Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse has spoken openly about a personal health challenge during a live broadcast of the hit BBC show. The 44-year-old panellist addressed her experience with perimenopause after a momentary memory lapse while delivering her critique.
Live TV moment sparks candid health admission
The South African-born dancer, who joined the Strictly judging panel in 2019, found herself struggling to recall a name during Musicals Week. While giving feedback to actress Balvinder Sopal and her professional dance partner Julian Caillon, Motsi hesitated.
"Balvinder honestly, erm...we were just holding hands with Shirley throughout that dance," she began, before adding: "Really from the very minute you started and your dance partner - his name is Julian - came over..."
She then laughed and directly addressed the studio audience and viewers at home, explaining: "Just reminding my perimenopause brain. I have to get it going." This frank admission highlighted the very real impact perimenopause symptoms can have on daily life and work.
Proactive steps for the 'ride' ahead
Motsi Mabuse has previously revealed she is taking active measures to prepare her body and mind for the menopause transition. She told The Sun's Fabulous magazine: "I want to be ready." Her approach is holistic, focusing on fitness and diet rather than quick fixes.
She has embarked on a rigorous routine that includes weight training to build muscle, and has transformed her eating habits to include nuts, fruit, and salad. She has specifically turned down weight-loss injections, opting for a natural path.
Furthermore, she incorporates sauna sessions three times weekly to help reduce cortisol levels and uses ice baths to support her mental health. Motsi explained that much of what she had heard about menopause felt like "fear mongering," but she has been warned by fellow judge Shirley Ballas that the significant hormonal shifts ahead will be "a ride."
Understanding perimenopause and its symptoms
According to the NHS, menopause and perimenopause symptoms can significantly impact daily life. Perimenopause refers to the time when symptoms begin, which can be months or years before periods stop entirely. The first sign is often a change in the normal pattern of periods.
Common symptoms include:
- Changes in mood, such as low mood, anxiety, and mood swings.
- Problems with memory or concentration, often called 'brain fog'.
- Hot flushes and difficulty sleeping, potentially from night sweats.
- Palpitations, headaches, and muscle aches.
Other effects can involve weight gain, skin changes, vaginal dryness, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Motsi Mabuse's public discussion helps to normalise these experiences for the many women going through similar changes.
By sharing her journey on a prime-time television show, the Strictly judge has brought the conversation around perimenopause into the mainstream, encouraging openness and proactive health management.
