Cycling through Menopause Reflections from Aneela McKenna
Aneela McKenna is a mountain bike guide and coach, co-founder of the Scottish Charitable Organisation FNY Collective which supports women’s participation in cycling, and the founder of Mòr Diversity a specialist Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Anti-Racism consultancy working at the intersection of people, systems and communities.
In this article Aneela shares an insight into her journey with perimenopause and the role that cycling has played.
Where do I even begin? The last few years have been a journey of profound change, one I wasn't prepared for at all. There were no warnings, no signals, no alerts to tell me I was going through a massive life transition. Instead, my body was simply telling me it was broken, and I didn't know how to fix it.
What is the perimenopause?
"Broken" is once how I would have described perimenopause. But as I began to navigate its fascinating landscape and shifting hormones, I started to see it differently, not as an end point, but as an opportunity to redefine what strength and vitality meant to me.
Let's demystify perimenopause. While menopause, the cessation of periods for 12 consecutive months, is widely discussed, the real adventure often begins beforehand. Imagine your teenage years, a time of immense physical and emotional change as your body prepared for adulthood. Perimenopause is similar; it's your body's intelligent preparation for menopause, a transition where hormones naturally fluctuate, influencing your mood, body shape, energy, and even your perceived capacity for life.
My own journey has been a rollercoaster, one I now embrace with humour and openness. It started subtly on a group ride, as every pedal stroke seemed to get harder, slowly pulling me to the back of the group. Knowing my usual fitness, I was confused. Was I just having an off day? Has everyone else suddenly become super-fit? This feeling of a heavy, power-sapping pedal stroke began to recur, raising serious questions about my capabilities.
Other things were happening, too. My previously non-existent period turned into a nightmare, with heavy bleeding happening unexpectedly at the worst possible times like at the start of a bike ride or just before giving a presentation. Then, overnight, I felt old. I don't know how else to say it. My hair had turned grey, those "rebel" hairs appearing from nowhere, and my body shape felt like it had changed. Not only was I feeling sluggish, but I also found myself less comfortable with my reflection. I'd always seen myself as naturally lean, so the body shape changes were a real adjustment. This, understandably, impacted my confidence. I felt a little low, not depressed, but certainly overwhelmed, attributing these changes to simply "getting older."
Finding support in community
The turning point arrived during a ride when I cautiously opened up about how I was feeling. This sparked a conversation about perimenopause. Hearing other women describe similar experiences, sluggishness, a lack of motivation, that missing "get up and go" was incredibly validating.
We began discussing Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), a treatment that replenishes those fluctuating hormones. That’s when my HRT journey began, an interesting and often self-directed path of research, dosage adjustments, and finding the right balance. Each tweak meant my hormones would recalibrate, sometimes feeling like starting over, but eventually, I found the right balance that also came with crucial lifestyle changes.
Developing new perspectives
If you'd asked my younger self if I'd be doing weights at 50, she would have just laughed. All my life, I've strived for thinness, even when I know it’s wrong (it’s come from my teenage years). This focus on appearance, how I looked, what I wore, how attractive I felt really messed up my teenage years. But fast forward to this stage of life, and lifting weights has given me a new lease on life, challenging those old norms of thinness and celebrating strength. It's incredible how a bit of weight training can make you feel strong inside and out. I'm in a great place now and love that strength has replaced thinness as my main goal. It makes you feel powerful and feel like you can conquer anything.
So where does the healthcare system fit into all of this? Well, it should be at the centre of these conversations, but sadly, it wasn't for me. If it wasn't for that bike ride, I wouldn't have had the stepping stone to reach out to my GP. I'm lucky that my support has been positive, but while the world is getting to grips of what the perimenopause is, there's still a clear need for greater awareness and accessible support. It often falls to us, as individuals, to research and advocate for our own needs.
A significant part of my own journey has been the magic ingredient of testosterone, though accessing it remains an uphill battle. A persistent gender bias in the system makes testosterone feel protected, as if prescribing it might somehow destroy femininity or disrupt traditional power dynamics around what is perceived as masculine and feminine. Getting what works for our bodies shouldn't be a fight. Not everyone has the strength or capacity to constantly push back and access the support and care they deserve.
Looking forward
Despite the initial hurdles, this process has brought a profound sense of renewal. The connection forged through cycling and its vibrant community has been my lifeline, reminding me I'm not alone. This community has encouraged me to embrace my new me, to understand that beauty isn't merely about outward appearance but about how we feel from within, a powerful discovery, and the exact opposite of the life change as a teenager when appearance was everything.
I've made conscious changes: adjusting my diet, incorporating more resistance training to build muscle mass and bone density, cold water plunges, and taking a range of vitamins. These small, consistent steps have made a significant difference. But the most important element has been staying on my bike, continuing these vital conversations, and building a perimenopause community. This enables others to see that with the right information and support, this significant life transition can be an exciting journey, not one to dread.
That’s why we’re launching Menopause Cafe Rides through The FNY Collective, a women’s mountain bike charity I am co-founder of, supported by recent grant funding. My hope is that we can keep these conversations going for anyone who feels as confused as I was during those early days back when I could barely turn a pedal on my bike.
A few years on, it’s finally okay to look in the mirror, see a new version of myself, and step into this stage of life with pride. My body was never broken, and I was never falling apart. I was simply getting ready for the greatest life adventure yet
Advice for perimenopause
If you are about to embark on your own perimenopausal journey, consider sharing your experiences with others. You’ll soon discover that you are not alone. Be proactive in your healthcare, keep moving, get outside, engage in weight training, and seek out a supportive community that listens and uplifts you. By embracing these steps, you can transform what may seem like a daunting challenge into a vibrant and empowering new chapter in your life, that brings with it strength, connection, and renewal.
If you’d like to find out more about Aneela and follow her work you can find her on instagram @aneela_mckenna or on LinkedIn @AneelaMcKenna.
