HRT, Burnout, Brain Fog: Menopause Support Strategies That Actually Help

Brain Fog, Panic Attacks, and Losing Herself at Work. It Was Perimenopause.

In this episode, I sit down with Brenda from Omagh, County Tyrone in Ireland for a deeply honest and moving conversation about her personal journey through perimenopause — and how it nearly cost her her identity, her confidence, and her career. Brenda shares how years of experience in banking and mental health and wellbeing coaching couldn't prepare her for the silent unraveling that came with perimenopause. From brain fog so severe she couldn't remember how to order a checkbook, to panic attacks, self-doubt, and a devastating mistake at work, Brenda opens up about hitting rock bottom — and how she found her way back. We explore the powerful role of coaching, community, and self-reflection in navigating menopause, and how Brenda turned her lived experience into a mission to support other women who feel lost. We also talk about the importance of consistency in building community spaces, the value of grassroots connection, and why it's never too late to reinvent yourself. And yes — there's a classic brain fog moment mid-episode that will make you smile, laugh, and nod along in recognition. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 01:19 Brenda's Background and What Lights Her Up 04:03 A Journey Into Coaching — From Freddie Mercury to Postnatal Support 08:11 When Perimenopause Hit — and Nobody Had Answers 10:05 Brain Fog, Self-Doubt, and Fearing the Worst 12:08 Going on HRT, Antidepressants, and Leaving the Bank 13:17 Founding It's A Duck — Helping Women Recognise Their Symptoms 13:37 Joining the Menopause Coach Diploma 15:10 The Aha Moment — Turning the Lens on Herself 19:54 Working With Practice Clients and Seeing Real Transformation 23:01 What's Next — One-to-Ones, Group Coaching, and Corporate Talks 25:17 Who Brenda Works With — The Woman Who Feels Lost 28:34 Advice for Anyone Considering the Menopause Coach Diploma 30:55 The Power of Looking in the Mirror — and Truly Seeing Yourself Connect with Brenda: It's A Duck | (add link) Instagram | (add link) Facebook | (add link) Meet your host Lauren Chiren Lauren Chiren is a leading voice in menopause awareness and workplace inclusion, dedicated to ensuring no one navigates menopause alone. As the Founder and CEO of Women of a Certain Stage, she works with organisations worldwide to create menopause-savvy and supportive environments. With a background in psychology, sports therapy, and nutrition, and an extensive suite of coaching certifications, Lauren is on a mission to train 20,000 Menopause Coaches and Champions, equipping them with the tools to support individuals and workplaces through this transformative life stage. Join her as she breaks the silence, challenges the stigma, and empowers people to thrive at midlife and beyond. About Women of a Certain Stage We are committed to transforming the menopause experience — both for individuals and the organisations that support them. Our mission is to empower people through education, advocacy, and expert-led training, ensuring menopause is no longer a barrier to confidence, health, or career success. Join us and our global network of professionals dedicated to breaking the stigma, improving workplace culture, and ensuring no one navigates menopause alone. Find out more here: https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/ [https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/] Connect with Lauren LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStagehttps://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage [https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstagehttps://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage [https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage] Twitter/X: https://x.com/LaurenChirenhttps://x.com/LaurenChiren [https://x.com/LaurenChiren]

Perimenopause Misdiagnosed: 2 Years to Get Help (Menopause Coaching Perspective)

In this episode, Lauren sits down with Ali Smith — a former HR professional turned menopause coach — for a raw and deeply honest conversation about what happens when the healthcare system fails women at their most vulnerable. Ali shares her two-year journey through misdiagnosis, dismissal, and dead ends before finally getting the support she deserved. Together, Lauren and Ali unpack the gaps in medical training and awareness that leave so many women without answers, and explore how proper education, coaching, and community can make all the difference. They dig into the realities of perimenopause symptoms beyond hot flushes, the emotional toll of feeling lost in your own body, and why workplaces so often get it wrong when it comes to supporting women through this transition. Ali also shares the powerful moment she realised she knew more about menopause than the specialist she had waited two years to see — and how that became the turning point in her own journey and the catalyst for her coaching career. 00:00 Introduction 01:19 Ali's background and personal history 07:22 The road to menopause coaching 09:41 First steps seeking help — and what was missing 12:05 Blood tests, coming off contraception, and the crash that followed 20:25 Debilitating symptoms, brain scans, and a two-year wait 25:21 The menopause specialist clinic experience 31:11 Finally finding the right GP — and what that felt like 35:03 Key takeaways from the Menopause Coach Diploma 39:00 Why workplace conversations need to go beyond awareness 41:19 Ali's coaching vision: one-to-one, group, and workplace support 43:16 Closing thoughts and what's next Meet your host Lauren Chiren Lauren Chiren is a leading voice in menopause awareness and workplace inclusion, dedicated to ensuring no one navigates menopause alone. As the Founder and CEO of Women of a Certain Stage, she works with organisations worldwide to create menopause-savvy and supportive environments. With a background in psychology, sports therapy, and nutrition, and an extensive suite of coaching certifications, Lauren is on a mission to train 20,000 Menopause Coaches and Champions, equipping them with the tools to support individuals and workplaces through this transformative life stage. Join her as she breaks the silence, challenges the stigma, and empowers people to thrive at midlife and beyond. About Women of a Certain Stage We are committed to transforming the menopause experience — both for individuals and the organisations that support them. Our mission is to empower people through education, advocacy, and expert-led training, ensuring menopause is no longer a barrier to confidence, health, or career success. Join us and our global network of professionals dedicated to breaking the stigma, improving workplace culture, and ensuring no one navigates menopause alone. Find out more: https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/ [https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/] Connect with Lauren LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStagehttps://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage [https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstagehttps://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage [https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage] Twitter/X: https://x.com/LaurenChirenhttps://x.com/LaurenChiren [https://x.com/LaurenChiren]

Women in Midlife at Work: Menopause Support Strategies That Deliver ROI

In this episode, Lauren sits down with Ellie — HR professional, menopause coach graduate, and founder of Herself — for an honest and inspiring conversation about navigating midlife, menopause, and the courage it takes to build something new while still showing up fully in your day job. Ellie shares her personal journey through perimenopause, how it collided with a pivotal career crossroads, and how discovering the Women of a Certain Stage Menopause Coaching Diploma gave her a framework to bring together her passions for people, health, and workplace wellbeing. Together, Lauren and Ellie explore why menopause is not just a personal health issue — it's a workplace issue with a compelling business case behind it. They talk about the real cost of unsupported women in the workplace, upcoming legislative changes, and why experienced women in senior roles deserve better. This episode is also a masterclass in stepping out of your comfort zone — from doing a global talk with barely any notice, to recording a podcast without a script. If you've ever talked yourself out of doing something because you didn't feel ready, this one's for you. In This Episode We Cover: 00:00 Introduction 01:19 Ellie's background in HR and marketing — and the pivot that changed everything 03:27 The manifestation book that kickstarted Ellie's goal-setting (and why it wasn't too woo woo) 06:13 Launching Herself — a female coaching space built around the Art of Self 10:19 What is a biohacking studio and why Ellie is obsessed with one 15:50 How the Menopause Coaching Diploma aligned with Ellie's passions 19:09 Taking two weeks unpaid leave to fully immerse in the diploma — and why it was the best decision she made 25:08 Cohort magic — what made this group of learners so special 29:02 Where Ellie wants to be in 12 months 36:03 The nervous system, cortisol, and why calming your adrenal health matters in menopause 38:18 The workplace menopause conversation — legislation, data, and the business case 41:01 Ellie's advice for anyone sitting on the fence about the diploma Key Takeaways: One in ten women leave their jobs due to unmanaged menopausal symptoms — and around 70% report feeling unsupported at work. The cost to business is significant. Upcoming changes to the Employee Rights Bill (expected 2027) will require businesses to report on their menopause support. The nervous system is central to menopause health — when cortisol and adrenaline are chronically elevated, inflammation rises and symptoms worsen. You don't have to feel ready to start. Doing the thing — the talk, the podcast, the diploma — is how confidence is built. The Menopause Coaching Diploma isn't just for menopausal women. As Ellie puts it, it's a whole self audit — relevant to everyone. Connect with Ellie: Herself — coming soon Resources Mentioned: Women of a Certain Stage Menopause Coaching Diploma — womenofacertainstage.com Oura Ring — ouraring.com [http://ouraring.com] Meet Your Host — Lauren Chiren Lauren Chiren is a leading voice in menopause awareness and workplace inclusion, dedicated to ensuring no one navigates menopause alone. As Founder and CEO of Women of a Certain Stage, she works with organisations worldwide to create menopause-savvy and supportive environments. Find out more: womenofacertainstage.com [http://womenofacertainstage.com] Connect with Lauren: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter/X

HRT, Burnout, Brain Fog: Menopause Support Strategies That Actually Help

In this episode, Lauren sits down with Sarah — a former gardener turned academic turned menopause coach — for an honest and inspiring conversation about burnout, brain fog, and finding your way through menopause while doing a PhD. Together, they explore how nature and the outdoors can be a powerful tool for managing menopause symptoms, and why giving women agency — through workplace menopause plans and access to outdoor spaces — can be truly transformative. Sarah shares her deeply personal journey through perimenopause, loss, and exhaustion, and how all of it ultimately led her to train as a menopause coach with Women of a Certain Stage. They also dig into the real difference between academic study and coach training, why authenticity matters when building your coaching practice, and how small, considered steps — not big dramatic leaps — are often the most powerful way forward. And yes — there's a moment early on involving an ironing board and some kitchen utensils that perfectly captures the spirit of getting the work done, whatever it takes. 00:00 Introduction & Behind-the-Scenes Chaos 01:12 Sarah's Background: From Gardener to PhD 02:17 Experiencing Menopause During Academic Study 03:25 The Woman Who Worked Outside — and Why It Stuck 04:30 Discovering Menopause Coaching as a Career 05:16 Why Sarah Chose Women of a Certain Stage 06:38 Taking Time to Be Ready: No Pressure, No Rush 07:57 The Decision-Making Journey 08:52 Burnout, Grief & Mental Bandwidth 10:00 Comparing PhD Study with the Menopause Coach Diploma 13:08 Advice for Anyone Sitting on the Fence 15:04 Flexibility, Autonomy & Reaching More People 15:28 What's Next: Website, LinkedIn & Getting Out There 16:19 Showing Up Authentically in Your Practice 17:28 Johari's Window & Self-Awareness in Coaching 18:27 Brain Fog, the Woods & Talking to Yourself Like a Coach 19:49 Working with Businesses: Outdoor Menopause Plans & Legislation 20:41 The Science Behind Nature & Menopause Meet your host Lauren Chiren Lauren Chiren is a leading voice in menopause awareness and workplace inclusion, dedicated to ensuring no one navigates menopause alone. As the Founder and CEO of Women of a Certain Stage, she works with organisations worldwide to create menopause-savvy and supportive environments. With a background in psychology, sports therapy, and nutrition, and an extensive suite of coaching certifications, Lauren is on a mission to train 20,000 Menopause Coaches and Champions, equipping them with the tools to support individuals and workplaces through this transformative life stage. Join her as she breaks the silence, challenges the stigma, and empowers people to thrive at midlife and beyond. About Women of a Certain Stage We are committed to transforming the menopause experience — both for individuals and the organisations that support them. Our mission is to empower people through education, advocacy, and expert-led training, ensuring menopause is no longer a barrier to confidence, health, or career success. Join us and our global network of professionals dedicated to breaking the stigma, improving workplace culture, and ensuring no one navigates menopause alone. Find out more here: https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/ [https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/] Connect with Lauren LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStagehttps://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage [https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstagehttps://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage [https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage] Twitter/X: https://x.com/LaurenChirenhttps://x.com/LaurenChiren [https://x.com/LaurenChiren]

3 Menopause Times: Chemical, Surgical & Recovery. HRT & Becoming a Coach

In this episode, Lauren sits down with Lucy, a newly graduated Women of a Certain Stage Menopause Coach, for an honest and deeply personal conversation about living with endometriosis, adenomyosis, and PCOS — and navigating menopause not once, but three times. Twice chemically, and once surgically following a full hysterectomy and oophorectomy at just 33. Lucy shares the raw reality of years of misdiagnosis, debilitating pain, and a medical system that too often left her without answers or adequate support. Together, Lauren and Lucy unpack what chemical and surgical menopause actually feel like, what recovery really looks like beyond the four-to-six week advice, and why the conversation around different types of menopause is so critically missing from mainstream awareness. They explore the psychological impact of surgical menopause, the importance of asking better questions before going into theatre, and why workplace menopause policies need to go beyond awareness sessions to create real, meaningful change. And through it all — with warmth, humour, and hard-won wisdom — Lucy explains why she chose to turn her experience into a career supporting other women through their own menopause journeys. 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Lucy's background — from financial services to menopause coaching 05:46 The beginning of Lucy's journey — periods, pain, and being told to crack on 07:15 Early diagnosis of precancerous cervical cells and PCOS 08:44 Understanding PCOS — what it is and why it's so often missed 09:06 Diagnosis of endometriosis and adenomyosis 10:21 Explaining the difference between endometriosis and adenomyosis 13:01 The fertility miracle — having children against the odds 13:22 The decision to have a full hysterectomy at 33 18:51 Life after hysterectomy — the good, the challenging, and the things nobody tells you 20:10 Vaginal cuffs, cervical removal, and recovery beyond six weeks 22:27 What Lucy wishes she had known before surgery 25:21 Chemical menopause — what it is and why Lucy went through it twice 27:09 HRT during chemical menopause — and a severe reaction to the Mirena coil 29:27 Why Lucy chose menopause coaching over endometriosis advocacy 31:23 Being turned away from counselling and local support groups for being "too young" 33:28 Why different types of menopause need to be part of the conversation 35:25 Choosing Women of a Certain Stage — and what made it stand out 38:03 Why Lauren trains others to do the same work 38:58 What's next for Lucy — podcasts, corporate sessions, and the Employment Rights Bill 40:19 The importance of context in workplace menopause conversations 44:32 Lucy's biggest takeaway from the Menopause Coach Diploma 47:04 What Lucy would say to someone sitting on the fence about training 50:54 Lucy's message to anyone facing perimenopause, chemical menopause, or hysterectomy Connect with Lucy: TikTok | Instagram | Facebook: @themenopausemom Business: Black Mirror Advisory Meet your host Lauren Chiren Lauren Chiren is a leading voice in menopause awareness and workplace inclusion, dedicated to ensuring no one navigates menopause alone. As the Founder and CEO of Women of a Certain Stage, she works with organisations worldwide to create menopause-savvy and supportive environments. With a background in psychology, sports therapy, and nutrition, and an extensive suite of coaching certifications, Lauren is on a mission to train 20,000 Menopause Coaches and Champions, equipping them with the tools to support individuals and workplaces through this transformative life stage. Join her as she breaks the silence, challenges the stigma, and empowers people to thrive at midlife and beyond. About Women of a Certain Stage We are committed to transforming the menopause experience — both for individuals and the organisations that support them. Our mission is to empower people through education, advocacy, and expert-led training, ensuring menopause is no longer a barrier to confidence, health, or career success. Find out more: https://www.womenofacertainstage.com [https://www.womenofacertainstage.com] Connect with Lauren LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage [https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage [https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage] Twitter/X: https://x.com/LaurenChiren [https://x.com/LaurenChiren]