Hi, I'm Dani!

I'm a BRCA gene carrier, and at the age of 40 I was advised to have my ovaries removed. At that time, there was very little information in the media about menopause. When I asked how to prepare, I was told I would probably experience some hot flushes, but because I'd be taking HRT, I shouldn't worry too much.

What followed was a rollercoaster ride that I was completely unprepared for.

I never experienced hot flushes, but I had crying spells - so many tears! I struggled with anxiety, overwhelm, periods of depression, and let's not even talk about the brain fog. With no real guidance or understanding of what was happening to my body, I couldn't connect the dots and recognise that my hormones were at the root of it all.

I had no idea that we have over 400 oestrogen receptors throughout our bodies. Looking back, it's no surprise that my body reacted the way it did - everything had changed. I spent my time reading books, listening to podcasts, and searching for answers, trying to understand what my body was telling me and how I could work with it rather than against it.

What I quickly realised was that my old "normal" was gone, and a new version of me needed to emerge. I changed so much, from the way I ate, to how I exercised, practised mindfulness, communicated with those around me, and learning to be kinder and more patient with myself.

The hardest part was feeling incredibly alone.

My friends weren't going through perimenopause (or perhaps they didn't realise they were) and at that time, menopause wasn't openly discussed in the way it is today. As I began opening up to some of the women around me, I started to see connections between behaviours, symptoms, and experiences that many of us had never realised were linked to our hormones.

Women began coming to me for advice, support, and practical tips. That's when the idea for Unpaused was born. I realised that so many women, both in the workplace and at home, were struggling in silence.

I didn't want anyone else to feel as alone as I did, or to believe that there was no purpose or joy left in this stage of life. Menopause is often misunderstood, but it doesn't have to be something we simply endure.

This is a time to understand your body, reconnect with yourself, and embrace what can be a powerful new season of life.

A time to thrive, not just survive.