Like many women in their 40s, my midlife transition arrived unexpectedly and while I was completely overwhelmed. I was balancing a demanding full-time healthcare career, raising three kids at times across three different schools, supporting a traveling husband, and managing care for my aging mother.

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When the symptoms started, they were insidious and spread out over time. I faced debilitating insomnia, hot flashes, hair loss, heart palpitations, tinnitus, and unexplainable digestive issues. I was referred to a dermatologist, cardiologist, otolaryngologist and sleep neurologist.  My test results were "negative" and anything that could be concerning was “ruled out”.   Current and prevailing observations made by leading menopause specialists today indicate that all of these symptoms could be related to estrogen loss during the menopause transition.  

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Fortunately, my PCP that I found when I was in my late 40’s was a listener and valued shared decision making with her patients.  Through ongoing conversations, we started low dose birth control pills during peri-menopause, followed later by menopause hormone therapy (MHT), which most definitely helped manage my sleep.  I continue conversations today with her about MHT and menopausal symptoms and feel immense gratitude for our doctor-patient relationship that so many women struggle to find.  But hormone therapy and medical management was only one piece of the puzzle. I was still struggling with gradual weight gain, a lack of energy, and digestive challenges.  I was fairly active by most accounts but I had not made significant changes to my day to day life habits.

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In 2020, losing my mother to kidney disease and dementia sparked a profound moment of reflection. It had been a stressful year leading up to her passing.  I also began to realize the toll my job was taking on me.  I recall making a ranked list, by priority, of all the things I was doing and managing, along side all the things I wanted to do and felt I should do in the future.   At the time, I didn’t think I could change much immediately, but in a way, that list became my guiding star.  It was a first attempt to start thinking about myself more.  I began to find small changes I could make to bring me towards that future list. 

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Realizing that both of my parents suffered from dementia (and passed away at ages 75 and 80), I began to read about and understand the undeniable link between lifestyle, longevity, and cognitive health.  Then, at age 57, a routine DEXA scan revealed I had severe osteoporosis. It was my final wake-up call to start prioritizing myself.  

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Around this same time, I had decided to become a certified yoga instructor.  Yoga had been an incredible adjunct to formal rehab for several injuries and surgeries (including a hip replacement) over 10+ years and I believed in this whole body approach and inclusion of functional movement. I was also eager to better understand the mind-body connection and engage more in mindfulness activities including meditation, especially to help manage my ongoing insomnia.  

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During a walk with a friend, discussing our shared experiences with menopause and life transitions, the spark for my “Act II”  was lit. Encouraged by her—and backed by my health and wellness background—everything seemed to click.  I became a certified Menopause Health Coach, fusing this new expertise with my physical therapy foundation and yoga training. 

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