My Menopause Journey Through

Peri-menopause,
Menopause, and Beyond

“The Symptoms I Ignored, the Brain Fog That Scared Me, and the Lessons I Learned Along the Way.”

Hello, ladies!

I wanted to share a little about why I became so passionate about women’s wellness and why I eventually pursued education and certification as a Menopause Coaching Specialist.

My story didn’t begin with menopause.

It began with movement.

As a child, I loved to dance, sing, dream about playing tennis, and imagine myself as a gymnast. I was always drawn to movement, activity, and sports. I guess you could say I was inspired by Chris Evert, Cathy Rigby, and Soul Train. Yes, I know… I’m telling my age!

When it came to fitness, one person left a lasting impression on me: Jack LaLanne. I used to watch him with my mom on our black-and-white television. I still remember his beautiful white dog and his lovely wife appearing on the show.

Even at a young age, I was fascinated by his energy and enthusiasm for health. He made fitness fun.

What amazed me even more was his commitment to wellness throughout his life. On his 70th birthday, he swam 1.5 miles through Long Beach Harbor while handcuffed, shackled, and towing 70 boats carrying 70 people. Now that’s inspiring!

Little did I know that those early influences would shape the path I would eventually walk.

Life Happened

As I grew older, life happened.

French fries, burgers, sweets, friends, boys, dancing—you know, all the important teenage priorities!

But even during those years, there was always something inside me pulling me back toward health. I cared about what I ate and wanted to take care of myself.

Later, women like Denise Austin inspired me to stay fit, while Debbie Allen fueled my love for dance and movement.

Then I became a mother.

Having two incredible children changed everything.

I no longer wanted to be healthy simply because I liked fitness. I wanted to be healthy because I wanted to be present for my children. I wanted the strength and energy to enjoy life with them and, if it was the will of the Most High, to be there for many years to come.

So, I joined a gym.

I studied proper exercise form, muscle groups, nutrition, protein needs, recovery, healthy weight management, and how to train others safely.

The more I learned, the more passionate I became.

Eventually, I earned my personal training certification.

While working at the hospital, a young woman asked me if I would train her.

My answer?

“Absolutely!”

That one opportunity gave me the confidence to begin helping other women.

And I loved every minute of it.

Finding My Purpose

There is something incredibly rewarding about watching a woman discover her strength.

Seeing women reach their goals, gain confidence, and begin believing in themselves was better than any paycheck.

Honestly, I think I was running on pure adrenaline and excitement.

The smiles.

The victories.

The confidence.

The breakthroughs.

It filled my heart.

I continued training part-time while working my career job. Most mornings I worked out before sunrise, and many evenings I exercised after dinner because I still had mom duties waiting for me.

Laundry.

Homework checks.

Cooking.

Cleaning.

Being a mom.

The gym eventually came home with me.

The Symptoms I Didn’t Recognize

Then something began to change.

I became more irritable.

My sweet cravings increased.

Sleep became difficult.

I started experiencing anxiety and mood swings.

Whenever I drank wine with friends, I would suddenly feel overwhelmingly hot.

At the time, I didn’t think anything of it.

I assumed it was stress.

After all, I was going through a divorce. Life was difficult. My life was not balanced, Surely that had to be the reason.

Right?

Wrong.

Years later, after looking back and connecting all the dots, I realized I had been experiencing perimenopause.

I was in complete denial.

In fact, years later I apologized to my children for some of my behavior during that season.

It wasn’t intentional.

I simply didn’t understand what was happening to my body.

Like many women, I switched into survival mode.

We keep going.

We keep caring for everyone else.

We push through.

And sometimes we ignore what our bodies are trying to tell us.

Then Menopause Knocked on My Door

Because I exercised regularly and generally ate healthy foods, many of my symptoms were milder than what some women experience.

But eventually menopause made her presence known.

The hot flashes arrived.

And when I say hot flashes, I mean HOT flashes.

These weren’t little warm moments.

They started at my head and traveled all the way to my toes like I was standing in the middle of a bonfire.

Then came the itchy skin.

Specifically, right under my bra strap.

That itch signed a lease and refused to move out!

Then came the eye floaters.

And reading glasses.

Now listen…

I had perfect vision.

I wasn’t interested in readers.

I didn’t want glasses.

I didn’t want anything that sounded remotely related to “Mrs. Menopause.”

I was crushed.

And yes, I may have been a little dramatic!

I remember thinking, “No, no, no! This cannot be happening to me.”

I wasn’t ready to admit that my body was changing. I didn’t want to see Mr. Peri or Ms. Meno or anything that sounded remotely close to them! (Laughing.)

But then there was the brain fog.

The Brain Fog That Had Me Questioning Everything

Oh, my goodness, ladies, can we talk about the brain fog?

I cannot tell you how many times I was looking for my phone only to realize it was already in my hand!

I would walk into a room and completely forget why I went there.

I would stop in the middle of a sentence trying to remember what I was talking about.

At one point, I convinced myself something was seriously wrong.

My mind immediately went to thoughts of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. I was stressing myself out trying to figure out what was happening.

Now don’t get me wrong—I have absolutely no problem going to the doctor. If something feels off, I’m going! I am not one of those women who waits ten years before making an appointment. (Laughing.)

But once I began learning more about menopause and understanding my body, I realized that much of what I was experiencing was related to hormonal changes, stress, poor sleep, and anxiety.

The more educated I became, the more empowered I felt.

What I Learned About Brain Fog

Research suggests that declining estrogen levels may affect areas of the brain responsible for memory, concentration, processing speed, and verbal recall. Estrogen helps support communication between brain cells and influences neurotransmitters involved in mood, focus, and cognition.

As estrogen declines, many women experience what is commonly called “brain fog.” While brain fog is not a medical diagnosis, it is a very real experience for many women during perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.

Women may notice:

• Forgetfulness

• Difficulty concentrating

• Trouble finding words

• Mental fatigue

• Reduced focus

• Feeling mentally slower than usual

Sleep disturbances, stress, anxiety, depression, hot flashes, and fatigue can also contribute to brain fog and make symptoms feel even worse.

One thing I noticed about myself is that when I become deeply involved in a project, I am passionate about, I can become anxious without even realizing it. When stress increases, I often notice my focus and memory aren’t as sharp.

What helped me?

Prioritizing quality sleep.

Continuing to strength train and move my body.

Managing stress.

Eating nutrient-dense foods.

Staying hydrated.

Spending time in prayer and Scripture.

Writing things down.

Creating routines.

Giving myself permission to rest when needed.

Most importantly, I learned not to panic every time I misplaced my keys, forgot a name, or found myself searching for something that was right in front of me.

Ladies, sometimes our brains simply need support, rest, and grace.

However, it is important to remember that not all memory concerns are related to menopause.

If you notice symptoms that are persistent, worsening, unusual, or interfering with your daily life, please consult your healthcare provider. Never assume every symptom is menopause related.

You know your body better than anyone else. Trust yourself enough to ask questions, seek answers, and advocate for your health.

The Conversation That Changed Everything

I remember being 46 years old at a friend’s house.

Several women were gathered, enjoying good food and great conversation.

I casually mentioned these strange “hot spells” I had been experiencing.

One woman looked at me and said:

“Those are hot flashes.”

Then she began describing her menopause symptoms.

They sounded exactly like mine.

Then another woman shared.

And another.

And another.

Suddenly, I wasn’t enjoying that conversation nearly as much as everyone else was!

The food was wonderful.

The company was wonderful.

But hearing that I was entering menopause?

Not wonderful.

This was back in 2011, and there wasn’t nearly as much education or discussion available as there is today.

Looking Back, I Was Already Doing Many Things Right

Years later, I realized something important.

Many of the habits I had developed through my love of fitness were helping support my body through menopause.

Exercise.

Nutritious foods.

Stress management.

Movement.

Sleep.

These lifestyle habits matter.

Today, science continues to show that strength training, proper nutrition, quality sleep, stress management, and regular physical activity can positively support women throughout perimenopause, menopause, post-menopause, and beyond.

Why Strength Training Matters More Than Ever

One of the biggest concerns after menopause is bone loss.

Estrogen helps protect bone density throughout a woman’s reproductive years.

As estrogen declines, bone breakdown begins to occur faster than bone rebuilding.

Without resistance or strength training, women can lose bone density more rapidly, increasing the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis causes bones to become weaker, thinner, and more fragile, making fractures more likely—even from simple falls or everyday activities.

This is one reason I encourage women to incorporate strength training into their weekly routine.

Strong muscles help support strong bones.

Understanding Estrogen’s Role

Many women don’t realize how much estrogen influences the body.

As estrogen declines, changes can occur in:

• Bone health
• Heart health
• Cholesterol levels
• Metabolism
• Muscle mass
• Skin elasticity
• Joint health
• Vaginal and urinary health
• Sleep quality
• Mood regulation
• Cognitive function

This doesn’t mean these things will automatically happen to every woman.

However, understanding these changes allows us to take proactive steps to support our health.

Knowledge truly is power.

Why Annual Checkups Matter

This is why I encourage women to schedule regular appointments with:

• Their primary care provider
• Gynecologist
• Dentist
• Dermatologist
• Optometrist

Menopause affects far more than reproductive health.

It impacts the entire body.

Routine screenings help identify potential concerns before they become larger problems.

Even Coaches Need Adjustments

Here’s something I recently experienced.

After many years of being post-menopausal, I began noticing a few hot flashes returning.

Then my blood work revealed elevated A1C levels and higher cholesterol.

Nothing major in my lifestyle had changed except one thing.

I had started eating more eggs and red meat, especially lamb.

Now, I love lamb.

But my blood work was telling me my body was responding differently than it had years ago.

This is exactly why annual lab work is important.

Our bodies change.

What worked at age 35 may not work at age 60.

Research suggests that excessive consumption of saturated fats—commonly found in higher-fat cuts of red meat—may contribute to elevated LDL cholesterol levels and increased cardiovascular risk in some individuals.

Likewise, consuming large amounts of cholesterol-rich foods without balancing overall dietary patterns may impact heart health for certain women.

The key isn’t fear.

The key is awareness and moderation.

So now lamb has moved from “regular guest” to “special occasion visitor.”

And that’s okay.

The Missing Piece: Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Wellness

Health is about more than food and exercise.

It’s also about peace.

Sometimes we need to slow down.

Eat nourishing foods.

Spend time in prayer.

Read Scripture.

Reflect.

Rest.

Release stress.

Evaluate our habits.

Ask ourselves what changes need to be made.

Menopause often becomes a season where we learn to let go of things that no longer serve us.

Sometimes that’s unhealthy habits.

Sometimes it’s negative thinking.

Sometimes it’s toxic relationships.

Stress affects the body.

And during menopause, unmanaged stress can amplify symptoms and impact overall well-being.

Learning to care for ourselves mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mindfully is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves.

Why Shalem Wellness Exists

My passion today is simple.

I want women to know they are not alone.

I want women to have a safe place to learn.

A place to ask questions.

A place to share experiences.

A place to find encouragement.

A place to become informed so they can confidently advocate for themselves and have meaningful conversations with their healthcare providers.

A Final Word From My Heart

Hello lovely ladies, if there is one thing, I hope you take away from my story, it is this:

You are not alone.

Whether you are in perimenopause, menopause, post-menopause, or beyond, your experiences matter, your concerns are valid, and your health deserves attention.

My goal as the Founder of Shalem Wellness is to provide a safe place where women can learn, grow, ask questions, share experiences, and become empowered through education.

The more we understand what is happening within our bodies, the better equipped we are to support ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and mindfully.

Menopause is not something to fear. It is a new season of life that calls us to listen to our bodies, adjust when necessary, and prioritize our well-being.

I encourage every woman to partner with qualified healthcare professionals, stay current with annual checkups, and seek medical guidance whenever something feels out of the ordinary.

Knowledge is powerful.

Awareness is empowering. And together, we can navigate this journey with confidence.

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about my story. I hope you’ll continue to be part of the Shalem Wellness community as we learn, grow, and support one another.

Visit us at: [Visit us at: www.shalemwellness.com] https://shalemwellness.com/blog/

With love and shalom,

Coach Gina Daggett
Founder, Shalem Wellness
Certified Menopause Coaching Specialist