What this episode is about
From feeling disconnected to vibrant and alive: Marcella Hill's story of transformation will inspire you to wake up to your authentic self.
In this episode
- The Unexpected Journey into Perimenopause
- The Awakening: From Darkness to Light
- Breaking Free from Shame
Moments from this episode
Word for word from the recording. Tap a time to hear it.
My body is not inappropriate
“I also thought that my body was inappropriate. That's a lie. My body is not inappropriate, it's just my body, and I started falling in love with my body.”
Sex happened to me, not for me
“I had never seen sex as something that added to me. I always saw sex as something that happened to me and that took away from me.”
Sexuality is part of being whole
“Sexuality is part of what makes us whole, and so why wouldn't you love yourself as the whole being that you are?”
Pleasure was almost a sin
“I thought pleasure was almost a sin, like you shouldn't seek it out.”
“I often say for me it was like the light switched off and I was left totally in the dark, but it's often in this darkness that we find the gifts to help us rise.”
Gabriella Espinosaat 8:33
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Show notes
Have you ever stopped to wonder who you REALLY ARE beneath all the roles you play and expectations placed on you? When was the last time you truly listened to that inner voice that knows your authentic self?
If these questions feel uncomfortable or leave you uncertain, you're not alone. Today, I'm excited to share insights from my conversation with Marcella Hill, a woman whose journey through perimenopause led her to a powerful awakening and the creation of a community that's helping thousands of women reconnect with their true selves.
Read the full show notesShow less
The Unexpected Journey into Perimenopause
Marcella's story begins like many of ours - with confusion, frustration, and a feeling of being lost. At 38, she found herself grappling with unexplained symptoms. Despite seeking help from her gynecologist, she was told everything was normal. This experience is all too common for women entering perimenopause.
Key Insight: Many of us navigate this transition without understanding what's happening to our bodies and minds. We're left feeling like something's wrong with us or our relationships when in reality, we're going through a natural, albeit challenging, life stage.
The Awakening: From Darkness to Light
For Marcella, everything changed when she discovered hormone therapy at 42. The transformation was dramatic and immediate. She describes it as feeling like herself again after years of struggle.
But Marcella's journey didn't stop at physical relief. She embarked on a deeper path of self-discovery, which she calls "waking up". Her goal was to find her true self - the part of her that would exist regardless of external circumstances or relationships.
Reflection Point: What parts of yourself have you lost touch with over the years? How might reconnecting with your core self change your life?
Breaking Free from Shame
One of the most powerful aspects of Marcella's story is her journey to overcome shame, particularly around sexuality and pleasure. Growing up in a conservative religious environment, she had internalized many limiting beliefs about desire and joy.
Through her awakening process, Marcella came to a profound realization: pleasure isn't extra or sinful - it's an essential part of being alive and whole. This shift in perspective allowed her to embrace her desires and find a new sense of freedom and authenticity.
Action Step: Take a moment to reflect on your own beliefs about pleasure and desire. Are there any limiting beliefs you're holding onto that no longer serve you?
The Power of Community in Awakening
Inspired by her personal journey, Marcella created the Wake Her Up community, which now boasts over 48,000 members. This space allows women to explore their health, relationships, and personal growth openly and without judgment.
The community covers a wide range of topics, from hormone health to parenting teenagers to navigating the empty nest phase. It's a testament to the power of shared experiences and mutual support in our journeys of self-discovery.
Community Challenge: How can you create or join a supportive community in your own life? What would it mean to have a space where you can share openly about your experiences and challenges?
Embracing the Quiet: A New Way of Being
One of the most beautiful outcomes of Marcella's awakening is the sense of peace and presence she's discovered. She describes a newfound inner quiet, a stark contrast to the constant mental chatter she experienced before.
This quiet allows her to be fully present in each moment, truly living rather than constantly thinking about the past or future. It's a powerful reminder of the peace that can come from truly knowing and accepting ourselves.
Mindfulness Moment: Take a deep breath and notice the sensations in your body. Can you find a moment of quiet amidst the noise of daily life?
A Call to Wake Up
Marcella's story serves as a powerful reminder that it's never too late to wake up to your true self. Whether you're navigating perimenopause, struggling with shame, or simply feeling disconnected from yourself, there's hope for a more vibrant, authentic life.
She emphasizes that joy is not a luxury - it's essential to our existence. It's who we are at our core. Following our joy and pleasure is the roadmap to finding our true selves.
Are you ready to wake up to your true self? To explore your pleasure, your joy, and your authentic being? The journey may not always be easy, but as Marcella's story shows, it's infinitely rewarding.
Let's continue this conversation. Have you experienced a similar awakening? What challenges have you faced in connecting with your true self? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Together, we can support and empower each other on this beautiful, messy, joyful journey of waking up.
Remember, your pleasure matters. Your joy matters. YOU matter. It's time to wake up to the amazing woman you truly are.
About our guest: Marcella Hill's entrepreneurial journey began at age 10, selling Girl Scout cookies. She went on to become the founder and CEO of Peek-a-Boo Stuff, a global toy company, and Love Woolies, a repurposed clothing brand. She is also the author of the Amazon Best Seller Wake Her Up. Her latest venture, Wake Her Up, is a global movement focused on women's health, awakening women through midlife.
With a community of over 1 million social media followers and over 48,000 women in the Wake Her Up community, Marcella's influence is rapidly expanding. Her story on perimenopause was featured by Oprah Daily, and one of her videos was highlighted in Oprah’s Hulu weight loss special in April, an incredible honor.
Marcella is passionate about inspiring women, problem-solving, public speaking, dancing, starting businesses, adventuring, paddle boarding, writing, and, of course, more dancing.
- Learn more about Wake Her Up: wakeherup.co
- Follow Marcella on Instagram: instagram.com/beingmarcellahill
- Follow Marcella on TikTok: tiktok.com/@beingmarcellahill
About the guest
Marcella HillFounder and CEO of Peek-a-Boo Stuff, a global toy company, and Love Woolies, a repurposed clothing brandGuest on this episode of Pleasure in the Pause.More about them
