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

Her Doctor Shrugged and Left the Room

In this episode, Lauren sits down with Cherie, a biologist-turned-culvert inspector-turned-menopause coach, for a candid and deeply inspiring conversation about what happens when the medical system fails you — and what you do next. Cherie spent six years visiting specialist after specialist, only to be dismissed because her tests came back normal. She knew something was wrong, but no one could name it. That experience of being unheard, undiagnosed, and left to figure it out alone became the fuel for a complete career pivot — and a mission to make sure other women never feel that way. We explore how Cherie went from inspecting bridges under New York State's roads to building a business dedicated to menopause education and coaching. We talk about the gap between having personal knowledge and having the professional tools to truly help others, why certification matters in a space flooded with misinformation, and how the right coaching program can create life changes you never thought possible — including giving up the coffee and wine that bookended her days. We also dig into why cultural change around menopause can't happen by only talking to women who are experiencing it. Families, partners, and employers all have a role to play — and Cherie is already planning how to reach them. And if you've ever wondered what "whine nights" have to do with menopause coaching… listen in. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:25 Cherie's Unusual Career: Culverts, Biology & Life on the Road 04:11 Six Years, Six Specialists & Being Dismissed by the Medical System 05:23 Finding the Right Coaching Certification — and Why Others Fell Short 06:47 What Drew Cherie to Women of a Certain Stage 08:10 Reflecting on the Diploma: Key Takeaways 09:17 The Power of Community and Classmate Camaraderie 10:19 Trusting the Coaching Process 11:12 Life Changes She Never Expected — Coffee, Wine & Baby Steps 13:12 Expert Access and the Value of Asking Deeper Questions 14:25 What's Next: Website, YMCA Talks & Whine Nights 17:34 Who Cherie Wants to Help Most 18:54 Group Coaching, One-on-One & Working with Corporations and Families 19:39 Why Menopause Is Everyone's Business — Partners, Families & Employers 20:33 Closing Reflections & Words of Gratitude Connect with Cherie https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherie-fetterman-86514541/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherie-fetterman-86514541/] 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/ [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]

She Left 18 Years in Luxury Business to Become a Menopause Coach.

In this episode, Lauren sits down with Letizia, a multilingual sales and marketing executive who spent 18 years at the top of the luxury goods industry — before menopause, burnout, and a moment of radical honesty changed everything. Letizia shares her deeply personal journey from a high-pressure corporate career to becoming a certified Menopause Coach, unpacking how years of unrecognised perimenopause symptoms — from brain fog and sleep disruption to anxiety she never even identified as anxiety — quietly eroded her performance, her confidence, and ultimately her career. Together, Lauren and Letizia explore the dangerous silence that surrounds menopause in the workplace, even in large, progressive multinationals with strong wellbeing and diversity policies. They discuss why Southern Europe is lagging behind in the menopause conversation, how women can be empowered to advocate for themselves with their doctors, and why the beauty and cosmetics industry represents a massive untapped opportunity for menopause awareness. Letizia also reflects candidly on her experience going through the Women of a Certain Stage Menopause Coach Diploma — what surprised her, what transformed her, and why she'd do it all again. And in a moment of real-life resilience, she shares how she's been recovering from a broken ankle and kneecap — and still showing up. Timestamps * 00:00 Introduction * 00:37 Meet Letizia — Languages, Background & Career * 02:38 What Brought Her to Coaching * 03:48 The Peak of Her Career — and Her Menopause Symptoms * 06:45 Burnout, Brain Fog & Mistaking Menopause for ADHD * 07:59 The Decision to Leave Her Job * 08:43 The Sabbatical That Changed Everything * 10:13 Going Down the Rabbit Hole — Discovering Menopause Education * 11:28 Finding Women of a Certain Stage * 13:20 The Discovery Call That Wasn't a Sales Call * 16:17 Inside the Menopause Coach Diploma — The Cohort Experience * 19:42 What Made the Programme Stand Out * 23:35 Advocacy in the Workplace — The Missing Conversation * 25:18 The Menopause Gap in Italy and Southern Europe * 34:22 What Menopause Coaches Can and Can't Do — and Why It Matters * 35:05 Empowering Women to Talk to Their Doctors * 36:29 A Hospital Stay with No One Asking About Menopause * 41:19 Where Letizia Is Headed Next Connect with Letizia https://www.linkedin.com/in/letiziamontani/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/letiziamontani/] 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]

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