40 OVER 40 Sarah Cawood
#20
Sarah Cawood
90s TV presenter and Midlife Blogger
Sara Cawoodby Jenny Smith
Sarah Cawood shot to fame in the 90s when she became a presenter on the somewhat anarchic TV programme, The Girlie Show, alongside Sara Cox. Being a girl of the 90s myself it got me thinking about what life was like back then, especially for women.
The ladette culture was in full swing which like it or loathe it, gave women permission to publicly let go and speak up. It is this generation who are hitting perimenopause and menopause right now, and possibly thanks to growing up in the 90s are banging the drum loudly and proudly for greater awareness. Unlike the generation before us, we are not shy in talking about our symptoms and spreading the word about what is happening to us so that others are more educated and can make sense of what can be a very scary and unsettling time.
Sarah Cawood for me represents that swathe of female public figures back then who were getting women seen, giving women the permission to say what they wanted, wear what they wanted, drink what they wanted and live how they wanted.
Last year Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer which thankfully was spotted at an early stage. She uses her voice on instagram to speak about her diagnosis, talks openly about the after effects of such a diagnosis and the fear women like her live with about it coming back. She's also speaking up for menopause awareness and midlife in general, helping women navigate this time and feel less alone.
Thank you Sarah for being part of the 40 OVER 40 project.
Sarah Cawood by Jenny Smith
You are a girl of the 90s and the so called ladette culture. Were you aware of a gear change in attitudes towards women back then?
I definitely was. There was still a lot of misogyny but we had the feeling we could take that on and change it: beat the boys at their own game so to speak. I think that has been borne out to a degree but we still have a way to go!
Sarah Cawoodby Jenny Smith
What are your thoughts now on the phrase ‘ladette’ and how do you think 90s culture helped or hindered women?
It makes me cringe a bit! But I think the message is positive if you can look past the binge drinking and boobs! I was never a very good ladette: I don't drink pints and like to think I'm quite decorous! I've never fallen out of a taxi pissed with knickers on show, lol!
Sarah Cawoodby Jenny Smith
Did you feel a certain amount of pressure to act a certain way back then?
Most definitely! I think we all felt like we had to be strong, but also feminine. Sexy, but not slutty. Brainy but not brainier than the boys. It was exhausting.
Sarah Cawoodby Jenny Smith
You were very young when you were thrust into the public eye, what impact did that have on you?
I learnt how to fail in the public eye and I have taught myself over many long years that I can only be myself, and that not everyone will like me, and that's OK. I could never have been as authentic back then as I am now for fear of not being cool enough. Hallelujah for middle age!
Sarah Cawoodby Jenny Smith
How different do you think it is for young female presenters today?
To a certain degree. I think they are much more accepted on all platforms: there are now female football commentators! That would have been a ridiculous thing to think of back then! We still have a way to go as I said before, but we are strong and loud and no longer take shit like the gender pay gap lying down. I like to think we paved the way for the younger generation to take less shit than we and our predecessors had to.
Sarah Cawoodby Jenny Smith
If you could go back and give your teenage self some advice what would it be?
Stop caring what other people think. And don't kiss toads because they don't turn into princes. Also, if he's not treating you well, ditch him. Have much more self respect!
Sarah Cawoodby Jenny Smith
Are you able to share a bit more about your cancer diagnosis? I know you got the all clear but what impact has the diagnosis had on you going forward and do you have any advice for other women experiencing the same thing?
In some ways, my breast cancer diagnosis was incredibly good for the way I see life. It's so precious and I have learnt not to sweat the small stuff anymore. Every day I get to wake up healthy is a gift. I think when you are well you take your health for granted and worry about nonsense. I don't worry about anything anymore except staying well, and my family staying well. I am grateful for my little life every damn day.
Sarah Cawood
by Jenny Smith
How has the menopause been for you, any stories you’d like to share?
My menopause is surgical, meaning that I take medication that removes any naturally occurring, post-menopausal oestrogen and is therefore much tougher with no HRT to soften the blow. But I'm finding ways to muddle through it all with healthy eating exercise, cold water dipping, and myriad supplements. I won't lie though, the night sweats are a bitch! Also, my brain function now borders on ADHD and I find that I drop lots of my spinning plates routinely. But I'm getting better and make sure EVERYTHING is in our shared family calendar. I also have a TV producer hubby who delights in producing me and my brain fog, hahahaha.
Sarah Cawoodby Jenny Smith
Can you share some positive thoughts on getting older and how you feel now compared to when you were younger?
I have zero fucks left in my locker to give! But what I do have is one precious life to enjoy to the fullest every day. It's so true that you can't be miserable and grateful at the same time! I wish I could have told that lost 20 and 30 something that it will all be OK, but also: stop kissing bad men!
Sarah Cawoodby Jenny Smith
Thank you Sarah for being part of the 40 OVER 40 project.
Listen to my podcast, Dear Hormones here.