Rethinking the Rules: Peak Performance in a Menopausal Body with Becky Croft (Episode 251)

Hit Play Not Pause

Health & Fitness, Education, Self-improvement, Mental Health

4.9 • 696 Ratings

🗓️ 19 November 2025

⏱️ 58 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Unpredictable cycles. Sleepless nights. Mood swings. Body composition changes. And performance that mirrors all of it. During the menopause transition, you never quite know which body will show up on any given day. As this week’s guest menopause run and strength coach Becky Croft explains, you can still get stronger and faster, but it won’t come from constantly pushing through or grinding it out. It takes smart planning, a different kind of periodization, and recovery that respects your shifting hormones and the cumulative stress that comes from this time of life. We dive into all of it: hormones, nutrition, hydration, strength, load management, and much more. Becky also opens up about her struggles with endometriosis, surgical menopause, and younger women in menopause can feel left out of the conversation.

Becky Croft is a certified running and strength coach who specializes in guiding masters and menopausal athletes through the complex intersections of performance, hormones, and identity. After years of battling endometriosis and undergoing a full hysterectomy at 38, Becky entered surgical menopause as a younger, recreational competitive athlete—and quickly realized the resources she needed didn’t exist. So she became the coach she was looking for. She is a Game Changers Coach and Mentor, holds certifications as a RRCA Run Coach, Girls Gone Strong Menopause Strength Coach, and Chi Running & Walking Instructor. Becky is the founder of hustle.run.thrive., where she helps runners of all ages, stages, and identities push performance boundaries without abandoning their bodies. Follow her work at Instagram: @coach.croft or website: https://hustle-eat-thrive.myshopify.com/

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Transcript

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0:00.0	We know you're already thinking about those 2026 goals. Maybe it's pinning on a race number,
0:05.4	hanging strong on that fast group ride, or finally tacking an epic cycling adventure. Whatever your
0:10.6	goal, it starts this winter. And we've got you covered with our brand new program, Winter
0:16.0	Training for Cyclists. Winter Training for Cyclists is a 16-week group coaching program for women who want
0:22.4	to train smart, ride strong, and thrive together. Led by coach, Serena Bishop Gordon, this program
0:28.2	kicks off December 1st and runs through March 31st. You'll get structured rides, weekly strength
0:34.0	sessions, and expert-led education that explains the why behind your training.
0:38.5	You'll learn how your body adapts, how to fuel it well, and how to make training fit your life
0:43.0	not the other way around. You'll also be part of a supportive community that just gets it,
0:48.3	a place where you can ask questions, share wins, and laugh through the tough workouts together.
0:53.4	So this winter, let's lay the right
0:55.3	foundation, build your strength, build your confidence, and your community, and have a whole lot of
1:00.4	fun doing it. Join winter training for cyclists at feisty.co, and look for the yellow banner
1:05.7	at the top of the page. We'll also put a clickable link in the show notes. Use the code hit play,
1:11.2	50, that's all caps, hit play. Use the code Hit Play, 50.
1:12.3	That's all caps.
1:14.1	Hit Play and the number 50.
1:16.6	To save $50 off, sign up today.
1:32.1	You are listening to Hit Play Not Pause, a feisty menopause podcast for active performance-minded women.
1:34.1	I am your host, Celine Yeager.
1:42.4	Each week, I bring you advice from athletes, scientists, researchers, and other experts to help you feel and perform you best, no matter what your hormones are doing.
1:45.4	This show is a production of Live Feisty Media.
	...

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