Andrea McLean on midlife decisions, the menopause and how she stays looking good
WORDS: ANNA MATHESON.. PHOTOS: GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
She may have quit her job, sold her house and plunged her life savings into a tech
startup, but Andrea McLean seems happier, healthier and calmer than ever. The 54-year-old
made the risky decision to leave Loose Women after 13 years in 2020 in order to launch a wellness app
- This Girl Is On Fire - with her husband, businessman Nick Feeney. For the star,
who underwent a nervous breakdown in 2019, it’s been a welcome change that’s brought
her more in touch with both her mental and physical health.
‘My 50s have been the biggest shift I’ve seen since my 20s. I’ve changed every part of my life,’ she tells Woman’s Own. ‘Through my 20s, 30s and 40s I knew what I was doing career-wise – then in my 50s I changed everything. I feel completely different. I care a lot less about whether someone will like what I say. Now I’m doing something I genuinely love, and my 50s is a great time to do that. For me, it’s not caring so much about getting it right all the time.’
HEALTH-CONSCIOUS VIEW
One of Andrea’s biggest hurdles over the past two decades has been dealing with the
menopause. After experiencing symptoms in her late 30s, the mum -
who has two children from previous relationships - ultimately underwent a hysterectomy
aged 46.
‘I was pretty prepared because my mum went through a pretty early menopause so I was expecting it. I’ve had endometriosis since my 20s, so I was gynaecologically aware,’ Andrea explains. ‘It was when I had a full hysterectomy that I went into full surgical menopause, but even in the build up to it, I was aware of perimenopausal symptoms and I’d already started taking a low dose of HRT to combat that.’
In 2018, the star wrote a brutally honest memoir - Confessions of a Menopausal Woman - about her experience. These days, Andrea is asked to speak about her experience all the time - most recently alongside stars like Gabby Logan and Sally Phillips at Boots Menopause Monologues event - but a few years ago, she was warned not to talk about it. ‘At the time, I was actually advised against writing the book,’ she says. ‘I was told it was literally going to be career suicide. No one would want to hire me or want me on the telly as I’d be seen as old and past it. I went ahead and wrote it anyway.’
TACKLING TABOOS
Thanks to Andrea and other stars who have spoken out about their experience, the menopause is no longer a taboo subject. Her top tip? ‘Keep a diary of what you are feeling and when so that the next
