Meet Dana Lawson | Certified Health Coach, Menopause Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dana Lawson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dana, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Entrepreneurship had an intriguing appeal after I finished school to become a certified childbirth instructor in the late 90s. I started my own business and, in time, I niched down to focus on women with high-risk pregnancies who were on bedrest and unable to attend traditional classes, I found deep satisfaction supporting these mothers-to-be. Some of them even invited me back for a “refesher course” with subsequent pregnancies. This fostered deep connection within the entire family. However, my own life threw me a curveball.

I suddenly found myself as a single parent, It took a toll on me mentally and emotionally. My business was relatively new and I didn’t have the support I needed to keep going. I was forced to close my business and take on multiple jobs to support my daughter.

Despite the setback, my passion for entrepreneurship persisted. More than a decade later, I began facing my own health challenges: hot flashes, night sweats, poor sleep, depression and weight gain. Around the same time, I had a midlife awakening and decided to go back to my roots in healthcare. I went back to school to become a Certified Health Coach. Still, I was struggling with menopause symptoms and traditional methods failed to provide relief. I sought guidance from a Hormone Specialist and Transformational Nutrition Coach. Her expertise completely changed my life and ignited a realization—women deserve better preparation for menopause. My journey wasn’t about ‘finding’ a business; it was about answering a call to alleviate the confusion, frustration, and suffering I experienced and to ensure that no woman faces menopause alone and unprepared. Thus, the seeds of a menopause coaching business were sown.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am on mission to change the way women experience menopause. Although the common symptoms may seem uncomfortable and apparent, they serve as crucial signs that demand attention due to their potential long-lasting detrimental effects on our overall health. It’s essential to recognize that women experiencing menopause, with or without classic symptoms or those who undergo surgically-induced, early, or premature menopause, are at increased risk for disease. This heightened risk stems from the physiological changes that occur when the ovaries ‘retire,’ leading to a loss of the protective benefits of estrogen on our organs and metabolism. Extensive evidence-based research underscores the correlation between hormonal decline in women and the onset of metabolic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, obesity, and Alzheimer’s disease. By understanding and addressing these underlying physiological changes, we can work proactively to mitigate the risk of these serious health conditions and empower women to maintain their overall well-being throughout the menopausal transition.

What sets me apart is my holistic approach. I address the four pillars of health—sleep, nutrition, exercise, and stress management—to provide comprehensive support tailored to each woman’s unique needs. Helping them connect the dots between the changes in their bodies and overall health is paramount to me. I take pride in the success my clients achieve when we work together, and I’m excited to inspire hope and confidence in the women I support. Beyond changing the narrative around menopause, I empower them to embrace this transition as a time of growth and renewed vitality.

My journey to where I am today as a CEO and entrepreneur has been both challenging and rewarding. I’ve been coaching for five years and transitioned to working in my business full-time in 2020. It hasn’t been easy—even as a naturally tenacious and determined individual, I’ve faced the inherent challenges of entrepreneurship.

One of the most significant challenges has been adapting to the ever-changing landscape of social media platforms, especially at age 57. Balancing the demands of running a business with personal life, ongoing education, and self-care has been a constant challenge. However, I’ve learned to lean into discomfort, accept imperfection, and ask for help when needed. Celebrating successes and learning from setbacks has been instrumental in my journey. Despite setbacks and adversity, I am determined to pursue my passion for supporting others in their health and wellness journeys.

I want the readers to know that it’s never too late to change your life, your health, or pursue your dreams. Age is not a barrier to starting something new. As a young woman, I spent way too much time hating my body, comparing myself unfairly to others, and striving for an unrealistic ‘ideal.’

Midlife offers new opportunities and countless benefits. Menopause is a gift—a time to rediscover yourself, an awakening! To navigate this transition successfully, intervention is key. It begins with learning how to care for yourself. While it requires effort, what better gift can you give yourself and your family than setting the stage for healthy aging?

This is the essence of Align + Shine. I’m here to support women through their menopausal journey, empowering them to embrace this transformative time and emerge stronger and healthier than ever before.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d start the day in North Atlanta at my favorite artisan coffee shop, Ground and Pound, founded by veteran stuntwoman Sophia Crawford. For a taste of classic Southern cuisine, we’d head to Mary Mac’s Tea Room, a historic restaurant serving traditional dishes since 1945, conveniently located on Ponce De Leon Avenue in Midtown Atlanta. While in the area, we’d explore the iconic Fox Theater on Peachtree Street and catch an exhibit at the renowned High Museum.

For outdoor adventures, we’d zipline through the trees at the Botanical Gardens, canoe at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, bike the scenic Silver Comet Trail in Smyrna, and stroll along the Atlanta Beltline. In winter, we’d lace up our skates for a spin around the rink at Centennial Park.

No visit to Atlanta would be complete without a stop at Ponce City Market for its diverse dining options and unique shopping experiences. And as the day winds down, we’d enjoy the sunset over Piedmont Park, soaking in the beauty of Atlanta’s skyline.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have the most supportive husband in the world. He knows more about menopause than he ever imagined! I am thankful that he sees and fully supports my vision. My daughter has always been a part of my entrepreneurial journey. As a little girl, she was my “assistant” when I taught childbirth classes. She continues to be my inspiration today.

My “Menopause Mentor” Karen Martel, played a pivotal role in my personal midlife and my business journey. The time I spent learning from her decades of supporting women from perimenopause to post-menopause has been invaluable.

My business coaches are the best! Jason Winters and Kama Schader helped me to find clarity and alignment between my personal life and my business. I am a more grounded coach because of them. I am so grateful to have them in my corner.

My amazing clients who trust me to be their partner and guide as they navigate their own midlife transition with confidence. I love seeing them healthy and thriving from the things they’ve learned.

Most of all, I thank my Heavenly Father for the beauty, widsom and design of creation. There is so much order, preciseness and intricacy in every minute detail of the human body. Without a doubt, we are as the scriptures say, “Wonderfully made.”

Website: https://www.alignandshinenow.com/

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Image Credits
Infinite Vision LDV Photography