Hi, I'm Dr. Maria Luque

Founder of Fitness in Menopause

I’m a fitness expert, health science professor, menopause expert, military veteran, and busy mother with a passion for sharing knowledge and helping women in menopause lead healthier and happier lives.

Here’s why I’m here: To help women in peri-menopause and beyond maximize their quality of life. Helping women navigate the challenges and rewards of menopause is my particular passion. If this is you, I’ve got your back. I’m in my late forties myself–so I’m right there with you, wielding my education and experience to bring you the uncompromising advice you need to get through this sometimes bewildering transition.

You may think menopause sucks, and that you have to accept it. I get it, but you’re wrong, and I’m excited to tell you why.

You may think hormone replacement therapy is your only option. And yet you have so many questions and concerns about it. I get it. HRT  is an option, but it’s not your only option. I’ll help you untangle the research and learn how it applies to you. And as for alternatives to HRT, well, we have a lot to cover!

What about those self-styled experts promising a “cure” for menopause? I get it, but just say no. If you’re as busy as I am, you have better things to do with your time than wade through a sea of confusing, even alarming, remedies. Menopause is not an illness or a disability, any more than being female is. There might even be reasons to celebrate this phase of our lives. Sure, there are parts we could do without–hot flashes, anyone?–but I have lots of good news on that front, too.

 Can you tell I'm passionate about the topic? I hope you do. But I have more than passion. I've been in this field way before it became the hot topic it is now. I have over 20 years of experience spanning fitness and academia. Here's a little bit more about my professional development and education. 

After serving in the U.S. Air Force, where I served as a Fitness Program Manager, I first completed an M.S. in health education and then a Ph.D. in health sciences. When it came time to write my dissertation (2010), I had to pick a topic and decided on menopause. Why? Because many of my clients and friends were going through menopause and finding information seemed to be very difficult. With my extensive fitness background, this was a perfect opportunity to research how physical activity influences quality of life during perimenopause. At that point, I didn't realize that this step would change the focus of my career, but after immersing myself in this topic, I knew this was what I wanted to do. To help other fitness professionals become more knowledgeable in working with menopausal clients, I created a course called Menopausal Fitness: Training the Menopausal Client, which has helped hundreds of fitness professionals earn their continuing education through NASM, AFAA, and ACE. I'm a lifelong learner and love teaching, which is why I also teach a variety of graduate and undergraduate health science courses at the College of Health and Human Services at Trident University International and write about menopause and other fitness-related topics for various publications. 

• Ph.D. Health Sciences

• Master of Science (M.S) in Health Sciences and Health Education

• Bachelor of Arts, Linguistics (German, Spanish, English)

• Certified Health Education Specialist

• Certified Personal Trainer (ACE)

• Fitness Nutrition Specialist (ACE)

•  Women's Fitness Specialist (NASM)