Send us Fan Mail Menopause gets treated like a punchline or a cliff, and neither one is true. Deborah Laks, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Give Zero, joins us to name what’s really going on in perimenopause and menopause, why so many high-achieving women feel like they’re “losing it,” and how the lack of shared language has made a normal life transition harder than it needs to be. We start with a surprising frame, from World Menopause Day to the “queen whale” idea that wisdom and leadership can deepen after fertility ends, not disappear. We get practical and specific: perimenopause can last years, menopause is officially one day after 12 months without a period, and symptoms can extend far beyond hot flashes. Deborah explains why estrogen fluctuations can show up as brain fog, mood shifts, skin dryness, and even unexpected itching, and why confidence at work can take a hit when you don’t know what you’re tracking. We also talk honestly about how often women are told it’s “just stress,” what it looks like to ask better questions, and why prevention matters for long-term bone, heart, and brain health. Then we dig into Deborah’s business, Give Zero, built to connect the dots across symptoms, cycles, lab results, treatments, and wearable data so you can walk into appointments with clarity instead of chaos. We also discuss the workplace impact of unmanaged menopause symptoms, the real economic costs, and the frustration of an estrogen therapy shortage right as more women seek hormone replacement therapy options. If you’re navigating midlife health, supporting someone who is, or building a better culture at work, this conversation gives you language you can use today. Subscribe, share this with a friend or colleague who needs it, and leave a review with the question you want us to tackle next. To all Proven Not Perfect ™️ listeners, we have a treat. Visit the Give Zero website (https://givezero.co/) Download the Give Zero app - Android or Apple - and use code: KELLOGG for your personalized trial. Also, Deborah and I see this as movement. We want to create a space for extended conversation -- let me know if you are interested! We will make it happen. Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect AND ProvenNotPerfect Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️ Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️ Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com. I'd love to hear what you think!
