Challenging the Stereotypes Around Older Women – The Happy Menopause Podcast

Season 2 • Episode 12
Siobhan Daniels, Journalist and Motorhome Adventurer

International Women’s Day is that time of year when we come together to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year’s theme is choose to challenge, because with challenge comes change. Today’s guest is a brilliant example of this, because she’s passionate about challenging ageism and redefining the narrative around older women. And she’s certainly set about changing things!

I’m speaking to Siobhan Daniels, a 61-year old ex-BBC journalist with a fascinating story. She’s given up her home and is travelling solo around Great Britain in a motorhome in a bid to challenge the stereotypes around retired women and have some fun and adventures along the way. Although her odyssey has been rudely interrupted by lockdown, she’s simply parked up in a field and she’ll be on the move again as soon as the rules allow. “Ageless fearless women, that’s what we are!”, she says and she certainly lives up to that impressive description.

We discuss ageism in the workplace and Siobhan’s frustration at the sense that younger colleagues were writing off women over-50 as old, which fuelled her determination to change the dialogue around ageing.  Her motorhome adventure has given her a new-found sense of freedom, but it hasn’t been without its challenges and she explains the new skills she’s learned – from filling up the water tank and manoeuvring her large vehicle to increased resilience and confidence in the face of some tricky situations. She shares her fascinating story from her triumphant departure and her initial travels to the challenges of lockdown and motorhome living.

It’s very empowering chatting  to Siobhan, and I’m already experiencing itchy feet! She’s a real inspiration to us to step up and become the ageless fearless women she’s convinced that we are, so I hope this interview gives the impetus to think about an adventure of your own, be it small or large.

Show Notes

Buy Siobhan’s fabulous new book: Retirement Rebel: One Woman, One Motorhome, One Big Adventure

Read about Siobhan’s adventures in her ShuvOnShuvOff Blog.

Follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Linked In.

Useful Links & Resources

For another podcast on finding adventure, listen to my Joy and Adventure: How to Make the Most of Midlife podcast with Jo Mosely, as she talks about her coast-to-coast paddleboard challenge. She’s full of great advice on midlife mini-adventures.

If you lack the confidence to embark on an adventure, this podcast with Camilla Sacre-Dallerup on Transformation & New Beginnings: How to Reinvent Yourself in Midlife.