‘I had a challenging menopause experience, so I built an app to help others like me’

When 43-year-old personal trainer Kate Rowe-Ham noticed her first menopause symptoms, she found the lack of support alarming.

“I felt very lonely. I didn’t know what I needed to do and I didn’t know what I needed to change to make my journey more manageable,” she remembers.

After a lot of research and reflection, she worked out she needed to make some fundamental changes in her life.

“I realised I had to take a more holistic approach. So I started looking to improve the way I was exercising, the way I was eating, the way I was sleeping and the way I was resting.”

As a result, she built Owning Your Menopause, a first-of-its-kind app offering live and on-demand workouts for women going through menopause.

“I wanted to help empower and educate women while providing them with the much-needed information and support they need,” Kate says.

“I realised we need to stop looking for quick fixes. A lot of women think if they start taking HRT they are going to be fine. But in reality, they need a range of lifestyle changes. HRT is there, but things like diet and exercise are fundamental.”

Considering the increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and type two diabetes, Kate says it’s even more important to encourage women entering menopause to manage their symptoms holistically.

“I myself have a diagnosis of osteopenia and, for me, HRT is a really important factor in that puzzle, but building my strength, giving up alcohol and making sure I’m nourishing my body are key. Something as simple as lifting weights can be a game changer for your mental health, bone health, muscle health, heart health and brain health.”

But while she’s all about adopting a healthier lifestyle, the tech entrepreneur says she understands the challenges that come with building new habits.

“I think most of us don’t put our lifestyle first because we are at a stage where we cater for everybody else’s needs. We’re managing elderly parents, we’ve got kids during exams, and we always tend to put ourselves last,” she explains.

“When I ask women to give up alcohol or quit sugar, they often get upset and see that as being something that’s been taken away from them. But what I would love them to realise is that it’s not. Give it 30 days and you will feel amazing.

“Change is not going to happen overnight, especially if you are menopausal. But it is possible. Once that happens, you’re flying.”

With her app already available worldwide, Kate’s biggest goal is to change attitudes towards menopause and improve support for women struggling with symptoms.

“My aim is to use the app to make policy changes and support women holistically,” she says.

“It’s all well and good having a menopause policy in place. The key part is supporting women and getting them up and running again.”