18/10/2026
A reflection back to last Sunday’s Menopause Community Morning organised by Manchester Menopause Hive.
I was so thrilled to have been asked to speak about gut health in Menopause alongside other menopause professionals and experts.
Three years ago I’d attended as a guest with a hope that one day I’d be able to speak - now here I was!
It was a fantastic event, created a real sense of community and was a big success.
But here’s the thing…
There was a full room of over 60 women.
I had a microphone on a stage for 25 minutes.
I am not a trained speaker. I have no experience of giving professional talks.
I not an expert in keeping people engaged, making them laugh and getting all the relevant points across whilst keeping to time.
I am a peri-menopausal woman, who like many, some days can take on the world, but on others struggle to leave the house. Swinging from more confident to less confident than I’ve ever been in my life.
Yes I can now say I’ve been on TV and spoken at high profile events. I know I can do it, but does it make it any easier?
Nope!
So just a little reminder that next time you see any woman standing on a stage seemingly confident - spare a thought before you make any judgements.
Chances are she’s no trainer speaker, hadn’t realised this was part of her job description and is secretly checking her deodorant is strong enough to manage her nerves!
She’s hugely passionate about what she does or she wouldn’t be there and she’s probably spent a fair bit of time preparing, and hasn’t slept well the night before…
…and quite often has done it for free, as that’s how the wellness industry seems to roll!
So here’s to acknowledging every female stepping outside her comfort zone, pushing be a better version of herself in whatever way that might be.
Because it’s much easier to stay small especially during menopause!
