Regaining energy: How Bea beat brain fog and fatigue at work with the Hello Inside Menopause program
Hello Bea, thank you for taking the time for this interview. You're a project manager at a technical company in Stuttgart. When did you first notice that something was changing?
Bea: "The first thing I noticed was that I simply didn't feel as fresh in the morning as I used to. I used to get up, have a quick breakfast, and be able to start the day right away. But suddenly, it was as if I had to fight through a fog. This brain fog (I only learned the term in the program) was incredibly debilitating. It was as if I couldn't concentrate on anything properly anymore, and my thoughts were sluggish. I would often sit in front of my computer for minutes without knowing what I wanted to do. That was really frightening, especially in my job, which requires quick decisions and precision."
Can you describe a specific situation in which you felt this brain fog particularly clearly?
Bea: "Yes, I remember a meeting where I was supposed to give a steering meeting presentation for a critical project. I usually prepare well, but that day I kept losing track mid-sentence during the presentation. I just couldn't remember what I wanted to say next, and I wasn't nervous, nor am I actually bad at presentations. My colleagues looked at me expectantly, but my mind was just blank. I felt like my brain had simply shut down. It was so bizarre, and afterward, I spent a long time thinking about what was wrong with me. I was also worried that I was going to get dementia or something terrible. You never say it, but my brain is my capital, and I love my job..."
That makes it very clear; you really can't imagine it when you see it in front of you... What other symptoms have you noticed?
Bea: "Aside from the brain fog, morning exhaustion was a big problem. I just couldn't get going. Before, one cup of coffee was enough for me, but suddenly I needed two or three to even think clearly. But even then, I often felt overwhelmed. After lunch, it was even worse—I felt like a zombie, running on autopilot. This wasn't just exhausting for me, but also for my colleagues, as I was often irritable and thin-skinned. Once, I even let an inappropriate comment slip out in a team meeting because I was so overstimulated. I'm not usually like that—I'm actually very patient. But in that moment, I just couldn't hold back; I felt like everything was slowly slipping away from me."
What made you decide to try the Hello Inside Menopause program?
Bea: "Actually, I wasn't sure at first if it was for me at all. I didn't have any classic symptoms like hot flashes or irregular periods. But I had to do something because my daily work life was becoming increasingly difficult, and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to manage my projects properly anymore. I also didn't want to resort to a blunt instrument like hormones. Then I read about the program and thought: Why not? I wanted to understand what was going on in my body."
What did you discover through the program? What were the biggest surprises?
Bea: "The biggest discovery was how important sleep is to me. I always thought I slept well, but the CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) showed me that my blood sugar levels fluctuated wildly at night. This was also the reason why I was often so exhausted, even when I had gotten enough sleep. Now I no longer eat high-carb meals in the evening and avoid alcohol. This has significantly improved my sleep quality."
How did you adjust your diet?
Bea: "I used to eat a lot of muesli for breakfast—usually some kind of granola with milk. It was quick to make, and I thought it was healthy. But then I realized it made my blood sugar spike. Now I eat eggs with vegetables and whole-grain bread in the morning, which keeps my blood sugar stable and gives me much more energy for the day, and my husband loves it (she laughs)."
Lunch was also a challenge, especially in the cafeteria. I often ate fast carbohydrates like pasta or white bread because I was already so starved when I arrived. But that only made me more tired in the afternoon. Now I choose salads with chicken or fish and whole-grain options when they're available. That actually keeps me fit until the evening and helps me avoid the afternoon slump. I don't need bars or the like anymore—nada, it's pretty crazy when you think about it."
You also mentioned that coffee plays a role. What did you discover about that?
Bea: "Yes, that was a real eye-opener! I always thought coffee would be my savior when I felt sluggish. But the program showed me that too much coffee, especially after mid-morning, destabilizes my blood sugar and makes me even more tired. Now I only drink one cup in the morning and then switch to water or ginger tea, which I absolutely love. It's amazing how much more energy I have since cutting back on coffee."
How has your overall well-being changed since participating in the Hello Inside program?
Bea: "I feel much more at peace with myself. The brain fog has almost completely disappeared, and I can focus on my work again. My morning fatigue has also improved, and I now start the day with more energy. I've learned how important proper nutrition is for my mental and physical health, and this has significantly improved my quality of life. Especially the fact that the program has helped me understand what my body is trying to tell me has helped me regain control. My panic that I was suffering from the onset of dementia has also subsided, and even that triggering colleague at work no longer makes me lose control."
What would you recommend to other women who have similar symptoms to you?
Bea: "I would recommend every woman to understand their body better and not wait until the classic menopause symptoms appear. Often, it's the small, subtle changes like fatigue or concentration problems that are easy to miss. But the sooner you intervene, the better. The Hello Inside program helped me get my symptoms under control before they completely overwhelmed me. I now do it once a year to continually adapt to my changing metabolism."
Thank you, Bea, for your open words and valuable insights. We're so happy you've made such good progress with the Hello Inside Menopause program and hope your story inspires many other women who find themselves in a similar situation!
Bea's experience shows that menopause symptoms aren't always obvious, yet can still have a tremendous impact on well-being and performance. With the Hello Inside program, she was able to better understand her body and, through targeted adjustments, regain more energy and balance – an inspiring story because it illustrates exactly what many women struggle with: The symptoms are unclear and difficult to even perceive as symptoms. Until now, diagnostics have also been vague and unsatisfactory. A CGM gives you immediate feedback, allowing you to see within a few days what's going wrong for you and change it immediately.
We would be happy if you tried it with us!
