From Perimenopause Struggles to a 100-Mile Adventure: Why Midlife Can Be Your Strongest Chapter

It took me 18 hours to run, cycle, trek and kayak from Inverness to Fort William across 2 days

I went from having no energy, motivation or confidence, to feeling the strongest and most capable I ever have in my life.

Menopause doesn’t have to be the start of a slow decline, or a permanent loss of who you are - although there’s no denying how challenging this process is.

But I’ve learnt that by accepting and understanding it, you can continue to thrive in whatever way you choose. 

When I reflect on my journey, this is what made this transformation possible:

Educating myself about what was happening to my body, what I could do to support it,  how to eat, how to exercise. 

Allowing myself to rest and create a less stressful life: less socialising and cleaning, fewer hours at work, letting go of the notion I was responsible for everything all the time. 

Cultivating a belief that I would get through it and find the silver lining, reducing my exposure to endless menopause horror stories to keep my mind in positive, hopeful place. 

Keeping a journal of how my symptoms were affecting me; cravings, stress, overwhelm, anxiety,  a racing mind, to help me find strategies to cope with them

Making a commitment to put myself first. That meant being kinder to myself, discovering what I wanted from life, and giving myself permission to go for it. 

Coming through the other side of menopause

As my energy and drive flickered back to life, I set myself ambitious goals to get out of my comfort zone and do something amazing.

I didn’t try and go it alone. I put support in place to keep me motivated, accountable and moving forwards. 

Today, as I look back on this journey, I’m so grateful for every part of it. Its given me a new career, brought joy, excitement and adventure back into my life, filled me with confidence and put me back in the driving seat of my life, for the first time in decades. 

✨ If you’re ready to reclaim your energy, strength, and confidence in midlife, I’d love to support you. Get in touch and let’s talk about how you can start thriving again.