In this episode, Lauren sits down with Susan, a former secondary school teacher of nearly 30 years turned menopause coach, for an honest and eye-opening conversation about what it's really like to navigate perimenopause and menopause in the classroom. Together, they explore the unique and often overlooked challenges that teachers face — from hot flushes mid-lesson and brain fog affecting lesson prep, to joint pain from standing for hours and the impossible reality of skipping toilet breaks.
Susan shares her deeply personal experience of being one of the first teachers in her school to openly name menopause as the reason for her struggles — and the dismissive, damaging response she received from her head teacher. They discuss why the education sector has a long way to go in creating truly supportive environments for menopausal staff, why generic workplace menopause policies often fail teachers, and why experienced menopausal educators are leaving the profession in numbers that go uncounted.
They also explore how menopause coaching — offered proactively from the late thirties and early forties — could transform retention, reduce absences, and help teachers maintain their identity, dignity, and confidence through this life stage. Susan shares what drew her to train as a menopause coach with Women of a Certain Stage, how she is making the transition from teacher to coach, and why her lived experience gives her a unique and powerful connection with the women she now supports.
00:00 Introduction
01:20 Susan's background — nearly 30 years as a languages teacher in Glasgow
02:16 The unique challenges of managing menopause symptoms in the classroom
02:56 Hot flushes, holding onto the filing cabinet, and carrying on
03:38 Going on HRT — and what it did and didn't help with
04:03 Joint pain and the reality of standing for seven hours straight
04:53 Noise sensitivity, constant interruptions, and the impact on anxiety and brain fog
06:26 Brain fog and the loss of identity — when your sharpness disappears
07:10 The hidden workload of teaching that people don't see
09:08 Why Susan decided to train as a menopause coach
09:45 The wellbeing meeting that went badly wrong
11:10 How far workplaces have come — and how far they still have to go
12:12 What Susan looked for in a menopause coach training programme
13:11 Why Women of a Certain Stage felt like a proper educational setting
14:05 Making the transition from teacher to coach — holding silence and asking better questions
15:46 Working with three teachers and finding her coaching voice
17:01 What Susan would add to nutrition education for menopausal women
20:22 Susan's plans — reaching the women themselves, not just writing policies
23:24 The culture in schools — pushing through and not showing weakness
24:40 How experienced teachers are being pushed out of the profession
27:25 The missing statistics — how many teachers are leaving because of menopause?
29:03 Naming the menopause — why calling it what it is matters
30:06 Preparing women for perimenopause the way they were prepared for periods
30:43 Susan's poster campaign for school staff rooms
31:44 Menopause in the education curriculum — progress and what's still needed
33:19 What Susan would say to teachers sitting on the fence about coach training
34:50 The power of support — and why talking lightens the burden
Connect with Susan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-bremner-099018326/
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
