We were lucky to catch up with Elizabeth Tidwell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Elizabeth, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s go back in time to when you were an intern or apprentice – what’s an interesting story you can share from that stage of your career?

Before I was a menstrual cycle educator and coach, I taught university courses for seven years, which laid a great foundation for me as an educator. But I remember my very first week of university writing instructor training, being taught by teachers how to teach, and thinking, “Of course it’s easy for this teacher, and that teacher, and this one: They’re gregarious, engaging, confident, and have big personalities. I am small and shy.” I was intimidated because at that point, I was under the false impression that I had to teach like them, be like them, in order to be an effective instructor. Thankfully, I mentioned this to my mentor, which led to a great conversation about bringing your own unique strengths to your job, rather than feeling like there’s one right way to teach. I realized that of course I can’t teach like someone else; I can only teach like me. That immediately moved me from a place of fear, intimidation, and anxiety, and into a place of strength, comfort, confidence, and expansive freedom. I absolutely loved teaching and had great rapport with my students and created an open and inviting learning environment, all possible through standing in my own authenticity. And by the next year, I was training the new instructors how to teach–not like me, but like themselves.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Most people have never heard of a menstrual cycle coach before, so if that’s you–you’re not alone! It’s a new and growing field that is so valuable and will absolutely change our culture as it grows.

I got into menstrual cycle coaching after reading a book, Wild Power, which immediately transformed how I thought of my menstrual cycle, how I thought of my body, and, ultimately, how I thought of myself. Instantly I knew I wanted to help others receive this powerful wisdom and transformational practice, so in 2022 I trained with Red School, then completed a cycle coaching certification with Lisa de Jong, and also added a First Moon Circle facilitator training in 2024.

I work 1:1 with clients to help them learn the vital body literacy most of us were not taught in our basic school maturation programs, and then guide them on how to embody this new way of being, embracing our menstrual cycle as our ally in our daily life. Many of us also hold energetic wounds in our wombs, like cultural shame and personal traumas, so my work also focuses on tending to those wounds to release trauma and relieve symptoms.

So many of us with menstrual cycles have experienced a myriad of period and PMS symptoms that have disrupted our lives–and we’ve been led to expect that that is normal. It’s not! Instead, it is completely possible to have very mild symptoms. Culturally, we have really overmedicalized the female body and the menstrual cycle, so it is my goal as a menstrual cycle coach to guide menstruators back to their body’s wisdom and their own power. I work with those experiencing menstrual cycle issues, as well as with those who have mild periods but want to live in harmony with their body’s natural hormonal pattern.

I also work with children about to get their very first period. I absolutely love being able to help kids at this stage to enter their cycling years with the preparation, knowledge, confidence, and self-care tools that will enable them to have a positive period experience from the start! I offer First Moon Circles, which are intimate gatherings (including virtual) with a small group of children and their caregiver where they learn about their menstrual cycle, learn how to care for themselves, and we come together to celebrate and support each other with a beautiful ceremony. Beyond those gatherings, I also curate First Period Kits to prepare kids everywhere with the practical necessities as they near their first period.

I am so passionate about helping others discover the power in their menstrual cycles because I know just how much of a difference it makes when you step into deeper self-awareness and self-compassion. Menstrual cycle awareness is incredibly empowering work that has the potential to completely transform not only individual lives, but our entire culture around menstruation as we collectively re-write what it means to live in harmony with our cyclical nature.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I actually started my business as a product provider, not a service provider. While I was starting my trainings to become a menstrual cycle coach, I launched My Club Red, a hormone-friendly period self-care subscription box, with the intention of offering both the box and coaching after my certifications. However, I quickly found out that wouldn’t be sustainable for me as a part-time solopreneur with a young child at home. For as much marketing time and resources a subscription requires to be successful, especially in this particular niche, I realized I would not be able to effectively provide both products and services. During the messy middle, though, I imagined I could do both, but ultimately found that I was never quite finding the time I wanted to dedicate to growing my coaching offers, which is my much bigger passion. I was sad to see the subscription box go, especially since I’d invested a lot of time, energy, resources, and a big piece of my heart to it during its short lifetime, but I am glad that I made the decision before I was in danger of burning out. It was the right decision for me in the context of my life right now, and I love having the freedom to focus on my coaching clients and the impact this work is having in the world.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Embodying menstrual cycle awareness. Since so few people know the impact of this work, it is vital that they see examples of how to do the work, the impact of the work, the daily application of the work, the integration of the work. I walk the walk, and my menstrual cycle has become a trusted ally in not only my daily life, but how I run my business. I align tasks with the menstrual phases most suitable to that type of task, and really benefit from the wisdom and ease that comes with running my business in tune with my cycle. My menstrual cycle is always a consideration, and a vital one at that. I am much better able to make wise decisions, avoid repeating mistakes, adopt a sustainable rhythm, and ultimately harness the unique capacities of each cycle phase by working with my body rather than against it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://myclubred.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myclubred/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myclubred
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@myclubred

Image Credits
Caitie Lockhart Photography Heather Willis Photography Camilynne Photography