Real life
Visible women
THESE CHANGE-MAKERS ARE PROVING MENOPAUSE IS A TIME TO THRIVE
Real life
Visible women
THESE CHANGE-MAKERS ARE PROVING MENOPAUSE IS A TIME TO THRIVE
‘It’s not a stop sign, it’s a reset’
SALLY GUNNELL OBE, 59, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER AND FOUNDER OF THE LIFE’S HURDLE COACHING PLATFORM, SAYS:
Like many women, the signs crept up on me. I didn’t realise it at first – disturbed sleep, feeling more anxious, and creeping fatigue. I put it down to stress and being busy with three boys and work. It took a while to connect the dots and realise this was perimenopause.
Physically, the fatigue and disrupted sleep were huge for me, and the drop in strength and muscle tone really knocked me. Mentally, it was the shift in identity. As an Olympian who has always been in control of my body, I suddenly felt disconnected from it. I’d been known for my physicality, but I had to shift my focus from how I looked to how I felt.
Being an athlete taught me how to listen to my body, but it also meant I had an “all or nothing” mindset for years. That didn’t serve me well in menopause. I had to unlearn that and embrace a more compassionate, sustainable approach.
My approach to fitness is much smarter now. I used to push hard all the time, intensity was everything. Now, it’s about consistency and quality over quantity. It’s okay to slow down but it doesn’t mean giving up.
Strength training is the game-changer in midlife. As we lose muscle and bone density, resistance work is essential for staying strong. It’s not just about the physical side, it’s about confidence. Strength training builds that sense of control again. It helps with metabolism, posture, joint health, even sleep.
There have been tough days. But staying connected with friends and my husband made all the difference. I wish someone had told me that adapting my training, nutrition and expectations is wisdom, not weakness.
My fitness coaching platform, Life’s Hurdle, was born from realising how little support exists for women navigating midlife. I wanted to create a space where women could feel empowered through strength, mindset and nutrition. No quick fixes, just real tools.
The biggest myth? Menopause is the end. When I hear “I can’t”, I gently challenge that. Menopause is a transition, not a stop sign. With the right support, it can be a powerful reset: a chance to finally prioritise your health, strength and joy after years of putting others first. Your changing body isn’t broken; it’s evolving. My Olympic journey taught me discipline, but menopause taught me empathy. Now, helping women rediscover their strength gives me profound purpose. Just begin. Focus on progress, not perfection.
Train with Sally at lifeshurdle.com
‘It’s not a stop sign, it’s a reset’
SALLY GUNNELL OBE, 59, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER AND FOUNDER OF THE LIFE’S HURDLE COACHING PLATFORM, SAYS:
Like many women, the signs crept up on me. I didn’t realise it at first – disturbed sleep, feeling more anxious, and creeping fatigue. I put it down to stress and being busy with three boys and work. It took a while to connect the dots and realise this was perimenopause.
Physically, the fatigue and disrupted sleep were huge for me, and the drop in strength and muscle tone really knocked me. Mentally, it was the shift in identity. As an Olympian who has always been in control of my body, I suddenly felt disconnected from it. I’d been known for my physicality, but I had to shift my focus from how I looked to how I felt.
Being an athlete taught me how to listen to my body, but it also meant I had an “all or nothing” mindset for years. That didn’t serve me well in menopause. I had to unlearn that and embrace a more compassionate, sustainable approach.
My approach to fitness is much smarter now. I used to push hard all the time, intensity was everything. Now, it’s about consistency and quality over quantity. It’s okay to slow down but it doesn’t mean giving up.
Strength training is the game-changer in midlife. As we lose muscle and bone density, resistance work is essential for staying strong. It’s not just about the physical side, it’s about confidence. Strength training builds that sense of control again. It helps with metabolism, posture, joint health, even sleep.
There have been tough days. But staying connected with friends and my husband made all the difference. I wish someone had told me that adapting my training, nutrition and expectations is wisdom, not weakness.
My fitness coaching platform, Life’s Hurdle, was born from realising how little support exists for women navigating midlife. I wanted to create a space where women could feel empowered through strength, mindset and nutrition. No quick fixes, just real tools.
The biggest myth? Menopause is the end. When I hear “I can’t”, I gently challenge that. Menopause is a transition, not a stop sign. With the right support, it can be a powerful reset: a chance to finally prioritise your health, strength and joy after years of putting others first. Your changing body isn’t broken; it’s evolving. My Olympic journey taught me discipline, but menopause taught me empathy. Now, helping women rediscover their strength gives me profound purpose. Just begin. Focus on progress, not perfection.
Train with Sally at lifeshurdle.com
‘Knowledge is power’
MICHELLE GRIFFITH ROBINSON, 53, FORMER OLYMPIAN AND LIFE COACH, AMBASSADOR FOR THE MENOPAUSE CHARITY, DIABETES UK AND WOMEN’S AID, AND AN INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE FOR MENTAL HEALTH UK, SAYS:
As a former Olympic triple jumper, I was used to pushing through challenges. But at the age of 48, I started to experience erratic bleeding, loss of libido, aches and a lack of my usual energy. Despite being fit and continuing with the training I’d always loved, a trip to the doctors finally revealed I was prediabetic – shocking for an athlete with my healthy background. That’s when I started to do my own research and that was the start of my perimenopause journey.
Menopause can come earlier and hit harder for black women. I remember my mother brushing off her night sweats with a quick “it’s nothing”, and I think that generational silence can leave you unprepared. There wasn’t enough research and there still isn’t when it comes to how it impacts black women. For example, I didn’t know that declining oestrogen in perimenopause could increase the risk of diabetes.
My approach now is practical: tracking signs and moods like I used to track training sessions, asking doctors open questions, and building communities where women can share openly. I’d encourage all women to journal about how they’re feeling. Monitor your cycle: what’s different, how did you feel today? It’s a small, affordable way to support your mental health and help you to take control of menopause, especially ahead of medical appointments.
I now use my platform to change the conversation around menopause equality and inequalities. In Parliament with Menopause Mandate, I advocate
for inclusive research. With companies like Boots, I explain why black women need tailored support. I want to be the role model for others, to speak up and say “it’s okay to feel the way we feel”.
I want women to see menopause as a new chapter of empowerment. We need more diverse voices in this conversation, and we must challenge the “just push through it” mentality that leaves so many coping in silence. Every time a woman speaks openly about menopause, she makes it easier for others to do the same. That’s why I’ll keep using my voice, talking to everyone who will listen and involving my friends and family in conversations.
Shifting your mindset helps, but I also live by the mantra of “planning prevents poor performance”. From the age of 40, fill up your own toolbox of knowledge because it might help a friend or colleague. Menopause can be isolating and hit your self-confidence, but knowledge is power and you aren’t alone. Work on what’s within your ability right now – whether that’s getting outside in nature or going to bed half an hour earlier. My life coaching is all about being able to advocate for yourself, and menopause really can be the best part of your life. Once you get your hormones where they need to be, you can say, “I now know what I want for the rest of my life”.
Find out more at michellegriffithrobinsonoly.co.uk
‘Knowledge is power’
MICHELLE GRIFFITH ROBINSON, 53, FORMER OLYMPIAN AND LIFE COACH, AMBASSADOR FOR THE MENOPAUSE CHARITY, DIABETES UK AND WOMEN’S AID, AND AN INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE FOR MENTAL HEALTH UK, SAYS:
As a former Olympic triple jumper, I was used to pushing through challenges. But at the age of 48, I started to experience erratic bleeding, loss of libido, aches and a lack of my usual energy. Despite being fit and continuing with the training I’d always loved, a trip to the doctors finally revealed I was prediabetic – shocking for an athlete with my healthy background. That’s when I started to do my own research and that was the start of my perimenopause journey.
Menopause can come earlier and hit harder for black women. I remember my mother brushing off her night sweats with a quick “it’s nothing”, and I think that generational silence can leave you unprepared. There wasn’t enough research and there still isn’t when it comes to how it impacts black women. For example, I didn’t know that declining oestrogen in perimenopause could increase the risk of diabetes.
My approach now is practical: tracking signs and moods like I used to track training sessions, asking doctors open questions, and building communities where women can share openly. I’d encourage all women to journal about how they’re feeling. Monitor your cycle: what’s different, how did you feel today? It’s a small, affordable way to support your mental health and help you to take control of menopause, especially ahead of medical appointments.
I now use my platform to change the conversation around menopause equality and inequalities. In Parliament with Menopause Mandate, I advocate
for inclusive research. With companies like Boots, I explain why black women need tailored support. I want to be the role model for others, to speak up and say “it’s okay to feel the way we feel”.
I want women to see menopause as a new chapter of empowerment. We need more diverse voices in this conversation, and we must challenge the “just push through it” mentality that leaves so many coping in silence. Every time a woman speaks openly about menopause, she makes it easier for others to do the same. That’s why I’ll keep using my voice, talking to everyone who will listen and involving my friends and family in conversations.
Shifting your mindset helps, but I also live by the mantra of “planning prevents poor performance”. From the age of 40, fill up your own toolbox of knowledge because it might help a friend or colleague. Menopause can be isolating and hit your self-confidence, but knowledge is power and you aren’t alone. Work on what’s within your ability right now – whether that’s getting outside in nature or going to bed half an hour earlier. My life coaching is all about being able to advocate for yourself, and menopause really can be the best part of your life. Once you get your hormones where they need to be, you can say, “I now know what I want for the rest of my life”.
Find out more at michellegriffithrobinsonoly.co.uk
‘It’s a time for reinvention’
RACHEL PERU, 55, MODEL, BODY CONFIDENCE SPEAKER AND HOST OF THE LIBERTÉ FREE TO BE PODCAST, SAYS:
I’m living a life my younger self could never have imagined – I’m a model, a podcast host and soon-to-be swimwear founder. But my journey here wasn’t planned. It began with a divorce at 39 that forced me to ask myself one fundamental question: who am I really?
I spent decades moulding myself into someone else’s idea of who I should be, so starting over at 40 was terrifying but exhilarating. Previously working in retail, I went to university, dabbled in teaching and then completely unexpectedly stumbled into modelling after volunteering for a charity fashion show. I’ll never forget standing backstage, knees literally shaking with nerves, before walking out in front of hundreds of people. But when I came off that stage, something shifted and for the first time in years, I felt truly seen.
That occasion changed everything. I signed with a London modelling agency in what still feels like a surreal, full-circle moment, and I found myself shooting swimwear alongside model Ashley Graham. The response from ordinary women was overwhelming, with message after message saying, “We never see bodies like ours represented.” That’s when my mission became clear: to push for proper representation in an industry that’s still shockingly ageist.
When perimenopause hit me, I didn’t even recognise what was happening. The crushing fatigue, the anxiety… I blamed everything but my hormones. It wasn’t until a chance conversation on a shoot with none other than Davina McCall that everything clicked. She told me to go to my doctor and after starting HRT, I started to feel like myself again.
This is exactly why we need to keep having open conversations, loudly and unapologetically.
My confidence didn’t appear overnight. It started with saying yes to that first terrifying fashion show, then yes to starting a podcast sharing midlife stories. Now I regularly give body confidence talks standing in just my knickers, because I want women to see that cellulite and scars are nothing to be ashamed of. Next year I’m launching a swimwear brand for women over 40 because I’m done waiting for the fashion industry to catch up with what real women want and need.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that reinvention doesn’t have to start big. If you’re feeling low and suffering from lack of confidence, I really recommend joining a club or doing something you love as a way to push you out of your comfort zone. And writing down three things you are grateful for daily, even on the tough days. It’s my non-negotiable morning anchor.
Here’s the truth no one tells you: your 50s can be your most powerful decade yet. I’m liberated and more ambitious. I’ve shed the weight of other people’s opinions and the freedom is intoxicating. Menopause is a messy transition, but to every woman feeling lost or invisible: there’s still time to shine.’
Visit Liberté Free to Be at liberteltd.com
‘It’s a time for reinvention’
RACHEL PERU, 55, MODEL, BODY CONFIDENCE SPEAKER AND HOST OF THE LIBERTÉ FREE TO BE PODCAST, SAYS:
I’m living a life my younger self could never have imagined – I’m a model, a podcast host and soon-to-be swimwear founder. But my journey here wasn’t planned. It began with a divorce at 39 that forced me to ask myself one fundamental question: who am I really?
I spent decades moulding myself into someone else’s idea of who I should be, so starting over at 40 was terrifying but exhilarating. Previously working in retail, I went to university, dabbled in teaching and then completely unexpectedly stumbled into modelling after volunteering for a charity fashion show. I’ll never forget standing backstage, knees literally shaking with nerves, before walking out in front of hundreds of people. But when I came off that stage, something shifted and for the first time in years, I felt truly seen.
That occasion changed everything. I signed with a London modelling agency in what still feels like a surreal, full-circle moment, and I found myself shooting swimwear alongside model Ashley Graham. The response from ordinary women was overwhelming, with message after message saying, “We never see bodies like ours represented.” That’s when my mission became clear: to push for proper representation in an industry that’s still shockingly ageist.
When perimenopause hit me, I didn’t even recognise what was happening. The crushing fatigue, the anxiety… I blamed everything but my hormones. It wasn’t until a chance conversation on a shoot with none other than Davina McCall that everything clicked. She told me to go to my doctor and after starting HRT, I started to feel like myself again.
This is exactly why we need to keep having open conversations, loudly and unapologetically.
My confidence didn’t appear overnight. It started with saying yes to that first terrifying fashion show, then yes to starting a podcast sharing midlife stories. Now I regularly give body confidence talks standing in just my knickers, because I want women to see that cellulite and scars are nothing to be ashamed of. Next year I’m launching a swimwear brand for women over 40 because I’m done waiting for the fashion industry to catch up with what real women want and need.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that reinvention doesn’t have to start big. If you’re feeling low and suffering from lack of confidence, I really recommend joining a club or doing something you love as a way to push you out of your comfort zone. And writing down three things you are grateful for daily, even on the tough days. It’s my non-negotiable morning anchor.
Here’s the truth no one tells you: your 50s can be your most powerful decade yet. I’m liberated and more ambitious. I’ve shed the weight of other people’s opinions and the freedom is intoxicating. Menopause is a messy transition, but to every woman feeling lost or invisible: there’s still time to shine.’
Visit Liberté Free to Be at liberteltd.com
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