An interview with Dr. Marissa Kelaher
- Dr Ula Heywood
- May 1
- 3 min read
Root-cause thinker. Hormone health expert. Champion for women’s midlife health.
We’re thrilled to welcome Dr Marissa Kelaher to Autonomy. With deep expertise in both hormone health and lifestyle medicine, Marissa brings a powerful focus to one of the most underserved areas in healthcare today: the menopause transition.
"This isn’t just a “women’s issue.” It’s a metabolic, cardiovascular, and longevity issue—impacting one third of women globally right now. And most of us aren’t getting the support they need" Dr Marissa explains.
A global career with local purpose
Marissa trained at Otago Medical School and began her career in Emergency Medicine, working across Australia while travelling with her partner and stepson. After returning to New Zealand, she completed her GP Fellowship and worked in General Practice and Urgent Care—while raising two young boys. But she quickly became disillusioned with a system that focused more on symptom suppression than root-cause resolution.
She began exploring lifestyle and nutritional medicine, and everything shifted. “It was like someone switched the lights on. I finally had the tools to help people get better, not just manage illness” she says.
A special focus: Hormone health and the menopause transition
Today, Marissa works exclusively in lifestyle medicine, with a clinical focus on women’s hormones, perimenopause, and the metabolic changes that come with midlife. Her advanced training includes integrative menopause health, HRT prescribing, adrenal and thyroid health, nutrigenomics, and metabolic and mental health. She has also completed formal menopause training through the Newson Clinic in the UK.
What drew her to hormone health was witnessing the scale—and silence—of the issue. Dr Marissa explains: “Oestrogen doesn’t just regulate periods. It affects every cell in the body. As levels start to fall in perimenopause, women begin to experience shifts in how their bodies handle energy, glucose, and fat. Waist circumference changes. Blood pressure creeps up. Cholesterol patterns shift. These are the early signs of metabolic dysfunction—but people rarely connect these with their hormones.”
Why this matters: The untold impact of menopause
For many women, menopause doesn't just cause symptoms - it also becomes the turning point for changes in long-term health. After menopause, the risk of heart attack increases fivefold. The risk of diabetes and dementia spikes. Bone density can drop precipitously by a third. Not to mention the struggles in mental well-being, energy, brain function and overall wellbeing that can take a huge toll. And yet most women are left to navigate this transition alone.
That’s where Marissa sees an opportunity for change—and real results.
“Many of these risks can be dramatically reduced with the right approach. When we talk about holistic menopause support, we're looking at all the factors that impact health and wellbeing. Diet, lifestyle, plus HRT (where needed and indicated) can make a dramatic difference to how women feel, and can totally change the trajectory of their health journey. Add the right support from medically-led health coaching, and we’re talking about a complete health transformation.”
Dr. Marissa's approach at Autonomy
Marissa’s care model combines the best of both worlds: precise, evidence-based medical treatment, and a systems-level lifestyle reset. Her clients receive targeted support across nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress—alongside the safe, effective use of HRT and supplements where appropriate.
"It’s proactive. It’s personal. And it’s long overdue"
Life outside the clinic
Marissa lives in Golden Bay with her partner and two boys, whom she homeschools. She finds balance in nature, yoga, travel (over 90 countries and counting), and time with loved ones.
“The lifestyle piece isn’t just theory for me. It’s how I live.”
A message to midlife women
For women entering midlife, her message is simple: you don’t have to settle for fatigue, fog, or feeling off. With the right support, this can be your most powerful decade yet.
Welcome, Dr Marissa. We’re proud to have you at Autonomy. You’re raising the standard for women’s health—and rewriting what medicine can be.
Ready to work with Dr. Marissa?
If you’re navigating perimenopause, menopause or want expert support with your hormones, metabolism, or long-term health—start with our Discovery Consultation.
You’ll meet with a doctor who listens, tests key biomarkers, and creates a personalised plan built around you. Book your Discovery Consultation today.
