Hello, I'm Alison

I love summer, the sea, and watching the sky. I love archery, dancing and singing, often badly. I’m a fair-weather gardener who’d rather walk than cycle, and life is far too short to eat food I don’t enjoy.

Before SheVive, I spent more than 20 years teaching science. I loved helping students understand complicated things. Those lightbulb moments brought me joy.

Then, in my early forties, things began to change.

When things began to change

I developed anxiety for no apparent reason. I lost words and drew blanks in the classroom. I experienced frightening electric shock-like sensations through my body and inside my head.

I genuinely believed I was seriously ill or losing my mind.

I spoke briefly to a doctor and was prescribed antidepressants, but he didn’t ask about my cycles, sleep, brain fog, other symptoms or family history.

Perimenopause was not mentioned.

I’d heard of menopause, but not perimenopause. It made me picture a much older woman. Yet I was undergoing fertility treatment and desperately trying to become a mother.

Finding my way

With my background in science, personal training, sports coaching and Pilates, I wanted to understand more.

Through lockdown, a high-risk pregnancy and maternity leave, I continued studying and completed an MSc in Clinical Nutrition with Distinction. I also became a Registered Associate Nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition.

At 49, I had my miracle.

My miracle — and the return of exhaustion

I later returned to teaching, excited to be back. But exhaustion gradually began shrinking my life again.

I could keep working, parenting and managing the essentials, but there was less of me available for my daughter, relationships, interests and the life I wanted to enjoy.

Knowing what might help wasn’t enough. I needed the energy, steadiness, confidence and head space to act on that knowledge.

I needed to rebuild my capacity.

That understanding became central to SheVive.

Why SheVive exists

Today, I bring together clear science, reassurance, lived experience, nervous system support, smarter energy management, realistic nutrition and restorative movement.

I turn evidence-informed strategies into small, practical steps that fit into real life, and combine one-to-one guidance with the support of a small community of women who get it.

I created the kind of support I wish had been available when I was frightened, confused, exhausted and trying to work everything out alone.

How I believe perimenopause can be approached

I believe perimenopause can be an opportunity to pause, reassess and discover what genuinely supports you.

But before we ask more of ourselves, we need to restore calm and rebuild capacity.