In this powerful episode of Visible, host Sarah Hewitt sits down with writer, content creator, and unapologetically honest voice of midlife, Cat Sims. Known for her candid takes on motherhood, mental health, and sobriety, Cat opens up about:

- Growing up with undiagnosed ADHD and finding her creative voice

- The messy transition into motherhood and how Instagram gave her back her writing

- Sobriety: her four-year journey, the myths she’s shattered, and the surprising freedoms it’s brought

- The often-ignored reality of the mental load in relationships and how couples can learn to communicate better

- Midlife visibility, body image, and navigating new medications like ADHD treatment, HRT, and Manjaro

- Why turning 40 can be liberating — and the underrated joy of having no more f***s to give

Cat is funny, frank and the epitome of a woman who is keeping it real.

She reminds us that none of us have this figured out — and that the very act of telling the truth can be the thing that sets someone else free.

✨ My favourite line from the conversation: “I don’t have any f*cks left to give.”

If you’ve ever felt the quiet rage of the mental load, wrestled with wine o’clock, or wondered if you’ll ever feel at home in your own body — this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen to Episode 4 of Visible wherever you get your podcasts.

And if it resonates, forward it to a friend who needs the reminder that we’re not supposed to do any of this alone.

Links & resources

* Follow Cat Sims: Instagram @notsosmugnow Substack: https://yourenevertheonlyone.substack.com/

* Chapter 39 on Substack: https://chapter39.substack.com/

* Visible on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Chapter39Official

* Buy The Mental Load Diaries on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mental-Load-Diaries-Cat-Sims/dp/1398549401

In Episode 3 of VISIBLE: The Podcast, I sit down with Sarah Lindsay.

We explore Sarah’s incredible journey – from being talent-spotted for speed skating to competing in three Olympic Games, to navigating the devastation of injury and an unexpected disqualification on the world’s biggest stage. Sarah’s story is one of determination and depth.

In this chat, she shares her post-retirement transformation into a businesswoman and mentor, building a fitness brand that champions confidence and community, especially for women entering their 40s.

She also opens up about her current IVF journey at age 45, the grief of miscarriage, the emotional weight of fertility treatments and why she’s choosing to share her story online in real time.

We discuss:

* Discovering speed skating and the road to the Olympics

* Olympic highs and heartbreaks—including disqualification and injury

* Transitioning from elite sport to building Roar Fitness

* Training philosophies and making fitness approachable for all women

* Mental blocks, fear and the importance of safe spaces

* Sarah’s IVF journey: grief, hope and what she wishes she’d have known before

* The mental load of responsibility and a childhood accident that shaped her views on motherhood

* Ageing with strength, grace and gratitude

✨ Follow @roarfitnessgirl on Instagram.

✨ Follow @ThisIsChapter39 on Instagram.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts and check us out on YouTube.

In Episode 2 of VISIBLE: The Podcast, I sit down with Caroline Labouchere.

Caroline is a woman who is rewriting the ‘ageing’ narrative by becoming a model at 54, fully embracing going grey, and turning societal expectations on their head.

From a childhood marked by loneliness, to life as an army wife living around the world, and then becoming visible on her own terms in her 50s, Caroline reminds us that it’s never too late to step into your power.

Caroline says: "I am becoming the person I always was, but never had the opportunity to be.”

We talk about:

* The myth of having it all figured out by 40

* Midlife reinvention

* Going grey in a world that fears it

* Marriage and what it really takes to stay connected

* Health, confidence and living a joyful life in your 60s

* How a single job offer changed everything

Caroline is an ambassador for her generation and has graced the cover of Vogue EIGHT times since she had her big break aged 54. What a woman!

If you’ve ever felt invisible, uncertain or too late - this episode is for you.

Oh and fun fact, it was Caroline who inspired me to name the podcast Visible - listen to find out how!

As always, I’d love to hear what resonates with you. What part of Caroline’s story sparked something in you?

VISIBLE isn’t just a podcast – it’s about building a community, so if you know someone who needs to hear this episode, please share it with them. 💗

✨Follow @CarolineLabouchere on Instagram.

✨Follow @ThisIsChapter39 on Instagram.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts and check us out on YouTube.

Welcome to VISIBLE - a podcast for women entering their 40s and beyond.

The series features women who speak from the heart about the realities of ageing, identity and reinvention.

This is for you if you want to become more visible, more authentic and do the thing you’ve always wanted to do.

It’s also for you if you just love listening to a good story – in the car, getting your steps in or throwing on some make up ☕️✨

🎙️EPISODE 1

Lauren O’Connell on Career Pivots, Cancer and Creating a Life That Fits

A Cosmopolitan beauty editor, cancer survivor, mother and founder, Lauren is a force of nature.

She’s also thoughtful, funny and refreshingly honest about what it really takes to start again.

In this conversation, Lauren shares her story of what it took to build a life that finally felt like hers. We talk identity, illness, resilience and finding the courage to pivot — even when it’s hard.

We talk:

- Walking away from “success” to find something more meaningful

- Navigating identity shifts through illness and motherhood

- Building resilience when life throws curveballs

- Finding the courage to start over – even when it’s terrifying

I’m not going to say much more because I’d love for you to hear it all from her 💜

So PRESS PLAY ▶️ and let me know what you think – I’d love your honest feedback!

And if something in Lauren’s story hits home, drop a comment or share the love ☺️

We’re just getting started ✨💌 Know someone who needs to hear Lauren’s story? Send this episode their way.

Follow Lauren:

Instagram: @lauren.o.connell

Follow Chapter 39/Visible:

Instagram: @Thisischapter39