Together, they show two ends of the wellness conversation: midlife changes and adolescence, both demanding attention, both affecting confidence, and both requiring support.
When Dawn Zulueta-Lagdameo walked into her latest Marie France event, she talked openly about something many women avoid saying out loud: her body has changed, and it continues to change at 56. Menopause, joint pain, poor circulation, and frozen shoulders, these are now the issues she is managing.
“Menopause lasts ten years. It’s too long, that’s all I can say,” she told the crowd. The remark was light, but the reality behind it was not. She described the discomfort plainly: stiffness, pain, and a body that no longer behaves the way it used to.
This new chapter comes two decades after her first journey with the brand, when she was dealing with post-pregnancy concerns. Now the focus is different: moving better, feeling less pain, and maintaining a quality of life that allows her to stay active.
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What makes this moment more interesting is that Dawn is going through it while her daughter, Ayisha, faces her own set of physical changes, ones that come with being 16, growing fast, and dancing often.
Together, they show two ends of the wellness conversation: midlife changes and adolescence, both demanding attention, both affecting confidence, and both requiring support.
A body in menopause
During the program, Dawn talked candidly about how menopause affects her. “These days, even lymphatic draining, and what I also suffer from, which is the frozen shoulder. Horrible, horrible feeling,” she said. “But because of their treatments, I am able to feel better and I am relieved.”
She admitted that getting older brings limitations like slower circulation, joint pain, and less mobility but she made it clear that accepting discomfort isn’t the only option.
She also spoke directly to women navigating the same stage of life. “You know, just because we’re getting older doesn’t mean that we have to just wallow in this. There is a way. There really is a way. And it’s only a matter of putting yourself forward and advocating for it. You have to, you really have to find a way and advocate for yourself.”
A body growing quickly—Ayisha’s experience at 16
Ayisha’s concerns are completely different, but just as disruptive. She has been dancing since she was three, and dance training demands control and stability. A growth spurt changed that.
She shared, “Every time I take a class, I would feel a lot of joint pain, especially in my knees or my ankles. I thought it was an injury, but my doctor said I was just growing.” For a young dancer, these changes feel a little dramatic.
Doctors at the event explained what happens inside a teenage body: bones lengthen faster than muscles can adapt, fat distribution shifts, and hormones change rapidly. It’s normal but it’s uncomfortable.
Ayisha said she feels guided instead of confused. She also mentioned how doing wellness sessions with her mom makes the process easier. Dawn added, “It’s bonding time. It’s nice because they have rooms now where you can tandem.”
The Trifecta for Wellness
Dawn’s current routine centers on Marie France’s Trifecta for Wellness, a three-part program designed to support mobility, circulation, and skin firmness, concerns she deals with at 56.
Wonder Axon is a full-body muscle strengthening treatment that targets the core and major muscle groups. For Dawn, it helps improve mobility and maintain bone density, both of which become more important during menopause.
Endospheres is a treatment that boosts circulation and lymphatic flow. This is the one Dawn talks about. It eases stiffness, joint pain, and her “horrible, horrible” frozen shoulder. She says it gives immediate relief and helps her move more comfortably.
Celluform is firming treatment that works on skin tone and texture. As the body changes with age, Celluform helps maintain smoother, tighter-looking skin which is a concern many midlife women share.
Doctors at the event reminded the audience that wellness programs are tailored to each client’s age and needs. Treatments are customized based on specific concerns especially for women going through major hormonal shifts.
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What women can take away from Ayisha and Dawn’s wellness journey
Dawn and Ayisha’s stories show how both ends of the spectrum — menopause and adolescence — require active attention. Here are our key takeaways:
1. Pain can be a signal. Menopause pain, frozen shoulder, joint discomfort, or teenage growth pain all have solutions. Ignoring them usually makes things worse.
2. Circulation matters more than people think. For Dawn, circulation issues worsen menopause symptoms. For Ayisha, good circulation helps with recovery and stability. Simple support like daily walks, stretching, warm compresses, and of course, hydration goes a long way too.
3. Body changes affect confidence. Whether it’s a teen feeling “off” because of a growth spurt or a midlife woman dealing with stiffness, both benefit from proper guidance.
4. Medical support helps normalize the experience. Teens often don’t understand what their bodies are doing. Women in midlife often feel alone in their symptoms. Professional explanation reduces confusion and shame.
5. Wellness is maintenance, not an emergency fix. Seek relief before it gets worse and be consistent in taking care of our body.
At the event, Dawn was shown her old Marie France billboard, the one taken while she was pregnant with Ayisha. “It’s surreal,” she said. Now, her daughter stands beside her, going through her own changes with more guidance and support. Dawn ended the conversation with a clear message for women her age:
“I really encourage everyone to advocate for yourselves. I want to encourage especially the women my age. Because there are some who feel that they’ve lost hope. ‘No, I’m just going to be like this.’ And I always tell them, no, there are treatments out there that you can get, and you will feel better. And it’s true. I feel better.”
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