A Conversation With Angela Wilkins-Green
Navigating Perimenopause, Identity Shifts, and Feeling Heard
In this informal conversation, I am joined by mindset and menopause coach Angela Wilkins-Green of Green Path Coaching to explore where their work overlaps and why lived experience can be such a powerful part of coaching.
Angela shares how her own perimenopause began at 42, why the psychological symptoms (anxiety, loss of confidence and self-belief) caught her off guard, and how she now supports women to understand what’s happening and create an action plan that feels right for them.
Together, we talk about the growing crossover between returning to work and perimenopause, especially as more women are having children later, and the damage caused by the “just get on with it” narrative. We also discuss the role of empathy, creating a safe and trusted space, the pressure of comparison and “should” thinking, and how community and group support can help women feel less alone.
Angela can be found on LinkedIn and at greenpathcoaching.com.
A written case study – Navigating perimenopause, identity shifts, and feeling heard.
Angela’s journey into coaching was deeply personal.
After experiencing perimenopause symptoms herself in her early forties, she became increasingly aware of how many women were struggling silently, often feeling misunderstood, dismissed, or unsure where to turn for support.
Alongside building her coaching business, Angela recognised the emotional complexity many women were carrying:
- Loss of confidence
- Feeling disconnected from themselves
- Navigating changing identities
- Balancing work, relationships, parenting, and wellbeing
- Feeling unheard or unsupported during major life transitions
At the same time, Angela was also navigating personal grief and supporting family members through loss, reinforcing just how important emotional support and safe conversations can be during difficult periods of life.
The Support
Angela’s work focuses on creating supportive, non-judgemental spaces where women feel genuinely heard and understood.
Her coaching approach combines:
- One-to-one coaching support
- Symptom awareness and reflection
- Mindset and emotional wellbeing support
- Practical conversations around lifestyle and personal needs
- Community and connection with others experiencing similar challenges
A key part of Angela’s approach is the value of lived experience.
Rather than positioning herself as someone with all the answers, she creates space for honest conversations, helping clients feel less alone in what they are experiencing.
The Turning Point
Throughout the conversation, a recurring theme emerged around the power of being truly listened to.
Angela highlighted how many women simply need:
- Permission to talk openly
- Space without judgement
- Validation that what they are experiencing is real
- Support to reconnect with themselves and their needs
For many clients, this creates a significant emotional shift:
From:
- Feeling isolated
- Masking struggles
- Questioning themselves
To:
- Feeling understood
- More self-aware
- More confident in advocating for themselves
- Better able to make informed and intentional decisions
“Sometimes people don’t need fixing or advising — they just need space to be heard and understood.”
Angela Wilkins-Green, Green Path Coaching
The Impact
1. Increased self-awareness and confidence
Clients develop a stronger understanding of:
- Their symptoms
- Their emotional responses
- Their personal needs and boundaries
This allows them to move forward with greater clarity and self-trust.
2. Feeling less alone
A significant part of the impact comes from clients realising their experiences are shared by others.
Creating opportunities for open conversation and community support helps reduce shame, isolation, and self-doubt.
3. More sustainable wellbeing
Rather than simply “pushing through,” clients begin developing more sustainable approaches to work, relationships, and self-care by:
- Understanding their capacity
- Recognising triggers and stressors
- Making more intentional choices
- Prioritising their wellbeing without guilt
4. Creating psychologically safe spaces
Angela’s coaching emphasises emotional safety and empathy.
Clients are encouraged to speak honestly without fear of judgement, allowing deeper reflection and more meaningful progress.
Why Lived Experience Matters
A key theme explored was the importance of shared understanding within coaching relationships.
For many women, working with someone who has personally experienced:
- Perimenopause
- Menopause
- Parenthood
- Career transitions
- Identity shifts
Can help build trust, rapport, and emotional safety more quickly.
Angela and Laura discussed how lived experience can help clients feel:
- Seen
- Understood
- Less self-conscious about what they are experiencing
While still maintaining professional coaching boundaries and support.
Client reflection
“Sometimes people don’t need fixing or advising — they just need space to be heard and understood.”
“The power of feeling safe enough to talk openly can make an enormous difference.”
Key Takeaway
Perimenopause and menopause are not simply physical transitions — they can impact confidence, identity, relationships, work, and emotional wellbeing.
With the right support, women can move from simply coping to:
- Feeling understood
- Rebuilding confidence
- Making more intentional choices
- Creating more sustainable ways of living and working
If you’re navigating perimenopause or menopause and looking for supportive, empathetic coaching, or you’re an organisation wanting to better support women in the workplace, Angela would love to hear from you.
