Meet Your Coach
A Little Bit About Me...
Hi, I’m Valerie Ritchie – Advocate, Coach, and champion for women navigating the emotional chaos of midlife.
I work with professional women to help them reconnect with their true selves, embrace change, and align with the natural cycles of their body, by stepping into their divine feminine power.
Reaching 40 was a milestone I celebrated. I was determined to live life with purpose. But, as we know, life rarely follows a straight A–Z path.
Not long after meeting my now-former partner Andy, the path shifted.
That shift? Menopause.
Early 40s. Boom. Meno.
Being told I was post-menopausal came as a devastating blow. For both of us.
It meant letting go of the dream of having a child together – and with that came a wave of emotions:
Anger. Frustration. Blame. Despair. Loss. Realisation. Grief.
Though I was supported, I still found myself asking:
"What now?"
"Who am I?"
"Is this really it?"
Chaos to Harmony
I began opening up.
Through coaching, reflection, and acceptance – and drawing on my experience as an educator and lifelong learner – I started my transformation.
Let me be honest: transformation isn’t easy. It’s not a destination. It’s a journey rooted in belief.
My belief.
Your belief.
It took time. I moved through different stages:
DENIAL – dwelling on the past, struggling to let go
RESISTANCE – anger, anxiety, blame, depression
EXPLORATION – confusion, guilt, chaos, bursts of energy, but little focus
COMMITMENT – finding support, setting long-term goals, accepting my new reality
We’re all different, so the process looks different for everyone.
But for many women, it’s the same internal whisper:
“There’s something more.”
Menopause and Midlife
And just when I thought I had enough on my plate... midlife hit.
When did that happen? And what did I even know about menopause?
Hot flushes, night sweats, belly fat, mood swings... right?
But no. I mean – NO.
It was so much more than that.
The Realities of Chaos
|
(In)Sanity - brain fog, weepy for no reason, frustration, dipping confidence, don't know what i'm doing want, I'm not good enough, feeling old. Relationships - annoying, defensive, lower toleration levels, stress, loss of identity, fear of change, imposter syndrome, reducing circle of friends, divorce. Physical - low energy, low libido, fatigue, reduced recovery, injuries (dodgy knees), migraines, appetite fluctuations, reduced muscle tone and an increasing waist line, can't be bothered. External - ageing parents, death, job security, age comparisons, (at least I didn't have to go through empty nest syndrome). |
Is This You Too?
For me, surgical menopause and HRT patches helped.
But what if you’re not sure what’s going on?
What does menopause look like for you?
Do you even know?
Do you want to know?
And as for midlife...
Isn’t 50 the new 40?
Or is this the part where we say “back in my day”?
You have to laugh. Or cry. Or both.
Your Midlife, Your Way
So let me ask you:
How do YOU want to live your midlife?
Harmony
When we understand not just the physical but also the emotional changes we're going through, menopause and midlife can become the start of a liberating new chapter.
Transformation is a portal, an adventure waiting to unfold.
A chance to let go of what no longer serves us and rediscover the parts of ourselves we’ve lost along the way.
I asked myself:
“What do I really want to do?”
And the answer was this:
To use the skills I developed over 30+ years in education, to now support women facing the same midlife questions I once asked.
Why I Do What I Do
I rewired my mindset.
I replaced obstacles with opportunities.
I aligned my feminine and masculine energies.
I reclaimed control — and trained as a coach.
Now, I use the tools, strategies and coaching programmes I’ve developed to support women like you.
Together, we work through self-awareness, new discoveries, and meaningful action — always with purpose, passion, and identity at the centre.
What It’s Like to Work With Me
I’m calm, warm, and friendly — but I’m also focused, disciplined, and dedicated.
You’ll feel supported, heard, and seen — always knowing that I’ve got your back.
A Bit About My Background
MSc in Health Sciences
BSc in Exercise and Health Sciences – University of Salford
Certified Personal Performance Coach – The Coaching Academy
And when I’m not coaching?
You’ll find me playing Masters Basketball (knees permitting!) or reflecting on my time as an elite GB powerlifter, having represented Great Britain in two World Masters Powerlifting Championships, bringing home silver twice in my weight category.
(A little boast – but I earned it 😉)
I would LOVE to work with YOU.
Take that first step.
Let’s discover your Inner Crone Goddess together.
Valerie x
