Hot Flushes & High Performance: Building Your Business Through Perimenopause with Shelly Horton

In this powerful episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens is joined by Shelly Horton – journalist, TV presenter, women’s health advocate, and founder of ShellShocked Media. Shelly brings her trademark humour, candour, and energy as they dive into an essential and often overlooked topic: navigating perimenopause whilst running a business and leading a team. Shelly shares her deeply personal journey through perimenopause, including the hidden challenges she faced with brain fog, anxiety, and depression. Together, they discuss why education is critical, how workplaces can better support women, and practical strategies for managing the mental load, rebuilding confidence, and speaking with impact – even on difficult days. The conversation also explores how Shelly’s advocacy work is transforming discussions about women"s health in businesses across Australia, and how her upcoming book I’m Your Peri Godmother aims to be the guide she wished she had. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to normalise conversations around women’s health, support themselves and their team better, and show up as their most powerful self. WHAT YOU"LL LEARN:How perimenopause affects the brain and business performanceThe warning signs many women miss and why education mattersPractical strategies to manage brain fog without losing momentumHow to manage negative self-talk (and the hilarious method Shelley recommends)Simple public speaking techniques to present with confidence at any stage of lifeHow workplaces, big and small, can create more supportive environmentsWhy taking a ‘Zero Day’ can recharge your mental health and productivity EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Shelly Horton and Perimenopause 01:38 Shelly"s Personal Journey Through Perimenopause 08:31 The Importance of Awareness and Education 12:14 Understanding Brain Fog and Its Impact 18:39 Strategies for Managing Perimenopause in the Workplace 24:36 Speaking with Confidence: Techniques and Tips 31:20 Overcoming Negative Self-Talk and Performance Anxiety LINKS MENTIONED:Pre-order Shelly’s Book:  I"m Your Peri GodmotherJoin Shelly’s Workshop: Speak with Impact ShellShocked Media Website: https://shellshockedmedia.comFollow Shelley on Instagram: @shellyhorton1Australasian Menopause Society (Find a Doctor Tool): https://menopause.org.au CONNECT WITH PAULA: Website:https://paulamaidens.com/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/