Meet Nicky Gaylor
Marketing Director, Sylk
Certified Menopause Coach
Nicky has worked in the field of menopause for the last 16 years and has a wealth of experience and knowledge about this life stage which is now available to you.
“Educating and preparing so many of my friends and family about perimenopause is what inspired me to train as a Menopause Coach”
Beginnings in Advertising and Marketing
I spent 12 years working in the world of Advertising looking after a wide variety of clients. I am incredibly passionate about creating meaningful and purpose-led brands and campaigns that resonate & engage.
Following the birth of my daughter, Holly, in 2007, I decided to join the family business, Sylk UK Ltd, so I could enjoy a better work/life balance. Even though Intimate Health and Menopause were still very much taboo subjects, I could still see the huge potential in the brand - the lubricant market was ripe for disruption and I could sense amongst my own network of women friends that people were much more curious and open about sexual wellbeing.
Smashing taboos
Opening Conversations About Menopause and Vaginal Dryness
My mission for Sylk was to normalise conversations around Vaginal Dryness and make Sylk a part of every womans’ skin care routine. We re-branded Sylk for the UK market - focusing on the unique, natural elements of the female-friendly formula and reinforcing our positioning as an ethical brand that cared about intimate health. We provided free samples and leaflets to women’s health professionals, supported Industry Bodies & Conferences, created a Sylk Bursary to provide funding for menopause education for nurses and worked with relevant charities like The Eve Appeal. In 2018 we hosted our first Intimate Event which included talks from Dr Louise Newson, Meg Mathews and entertainment from The Scummy Mummies.
My Passion for Perimenopause Support
In my early 40s I started to experience perimenopause symptoms. I was chronically tired all the time, felt anxious and flat, had heart palpitations and my hair was thinning. I’ve always had really thick, curly hair so I found this very distressing. As I wasn’t having the classic hot flushes and night sweats I didn’t think it could be menopause - at that time perimenopause wasn’t really a known thing - but I thought I would see my GP. The doctor said I was too young to be menopausal and it must be something else. As my symptoms weren’t life threatening, I just carried on for a few more years and put my symptoms down to juggling a young family alongside running my business. As I learned more about perimenopause through my work, I realised my symptoms were due to hormone fluctuations and got treatment and a plan to manage my menopause journey. Finally knowing what was causing me to feel so ‘not like myself’ was a gift in itself!
Whilst I do take HRT there are lots of things I do alongside that to ensure I keep on top of my symptoms. These include: protein rich diet, regular exercise (including running, wild water swimming, strength training & yoga), and prioritizing sleep. I also find breathwork and meditation useful tools at times to help me manage anxiety.
I believe every woman needs a personal toolkit of resources that they can draw on as they navigate menopause. There are lots of ways we can manage menopause (both hormonal and non hormonal) and it is a personal choice how we decide to do that. As a coach, I will support you to create a menopause plan tailored to your personal needs.
Todays’ midlife women have more responsibility than ever before and studies show they are the busiest cohort. Midlife women are not good at asking for help and support and are often bottom of their own ‘To Do’ list. Perimenopause symptoms often hit (as mine did) at this time which can add to the chaos of life with many women reporting feelings of overwhelm, feeling lost and frazzled yet are not sure where to turn for help.
A Time of Reawakening for Women
Menopause Coaching gives women a chance to focus on themselves, make sense and plan their menopause journey. It can be a time of reawakening – to reassess where we are and think about how we want to spend the next chapter of our life. By working with a Menopause Coach, you’ll be able to shape your goals, think about strategies to overcome obstacles and gain a toolkit of resources so you can access a happier, healthier version of you.
Ready to Embrace Your Menopause Journey?
Join one of Menopause Coaching Programmes today and take the first step towards a happier, healthier menopause experience. Together we’ll navigate this transition.
Don’t let menopause define you. Let’s redefine it together.
Book a free 20 minute consultation call