In a world where women’s health has often taken a backseat to other pressing issues, we are seeing an increasingly assertive movement bringing perimenopause and menopause to the forefront of discussion.
And one Kemptville nurse-slash-personal trainer is determined to make it a top-of-pile topic.
Melody, a dedicated healthcare professional and fitness trainer, with a passion for empowering women and challenging societal norms, has recently decided to turn up the volume on the topic of menopause.
“Even today, and far too often, women are being told that some of the menopausal symptoms they are experiencing are ‘in their heads’… And sometimes just ‘something to tolerate’…” says Melody.
Melody’s journey began when she experienced her own fitness regime derailing as she reached perimenopause and menopause.
“I started to notice very real changes in my body (which I definitely didn’t like), and challenges with training; stuff that worked for me before, suddenly became ineffective.”
She also noticed that there weren’t many sources of information about training the body through this phase of life, and a notable absence of trainers who truly understood and lived it.
The whole effect being a silence; a silence which contributed to a lack of awareness and understanding of these natural stages of a woman’s life.
Determined to make a difference, Melody decided to take action; there was a gap to be filled, and she would fill it – for herself and others
“Building on the qualifications and experience I already had as a nurse, I studied to become a medical fitness specialist, and a menopause health and fitness specialist.”
And with a growing body of clients Melody has found herself in high demand, providing support, explaining the changes happening in the body during menopause, and effective ways of training the body and mind throughout.
With the number of people interested in talking more about their own experiences, Melody has arranged an informational event at Salamanders in Kemptville, to educate, and encourage conversation and community support for all those experiencing perimenopause or menopause.
“I want it to be a really fun event, and to encourage a supportive group and conversation. It’s on April 17th, from 6-8:30pm, and we are calling it ‘menopause and merlot’, and we look forward to making connections and having open conversation around what is a very natural phase of a woman’s life.”
To find out more about the event, you can contact Melody by email; RebalanceWithMelody@gmail.com or on her facebook page, Rebalance with Melody.