Active Release Techniques, Massage & Musculoskeletal Health in Menopause with Jan Wanklyn, LMT (Episode 250)

Hit Play Not Pause

Health & Fitness, Education, Self-improvement, Mental Health

4.9 • 696 Ratings

🗓️ 12 November 2025

⏱️ 63 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Our ligaments, tendons, and overall musculoskeletal system can take a real hit during the menopause transition, making injuries more frequent and recovery slower. Too often, practitioners still overlook common issues like tendinopathies—leaving women to live with unnecessary pain before getting an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. This week’s guest, former pro triathlete and licensed massage therapist Jan Wanklyn, dives into the unique musculoskeletal challenges active menopausal women face, the soft tissue therapies (like ART) and exercise strategies that can help, and why she wishes hormone therapy had been an option back in her day.

Jan Wanklyn, LMT, has been a massage therapist for 34 years. She is an Active Release Techniques® (ART) instructor and practitioner (1998–2025) and former professional triathlete with five Ironman wins (Germany, New Zealand ×3, Australia) and two Philadelphia Marathon victories. She holds a Human Movement Studies degree (University of Queensland) and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching, taught PE for eight years, and has coached triathletes online and in person. Jan’s clinical toolkit spans Contemporary Medical Acupuncture, K-taping, DNS, SFMA, Smart Tools/IASTM, and extensive wet-lab/cadaver and running biomechanics training. She practices at Northside Chiropractic Clinic in Brisbane, QLD and has a private practice on the Sunshine Coast -North of Brisbane you can contact through Active Release Australia / Jan Wanklyn on Instagram.

Resources:

Active Release Techniques at Physio-Pedia

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Transcript

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0:00.0	We know you're already thinking about those 2026 goals. Maybe it's pinning on a race number,
0:05.6	hanging strong on that fast group ride, or finally tacking an epic cycling adventure. Whatever your
0:10.6	goal, it starts this winter. And we've got you covered with our brand new program, Winter Training
0:16.5	for Cyclists. Winter Training for Cyclists is a 16-week group coaching program for women who want
0:22.4	to train smart, ride strong, and thrive together. Led by coach Serena Bishop Gordon, this program
0:28.2	kicks off December 1st and runs through March 31st. You'll get structured rides, weekly strength
0:33.9	sessions, and expert-led education that explains the why behind your training.
0:38.3	You'll learn how your body adapts, how to fuel it well, and how to make training fit your life not the other way around.
0:44.3	You'll also be part of a supportive community that just gets it, a place where you can ask questions, share wins,
0:50.3	and laugh through the tough workouts together.
0:53.3	So this winter, let's lay the right
0:55.3	foundation, build your strength, build your confidence, and your community, and have a whole lot
1:00.3	of fun doing it. Join winter training for cyclists at feisty.co, and look for the yellow banner
1:05.7	at the top of the page. We'll also put a clickable link in the show notes. Use the code hit play,
1:16.6	50, that's all caps, hit play and the number 50. To save $50 off, sign up today. You are listening to Hit Play Not Pause, a feisty menopause podcast for active performance-minded women.
1:32.5	I am your host, Celine Yeager.
1:34.5	Each week, I bring you advice from athletes, scientists, researchers, and other experts to help you feel and perform you best no matter what your hormones are doing.
1:42.9	This show is a production of Live Feisty Media.
1:48.3	Hello, strong feisty women. I hope you all are well. I am recording this actually right after
1:55.1	the Menopause Society meeting, though you are hearing this a couple of weeks out because I work ahead.
2:00.7	And I just still wanted to take a moment to talk about at least one big highlight from that meeting.
2:08.2	And honestly, it's just really remarkable how much that meeting has grown and continues to grow in just the past five years.
	...

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