Catherine Harland ran her own PR agency for more than a decade, counting a long list of businesses and individuals as clients. However, she has recently changed careers, training as a menopause coach and workplace training provider, after her own personal experiences.
Here, she explains how many good things are born from adversity:
"After 30 years of working in the corporate world, I decided to switch careers and train as a menopause coach and training provider at age 52. Daunting? Yes. Then why, you may ask? I woke one day in June 2008, I was 38 and felt emotionally paralysed, scared and unable to drive my son to school, a trip I had done daily for 15 years. I did it regardless but to this day, I’ve no idea how.
I had been experiencing gynae issues, palpitations, crippling anxiety, low mood and breast cysts. Yes, all at once. I felt like I had been pushed off a cliff and was hanging on by my fingertips. It had been a stressful few months, having had a family death, being a single mum, juggling a highly demanding job and the usual life’s trials and tribulations.
Read more: Business Life - charity initiatives and award wins in the North East
Frightened, I turned to the GP for help where I was diagnosed with burnout. Of course this made complete sense at the time as I’d experienced an incredibly challenging few months with work and personal issues. I was prescribed antidepressants and I could barely function for six weeks. I was referred to various cardio and gynae consultants yet no one mentioned perimenopause or menopause. I now know that’s what it was, albeit lower than the average UK perimenopause age.
Several years passed but I still wasn’t firing on all cylinders. During yet another GP appointment I mentioned menopause but I was informed I was too young at 43. Cue another five years feeling 'meh'. Not one GP (male or female) ever any mentioned perimenopause or menopause during my numerous appointments. After visiting Dr Google yet again, I returned to the GP to request HRT. I walked out with the prescription thinking ‘how do I know this one is right for me?’
I never picked up that prescription and began to do my own research. In the meantime I was prescribed another HRT but again, confusion reigned. Dr Google can be your friend as well as your enemy.
I joined menopause support groups, I contacted various ‘specialists’ and went to yet another GP where I requested oestrogel (transdermal HRT) which I had read about. The GP hadn’t heard of it, I had to spell it and he prescribed the wrong amount. Sound familiar? GPs do not receive mandatory menopause training hence the lack of HRT/menopause knowledge.
I have since been on five different HRT regimes in four years, having been prescribed the highest dose and on two occasions, and in June, I decided to wean myself off it. Call it back to factory settings. I’m not anti-HRT, I just know it didn’t work for me nor does it work for all women. One size doesn’t fit all. It’s takes many months to find your HRT holy grail so patience is needed.
Fluctuating and declining hormones requires a healthy lifestyle too. You can’t slap on HRT yet continue to drink a couple of glasses a wine each night, eat cheeseburgers and be a couch potato! Sorry ladies, these are the scientific facts.
I became more knowledgeable than any GP I had ever seen and because of regular menopause chats with clients and at networking events, women in the business world were turning to me for advice as they were scared of losing their career. I took time out of my PR business in 2021 to renovate my new house. This unexpectedly took its toll hence round two of debilitating symptoms of what I had experienced when I was 38. Stress and menopause symptoms are a kryptonite combination. Once recovered, the penny dropped and I was inspired to help other women who were suffering who didn’t know where to turn.
I researched further and began my training to become a menopause coach as well as signing up for a functional health course. With a new focus and drive, I said farewell to the PR world I had known for 13 years. Menopause Mentor was founded, which provides Menopause Table Talks - workplace menopause awareness training workshops to enable businesses to support their employees, to prevent tribunals and a host of other benefits. Other workshops include Employee Wellness and Menopause Champion training.
I also provide 1-1 menopause coaching for individuals requiring personal support on nutrition, stress reduction, supplements and overall menopause understanding to enable individuals to take back control. Women over 50 are the fastest growing section of the UK workforce. Ambitious and highly experienced, their contributions to the workforce can be significant.
However, the average age for menopause in the UK is 51, with nine out of ten women stating their menopausal symptoms impact their work, including fatigue, brain fog, anxiety and loss of confidence. One in four say they don’t feel supported in the workplace while a third hide their symptoms, fearing for their jobs.
Nearly one million women have had to give up work due to menopause, workplaces are losing experienced employees and individuals can feel helpless. There’s so much misinformation out there leaving many women feeling quite lost at this stage of their lives whilst workplaces are losing experienced employees.
Menopause Mentor - menopausementor.uk - provides evidence-based, relevant training to workplace as well as supporting individuals to prevent loss of valued careers."
Prominent agency boss Sarah Waddington closes firm to explore new challenges
Ethical school uniform firm Etika secures grant to boost growth plans
Hirestreet fashion pioneer to mark four year anniversary with eight new collaborations
Investment trust targeting female-led firms set to benefit North East
