Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Nearly Died in Thailand: Here’s What It Taught Me About Trusting My Instinct

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In this episode, I share a story I haven’t spoken about in years.

At 24, I found myself alone in Thailand, caught in a situation that didn’t feel right from the start.

Every part of me was telling me something was off… and I ignored it.

What followed was a chain of events that led me into a second situation where I nearly lost my life.

But this isn’t just a story about what happened.

It’s about what I realised after.

Because when I look back, my instinct didn’t fail me - I just didn’t trust it.

We talk about:

The moment you know something isn’t right (and why we ignore it)
How self-doubt overrides instinct
Why your younger self was often braver than you think
And what changes when you finally start trusting yourself again

This episode is a reminder that you already have what you need. You just need to listen to it.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Was 5,000 Miles From Home, Burnt Out and Overwhelmed - Here’s What I Learned

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or unsure of your next step… this episode is for you.

Ahead of the new season of Real Women’s Stories… I wanted to share something a little more personal.

After a few weeks away from uploading, this is a bonus episode I felt I needed to record.

I was completely burnt out. Exhausted. Overwhelmed.

And instead of stopping, I did something that didn’t make logical sense - I got on a plane and flew 5,000 miles to Dubai to meet three women I’d only ever spoken to online.

I nearly didn’t make it through that first night. I questioned everything.

But what happened next reminded me why I started this podcast in the first place.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

what burnout really felt like for me
why I chose to trust my instinct, even when it felt risky
the power of being around the right people at the right time
and what this experience taught me about moving forward when you feel stuck

The Dubai interviews will be coming soon, but for now, I wanted to give you a glimpse into what this journey meant - and why these stories matter.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Do We Stop Taking Risks After 40?

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

When we’re younger, we tend to say yes to opportunities without overthinking them. We experiment, we take risks, and we trust that things will somehow work out.

But somewhere along the way, many of us start playing it safe.

In this coaching episode, I reflect on why that happens - and the moment I realised I might be doing it myself. Is it responsibility? Fear of getting it wrong? Or the stories we tell ourselves about what we should and shouldn’t do after a certain age?

If you’ve ever found yourself hesitating over an opportunity, second-guessing a decision, or wondering whether it’s “too late” to try something new, this episode is for you.

Because maybe the curiosity and courage you had in your 20s hasn’t disappeared…maybe it’s just been buried under caution.

So let me ask you one simple question: If you were 27 again… what would you do next?

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Ran Away for a Mamma Mia Summer - Then Started Again From Scratch

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

At 27, Laura England walked away from everything - a long-term relationship, her business, and the life she thought she was building - and ran off for a “Mamma Mia summer” working on cruise ships in Greece.

What looked like escape became something much bigger.

In this episode, Laura shares how she rose into senior roles at sea, only to walk away again - this time signing a 12-month lease with no clients and no safety net, determined to rebuild from scratch on her own terms.

We talk about pivoting at any age, detaching self-worth from career, navigating comparison, and finding the courage to begin again - even when it feels reckless.

If you’ve ever questioned your direction or wondered whether it’s too late to change, this conversation will remind you: your life isn’t written in permanent marker.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Is Your Sign: Stop Trying to Be Who You Were

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

What if the reason you feel stuck right now… is because you’re trying to get back to who you used to be?

After speaking to Talia about her accident and the moment her life completely changed, I kept thinking about something she said: she wasn’t meant to be that person before. This is who she’s meant to be now.

And it made me reflect on my own life - and on so many of the women I work with.

We think resilience means rebuilding what we had.

We think strength means getting “back to normal.”

But what if it doesn’t?

In this coaching episode, I’m asking you to stop trying to return to an old version of yourself. Instead, I want you to consider who you could become because of what’s happened.

If you’re feeling derailed, stuck, in transition, questioning your job, your direction, your purpose - this episode is for you.

I’ll share the mindset shift I see time and time again in the women who create real change. And I’ll ask you the reflective questions that might just help you take one small, intentional step forward this week.

Because maybe this isn’t about going back.

Maybe this is your moment to reinvent.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Had to Learn to Walk Again at 25 - Here’s What It Taught Me

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

At just 25, Talia Lazarus faced the unthinkable - a life-altering accident that nearly took her life and left her having to learn to walk again. What followed wasn’t just recovery - it was a complete reinvention of who she thought she was and what she wanted out of life.

In this deeply personal episode of Real Women’s Stories, Talia shares the raw, unfiltered truth about pain, identity, and transformation. We go beyond the physical injury to explore the emotional wreckage that followed: the panic attacks, the grief for the person she used to be, and the moment she realised that surviving wasn’t enough.

Rather than returning to her old life, Talia chose something radically different. She burned her old world to the ground - not out of anger, but out of clarity - and started again with a mission to help others do the same.

Through her work with her I Got Back Up podcast, Talia now supports people rebuilding after trauma, teaching them what she had to learn the hard way: resilience isn’t about bouncing back - it’s about rising up with purpose.

Join us for a story of survival, reinvention, identity rediscovery, and the courage it takes to walk into a life you never thought possible.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What “Just Keep Going” Cost Me - And What I’d Do Differently

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In the last episode, I shared what was happening to me physically - the pain, the fear, and why I felt unable to stop, even when my body was forcing me to.

In this coaching episode, I reflect on what that mindset of “just keep going” really cost me - not just in health, but in how I viewed strength, resilience, and success.

This is a conversation for anyone who feels trapped between listening to their body and fearing what will happen if they step back. If stopping feels like failure… if rest feels risky… if pushing on feels like the only option - this episode is for you.

I share what I’d do differently now, the questions I wish I’d asked sooner, and how redefining resilience changed everything.

You don’t need to change anything today.

But you might start noticing what your body has been trying to tell you.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Living With Chronic Pain at 50: The Women’s Toilet Taboo We’re Still Not Talking About

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Chronic pain doesn’t always come with visible symptoms - and for many women, it’s hidden behind silence and shame.

In this episode, I share my personal experience of living with debilitating pain caused by a widely misunderstood and rarely discussed health condition. What followed were months of fear, isolation and being told it was “all in my head”.

Joined by specialist clinician Ellie Bradshaw from The Functional Gut Clinic, this conversation explores why women are still reluctant to talk about toilet health, how stress and pain become trapped in the body, and why speaking up can be the first step towards recovery.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed, embarrassed, or alone with your health, this episode is for you.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before You Say You’ve ‘Done the Work’… Ask Yourself This

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

You might say you’ve “done the work” - but how do you really know?

In this episode, we explore the one question that reveals whether healing has actually happened… or whether you’re still sitting in the story.

After recording the last conversation, something stood out immediately: it wasn’t what was shared, but how it was shared. No charge. No reactivity. No need to convince. Just calm, grounded self-awareness.

This episode unpacks:

the difference between talking about your past and truly healing from it
why some stories still feel emotional - and others feel neutral
how deep inner work shows up in your nervous system, not just your mindset
why real healing isn’t loud, performative, or dramatic
and how accountability (not blame) changes everything

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’ve genuinely moved on - or whether you’ve simply learned to explain your past better - this conversation will land.

This is for anyone on a self-development journey who wants honesty over affirmations, depth over surface-level tools, and real growth over quick fixes.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nobody Tells You This About Being Bullied as a Child - It Can Make or Break You as an Adult

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Nobody tells you that being bullied as a child doesn’t just hurt in the moment - it can quietly shape who you become as an adult.

In this episode, Jess Levy shares her raw and deeply honest experience of growing up with bullying, and how the emotional impact followed her long after school ended - affecting her confidence, relationships, self-belief and sense of belonging well into adulthood.

She opens up about how unresolved trauma can either hold you back or become the catalyst for profound personal growth, and why confronting her past was a turning point in finally reclaiming her power.

Now an entrepreneur of nine years, founder of a global wellness business, and creator of the Level Up Ladies community, Jess reflects on how those early experiences shaped her drive, her boundaries, and her determination to build spaces where women feel seen, supported and capable of more.

This is a conversation about resilience, self-awareness, and the uncomfortable truth that childhood bullying doesn’t disappear with time - but how you respond to it can ultimately make or break your adult life.

If you’ve ever felt held back by experiences you thought you’d moved on from, this episode will resonate deeply.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why “Just Be Strong” Is the Worst Advice You’ll Ever Get

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

“Just be strong” is the phrase we hear when we’re struggling, grieving, or facing change.

But i share why that message can feel hollow - and sometimes even damaging.

Through personal reflection and real stories from my work with women, I explore why pushing through isn’t always the answer, and how flexibility, reflection and emotional awareness often carry us further than brute resilience ever could.

This is a gentle but powerful episode for anyone who feels tired of trying to hold it all together.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Went Through Burnout, Body Dysmorphia and Single Parenthood - Then Built My Dream Business

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode, I sit down with Karla Osborne, founder of KO Hair, to explore her journey through burnout, body dysmorphia and single parenthood - and how those experiences ultimately led her to build a business on her own terms.

Karla shares what it was really like to lose her sense of identity, struggle with body image, and juggle ambition with parenting, while trying to stay afloat emotionally and financially. We talk openly about career reinvention, rebuilding confidence, and the uncomfortable reality of starting again when life doesn’t go to plan.

This conversation is about more than business. It’s about resilience, self-belief, and learning to let go of who you were so you can become who you actually want to be.

Whether you’re navigating burnout, questioning your career, or feeling stuck in a version of life that no longer fits, this episode will remind you that reinvention isn’t just possible - it’s often the beginning of something better.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do I Have ADHD? Or Is This Just How My Brain Works?

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

I’ve always been known as “Lisa miles an hour”. The chatterbox. The over-thinker. The one who’s told to quieten down, slow down, be less.

But what if none of that is actually a problem?

In this episode, I question everything I thought I knew about myself - from neurodiversity and ADHD to why I left the corporate world and stopped caring what people think.

This isn’t about getting a diagnosis. It’s about realising that the very traits I tried to suppress for years might actually be my biggest strength.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Living With ADHD at 45: Why Masking Leaves Me Exhausted

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Wendy “wo0” Gannon is an award-winning personal photographer, speaker and founder of the Female Five Million movement - and she’s proudly a chaotic ADHD head.

In this deeply honest conversation, Wendy opens up about being diagnosed with ADHD at 45 and what it truly felt like to go decades without a name for her experience.

She talks about the exhaustion of masking - constantly performing, softening herself, and trying to fit the expectations of the world while silently struggling inside. From childhood and early career to building her business and speaking on stages, she reflects on how masking shaped her life and the relief (and fear) that came with finally dropping the act.

This episode explores the emotional cost of masking, the power of showing up as your genuine self, and how embracing neurodiversity has influenced Wendy’s work helping founders show up authentically online.

If you’ve ever felt worn out by simply being you, this conversation will resonate.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Did Everything “Right” — Degrees, Career, Success — and Still Felt Like a Failure

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In this bonus episode, Toni Eastwood shares her full story: from being bullied at school and leaving without confidence, to building an impressive career in government, corporate leadership, and business - all while quietly struggling with self-doubt and a sense that something wasn’t right.

We talk about the pressure to “do the right things”, why external success doesn’t automatically bring confidence, and the moment Toni realised she had built a life that looked successful on paper but didn’t feel like her own.

This episode replaces our usual coaching format this week. Instead, it offers something just as valuable - a lived experience that many women will recognise, but rarely hear spoken about honestly.

If you’ve ever followed the rules, worked hard, and still wondered “why don’t I feel successful?” - this conversation is for you.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Big Tech Is Censoring Women’s Health

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In this unedited interview for Real Women’s Stories, Lisa Quait is joined by Deirdre O’Neill, co-founder of Hertility, to expose how women’s health conversations are being restricted, suppressed, and silenced online.

From banned terminology and platforms deciding that words like endometriosis, menopause, and hormones are “too explicit” or “too political”, this conversation unpacks how Big Tech is shaping - and limiting - what women are allowed to say about their own bodies.

Deirdre explains why women’s health content is treated differently to sexualised imagery, how misinformation and fear have replaced education, and the real-world consequences of censoring vital health information - from delayed diagnoses to women being dismissed, gaslit, and left without answers.

This is a raw discussion about power, control, and why understanding your hormones and reproductive health shouldn’t depend on what an algorithm allows.

If you’ve ever felt ignored by the healthcare system, confused by your symptoms, or frustrated by how hard it is to find clear, trustworthy information about women’s health - this episode is for you.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

Meta said, Meta’s terms and policies have always prohibited advertisers from sharing sensitive information, including health data, and we have measures in place designed to help prevent advertisers from sharing such information. These measures did not block these organisations from running ads; they limited the ability to share potentially sensitive information with Meta. Advertisers can request a review if they believe their data source category is not appropriate, and we are working directly with these organisations to provide further guidance.

Google said: We have long allowed ads for fertility treatments and services in most countries. To ensure advertisers don’t target people based on sensitive health information, including women’s health advertising, we do implement certain protections.

After being approached for comment, TikTok contacted Hertility to provide clarification on the policy, and the ads team reinstated four of Hertility’s videos following a review.

The Independant, November 2025

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why You Don’t Need a Life-Changing Moment to Start Living Differently

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

You don’t need a crisis, loss, or life-changing moment to start living differently - awareness is enough.

In this episode, Lisa explains why waiting for “the moment” keeps you stuck, and how real change begins with small, intentional steps you can take right now. So many of us sit with ideas, dreams, and quiet nudges - waiting for something big to happen before we act.

In this coaching episode, Lisa explores why we delay the changes we know we want to make, why living on autopilot feels so draining, and how meaningful change actually starts. Not with dramatic decisions or overnight transformations, but with awareness, honesty, and small daily actions.

This episode isn’t about grief or trauma. It’s an encouraging reminder that you don’t need permission, perfection, or the “right time” to begin living differently.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why waiting for a big moment keeps you stuck
How awareness creates momentum without overwhelm
Why change feels uncomfortable (and how to work with that)
How small, realistic steps build confidence over time
A simple daily practice to help you move forward

Lisa also shares a practical takeaway you can use immediately - helping you identify what’s been sitting in the back of your mind, and the one small step that could move you closer to it.

If you’ve been thinking “I’ll start tomorrow” or “I’ll do it when things settle”, this episode is for you.

---

Discover coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Day I Lost My Sister Changed Everything - What I Did Next Still Surprises Me

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

This episode launches a new series of Real Women's Stories about the moments that quietly redefine how we live - and the unexpected choices that follow.

Jenny shares the turning point that caused her to pause, reassess, and ultimately start living with far more intention than before. What came next wasn’t a single bold decision, but a sequence of surprising shifts that changed how she approached work, wellbeing, ambition, and time itself.

From stepping away from a career that no longer fit, to building a life shaped by values rather than habit, Jenny reflects on how one moment led to a completely different way of living - and why the changes she made still catch her off guard today.

This conversation isn’t about loss; it’s about awareness. About what happens when you stop assuming there will always be “later”, and start choosing how you want your life to feel now.

A powerful opening episode for anyone who senses they’re on the edge of change - or quietly knows they want more from the life they’re already living.

---

Additional audio supplied by Louis Marlowe, Lewis Robling and WhyWeRun

Watch the documentary - Ordinary People, Extraordinary Things - on YouTube

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When ‘Shy’ Becomes Your Identity: How Confidence Gets Lost Along the Way

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In this bonus episode, Lisa Hopper reflects on how being labelled - and later labelling herself - as “shy” slowly became an identity, shaping her confidence, choices, and sense of self without her even realising it. What began as a single childhood experience quietly influenced how she showed up in relationships, work, money, and life.

This honest conversation explores how easily confidence can be misunderstood, how victim thinking can keep us stuck, and why true confidence often begins with questioning the stories we’ve carried for years.

Lisa also shares a deeply personal experience around mental health and medication, highlighting the importance of separating who we are from what we’re experiencing - and why awareness can be the turning point.

This is a shorter, reflective bonus episode, but one that will resonate if you’ve ever thought:

“I’m just shy,” and wondered where your confidence went.

---

Work with Lisa Hopper & receive 25% off, use discount code: JSZ23D8

Full details & claim your offer here

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stepping Into 2026 | You Share Your Hopes, Intentions & Truths

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

As we step out of 2025 and into a brand-new year, we asked you one simple question: what are you really taking with you into 2026?

In this New Year special of Real Women’s Stories, you share your hopes, intentions and truths for the year ahead - speaking honestly about growth, courage, boundaries, family, ambition, gratitude and learning to trust yourself again.

There’s no pressure to reinvent your life here.

No perfect plans. No performative positivity.

Just real reflections from real women, offering perspective, reassurance and the reminder that change doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.

If you’re stepping into 2026 feeling hopeful, uncertain, reflective - or quietly ready for something different - this episode is for you.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Christmas Really Means to You | A Real Women’s Stories Christmas Special

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

This Christmas, we’re asking a simple but powerful question: what does Christmas really mean to you?

In this special festive episode of Real Women’s Stories, voices from our global community come together to share their most personal Christmas memories - from laughter-filled moments and family traditions, to loss, nostalgia, kindness, and the quiet reflections that surface at this time of year.

Recorded across different countries and life stages, these stories capture the full emotional spectrum of Christmas: chaotic dinners, childhood magic, missing loved ones, chosen family, and the moments that stay with us long after the decorations come down.

Lisa also shares a heartfelt message for anyone who finds Christmas difficult, reminding us that there is no single “right” way to experience the season - and that connection, community, and small moments of light still matter.

Whether Christmas feels joyful, complicated, or somewhere in between, this episode is a gentle pause in a busy season - and a reminder that you’re not alone.

From all of us at Real Women’s Stories, we wish you a peaceful Christmas and a hopeful New Year.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Normalise Embarrassing Moments this Christmas - and Stop Overthinking Them

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Christmas has a way of magnifying awkward moments - saying the wrong thing, feeling clumsy, or replaying something small in your head long after it’s happened.

In this episode of Real Women’s Stories, Lisa explores why women are so quick to overthink embarrassment, how we’ve been conditioned to feel shame around very normal human moments, and what actually helps us handle them with confidence rather than self-criticism.

Through honest storytelling and relatable examples, this conversation reframes embarrassment - not as something to hide from, but something we can normalise, laugh about and move on from.

If you’re heading into the festive season feeling anxious about social situations or family gatherings, this episode offers a calm, compassionate reset.

Because it’s not what happens that matters - it’s how you respond to it.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Complete Guide to Gut Health at Christmas

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Christmas is a time for connection, celebration - and for many women, quiet anxiety about food, alcohol and “undoing all their hard work”.

In this episode of Real Women’s Stories, Lisa is joined by Ellie Bradshaw, Nurse Consultant in Gut Function and founder of The Functional Gut Clinic, for a refreshingly honest conversation about gut health at Christmas - and the one thing you won’t hear on most other podcasts.

Ellie shares why a few days of indulgence won’t damage your gut, how stress impacts the gut-brain axis far more than festive food, and why letting go of rigid rules may actually be the healthiest choice you can make this Christmas. Rather than restriction or perfection, this episode focuses on realism, compassion and understanding how your gut actually works.

From bloating and indigestion to alcohol, movement and January resets, this is practical, evidence-informed advice grounded in real life - not Instagram wellness culture.

In this episode, we explore:

Why Christmas eating isn’t the gut disaster you’ve been led to believe
The powerful connection between stress, the brain and gut symptoms
Alcohol, bloating and what genuinely helps (and what doesn’t)
Why enjoyment and social connection matter for gut health
How to return to balance in January without punishment or guilt

If you’ve ever felt pressure to be “good” over Christmas - this conversation offers a calmer, kinder alternative.

🎄✨If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to Real Women’s Stories for more honest conversations that challenge the narratives women are so often expected to live by.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sex, Sleep & the Science of Libido: Dr Betsy on What Women Really Need After 40

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

When was the last time you heard an honest conversation about women’s sexual health - one without shame, whispering, or outdated myths?

In this powerful and unexpectedly funny episode, Lisa sits down with Dr Betsy Greenleaf, the first board-certified female urogynecologist in the United States, triple board-certified and now specialising in sexual wellness and hormone health for women over 40.

Together they unpack everything we should have learned years ago:

- why sex and orgasm are critical for women’s long-term health, especially through perimenopause and menopause

- the real science behind libido, pleasure and “why I’m just not in the mood”

- how trauma shaped Dr Betsy’s mission to make sure no woman feels dismissed or unseen again

- what’s actually happening to our pelvic floor, hormones and desire as we age

- the simple mindset shift that can transform your sex life: start with willingness, not desire

- why creativity, confidence and even business success are deeply connected to our sexual wellbeing

Dr Betsy brings clarity, compassion, and decades of expertise - and Lisa brings the honest questions every woman wants answered.

If this conversation resonates, follow the show for more real stories, real women, and real transformation.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m 51 and Negative Comments Still Get to Me - Here’s How They Really Made Me Feel

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

“I smiled at the time… but later, the words stayed with me.”

In this deeply honest and unplanned coaching episode, Lisa reflects on how a handful of unexpected online comments affected her far more than she anticipated - even at 51, even with experience, and even knowing the comments weren’t true.

What lingered wasn’t criticism - it was the feeling of being misunderstood. Strangers created stories about who she is, stories that didn’t reflect her truth, yet still found a way to sit quietly in her mind long after the moment had passed.

In this episode, Lisa explores:

Why negative comments often hurt more than positive ones
What it feels like to be misunderstood publicly
How easily false narratives about us are created
Why we replay certain words long after we wish we wouldn’t
And how to stop allowing other people’s opinions to shape how we feel about ourselves

Lisa also shares the powerful “Let Them / Let Me” mindset - a gentle but transformative way to release control over what others think and reclaim control over how we respond.

This episode is for anyone who has ever:

Been misjudged
Felt quietly shaken by someone else’s words
Or wondered why certain comments linger long after they should have faded

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the Scenes of Our Viral DNA Episode

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

When our DNA episode went live, we expected emotion. What we didn’t expect was backlash, national media attention, and one of the most divided audiences we’ve ever seen.

In this behind-the-scenes episode, Lisa is joined by producer Aaron to reveal what was really happening off camera while the viral DNA story was unfolding - including the unexpected personal journey Aaron himself was on at the very same time.

As Jeanette’s story of discovering a hidden family member captivated millions, Aaron was quietly waiting for his own DNA results in the hope of uncovering a missing branch of his family tree. What followed for both of them raised difficult questions about truth, identity, family, and the risks of genetic testing.

We unpack:

What you didn’t see during the original DNA episode
The emotional and ethical fallout behind the scenes
The private producer’s story unfolding in real time
The backlash, strong opinions, and public reaction
The risks most people don’t consider before taking a DNA test
And how this one episode changed the future of the podcast

This is the untold story behind our most talked-about episode - raw, reflective, and honest.

🎙️ Listener question: Would you still take a DNA test after hearing what really happened? Take the poll on our YouTube channel

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Thought I’d Lost Myself…Then I Discovered the Golden Thread Running Through My Story

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Take this 3 min quiz and receive your FREE tailored workbook from Lisa.

---

What if you’re not lost at all - you’ve simply forgotten the evidence of who you really are?

In this intimate coaching episode, Lisa takes you on a guided journey through the moments, memories and emotions that have quietly shaped your life. With Dr Carol’s powerful teaching - that every breath leaves an imprint - Lisa reveals how each woman she’s spoken to carries a golden thread woven through her story… and so do you.

You’ll explore:

✨ The moment you’re secretly proud of but never speak about

✨ The strengths you used without even realising

✨ The clues your past is leaving for your present

✨ How to activate the code within you and step into your next era

If you’re listening on a commute, a walk, or in the car, take a breath.

This is your moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the woman you’ve always been.

------

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

0:00 – Why you’re not lost (you’ve just lost the evidence).

0:32 – How life moments leave an imprint on who you are.

1:12 – When was the last time you truly saw yourself?

2:28 – A guided moment to breathe and come into the now.

3:13 – Understanding the “golden thread” in your story.

4:14 – How small moments shape your identity.

5:16 – Lisa’s story from travelling that changed everything.

7:06 – The ripple effect of your energy and experiences.

8:49 – You haven’t lost yourself — you’ve forgotten the clues.

10:08 – Guided coaching: three questions to uncover your strengths.

12:05 – Realising your strengths have always been there.

13:27 – Using your story as a toolbox for today.

14:21 – What you’re no longer willing to tolerate.

15:19 – Activating your next era with courage.

16:42 – How Lisa helps women find their building blocks.

17:38 – Rediscovering the layers that make you who you are.

18:53 – Reclaiming the parts of you that have dimmed.

19:16 – How to take the quiz or book a coaching session.

20:10 – Final reflection: the one moment you can use today.

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Stayed in Total Darkness for 10 Days And It Changed My DNA

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What really happens when you spend ten full days alone in complete darkness?

In this extraordinary episode, Dr Carol Talbot joins Lisa to share one of the most intense and transformative experiences of her life - a 10-day dark room retreat designed to strip away external stimuli, awaken the body’s natural chemistry, and reveal who we truly are beneath our learned patterns and conditioning.

Carol explains in grounded, accessible language how the body floods with melatonin, then pinoline, and eventually endogenous DMT when deprived of light, creating a cascade of healing, repair and vivid inner experiences. She also shares how darkness helped her reconnect to what she calls our “multi-dimensional DNA” - not just the biology we inherit, but the deeper intelligence, memory and potential held within us.

You’ll hear:

What happens to the body and mind in pitch-black darkness
Why melatonin and DMT can create intense emotional breakthroughs
How childhood conditioning shapes the “story” we keep reliving
What DNA might hold beyond physical traits
Why many women feel stuck in repeating patterns — and how to break them
How Carol uncovers the fears, blocks and beliefs that quietly trip us up
What “optimal timelines” are and how they reveal your potential

This is one of the most unusual and thought-stretching conversations we’ve ever shared - part science, part spirit, part emotional awakening - and a powerful invitation to question who you are, what’s holding you back, and who you could be if you stepped into a bigger version of yourself.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Message: How Grief Encounter Changed Our Family’s Life

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

This week’s episode is a personal message for Children’s Grief Awareness Week. I’m honouring my stepchildren, their mum, and the charity that supported our family through some of our hardest moments. Grief Encounter provide life-changing help for children and young people navigating loss. If you’d like to learn more or support their work, you can visit their website here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI Can Bring My Parents Back… But They Both Died Before My 10th Birthday

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

To mark Children’s Grief Awareness Week, Dr Shelley Gilbert MBE joins Real Women’s Stories for one of the most important and thought-provoking conversations we’ve had on the show.

Shelley lost both her parents before her 10th birthday - an experience that shaped every part of her life and ultimately led her to build one of the UK’s leading childhood bereavement charities.

In this episode, Shelley shares:

What it’s really like to experience parental death as a child
How trauma affects a child’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
The “conspiracy of silence” families often fall into
How children can be supported with the right language and space

And then the conversation turns somewhere unexpected - to AI.

Shelley reflects on the emerging trend of using artificial intelligence to recreate the faces, voices, and movements of people who have died, and the emotional and ethical questions this raises for grieving families.

This episode combines lived experience, psychological insight, and a deeply human question:

Just because AI can bring someone back… should we let it?

A powerful, essential watch for anyone supporting a grieving child or exploring the evolving relationship between grief and technology.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

0:00 – Shelley’s childhood story: losing both parents before age 10

1:10 – The silence around her mum’s illness and what children aren’t told

2:25 – The night her father died and the shock that followed

3:40 – How children cope: survival mode, fear, and the “tiger” metaphor

5:00 – The “conspiracy of silence” and why families avoid talking about death

6:15 – Trauma’s impact on thoughts, feelings and behaviour

7:30 – Why language matters: saying “died” vs “lost”

8:45 – The Grief Book and the beginnings of Grief Encounter

10:00 – AI enters the conversation: recreating loved ones with technology

11:20 – The emotional risks of AI memorials and how children can heal safely

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Power of Saying Yes When It’s Easier to Say No — How to Finally Choose Yourself

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Take this 3 min quiz and receive your FREE tailored workbook from Lisa.

---

Have you ever made a big life decision that felt right in your heart - but wrong to everyone else?

In this coaching episode, Lisa Quait shares her own story of packing up her life to travel solo across Asia, and how that single choice shaped the woman she became. Inspired by another woman’s powerful act of leaving a note behind to start anew, Lisa explores the deep guilt, courage, and clarity that come from choosing yourself - even when it means saying no to what others expect.

💬 You’ll learn:

• Why guilt often follows our most authentic choices

• How to reframe guilt into strength

• How to trust your instincts and make decisions for you

• A simple 3-step reflection to start choosing yourself again

👉 Take the New ERA Quiz and download Lisa’s free workbook in the show notes to uncover what’s holding you back from saying yes to the life you really want.

🎧 Real Women’s Stories is a space for women to reconnect with their truth, share their journeys, and rediscover the power of their own voice.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

0:00 – The choices that change everything

1:20 – Why guilt follows our decisions

3:55 – Lisa’s story: leaving the UK to travel solo

6:30 – Letting go of guilt and finding peace

9:45 – When overthinking stops you moving forward

11:45 – Turning guilt into strength

13:20 – Margaux’s story: leaving with only a note

16:30 – Learning to choose yourself

20:10 – Reframing guilt as courage

24:00 – What past choices can teach you now

27:00 – How to reconnect with your true self

28:30 – One choice you can make for you today

31:20 – Take the New ERA Quiz + next steps

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Left My Entire Family Behind in Poland - With Only a Letter on the Table

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What makes someone walk away from everything they know - their family, their friends, and the only home they’ve ever had - with nothing but a letter left behind?

At just 28, Margo made the boldest decision of her life. She packed her bags, left Poland without telling anyone, and moved to Spain - following her heart and trusting her instincts.

From cleaning hotel rooms to now running one of southern Spain’s most beautiful boutique hotels, Hotel Amanhavis, this is Margo’s story of courage, loss, and starting again.

In this emotional conversation with Lisa Quait, Margo shares how that single letter changed her life forever - and why sometimes, the biggest risks lead to the most beautiful new beginnings.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

00:00 Intro — Meet Margo

00:45 The day she left Poland behind

02:10 Falling in love and following her instincts

05:05 Starting from nothing in Spain

08:50 Rebuilding family relationships

12:20 From cleaning rooms to running a hotel

16:40 Her message to women ready for change

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How One Simple Act Broke My Biggest Limiting Beliefs

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Take this 3 min quiz and receive your FREE tailored workbook from Lisa.

---

In this coaching episode of Real Women’s Stories, host Lisa Quait shares the powerful moment that changed everything - the day she faced her fear head-on and broke through her biggest limiting beliefs.

What started as a simple coaching exercise with guest Sarah Phelps (known as “The Coach to Be Perfectly Positive in Every Way”) became a life-changing experience about belief, courage, and finally trusting herself.

Lisa opens up about what it felt like to hold a real arrow to her throat, take that first breath, and step forward - literally breaking through fear and self-doubt in one unforgettable moment.

If you’ve ever questioned your self-belief, struggled with confidence, or felt like fear keeps holding you back, this episode will remind you what’s possible when you finally choose to believe in yourself.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

00:00 – The moment that changed everything

00:37 – Introducing Real Women’s Stories and today’s theme

01:02 – Meeting Sarah Phelps: “The Coach to Be Perfectly Positive in Every Way”

02:00 – The arrow exercise explained

02:49 – Why Lisa chose to take part

04:07 – The fear hiding beneath self-belief

05:36 – Realising self-belief wasn’t as strong as she thought

06:54 – Choosing the word “BELIEVE”

08:16 – What belief really means in everyday life

10:03 – Fear, release, and the moment the arrow snapped

11:24 – The emotional realisation that changed everything

12:34 – What belief looks like in daily action

14:18 – Letting go of fear and embracing freedom

15:57 – The physical release of breaking through doubt

16:55 – How to rebuild belief in yourself

18:01 – The sign from her grandmother and its meaning

19:46 – Anchoring belief through reminders and rituals

20:47 – Turning self-belief into a daily practice

22:09 – The challenge to believe you’re stronger than you think

22:37 – How to take the New Era Quiz and next steps

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Ended Up in Tears During This Live Coaching Session… and I Don’t Know If I Should Even Share This

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

During this live coaching session with empowerment coach Sarah Jane Phelps, I became the client - and what unfolded left me in tears.

Sarah Jane is the founder of Practically Positive In Every Way, a speaker, facilitator and mindset-mentor who helps people move from self-doubt into bold action.

In this episode of Real Women’s Stories, she guides me through her signature “arrow-breaking” exercise - a visceral step into fear, belief and transformation.

💬 What you’ll witness and take away:

The powerful moment I risked being vulnerable - hosting turned into being helped
How believing in yourself looks in action (not just words)
A practical method you can use to break through your own limiting beliefs
If you’ve ever thought “I have to stay strong / I don’t get to crack / showing emotion is weakness”, then this episode is especially for you.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

00:00 Opening – I become the client

03:40 Sarah Jane’s story of transformation

07:15 The arrow-breaking exercise begins

11:50 My breakdown moment — why I cried

15:30 The shift: what I realised about belief

18:45 How you can apply this in your life

21:00 Closing thoughts & next steps

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Midlife Woman’s Guide to Confidence, and Why You Should Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Women

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Click here, to watch this episode on YouTube.

---

In this Real Women’s Stories coaching episode, Lisa Quait shares a powerful reminder for every woman in midlife who’s ever looked around and wondered if she’s fallen behind.

It’s time to stop comparing, stop doubting, and start owning who you are.

Lisa guides you through how to:

✨ Let go of comparison and the pressure to follow life’s “timeline”

✨ Feel confident in the choices you’ve made - and the woman you’ve become

✨ Reframe the word “should” and replace it with what you actually want

✨ Find peace and confidence in the life you’ve built

Whether you’ve built a career, raised a family, or chosen a different path altogether, this episode will help you feel grounded, proud, and confident - exactly where you are right now.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

00:00 – Why it’s okay not to change your life

02:00 – How timelines and expectations create pressure

05:00 – The impact of comparison on confidence

08:00 – Owning your choices and your story

11:00 – Stop reinventing yourself and start appreciating who you are

14:00 – Reframing “should” into “want to”

17:00 – How to feel confident sharing your story

19:00 – You’re not behind — you’re exactly where you’re meant to be

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m in my 50s, Childfree and in Perimenopause - and I’m Tired of Being Judged

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Marnie Nash joins Real Women’s Stories to talk about something many women still keep to themselves - what it’s really like to be childfree in midlife.

Now in her 50s and navigating perimenopause, Marnie reflects on the questions, assumptions and quiet judgements that follow many women - and why she’s finally ready to say she’s had enough.

In this honest and deeply relatable conversation, Marnie and host Lisa Quait discuss:

💬 The realities of being childfree in a mother-centric world

🔥 How ageing, identity and perimenopause shape women’s sense of belonging

✨ Why it’s time to redefine womanhood beyond motherhood

This is a conversation for every woman - mother or not - who’s ever felt judged for her choices.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

00:00 – Intro: Why Marnie’s Speaking Out About Being Childfree

00:28 – The Unspoken Truth: Living Without Children in a Mother-Centric World

01:30 – Finding Community: Creating Space for Women Who Aren’t Mums

03:20 – The Constant Question: “So… Do You Have Kids?”

05:30 – Midlife Realities: Ageing, Expectations & Who Looks After You Later in Life

08:30 – How Life Unfolded: Engagement, Coming Out & Missed Motherhood

11:20 – Family Pressure: Conversations With Mum & the ‘Selfish’ Label

13:00 – Choosing Strength: Why Marnie Never Tried to Have a Baby Alone

15:00 – Regret and Relief: The Complex Emotions of Not Becoming a Mum

17:00 – You Can’t Win: How Women Are Judged Either Way

17:30 – 1 in 4 Women: The Unseen Reality of Non-Mothers

19:00 – How to Talk About It: Sensitive Conversations Without Judgement

21:00 – Freedom & Legacy: The Positives of a Childfree Life

22:50 – Redefining Purpose: What Legacy Means Without Children

24:00 – As a Woman, Not as a Mother: Reframing Identity in Midlife

26:30 – Final Reflections: Why These Conversations Matter

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Knew I Was Marrying the Wrong Man… But Still Said “I Do”

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Take this 3 min quiz and receive your FREE tailored workbook from Lisa.

---

In this solo episode of Real Women’s Stories, host and coach Lisa Quait shares the real-life lessons she learned from saying “I do” when every instinct told her not to.

This episode isn’t just about one woman’s past - it’s a roadmap for recognising red flags, trusting your instincts, and finding the courage to rebuild when life doesn’t go to plan.

Here’s what you’ll learn 👇

💍 Why we ignore our intuition - and how to start listening to it again

💔 How to spot emotional patterns that keep you stuck in unhealthy relationships

👶 How motherhood or major life changes can reveal your true strengths

💪 Practical ways to rebuild confidence after walking away from something that wasn’t right

✨ How sharing your story helps others find the courage to share theirs

If you’ve ever stayed too long, doubted yourself, or felt torn between fear and freedom - this conversation will give you tools to recognise your own turning point and choose self-respect over comfort.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

00:00 – Why Lisa’s telling her story for the first time

02:10 – How we talk ourselves into the wrong decisions

05:40 – The wedding day she knew was wrong

07:15 – The pressure to “make it work”

09:20 – The pregnancy wake-up call

13:00 – The night that changed everything

16:30 – Facing the truth about addiction

19:10 – When trying to fix someone turns into losing yourself

21:30 – Choosing herself and her child

23:00 – Learning what healthy love really looks like

26:00 – The mindset shift that rebuilt her confidence

28:30 – Lisa’s reflection challenge: what’s your truth?

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before You Think You Can’t Rebuild Your Life… LISTEN THIS

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Take this 3 min quiz and receive your FREE tailored workbook from Lisa.

---

When designer Katie Tartu faced heartbreak that changed everything, she didn’t give up - she rebuilt.

In this deeply personal episode of Real Women’s Stories, Katie opens up for the first time about losing her baby halfway through pregnancy, the years of silence that followed, and the long, quiet journey of rebuilding her life and herself.

What began as grief has grown into strength - and even success. Today, Katie’s fashion brand Tarttu has been featured at London and Paris Fashion Week, proving that creativity can rise from even the hardest moments.

✨ In this conversation:

How loss reshaped her marriage and motherhood
Why she stayed silent - and what changed
The emotional turning point that helped her rebuild

This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered if they’ll find themselves again after loss.

👉 Listen now - and remember, you can rebuild your life.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

01:00 – 03:00 | How early success and ambition shaped her life before loss

03:00 – 05:00 | Losing her baby at 20 weeks — the heartbreak and silence that followed

05:00 – 07:00 | Why she couldn’t speak about it — and how isolation became her coping mechanism

07:00 – 09:00 | The strength of her marriage and how her husband helped her survive it

09:00 – 10:30 | Turning pain into purpose — her determination to become a mother again

10:30 – 12:30 | The women who inspired her growing up — and how that shaped her strength

12:30 – 15:30 | Raising three daughters — lessons in independence, creativity, and letting go

15:30 – 17:00 | Separating grief from motherhood — learning to love without fear

17:00 – 19:00 | Why she’s speaking now — and her message for other women carrying hidden grief

22:00 – 24:30 | Turning a personal project into a global brand

24:30 – 26:00 | From idea to catwalk — Tattoo’s journey to London and Paris Fashion Week

26:00 – 28:00 | Finding joy, adventure, and identity again after loss

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Everyday Mistakes That Stop You Growing - Fix Them Today

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Work with Lisa: Own your story and rewrite your future. Explore more.

---

Do you ever feel like you’ve outgrown parts of your life - but somehow keep ending up in the same situations?

In this short coaching episode, Lisa Quait explores the everyday mistakes that quietly stop you from growing. Through a heartfelt story about her grandmother’s advice to “focus on the good,” Lisa reveals how reflection, awareness, and small daily shifts can help you break the patterns that keep you stuck.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

How to spot the subtle habits holding you back
Why self-reflection is more powerful than self-criticism
How to respond instead of react in challenging moments
The single mindset shift that can change your emotional energy

If you’re ready to stop repeating what no longer serves you - and start creating space for real growth - this episode will show you where to begin.

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Wife: “A Mystery Caller Told Me I Was in Danger - My Husband Lied About Who He Really Was”

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

When Louise Archer received a call warning her that the man she loved was dangerous - a convicted conman who had lied about everything - she refused to believe it.

What followed is a story of courage and determination, taking Louise and her children across international borders and into a battle to rebuild their lives from the ground up.

In this powerful episode of Real Women’s Stories, Louise reveals how she went from being trapped in deceit to standing firmly on her own two feet - building Retrained Search, a thriving global business, a safe home for her children, and a new life defined by confidence, not fear.

In this episode, Louise shares:

💔 The red flags she ignored - and what they taught her

💪 How she turned shame into self-belief

🏠 The moment she started over with nothing and rebuilt her life

✨ The mindset shifts that helped her rebuild her entire life

Louise’s story is packed with useful takeaways - from spotting manipulation early to rebuilding your identity and career after crisis.

👉 This conversation will remind you that you can rewrite your story - no matter where you are or what you’re facing.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

00:00 – The call that changed everything

01:00 – “He’s a convict… you’re in danger”

03:00 – Why she didn’t believe it

04:00 – The life she thought she was building

07:00 – When success hid the truth

08:00 – The shocking revelation about her husband

10:00 – The lies, the money, and the manipulation

13:00 – Moving from France to America – and the spiral deepens

16:00 – The terrifying reality of living abroad with two children

17:00 – Fighting an international legal battle for her freedom

19:00 – Returning home and rebuilding from nothing

22:00 – Finding strength in family and unconditional love

24:00 – How the cycle of abuse continued — and how she broke it

27:00 – The lesson: look for joy, not just safety

28:30 – The belief that pulled her through

30:00 – The role her mother played in rebuilding her confidence

33:30 – Rebuilding a life, a business, and a future

35:00 – The mindset that turns fear into freedom

36:00 – Louise’s advice for women starting again

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Stop Playing Small and Start Being Seen

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Work with Lisa: Own your story and rewrite your future. Explore more.

---

Do you ever catch yourself shrinking - biting your tongue, playing small, or avoiding the spotlight?

In this Real Women’s Stories coaching episode, host Lisa Quait shares a powerful, personal reflection on visibility - what it really means to be seen, and how self-belief shapes every area of our lives.

Through stories, journaling prompts and practical tips, Lisa helps you recognise where you’ve been holding yourself back, and guides you towards speaking up, setting boundaries and believing that your voice belongs in every room.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

How self-belief builds confidence and visibility
Why silence has a real emotional cost
Small steps to strengthen your “visibility muscle”
How to speak up - at work, at home, and with friends
Ways to set boundaries with love (not guilt)

🎧 This episode complements our conversation with Christina Vidovich, founder of Women Getting Visible. Together they form a two-part journey - one story, one strategy - leading up to the Women Getting Visible event.

👉 If you’re tired of hiding your light, this is your reminder to take up space.

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If You’re Feeling Invisible… Listen This

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Click here, to watch this episode on YouTube.

If you’ve ever felt invisible - like you’ve lost yourself in motherhood, in expectations, or in always putting others first - this episode is for you.

In Real Women’s Stories, host Lisa Quait sits down with Christina Vidovich, ballroom dancer, podcaster, and founder of Women Getting Visible. Christina shares her journey of hiding behind baggy clothes and silence, before deciding to reclaim her voice, her confidence, and her visibility.

✨ What you’ll hear in this episode:

How women can lose their identity after motherhood
The cultural expectations that keep women small and silent
Why confidence is more important than perfection
Practical ways to start being visible (even if you don’t want the spotlight)
The role of community in helping women feel seen, heard, and valued

This conversation is part of the build-up to the Women Getting Visible event - a space created for women who are ready to step out of the shadows and into their full selves.

👉 If you’re ready to stop hiding and start shining, listen to this.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

00:33 – From ballroom dancer to “invisible mum”

02:15 – Losing identity after motherhood

03:59 – Reinventing yourself in your 40s

05:27 – The wake-up call that sparked change

06:17 – Why speaking your truth is powerful

07:47 – Growing up with strict cultural expectations

10:12 – The unexpected start of a ballroom career

13:58 – Living large vs. being silenced

15:55 – Why Women Getting Visible was born

17:16 – What it feels like when women finally get visible

18:53 – Lessons from American vs British culture

20:36 – Confidence as her biggest accomplishment

22:51 – The moment Christina stopped hiding

23:55 – How to get visible without being in the spotlight

25:18 – Community as the key to visibility

30:13 – Closing reflections & final advice

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thinking of Retraining in Midlife? Here’s How to Change Careers with Confidence

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Work with Lisa: Own your story and rewrite your future. Explore more.

---

Midlife isn’t too late - it might be the perfect time to change careers.

Thinking about retraining? In this Real Women’s Stories coaching episode, Lisa Quait breaks down what it really takes to make a career change later in life. From facing fears and finances to building confidence and momentum, this is a practical guide for anyone ready to take control of their next chapter.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

✅ How to overcome the fear of starting again

✅ The financial and emotional realities of retraining

✅ Mindset shifts to help you stay motivated

✅ Small, practical steps to get momentum and clarity

If you’ve been wondering whether it’s too late to change careers this episode is for you.

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate WilliamsWork with Lisa: Own your story and rewrite your future. Explore more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Truth About Being a Female Tradie in 2025

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Click here, to watch this episode on YouTube.

In this episode of Real Women’s Stories, Laura Faux shares the unfiltered truth about life as a woman in male-dominated industries. From gruelling security shifts and witnessing trauma, to starting her own decorating business, she reveals how she broke stereotypes, stood her ground, and built a career on her own terms.

✨ In this episode, Laura opens up about:

The challenges of being one of the few women on site
Standing up to workplace bullying and earning respect
Why spirituality and mindset were key to her success
How she turned redundancy and trauma into self-employment success
Why more women should consider trades like decorating, plumbing & carpentry

👉 If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a female tradie - this is the truth no one tells you.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

Listen: Life of a Female Tradie podcast

---

00:00 – Redundancy, heartbreak & trauma all at once

01:00 – Growing up a tomboy & facing bullying

01:44 – Life working in the security industry

02:14 – Losing her job, partner & home

03:09 – Learning a trade through family support

03:49 – The pressure of CCTV security shifts

05:29 – Why women struggled in this role

06:00 – Witnessing trauma on the job

07:02 – Leaving due to stress & emotional toll

08:04 – Discovering spirituality & crystals for healing

10:03 – Journaling, nature & mindset shifts

11:18 – Finding light & accountability for change

13:23 – Building a successful decorating business

15:14 – Why more midlife women should try trades

17:21 – How to handle working alongside younger men

19:53 – Reclaiming confidence in midlife

22:15 – Why female tradies make clients feel safer

23:37 – Funny moments & awkward encounters

26:26 – Standing her ground with male colleagues

29:15 – Lessons on speaking up & breaking stereotypes

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Find Courage for Life's Tough Conversations

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Work with Lisa: Own your story and rewrite your future. Explore more.

---

Avoiding a conversation you know you need to have? In this coaching episode, Lisa Quait shows you how to find the courage to speak your truth, face fear without guilt, and finally stop carrying the weight of silence. Practical strategies and real-life insights to handle tough talks with confidence

---

Click here, to watch this episode on YouTube.

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Living With an Addict: The Real Truths YOU Need To Hear

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Click here, to watch this episode on YouTube.

Most people never talk about what it’s really like to love someone with an addiction.

In this powerful episode of Real Women’s Stories, Hannah opens up about her marriage, the pain of discovering her husband’s drug use, and the lessons she’s learned through years of struggle, relapse, and recovery.

She shares:

- The moment she realised it wasn’t “just recreational” anymore

- The emotional toll on her relationship, family, and self-worth

- Why recovery is a journey for loved ones as much as the addict

- The strength and perspective she gained by choosing to stay

👉 Subscribe for more honest, unfiltered conversations from women navigating life’s toughest challenges.

💬 Would you stay with your partner if they were an addict? Share your thoughts in the comments - your voice matters.

---

Discover mid-life coaching with Lisa:

---

Connect with Lisa

YouTube: The only place to watch every episode of Real Women's Stories with Lisa Quait

---

⏰ Timecodes ⏰

0:00 – “I thought he was having an affair… but it was drugs”

1:07 – Hannah on never feeling “good enough” and finding her voice

2:42 – Debt, fitting in, and the pressure to belong

5:32 – The moment Hannah realised her husband’s use was addiction

6:59 – Coping with denial and the ups and downs of healing

7:53 – Addiction as a “solution” rather than the real problem

9:22 – Facing the truth: admitting there’s a problem in your life

13:16 – Lisa shares her own experience of support groups

15:16 – Should you stay or leave? Making choices without guilt

17:26 – Why recovery is for the whole family, not just the addict

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DNA Surprises - How to Navigate Family Secrets and New Relatives

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Work with Lisa: Own your story and rewrite your future. Explore more.

---

What do you do when new relatives suddenly appear in your life? Whether it’s through DNA testing, divorce, remarriage, or long-hidden family secrets, midlife can bring unexpected connections and complex emotions.

In this episode, Lisa Quait shares practical coaching strategies to help you navigate these surprises from starting small and staying curious, to setting boundaries without guilt, creating shared memories, and turning awkwardness or anxiety into meaningful bonds.

If you’ve ever wondered how to find your place in a new or expanded family, this episode gives you clear, actionable steps to make it work without losing yourself.

---

Welcome to Real Women’s Stories with Lisa Quait. The podcast that dives deep into the topics women are eager to explore 🎙️

From reinvention and relationships to health and happiness, we tackle the conversations that matter most with honesty, warmth, and a touch of humour.

📩 Got a topic you’d love Lisa to dive into? Know an inspiring guest or want to share your own story? Reach out to us at: TheRealStoriesPodcast@gmail.com.

You must be 18+ to connect with us. Your email may be shared during a future episode.

---

🌟 A message from Lisa:

I’ve faced many challenges in life, experiencing love and laughter, to heartache and perseverance. Each experience has shaped me, teaching resilience, growth and compassion for others.

Here’s a quick look at my journey:

- My parents divorced when I was 2.

- I won a drama school scholarship at 18, pursuing my dream of working in TV.

- I travelled solo through Southeast Asia and Australia, facing a near-death experience along the way!

- I adapted to life as a single parent after my beautiful daughter’s birth in 2006 and built a career in Commercial Real Estate.

- I reconnected with a childhood friend who had lost his first wife. In 2011 we married and became a blended family and I became a step parent to my 2 eldest children whom I love dearly.

- I helped expand my brother’s wedding business to Mallorca and began bodybuilding, competing in 2016 and 2017.

- I now work as a Director in the Flexible Office industry and am building my coaching practice and podcast.

- My next goal is to move to Spain and create a life by the sea!

💫 I’ve learned that life is full of opportunities if you just look up and reach for them.

Let me help you discover yours ❤️

Lisa x

---

Series Producer: Aaron Nelson

PR & Marketing: Kate Williams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I Took a DNA Test and Discovered a Secret Sibling

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Click here, to watch this episode on YouTube.

What started as a light-hearted curiosity turned into a life-changing revelation for Jeanette. Not only did she uncover a brother she never knew existed, but her 88-year-old father also got to meet his son for the very first time.

In this episode of Real Women’s Stories, Lisa Quait explores the shock, emotional rollercoaster, and unexpected joy of uncovering hidden family secrets and how Jeanette navigated the impact on her life and loved ones.

---

Welcome to Real Women’s Stories with Lisa Quait. The podcast that dives deep into the topics women are eager to explore 🎙️

From reinvention and relationships to health and happiness, we tackle the conversations that matter most with honesty, warmth, and a touch of humour.

---