We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nadine Abou Zahr. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nadine below.

Alright, Nadine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I wrote Menopostal because I wanted women going through menopause to feel a sense of belonging. I wanted to assure them that they weren’t mad and that they weren’t alone—something I personally experienced over a decade ago when I menopaused at age 42. The only way I knew to achieve that was through a little dose of sarcasm and a generous dose of humor.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Although I was born in Lebanon, I never lived there. Instead, I spent my formative years in Switzerland, which feels like home to me, and have since lived in Paris, Cairo, and Abu Dhabi. Growing up at home, we spoke primarily French with a little Arabic. English was the language of work and social interactions.
This blend of influences created a unique, multicultural environment and provided me with great adaptability and unique curiosity about the world.

I grew up in a family deeply rooted in publishing and journalism, so it was almost inevitable that I would gravitate towards a career in journalism and develop a passion for words. For decades, my siblings, father, and I operated a media company in the Middle East. I launched and managed a fashion and lifestyle magazine for over ten years, which was a truly rewarding experience.

Eight years ago, I transitioned into the role of an eating disorder recovery coach. Having personally navigated and overcome an eating disorder, I felt a strong and genuine desire to help others facing similar challenges. Over time, my focus expanded to address a broader range of women’s issues, and today, I am dedicated to helping women achieve not necessarily the best version of themselves—since we are all works in progress as long as we live—but rather their most comfortable selves. A version of themselves they genuinely accept and love. This work is immensely fulfilling. I have learned so much from all these incredible women I have met through my coaching.

As for my other passion, although I moved away from the publishing industry years ago, my love for words has remained intact. I always dedicated an hour or two every morning to my writing. I cannot start my day without this ritual.

So, this little book, Menopostal was a fortunate fusion of two passions.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I’m often described as a resilient person. I’ve been making lemonade for a long time!
Resilience, of course, is about bouncing back from adversity. But what often goes unspoken are the inexorable tears, the vulnerability, the doubts, the self-pity, the fleeting moments of hopelessness that accompany the journey.
If I’ve learned anything from my experience, it’s that resilience comes at a price, and discomfort is an unavoidable part of the journey. There is no way around it.

A little like visiting the dentist to address a toothache. No one enjoys the visit, but it’s prerequisite if you want to heal.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I’ve built my clientele through word of mouth, and I am very grateful about that.
As a certified introvert, I’ve also been hesitant about establishing a social media presence.
For me, staying authentic and true to myself has been my main priority.

It’s actually a bit ironic because I spent 3 years working as a free-lance social media specialist. I guess “the cobbler’s children have no shoes.” still…
My own social media presence is admittedly a bit embarrassing.
But rest assured, I am actively working on improving it!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @itsnadine.az
• Facebook: Nadine A. Zahr
• Twitter: @nadine_az3

Image Credits

Images are all mine