Tell us about your business – what do you do, and who do you do it for?
Cheryl Tanner, Menopause Fitness Coach. I run a private coaching studio focused on helping women build strength, confidence, and long-term health, particularly through menopause.
I work with women who are often feeling frustrated with changes in their body, energy, and mindset, and who want a clear, supportive approach to training and nutrition that actually works for this stage of life.
Through resistance training, simple nutrition strategies, and lifestyle support, I help my clients improve their strength, posture, and body composition, while also boosting their confidence, energy, and overall wellbeing.
My approach is about progression, not perfection, helping women feel strong, capable, and in control of their bodies again.
Was there a moment you knew, “this could really work”?
There wasn’t just one big moment, it was a series of small ones that built over time.
But one that really stood out was seeing a client completely transform, not just physically, but in how she felt about herself. She came to me struggling with her confidence, her energy, and feeling like her body was working against her during menopause. Over time, through consistent strength training and simple changes to her nutrition, everything shifted. She got stronger, her posture improved, her energy came back, but more importantly, her mindset changed. She started to believe in herself again.
That’s when it really hit me, this isn’t just about fitness. It’s about helping women feel like themselves again, or even better than before.
That’s when I knew… this could really work.
What changes are you seeing in your sector right now?
There’s been a big shift in recent years, especially around women’s health and menopause. More women are starting to question outdated advice like “just do more cardio” or “eat less,” and are realising the importance of strength training, nutrition, and recovery, particularly as they move through their 40s and 50s.
There’s also a growing awareness that menopause isn’t just something to “get through”, it’s a phase where the right support can actually help women become stronger, more confident, and healthier long-term. At the same time, there’s still a lot of confusion and misinformation out there, which is why education and personalised coaching are becoming so important.
I think we’re moving towards a more empowering approach, where women are encouraged to build strength, understand their bodies, and focus on long-term health rather than quick fixes.
What values are important to you as a business owner/employer?
The biggest values for me are honesty, consistency, and empowerment.
I’m really honest with my clients, there are no quick fixes, no fads, and no extremes. Everything I coach is built around sustainable habits that actually work long-term. Consistency is at the heart of everything I do. I help women move away from the all-or-nothing mindset and focus on showing up regularly, even when life is busy or motivation is low. And most importantly, empowerment. I want every woman I work with to feel strong, capable, and in control of her body again, especially during menopause, which can often feel overwhelming and confusing.
It’s not just about physical results, it’s about building confidence, resilience, and a mindset that carries through into everyday life.
How do you engage with or give back to the local community?
Community is a huge part of what I do.
I run regular outdoor sessions, including group workouts and sea dips, which bring women together in a really supportive and positive environment. It’s not just about exercise, it’s about connection, confidence, and feeling part of something.
I also deliver workshops focused on menopause, movement, and mental wellbeing, working with local organisations and businesses to help educate and support women in the workplace and beyond. Alongside this, I support local charities through fundraising initiatives and sponsor local events where I can, as giving back to the community that supports my business is really important to me.
For me, it’s about creating a space where women feel seen, supported, and empowered, whether that’s in my studio, outdoors, or through community events.
What’s the most rewarding part of what you do?
The most rewarding part is seeing the shift in how women feel about themselves.
It’s not just the physical changes, although seeing clients get stronger, improve their posture, and feel more comfortable in their bodies is amazing, it’s the confidence that comes with it.
When a woman walks in feeling frustrated, low in energy, and disconnected from her body, and over time starts to feel strong, capable, and back in control again… that’s everything. Seeing that mindset change, where they stop doubting themselves and start believing “I can do this”, that’s the most powerful part of what I do, and it’s what keeps me passionate about it every single day.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting a business locally?
Start before you feel ready.
It’s easy to overthink, wait for the perfect moment, or feel like you need everything in place, but the truth is, you learn the most by doing.
Focus on building relationships within your local community, be consistent with your message, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. People buy into people, especially at a local level.
Also, keep it simple. You don’t need to do everything at once, get really good at what you do, stay consistent, and let your results speak for themselves and most importantly, back yourself. Confidence grows with action, not before it.
Where would you like to see it in the next 3–5 years?
In the next 3–5 years, I’d love to see the business continue to grow as a recognised hub for women’s health and strength training, particularly around menopause support.
My goal is to expand both in-person and online so I can reach more women beyond the local area, while still maintaining a really personal, supportive approach.
I’d also love to continue working with local businesses and organisations, delivering workshops and corporate wellbeing sessions, helping to shift how menopause and women’s health are understood in the workplace.
Ultimately, I want to build something that empowers more women to feel strong, confident, and in control of their health at every stage of life, not just in my studio, but on a much bigger scale.
