From Adversity to Empowerment; From Little Purity to the Big and Bold
What if your greatest challenges became the foundation of your greatest triumphs? This isn’t just the story of Dr. Purity, the professional; it’s the story of a girl who turned her struggles into stepping stones. Growing up in the slums of Kenya, not knowing her father, stuttering through conversations, and becoming a single mother at 20, little Purity, as I was called by everyone, defied the odds to build a life filled with purpose and endless possibilities.
Where you begin does not dictate where you can go. My story shows how adversity sparks ambition and how even the faintest spark of a dream can ignite a path to success.
My Journey
I've had quite an adventure—from growing up in the slums to becoming a single mother in a foreign country, studying at the University of Manchester in the U.K., becoming a GP, working for the Air Force and Army, and opening Purity Health in partnership with Samy Medical.
While studying, I managed a full-time degree, worked 33 hours a week, and raised a fiercely independent teenage son. I also supported my mum and my extended family back home (in Africa, the whole clan is your family). I stayed up all night finishing projects and still made it to university the next day. I constantly told myself, “If anyone else can do it, I can too—and do it better.” Sometimes I felt like my shoulders were too small to carry the immense responsibilities and burdens. I knew I was in a race for life, and as the saying goes, “The race is not to the swift but to the one who endures to the end.” So, I endured sleepless nights, scarcity, pain, feelings of inadequacy, and shame, constantly reminding myself that I hadn't come this far to quit. The competition was always with myself. Each day, I pushed to improve a little bit more than the day before, often edging toward exhaustion. I had to finish the race—because finishing meant winning!
Looking Forward
Last year was a year of immense growth, and with growth often comes discomfort. I spoke to senators, GPs, specialists at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Curtin University, and Fremantle, as well as patients about menopause, sharing my knowledge far and wide.
In 2025, I’m leaning into courage and deliberate action. I asked myself, “If this were my last year on Earth, how would I live it?” With my child grown and my mother cared for, I’ve decided to focus on menopause—my passion and purpose.
I’m stepping out of my comfort zone, engaging in conversations that once felt intimidating. My theme this year is "Big and Bold." I do not intend to become big—Oh no! Others can do that better than me. My ideas, actions, and motives must be big and bold. Over the years, I have learned that humility wins! It is when we accept our inadequacy and human frailty that we become strongest. Only then can we accept help from above and around us.
My mission is to bring hope and empowerment to Africa and rally influential voices to join the menopause movement here in Australia. Allow me to challenge you just as I am challenging myself.
What’s your must-do for 2025?
It doesn't have to be big and bold in others' estimation, but it must be big and bold for you. Your vision should be big enough to scare you! Yes, your knees should knock when you repeat it each morning and evening. Own it. Live it. Tackle it one day at a time. Small steps lead to great achievements. Although your dream hasn't been realized yet, you must cultivate the mindset that you have already achieved it. If you want to lose weight and feel good, start feeling good now. Start telling yourself how fabulous you look. By training your brain to live what hasn't happened yet, you condition yourself for success. Remember, no one should care about your dream more than you do!
If you're struggling with a habit like smoking or an addiction to food or caffeine, decide that enough is enough. Serve that habit an eviction notice—not tomorrow but today! Train your brain to respond to the voice of reason rather than desire and impulse. When you feel like having a coffee, alcohol, chocolate, a doughnut, or anything else that you want to get free from, remind yourself that you’re in control. Bring the limbic part of your brain—the so-called "gator brain"—under the command of willpower and reason. Don’t let the gator run wild. The gator brain must stay in check, ready for real emergencies like running from a snake, while reason governs the rest.
In your quest to win the life race, I suggest that you don’t forget the one thing that unites every female alive today: menopause! Everyone who lives long enough will experience it. Let’s showcase menopause as a time of courage, empowerment, and unique transformation for every woman. Ladies, this is our moment! Let’s make 2025 the year we stand tall, act boldly, and amplify our voices.
Empowering Women
Finally, my promise to you and my mission is to continually empower women with evidence-based information and compassionate care through perimenopause and menopause. I believe in a holistic approach to health, prioritizing shared decision-making and collaborating with the remarkable women I serve at Purity Health.
I have personally felt, and witnessed in patients, the challenges of declining female sex hormones—how they impact confidence, self-worth, sleep, memory, and body image.
I am committed to addressing these concerns with care that uplifts and transforms.
Join me on this journey of transformation. Let’s rise to the challenges and embrace the opportunities ahead.
Unleash the bold, empowered menopausal woman within you.
Welcome to the Menopause Revolution!
Dr Purity is a Member of International Menopause Society (IMS), Australasian Menopause Society (AMS), FRACGP, Accredited Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine Supervisor
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