We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Trudi Roscouet a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Trudi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

In 2010 I changed my career direction – one from the 9-5 financial sector to the fitness industry. I went to the UK to qualify as a Level 3 PT on a 3 week residential course. I was 45 and already had an understanding of what my specialism would be. I came back to Jersey, Channel Islands and took on my first job managing a local gym. I soon realized that my passion was womens health and fitness, which, in turn, leads to children’s fitness and obesity. However, never did I ever understand the word MENOPAUSE. Some of my clients were in their 50s and seemed to have problems in losing weight. I believed it was just because they “weren’t doing what they were told”!

Roll on to 2019, Im on my way to start a new life in Spain. I go to the doctor for my normal routine thyroid test – and was told ive got good news and bad news! You are not diabetic but you are going through the menopause! I was like WHAT IS THAT? No idea what it meant or what the next few years had in store for me!

The next thing that happens is Covid.. We are locked in and down in Spain and by then my weight had escalated. At this point I took this time to study everything I could about menopause weight gain, From that point Vitality40Plus was born and The Mission was created.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As mentioned, this started off as a weight loss solution for menopausal women. I would be very rich now if I had taken USD1 from every women who has come to me and said she has put weight on during this time! I too had gained weight so it was imperative that this plan worked. My exercise regime had to change also. No more excessive cardio for example. Stress levels were through the roof, both for financial and the fact we could not return to my boys. All of this was taking a toll on my health.

I returned in December 2020 and for the next few months, I worked on THE MISSION. A plan that would become online to help women understand their body. I had returned to finance and they asked me to present on the menopause. This was in March 2021 and that was pivotal to starting my journey on the corporate educational path. I now present in various jurisdictions, both online and in person, talking to men and women about the menopause and its various stages. I explain how symptoms can affect women in the workforce and how we can now reduce the gender pay gap circa 50-year-olds. I have a suite of corporate training sessions for all size companies and charities.

I work with Governments to help them understand how important womens health strategies and policy is so important.

I collaborate with menopause GP specialists and gynaecologists to bring together Forums for women to come and find out more – both from a medical and holistic lifestyle practice.

In March 2023, on International Womens day I was given an award for my work in this space.

I now write for journals, “Menopause Matters”, the leading Menopause magazine regularly and now looking to write my first book “The Menopause Body”.

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

Becoming self-employed is probably one of the most challenging things you can ever do. Leaving behind the financial security, working on your own day in and day out, seemingly not much work/life balance but the idea of #followyourpassion never leaves me. When I stand in a room and talk about menopause and see womens faces change, or men going back to their partners saying you need to go to see a doctor, I know I am doing the right thing. I drop in and out of finance to ensure taxes are paid, but I know my heart lies in wellbeing. I am just finishing off a Diploma in Public Health and Wellbeing Improvement which has seen me coaching staff. This has seen my area of menopause expand as we understand that many past traumas are hidden, and sometimes resurface at this time.

Resilience is about strength and never giving up. Staying true to my passion and my dream of helping women.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Its strange to think that I wanted to become a police officer or work in the social/probation sector but due to health reasons (stress induced) I had to change direction and ended up in finance. I knew I wanted to be an educator so I qualified in my adult teaching diploma before heading into the health and fitness sector. The only reason I fall back into finance is for money. Would I do the same again? Hmmm forensic psychology was always an interest; I studied Sociology A Level in my spare time when i was younger and I loved it. Roll on 30 years, and I tend to use many of my experiences in being able to empathise with clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vitality40plus.com
• Instagram: vitality40plus
• Facebook: Vitality40Plus
• Linkedin: Trudi (Kelly) Roscouet
• Twitter: @RoscouetTrudi

Image Credits
(@OliverDoran)