Julie Ann Garrido
Julie Ann Garrido tells us that, “After menopause completely disrupted my life, I turned to yoga and found a natural solution that restored my energy, confidence, and wellbeing.
Determined to help other women, I became a yoga teacher and one of only 700 yoga teachers worldwide certified in menopause yoga. I help women manage their menopause and alleviate symptoms with yoga, meditation, and mindset.
I created My Menopause Yoga Journey, an online membership that brings affordable, beginner-friendly yoga for menopause directly to their home.
Every October, I proudly offer a FREE 31-day yoga challenge for World Menopause Awareness Month to encourage women to try yoga.”
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your Entrepreneur journey/venture/initiative.
From the age of 27, I successfully ran my own marketing and PR company until menopause completely disrupted my life. I sold this company and at the age of 53, I discovered yoga and a new business opportunity arose.
After studying business at university, it was always my intention to run my own business and I’m grateful for not one, but two opportunities to do so. My current business is extremely fulfilling as it helps women improve their wellbeing and change their lives for the better.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
Realising the amazing impact that yoga had on my own menopause symptoms gave me the insight I needed to create my business. Despite there being very few companies specialising in this area, it did not deter me. My passion to help menopausal women worldwide discover the power of yoga is what drives me forward.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
My passion is to help menopausal women worldwide discover the power of yoga in helping their menopause symptoms and improving their wellbeing. My online membership, My Menopause Yoga Journey, gives them the tools to incorporate yoga and other natural solutions into their life. The results that these women experience is incredible and further proof that it works. They regain confidence, fitness, energy, and rediscover the person they used to be.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
Running a PR business for 30 years from the age of 27, speaking three languages, and teaching myself to play guitar.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
To see young girls being educated about more menopause so they know what to expect when they reach that stage, and for doctors to understand the power of yoga for menopause. Not every woman wants to take medication, they need to be offered alternative options.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
I fully support women in leadership roles but feel they need to be the driving force behind menopause initiatives in the workplace. Women struggle with menopause at work, and many have to quit their roles because of debilitating symptoms. Women leaders can play a key role in breaking the taboo of menopause and provide more help in the workplace.
What would you want to say to our young leaders/audience reading this?
Whether male or female, we all need to understand and show our support for menopause. It affects everyone, not just the women going through this difficult transition. Work is not separate from our health. The workplace will be a more productive environment when women are better supported.