Women of a Certain Stage

In this episode, Lauren sits down with Catherine — communications professional, newly accredited Menopause Coach, and passionate advocate — for an honest and inspiring conversation about what happens when perimenopause hits fast, hard, and without warning. Catherine shares how a deeply personal health crisis became the catalyst for a powerful new direction, and how she's already making waves in her workplace and beyond — before she's even officially launched her coaching business.
Together, Lauren and Catherine explore the importance of proper training and certification in an unregulated industry, the courage it takes to share your story publicly, and how one intranet article led to BBC Radio, national press, and a 400-person webinar. They also dig into the real value of community learning, the power of visibility, and why workplaces have a critical role to play in supporting women through menopause.
Whether you're considering menopause coaching as a career, navigating perimenopause yourself, or looking to create a more menopause-aware workplace, this conversation is packed with practical insights, warmth, and a few laughs along the way.

In This Episode We Cover:
00:00 Introduction
01:19 How Catherine discovered perimenopause — and why it changed everything
03:07 Why lived experience alone isn't enough: the case for proper training
04:27 The appointment that sparked a career pivot
05:01 Choosing the right menopause coaching certification
06:10 The power of cohort learning and global community
08:01 Bringing menopause awareness into a 4,000-person organisation
09:47 Writing your story publicly — and the ripple effects that follow
12:16 BBC Radio, Metro Online, and a 400-person webinar: visibility in action
13:19 How to build your presence before you're ready to launch
16:41 Menopause Action Plans, workplace legislation, and what's coming next
17:57 Visioning the future: what does success look like in 18 months?
23:33 The unexpected richness of a career in menopause coaching
27:12 Making the coaching scripts your own
28:28 Why coaching practice matters — even when it's hard

Connect with Lauren Chiren
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage
Twitter/X: https://x.com/LaurenChiren

About Women of a Certain Stage
Women of a Certain Stage is committed to transforming the menopause experience — both for individuals and the organisations that support them. Their 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/

Interested in becoming a Menopause Coach?
Lauren is on a mission to train 20,000 Menopause Coaches and Champions. If this episode has sparked something in you, find out more about the Menopause Coach Diploma at https://www.womenofacertainstage.com/

In this episode, Lauren sits down with Deidre — health coach, radio host, community builder, and chronic pain warrior — for a warm, honest, and deeply inspiring conversation about navigating endometriosis, surgical menopause, and a Functional Neurological Disorder diagnosis, all while building a life and career she loves in the Scottish Highlands.
Deidre shares the raw reality of spending nearly seven years fighting to be believed by the medical system, despite arriving in Scotland with an existing endometriosis diagnosis. She opens up about the hysterectomy that pushed her into early menopause, the devastating mental health impact that followed, and the moment she realised she needed to find a new way forward.
Together, Lauren and Deidre explore how lived experience can become a powerful coaching superpower, why women's health continues to be dismissed and underfunded, and how pacing, joy, and community can be genuinely life-changing tools for people living with chronic pain and invisible illness.
We also hear about Deidre's brilliant creations — the Wellon (a wellness triathlon she pioneered in Scotland), her Friday Dance lives, and her Keep Well radio slot — proof that even on the hardest days, it's possible to bring light to others.
And if you've ever talked yourself out of starting something because someone else is already doing it — this episode is for you.

00:00 Introduction
01:15 How Lauren and Deidre first connected
02:22 Moving from Michigan to Scotland — a tacky romance novel
04:46 Deidre's background: theatre, special needs teaching & coaching
05:45 Living with endometriosis — fighting to be believed
06:57 Hysterectomy, early menopause & the mental health impact
08:20 The state of endometriosis care in Scotland today
10:23 Why women's health research has been left behind
11:00 The Wellon — a wellness triathlon like no other
14:17 The Friday Dance & Keep Well on local radio
17:35 Retiring from teaching & diving into coaching
19:27 What coaching really means — and how it overlaps with teaching
20:15 Deidre's chronic pain coaching program & the four pillars
22:40 Shifting towards wellbeing — joy, events & community
23:02 Why there is always room for more menopause coaches
27:09 Year three of the Wellon — what's coming
29:44 What's next: website refresh, 14-day cleanse & retreats
32:03 Top tip for anyone living with chronic pain 35:42 The invisibility of chronic illness — and how to talk about it 35:51 Deidre's favourite thing about living in Scotland

Connect with Deidre:
Website | www.freedomcoaching.live
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/deidre.christensonmain
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/deidre-christenson-main-ab4365207
Instagram | https://instagram.com/deidrechristensonmain
Email | [email protected]

Connect with Lauren:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage
Twitter/X: https://x.com/LaurenChiren

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/

In this episode, Lauren sits down with Melanie — menopause coach, personal trainer, and former corporate sales manager — for an honest, energising conversation about movement, menopause, and reclaiming your confidence.
Melanie shares her deeply personal journey: seven years of being dismissed by doctors, hitting rock bottom at 46, and finally finding the support and focus she needed — including rediscovering her love of running after debilitating joint pain she didn't realise was a menopause symptom.
Together, Lauren and Melanie unpack why common exercise approaches can actually work against women during perimenopause and menopause, and why shifting your mindset from exercise to movement can be the game-changer you didn't know you needed.
They explore the real barriers women face — time, energy, bladder weakness, injury, and lost confidence — and offer practical, accessible strategies for every fitness level, whether you're a lifelong athlete who needs to adapt, or someone who hasn't moved in years and doesn't know where to start.
Melanie also shares what's behind her newly developed fitness app and 12-week progressive strength program, designed specifically for menopausal women — no gym required.
In this episode, we cover:
Why "pushing through" during menopause can lead to injury — and what to do instead
The surprising menopause symptom that stopped Melanie from running
Why strength training is non-negotiable at this life stage
HIIT, low-intensity movement, yoga, and walking — what works and when
Bladder weakness and impact exercise — the honest conversation we need to have
How 10 air squats an hour can match the benefits of a 30-minute walk
The power of community and connection in navigating menopause
Why workplaces need to step up for menopausal women

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction 00:37 Melanie's Journey After Qualifying as a Menopause Coach
02:09 Finding Focus: The Corporate Side of Menopause Support
03:53 Melanie's Background in Male-Dominated Industries
05:17 Rebuilding Confidence and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
07:40 How Lauren and Melanie First Connected
08:22 Seven Years of Being Dismissed by Doctors
09:51 Discovering Lauren's Course and Saying Yes
11:27 Key Takeaways from the Menopause Coach Programme
15:11 Melanie's Running Story: Joint Pain, HRT, and Getting Back Outside
17:58 Introduction to Melanie's Fitness App and Online Programmes
19:08 Why Movement (Not Exercise) Matters in Menopause
20:57 HIIT Explained: What It Is and Why It Helps
22:51 Bladder Weakness and Impact Exercise — The Honest Truth
24:07 Pelvic Floor Health: Seeking the Right Support
25:04 Lauren's Marathon Mistake During Perimenopause
25:48 Low-Intensity Training and Listening to Your Body
26:13 The Power of 10 Squats an Hour
27:34 Yoga, Flexibility, and Long-Term Health
28:19 Adapting Your Training as Your Body Changes
29:05 Starting From Scratch: Simple Movements for Every Woman
30:14 Dance in Your Kitchen — Movement Can Be Joyful
30:41 What Melanie Is Working On Now
31:00 Making Menopause Support Accessible to All Women
31:48 A Word for the Partners Standing Beside Menopausal Women
Connect with Lauren Chiren
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage
Twitter/X: https://x.com/LaurenChiren
About Women of a Certain Stage
We are committed to transforming the menopause experience — 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/

When Alcohol Meets Menopause: One Woman's 30-Day Experiment That Changed Everything
In this episode, I sit down with Claire for a raw and refreshingly honest conversation about the powerful — and often overlooked — connection between alcohol and menopause. Together, we unpack how so many women mistake perimenopause symptoms for the effects of drinking, and how that confusion can keep us stuck, unwell, and searching for answers in all the wrong places.
We explore how giving up alcohol for just 30 days can unlock a chain reaction of clarity, healing, and self-discovery — and why the wine o'clock habit is rarely about the wine at all. We also dive into the booming alcohol-free market, the role of gut health, and why there is not a single menopausal symptom that isn't impacted by alcohol.
Importantly, we shine a light on the courage it takes to change — whether that means setting new boundaries with friends, having honest conversations with partners and children, or simply trusting yourself when the doctors keep telling you everything is fine.
And for anyone who has ever felt judged for ordering sparkling water at a girls' night out… this one is for you.

00:00 Introduction
01:31 Claire's Story: When 30 Days Became Seven Years
03:02 The Decision to Take a Break from Alcohol
07:14 What Those Emails Revealed About Alcohol and the Body
09:03 Noticing the Changes: Clarity, Energy, and Brighter Eyes
10:14 Shifting Friendships and Social Pressure
13:33 Boundaries, Menopause, and the People Around Us
15:02 Making the Connection Between Alcohol and Perimenopause
17:08 The Birth of Mindful Sips — and Menopause Dawn
21:19 What to Say to Someone Just Joining the Dots
23:10 Talking to Our Children About Menopause
25:54 The Alcohol-Free Market: How Far It's Come
29:13 Stepping Stones or a New Way of Living?
32:05 Five Years From Now: Claire's Vision
34:29 What the Menopause Coach Diploma Really Gave Her

Connect with Claire: Menopause Dawn | (coming soon) Mindful Sips | (coming soon)

FREEBIE: Grab my 12 Week Core Program, ABS ON FIRE https://www.amandathebe.com/abs-on-fire/
Menopause Resources https://amandathebe.com/meno-resource/

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/

Connect with Lauren
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage
Twitter/X: https://x.com/LaurenChiren

In this episode, I sit down with Emma Trueman for a candid and deeply personal conversation about navigating perimenopause while maintaining a senior career in the technology and professional services sector. Together, we unpack the confusion and frustration that often accompany symptoms like extreme sleep deprivation and debilitating brain fog—and why Emma decided to move from being a mental health advocate to a certified menopause coach.
We explore how Emma integrated menopause awareness into her corporate role, including a successful workplace panel that reached over 400 people. We discuss the importance of formal education and "chemistry checks" in coaching, and how lifestyle choices like movement and nutrition remain key pillars of her wellbeing.
Importantly, we shine a light on the power of community—how connecting with others, even at 1:00 AM from Australia, can empower women to navigate this stage with confidence. We also talk about the cultural and lifestyle differences between the UK and Australia and how they impact the menopause experience.
Episode Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction and Reflections on Sydney
01:15 – Creating Workplace Awareness and Symptom Tracking
02:26 – Emma’s Background: Tech Career and Mental Health Advocacy
03:36 – Personal Experience: Navigating Sleep, Hot Flushes, and HRT
05:50 – Overcoming Hesitation: Starting Testosterone and Managing Brain Fog
06:52 – Career Evolution: From E-commerce to AI Solutions
08:56 – The Future: How AI Can Support Menopause Health
10:56 – Why Formal Coaching Credentials and "Chemistry Checks" Matter
12:52 – Global Community: Attending 1:00 AM Classes from Australia
15:19 – Key Program Takeaways: Experts, Tapping, and Business Building
19:18 – Advocacy in Action: Gym Talks and the 400-Person Workplace Panel
22:42 – Cultural Perspectives: Lifestyle Differences Between the UK and Australia
24:54 – Future Projects and Closing Thoughts

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/

Connect with Lauren
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themenopausecoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfACertainStage
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenofacertainstage
Twitter/X: https://x.com/LaurenChiren