It’s the beginning of the next stage of your life.

And new beginnings can be exciting, with opportunities for growth and change."

“There is not a lot of conversation about menopause,” she said.

Michelle Obama smiling

“I’m going through it, and I know all of my friends are going through it.

And the information is sparse.”

“‘What’s a hot flash?’

Michelle Obama looking serious

We have girlfriends around the table who are OBGYNs, who have real information.

All of that keeps us lifted up.”

“Some of it is menopause, some of it is aging,” she said.

Michelle Obama public speaking

“I find that I cannot push myself as hard as I used to.

That doesn’t work out for me.

That when I tear a muscle or pull something and then I’m out.

The recovery time is not the same.”

She was on Marine One with her husband,President Barack Obama, getting ready for a public event.

“And then everything started melting.