Today we’d like to introduce you to Diesta Goldsmith

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

My story is one of feeling insignificant in my youth. I grew up in a suburb of Seattle Washington as an only child in an all-white neighborhood.

I had a pretty good childhood but saw a lot of abuse in the home.
Back in those days, you didn’t talk about it. You went to church and put a smile on your face. My mother was abused by my father. He really didn’t know how to love. I understand it now as I am older.

I graduated with a very high GPA. I enrolled in a Christian college in Oklahoma and graduated with a degree in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics. I was a collegiate cheerleader for 3 years. Upon graduating, I returned to Seattle and was hired by the Boeing Company. In the evenings, I started teaching group fitness classes.

When COVID hit (don’t we all say that now?) and the gym’s closed, I knew I still wanted to be a part of fitness. I acquired a coaching certification with the American Council of Exercise and decided to become a menopause wellness coach. I love, love, love supporting women through menopause because of the very difficult time I experienced. (more to come)

Presently, I still coach and speak at various public events. I am also a director at Oliver Wyman Vector (a system and software consulting firm).

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

It has not been a smooth road but I’m grateful for the journey. I have to admit that although I went to college and achieved a Computer Science degree, I wasn’t a very good student. I had little confidence in my software coding abilities, and it was my fault.

I was always afraid to ask questions in class. I felt intimidated. I felt small and embarrassed. I was usually one of the only females in class and a person of color.

When I landed the job at a major defense company, I realized one thing. I had to apply myself 100% to master software development and that I did. I took courses and discovered that I did not care what others thought. I had to learn.

I was given the opportunity to write a large software upgrade for the NASA astronauts to use in orbit. I was responsible for commands from the Space Shuttle to our IUS (Inertial Upper Stage) rocket booster. During the mission, I heard the astronauts perform the steps to activate my code.

This moment was one of the happiest of my tech career. It made me realize that you can accomplish anything you set your mind too. You can’t be so proud that you never ask for help. It’s the humble that get the help.

This experience helped build my confidence in starting my own menopause wellness coaching business.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Vision UP Health and Wellness Coaching LLC?

I help women balance their hormones, get in shape and have a positive menopause experience. I did share with you that I taught group fitness but what I didn’t tell you was when I had my second child, I quit my job. I did not want to put them both in childcare. So, I took a leave of absence that ended up being 7 years.

During that time, I competed in 3 body building competitions at the age of 43, while going through perimenopause. I suffered from severe hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, and other symptoms. It wasn’t until a friend (who saw me sweating at social event), said to me, “Ain’t there drugs for that?” She said it just like that (smile).

I finally made an appointment to see my doctor. She put me on a low dosage of hormone replacement therapy. (estrogen, micronized progesterone, with a little bit of testosterone)

CHANGED MY LIFE!!! No wait. I have to say that twice…Freakin’ changed my life.

What sets me apart as a menopause wellness coach is that my fitness background along with specializing in menopause, helps me relate to so many women in this transition. I have completed Dr. Stacy Sims Menopause for Athletes certification along with studying all things menopause.

I offer various coaching packages which can be tailored for my client’s needs. My expertise provides guidance on nutrition, exercise, protein needs, along with accountability and motivation. I also have my own fitness app that I use with my clients. The age of my clients ranges from late 30’s to late 60’s.

Menopause can be hard but with the right knowledge and support, you can Master your Menopause. I offer a free PDF and download called “Master your Menopause in Five Days.” You can find it on my website at www.visionupwellness.com/fivedays

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?

Menopause used to be a taboo subject.

My mother never talked to me about menopause, and she had a terrible time going through it. In the last few years, Hallie Berry spoke out about menopause along with Oprah and many other celebrities. The amount of menopause products with adaptogens (natural herbs) has become a billion-dollar industry. It’s taking off!

The trends I see are that more women are speaking up about their workplace conditions and the level of education is on the rise. I have been honored to present at company “Lunch and Learn” events. I believe menopause discussions will be more prevalent in the years to come.

My hope is that the biggest shift will be that more doctors and women will be educated about Menopause Hormone Therapy (M.H.T.) (which can be prescription or natural remedies).

One study by S.W.A.N. (Study of Women Across the Nation) revealed that only 7% had discussions with their doctor about Menopause. Also, the same study showed that Women of color (Black and Latino) suffer more than our White sisters do with hot flashes, and longer menopause transition. Another study by PubMed Central (2022), echoed the same disparities.

Menopause, while challenging for some, is to be embraced because you lived long enough to experience it.
If I could leave you with one thing it would be there. How you age and how you think about aging is up to you.
Aging is 75% environmental and 25% genetic.
No one can exercise for you. No one can eat right for you. No one can get the right amount of sleep for you. It’s got to be you.
Make up your mind to age gracefully with style and humor.
“My mission is life is not to merely survive; but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style.”
~ Maya Angelou
Thanks for reading this article & Stay Positively Menopause,
Coach Diesta Goldsmith

Pricing:

• Wellness Fitness app: 15.00 a month
• 12 week Get Fit Program: 1500.00
• Nutrition and coaching consult: free

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.visionupwellness.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/positivelymenopause
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/positivelymenopause
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/269988710681507