That’s the question I have been grappling with. I turned 56 years old a few days ago. Have I slowed down over the years? Have things seemingly gotten harder? Hell ya. Am I happy about that? Hard no.
Menopause has kicked my butt. Why it hit me so hard, who knows.
Am I giving up or giving in?
When I turned 55, I made a private challenge to myself to bag 55 back-country ski days, 55 summer treks, and write 55 trip reports. Some I nailed, and some I missed. The real success was in the doing. The real success was not giving in to menopause, and not slowing to a stop.
This video is meant to inspire anyone struggling to just keep going. I was inspired by Guide Helen Sovdat about 15 years ago, and I am so thankful that I heeded her wisdom and kept going.
Please share your struggles, and how you have persevered. We would all love to know your secrets! I hope you like this video – a year in the life of Alisen just trying to do her best.
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Alisen
I love all things mountains! I live next door to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, however I travel the world to enjoy the many different mountain environments and cultures that I can. I hope you enjoy these trip reports, and that it inspires you to accomplish your own adventure goals.
Alisen Dopf 
I.m not sure I got the intent of the question but I have a simple answer “HELL NO!”. Alisen Dopf is my hero and often think I wish I had her stamina. I’m 79 now and while taking a hike may require an ibuprofen or 2 it’s the adventure that makes it worth going on. My wife had a bad time with menopause some 20 years ago but she came out of it much stronger than when she went in. We both believe that to stop is to surrender. We will continue to look forward to your hiking reports 🙂
Awww. Thank you SO much for your kind words. I am so happy to hear your wife is doing better than ever. Such great news, and news I need to hear! We have to share these stories, because it’s a topic that is rarely discussed.
No, I have absolutely NOT given up. I did have to accept that my life had changed, and that my body had changed as well. Not an easy thing to do.
I am working on the Trip Report from my latest glacier ski adventure, and it was a good one! Stay tuned – hopefully out tomorrow morning.
Again, thank you for the kind words. Vit I is my friend.
Hugs, Alisen
From the bottom of my heart…??? NO
LOL! I hear ya.
Short answer – no, I didn’t completely give up. But I did have to conceed that my life and body had changed. If anything, I am urging other women and men to also keep going. It’s not easy, and sometimes it feels like it would be easier to just stop. But as my buddy reminded me “use it or lose it.”
I just came back from an epic glacier ski traverse. I am writing the trip report now, and will hopefully have it up in a day or two. So while I have not given up, it is hard work. Maybe it always was?
Keep going on YOUR adventures!!!
Hugs, Alisen
This is awesome! I can only hope to be still capable of everything you are when I hit 56.
We set goals to challenge ourselves. And you’re right, the real success is always in the doing and not giving up, even if you don’t nail everything. And good for you for not giving in to menopause. Sorry to hear that your symptoms were intense and interfered with your sleep.
The worst thing that happened to me when I hit menopause was I stopped menstruating, and oh boy did I ever celebrate never having to shove a tampon up my you-know-where ever again!!! 😀
When I hit 60 I had to rethink what was capable of or what I expected I could do. That was a painful process mentally, but I am still out there having a crack and who cares if I only walk 25km a day and not 30km!? At least I am alive, kicking and enjoying life. More power to you! Mel