Speaker: Claire Stewart, Menopause Coach, Better Beyond
What made you choose this menopause coaching diploma instead of other options?
Claire Stewart: I chose to do the 18 week menopause coach diploma with Lauren for two main reasons. The first was that out of all of the coaching certifications that I'd looked at, um, this was the most in depth. It had the most information surrounding perimenopause and menopause, as well as the coaching aspect. That there were many experts, Lauren herself, as well as many others that helped us with looking at so many areas in depth, HRT, symptoms, prolapse, breast cancer, and all of the things that would be potentially affecting the women that I would want to be helping. Um, it was also certified so that I knew that I could hand on heart say that I was qualified and certified to be able to help women moving forward. And the second reason was that after having had many conversations with my husband about wanting to coach women and help them go through a period of life that I had found particularly hard myself, but also that I wanted to be able to help women within the workplace and help employers to look after their staff better. Um, and Lauren kept popping up on my Facebook feed and something that I would love to call fate, which I know is actually cookies, but, um, when I read all about her and realised that actually she was who I wanted to be when I grow up, I knew that this was the course for me to do. So, um, I signed up straight away.
What specific challenge or uncertainty did you have before enrolling, and how has the training resolved that?
Claire Stewart: Once I'd made the decision that I wanted to help women through this period of their life, um, I realised that just because I've been through it myself, I'm about 4 years into my perimenopausal journey, and because I'd done lots of research, that wasn't enough, that wasn't something that made me good enough to be able to support others. And finding this diploma, completing the 18 weeks, completing the programme myself, but also taking my practise clients through it. Has given me now the confidence to know that yes I am the person to be able to help other ladies go through this. I am the person that can give that support, that can listen, that can guide a lady through this period of time through the programme so that she comes out feeling. Better, more confident, the very best version of herself, and I think that's something that we really struggle with at this period of our life is, is who we are and our identity, and knowing that I've now got the knowledge, the expertise, the understanding and the skills to be able to help people through this, um, it just fills my heart with joy. I feel so very lucky.
How has this diploma changed your confidence, career, or business results so far?
Claire Stewart: Having completed the diploma, the 18 weeks, I now feel really confident to move forward with my business, my new coaching business, to guide women through this period in their life. I've gone through the programme myself. I've taken my practise clients through it. I know that I feel really full of knowledge, full of understanding. I've seen the impact that the programme can have not just on myself but on the ladies that I've already taken through it. So that's really filled me with such joy knowing that this is something that I can take out there to other ladies that is really going to make a huge difference. And without the diploma, I wouldn't have had that courage, that confidence. I wouldn't have felt that I was worthy. In fact, I think I'd have felt like I was a fraud, and now I don't, and that's great.
What surprised you most about the experience?
Claire Stewart: I think what surprised me most about the programme was how much I really enjoyed every single session, like every single one. I didn't come away from a single session thinking, hm, that's a waste of my time. Um, I also was really grateful for all of the guest lecturers that came along to share their knowledge with us. And I don't think I'd have got that on any other course, and that's been huge, and I'm now connected with these people that will be able to help me, you know, in my career as I move forward. But also the camaraderie of our group. I think there were like 30 or 35 in our group, and we all got on really well, we all understood each other really well. And I actually found coming together on a Friday, really nurturing, really caring, um, knowing that we were all in the same boat, that we were all having the same. Lack of confidence moments and the same fears, but actually we were there to support each other and Lauren was amazing at helping to bring us back down if we um got a little bit, um, and that was really lovely. I suppose having that support from the cohort, the support from Lauren. Um, the extra knowledge from the guest speakers, um, and that time, that time to actually understand a little bit more about yourself as well. I don't think I expected to go on such a journey of self discovery, really, um, through this programme, which I did. And I've come out, um, happier and better for it, I think.
Who would you recommend this diploma to, and why?
Claire Stewart: I'd recommend this course to anybody that wants to make a difference to women going through perimenopause and menopause. It's a great course for giving you a wealth of knowledge, great coaching skills, a certificate to prove that you are able to take women through the programme. If you are looking for support, if you are looking for something that is in depth, something that is up to date. Um, if you want to be the very best coach that you can be, if you want to give your clients the very best, then I think this is going to be the course for you.
