Kristin Smedley is a Registered Nurse and Holistic Transformational Coach for women with a focus on women in the menopause transition. After navigating her own challenges during this time and the lack of support, she has become dedicated to creating a supporting and empowering environment for other women facing similar experiences. She is the CEO and founder of Daffodil Pathways Transformational Coaching LLC. Her mission is to help transform the menopause journey for women by offering a safe space for education, support, and personal growth, empowering women with the tools they need, and assuring that no woman feels alone or unheard.
Kristin Smedley, Registered Nurse, Holistic Transformational Coach
Introduce yourself.
I’m Kristin Smedley, a Registered Nurse and proud mom of four amazing kids. Ryan (34), Madi (26), Brady (25), and Evan (20). I was born and raised in Oklahoma City, where I was inspired by my mom, a nurse and entrepreneur, who built a successful career from the ground up. My first steps into healthcare began when I worked as a home health aide for her during my summers off in my late teens.
In the late ‘80s, my mom and stepdad moved to the Washington, D.C., area. By 1988, I decided to join them. I spent a few years working at a local bank in downtown D.C. while slowly pursuing my goals of becoming a registered nurse. I graduated from Montgomery College in Takoma Park, Maryland in 1995, and later, in 2021, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Capella University.
My nursing journey has been diverse, starting in a hospital oncology unit, moving into plastic surgery, and eventually finding my home in home health and hospice care. For the past 20 years, I’ve dedicated myself to supporting patients and families during some of life’s most challenging moments.
What sparked my transition from bedside nursing to coaching, particularly in the realm of perimenopause and menopause?
Throughout my nursing career, I’ve always been passionate about self-empowerment and personal growth. After nearly 30 years in the field, I hired a life coach to help me explore my own career path and personal development. That’s when I realized I wanted something more and discovered the Integrative Nurse Coach Academy and my world opened up to the possibilities of coaching.
During my coursework, I experienced extreme fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, and sleepless nights, classic signs that I was entering menopause. Despite my extensive nursing background, I found myself struggling to find solutions or support. I felt lost. I thought I asked all the right questions, but still wasn’t receiving the answers I needed. That’s when I realized what I wanted to do was right in front of me: to help other women navigate this often lonely and confusing journey. My mission became clear: I wanted to provide women with real tools, solutions, and support as they rediscovered themselves during menopause.
How did my personal experience with menopause shape my coaching approach and the creation of Daffodil Pathways Transformational Coaching?
My own journey through menopause was challenging and isolating. I often found myself searching for the person I used to be, the energy, and that zest for life I had in the past. My provider didn't validate me, and no one seemed to understand what I was going through. It felt like I was drifting through life alone and in a fog. What I needed during this time was someone to guide and educate me, to support me, and travel down the road of self-discovery all over again.
My approach is to offer women the validation, hope, and support they deserve during this time. I want to walk with them as they embrace this new chapter, armed with the knowledge and confidence to advocate for themselves. Daffodil Pathways Transformational Coaching was born out of a desire to embody what the daffodil represents: new beginnings, resilience, beauty, and strength. Just like a daffodil, which returns year after year, I want women to feel renewed and empowered as they navigate this phase of life.
What are some of the biggest challenges women face during the perimenopause/menopause transition, and how does my program help?
Over the last couple of years, I’ve spent many hours listening to women’s stories, and I’ve noticed common threads in their experiences. Beyond the physical symptoms, hot flashes, brain fog, fatigue, and sleeplessness..many women feel unvalidated, dismissed, and alone. The stigma around menopause still exists, leaving many uncomfortable even talking about it.
This lack of validation, combined with limited provider education, isolates midlife women. They often feel like they don’t have a trusted expert to turn to, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and a sense of losing oneself. Some leave the workforce earlier than planned due to severe symptoms.
What women need most is support, someone who not only understands what they’re going through from a clinical view but can guide them through it with empathy. As a woman who’s been there myself, I offer that support through coaching, helping women gain the confidence to live a life full of joy and hope.
Can you describe the primary benefits of your coaching program and philosophy, and how it differs from other similar offerings in the wellness market?
My menopause coaching program offers a unique blend of clinical expertise, transformative coaching, and personal experience. Unlike other life coaching programs, I draw from my background as a healthcare professional, ensuring that the guidance and strategies I provide are built in evidence-based practices. This clinical foundation is paired with transformative coaching, holding a safe space to validate women, hear their story, and support them fully in this time.
Additionally, my own menopause journey allows me to connect with my clients on a deeply personal level, offering empathy and understanding that goes beyond my clinical knowledge. This combination ensures a holistic, supportive and empathetic approach that not only addresses the physical aspects of menopause but also the emotional and psychological challenges, helping women rediscover their strengths, passions and thrive during this phase of life. The result empowers women to navigate menopause with confidence and resilience.
How do I incorporate mindfulness, movement, and holistic nutrition into my coaching? Why are these elements crucial during menopause?
For the past decade, mindfulness and yoga have been a part of my life, and I love sharing these practices with my clients. Mindfulness, in particular, is a powerful tool for achieving clarity and cultivating happiness. It’s about being fully present in the moment, whether you are sitting outside feeling the warmth of the sun on your face or sipping your morning coffee. It’s a simple yet transformative daily practice that I teach my clients.
Nutrition is another crucial piece. As our bodies undergo significant hormonal shifts during menopause, the right nutrients can make all the difference. Not only can they alleviate symptoms, but they also pave the way for a healthier future by reducing the risk of issues like insulin resistance, weight gain, joint pain, and mood swings. I give personalized tools to my clients for nutrition and what works for their lifestyle. Empowering them to use mindfulness and nutrition to make this as easy as possible. As they begin to listen to their body and what it needs, the power of nutrition becomes a natural process and renewed joy and health.
Lastly, movement, especially weight-bearing and strength training, is vital. With declining estrogen levels, bone health becomes a priority. Strength training helps maintain bone density, and incorporating a mix of cardio and strength exercises can greatly alleviate menopause symptoms. I often collaborate with a fitness and mobility specialist to create personalized programs for my clients, ensuring they have the tools to stay strong and routine they can rely on.
What do I hope to achieve with Daffodil Pathways Transformational Coaching in the coming years? How do I see the field of menopause care evolving?
My mission is to empower as many women as possible to enter this phase of life with knowledge, ease, and the support they need. With the number of women in menopause expected to reach 1.1 billion by 2025, I envision a future where providers are more educated and focused on menopause care. Women will visit their providers and receive the information and support they deserve, and research initiatives around menopause will continue to grow.
The stigma surrounding menopause will be lifted in the future, allowing women the freedom to have more intuitive conversations with other women, their family, and in the workplace.
My greatest career achievement so far?
Taking a leap of faith in my career later in life, leaving the predictability of my bedside nursing role, and starting my own coaching business. Believing in myself and knowing that my work will make a real impact on the lives of women during this pivotal time is incredibly rewarding. I hope to leave a legacy for my children and grandchildren, one that shows them the power of following your passion and making a difference in the world.
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