Liz and Michelle are joined in this episode by Melinda Messenger, mum of three adult children who is a former Page Three girl and TV presenter. In 2015 she began practising as a qualified psychotherapist. In early April, with The Adventure Boutique, she is taking part in a trek to support the Liang Tang region of Nepal, which was devastated by an earthquake in 2015. And It’s not too late for you to join her!

Melinda provides an insight into what it was like to be a Page Three glamour model, including how her view about doing that type of work changed over time. She also talks about her work as a transpersonal integrative psychotherapist. They also discuss the ups and downs of being a parent, personal relationships, and why dating apps are not for her.

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Despite being willing to model topless, Melinda now realises that it was still a kind of exploitation.
• Be mindful of what you let into your life and where you let it in from, including on social media.
• Identify the things that drain your energy and stay away from them.
• The transpersonal is the part of us that is greater than just our psychological makeup. Who we are underneath it all.
• Being able to identify behavioural patterns helps you to identify the root of your issues, which is essential if you want things to change.
• Melinda helps people to untangle the threads and facilitates people healing to regain control over their lives.

BEST MOMENTS 

“I was also complicit in exploiting myself, in a sense.”

“When people comment it is a reflection of how they view life, themselves, and others. It's actually got nothing to do with me.”

“Anything that's asking for your attention is either going to take or feed your energy.”

“Life is about navigating between the depths of the ocean and riding the waves.”

“I could use a different name and a different picture, but that’s not really the best start to a new relationship.”

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, and review it on your podcast platform.  We read every email sent to us at twowomenchatting@gmail.com so please get in touch! Check out our supporting blogs on this topic at www.twowomenchatting.com.

EPISODE RESOURCES  

The Adventure Boutique Website

ABOUT THE GUESTS

Melinda shot to fame after being spotted on a billboard ad she did for a windows firm in Swindon in 1997. It was an advert that made an impact - so much so that all the posters were stolen! 

Despite this vote of confidence, at one stage Melinda felt so self-conscious that she started using heavy makeup to cover up and try to bury those feelings.

She went on to become an English television presenter, glamour model, and Page Three girl. Melinda presented the magazine programme Live from Studio Five and was formerly the co-presenter of the reality show Cowboy Builders.

Mum to three and now an empty nester, she parted ways with her ex-husband Wayne Roberts in 2012, and she admitted last year that she wanted to start dating again.

After quitting regular television work, Melinda undertook training in psychotherapy and has practised since 2015.  Now she has a new challenge, taking part in a trek to support the Langtang region of Nepal which was devastated by the 2015 earthquake.

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Liz Copping is a networking pro & event consultant, leaping out of her comfort zone to co-host this podcast.

Lizcopping@outlook.com. insta @lizcoppingtwc

Michelle Ford is a professional voice actor and empty nester pressing reset, enjoying a new career in podcasting!

michelleford1000@gmail.com. insta @michellefordtwc

CONTACT METHOD

• https://www.instagram.com/twowomenchatting/

• https://twitter.com/ChattingTwo

• https://www.facebook.com/twowomenchatting

PODCAST DESCRIPTION

Join hosts Liz and Michelle redefining life over 50 as empty nesters, embracing the highs and lows of midlife with celebrity guests and experts, sharing a laugh on their podcast sofa. We talk about real concerns, issues, and fun topics that affect us, our friends, and our family. 

Midlife is not just about the menopause (although we’d be the first to admit it’s right up there!) but it is a time of adventure, change and reset - with plenty of opportunities and challenges along the way. 

Whether we’re chatting about ‘boomerang kids,’ diet failures (and occasional successes!), pro-ageing, travel, changing relationships, or inspiration for new jobs or activities, there’s always room for one more on our sofa.