Guest: Sarah Stenton, Founder of Middle Age Madness

Host: Jo Rye

Welcome to the very first episode of The Pivot For Life Podcast!

I’m your host, Jo, and I couldn’t think of a better way to start this journey than by sitting down with my wonderful friend, Sarah. This is a conversation that’s been years in the making, two mates, a few life-changing curveballs, and a whole lot of laughter and honesty.

In this episode, we get raw and real about the moments that forced us to stop, step back, and fundamentally change the direction of our lives. We talk about the “perfect storm” of events that led to my brain hemorrhage and Sarah’s own story of navigating a health scare with her husband, the stress of running a business, and the perimenopause that ultimately sparked her phenomenal online community, Middle Age Madness.

Together, we explore what it really takes to let go of who you thought you had to be and find the courage to step into who you’re truly meant to become. If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on a hamster wheel and wondered if there’s more to life, this one’s for you.

What We Cover in This Episode

We kick things off with a proper introduction to Sarah, a friend, a survivor, and a self-confessed “rock star”, before diving into how Middle Age Madness was born out of sheer frustration with the menopause. Sarah shares what life looked like before her pivot: running an estate agency, molding herself to fit in, and slowly losing sight of who she was. Then we explore the “perfect storm” that changed everything, COVID, mounting business stress, and the terrifying moment her husband collapsed from a blood clot. I open up about my own story: the 10-mile run, the brain hemorrhage, and what it felt like when my body finally said "no". We talk about the clarity that comes after a forced stop and how facing fear, whether on social media or in front of a mirror, has shaped our new chapters. Sarah gets honest about body confidence, posting a video in a swimsuit, and explains why she chose to protect her peace that day. We share the power of becoming your own biggest cheerleader, the importance of letting go of people who make you feel smaller, and how the menopause, for all its havoc, can strip away the bullshit and help you step into what Sarah calls "cronehood". We discuss the ripple effect of holding each other’s hands through hard times, the challenge of dealing with online trolls, and why, after everything, life finally feels calm, fabulous, and exactly where we’re meant to be.

Resources & Links

- Connect with Sarah: Find her incredible community on Facebook at Middle Age Madness. https://www.facebook.com/middleagemadness

- Connect with Jo: For more resources and support, visit Clarity & Courage. https://joryeclarityandcourage.com/

- Book Mentioned: When the Body Says No by Dr Gabor Maté https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Body-Says-No-Hidden/dp/178504222X

- Music: Let the Road by Peter Ash

Thank You for Listening!

Thank you for joining me on this first episode. If today’s conversation has inspired you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review; it truly helps these stories reach more people who might be on the edge of their own pivot.

Until next time, stay curious, stay courageous, and keep pivoting for life.

Jo x