We talk a lot about creating meaningful learning experiences for others so were very excited to step into the learner seat ourselves, during our recent menopause training, with the brilliant Jenny Muhlwa.
Menopause is something that affects millions of people, yet for far too long it has been misunderstood or simply ignored. As a team built on inclusion and wellbeing, we knew it was important not only to deepen our understanding, but to experience this topic openly and with curiosity.
Jenny created a space where that felt not just possible, but natural. And for that, we owe her a huge thank you.
Creating a space to learn and talk.
Our personal goals for the session were varied, some wanted to better understand their own symptoms or phase of life whilst others came to better support partners, daughters, friends and/or obviously colleagues. Yet we could all agree we also wanted to focus
The day began with the ‘simple’ premise that hormones shape far more of our lived experience than most of us were ever taught. The science that Jenny shared, created an “aha” moment for many of us across elements such as mood, memory, performance, and confidence.
Unboxing myths.
Jenny’s expertise in neuroscience helped us explore how hormones influence, well everything! For many of us, this was the kind of education we’d frankly never received, at school, at the doctor’s, anywhere.
We explored:
- the ebb and flow of oestrogen and progesterone.
- how these shifts affect energy and confidence.
- why perimenopause can feel so unpredictable.
- why so many symptoms (from frozen shoulder to itchy skin to brain fog) finally make sense in context.
- and disappointingly, how misunderstood, under-researched and under-supported women’s health still is.
The menopause transition.
One of the most eye-opening parts of the session for most of the team was when we explored just how wide-ranging menopause symptoms can be. We discussed everything from sleep disruption, temperature changes, anxiety spikes, digestive issues, mental health misdiagnosis and the role of hormones in everything from muscle function to skin sensitivity.
The breadth of it surprised many of us, but more importantly, it validated experiences that had previously felt disconnected or dismissed.
Jenny reframed menopause not as a decline, but as a transition, with a “renewal” phase that resonated with many in the room.
Bringing it into the workplace.
As learning professionals, it was impossible not to connect everything back to the environments we create for others.
We discussed what menopause might look like in a training room or meeting and how are new awareness could aid supporting people. Some small shifts in facilitation and line management could make a world of difference.
Conversations around upcoming legal changes and best practice gave us a practical lens too.
Culture changes.
We explored organisational culture through Edgar Schein’s culture triangle, from visible policies (like menopause cafés) to the unspoken beliefs that shape behaviour day to day.
Jenny encouraged us to ask better questions, challenge the stigma, reduce mental load where we can and create safe environments that allow people to articulate their needs. More simply, allow people to feel truly supported, without needing to ask or feel like it’s part of a tick box exercise.
Our thoughts.
As a team that designs learning for a living, it was refreshing to be the ones learning, and allow ourselves to be open, vulnerable and curious together.
It gave us shared commitment to do better in how we support ourselves, each other and our clients through this topic.
Most of all, it reminded us that inclusion is not a policy, it’s behaviours.
