I had a life changing conversation with Jenn O’Connor last summer, which resulted in me developing clear, powerful, and sustainable habits to build my new menopause body. Prior to that, I had been in surgical menopause since I was 42 (now 46) and was struggling in several areas of my life. Until our conversation, I had been overwhelmed with information about hormone support, nutrition, and exercise. I could not find a provider to synthesize everything I was hearing and experiencing. I felt deflated and lamented about how my body was unrecognizable to me. I did not receive hormone support directly after my ovary removal, but rather there was an eight-month delay. Once I did start a low dose of estrogen, it helped with some joint pain, muscle pain, brain fog and hair loss, but the athlete in me was long gone.
Jenn quickly recognized that my estrogen dose was low and suggested I discuss it with my prescriber, which I did. After adjusting my HRT, the veil lifted and I suddenly realized I felt more like myself. My energy felt familiar, my outlook on day to day life felt more normal and, most importantly, my capacity to cope with life expanded.
Jenn also shared resources, evidence-based recommendations, and part of her own health journey. Her approach helped me build a team of aligned health professionals who understand who I am, what I need, what I lost, and what I could look forward to. Physically, I have gained muscle, my athletic performance has improved and my overall existence has become much more fluid. My machine is undeniably different than it was before my ovaries were removed, but I have enjoyed inhabiting this body more in the past year since my conversation with Jenn, than I had in the four years prior.
I recently met up with Jenn in a post-ride parking lot. I shared with her the incredible impact of our talk last summer, as my Strava loaded new PRs for the ride we had just completed (which was the strongest I’ve ridden in a looooong time)!
Anyone who talks to me about menopause will hear powerful pearls of wisdom that Jenn shared with me, as well as the validation, hope, clarity, and transformation that I experienced. The ripple effect of her knowledge, passion, and guidance have profoundly impacted my life and I am so grateful to have Jenn on my team!
—Pamela Robichaud, DPT, Co-Director of The Ranger, Vermont’s Gravel Enduro
SUccess stories
Menopause Transformation
Weight Loss, Mindfulness & Agency
“My experience working with Jenn O'Connor has been fabulously rewarding and successful. I have struggled with weight issues all my life, and I was really sick of trying and failing or succeeding only to slip back into old habits. Finally I threatened myself that I would spend the huge amount of money on weight loss drugs if my last-ditch effort to find effective support for some major changes did not work. That was the moment I found Jenn. She helped me clarify my goals and make realistic, doable plans for meeting them, and then provided coaching support as I put my plans into action. I knew intellectually what mindfulness was all about, but Jenn supported me in figuring out how to use mindfulness as a way to change my relationship with food that wasn't about deprivation, but about celebration. I am amazed at how successful my work with her has been in a very short time. I cannot say enough about how highly I recommend her to anyone who is seeking to make personal change.” —DEENA F. Burlington, VT
Lea Davison, MTB World Championships, 2014
Jenn, an essential part of my support crew
“I underwent hip surgery in January 2014 and came back for the second half of the 2014 mountain bike world cup season. It took a crew of people to get me from crutches to the 2014 World Championship podium, and Jenn O' Connor was an essential part of my support crew. In a normal season, I push my body hard, and I need a lot of body work to recover, to race at the highest level, and to prevent injuries. In this comeback season, bodywork was even more crucial. Jenn's massage helped me recover and return to racing my best season yet.”
—Lea Davison, 2x Olympian, mom and advocate, Sunderland, VT
Jenn with USA Triathlon Team & Staff, Tokyo Olympics 2021
Relationships & Transformation
“I had a transformative experience working with Jenn. She held incredible space for me and helped me clarify that I wanted to focus coaching on my relationships with myself and others, which has been remarkable toward building community and self-trust. She also shared several mindfulness exercises that I use most days. I see the positive results in my life in surprising ways and I can’t wait to continue this journey!”
— SF, VT
Insight & Confidence
“Jenn was a wonderful coach! Her skills, compassion, and insight made me feel comfortable and allowed me to make some significant changes in my life. I loved my coaching journey, it gave me confidence again.”
— Holly, VT
Exercise Plan & Stress Management
“Jenn’s coaching style immediately put me at ease. She asked insightful questions, which helped me feel seen and heard. This allowed me to take meaningful action toward my goals around consistent exercise and stress management. I truly appreciated this support, especially while juggling a very full life with my career, family and friends! I highly recommend working with Jenn!”
—LANE, Tampa, FL
