Perimenopause: we need to talk about it. Especially at work.Because whether we like it or not, perimenopause will affect everyone at some stage in our lives either directly or indirectly.Unfortunately, it’s not an opt-out kinda situation. (I know, bummer). There isn’t a workplace off button for hot flushes, brain fog or any other perimenopause symptoms.Yet conversations around perimenopause - or indeed the other ‘pauses’ menopause and post-menopause - are seemingly off-limits at work.Which leaves us with two burning questions:Why is this the case?What can we do about it?Cue our latest podcast guest, Michelle Harradence; perimenopause advocate, wellbeing coach and all-round legendary human being.Michelle is a senior leader in her field, with over 25 years’ experience in people-focused roles, including several years at sea working as an on-board HR manager. Michelle now runs her coaching business, Rising Tides, which helps people to ‘navigate their way through life’s oceans whilst taking care of their mental health’.With lived experience of perimenopause in the workplace, Michelle is unapologetically honest in sharing her experiences, regaling them with a refreshing honesty. In her words: “I’m not backwards in coming forwards!”We’ll discuss:What perimenopause is and its associated symptomsHow to have those all-important conversations at work about perimenopauseThe physical and mental health implications – and how they’re intrinsically linkedHow perimenopause affects everyone (yes, everyone)The importance of honest communication, use of language and patient advocacySelf-awareness management as women – and the mental toll it can takeAnd last, but certainly not least: the importance of being authentic as a leader and why this isn’t an excuse for being a d*ck (perimenopausal or not)Want to get in touch with Michelle? You can find her here:LINKEDIN – https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-harradence-c-3196781/EMAIL –  [email protected] recorded June 2022--------------------------------Mind Over Grind explores mental health and wellbeing in business, hosted by coach, facilitator and speaker, Alice Lyons.The podcast is brought to you by Dark Coffee who bring unfiltered mental fitness to SMEs, so that you and your team feel badass at work! To find out more, take a look at our website https://www.darkcoffee.co.uk/ or get in touch: [email protected] conversation doesn’t stop here! Follow us on social media or join our mailing list for more insights, tips and advice to help you feel and perform at your best:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicelyons/Instagram: @darkcoffeecoJoin our mailing list here.If you’d like to speak with Alice about 1:1 coaching, book a free 20-minute coffee chat here so you can ask all your juicy questions!Music Credit: ‘Like a Fire’ by Flow StatePodcast Host: Alice Lyons from Dark CoffeePodcast Editor: Emily Boardman at VA ConfidentialPod notes: Hannah Cahill from Joy Marketing