In 2013 my mother was dying of breast cancer. I started to experience hot flashes and night sweats. Not every so often, but hourly, or even more. I was 41, and I felt like my body was aging and shutting down. 

I was the mother of three, my work was intense, my travel schedule grueling, and I didn’t know who to trust. I became tired and forgetful, I had anxiety, I was gaining weight, my joints were hurting, and I wasn’t sleeping. It was a struggle to inspire action in myself, let alone my team.

I was incredibly unprepared for this new phase. I made a lot of mistakes and listened to too many of the wrong people. 

Menopause was the wake-up call I needed to redefine my leadership and how I want to live out the rest of my life.

This year I turned 50, and I feel more confident, balanced, and empowered than ever.