Women of a Certain Stage

In this episode, I sit down with Vicki Jakes for an insightful conversation about digital marketing, social media, and how they intersect with building a business in the health and wellness space. Together, we break down Vicki's transition from corporate marketing to running her own business, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of prioritizing sales and visibility. We dive into Vicki’s professional journey—from working on London-based magazines and big corporate websites to becoming a social media consultant and ad specialist. We explore the balance between organic content and paid advertising, the necessity of appearing on camera to build trust, and the specific challenges of marketing in the menopause space in 2026, where platforms often deprioritize women's health content. Importantly, we discuss practical tips for new business owners to get their name out there and the value of testing different "hooks" and niches on social media. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast & Guest 01:32 Vicki’s Journey: From Publishing and Corporate Websites to Social Media Consultant 03:54 The Challenges of Leaving Corporate for Entrepreneurship 08:07 Fusing Healthcare with Marketing and Understanding Client Needs 13:58 Top Tips for New Business Owners: Prioritizing Sales and Marketing 17:58 Introducing the "Ad Room" and Entry-Level Marketing Strategies 19:51 Organic Content vs. Paid Ads: Finding Your Niche and Hooks 24:06 The Importance of Being on Camera to Showcase Expertise 27:26 Navigating Social Media Censorship in Women's Health and Menopause 30:26 Using Instagram "Trial Reels" for Practice and Testing 31:57 The Best (and Worst) Times of Year to Run Healthcare Ads 34:02 Closing Thoughts: Have Fun with Marketing Connect with Vicki Jakes: LinkedIn: Search for Vicki Jakes Instagram: Search for Vicki Jakes (Vicki with an I) Membership: The Ad Room 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 organizations 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 Helen Bligh for an eye-opening and deeply insightful conversation about GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic and Mounjaro), weight loss, and how they intersect with menopause. Together, we break down the science, dissect the stigma, and unpack why sustainable health goes so much deeper than simply "calories in, calories out" or relying on willpower alone. We dive into Helen’s personal and professional journey—from working as a dietician in the NHS and training healthcare professionals in life sciences to her own lived experiences with perimenopause and weight management. We explore how GLP-1s actually work in the body, why they have surged in popularity, and the hidden risks of buying these medications through unverified online providers or gray markets. Importantly, we address the critical missing link in weight management: behavior change, psychological awareness, and holistic health. Helen shares why GLP-1s should be viewed as a tool for broader health and anti-inflammatory benefits—not just a quick fix—and introduces her book, It Was Never About Willpower. We also touch on shifting trends like microdosing, off-label usage, and what the future of weight management holds for women entering midlife and beyond. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast & Guest 01:03 Helen’s Journey: From NHS Dietician to Life Sciences & Coaching 02:12 Early History and Science of GLP-1 Medications 03:50 The Myth of Willpower and the Stigma Around Weight Loss 04:53 Perimenopause, Mirena Coil, and Misdiagnosed Symptoms 06:59 What Exactly is a GLP-1? How Gut Signaling Hormones Work 08:10 Why GLP-1s Are Surging in Popularity Among Midlife Women 10:00 Food Beliefs, Social Media Myths, and the Joy of Mindful Eating 12:32 The Internalized Stigma and Secrecy Surrounding Weight Loss Drugs 13:40 Online Pharmacies, Unethical Prescribing, and the "Gray Market" 18:06 Beyond Weight Loss: Blood Pressure, Inflammation, and Health Markers 19:57 The Danger of Rapid Weight Loss & Metabolic Slowdown 21:28 Understanding Visceral Fat, Body Composition, and Muscle Retention 24:40 The Future of Weight Management and Women’s Health Research 27:32 Helen’s Mission: Her Book, Group Coaching, and Health Literacy 30:20 "Microdosing" GLP-1s, Fitness Influencers, and Safety Concerns 33:21 Where to Connect with Helen Bligh and Closing Thoughts Connect with Helen Bligh: Book: It Was Never About Willpower LinkedIn: Helen Bligh on LinkedIn Instagram: Helen Bligh on Instagram Facebook: Helen Bligh on Facebook 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 Rebecca Cooper—the very first dual certified menopause coach and menopause trainer with Women of a Certain Stage. Together, we discuss her personal journey navigating early menopause and hysterectomy in her late 30s, as well as how her 20 years of HR experience inspired her to advocate for better support in the workplace. We explore the urgent need to retain female talent, particularly within STEM and male-dominated industries, where women often leave around age 44. Rebecca breaks down why addressing menopause support isn't just about compliance or policy—it's a critical commercial differentiator that impacts culture, talent retention, and the bottom line. We dive deep into the UK government's upcoming requirement for Menopause Action Plans for larger employers, shifting the conversation from simple tick-box exercises like handing out desk fans to implementing meaningful internal infrastructure, line management training, and continuous measurement. And… for a fun peek behind the curtain, you’ll hear about Rebecca's "many paws" at home, how shifting her daily working schedule restored her energy, and why saying "yes" to a spontaneous 10-minute talk sparked a brand-new path in community workshops. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction & Welcome to the First Dual Certified Coach and Trainer 01:22 Rebecca’s Personal Journey: Early Menopause & Workplace Challenges 03:45 Supporting Women in STEM and Male-Dominated Industries 05:23 Engaging Employers and Focusing on Female Retention 08:30 The Average Age Women Leave Engineering Roles 09:44 Why Formal Qualifications & Credibility Matter 11:08 What UK Employers Need to Know About Menopause Action Plans 2027 14:13 The Importance of Employee Surveys and Open Conversations 15:15 Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone: Community Talks & Local Workshops 18:33 Building Confidence, Energy, and Community Connection 20:38 Small Lifestyle Wins: Hydration and Restructuring the Work Day 22:09 Preview of the Upcoming Authority Maker Programme 22:53 Life Outside Work: Dogs, Books, and Managing Energy 25:18 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect Connect with Rebecca: LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccacooperhr/ 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 former NBA star Cuttino "Cat" Mobley for a candid conversation about fatherhood, discipline, and what it really means to listen. Cuttino opens up about the "tough love" upbringing that shaped him — two father figures who taught him that easy choices now lead to hard consequences later, and vice versa. We dig into how becoming a father shifted his sense of purpose, why he believes children need boundaries as much as love, and how the lessons from his own childhood — "you can make all the mistakes you want, but you don't get to choose the consequences" — now guide how he parents his own four children across very different life stages. We also explore the tension between ego and purpose, why he believes the goal is to put purpose before ego as you mature, and his philosophy on facing life's storms head-on rather than running from them — the cow versus the buffalo. It's a warm, reflective conversation about presence, patience, and the quiet discipline of learning to really listen — to your kids, and to yourself. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Welcome and Opening Reflections 01:01 How Fatherhood Changed His Perspective 01:29 Growing Up with Two Fathers and Tough Love 02:03 Structure, Discipline, and Life in the NBA 02:28 "There's Hard and There's Easy" — Choosing Your Path 02:53 Learning to Listen as a Parent 03:20 Parenting Kids at Different Ages and Stages 03:47 Living with Purpose vs. Living Without Responsibility 04:06 Shadow Work and Self-Awareness as a Parent 04:26 Balancing Coaching Others with Parenting at Home 05:07 Setting Boundaries with Your Own Children 05:23 Owning Your Mistakes and Their Consequences 06:04 Balancing a Full Life Across Different Roles 06:16 The Pavlov's Bell Analogy — Breaking Cycles of Catering 06:55 Making Boundaries Like a "Hot Pot" 07:16 Teaching Kids to Manage Boundaries Early 08:06 Empathy, Ego, and Perspective in Children 08:21 Defining Success Today 08:39 Ego Before Purpose, Then Purpose Before Ego 09:03 The Meryl Streep Analogy on Self-Assurance 09:29 The Cow and the Buffalo — Facing the Storm 09:57 Closing Thoughts Connect with Cuttino Mobley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cuttino-mobley-94a8b0b0/

In this episode, I sit down with JT Foxx — the world's #1 wealth and business coach — for a refreshingly honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a coaching business from the ground up. JT has never taken menopause coach training himself, but as someone who has shared stages with me at the Sydney Opera House and events around the world, he's seen firsthand how big an issue menopause has become in workplaces globally. We dig into the real fundamentals of building a personal brand, why "brutal honesty" beats chasing approval every time, and why so many new coaches get stuck trying to convince clients of what they think the problem is instead of listening to what the client actually wants solved. JT also breaks down his "three-three rule" for pricing and building a client base from scratch, and shares his take on where AI fits into starting a business today. Whether you're a newly certified Menopause Coach or Champion stepping into business for the first time, or an established entrepreneur looking to sharpen your branding, this conversation is packed with straight-talking, practical advice. In this episode we cover: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 JT's relationship to menopause coaching — and why he's never taken the training 01:31 Branding as the first step to being taken seriously in business 03:31 Why "all press is good press" isn't always true 03:49 Doing the work yourself before trying to teach it 04:12 Giving clients what they want vs. what you think the problem is 05:42 "Brutal honesty" and why people want the truth — as long as they agree with it 05:47 Documenting the journey and using YouTube to build trust 06:00 Where AI fits in for new entrepreneurs 06:17 The "three-three rule" for pricing your services 07:00 Why track record and proof matter more than confidence alone Meet JT Foxx JT Foxx is a global entrepreneur, investor, and business coach who has built and partnered with businesses across more than 50 countries, and worked alongside billionaires, world leaders, and public figures. Long known as the "World's #1 Wealth & Business Coach," JT has more recently turned his focus toward AI-driven business transformation, helping companies integrate AI infrastructure to scale faster. YouTubeYouTube Connect with JT Foxx: Website | jtfoxx.com Instagram | @jtfoxxofficial Facebook | JT Foxx Official YouTube | JT Foxx 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. 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/ Connect with Lauren: LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/laurenchiren Instagram | @themenopausecoach Facebook | Women of a Certain Stage YouTube | @womenofacertainstage Twitter/X | @LaurenChiren