Reclaiming the Self: A Journey Through Perimenopause
I first dove into the research on perimenopause because I believed the women I was coaching. When my athletes shared their struggles with confusing, varying symptoms, I didn't just listen—I buried my head in the data. Selfishly, I also wanted to learn how to navigate this phase of life as I drew closer to it myself.
I want every woman to know: You are not alone.
The Myth of the "Pasture"
For a long time, I viewed menopause as a terrifying "degradation"—a stage where you simply look and feel old. Watching my mother and her peers suffer through horrific hot flashes and mood swings left me scared. But as someone who loves human science, my mind was blown when I learned about perimenopause—the pivotal, often-ignored years leading up to that transition.
We’ve been taught to feel ashamed of our non-fertile years, as if we’re ready to be "sent out to the pasture." My long career in dental hygiene gave me the gift of having honest, curious conversations about health, and I’ve carried that curiosity into my coaching. I’ve learned that perimenopause doesn’t happen overnight, and because hormones fluctuate so wildly, standard blood tests often miss the subtle changes.
The Turning Point: A Lesson in Listening
Despite my research, I was caught off guard when it happened to me. After an emergency surgery last fall, I stopped feeling like myself. My sleep vanished, my joints ached, memory was so bad I would forget what everyday items were called, I was so fatigued that getting out of bed was a win and I literally forced myself to workout, I had “cold flashes”(that is a thing!) and I felt like a "slug" during workouts. I even found myself wanting to run away from my perfectly good life just to be alone with my dogs. I felt like I was living in a foreign body and mind.
I didn't have the "traditional" symptoms, so I stayed in the dark until a moment of outside perspective changed everything. During my monthly facial—my one self-care splurge—the woman treating me noticed the changes in my skin and the sudden onset of acne. She asked me pointed questions about my mood, fatigue levels and my sleep, sharing that she had gone through early perimenopause herself in her 30s. She was the first one to suggest I talk to my doctor. It was a humbling reminder of why being curious and listening to others is so vital.
Finding the "Magic" (Read “The New Menopause” by Dr. Mary Claire Haver
With the help of a knowledgeable doctor and the research of Dr. Stacy Sims and Dr. Mary Claire Haver, I found my way back. We treated my symptoms rather than just the numbers on a page. Within 48 hours of starting HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), the "magic" happened. The aches stopped, the fog cleared, and I no longer wanted to run away, I felt like myself again! I will have frequent blood work to monitor how my body is reacting to HRT and pay attention to symptoms. Before starting I spoke with my athletic friends about their experiences with HRT and they said it was 100% worth it!
It breaks my heart that so many women suffer because they are told to just "deal with their new normal." It doesn’t have to be this way.
Training for the "Next Level" (a great book by Dr Stacy Sims)
As an endurance coach, I’ve incorporated these lessons into how I train my athletes:
Lifting Heavy: We prioritize strength to combat rapid muscle loss.
Protein is Non-Negotiable: Increasing intake is key to supporting recovery.
Strategic Intensity: Keep hard sessions short and punchy, with plenty of "boring" conversational-effort recovery in between.
The Power of the Reset: A full reset week every 4–7 weeks allows your body to catch up and rebuild.
The Other Side of Fear
I feel that my generation is the first wave of very athletic women entering this phase of life. When I first entered the world of endurance sports my peers were on the cutting edge of training and racing while pregnant. They opened doors for so many women. Now, there is a new door to be opened. We’ve worked too hard to lose our strength or our joy. For me, reclaiming my hormonal balance saved my life and my passion for my sport. HRT may not be for you. My doctor was very clear about the risks/vs benefits and suggested reading material so that I could make a decision that was right for me. To feel like myself, to be happy and to continue to feel strong and have the energy to run and bike is worth it.
If you feel like you’re fading away, reach out to an expert. You don’t have to suffer like the generations before us. You can continue to be strong, to play, and to feel good. I’m excited to stay right here, in this beautiful life, and I want that for you, too. If you are looking for a coach that truly “gets it” reach out!