In today's society, many personal struggles, like infertility and menopause, remain shrouded in silence.

For those facing such challenges, finding support can be difficult and isolating. Sarah Banks, founder of The IVF Positivity Planner and The Menopause Positivity Planner, knows this reality all too well. Having personally endured a six-year journey through infertility, Sarah transformed her experiences into a mission to help others navigate these difficult times.

In this interview, we explore Sarah's journey, her inspiration for creating The Positivity Planner Collection, and the impact of her work on individuals and organizations alike.

Nicolle: Your personal IVF journey plays a significant role in shaping your business. How did your experiences during those six years of struggle inspire you to create The IVF Positivity Planner?

Sarah: I wanted to create a resource to address the challenges I faced during our treatment, particularly the feeling of being out of control. My goal was to provide a tool that individuals could use outside the clinic, offering more than daily journaling. It was important to focus on the positive aspects of people’s lives, not just the concept of "staying positive," but to truly appreciate and build on the good things they were experiencing.

The resource includes activities designed to help users care for themselves, improve their daily lives, and address various aspects of their journey. For instance, it encourages reflecting on what is going well, improving coping strategies as a couple, and managing negative worries – all areas that I struggled with. I designed the planner to support individuals in feeling less alone and provide practical ways to regain control over their journey.

The lack of support and understanding during our treatment inspired me to create this resource; there was minimal support available, and I didn't know anyone else who was experiencing the same challenges. This gap in support drove me to develop a product that would help others feel less isolated and more supported during their treatment journey.

Nicolle: Your second book, The Menopause Positivity Planner, addresses a different but equally sensitive topic. What motivated you to expand into menopause support, and how do you approach this issue differently from infertility?

Sarah: I created my second planner, the Menopause Positivity Planner because I realised that the format used in my IVF Positivity Planner would be highly effective for addressing menopause as well. This planner is designed to help individuals regain control and refocus on themselves. During menopause, many women feel as though they have lost their identity and struggle to reconnect with themselves. The planner provides the space needed to concentrate on personal needs, whether it's taking more personal time, reducing comparisons with others, or improving relationships.

The needs of individuals going through menopause differ significantly from those facing infertility. Although there are similarities in the journaling, gratitude practices, and positive focus within the planners, menopausal women face distinct challenges and requirements and this support tool encourages women to address these issues with confidence. In developing the Menopause Positivity Planner, I focused on several areas including; managing anxiety, boosting confidence, handling relationship changes, and overcoming concerns about worthiness due to ageing and body changes. I genuinely hoped to help women create a life they enjoy and allow them to thrive during this period, rather than merely survive.

Nicolle: You offer personalised, evidence-based resources through The Positivity Planner Collection. Could you share more about the process of developing these tools and how you ensure they cater to the diverse needs of your clients?

Sarah: The activities and tools in the resource have been sourced from various places. They come from my own coaching experience, including methods that have proven effective for others, as well as research-based activities known to be helpful. For example, addressing negative thought processes and learning how to reframe those thoughts.

Many tools are grounded in well-established cognitive behavioural therapy practices that I have applied with coaching clients. Some tools are based on my personal experiences and understanding of the support people need. These include reflecting on relationships by exploring why you came together, what you cherish about each other, and how to spend more quality time together.

Other activities focus on self-improvement, like identifying what makes you feel confident and positive. These elements come from both my work with clients and my own treatment journey. While developing these planners, I focused on creating a concise book that includes only the most beneficial activities to avoid overwhelming readers. I also designed it to cater to diverse needs: while the IVF Positivity Planner contains sections specific to IVF, many pages can be adapted for other fertility treatments.

I’ve also been mindful to use inclusive language, referring to "partners" rather than "husbands" or "wives" to accommodate people in all types of relationships, as well as those who are single. The activities are designed to be flexible and relevant for different circumstances, whether they relate to relationships with friends, family, or personal self-reflection.

Recognising that everyone experiences things differently, I aimed to create tools that invite personal reflection without feeling too rigid or prescriptive. This way, the activities can be helpful whether you’re dealing with anxiety, self-comparison, or confidence issues.

Nicolle: Your business focuses heavily on creating a supportive community for individuals facing infertility and menopause. What role do shared experiences and empathy play in helping your clients, and how have you seen this support network evolve?

Sarah: Shared experiences are incredibly helpful. They provide validation, especially with challenging topics that people still find difficult to talk about. Many feel uncomfortable sharing with those around them, or within wider communities and don't always receive the support they need from loved ones.

Creating a safe space where people can talk openly and honestly, without fear of being judged, is important and allows people to express their feelings without bottling them up. Not only are those feelings shared openly, but others respond by saying, "I feel the same, and it's completely normal to feel that way." This empathy helps people feel less isolated in their journey. My support communities have evolved. They began as face-to-face groups, which were positive but during COVID, in-person meetings dwindled, and we haven't restarted them.

This is mainly because the online community has grown so much. When I first started these communities, I was replying to every question. Yet over time, others have stepped in, sharing their experiences, advice, and support; developing into a lovely community. I'm very conscious of keeping it non-medical - no one can give medical advice, though people can ask about their situation. We always signpost to medical professionals, but it remains a space where people can speak freely without fear of judgment.

Nicolle: As someone who shifted careers to become a personal development coach after your own fertility struggles, what key advice do you offer others who are currently going through a similar emotional journey?

Sarah: For those going through infertility, or other challenging times, the most important advice is to seek out support. It can be incredibly lonely, and you might feel like you're the only one experiencing these emotions, but reaching out for support connects you with others who can reassure you that you're not alone and that what you're feeling is normal. This validation can make a significant difference in how you feel.

Various forms of support are available, and finding the type that works best for you is essential. This could range from online groups where you can maintain relative anonymity to in-person meetings and counsellors experienced in your specific situation. Also, look for ways to regain control, trying to influence those areas you can change.

Challenges like infertility or menopause can make you feel powerless over your body and life. For example, with infertility, you may want to become a parent but feel stuck when it's not happening. Similarly, menopause symptoms can affect how you feel about your body and self-worth.

In both infertility and menopause, taking small steps to make lifestyle changes can also be beneficial. Focus on getting more rest, eating well, and avoiding habits such as smoking or excessive drinking, which can impact your fertility or worsen menopause symptoms. These small steps will help you feel more empowered and improve your overall well-being.

Nicolle: You've collaborated with major companies like Matalan and NatWest to educate teams on internal support and policies. Can you discuss the impact of these partnerships, and why corporate engagement is vital for those facing infertility or menopause?

Sarah: Creating a supportive culture within an organisation is crucial, especially during challenging times such as mental health issues, infertility, or menopause. Organisations need to have policies in place or an understanding of how to better support individuals through these difficulties. This approach helps ensure that employees remain productive while also feeling supported and content in their roles.

Raising awareness in larger companies is beneficial because their efforts can inspire smaller ones, creating a wider culture of support. When employees see these issues being openly addressed, they are more likely to feel championed. Businesses need to go beyond treating infertility and menopause support as simply a checkbox exercise; offering practical assistance that truly meets the needs of their employees. We need to adopt environments where employees feel safe to have open conversations about their challenges, knowing they are heard.

Collaborating with organisations to facilitate these discussions and provide training ensures that more people receive the help they need, allowing them to continue performing effectively in their roles.

Nicolle: Looking ahead, what are your plans for expanding The Positivity Planner Collection, and are there any new projects on the horizon that you're excited about?

Sarah: I would love to expand the range of positivity planners in the future. However, my current challenge is finding the time, as I’m committed to ensuring the planners come with a strong support network. I need to provide meaningful background support for individuals dealing with infertility and menopause, which includes social media resources, support groups, and organisational training to help shift workplace cultures. Looking ahead, I hope the planners are distributed in workplaces as a resource for colleagues struggling with infertility, undergoing IVF, or navigating menopause.

Also, I’d like fertility clinics to include the IVF Positivity Planner as part of their treatment packages, providing patients with 24/7 support to help them feel seen and in control. I have been collaborating with organisations and clinics to implement this, and the feedback has been very positive. Expanding this further is definitely a goal.

I have an exciting few months ahead with various training sessions; conducting training on IVF and infertility topics with pharmaceutical companies, clinics, and organisations, as well as menopause training for workplaces. It’s a busy time focused on raising awareness and improving support within these organisations, but every step forward brings us closer to creating a more compassionate and empowering environment for all.

Through her Positivity Planner Collection, Sarah Banks has created invaluable tools that provide support, empowerment, and community for individuals facing the challenges of infertility and menopause. Her unique approach, combining personal experience with evidence-based practices, ensures that her resources not only guide people through these life stages but also help them reclaim a sense of control. Sarah’s vision extends beyond individual support, influencing workplace cultures and breaking the silence around issues that many still find difficult to discuss. With a focus on empathy and understanding, Sarah’s work continues to inspire change, helping people thrive rather than just survive.

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Nicolle Knapova is a little bit of everything. She is a freelance translator, content creator and social media executive for The C Word Mag. She loves indie music and is always browsing through Spotify to find the next amazing artist to obsess over. Her love for storytelling means she’s always writing something and she’s not afraid of any genre. Her biggest dream is to be a published author. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.

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