Halle Berry is championing a new way to embrace menopause, calling for women to celebrate the transition just as they would any other major life milestone.
Speaking on former PIX11 anchor-turned-menopause advocate Tamsen Fadal’s new podcast, The Tamsen Show, Berry introduced the concept of a “shiesta” to mark the occasion.
“When a woman realizes that she’s in menopause — you know, 365 days, and you know you’re in it — it is their duty to give that woman a ‘shiesta’ to celebrate her, like we do every other milestone in our life,” she said.
The Oscar-winning actress, who also battles Type 2 diabetes, admitted that she once believed her healthy lifestyle would allow her to bypass menopause entirely.
“I thought I would skip menopause, whatever that was,” she revealed, explaining how managing her diabetes had given her a sense of control over her health.
“There was a feeling of, ‘Hey, I can do pretty much anything I want to do if I eat right and exercise, and prioritize my health and well-being,’” she said. But reality proved otherwise.
“I thought whatever menopause is — I don’t know much about it — but I’m sure I’m going to skip it, because I’m too healthy! I’m on top of everything.”
Berry’s journey through menopause ultimately inspired her to become a vocal advocate for women experiencing this phase of life.
“The realization I needed to put my voice into this conversation led me to leave [TV news]. It wasn’t that I couldn’t do my job anymore, but I had a bigger story to tell.
“I couldn’t stop talking about it. I couldn’t stop studying it. I couldn’t stop talking to women about it,” she said.
Determined to break the stigma surrounding menopause, Berry has produced a documentary titled The (M) Factor Film, launched a podcast, and written a book, How to Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life, and Feel Even Better than Before.
Encouraging women to embrace this stage of life, she wrote, “You will no longer feel alone by being 100% seen. It’s also full of ways to begin managing this new glorious phase of life!”
With her bold and empowering message, Berry hopes that menopause will no longer be viewed as a silent struggle, but rather, as a moment to be celebrated. Happy “shiesta!”
