And it's had thousands of views. Wow. And it's just going back to the thing that you like sometimes it's about just going back to what works. Yes. Rather than like overthinking it and being like, oh, I need to get this pack house are perfect.

And, and I think with Instagram recently, it's become very curated. and I think a lot of people feel that pressure of it. Being very curated and very, very branded, very well. But actually sometimes, like you said, you just go back to basics and just do you, you

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I don't follow the algorithm. I hate to say like, what you are telling me now. I'm thinking what? Really? Like, yeah. It's not about saves and shares. I'm like, oh, this is like a whole new world. Like a, because I just don't have the time. Yes. Like I'm trying to keep a balance between, you know, this all taking over my life, but having the balance with family, friends, the kids, you know, like my own sanity.

So I've had to do social media snacking, like literally where I have to like switch off, you know, I'm, you know, about to go on holiday and I'm gonna try and be disciplined and just have like a little window a day. 'cause that's like a bit of a digi detox rather than just you checking constantly. Right.

People wake up and you're just on these devices all the time. Yeah. And the algorithm changes so often that, that would probably drive me mad, just trying to keep up with it. but yeah, it's interesting, right? Some of the most, like, maybe the most, genuine, that video could have been like from your roots, your passion, like when it all started, if that does Well, it's very interesting what, is out there.

Like, I've just started on TikTok. I haven't even told anyone, but only because my youngest son, it's like his main audience, right? And so he was like, mom, I don't want you on TikTok all these years and. I guess with that I'm doing a completely different style where I am talking to the camera. I'm doing more like educational pieces, but I'm not sticking to the three seconds, you know, at the scroll.

Yeah. Because I've got lots to say and it probably, it may not work, but I feel like even if, like, again, if it just helps one person for me, the other thing that's really important, I've told so many people in this same space as me, it's not about the followers for me. Like yes, it's been very. Useful to know that I'm getting that reach.

And it's been a driving factor in the sense that I'm glad, right? Like I just wanna help as many people as possible. And it probably helped with publishing a book. You know, they, a lot of people ask me and I'm like, okay, they probably did look at the followers, right? That's how publishing industry's a whole new industry.

it does help with that kind of thing 'cause they want you to be able to obviously have sell the book and so on. But for me personally, it's never been about the followers and those numbers just go up and down. I don't even look at them. when people ask me for insights and things, I'm like, gosh, you know, like when I look at it first time, it's like your weight, right?

I always say to women, don't weigh yourselves every day because you're just gonna fluctuate all the time. Especially as, you know, you approach perimenopause, menopause, all of that. Like, it can be, it can be detrimental to your mental health. Yeah. Like the weight on the scales, the sort of the numbers on social media and all of that.

It's probably something that I've not analyzed and I've just let it organically grow. I

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It's your life. And that's scary. It's, and especially for me, like, you know, people always say, I've got a, I've got just about to hit 10,000 followers, so I've got a smallish community on Instagram's Great. That, that's amazing. Of course it's amazing. And that's like 10,000 people. That's huge. People always say to me, like, I remember a couple of years ago, like last year when we did our event.

We had 200 people booked on to the event. I had sold a hundred tickets just off my Instagram before any kind of speaker was announced. And some people are like, oh, but like you've only got this. I can't believe people would say this, but you've only got this many followers. How have you sold your event?

And that's the other thing as well. It's so important is that like your audience have to be engaged. I was gonna say the genuine owners, right? Yeah. The people that really with you and that runs with your business as well. Like in a sense that, you know, we are not here to be like, oh my God, like everyone has to be a client because they're never gonna be, people are just gonna be in your community and that's perfect.

Yeah. But I think so many people just get so hung up, hung up, bogged down with the followers and it, that shouldn't matter.

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Like, you've got to think, especially with a sort of business mind. And I do believe in like the only thing I will really say, you know, about sort of business and goals is that obviously when I got my mb, which is very surreal still, and it was very early on, that obviously gave me a sort of another boost of like, okay, wow, like I can make a real impact on the world.

And I started journaling and I started, writing down like how I used to as a project manager and this I talk, you know, in my workshops like smart goal setting and I went back to that sort of technique and, It's also a section in my book, but journaling has a lot of science and power behind it. And so then I started writing these like smart goals down and I've continued that and it's been such a lovely process to see from nothing how.

If you really direct your behaviors, your path, your mission, so many incredible goals have like come true. And it's just like, it's surreal. It's like, oh my God, how did that happen? and I like reflecting, you know, like, and you've gotta have that gratitude and all of that, but it's a bit of manifestation.

But with obviously so much hard work behind the scenes, like there's been nights, you know, with technology where even in the beginning in the pandemic, I was like, okay, I'm gonna do, and this is still out in the media, I saw recently a 28 day plan, you know, of all the lives that I did. 'cause we were doing exercise snacks in the daytime, my husband and youngest son.

Then we did an evening workout with them both. Then I did the streaming with my mother-in-law, not just on my community, but like a lot on Facebook as well. Mm-hmm. You know, like there was networks like professional Asian, recommend Asian, like I was just going on lots of different things. but yeah, it's like I do think.

The hard work is obviously behind the scenes. There were nights where I was battling with technology, just trying to get one video up and like everything was against me. I'd be like two, three in the morning. But you kind of persevere, right? 'cause you have so much belief in like what you wanna get out. it's hard.

There's like a lot of grit. And I think also you've gotta be a little bit, You've gotta be, what's the word? Like, probably a little bit hard, like I'm not worrying too much about what people think. Right? Yeah. Which comes with age and experience, I guess. you've gotta be strong because anyone on social media can say anything.

And then you've also got to understand, which is what I try and say now, is that although you see those pretty pictures and Lavina just bouncing around and colorful and like, she's going mad and she's like socializing with all these incredible, like celebs and whoever, everyone's got so much stuff that's been happening behind closed doors.

Even me, you know, like there's been personally, there's been challenges and battles that even though I share. 99%. There's always those few things that you, either protecting your family or you just haven't shared publicly. and I want people to know that there has been those hard times, right? But this for me, because I love it so much, has been like the savior through those hard times.

That's what's literally got me out of bed and I think, okay, no, I am gonna continue on this mission. Sorry, it's

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So I used to be someone, you probably dunno too much about me, Laina, but I used to be someone who was very negative. Gossipy. Just like a really terrible mindset. I've shared this really openly with my community. You said you are sharing this? Yeah. Relatable. I used to, I used to be completely, I was in my overdraft for like over a decade.

started to change like around: 2016

There was no video. Yeah. And within 18 months I launched by. like I, within 18 months with my wedding plan business, I started doing destination weddings. Wow. I was on the BBC Breakfast show. I was getting like a lot of global media, and one of the things that I'm a huge advocate for was actually Jo, like, is journaling, because I think with the, the power of journaling is a, it's like bringing it to the forefront of your mind.

So I'm gonna read you something. Yeah. Go on. Tell me what you think. Yeah. That

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What you focus on grows. Right? So if you are journaling every day, like, you know, I live in this like beautiful Oxfordshire house now. I was journaling for about two years on it, right? Two years. Wow. I live in my dream Oxfordshire house. I live in my dream Oxford and the first time we were gonna buy it, our property, the property fell through and we were like gutted.

But then like about a, maybe like a year and a half later, for some people that's such a long time. We found like the perfect house. Wow. It wasn't too much more expensive and we got way more space. Oh, amazing. I'm a massive advocate for journaling. How

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So I'm finding, so I've got like, I dunno like the snacks in my book, but there's a feel good mentally section and all of it has got, you know, things like everything from breathing to nature. I love that. To journaling. I.you know, like even like a three goals for the day snack, that just something you can do really simple when you've got that overwhelming list of things to do to a longer, like writing your worries away.

Yes. Like literally before bed, you know, when you can't sleep. But the science is so incredible. Like, I've got 10 minute one, and this is like a longer invitation. It says to write your, to your, your heart out about your deepest emotions or difficult experiences. Expressive writing is healing and can help release, restore, repair, and renew your mind.

And it gives you like the science, but it's like, it's just so amazing when I was kind of researching all of this. I mean, I could read you a little bit here, but it's like, it's. With journaling, I'm saying like, I used to write a diary as a teenager and I'm saying to everyone, I'd urge you to restart.

'cause it'll help you deal with any overwhelming feelings, especially if you struggle with stress, depression, or anxiety, which is so common these days. And it'll help you gain control of your emotions and improve your mental health. it can also help you recognize triggers and learn better ways to deal with them.

And it provides an opportunity for positive self-talk and allows you to simply write your worries away. It's also a great form of self-love to celebrate your wins in your private journal. And the physical act of writing, which is so important, engages the brain and activates the prefrontal cort cortex cortex, which regulates our response to stressful situations.

So I could go on, but it's just so powerful, putting that pen to paper. So if anyone like listening hasn't tried journaling, we are both testament to it. Yeah. Oh my god. It's. Life changing. Yeah. So, good.

[: 00:37:56

Mm-hmm. And you've done loads of talks at like big organizations like Google, been to Houses of Parliament, obviously you've got MBE. Do you ever get imposter syndrome?

[: 00:38:17

I'll like, I know I can calm the body, reset my nervous system in a minute, so before I do anything, I always do those things And it's really weird even you get the nerves and you kind of feel like, okay, what are you doing in these audiences? It's like really pinch me moments and then when I have to do my bit, whether it's a talk or you know, an exercise snack or whatever it is, a full workshop, it's almost like someone from above, like a force or above just takes over and it just literally like touch with to date, it's been very natural.

Right? I suppose I just kind of go in the flow of things. I was talking about imposter syndrome recently that I think everyone starts off having that.but now I'm at that point where you see like, I'm, you know, I've just celebrated the menopause. I'm like breaking all these taboos. I'm trying to think of, of things that I hope kind of lifts women and brings them together.

And that we don't, we stop, like stop the silence and start talking and normalizing these things. But it's that point where now I'm just like, I've just gotta go for it. Like, you know, I don't need to worry about what other people are thinking. have that self-belief, have that self-confidence. And no, I don't feel it now, but obviously I think at the beginning everyone does a little bit, right?

Yeah. It's just like having nerves before going on TV or whatever. But then that is also your body's natural stress response, right? You're gonna get a little bit jittery and like a little bit nervous about things. but no, I think it's. It's definitely kind of not there, anymore. I haven't got any time for that anymore.

[: 00:40:06

And she said to me, it was something that was really sad and I reflected on it afterwards and she was like, oh, just like, as an older woman, I feel like I'm becoming really insignificant. Oh, oh my God. No. And I just, at the time I was like, oh no. Like, don't, that's fine. But you know, don't say that. You know that that's not true.

But then afterwards I was thinking about it because I think with women there's so much pressure. Mm-hmm. Especially like in this day and age of social media to like look good. And obviously with you it's incredible because you are a wellness and fitness coach and, but I'm

[: 00:41:01

Or like in your knee. I know. I'm just not that and I'm, it's really weird, like when the images go out, obviously, you know, they're probably still on my way, my very dated website. But those were the images I was known for when I'd first qualified. Ripped like six pack. Yeah. I've written in the book about how.

In midlife, especially menopause, it's all about nourishing our bodies. Like I totally believe in not aiming for the six pack because it can be detrimental to women's we mental health, just like I was saying about, you know, weighing yourself every day, like your hormones are fluctuating constantly. I have, I have, I'm very like.

I just wanna be relatable. Right? Yeah. So I've been honest, you know, like I've experienced the weight gain. but for me, it's not about how I look. My motto is exercise for sanity, not vanity. Yes. Okay. I like, you know, like being in these lovely, bright pink outfits and all of that. And I like to be vibrant and colorful.

'cause I especially like to your friend as well, it's, that saddens me, right? That they're feeling, oh my gosh, I'm feeling old and I want a reframe on what that postmenopausal woman is. You know, I'm postmenopausal now, but we used to always think like that's the old person at home that's frail. You know, that's probably, not able to do things in life.

Whereas I feel like, gosh, this is like where I'm just getting started. Yeah. And that, you know, once. My kids are all out of the house and stuff, and I'll have a bit, even hopefully a bit more time, but obviously I've got aging parents. Like there's all different challenges in life. but while I've got the energy, I'm just riding with it, right?

'cause who knows what's gonna happen tomorrow. But I want to reframe like, what is bid life? It is not that old person I want. That's why I brought together so many amazing women that are doing well in midlife and beyond. I want the younger women to not have that fear of what's, you know, what's my body gonna go through in perimenopause?

Because yes, there is 40 plus symptoms, but we are all gonna go through it very differently. And I've experienced symptoms, but I'm thriving. Right? So if I can get through it and if you have access to this toolkit of everything we talked about from exercise to sleeping well, to eating well, you know, to the breathing, the journaling, like all these different tools that.

Could work for you. It's not gonna necessarily be the same path as mine, but there's, you know, like a hundred tools I could say that a science back that women can pick and choose from.I want you to know that you can get through this and you can thrive. It's not just about surviving, it's literally, hopefully doing more in midlife.

Women are living longer, right? Yeah. These days we've got a lot of, years ahead of us. And what can you do that's gonna really give you that passion and purpose? I

[: 00:43:48

It's good. But

[: 00:43:58

[: 00:44:03

Yeah. And that is just so important. You know, I don't want, that was really sad what my friends said, so I'm definitely gonna reflect back to her. So in terms of, obviously you've had, like, so, so much of your movement has been kind of like on a national level and a global level, been recognized, and trusted by brands like, you know, the NHS and Google and things like that.

Ha. Have you been quite strategic in doing that, or has it really just been mm-hmm. I think sometimes when I, like for me, for example, when I look at my opportunities, it's not that I've been like super, super, super strategic, but they've just come because I've put in the effort in other areas. Totally. So do you feel like that's the case with you?

[: 00:45:02

I want this information accessible to the world. A book is a great medium, you know, but I put that goal down very early. I had like goals to do podcasts, more tv, more radio, or like, travel the world. You know, I went to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, I was probably the first woman in that menopause space from the uk.

I love that to actually go and especially as a South Asian woman, right, to go and travel and actually be brave, I guess in a sense, in a new market. And talk about the menopause. And I always talk about my own journey, you know, like to make it relatable and it, it was like, it's surreal. Those sort of, those, you know, those opportunities.

I haven't been strategic, but I think they've come and I have been strategic in the sense I've got to, I only do things that really align with my values. So I've, I'm very blessed, you know, to have lots of things coming to me, especially at the moment, especially in the space that I'm in. But I've said no to a lot of things and I think that's, you know, a position I never thought I'd be in.

'cause at the beginning I literally did so much for free. I've done, like still, I do, most of my stuff is for free. Like, yes, I've got business. But, building that profile, that recognition, like it's just been from, you know, like doing talks, doing events, like podcast, radio, whatever I could get any exposure to, I kind of said yes at the beginning, so you've gotta kind of build it up.

And then now I'm in a position where obviously things are coming my way, but I will really hand on heart only. Share things or promote things that I really believe in. Like you've got to, I think, stick to your values, especially when things start with the world. There is a lot of opportunity on social media.

You know, I could be doing ads and collabs and things like every other day. We probably see, I don't do many, brands. the workplaces has been like a goal of mine because I love going back in with a different hat on, you know, like I was in that corporate world, but I know the challenges that women are going through.

I know how many women are leaving the workplace in midlife because of menopause symptoms, or I know how detrimental it is that we're sitting 10 hours a day. You know, I want us to have happy, healthy workplaces, and. I wish I had in a way more bandwidth I could target. So I probably do need to have a team I do need to find and like that's one thing I hopefully when I have a bit of time, a breather, if I can find someone that really I can work with to give me a little bit of breathing space so I can get into more organizations.

'cause it is just me, right? So it's like, you know, opportunities like this are great because thank you for having me on. 'cause maybe someone will hear and think, okay, I wanna get Lavina in to talk to my workplace. But, I think always stick to. Listen to your gut and stick to your values, that's probably the most important thing that I've done.

[: 00:48:18

Like, oh, I'm not doing that because it's for free. I'm not gonna do that because, and I think sometimes. You know, it really depends on everyone's situation of course, and like what you're building and, but sometimes you just do have to do things for free, like Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's how it works, you know?

And I think so many people are like, no, I'm not gonna do this because I'm not getting paid. But it sounds like, you know, when you started your journey actually that was the way in.

[: 00:49:01

[: 00:49:03

[: 00:49:04

I like the amount of times I've done things for free. Now I obviously know as well you've become a bit more savvy. Yes. Where I have been slightly burnt and I haven't talked about this publicly where I've been on a panel and I have had a counterpart getting paid and I wasn't paid. And then I've learned from that.

So you do start learning the way of the world. But for sure I've had to do tons for free. Like, you know, the charity work I do, that's. It's a different whole area that's just like me, I wanna give back and I wanna help. That area is like totally separate, but even in the workspace, I think when you're starting off, you've got to try and just like get yourself out there, right?

now yeah, things change a bit and like, it's interesting, as you said, like younger people, right? Where this will be their sole business, like being an influencer online and the amount of opportunity there is out there. but stay true to yourself. That's like so important. I think. A hundred

[: 00:50:13

How do you do it and how are you? And I don't like the word balance. I don't really believe in that word. I think it's more of a blend. Any tips for anyone that maybe has young families or, you know, maybe in their, in that in between stage, you know, still got young kids, but maybe they're not at secondary or not out of the house yet?

[: 00:50:45

I were never planning on having a dog, but it was like having another baby. I mean, he is literally, we're obsessed with him, Bailey, and we've had him since the pandemic. It was the same time as when I kicked off the whole new PT career. I, you know, I had started my perimenopause, like I'm lucky I have a cleaner that the house, I just, I've had to let go. I used to be really OCD about things like when I had all that time before and I'd go home and clean cupboards and all of that. And I actually realized, there's a kind of turning point in my head that are my kids and my husband gonna notice when I go in and I refold all those t-shirts that they've just pulled out and pick up everything from their bedroom floors and like tidy up every day.

And then when I stopped doing that, 'cause I, my work took over, actually they didn't even realize, I dunno if it's just a boy thing, and I was like, what can I spend my time on? Like if you can obviously afford to have a cleaner, if you can get help, support wherever from your family.do the things like prioritize, right?

Like what's gonna give. Me that benefit, what's gonna help the world in my sense, is it gonna be that there's refolding those tops or is it just gonna be able to do an extra bit of, I don't know, content that might resonate with someone and it gives them an exercise, snack or something to do, right.it's a juggle.

Yeah, I totally think I am. It's difficult. and especially for me, it was easier because my boys were in school and my youngest was 11. So once they get got into secondary, that's when I really started. And similar to when my mom's side, her like food passion. But I think with young kids it's, it's really hard.

Like, hopefully as you know, in the South Asian community, we do have a lot of help from our families. it's tough. It's tough being a woman, you know, like everyone says you can have it all. It's really hard. I don't think you can have it all. You've got to just be prepared to give and take and I drop the ball, you know, I forget things sometimes.

and my husband and the kids would be like, god Lavina, you know, the same thing. Like, why have you forgotten? What is, what's going on? And you just have to put your hands up there. You can't really be perfect at everything. Yeah. So prioritize, you know, even if it's like three things out of a hundred things you've gotta do in a day, just trying.

Tick off little things. Celebrate your wins on the journey. But it's hard. It's a juggle. That's all I can say.

[: 00:53:30

I can do it all. No, I'm so perfect at this. I'm gonna give, give, give. And actually that was the start of, you know, for me that was like when I became really overwhelmed, my nervous system got, oh my gosh, so much burnout

[: 00:53:53

[: 00:53:56

I think sometimes as well in our culture, especially, we are like living up to certain standards. Mm-hmm. Like I want to be a good daughter. I wanna be a really good friend. A good wife. Yes. A good daughter-in-law. A good cousin. Yeah. A, a good business owner, but you can't do everything.

[: 00:54:15

[: 00:54:15

And I remember when I got my cleaner, I just had like so much shame. I was like, didn't

[: 00:54:21

And I was like, how am I gonna coach? Like I'm gonna get there, you know, my youngest son going to university. And I'm like, please stay. Please stay. I mean, it is literally, yeah. I mean I've never eaten thanked her, but I mean, I say to her, thank goodness I've got you right.

[: 00:54:48

[: 00:54:50

You know, I literally wing it. I'm not planning, I'm not doing the meal prep a lot of the time. I do my like online shop that saves me an hour and a half in the week. Yeah. And then I just go home and I've got like a bank of like quick, easy meals that I know the whole family will eat and I can just get out there in like 10, 15 minutes.

I mean, it obviously takes a bit of, planning in life, but, You know what? I just, I'm really, I'm just enjoying the journey that I'm just using the energy, I feel energized, like I feel from life. Yeah. I feel like I've got enough, strength at the moment. Who knows what's gonna happen, you know, tomorrow, but while I've got it, I'm just like riding the wave.

Let's go for it.

[: 00:55:37

[: 00:55:53

Really have a passion for, it could just be little idea, a side hustle or something, even a hobby. and if you are not happy in whatever you're doing in life at the moment, really just focus your path. Like really have that intention to just go for it, that know that it's never too late, that if I can do it.

Anyone listening can do it. Yes, it takes a lot of hard work, sometimes a lot of courage and late nights and a juggle. but yeah, when you truly find your passion and purpose in life, it's just the most fulfilling thing. So yeah, I hope that inspires women and at whatever age. Right to just go for it. I love that, Lavina.

And where can everyone find you? Oh, you can find me everywhere.at feelgood with Lavina, and especially on Instagram, obviously like all my stories every day, even if it's just getting you to do a little feelgood walk or whatever. I'm on LinkedIn, obviously, for any of the workplace wellness and the talks.

Facebook, TikTok, like I mentioned, like all social media. I have a website. feel good with lavina.com. Please join my free workouts with my mother-in-law. There's hundreds saved on YouTube at Feel Good with Lavina, and that's up to the age of a hundred seated, even people working from home, like seated strength exercises, stretch mobility, balance, like anything you can do seated while you're on Zooms.

That's what I go into companies to teach. but yeah, just please if there's anything you know that you can share or can help someone just improve their health, that would be amazing. Thank you so much Lavina. Thank you for having me. It's been wonderful. Thank you. Thank you.