In the spring 2026 semester, 16 members of the Springfield College staff embarked on a transformative wellness journey designed specifically for women navigating perimenopause and postmenopause. This powerful, science-backed program, called Muscle & Menopause, empowers participants to feel stronger, more confident, and in control of their health during a pivotal stage of life. Learn more about the program, including from the perspective of three graduate students serving as coaches, regarding how they are helping participants, why this program is so important, and the critical experiential learning opportunity it offers them.
Introduction
By Sue Guyer, DPE, Dean of the School of Physical Education, Performance, and Sport Leadership, and Professor of Athletic Training
In addition to hands-on training, the program equips participants with practical tools to maintain consistency and confidence long-term through five in-depth educational sessions: Physiology of Menopause; The Mindset of Menopause; Peri/Postmenopausal Training Formula; Nutrition for Menopause; and one bonus education session. Together, this integrated approach supports women not only in improving physical performance but in redefining what strength and wellness look like during menopause.
Sara Doyle
I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in Strength and Conditioning at Springfield College, with an expected graduation year of 2027. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from American International College, where I first developed my passion for coaching and performance training. Continuing my education at Springfield College has allowed me to refine my coaching skills while aligning with the College’s commitment to educating the whole person—in spirit, mind, and body.
As a coach in the program, I lead group training sessions by guiding participants through warmups, running structured workouts, and providing technical feedback, encouragement, and motivation throughout each session.
From an experiential learning perspective, working with this population broadens my coaching experience. While much of my background includes collegiate athletics, youth athletes, and tactical populations like the police academy, this program allows me to expand my versatility as a coach. These women genuinely want to be there, and helping them improve their quality of life is both impactful and deeply rewarding.
Jessica Heinrichs
At Springfield College, I am in my first year of the master’s program for Strength and Conditioning, expected to graduate in May 2027. The Muscle & Menopause Program is an important program to offer because it dives into a topic with little research to help us get a better understanding of the female body and how it works during menopause. This program also gives females experiencing menopause the opportunity to do something for themselves to improve their overall health and well-being.
Lucy Puskas
From my perspective, this program is incredibly valuable for the College because it creates a meaningful connection between students and the surrounding community. It gives women a supportive space to focus on their health while also allowing students like me to gain hands-on experience. Menopause is a stage of life that comes with many physiological changes, including shifts in strength, bone density, and overall health. Having access to a strength training program designed to support women during this time can make a big difference. At the same time, it allows students to see how the concepts we learn in class apply to real people and real situations.
This program has been an amazing opportunity to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to a real-world setting. It has helped me develop my coaching skills, communication, and ability to connect with a new population. Experiences like this are incredibly valuable as I prepare for a future career in strength and conditioning.
About the author
Coach Sara Doyle is a graduate student in the Strength and Conditioning program at Springfield College. Originally from California, she chose Springfield College for its strong reputation in performance training and its emphasis on leadership, hands-on experience, and professional development. Her passion lies in helping athletes reach their full potential through purposeful training and building strong coach-athlete relationships. She is especially interested in working with high-performance athletes and tactical populations and is committed to continuing to grow as a confident and impactful coach.
About the author
Jessica Heinrichs is from Troy, N.Y. She completed her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Business Administration at Castleton University (now Vermont State University), where she also played soccer and softball. She enjoys helping others grow while finding their full potential and gaining confidence within themselves.
About the author
Lucy Puskas is a second-year graduate student in the Strength and Conditioning program at Springfield College. Originally from Connecticut, she chose Springfield College for its strong connections within the strength and conditioning field and its emphasis on hands-on experience. She is passionate about coaching athletes and has gained valuable experience working with teams at Quinnipiac University, including hockey and basketball, as well as with athletes at Springfield College. She hopes to pursue a career in strength and conditioning where she can continue helping athletes perform at their best.
