After years of pushing her body to excel in elite sports, former Olympian Clara Hughes found herself facing unexpected challenges when perimenopause and menopause set in. Hughes, now 54 and retired from professional sports since 2012, struggled with symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings during perimenopause. Additionally, a severe knee injury in 2021 left her immobile for months, causing her to feel like a failure in all aspects of life.
In her recent memoir, “Learning to Breathe,” Hughes reflects on her lifelong struggle with body image issues that began in her teenage years and persisted throughout her athletic career. It wasn’t until menopause that she started rebuilding a positive relationship with her body, prompting her to explore her emotions through unconventional means, including psychedelics.
Hughes expressed frustration over the lack of specialized menopause care in the healthcare system. Instead of receiving hormone replacement therapy for her menopausal symptoms, she was prescribed antidepressants, highlighting the systemic issues faced by women seeking appropriate menopause treatment.
Eventually, Hughes found relief through hormone replacement therapy after consulting a women’s health specialist known as a “menopause badass.” She emphasizes the importance of proper menopause care and hopes her journey towards self-love and acceptance can inspire others, especially women, to embrace themselves fully.
Despite the legal restrictions surrounding psychedelics in Canada, Hughes openly discusses how supervised psychedelic sessions helped her unlock suppressed emotions and facilitate healing. While acknowledging the legal implications, she believes this unconventional approach was pivotal in her personal growth and acceptance.
Hughes’ transformative experience with menopause and psychedelics has led her to a place of self-love and appreciation for her body, marking a significant shift from her past struggles with body image and emotional disconnect. Through sharing her story, she aims to empower others to embark on their paths towards self-acceptance and love.