#082 Denise Duffield-Thomas on peri-menopause, ADHD, midlife, & focusing on a ‘joy first’ business

In this episode, I sat down with Denise Duffield-Thomas for a deeply honest, refreshing conversation about something that’s not talked about nearly enough in business… perimenopause, ADHD, and what it really looks like to build (and sustain) success in midlife.

This wasn’t just about money. It was about identity, energy, and redefining success on our own terms.

Perimenopause, ADHD & feeling like everything shifted

We kicked off by sharing our experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD in our 40s & 50s, alongside navigating perimenopause.

Honestly, it felt disorientating at first. Things that used to feel easy suddenly didn’t. My energy, focus, and capacity all changed — and that brought up a lot of questions about who I was and how I worked.

What really stood out in this conversation is how common that experience is… and yet how rarely we talk about it.

Instead of pushing through, we explored what it looks like to actually honour these changes.

Simplifying everything (and choosing joy again)

Denise shared how perimenopause forced her to simplify both her business and her life radically.

Letting go of projects. Dropping commitments. Releasing anything that drained her.

And in that space, something beautiful happened — she reconnected with joy.

For her, that was ballet.

Not for performance. Not for productivity. Just for the love of it.

It was such a powerful reminder for me that we need something in our lives that isn’t about output or income. Something that’s just ours.

Redefining success in midlife

We talked about the pressure women face as they get older, the subtle (and not-so-subtle) messaging that their best years are behind them.

I don’t buy that. And neither does Denise.

We spoke about rewriting the narrative around success, worthiness, and ambition.

There is no expiry date on your dreams.

In fact, this stage of life can be the most powerful, because you know yourself better, you care less about external validation, and you’re far more intentional with your energy.

Practical advice if you’re in the thick of it

If you’re navigating perimenopause right now and feeling like your business (or your brain) isn’t cooperating, Denise shared some really grounded advice:

  • Triage your priorities — not everything matters equally
  • Simplify wherever you can
  • Build support around you (this isn’t the time to go it alone)
  • Focus on what actually feels good and sustainable

And most importantly, she reframed this season as a “pause” — not a problem.

A chance to recalibrate, heal, and come back stronger.

Final thoughts

I loved this conversation because it felt real.

No hustle. No pretending. Just honesty about what it takes to navigate big life shifts while still holding onto your ambitions.

We wrapped up by talking about continuing these conversations and creating more spaces where women feel supported through every stage of life — not just the glossy, high-energy seasons.

Want support that actually works for this season of life?

If you want to explore how Sarah can help you grow your business in a peri/menopause/midlife ADHD-friendly way, you’ve got two options:

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway — especially if you’re navigating this season yourself.

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