Name: Teyonna Bowman

Menopause phase: Medically induced menopause – similar to a post menopausal state 

Place you call home: Dublin, CA 

What you’re creating: Community for perimenopausal Milennials and young breast cancer survivors through my Pausitive Outlook platform

Age: 43

1. Rituals can be deeply personal. What is one personal practice you’ve adopted to embrace the transitions of menopause?

My morning meditation, affirmation, and gratitude practice, followed by a walk with my dog and brewing loose-leaf tea or fresh matcha. This daily ritual helps me ground myself, spend quiet time with my thoughts, and appreciate nature.

2. Have you redefined beauty in this stage? If so, how? Do any of your rituals support this definition?

Slightly. I’ve realized that feeling good in my body and mind requires more effort and intention. Beauty truly is more than skin deep, so tending to my mental state, speaking more kindly to myself, and showing up in the world with confidence has made me feel more beautiful.

I’ve also added a lot more products into my skincare routine—like a daily exfoliator, facial Estriol, nightly serums, hyaluronic moisturizers, and oils—but my morning rituals and affirmation process have been just as transformative.

3. Is there a particular practice—whether it’s movement, meditation, or something else—that has become essential to your well-being in this current stage of your life?

My morning meditations are non-negotiable, whether I’m home or traveling. I haven’t started a day without them for almost three years. If I skip my grounding practice, I feel unarmed for whatever the day may hold. Even with this foundation, I still struggle through the ups and downs and the curveballs menopause throws my way.

Movement, particularly challenging workouts, is also essential. I fall in and out of the habit, but when I’m consistent, my soul brightens. I feel powerful, capable, and grateful. My body is incredibly resilient—two cesareans, two bouts with cancer (surgery, chemo, and radiation)—and yet, I can still move and push myself forward. That’s the biggest blessing from this whole journey. Movement also provides an essential mental boost.

Lastly, music has become even more important to me. I love a perfectly timed, curated playlist! Listening to uplifting lyrics (uplifting is subjective 🙂) or dancing around can completely shift my mood. My private music sessions bring me so much joy!

4. What role does your community or your sista circle play in your menopausal and aging experience, and do you share any rituals with other women that support this journey?

We’re all balancing kids, partnerships, and work, so getting together can be challenging, but we prioritize walks and happy hours to catch up. In between, it’s a lot of DMs and funny meme exchanges.

With The Second Bloom gatherings, my goal is to create a space where we can build new rituals together and support each other through this journey.

5. What does the concept of sacredness mean to you as you age, and do you honor this stage of life through any special rituals?

To me, sacredness is about prioritizing what’s most important and making it a non-negotiable part of life. I feel like I’m just stepping into the courage to create sacred practices and protect certain elements of my life.

For a long time, I was a people-pleaser, putting my needs so far behind me that I forgot what they even were. I’m learning that’s no longer sustainable, and I’m grateful for that realization.

6. Looking back on your pre-menopausal years, is there anything you wish you had known or done differently to prepare for this transition? How does this wisdom shape your rituals now?

My path into menopause was different from most—through breast cancer before age 40. I just wish I had understood what the menopause journey even was.

I’ve learned so much from books, podcasts, social media, and conversations with my doctors, but I had to do a lot of deep digging. I didn’t know that young breast cancer survivors are at greater risk for health changes like heart disease, osteoporosis, and dementia. While that knowledge wouldn’t have changed my treatment choices, I would have approached my two years of medical menopause differently.

I’m in a better place now, but I wish there was more care given to the quality of life post-treatment for women who enter menopause prematurely. I hope my voice and advocacy contribute to changing that.

7. How has receiving a cancer diagnosis and the journey to recovery changed your life and your perception of menopause?

I never expected this for my life (who does?), but my cancer diagnosis and menopausal experience have been the greatest gifts I never asked for. It’s been equally hard, frustrating, confusing, and exhausting—but also beautiful, eye-opening, and life-giving.

My biggest realization? No two journeys are exactly alike, but the ribbon that connects us all through menopause creates healing bonds and empathy. Medically induced menopause has meant new life—literally, because it marks the completion of cancer treatment, and figuratively, because it’s given me the opportunity to reset my habits and build a healthier mental and physical existence.

8. Everyday Rituals: Share one ritual for each of the following, that you’ve not shared above

Daily Ritual: Completing NYT Games with my husband (and sometimes our kids) and sharing results with my sister and sister-in-love. It’s fun bonding time and keeps us connected. Works the brain too! 

Weekly Ritual: Setting up the week on Sundays and catching up on shows while dry and flat iron my hair

Monthly Ritual: Reviewing my goals for the year and setting up personal rewards for hitting milestones at the end of each month

Yearly Ritual: Vision boarding. It has become incredibly important and sacred for me

Connect With Teyonna, HERE