From Confusion to Confidence: How NNABI Is Changing the Perimenopause Conversation

The Positive Pause

The Positive Pause
From Confusion to Confidence: How NNABI Is Changing the Perimenopause Conversation
Nov 20, 2025 Season 1 Episode 40
National Menopause Foundation

In this episode of The Positive Pause, host Claire Gill sits down with EJ Kim and Marina Pen, co-founders of NNABI, the first company built specifically to support women in perimenopause, for a discussion around the massive awareness gap surrounding this life stage, their groundbreaking “Peri Power Report 2025”, and why women deserve better education, community, and tools as they navigate perimenopause.

EJ Kim’s personal struggles with PCOS and later perimenopause led her to seek natural, evidence-based solutions. When Marina began experiencing anxiety, sleepless nights, and mood swings, she discovered it wasn’t stress; it was perimenopause. Surprised by how little conversation and guidance existed, she turned frustration into purpose. Together they created NNABI, which means butterfly in Korean and represents love, hope, beauty and transformation, a brand created to educate and empower women through one of the most transformative stages of their lives through credible information, supportive community and doctor-formulated solutions designed specifically for Perimenopause. EJ is passionate about redefining the conversation around perimenopause as a power era, and ensuring that women are understood, seen, and recognized for the power they hold and reflected accurately in media and narratives.

This episode sheds light on a stage of life that affects millions of women yet remains widely misunderstood -- many women begin experiencing perimenopause years before they expect to, often in their 30s or early 40s, without recognizing the signs.

Key Points Covered

  • There is a significant awareness gap - women often experience multiple symptoms (fatigue, anxiety, sleep disruption, joint pain, irritability, brain fog, and weight changes) yet do not associate them with perimenopause and are frequently misattributed to stress or aging instead of hormonal shifts. 
  • Education is critical - Understanding the term “perimenopause” and being able to name what’s happening helps counter feelings of confusion or self-blame. 
  • Community support—at home, in the workplace, and among peers—plays a major role in helping women navigate this stage. We all need to learn and talk about how to share the loads! 
  • Perimenopause is not strictly a negative phase - Many women experience newfound clarity, confidence, boundary-setting, and personal power during this time, which becomes sources of their power. 
  • There is no single solution or a quick fix - Instead, women benefit from a toolkit approach that may include medical guidance, lifestyle changes, sleep support, movement, supplements, and stress management.

This episode sheds light on a stage of life that affects millions of women yet remains widely misunderstood. Claire, EJ, and Marina explore the symptoms most women overlook, the emotional impact of not knowing what’s happening, and the importance of education, community, and supportive tools. Through NNABI’s “Peri Power Report” and their mission, they highlight both the challenges and the strengths that define this transitional chapter and underscore why women deserve clarity, compassion, and resources that truly reflect their experience.


Connect with EJ & Marina