#MAKEITHAPPEN

For anyone who's had to deal with questions surrounding the start of menopause, we now have the perfect response for you: “Just tell them you’re getting hotter,” says Falguni Lakhani Adams, executive producer at VICE TV and co-founder of Getting Hotter, a space for women to share their experiences with menopause and perimenopause. “The name came about as we opened up about our journey, and too often we were met with ‘No way, you’re too hot to be going through menopause.’” Changing the narrative around this uneasy time in a woman’s life is Adams’ mission, one story at a time.

Here, we chat with the wife, mother and Emmy-award winner about her morning rituals, life hacks, and why creating a dialogue around women's struggles—whether it be postpartum depression or menopause—is so important to her.

My hustle…
I’m currently an executive producer with VICE TV. It's an inspiring and exciting job and I'm grateful I get to write and shape powerful stories and help bring underrepresented voices to the screen. My side hustle and passion is a new venture I started with my good friend Kruti Majmudar called Getting Hotter. Our focus is providing resources, information, and support around menopause and perimenopause. Kruti and I both hit menopause early, in our mid-40s, and realized that many of us were going through the same experience in silence. The name came about as we opened up about our journey, and too often we were met with “No way, you’re too hot to be going through menopause.” Getting Hotter is in the process of becoming a book, podcast, and original video series, and I’m proud of being part of changing the narrative around this important topic.

What got me started…
My father is the source of everything. He always impressed upon me the importance of seizing all the opportunities life has to offer. He came to this country from India with no money and no connections and ended up raising three successful kids (two doctor sons and a non-doctor daughter).

What clears my head…
Breathwork, meditation, and singing in the car at full volume to pop songs (corny, yes, but it works!)

When in doubt, I…
Re-read my journals from when I was little. It helps me remember my growth and constant evolution. Some of the stories make me laugh out loud, but it also helps me recognize the WORLD IS BIG.

Greatest challenge—and how I overcame it…
My greatest challenges have involved all the topics women aren't often encouraged to share: miscarriage, postpartum depression, and now menopause. Each phase brought about mental sadness, and a rift in my marriage… but seeing how my partner and I worked through it as a team has helped me see life's bigger picture. Opening up the dialogue about these issues has been therapeutic for me and allowed my friends and community of women to form deeper connections that I hope will last forever.

3 morning musts…
I dry brush, drink hot water with lemon and turmeric, and then strong black coffee in bed, usually courtesy of my man or daughter. I love that it's part of her ritual as well—she will always know how to take care of someone and the importance of being cared for.

3 life hacks...
1. Always studying something new keeps life interesting and exciting. For example, this year I started playing the bass, competed on a TV game show, and started training to run a marathon.
2. Yoga for flexibility
3. Doing something unexpectedly kind for someone else. Paying for the ice cream of the people behind me or sending coffee to a friend. It's my therapy.

3 secret work weapons...
1. Leading with empathy and kindness.
2 Taking time to know everyone, even if our jobs aren’t directly connected.
3. Convincing people to view their jobs as opportunities, not just “work.”

Personal talisman…
The picture of my maternal grandfather that I have had in my wallet for as long as I have carried a wallet. My grandfather, who lived in Kenya, lost his leg to a hippo while trying to save someone else. The photo of him with his missing leg always reminds me of how my ancestors sacrificed so much so that I could have this beautiful life.

Best advice received…
LIFE IS BIG. If something doesn't work out there is always something else waiting on the horizon. Try not to fret or borrow troubles from tomorrow.

Favorite wardrobe hack...
Vintage pieces that cinch at the waist so I can rock my hourglass curves.

Wardrobe MVP...
My Furla rose quartz ring (before rose quartz was even a trend) that I saved up for months. I bought it in Italy when I was 26, and still feel pride and self-love when I wear it.

What I would tell my younger self about getting dressed...
Don't try to emulate the magazines! And, most importantly, do the things that tend to serve you best in life, as well. March to the beat of your own drum, follow your own mantras—they always end up serving you.

Wearing Veronica Beard makes me feel...
INFINITE, or as my son said when he saw me put the jacket on, "Wow, Mom, you look like a boss."

What I'm reading/listening to/binging...
I'm currently reading Breathe by James Nestor and the Storyteller by Dave Grohl—you gotta have the variety! And I'm re-listening to all my favorite songs to hear the bass. It's amazing how learning a new instrument gives you a totally different perspective on music.

Beauty/self-care must-haves...
My beauty and self-care must-haves all involve the importance of RITUAL. I go to Lucy Postolov weekly for acupuncture and do leeches every full moon. I take long hot baths, and most importantly, I laugh all the time, even at my own jokes.

Favorite thing to do...
Sit at a foreign cafe, drink coffee, and practice my language skills while people-watching.

Favorite thing to make…
Love, art, music, jokes

One mover and shaker I admire…
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and Alicia Keys