In this very first episode of Find Your Spark: Real Life Menopause Moments, host Alison a seasoned HR consultant, menopause educator, and certified menopause coach, sets the stage for an empowering and informative series.
She begins by clearly explaining what menopause is, including its three key stages: perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. Alison shares the broad range of symptoms, both physical and psychological, that can affect individuals in different ways, some mild, some severe, and some often misunderstood or unrecognised.
Alison also speaks candidly about her personal journey into menopause advocacy, driven not by her own symptoms but by witnessing the real struggles others faced, especially in the workplace. From loss of confidence and brain fog to anxiety and resignation, she highlights how menopause can disrupt careers if left unsupported.
The episode is full of real-life examples, including a powerful story of a woman who almost left her job thinking she had early-onset dementia only to find her symptoms were menopause-related. This insight led to her receiving support, treatment, and ultimately thriving again in her role.
Alison also underscores the critical need for menopause awareness in the workplace, sharing staggering statistics:
- 1 in 4 consider leaving work due to menopause
- 1 in 10 actually do
- 8 in 10 menopausal women are in work
- Replacing one person on a £25,000 salary costs over £30,000
This opening episode lays a solid foundation for the series and calls for both individual empowerment and employer responsibility.
If you're going through menopause or supporting someone who is, this is a must-listen.
I'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn;
www.linkedin.com/in/⭐alison-allen-chartered-mcipd