Womaness Woman: Ann Marie McQueen

Interviews & Essays - September 18, 2022

By Womaness Editors 2-Minute Read

Ann Marie McQueen Womaness Woman Global journalist Ann Marie McQueen has 25 years of experience in North America and the Middle East, and we're thrilled her latest project—Hotflash inc—is bringing perimenopause education center stage to a worldwide audience in a way only she can. Both straightforward and entertaining about all things peri, she covers the latest clinical studies, treatments, products, guidance, business moves, pop culture, and more via a research letter (a weekly must-read at Womaness), podcast, AND across social media—with a fast-growing community in over 40 countries. Check out her gems of wisdom; she's a woman truly in the know.

First thing I do each morning

"The first thing I do every morning is feed my cat, Ninja Jr. But the first thing I try to do every day is go for at least a quick walk, if not a long one. I find the combination of movement and morning light on my eyes is key to having a good sleep at night, and there is a lot of evidence for how sunlight exposure works to set the circadian rhythm."

Three things I always keep in/on my nightstand

"I have my mouth guard—I'm a grinder, I'm working on it with hypnosis – and tape for taping my mouth shut, so I breathe from my nose, a la Patrick McKeown's The Oxygen Advantage. And then, of course, books. I'm currently reading neuropsychiatrist Louann Brizendine's The Upgrade: How the Female Brain Gets Stronger and Better in Midlife and Beyond and Robert Greene's The 48 Laws of Power."

My go-to beauty hack or wellness ritual

"I really believe in sleep hygiene and find everything goes out the window when I tell myself I don't need a nightly routine. That routine includes: Not looking at my phone for the last hour of the day, because it always messes with my sleep when I do. A half-hour or 20 minutes of yin yoga, stretching or foam rolling, and a cup of chamomile tea. And before I read, I make a 'what went well' list, which is a tip I got from Dr. Daniel Amen on Instagram. Even if it was a terrible day, when you do this little treasure hunt you find some real goodies, and it's much more practical than to just 'be grateful.'"

"If a conversation needs having or something needs to be said, I'll say it. Time and connection and the people precious to me are everything to me now; there is no someday anymore."

My inner age (the age I really feel) and why

"Inside, mentally, I feel like I'm 26 or 27 these days because that's when I last had this level of inner fire and passion. Back then, I was just starting out in journalism and was so driven to learn and do everything I could to be better. I've always worked hard and had a passion for my job, but with Hotflash Inc I really see myself at that starting out level again—because I am! And there is so much to learn when running your own platform. I also want to do EVERYTHING again, just like I did back then, whether it's standup comedy, finishing my screenplay, or writing a memoir. The difference is that this time, I have the material."

Advice I would give to my younger self

"Please don't wait until you turn 50 to get some boundaries! Life will be so much easier when you do. And stop giving energy to people who don't treat you well. When it comes to working, know that no one will work harder or care more than you, so please relax. As long as you know you did your best when it came to the things that matter most, you can let the universe’s will unfold as it should. Because it will anyway."

We don’t believe in “The Pause.” Tell us, what are you not pausing on?

"Anything important to me. If I love and care about you, I'll tell you. If a conversation needs having or something needs to be said, I'll say it. Time and connection and the people precious to me are everything to me now; there is no someday anymore."