When I Started Coaching, No One Talked About Menopause

Menopause Awareness Month always reminds me just how much has changed — and how much still needs to.

When I first started coaching women over a decade ago, menopause was something whispered about, not openly discussed. There were no social media posts, no podcasts, no conversations — just silence.

And yet, so many women were struggling: exhausted, gaining weight, unable to sleep, or feeling like their body had changed overnight — and being told to “just try harder.”

Eat less. Move more. Push through.

I still remember sitting in my doctor’s office and hearing the words, “That’s just what happens to a woman your age.”

I walked out feeling dismissed, confused, and more determined than ever to find real answers — because deep down, I knew that couldn’t be the whole story.

These weren’t women who had “let themselves go.” They were juggling families, work, and life — doing their best with the information they had — but no one was explaining why their bodies were changing or how to support them through it.

That silence frustrated me. It still does.

A lot has changed since then — thankfully.

More women are speaking up. Conversations are happening. There’s finally awareness and visibility where there used to be silence.

But with that progress has come something else too — a lot of noise.

Fast Forward a Decade…
and Everyone’s Talking About It

These days, menopause is finally in the spotlight — and that’s a good thing.
We’re seeing documentaries, podcasts, and social media posts all shining a light on what used to be hidden in the dark.

Women are finding their voices, sharing their experiences, and demanding the support they deserve.
And honestly? I love seeing it.

But with all this new attention has come something else — a lot of noise.

Menopause has become a “hot topic.”
Suddenly, everyone’s an expert, and every brand has a product promising to fix the “menopause problem.”

It’s great that the conversation is finally happening — but somewhere along the way, the message got lost.
Menopause isn’t a marketing trend. It’s a powerful, natural transition that every woman will experience in her own way.

From perimenopause through post-menopause, we’ll spend 30+ years in this chapter of life.
That’s not a quick phase — that’s a third of your lifetime.

So no, menopause shouldn’t be treated like a fad.
It deserves more respect than a sales pitch.
It deserves real education, real support, and real conversations — not gimmicks.

And that’s what this month should really be about.

Menopause Isn’t a Phase —

It’s a Chapter That Lasts Decades

Here’s the thing: menopause isn’t a short detour on life’s journey.

It’s a transition that can span decades — from perimenopause right through post-menopause.

That means most women will spend 30 or more years in this chapter of life.
And yet, the way it’s often talked about — as if it’s something to just “get through” — completely misses the point.

This isn’t a blip or a problem to fix.
It’s your body evolving, adapting, and asking for a different kind of care.

The truth is, menopause isn’t the end of anything.
It’s an invitation to start living in alignment with what your body truly needs — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Because when you stop fighting the changes and start working with them, you can feel better, stronger, and more confident than ever before.

That’s the message we should be hearing more of — not fear, not quick fixes, and not the idea that this stage of life somehow makes you “less than.”

So why are we treating it like a fad?

This stage deserves understanding, not gimmicks.
It deserves compassion, not quick fixes.
And it deserves to be seen for what it really is — your chance to take charge of your health, your energy, and your direction.

You’re Not Broken — You’re Evolving

Let’s get one thing straight: you are not broken.

Your body hasn’t turned against you.
It’s simply changing, adapting, and asking you to care for it differently.

For years, women have been told that menopause is something to endure, to “get through,” or to fix.

But the truth is, this stage isn’t about losing who you were — it’s about rediscovering who you are now.

Yes, the symptoms are real.

The fatigue, the sleepless nights, the brain fog, the body changes — they’re all real, and they can feel overwhelming at times.

But they’re also signals — your body’s way of saying, “Hey, I need you to start listening.”

When you do, everything shifts.

You begin to understand what works for you.
You start training in a way that builds strength instead of exhaustion.
You learn to eat to fuel your energy, not to restrict yourself.
You find balance between movement and rest — and realise that slowing down isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.

That’s the foundation of what I teach at The Real Girls Movement.
It’s not about perfection — it’s about consistency, confidence, and learning how to work with your body, not against it.

Because when you do, you stop feeling like you’re fighting a losing battle and start feeling like yourself again — strong, capable, and in control.

Let’s Cut Through the Fads and Focus on What Works

By now, you’ve probably noticed — everyone has an opinion on what women “should” be doing in midlife.

There’s no shortage of diets, detoxes, and miracle programs claiming to fix menopause overnight.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need another quick fix.
You don’t need to overhaul your entire life or follow a plan that leaves you exhausted and miserable.

What you do need is a simple, sustainable approach that works with your body — not against it.
One that helps you build strength, restore energy, and feel confident in your own skin again.

Forget the “menopause diets,” the endless list of supplements, and the high-intensity workouts that promise results but only leave you burned out.
This isn’t about punishment or perfection — it’s about progress.

At The Real Girls Movement, we focus on what actually works:

• Movement that supports you, not punishes you — strength, mobility, and cardio that fit your life.

• Nutrition that fuels you, not restricts you — practical, balanced, and designed for energy.

• Rest and recovery without guilt, because slowing down can be one of the most powerful things you do for your health.

When you start working with your body instead of against it, everything begins to shift.

Your energy returns. Your strength builds. Your confidence grows.

And suddenly, it’s not about “getting through” midlife — it’s about living it fully, on your own terms.

This Menopause Awareness Month:
Let’s Focus on Empowerment, Not Exploitation

I love that menopause is finally being talked about.
But awareness means nothing if the message gets lost in the noise.

This Menopause Awareness Month, let’s bring the conversation back to what really matters — empowerment, education, and action.

💙 Empowerment: This isn’t about “fixing” yourself — it’s about understanding yourself. Learning what your body needs right now and supporting it with strength and compassion.

💙 Education: The more you understand what’s happening in your body, the more control and confidence you gain. Knowledge removes fear.

💙 Action: Because change doesn’t come from wishful thinking — it comes from small, consistent steps that build momentum and create lasting results.

You don’t need a miracle supplement or another gimmick promising overnight results.
What you do need is real support, practical strategies, and a community that understands what you’re going through.

That’s what this month — and every month — should be about: giving women the knowledge, resources, and encouragement to live well for the decades still ahead.

Because menopause isn’t something to survive — it’s something to navigate with strength, clarity, and confidence.

Final Thoughts

After more than a decade of coaching women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond, I’ve seen one truth time and again — lasting change starts with understanding your body and giving it the care it deserves.

You don’t need to chase who you used to be.
You can move forward — embracing and accepting who you are now, while building the strength, confidence, and energy to live life on your terms.

When you work with your body instead of fighting against it, everything shifts.
Your energy returns. You feel stronger, clearer, and more capable.
And you start to see that this stage of life isn’t the end of anything — it’s the beginning of something really powerful.

Joanne 

Ready to Take Back Your Energy and Confidence?

At The Real Girls Movement, I help women 40+ create real, lasting change — building strength, confidence, and energy through movement, nourishment, and mindset that support this stage of life.

If you’re ready to feel more energised, more capable, and more you again, I’d love to help.
👉 Learn more about Midlife & Menopause Coaching or visit our Active Wellness Studio in Albury/Wodonga.

Because midlife isn’t the end of your story.
It’s the start of a powerful new chapter.