Conversations with Briana Villegas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Briana Villegas.

Hi Briana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a certified menstrual cycle coach, and we could go as far back as my first period, but I’ll kick things off with the catalyst that really got me here. In 2016, I was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is a severe negative reaction in the brain to the normal hormone fluctuations that occur across the menstrual cycle. Up until that point, I was spending a lot of effort hiding my symptoms and fitting my responsibilities into two weeks of the month as I pursued an academic career. But that diagnosis set me on a different path.

Initially, I was just desperate for answers that would bring relief. What I learned about the menstrual cycle and working with it gave me my life back, and in the process, I realized how little women and menstruators are told about the basic functionality of their bodies. Even more problematic, women and menstruators are often left to suffer for up to decades before their symptoms are taken seriously. This inspired me to step into the coaching space to help other women find the same relief sooner and easier.

Since then, I have worked with moms, entrepreneurs, and professional women who ranged from having PMDD or other hormone issues to those looking to optimize their energy management. The most common response I hear from clients is that learning to work with their cycle instead of constantly fighting it feels like freedom. This collective permission to exist as you are keeps me going through the ups and downs of being a business owner.

https://iapmd.org/about-pmdd – a great resource if you want to learn more about PMDD

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all! I was living with debilitating symptoms, and it still took me 13 years to ask the right questions (i.e., is this normal? Is this what every woman is dealing with? What is my cycle supposed to feel like?). But even then, the answers were elusive. The medical community had a clear answer shut off your cycle along with a whole menu of options for how to do it–the pill, anti-depressants, hysterectomy, or chemically induced menopause. From a lifestyle perspective, as is all too familiar, the recommendations were conflicting at every turn. With a lot of digging, I found lifestyle recommendations from the lens of menstrual cycle awareness that made all of the difference. However, had I been able to find the support I now provide my clients, I would have saved myself so much time and suffering. In my professional capacity, the biggest hurdle has been streamlining the customer journey, from providing the education they should have received in 5th grade to opening their eyes to the optimization possible when they sync their life with their cycle.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in helping women understand and leverage their menstrual cycle so they can experience more energy and ease in life and business. Most menstrual health coaches focus on hormone balance and symptom management. My approach is different. My 1:1 coaching program’s core pillar is that being cyclical is optimal. From this perspective, balanced hormones and symptom management become the side effects rather than the goal. Instead, the goal is to BE cyclical. Together, we co-create a monthly blueprint that helps you change how you relate to all four-cycle phases (Yes, your cycle is more than your period!) and develop practical tools to integrate your cycle into your modern lifestyle.

What does success mean to you?
For me, success comes down to agency.  We are constantly faced with choices, the most common being to stay in the same place or leap into the unknown. Your relationship with these choices is what makes you feel successful or not. When you don’t believe you have options, no amount of money, status, or health will make you feel successful. You will always feel like something is missing. However, even in some of the most dire circumstances, accessing agency and choice can make all the difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.brianavillegas.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianavillegascoaching/
• Other: http://www.brianavillegas.com/cyclemap