The last few years have been a rollercoaster, not one I want to experience again and one I haven't spoken about publicly. As I stood on stage, booked as a Keynote speaker back in 2019, my life was about to change; the raging fire and palpitations that encompassed my body were something unreal. This was the beginning of the menopause, ebbing away at my confidence and self-esteem. The real fight had only just begun.

What followed was a battle of wills; this high-flying business leader and industry disrupter, with an abundance of energy and confidence, was fighting menopause symptoms on steroids. A newly formed business needed a leader; I was fortunate to be in a position to bring that expertise into the company to continue to deliver our vision of success. The team grew quickly, allowing me to adjust and continue to play my part in Halecroft's success. Lockdown arrived, and working from home was a godsend; I could hide away from prying eyes. My personality, physical appearance and confidence were unrecognisable.

Let's fast-forward to September 2023! Slowly but surely, the symptoms started to subside. I knew that to get myself back on track, I needed a mentor, someone who believed in me and the success of the business. Sitting down to openly discuss the last five years and what I wanted the next five years to look like was uplifting. To be told you have a fabulous business, a fantastic team, and, above all, with nearly 40 years in recruitment, you're someone the industry doesn't want to lose, which felt incredible.

The last year, particularly the last three months, has been enriching and felt great. That comfort zone has been pushed from public speaking to hosting webinars and events to a brand photoshoot.

I have learned the following lessons:

Ask for help.

Don't suffer in silence.

Surround yourself with great people who support you.

Love yourself (curves and all!).

There are so many people I need to thank; you all know who you are. A huge thank you from the bottom of my heart—I wouldn't be where I am today without you. I'm back to the old Tricia, the recruitment leader, the keynote speaker, the disrupter, and the let's get things done, girl.