A fitness star once hid her menopause battle—now she’s turning it into power
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Five years ago, Michelle Bridges looked in the mirror and barely recognised herself.
The fitness icon, known for building her career on strength and empowerment, suddenly felt like a stranger in her own body.
What she discovered next would change her life, her career, and the way she spoke about ageing forever.
Bridges admitted in a candid interview that she had no idea what perimenopause was until she was living through it.
‘For several years, women were coming at us saying, “Please do something for menopause,”’ she said.
‘I remember going, “I’ll get onto that.” And at the same time, in the back of my mind, [I was thinking], “Do I wanna be a woman in the fitness industry admitting to or talking about menopause?”’
At the time, her body was changing in ways she did not understand.
She felt self-conscious about her weight and appearance and was even prescribed antidepressants by her GP.
It was only after hearing a podcast that she realised the signs all pointed to perimenopause—a transitional stage she had never even heard of.
‘But I gave myself a good talking to and said, “Michelle, you’ve always championed and empowered women. By not saying anything, you are perpetuating the ageism and taboo around this topic.”’
The experience led to her writing her 18th book, The Perimenopause Method, which she described as a practical guide for women navigating the same challenges.
‘When I first started talking about this, no-one wanted to talk to me,’ she said.
‘I found it a bit frustrating. At the time it was very unsexy, very taboo, with a lot of shameful connotations around it.
‘It’s still a topic a lot of ladies don’t want to go near, because they fear it may affect their career, because they may get looked upon as being whingers, or “Does that mean if she’s menopausal, she can have a sick day?” That attitude is very old school, but it’s still there.’
Bridges, who co-parents her nine-year-old son Axel with ex-partner Steve ‘Commando’ Willis, also revealed details of her dating life after five-and-a-half years away from romance.
She laughed about being ghosted on her first date back, saying she refused to feel embarrassed.
‘I’m happy to put myself up for the self-effacing joke if it gets people giggling,’ she said.
‘I saw a headline about it that said “Humiliated Michelle Bridges”, and I was like: ummm … I was actually quite empowered by the messaging I was giving the ladies.
‘I wasn’t humiliated. If anyone should be humiliated, it’s the dude who didn’t show up.’
In the interview, Bridges also reflected on ageing in the fitness industry, intimacy in her 50s, and the importance of speaking openly about women’s health.
For her, breaking the stigma around menopause was no longer optional—it was her new mission.
While Michelle Bridges has opened up about her own journey through perimenopause, many women are facing another challenge tied to this stage of life.
Essential treatments that can make a huge difference in managing symptoms are becoming harder to access.
It’s a reminder that the conversation about menopause isn’t just personal—it’s also about ensuring vital healthcare is available when it’s needed most.
Read more: Health crisis unfolds as thousands of Aussies struggle to access this medication
If society still treats menopause as taboo, how can women ever feel empowered to embrace it openly?
The fitness icon, known for building her career on strength and empowerment, suddenly felt like a stranger in her own body.
What she discovered next would change her life, her career, and the way she spoke about ageing forever.
Bridges admitted in a candid interview that she had no idea what perimenopause was until she was living through it.
‘For several years, women were coming at us saying, “Please do something for menopause,”’ she said.
‘I remember going, “I’ll get onto that.” And at the same time, in the back of my mind, [I was thinking], “Do I wanna be a woman in the fitness industry admitting to or talking about menopause?”’
Michelle Bridges reveals hidden struggle with menopause. Image source: Instagram/mishbridges
At the time, her body was changing in ways she did not understand.
She felt self-conscious about her weight and appearance and was even prescribed antidepressants by her GP.
It was only after hearing a podcast that she realised the signs all pointed to perimenopause—a transitional stage she had never even heard of.
‘But I gave myself a good talking to and said, “Michelle, you’ve always championed and empowered women. By not saying anything, you are perpetuating the ageism and taboo around this topic.”’
The experience led to her writing her 18th book, The Perimenopause Method, which she described as a practical guide for women navigating the same challenges.
‘When I first started talking about this, no-one wanted to talk to me,’ she said.
‘I found it a bit frustrating. At the time it was very unsexy, very taboo, with a lot of shameful connotations around it.
‘It’s still a topic a lot of ladies don’t want to go near, because they fear it may affect their career, because they may get looked upon as being whingers, or “Does that mean if she’s menopausal, she can have a sick day?” That attitude is very old school, but it’s still there.’
Bridges, who co-parents her nine-year-old son Axel with ex-partner Steve ‘Commando’ Willis, also revealed details of her dating life after five-and-a-half years away from romance.
She laughed about being ghosted on her first date back, saying she refused to feel embarrassed.
‘I’m happy to put myself up for the self-effacing joke if it gets people giggling,’ she said.
‘I saw a headline about it that said “Humiliated Michelle Bridges”, and I was like: ummm … I was actually quite empowered by the messaging I was giving the ladies.
‘I wasn’t humiliated. If anyone should be humiliated, it’s the dude who didn’t show up.’
In the interview, Bridges also reflected on ageing in the fitness industry, intimacy in her 50s, and the importance of speaking openly about women’s health.
For her, breaking the stigma around menopause was no longer optional—it was her new mission.
While Michelle Bridges has opened up about her own journey through perimenopause, many women are facing another challenge tied to this stage of life.
Essential treatments that can make a huge difference in managing symptoms are becoming harder to access.
It’s a reminder that the conversation about menopause isn’t just personal—it’s also about ensuring vital healthcare is available when it’s needed most.
Read more: Health crisis unfolds as thousands of Aussies struggle to access this medication
If society still treats menopause as taboo, how can women ever feel empowered to embrace it openly?
