Thriving Through Menopause: Elaine Morrison of Elaine Wellness On Wellness Tips for Women Over 45
An Interview With Shawna Robins
What do you believe about this time of life, aging, and the changes happening in your body? Your thoughts lead to your choices, which lead to your behaviors, experiences, and emotions. What is your dream scenario for your health and your body? Your beliefs have a powerful influence over your body.
Menopause is a significant transition in a woman’s life, often accompanied by various physical and emotional challenges. However, it is also an opportunity to embrace wellness and thrive. How can women over 45 navigate this phase with grace and vitality? As part of this interview series, we had the pleasure to interview Elaine Morrison of Elaine Wellness.
Elaine has spent 18 years in the wellness space as a Certified Pilates Instructor and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. Healing herself from Hashimoto’s, a thyroid autoimmune disorder, motivated her to want to help others find root cause solutions. Menopause can be a powerful transition when you have the knowledge and resources to support yourself through this time.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to ‘get to know you’. Can you tell us a bit about your background and your backstory?
I left a fast-paced career in the fashion industry when I watched my Dad nearly die after quintuple bypass surgery. I made a deal with him that if he went to cardio rehab, I would go to the gym. Together, we made health a priority, and It was the beginning of my transition to a career in wellness, where I became a certified pilates instructor. For 8 years I worked for the largest private club in Los Angeles as their lead instructor.
But if I’m being honest, I was burning the candle at both ends, working early mornings and evenings six days a week. The symptoms began to creep up, and I suddenly found myself 10 pounds heavier, sleeping 10 hours a night and still feeling exhausted, and I was losing my hair. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and then guttate psoriasis.
I spent thousands of dollars on doctor’s visits only to be told it was normal to not feel well as a woman in midlife. The only answer was medications and hopelessness. I set out on a path to read everything I could find and take charge of my health. I changed my diet, removed toxic chemicals from my cleaning and beauty products, reduced my workload, and reduced my stress. Within a year I was able to reverse my thyroid antibodies and the psoriasis went away. The weight fell off, my hair grew back and my energy levels returned.
In the process, I began supplementing with collagen to support my hair and skin. My hair stylist was amazed at the transformation in my hair. I had the crazy idea to develop a collagen water because I wanted everyone to experience the benefits. It led me on a wild ride in the consumer products space. I was selected as one of 15 to pitch at BevNet Live before I had a finished product. Shark Tank found me on Instagram and I went through their submission process. I landed in First for Women magazine and have spoken on many podcasts.
In 2023, I decided to fulfill my dream of studying nutrition. I went back to school and became a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. I love supporting people in making small changes that tremendously impact their lives by improving their health.
My true passion is supporting women to feel alive and well in their bodies. The Midlife Blueprint is my new platform to give women the tools they need to feel amazing and have vitality. I believe that your health is your most precious asset.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to your particular career path?
My Dad spent 56 days in the hospital after suffering numerous complications from quintuple bypass surgery. He had a team of 8 specialists, and every time I asked them why he was so sick, not one of them ever pointed to nutrition or lifestyle choices. Looking back, I see how years of stress and overworking made him so sick. I also see that a poor diet and lack of exercise added to his heart disease.
He racked up one million dollars in medical bills. We spend over $4 trillion a year in health care in this country, and the outcomes keep getting worse. I’m deeply concerned that, as a nation, this ill health will bankrupt us.
When I knew something was wrong with my health and asked my doctor to test my thyroid, she rolled her eyes and told me it was normal not to feel well in midlife.
Over and over, I’ve seen how we have a sick care system and not a health care system. When my health went off a cliff, I realized I wanted to be part of the change in helping people understand their bodies and how to have excellent health.
Can you share with our readers a bit about why you are an authority in the menopause and women’s wellness fields? In your opinion, what is your unique contribution to the world of wellness?
My Dad’s cardiologist said he would give me an honorary RN because I was so curious and asked so many questions. When I was told by an endocrinologist that there was nothing I could do to reverse my Hashimoto’s, I took it as a challenge. I read everything I could find, changed my diet, and reversed my autoimmunity.
I became a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner in order to help women understand how nutrition and lifestyle are foundational to navigating menopause. Only 20% of doctors have any training in menopause and less than that have any education in nutrition.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?
My favorite quote is by Maya Angelou. “People won’t remember what you said. People won’t remember what you did. People will remember how you made them feel.”
In my work as a pilates instructor, I always made a point to connect with every person who came to my group class. I would ask them how they’re doing or remember an important event or milestone in their life. People went for the exercise, and the bonus was the connection and community. Making people feel seen is a skill I learned from watching my Mom.
As a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, I encourage and support people. I want them to feel proud of themselves for making small changes that add up to big results. It can feel daunting to change the food you eat or prioritize self-care. I’m genuinely excited for people when they make the change, and they notice a difference in their body, mood, or energy.
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. Let’s start with the basics.
What lifestyle changes have you found to be most effective for women to thrive during menopause?
Managing stress is so important at this time of life. When cortisol goes up, the body responds to stress by raising blood sugar. As women enter into menopause and estrogen declines, they become more insulin resistant.
Spend time in nature to de-stress and get sunlight. Exposure to outdoor light dictates our wake-sleep cycle.
Walk outside. It’s a stress reliever called NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis). More movement can help with fat loss.
Put your phone away an hour before bed. Read or do something that helps you to wind down from the day. Prioritize sleep and rest.
Can you share any specific dietary recommendations that help alleviate common menopause symptoms?
Balancing blood sugar is key to what is at the root of many menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep issues.
Learn to build meals with 30 grams of protein, plenty of non-starchy vegetables, some starchy carbohydrates, and healthy fat.
While alcohol may initially help you fall asleep, it ultimately disrupts REM sleep and causes fragmented sleep. It can also contribute to hot flashes and night sweats.
How important is mental health during menopause, and what strategies can women use to maintain it?
The drop in progesterone can leave women feeling anxious and irritable. It’s important to acknowledge that your body is changing and lean into rest.
Midlife and menopause can bring about additional caretaking responsibilities as parents and older relatives age. Where can you ask for help so you don’t try to shoulder all the work yourself?
Menopause can be a powerful transition and not an ending. Spend some time reconnecting to your dreams and what lights you up and brings you joy. Are there things you want to say “no” to so you can say “yes.”
Are you always rushing? Do you have endless to-do lists? This may be your body in a stress response known as fight or flight. If you tend towards people pleasing and perfectionism, it may be time to reevaluate this behavior. When your nervous system is chronically dysregulated, it can elevate cortisol, which can disrupt sleep and cause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.
What role does exercise play in managing menopause symptoms, and what types of exercise are most beneficial?
Exercise is so important in managing symptoms and aging well. I always tell women that muscle is the fountain of youth and helps us maintain healthy bones.
Lift heavy weights to preserve muscle. If you want to live independently as you age, then muscle is the key to doing so.
Walk and keep moving. Invite a friend to walk with you or listen to your favorite music.
Do yoga or pilates as a stress reliever and to stay flexible and improve balance and mobility.
We know that exercise does wonders for improving mood and helping to support healthy blood sugar. Commit to regular exercise, and you’ll notice a big improvement in your symptoms.
Ok. Here is the main question of our discussion. Can you please share “5 Things You Need to Know to Thrive Through Menopause”? If you can, kindly share a story or example for each.
1. What do you believe about this time of life, aging, and the changes happening in your body? Your thoughts lead to your choices, which lead to your behaviors, experiences, and emotions. What is your dream scenario for your health and your body? Your beliefs have a powerful influence over your body.
2. Food matters. When you were younger, you likely could get away with eating and drinking whatever you wanted. If you want to age well, it’s time to learn how food impacts blood sugar, which is at the root of many chronic health issues and menopause symptoms. I worked with a client in perimenopause who was balancing caregiving for her daughter and elderly Mom. Eating well helped her have the energy and supported her stress response.
3. Invest in friendships. Midlife brings physical changes and so many responsibilities. I can also bring the passing of parents and older relatives. It’s important to have a network of friends who can support you through the challenges of life. My girlfriends supported me through the loss of both of my parents. We’re not meant to do this alone. Find your community.
4. Move your body. Your health is your most precious asset. Rather than thinking you have to exercise, can you say I get to exercise? Walking and exercise are so beneficial to your mood and energy and building strength. My Mom consistently exercised into her old age, and after she had a stroke at 92, she was able to learn to walk again. You need muscle.
5. Advocate for yourself. You know more about your body than anyone else. Please don’t let medical providers talk you out of what you know to be true. Trust your intuition. Only 20% of doctors receive any training on menopause. You must educate yourself.
Can you discuss any alternative therapies or natural remedies that have shown promise in supporting women through menopause?
Supplements are very bio-individual, so check with your provider about what could benefit you.
Acupuncture could be supportive as it can be a stress reliever.
Seek out someone like me who can help you to make nutrition and lifestyle shifts that will not only help to alleviate menopause symptoms but will support you in aging well so that you can have energy, vitality and maintain your independence.
Wonderful. We are nearly done. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
I’d love to meet Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx. She’s such a phenomenal businesswoman who leads with empathy and kindness.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
I’d love to connect with you. You can find me:
www.instagram.com/elainewellness
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-m-12b7717/
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
About the Interviewer: Shawna Robins is an international best-selling author of two books — Powerful Sleep — Rest Deeply, Repair Your Brain and Restore Your Life, and Irresistibly Healthy — Simple Strategies to Feel Vibrant, Alive, Healthy and Full of Energy Again. Shawna is the founder and CEO of Third Spark, an online wellness hub for women over 40 who want to reignite their sleep, reset healthier habits and respark their lives. Shawna is a sleep expert, hormone health expert, and a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBHWC). She has been featured on many podcasts including Dr. Mindy Pelz’s “The Resetter Podcast” and in Authority Magazine, Thrive Global, and The Huffington Post. A free download of her latest book can be found at www.thirdsparkhealth.com/powerful-sleep/ You can follow her on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
