In this interview, Julie Parana shares how her personal experience and clinical background led her to build a more informed, supportive path for women navigating menopause. She reflects on the power of purpose, the role of community in building meaningful work, and why helping women feel seen, supported, and better equipped is at the center of everything she does.
Why Women Heal Better Together
What role has community played in your journey up to this point?
I have a newsletter community specifically for women navigating early surgical or treatment-induced menopause. A lot of women are put into menopause early as a result of cancer treatment. All menopausal women are underserved, but women going through it early, surgically, or because of treatment are often the most underserved and are given the most incorrect information.
I really wanted to build a space for women like that. Many of my social media followers fall into that category, so I created a newsletter specifically for them so that every week they receive education, insights, and tips. I also host events to bring these women together, not only to learn about menopause but to understand what they can actually do about it. There is so much that can help, and too many women are needlessly suffering.
In building my practice, I have also connected with as many healthcare professionals and women in this space as possible. It has been such a collaborative, warm, and welcoming environment. Nobody has a competitive mindset. Everyone is trying to help each other reach as many women as possible. We refer to one another often. If someone needs support outside my scope, I send them to a pelvic floor physical therapist, a registered dietitian, or a nurse practitioner who can prescribe hormones.
We are all working together to support more women while also building each other’s practices. It has been incredibly collaborative and supportive, likely because it is women supporting women and naturally lifting each other up. Habituelle has also been a meaningful part of that. Not everyone there is a healthcare practitioner, but they are all women who lead, build, and have a lot to offer. It is not transactional. It is about learning from one another and talking through the realities of building a business.
As a solo practitioner, I learned early that if I do not intentionally build community, it will limit my growth. Investing in community has been essential.
When Your Work Starts Feeling Like a Calling
What does a life that you love look like for you and are you living it right now?
I am definitely moving toward a life that I love. To me, that looks like doing something meaningful and purposeful, something you feel called to do.
As an OT, I always found my job rewarding, but I did not fully connect with the idea of purpose. I liked my work, but I was not deeply passionate about it every single day. Now, after my own experiences and the mission I am on, I feel that sense of purpose much more strongly. It feels different.
That connection fuels ambition because the work itself is energizing. It makes me want to grow it and reach more people. At the same time, I do not think purpose has to come from your job. For me right now, it does, but that could change. I know many people who live full, meaningful lives where their purpose is outside of their work.
Right now, my work is not fully supporting me financially, but I am so passionate about it that I continue to invest my time and energy into it.
The Daily Practices That Build Confidence and Resilience
What are some of the habits that you have that allow you to do the work that you do and have the impact that you do?
The biggest one for me, and the one that has anchored me for over 15 years, is strength training. I lift heavy, and there is something about being able to squat and deadlift more than your body weight that changes how you see yourself. It builds confidence that carries into every area of life.
It has also been critical for my health. Early menopause increases the risk of osteoporosis, but my bone density is excellent because of lifting. Beyond that, it supports overall health, which allows me to show up fully in my life.
I try to practice what I teach. That includes regulating my nervous system, managing stress, setting boundaries, and prioritizing what matters. I remind myself that rest is a legitimate health strategy.
I am not perfect, and there are times when I fall off track, but staying as consistent as possible with these habits helps me stay present and do my work effectively.
The Shift From “What If It Fails?” to “What If It Works?”
What do you think it is that holds women back from taking an opportunity that might be presented to them that could lead them to a life that they love?
Fear of failure, fear of rejection, and imposter syndrome are the biggest barriers. I experienced all of those when I started.
What helped me was shifting my thinking. Instead of asking what if this does not work, I started asking what if it does. I also believe strongly that your brain believes what you tell it, so why not tell it something supportive.
Affirmations felt awkward at first, but over time they helped reframe my thinking. They quiet that voice of doubt when it shows up.
I also trust that even if something does not work out, I will be okay. The world will keep moving, and I will find another path. That perspective makes it easier to take risks. You do not want to be the person standing in your own way. If you feel pulled toward something, you have to trust that and take the leap, then commit your energy to it and see where it leads.
Planting Seeds That Create Real Impact
What is your definition of success today?
Success for me is having an impact through my work. If a woman leaves a conversation feeling validated, supported, and equipped with a plan, that is success.
The same applies to the trainings I do. If someone leaves with a better understanding of how to support employees through menopause, that is success.
As a new entrepreneur, success right now is about planting seeds rather than harvesting them. It is the small wins that matter, more visibility, more opportunities, and knowing that the work is reaching people. Those moments keep me going and show me that I am on the right path.
The Financial Realities No One Talks About
What is a hard lesson that you’ve had to learn?
Most of my harder lessons have been financial. I wish I had started planning for retirement earlier and been more cautious with student loans. Those were difficult but important lessons.
Beyond that, I tend to accept things as they happen and take what I can learn from them. I try not to dwell too much. I have not had many moments that completely changed my life trajectory, but I do believe every experience adds something valuable.
Changing the Menopause Conversation for the Next Generation
When you think about leaving your legacy, what’s the legacy you hope to leave?
I want to help change the conversation around menopause. I want to be part of the generation that shifts not only treatment but also how openly it is discussed.
Women should feel comfortable talking about menopause without stigma. They should know what to expect and what they can do to support themselves.
If we can normalize these conversations and better prepare women ahead of time, the next generation will not have to struggle the way many of us have. That is the change I hope to be part of.
Meet Julie Parana
Julie Parana is on a mission to change the way women experience menopause and the way workplaces support them through it. As a licensed occupational therapist, certified women’s health specialist, and menopause coach, she brings 20+ years of clinical expertise to both her one-on-one coaching practice and her corporate workplace training programs. Her OT background gives her a uniquely whole-person lens: she doesn’t just look at symptoms, she looks at how menopause affects daily roles, routines, relationships, and quality of life and builds plans that actually fit.
