Woman Creates Community to Empower Mid-Life Women
A woman who set out to try 50 new experiences before turning 50 is now fostering a community aimed at transforming women's perspectives on mid-life.
Lisa de-Laune undertook activities such as meditation, solo travel, learning salsa dancing, and eating oysters as part of her personal journey to "take back control" during challenging times.
Her challenges included undergoing a hysterectomy that induced menopause, coping with a divorce, and managing endometriosis.
Women In Wellness Network Established
Now aged 52 and based in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, De-Laune has founded Women In Wellness, a support network that meets monthly. The group welcomes women working within the wellness sector as well as those interested in their own wellbeing.
The initial three sessions are set to address topics such as menopause and endometriosis.
Member Amy Haynes, 39, from North Somerset, described the group as a "positive" space where she can openly express when she is "actually, I'm not OK."
Personal Journey and Motivation
De-Laune reflected on her experiences leading up to turning 50, stating:
"I was going through all of these physical issues around health, all of the worries with separation and changing jobs."
"It was hard, there was a lot of uncertainty. [But] I was determined to not look at it in that negative way."
"I wanted to go into that period of my life in a positive way and take back control."
After completing her challenge of trying 50 new things, her outlook on middle age shifted.
Previously, she had worked in corporate roles including risk compliance and health and safety.
She recognized a desire to inspire other women to shift their mindset and prioritize wellbeing.
Launching Fifty Firsts Wellness
Alongside the Women In Wellness network, De-Laune launched Fifty Firsts Wellness, a business offering coaching, training sessions, and workshops.
"The whole turmoil at that time, now that I've reflected, feels like an opportunity that was handed to me," she added.
Positive Impact on Members
Haynes, a member of Women In Wellness, shared the network's beneficial effect on her life:
"Women sometimes can get a bit forgotten, like wellness is not something I'd massively thought about."
"It's given me more confidence to think about myself."
"I now think about my wellness more and don't plough everything I have into my family."
Upcoming Event
De-Laune is organizing a free virtual Women In Wellness network event for participants in the South West and Wales on 21 April.
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