In the run up to International Women’s Day, menopause coach and women’s health advocate Dani Barnett is calling for menopause to be spoken about openly, compassionately and with the education and support women deserve.
Dani, who founded coaching service Unpaused, said: “Menopause shouldn’t be something women fear because they simply weren’t taught about it,” she says.
“We’ll educate children about puberty, but when it comes to midlife and hormonal changes, there’s silence.
“Half the world will go through this – yet we still don’t talk about it like we do other life stages.”
Not just hot flushes
Dani was just 40 when surgical menopause threw her life into disarray.
Overnight, her hormones shifted dramatically and she found herself unprepared for the physical, physiological and emotional upheaval that followed.
“What no one told me was that menopause isn’t just hot flushes,” she explained.
“Your hormones interact with over 400 functions in your body. Symptoms can include anxiety, brain fog, overwhelm, sleep issues, dry eyes – and every woman’s experience is different.
“Fear thrives where knowledge doesn’t exist.”
Life before and after education
Dani recalls the early days of her menopause journey, marked by confusion, frustration and a lack of support.
“I knew I wasn’t ‘fine’, I didn’t feel like myself – but I didn’t have the knowledge to understand why.
“Once I understood what was happening inside my body, everything changed.
“With education came understanding, which helped me to control my symptoms, and has lead to where I am today, thriving,” she said.
What began as a personal struggle became a mission.
After restoring her own health and redefining her lifestyle, she launched Unpaused to help women navigate perimenopause and menopause with expert guidance, community and confidence.
A hub of support, education and connection
Unpaused isn’t just a coaching service – it’s a movement towards normalisation and wellbeing. Dani offers:
- 1:1 menopause coaching, tailored to each woman’s unique experience, helping clients understand symptoms, develop personalised strategies and regain confidence and control in their daily lives.
- Collaborative events with specialists on the island, bringing together experts in nutrition, fitness, movement, reflexology and more to support women in holistic ways through interactive, practical learning sessions.
- Workplace workshops and “lunch & learn” sessions, designed to educate teams and leaders on menopause, build empathy and understanding, and create supportive, inclusive workplace cultures where women can continue to thrive.
“These events aren’t just about information – they’re about community,” Dani said.
“Women walk away feeling seen, supported, and empowered.
“Menopause becomes less scary when we understand it, and less isolating when we share it.”
A call to broaden the conversation
Dani believes menopause education shouldn’t be limited to women going through it, it matters for partners, families, employers and healthcare providers too.
“Menopause is a human experience, and the more people understand it, the less stigma, fear and misunderstanding there will be. When we normalise these conversations, we reduce suffering,” she says.
This International Women’s Day, she invites everyone to rethink how society approaches menopause.
“We celebrate women’s achievements. We celebrate equality, but if we truly want women to thrive – socially, professionally and personally, we must support them through every stage of life,” Dani says.
“Menopause isn’t an endpoint. With the right education, support and community – it’s a phase of wisdom, strength, clarity and opportunity.”