Lisa Snowdon has spoken candidly about how debilitating menopause symptoms triggered crippling anxiety and nearly derailed her broadcasting career.
The 54-year-old television presenter told Prima magazine that hormonal changes led to panic attacks and shattered her professional confidence.
“At the height of my menopause, anxiety really impacted my work.
My confidence was at rock bottom and I was having panic attacks thinking, ‘I can’t do my job,’” Snowdon said.
She recalled a hosting job in front of 1,000 industry professionals where she felt trapped and overwhelmed.
“It messed with my head, I lost myself.
There were jobs I turned down that I should’ve done, but I can’t dwell on it,” she added.
Beyond mental struggles, Snowdon experienced physical changes including hair loss, dry skin, and a three-stone weight gain. She also noted emotional volatility linked to alcohol during perimenopause.
“I found that wine would trigger rages for me. I used to get so angry after a few glasses.
All of a sudden, I’d turn into the devil and I had no idea why,” she said.
Now, she drinks much less and focuses on balance. “I’m not going to deny myself, but it’s about balance,” she explained.
Reframing Aging and Future Plans
Snowdon, who was hospitalized for meningitis in 2010, now sees midlife as a powerful new chapter.
“I’m 54 now and see this time in my life as a new chapter. It’s important to reframe aging in a more positive way,” she said.
She described this phase as a “second spring” and emphasized the opportunity for self-reconnection and big life changes, especially for those without children.
The former Strictly Come Dancing finalist also rejected societal rules about dressing “for your age.” She said, “Rip up the rule book, I say.”
Looking ahead, Snowdon expressed interest in hosting a major TV show focused on midlife makeovers for both men and women.
“I’d like to do a show offering midlife makeovers for everyone… something that speaks to my soul, that helps people not just dress in a different way, but also live in a different way,” she revealed.
The full interview appears in the September 2026 issue of Prima magazine.
