Introducing TendrMint: Empowering Women through Menopause

Hello, I'm Kelli, the founder of TendrMint.

Like many of you, I was very naive when it came to menopause. I thought it was merely the end of periods, but I soon learned that it was much more complex than that. I had never heard of the term perimenopause, let alone understood what it was, when it happened, or what it meant. Being an expat since the end of 2015 and living in numerous countries, I often found myself disconnected from healthcare. I began to struggle to understand what was happening to me; I didn't feel like myself at all.

I've always been able to juggle many things, had a great memory, and was generally very positive and capable of taking on anything. However, I found myself forgetting things, lacking motivation, and feeling like I couldn't be bothered to socialise. I was turning into a bit of a hermit and would burst into tears for no apparent reason. Having sailed through my monthly periods without any problems, I didn't realise what was going on. So, I started reading—lots. I listened to podcasts, researched, and watched Davina McCall's documentaries. The more I learned, the more things started falling into place. It all made sense—I had clearly been perimenopausal for a very long time, and at 54, I still am.

The lack of understanding and awareness of the various stages of menopause among my friends and peer groups was a real eye-opener and, if I'm honest, made me angry. It made me question why we are not educated about menopause from a young age. After all, menopause is part of a woman's reproductive journey from puberty.

So, instead of being frustrated by it all, I decided to be part of the solution. I wanted to be a champion and a change-maker for all things menopause. Whether you're in that phase of your life or not, menopause impacts everyone, not just those of us with an ovarian system. Whatever you identify as, you will know someone—a family member, work colleague, or loved one—who could be going through something similar. Maybe you've just thought that they're having a bad day at work or something has changed that you can't quite put your finger on. If we're all aware of how menopause can affect some people and how they could be supported, that's an amazing piece of knowledge to have.

TendrMint was born in 2023. The name represents a fresh start, new beginnings, and self-care and reflection. The word "Tendr" symbolises nurturing, focusing on yourself, and a time for reflection, while "Mint" represents freshness, new perspectives, and vitality.

At TendrMint, we offer personalised coaching, workplace awareness sessions, and valuable resources to help women navigate the ups and downs of menopause with a fresh perspective.

I'd love to hear about your experiences with menopause or how you've supported others close to you.

I truly believe that together, we can really make a difference.

Warm regards, 

Kelli