From Menstrual Struggles to Empowerment: Leading with Our Souls in Inclusive Workplaces by guest author, Marina Fernandez Julian
From Menstrual Struggles to Empowerment: Leading with Our Souls in Inclusive Workplaces
Womanhood is a journey, often marked by silence and resilience, but it doesn't have to be a lonely one. My own story began at thirteen with my first menstrual cycle—a moment that felt like a volcano erupting within me, a sensation that, in some ways, continues to this day. Like the earth releasing gas and fire, my body seemed to revolt, signalling massive changes I wasn’t prepared for. That eruption wasn’t just physical; it was the beginning of a long journey of navigating womanhood without a map, a guide, or a community to lean on as not my mother, not my sister or friends had the same symptoms.
At thirteen, I faced debilitating gynaecological issues. By seventeen, I was too exhausted and anaemic from more than six months of constant bleeding, ashamed to ask my boss for time off - and so I didn’t. At twenty-nine, I endured an emergency operation for endometriosis and returned to work immediately, worried I would lose my job if I took the time I needed to recover. Later, after the birth of my second child, I experienced menstrual migraines so severe they left me paralysed and in tears on the floor on many occasions. As I approached menopause it just got worst.
The fear of judgment, the humiliation of stained clothes, and the isolation of dealing with symptoms no one else seemed to share became my constant companions. For years, I pushed through, silenced by societal expectations and a lack of understanding in workplaces.
Fast forward to today. I’m fifty-two, and while the symptoms have evolved, the challenges remain. My body still roars like a volcano at times, but I’ve learned to stand strong amid the eruptions. Looking back, what strikes me most is not just the pain I endured but the loneliness. So many of us face these struggles silently, battling physical pain and societal shame with little or no support.
The Case for Inclusive Workplaces
Too often, women have had to hide their struggles to fit into workplaces designed without us in mind. But the truth is, we don’t need special treatment or attention. What we need are inclusive spaces that acknowledge and accommodate our realities.
Imagine workplaces with small, thoughtful changes: support for those struggling with severe symptoms, wellness programs that include menstrual health education, or even a simple culture of openness where women feel safe discussing their needs. These aren’t luxuries; they’re necessities that allow women to show up fully and leverage their brilliance.
When women feel supported, they don’t just survive; they thrive. And when women thrive, so do businesses, communities, and families. This is the heart of collective leadership - creating systems where everyone, regardless of gender, has the support they need to lead with strength and authenticity.
For too long, we had to navigate womanhood in silence, balancing pain and responsibility without support and now is the perfect time to change it all. We can build workplaces where women don’t have to choose between their health and their careers. We can create spaces where menstrual cycles and menopause are not taboo but are understood as natural parts of life.
Turning Pain into Collective Leadership
Through all the suffering, one truth has crystallised for me: womanhood and all it entails - menstrual cycles, menopause, the physical and emotional toll - should not be a lonely journey. It should be a journey of collective leadership, where we come together to support, uplift, and empower one another.
This realisation became even clearer when I learned about Dr Zareen Roohi Ahmed’s project to empower workplaces through her Gift Wellness Workplace Inclusivity program. Her initiative, designed to integrate wellness and inclusivity into professional spaces, immediately resonated with me. I recognised that my own struggles - and the struggles of countless other women, could have been eased if workplaces had embraced such initiatives earlier.
Zareen and I connected over some time ago when I interviewed her for my book leading with soul, there I learned that we share a common goal: We are passionate about in her words to: “not just to feel love, but to do love”. We are in different ways, creating environments where we are seen, valued, and supported. Workplaces can no longer afford to ignore the realities of womanhood and neither we can ignore the reality that we need a leadership for a new era. It’s time to lead with our souls and encourage individuals and companies to create cultures where empathy, understanding and compassion thrive.
Leading from a deeper place while being productive can be done
At a recent meeting with Zareen, I felt a deep sense of purpose. We sat together, relaxed yet determined, discussing how we could create the changes we wished to see. She held a hot water bottle to ease her back pain, while I wore my fluffy slippers and a warm jumper to battle the cold. It wasn’t a formal meeting with suits and badges, but rather a nurturing and open conversation that culminated in actionable ideas for business and change.
That moment embodied the essence of soulful leadership - leading from a place of authenticity, connection, and empathy we connected everything together. We didn’t need to perform professionalism; we simply allowed our humanity to guide us. It was a reminder that leadership isn’t about appearances; it’s about relationships where everyone feels empowered to contribute in their own unique way.
To lead with our souls means to embrace our humanity and recognise it in others. It’s about creating environments where people can bring their whole selves to work - where struggles are met with compassion, not dismissal, so that we can continue doing the work we love with strength and purpose.
This isn’t just a vision for women. It’s a vision for everyone. When we create inclusive cultures and workplaces rooted in empathy and support, we promote a culture where leadership is shared, collaboration flourishes, and everyone rises together. Together, we can lead from a place of empowerment, resilience, and love. By supporting one another, we pave the way for our daughters and granddaughters to thrive - not in spite of their womanhood, but because of it.
Invitation to Share Your Story
Your voice matters. Zareen and I invite you to share your own stories of navigating womanhood, leadership, and inclusivity. How have you faced challenges, and what changes do you believe are needed in workplaces and communities to better support women?
Tell us how we can lead from our souls in a world where women's needs have been unheard for far too long. Together, let’s spark a conversation, build a community, and create the changes we wish to see. We’re listening, and we’re ready to walk this path with you.
Check out Dr. Zareen’s program and website and if you are curious about how already some leaders are leading with their soul successfully, read my book: Leading with Soul: Humanity’s Moment in an AI World.
• Gift Wellness Workplace Inclusivity Programme Free Masterclass Led by Dr Zareen Roohi Ahmed
About the Author:
Passionate about embracing life, living simply, and fostering personal growth, Marina is dedicated to helping others create a life that aligns with their true selves. With core values of integrity and freedom, she empowers individuals to break free from limitations, embrace change, and unlock their hidden strengths.
Born in Spain and raised in a large, vibrant family, Marina learned resilience, adaptability, and the art of embracing change as essential tools for personal evolution. Now living in the south of England with her husband and two children, she views friends as an extension of family, bringing joy and support into her life.
As an NLP trainer, master practitioner, and coach in advanced executive skills, Marina is also the author of BALANCE – Living a Life True to Yourself. Through her work, she inspires others to embrace transformation, reset their lives, and maximize their potential.
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