Hi, I'm Amanda
After lots of pharmacy school, a couple dozen years in the pharmaceutical industry, and a gnarly ride with perimenopause, I discovered my life’s purpose; and that is to empower women who are experiencing the roller coaster of perimenopause with evidence-based solutions so they can reclaim their vitality and live the life they desire.
I help women transition from simply surviving to thriving and experiencing perimenopause as a time for self-discovery and renewal.
My perimenopause journey began with a hot flash in an ice cream joint.
I suppose if you are going to be anywhere the moment you feel your body catch fire, being surrounded by ice cream isn't a bad deal.
All too quickly, that hot flash turned into multiple hot flashes every day and night PLUS weight gain, unexplained pain, depression, anxiety, and absolute and utter exhaustion.
I was 38 years old and I was not prepared to begin my "menopause journey" (though, is anyone ever really ready?).
It turns out my doctor was not prepared either because she sent me to a lot of specialists to be tested for a lot of things - none of which included peri/menopause.
So by the time it was determined that I was indeed well into my perimenopause journey, I had earned frequent flyer status at the medical center (I can confirm this is not nearly as fun as the frequent flyer status that gets you champagne and warm nuts!) and made the "black list" at my insurance carrier.
In all seriousness, eventually, my discomfort, my fatigue, and my declining mental health had reached a point where I found it almost impossible to function day-to-day.
Finally, several years, a few antidepressants, and a new state later, I found myself in front of a doctor who recommended I try a couple of supplements for my mood swings and brain fog (she was also willing to have a discussion with me about hormone therapy).
Now, I was trained as a pharmacist "back in the day" when supplements were (in the US) thought of as "alternative" or even ineffective so I am a stellar example of the things you'll try when you're desperate enough.
Looking into how supplements might help my symptoms led me to look into how specific nutrition might help my symptoms which led me to explore "gut health in perimenopause" and suddenly I was immersed in a whole new world of natural, science-backed strategies that could take me closer and closer to my ultimate goal - of feeling better so I could function better and reclaim the vitality I needed to live the life I desired.
I sometimes wish I could go back and tell 38-year-old Amanda that she doesn't need to suffer, that she's not alone and there are things she can do to take control of her health and feel better. But I cannot go back so now, it is my honor and passion to try to help women avoid my long and windy (and exhausting) journey.