Hi, I'm Clare
I went through my menopause aged 45, whilst working in a highly pressurised corporate role. At the time I was spinning many plates of roles and responsibilities, as a mum of two teenage sons, a wife, a daughter supporting a parent with ill health, a niece trying to support my Aunt and Uncle through a terminal diagnosis, a friend, sister etc.
I missed so many warning signs from my mind and body, urging me to slow down. Because I was too busy trying to be everything to everyone else, and my needs came last, that was until it all came tumbling down with burnout.
The time off work forced me to make time for me, and reflect on who I was beyond these roles and responsibilities, and what was important to me. I decided to work with a transformational coach and made life changing decisions. Such as, leaving a 12 year corporate career in HR to retrain as a life coach.
This first experience of coaching and my coaching training began a journey of self discovery for me. I regained my sense of self and purpose and created a lifestyle that met my wellbeing needs.
It was only after years of coaching women to improve their mental wellbeing that I joined up the dots. Between the symptoms of perimenopause and the symptoms of stress and how this leads to burnout.
Which is why I'm passionate about helping women to navigate the psychological changes that occur with their menopausal transition. Helping them to learn how to avoid burnout and reduce their menopause symptoms.
I'm on a mission to help:
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educate women about the menopausal transition and redefine how we approach this pivotal and natural stage in a woman's life;
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empower women with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate a change that we're not adequately prepared for; and
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provide a safe space for women to embrace the nature of who they are as individuals, as women and as human beings.
Qualifications & Experience
Prior to retraining as a life coach in May 2019 I was previously a Level 5 CIPD certified HR professional.
During my 12 year HR career I was proud to have successfully led the implementation of the Investors in People accreditation in two organisations. Which is a nationally recognised framework that ensures an organisations people strategy prioritises their people development, as this underpins an organisations success and sustainability.
I was also proud to have implemented the Workplace Wellbeing Strategy in one of the first organisations to receive this award in Coventry, and was presented the award by Dame Carol Black. I was asked to contribute towards the formation of the first Workplace Wellbeing Champion training as part of Thrive at Work in the West Midlands. Which replaced the Workplace Wellbeing Charter accreditation, to encourage local employers to commit to creating a workplace that promotes employee health and wellbeing.
I am an ABNLP accredited NLP Coach and have also gone on to complete qualifications in Mental Health First Aid and Advocacy in the Workplace and Mental Health & Wellbeing Practitioner Training.
Metanoia Lifestyle
The significance of my business name and logo
Metanoia is pronounced 'meh-ta-noy-ah' and it's Greek for: "the transformative journey of changing one's mind, heart, self and way of life."
It's speaks of the personal transformation that occurs when someone goes through a psychological shift, which changes how they see and feel about themselves, others and the world around them.
It starts with noticing the increasing mental conflict between who they think they are and who they want to be in their life. It's a call to go inward and reflect, to question who they are, what's important to them and how they can create change for increased fulfilment and wellbeing.
I first came across the word Metanoia when planning to start a coaching business. It resonated so deeply with me based on my personal journey and it perfectly described the personal transformation people experience from the coaching experience.
It was fours years later after coaching women to improve their mental wellbeing, that I noticed they all had one thing in common - they were nearly all in their menopausal transition! This was a huge insight for me, and I wondered why I hadn't noticed this before.
However, after researching the history of the menopause and women's experiences in different cultures across the world. I came to the conclusion that the menopause does bring about a psychological shift which impacts our mental health.
The sooner a woman works on this mental conflict, which creates a stress response in her body, the sooner she can reduce the effects of stress hormones on her brain and body. Leading to a reduced likelihood and severity of menopausal symptoms.
The Spiral Goddess
The figure of a woman in my logo is that of a Spiral Goddess, which represents female power and creativity. This symbol dates back to ancient times and the spiral symbolises cycles of personal growth.
The open hands and arms symbolise how we need to surrender at times to let nature take it's course, and also celebrate our creativity and wisdom through personal growth.
It felt the perfect symbol for embracing how a woman evolves through her menopause, which is a natural stage of life that should be celebrated as a rite of passage.
Book a call
Find out how you can thrive instead of survive through your menopause journey
Let's have a chat about where you are now and how I can support you, then we can decide if it's a good fit for us to work together!
When you click on the 'Book a call' button you will be redirected to my Acuity Calendar. Just select a suitable date and time and I'll email you to confirm our scheduled call.