Welcome to Liberté-Free to Be, hosted by Rachel Peru, join me as I share a fortnightly dose of midlife inspiration. Where you get to hear from some amazing people who are embracing life and breaking down midlife stereo types. Proving it’s never too late to find new passion and purpose. From health, happiness, mindset to menopause, reinvention to rebelling, no subject is off limits!
Living a life of Liberté- Free to be!
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https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RachelPeru1
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Menopause Uncovered: 10 Facts Every Woman Should Know with Claire Hurst
Episode 160
Monday, May 18, 2026 • Duration 43:17
Following last weeks conversation I invited Claire Hurst to delve even deeper. Claire is the founder of the Rebalance Academy, providing professional support for practitioners and business.
Claire shares her personal journey through menopause, explores the complexities of hormonal changes, and offers practical advice on managing menopause naturally. Discover how understanding your body can transform this life stage into a period of empowerment and self-discovery.
This is last guest off this series and I can't believe that was my 160th interview.
I'll be back in the Autumn but in the meantime ... Keep being fabulous
Rachel x
Finding Yourself Again: Menopause, Confidence & Community with Emma Neville
Episode 160
Monday, May 11, 2026 • Duration 40:01
Menopause can feel like losing yourself, but what if it’s actually the start of finding who you really are?
I’m joined by menopause coach Emma Neville, who shares her experience of early menopause following a diagnosis of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) at 40.
We talk honestly about the shock, the grief, the loss of confidence and the moment things begin to shift.
This is a conversation about understanding your body, letting go of guilt, and learning to put yourself back on the list.
We Cover:
Early menopause and recognising the signs
The emotional impact and loss of identity
HRT, myths, and making informed choices
Simple daily habits to support your body
Why community and connection matter
Rebuilding confidence and self-trust
Key Message
You’re not broken. You’re evolving. And you don’t have to navigate this alone.
How Following Your Passion Can Lead to Unexpected Success with Rachel Hill
Episode 159
Saturday, April 18, 2026 • Duration 41:21
What makes someone wake up one morning and buy a model village?
Rachel Hill is an entrepreneur, businesswoman, and owner of Bondville Model Village on the Yorkshire coast. She built her first business from the ground up, growing a childcare company over 16 years from just two children on roll to 4 separate sites with 800 families on roll and employing 85 staff. She successfully sold it in 2023.
Rachel is now the owner of Bondville, Yorkshires only Model Village, which she has brought back to life with creativity, storytelling, and a strong sense of community.
Alongside running the village, Rachel is also a public speaker who shares her journey through business, resilience, and motherhood, including raising her son Tommy, who has a disability. Through her work and storytelling, Rachel speaks honestly about overcoming adversity, reinvention, and the experiences that shape who we are’
Key topics
· Career pivot at 45 to buy a model village
· The importance of networking and community support
· Overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt
· Storytelling through the model village to share real stories
· Balancing personal life, health, and entrepreneurship
Bondville Model Village on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bondvillemodelvillage
Mindset Matters: The Key to Success with Olympic Gold medallist Sally Gunnell
Episode 158
Sunday, April 5, 2026 • Duration 37:21
I had the pleasure of talking with Sally Gunnell about her journey from being an elite athlete to navigating life after retirement. Sally is still the only woman to hold the World, Olympic, European, and Commonwealth Gold Medals at the same time, a phenomenal acheievement.
We discussed the importance of mindset, body image, motherhood, and the challenges women face in maintaining health and fitness.
Sally shares her insights on how to inspire women to embrace their bodies, the significance of mental wellbeing, and lots of practical advice for staying active.
What I love about Sally's approach is how simple it is, just starting with small daily changes can make a huge difference to how you feel.
"Starting simple is key to maintaining fitness"
If you'd like to find how you could Improve your health and fitness with Sally visit www.lifehurdle.com
body confidence ,athletics, mindset, body image, motherhood, women's health, fitness advice, mental wellbeing, sleep, holistic health, community support
Body Confidence, Reinvention and Finding Your Voice with Danielle Broadbent
Episode 157
Saturday, March 28, 2026 • Duration 40:04
This week I'm joined by the brilliant Danielle,Broadbent, a broadcaster, body confidence coach and campaigner, and someone whose energy is as uplifting as it is grounding. From the moment we met a couple of years ago, I knew we shared the same passion for helping women feel more at ease in themselves and this conversation really reflects that.
Danielle opens up about her journey with body confidence and how a life changing TV experience on CH4 Naked Beach completely shifted the way she saw herself. Not her body, but her mindset. And that’s where everything started to change.
We talk about the years we both spent worrying about how we looked, the moments we held ourselves back, and the freedom that comes when you finally let that go.
There’s also a really honest conversation about social media, the good and the bad, and how to keep showing up even when it feels hard.
And alongside all of that, Danielle shares the work she’s doing to create change within the education system, something that comes from a deeply personal place and affects so many families.
This is a conversation about perspective, resilience, and learning to trust yourself again.
💫 What We Cover
Danielle’s journey from self doubt to self acceptance
How mindset shifts can change everything
The reality of diet culture and breaking free from it
Social media, confidence, and handling negativity
Finding your voice and stepping into new opportunities
Starting something new in your 40s
Letting go of people pleasing and learning to say no
Why lived experience is your strength
Danielle’s campaign to support children with additional needs in education
The importance of alternative pathways and being seen as an individual
🔥 Key Takeaways
The way you look is the least interesting thing about you
From Fashion Empire to Reinvention: Alicia Kite's Resilient Journey
Episode 156
Saturday, March 14, 2026 • Duration 52:11
This week I’m joined by Alicia Kite, a fashion industry veteran and resilient entrepreneur, about her inspiring journey from success to bankruptcy and back, her innovative shapewear brand, and her insights on confidence, self-love, and continuous learning.
Key topics
Alicia Kite's journey in the fashion industry
Resilience through bankruptcy and rebuilding
Innovative shapewear that feels like a second skin
Takeaways
Resilience is key to overcoming setbacks and achieving success
Confidence starts with how you feel in your wardrobe and self-image
Continuous learning and self-belief are vital for personal and professional growth
"Trust yourself and keep going."
Chapters
05:19 Early Entrepreneurial Spirit and Fashion Journey
Self-Love, Healing and Choosing Joy: One Woman’s Story of Starting Over
Episode 155
Saturday, March 7, 2026 • Duration 57:16
Some conversations just leave you smiling the whole way through, and this was definitely one of them.
In this week's episode I’m joined by the wonderful Ami Yeasmin @ami_bisbrooke_artisans. If you already follow Ami online, you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say she brings so much joy into the world. Her energy is infectious. But behind that joy is a story of resilience, heartbreak, healing and learning to truly live in the present moment.
Before COVID, Ami and her husband were running a thriving sourdough bakery together after leaving their previous careers. Life was busy, exciting and growing quickly. But in a short space of time everything changed. Her marriage broke down, and soon after Ami was diagnosed with cancer.
What followed was one of the most difficult periods of her life.
But it also became the beginning of something new.
During her recovery, Ami began thinking deeply about joy. Not the big, once in a lifetime kind of happiness we’re often told to chase, but the small everyday moments that remind us we’re alive. The kind of joy we can choose, even when life feels messy or uncertain.
One symbol that carried her through that time was a pair of red boots she promised herself she would wear when she was strong enough again. Those red boots eventually led to something unexpected… dancing.
What started as a spontaneous moment dancing in public after cancer treatment has become Ami’s way of spreading joy and reminding people that it’s never too late to express yourself, take up space and live fully in the moment.
This conversation is honest, uplifting and full of beautiful reminders about self-acceptance, forgiveness and learning to shine as you are.
Ami’s journey from teacher to running a successful sourdough bakery• The impact COVID had on their lives and relationship• Navigating separation later in life• Receiving a cancer diagnosis and the emotional toll of treatment• Letting go of people pleasing and learning true self-acceptance• Why Ami believes joy is something we can choose every day• The story behind her red boots• How dancing in public became a powerful act of healing• Why shining as yourself gives others permission to do the same
Why We Must Do Better for the Next Generation with Mina Kumari
Episode 154
Friday, February 27, 2026 • Duration 35:07
This week I’m reflecting on my powerful conversation with Mina and honestly, there was so much food for thought.
Mina Kumari is a body-inclusive confidence coach and personal stylist who helps women embrace their bodies, build confidence, and feel truly free in their own skin. Her work spans one-on-one coaching, transformative talks, and practical styling advice — all aimed at helping women feel empowered at every stage of life.
We talked about the importance of doing more work with younger women. Because when I look back, I can’t help but think…
What if we’d had role models like Mina when we were growing up?
What if we’d seen women speaking openly about body confidence, self-acceptance, and freedom?
Would we have wasted fewer years being hard on ourselves?Would we have stepped into our lives sooner without apology?
This episode is a reminder that the work we do now matters. Not just for us, but for the women coming after us.
✨ In This Episode We Talk About:
Why representation and visible role model’s matter
The long-term impact of body criticism on confidence
How we can support younger women differently
The reality of this stage of life (yes, including losing your train of thought mid-sentence thanks to menopause brain!)
Why these honest conversations are so important
There’s something beautifully freeing about just saying it as it is.
Why This Conversation Matters
If even one woman hears this and decides to be kinder to herselfIf one younger woman grows up seeing more freedom and less shame
Then the work is worth it.
Connect with Mina
Mina is doing incredible work , from powerful talks to meaningful advocacy.Follow Mina- @minakumari_bodyconfidencecoach
Midlife Reinvention, Body Acceptance & Women Investing with Lise Thorne
Episode 153
Saturday, February 21, 2026 • Duration 47:04
What happens when you say yes to something that terrifies you?
This week on the podcast, Lise Thorne @walking_this_way and I talk about saying yes before you feel ready, body acceptance, money confidence, and why women must stop staying small.
I'm joined by refreshingly honest content creator Lise Thorne , who is also the founder of The Money Conversation and Welcome Home Project, to talk about rebuilding confidence in midlife.
Just before turning 40, Lise boarded a plane to Thailand for a Muay Thai retreat. She almost didn’t get on that flight. That decision became the foundation for a new relationship with movement, self-belief and identity.
If you’re navigating midlife change, struggling with confidence, or wanting to feel more in control of your money — this episode is practical, honest and empowering.
Confidence isn’t something you wait for.It’s built. Decision by decision.
Lise is a real power house and another great example of what we can achieve when we step out of our own way.
Keypoints-
02:18 – The Airport Tears Why Lise almost didn’t get on the plane to Thailand.
06:40 –Saying Yes Before You Feel Ready The identity shift that comes from doing the scary thing anyway.
11:25 – Movement as a Mental Health Tool Why even small physical action changes your state.
15:10 –Body Confidence vs Body Acceptance Why acceptance can feel more honest — and more powerful.
Challenging stereotypes and redefining what strength looks like.
Why Hot Flash is the talk of Yorkshire right now, with Jan Birley.
It isn’t just a romantic comedy about menopause… it actually feels like a real shift in seeing midlife women being seen on screen.
Because how many times have we seen women at this stage of life properly represented on screen?
Writer and producer Jan Birley has created something that feels real. Real women. Real stories. Not glossy. Not pretending. Jan shares her journey of creating the film, the importance of representation in the film industry, and the unique challenges faced in bringing this project to life.
Hot Flash is a romantic comedy celebrating Yorkshire grit and wit. A failed menopausal hairdresser is sacked from her job. Needing to fund her son's school trip, she discovers the only way to true success is to be true to herself. Even amidst brutal brain fog...
One of Yorkshire’s favourite actors Gaynor Faye will be taking the lead and our very own Primed For Life, Christine Talbot will be featuring as herself. You may even spot a few more familiar faces appearing too!
Jans own story of how she’s stepped out of her comfort zone to make this film happen is another example of how its never too lat to follow your dreams and you just don' t know what it may lead to.
I had the pleasure of attending the press day and took a sneaky peak behind the scenes. The energy on set is amazing, you can tell there is so much passion and love for this film, I can't wait to see come to life.
We need more of this. More stories that show women as funny, complicated, visible, not fading into the background.
Bondville Model Village on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bondvillemodelvillage
women in business, career change, networking, model village, personal growth, overcoming self-doubt, entrepreneurship, passion, life pivot, storytelling
Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share with a friend. Your support means these conversations will reach even more women who need to hear them.
Keep being fabulous
Rachel
Confidence comes from how you think, not how you look
You don’t need everyone to understand you
It’s never too late to try something new
Even one message saying “this helped me” makes it worth it
Being yourself is enough
💬 A Moment to Remember
“The way I look is the least significant thing about me.”
🌿 About Danielle
Danielle is a radio presenter, body confidence advocate and campaigner. She uses her voice to support women in feeling more confident in themselves, while also working to raise awareness and push for change in education for children with additional needs.
🎧 Listen & Subscribe
If you're enjoying these conversations I’d love you to share it with someone who might need to hear it too, and leave a review if you can. It really does help these conversations reach more women.
Keep being fabulous
Rachel x
body confidence for women over 40, self acceptance, confidence in your 40s, body image podcast, women empowerment, mindset shift, starting over later in life, authentic living, social media and confidence, women supporting women, SEND support UK, alternative education pathways, functional skills vs GCSE.
If you're enjoying these inspiring conversations, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share with a friend.
Keep being fabulous
Rachel x
“When you shine from the source of yourself, you give other people permission to shine too.”
If you enjoy this episode, please do share it with someone who might need a little reminder that joy can still be found, even in the most unexpected places.
Please like, subscribe and share it with a friend.
Every review, every share, every conversation helps us reach more women with these stories and messages.
I’ll be back next week with another inspiring guest
Until then,
Keep being fabulous
Rachel x
19:45 –Becoming an “Athlete” at 20+ Stone
24:30 – The £100,000 Investing Lesson The financial decision that changed everything.
29:10 – Why Women Must Join the Money Conversation Closing the financial confidence gap.
33:45 – Pressure, Midlife & Modern Womanhood Career, body, family — and choosing not to shrink.
38:20 – The Welcome Home Project Supporting vulnerable single mothers and refugee families in practical ways.
43:10 –What Confidence Really Is Action first. Certainty later.
45:55 – Final Reflections Why growth rarely feels glamorous — but always builds strength.
Go and follow @walking_this_way to keep up to date with their progress.
If this conversation resonated with you:
Subscribe to Liberté – Free to Be
Leave a rating or review
Share it with a woman who might need to hear it today
The more women who find this podcast, the more confidence, courage, and permission we can spread.
✨ See you next week for another inspiring conversation.
Keep being fabulous
Rachel x
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to 'Hot Flash' and Its Significance
04:36 The Protagonist's Journey and Relatability
07:46 The Importance of Representation in Film
10:33 Challenges in Film Production
13:35 Yorkshire as a Cultural Backdrop
16:36. The Role of Music in Film
19:38. Personal Journey and Motivation
22:29 Anticipation for Filming and Future Plans
25:21.Collaboration and Creative Control
Go and follow @hotflash.film to keep up to date with their progress.
If this conversation resonated with you:
Subscribe to Liberté – Free to Be
Leave a rating or review
Share it with a woman who might need to hear it today
The more women who find this podcast, the more confidence, courage, and permission we can spread.
✨ See you next week for another inspiring conversation.
Keep being fabulous
Rachel x
menopause, women in film, Hot Flash, Yorkshire filmmakers, representation, comedy, women's stories, film industry, personal journey,
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