Thriving Through Perimenopause: My Journey, My Passion, and My Top 10 Tools
- Michelle Swenson
- Sep 11, 2025
- 3 min read
My name is Michelle Swenson, and I’m so excited to join forces with Flow State Health here in St. Louis. As a certified Integrative Health Practitioner and Menopause Coaching Specialist, I help women over 40 navigate one of the most misunderstood (and often frustrating) seasons of life: perimenopause and menopause.
After my own health journey of unanswered questions, fatigue, mood shifts, and searching for solutions that actually worked, I realized women deserved better. Too often we’re told, “this is just aging”—but that’s not the full story. Our bodies are wise, responsive, and capable of incredible vitality when we give them the right support. That’s why I left the corporate world and shifted into coaching: to empower women to uncover the root causes of their struggles, rather than settling for band-aid fixes.
My mission is simple:
To help women feel strong, clear-headed, confident, and truly at home in their bodies again.
Why Perimenopause Is a Turning Point
Perimenopause (the years leading up to menopause) is a time of massive hormonal shifts. These shifts can affect sleep, energy, mood, digestion, metabolism, and even relationships. But here’s the good news: when you work with your body instead of against it, these years can become a powerful season of renewal and growth.
Instead of fighting symptoms, I guide my clients in understanding their bodies and using science-backed strategies to restore balance.
My Top 10 Tools for Perimenopause Wellness
Here are the pillars I lean on—both personally and with my clients:
Prioritize Protein – Adequate protein stabilizes blood sugar, supports muscle, and balances mood.
Strength Training – Two sessions per week helps preserve bone density and lean muscle.
Daily Movement – Walks, yoga, or even “exercise snacks” keep energy up and stress down.
Nourishing Sleep Rituals – Creating bedtime routines and optimizing sleep environment can be life-changing.
Blood Sugar Balance – Eating within 30 minutes of waking and avoiding long fasts helps regulate energy and hormones.
Stress Resilience Practices – Breathwork, journaling, or even 5 minutes of mindfulness calm the nervous system.
Gut Health Support – Fiber, probiotics, and reducing processed foods help hormones metabolize properly.
Smart Supplementation – Using targeted tools like adaptogens, magnesium, and clinically studied activators (such as Nrf2) for oxidative stress.
Hydration & Electrolytes – Supporting energy, cognition, and cellular function with proper fluids.
Community & Accountability – Healing is easier (and more joyful) when you’re not doing it alone.
What This Means for You
Whether you’re dealing with hot flashes, brain fog, stubborn weight changes, or just feeling “off,” know this: you’re not broken, and you’re not alone.
At Flow State Health, I’ll be bringing personalized coaching, functional lab testing, and practical tools that cut through the noise to help you feel your best. Together, we’ll create a plan that saves you time, energy, and guesswork—so you can get back to living fully.
Let’s Connect
If this resonates with you, I’d love to meet you. Stop by Flow State Health, reach out directly, or follow along for tips and support!
Perimenopause is a natural transition, but that doesn’t mean you have to struggle through it. My coaching is designed to help you uncover the root causes of symptoms like poor sleep, weight gain, low mood, and fatigue so you can feel vibrant again. I’d love to connect with you — whether at our upcoming Ladies Night at Flow State Holistic Health or through a free consult. You’re not alone, and support is here when you’re ready.
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