What if the things you’ve been told you can’t do become the very things that shape your next chapter? In this inspiring conversation, I talk with three-time Paralympic gold medallist, Tokyo Paralympic silver medallist, world champion paracyclist, author and speaker Carol Cooke about challenging assumptions around age, disability and what’s possible after 50. Carol began competitive paracycling at 50 and went on to achieve the peak of her sporting success between the ages of 51 and 60, winning three Paralympic gold medals and a silver medal. She shares how a childhood disappointment shaped the mindset she has carried throughout her life, how she moved from swimming to rowing and then unexpectedly into elite paracycling, and how she learned to work with, not against, her body after being diagnosed with MS. She also reflects on finding passion, surrounding yourself with people who encourage rather than limit you, embracing new challenges, and why it’s never too late to start something different.

Also covered:

• How Carol’s childhood gymnastics experience taught her not to let others define what she could achieve.
• Moving from competitive swimming to para rowing and then, unexpectedly, becoming an elite paracyclist at 49.
• Experiencing ageism in sport and discovering that, in paracycling, performance mattered more than age.
• How Carol manages MS while training and competing.
• The mindset strategies that have helped Carol thrive.
• Carol’s continuing work beyond elite sport, including wheelchair curling, speaking, writing and the 24-hour Mega Swim, which has raised millions for charity.

Keywords:

Flourish After 50, ageing, women over 50, mindset, resilience, multiple sclerosis, MS, mega swim, disability, Paralympics, Olympics, passion, ageism, Australia, Canada, gold medal, silver medal, national championships

Guest: Carol Cooke AM PLY

Website: https://www.carolcooke.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-cooke-am/

A message from Sue:

I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us

Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-west-au/

Sometimes flourishing after 50 begins with understanding yourself differently. For some women, that may mean recognising that long-held struggles with organisation, time, getting started, emotional regulation or keeping all the balls in the air could be connected to ADHD.

In this episode, I speak with clinical and counselling psychologist Janelle Booker about why ADHD has so often been missed in women, what it can look like in midlife, and why perimenopause and menopause can bring long-standing challenges into sharper focus. We explore masking and shame, the possibility of late diagnosis, and what becomes possible when we stop asking, “What’s wrong with me?” and start asking, “What do I need to thrive with the brain I have?”

This conversation is for women wondering whether ADHD may be part of their story, and for partners, friends, family members and colleagues who want to better understand the people they love and work with.

Also covered:

• Why ADHD can look very different in women from the stereotypical image of the “naughty boy”
• The role of dopamine, motivation, novelty and urgency in getting things done
• Why perimenopause and menopause can be a turning point for women with previously unrecognised ADHD
• The ‘grielief’ (grief and relief) that can come with understanding your life through a new lens
• How self-compassion, supportive relationships and the right strategies can help women flourish with a different kind of brain

ADHD, ADHD in women, late diagnosis ADHD, ADHD and menopause, ADHD and shame, neurodivergence, autism and ADHD, AuDHD, supporting someone with ADHD, midlife women, midlife, flourishing after 50,

Janelle’s book, written with Matthew Johnstone: https://www.adelightfulhumandifference.com/

Two podcast episodes, recommended by Janelle, relating to menopause, hormones and ADHD from a podcast called ADHD Chatter:

How Hormones and Menopause Impact ADHD Women | Dr. Louise Newson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISPw9IGhWeU

How Hormones and Menopause Impact on Women with ADHD - Adele Wimsett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNRfYtQu__s

Janelle’s standout episodes about ADHD on the Imperfects Podcast:

Living with ADHD. A Psychologist’s Explanation, Nov 4, 2024

https://youtu.be/uYF5WFO35IA?si=FWFwMMcsp2N_C2wp

Fast and Loose Brains Need Different Parenting, June 29, 2026

https://youtu.be/WwEBTIMohwg?si=cZ1CuTNjzNyhOmSI

Feeling like you're somewhere between the life you've lived and what's next? Flourishing in the Messy Middle is a three month group program starting September 22nd, yo help you make sense of where you are, reconnect with what matters and take your next steps with greater clarity and confidence.

Find out more at: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/flourishing-in-the-messy-middle

Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice:

http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this deeply moving conversation, I talk with Janine Hayes OAM, business leader, long-time skydiver and one of Australia’s most accomplished members of the skydiving community, about caregiving, grief and the uncertain work of rebuilding life after loss. After caring for her husband Ken through frontotemporal dementia and motor neurone disease, Janine reflects on advocacy, resilience and the need to care for herself while caring for someone else. She shares how skydiving, nature, family and friendship helped sustain her and what she is discovering about purpose and possibility in her mid-sixties. Janine ends by reading a poignant original poem about moving through grief towards a “beckoning shore.”

Also covered

• Skydiving as a lifelong source of joy, focus, community and respite during difficult times
• Navigating the healthcare system, advocating for a loved one and the often-invisible workload of caregiving
• The importance of self-care, professional support and boundaries for carers
• How friends can offer genuinely useful support by suggesting specific practical help
• Finding purpose, connection and hope after loss through family, friendship, community and new possibilities

Keywords

skydiving, caregiving, grief, resilience, personal growth, life transitions, mental health, adventure, community, support serendipity, caregiving, community, skydiving, self-care, women empowerment, resilience, leadership, support, mental health.

Guest: Janine Hayes

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/janine-hayes222

FREE WORKSHOP: Introducing The Messy Middle Method

Come along to this one hour full of lessons from my five years of coaching, conversations and community with women over fifty as I introduce the Messy Middle Method.

7th September 12.00 noon AEST or 8th September 6.30 PM AEST

Learn More Here: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/the-messy-middle-method-workshop

NEW PROGRAM: Flourishing in the Messy Middle

Flourishing in the Messy Middle is a three-month live online group journey for women over 50 who know something is changing and are ready to explore what comes next.

Starts 22 September.
Learn More Here: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/flourishing-in-the-messy-middle

I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us

Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/the-messy-middle-method-workshop

In this episode, Kate Hansen joins me to talk about what it really takes to walk away from a “safe” job and make room for a career as a creative. She shares her journey from nursing to interior photography, the years of quiet dissatisfaction and pretending to be someone she wasn’t, and the surprising origin story of her blog The Room Illuminated.

We explore the power of inherited “success scripts,” the emotional weight of job security, and the extraordinary letter from Kate’s younger self that finally gave her the permission she needed to leap. This conversation is for anyone who feels caught between a sensible role and a life that feels more true.

• Wrestling with job security and creative longing in midlife
• The moment Kate realised she was “pretending to be a nurse”
• How a dusk-time habit of peeking into warm rooms became The Room Illuminated
• The forgotten letter from her 22-year-old self that changed everything
• Inherited family beliefs about work, risk, and responsibility
• Seeking permission from others versus backing yourself to make a change

Freelance website: https://www.khansenphotography.com/

The Room Illuminated (Blog): https://theroomilluminated.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katehansenphotography/

Generation Women Australia

Website: https://www.generationwomenaus.com/

Special Announcement

Just Launched: FLOURISHING IN THE MESSY MIDDLE PROGRAM

A three-month live online group journey of reflection, exploration and growth.

For women who know something is changing and are ready to explore and connect as they find their way forward.

Starts September 22nd.

Full details available here: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/flourishing-in-the-messy-middle

I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us

Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this special crossover episode, I share the unfiltered story of my own midlife transition, from a decades-long academic career to building a coaching practice for women over 50. Originally recorded for the podcast Primetime with Bec Wilson, I talk openly about single parenting through menopause, caring for aging parents, losing my passion for my career mid-COVID, and the messy, uncertain middle I navigated before finding my new beginning.

Also covered:

• I share how I left a long career to build my coaching practice after 50 and completely redefined what success meant to me
• I talk through the major transitions I navigated: single parenting, caring for ageing parents, menopause, and a mid-COVID career pivot, and why the internal change matters more than the external one
• I explain how looking back at old passions helped me find breadcrumbs toward a new path
• I open up about building new friendships and community later in life, and what worked and didn't for me
• I share my messages of hope: it's never too late to flourish, and your best years are never behind you

Keywords

midlife transformation, career change, success after 50, transitions, personal growth, coaching, life balance, self-discovery

Special thanks to Bec Wilson for generously allowing me to share this episode.

Bec’s newsletter sign-up is available at primetimers.net 

Epic Retirement Flagship Course: https://epicretirement.net/course-au/

Prime Time with Bec Wilson Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/prime-time-with-bec-wilson/id1710995058

Bec’s books are available from all Australian book sellers:

• Prime Time: 27 Lessons for the New Midlife, 2025
• How to Have an Epic Retirement, 2025.

A message from Sue:

I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us

Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this episode, I sit down with governance geek, community builder, and founder of Take On Board, Helga Svendsen, to demystify what board work is really like for women in the second half of their careers. If you’ve ever imagined a board role as the “natural next step”, a meaningful way to contribute, shape strategy, and maybe create more flexible work, this episode will help you decide whether it’s genuinely a fit for you.

Helga shares how her governance journey began and eventually led to multiple board roles and a career devoted to supporting women in governance.

Also covered:

• What “governance” actually means in practice, beyond buzzwords.
• The opportunities and hard truths of serving on a board, including time, responsibility, and emotional load.
• How to tell which board is the right one for you.
• The role boards can play in making women over 50 more visible, valued, and influential in their communities and organisations.

Guest: Helga Svendsen

Website - https://helgasvendsen.com.au/

Take on Board KickStarter program (spring 2026 intake) - https://helgasvendsen.com.au/kickstarter-2026/

Take on Board podcast - https://helgasvendsen.com.au/take-on-board-podcast/

A message from Sue:

I support women over fifty to navigate career and life changes.

• Coaching: for women who want one-on-one support as you navigate change.
• Life On Your Terms: a six-week program for women who know it’s time for something to shift. Guided conversations help you define what matters to you and map out an actionable ‘Navigation Plan’ for your next chapter.
• The Flourish After Fifty Circle: a monthly online discussion group that blends the best of a podcast club and a book club. It’s for women who want to explore big ideas, meaningful stories and real‑life transitions together.

Find out more here.

What If You Could...
✔ Feel clear about what matters most to you in this next stage of life?
✔ Discover a renewed sense of purpose that excites you every day?
✔ Build meaningful connections and a community that supports your growth?
✔ Confidently take action toward creating a life that feels authentic and fulfilling?
It’s all possible - and I’m here to help you make it happen.

Get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us

Sign up for weekly insights and bite size advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this very special episode, I’m joined by 57‑year‑old Kerry Pietrobon, a fashion consultant, plus‑size model and storyteller, as she reads a powerful letter to her younger self about growing up in a bigger body, discovering plus‑size fashion, and learning she was never the problem. In the conversation that follows, Kerry shares how she’s navigating hard endings and exciting beginnings in her late fifties, and reclaiming visibility by taking up space and being unapologetically herself.

Also covered

• Growing up in a world that wanted Kerry to be smaller.
• How her fashion business became a way of accepting herself, and why clothes should celebrate you, not hide you.
• The emotional journey of closing her label, Harlow, and separating “ending a business” from “being a failure.”
• Midlife change and perimenopause as catalysts for choosing self-worth, visibility and taking up space in new ways.
• Why it’s never too late to try something new and say yes to long-held desires.
  ‌

Guest: Kerry Pietrobon

Kerry's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/kerrypietrobon?igsh=NTNnaW80bnR6Y2Ey&utm_source=qr

And 

https://www.instagram.com/kerrypietrobon?igsh=NTNnaW80bnR6Y2Ey&utm_source=qr

Website: https://www.kerrypietrobonconsulting.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrypietrobon/

Harlow Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/harlow_au?igsh=bjFqOHJkNWJrbmhh

Generation Women Australia

Website: https://www.generationwomenaus.com/

A message from Sue:

I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us

Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this very special episode, I’m joined by 57‑year‑old Kerry Pietrobon, a fashion consultant, plus‑size model and storyteller, as she reads a powerful letter to her younger self about growing up in a bigger body, discovering plus‑size fashion, and learning she was never the problem. In the conversation that follows, Kerry shares how she’s navigating hard endings and exciting beginnings in her late fifties, and reclaiming visibility by taking up space and being unapologetically herself.

Also covered

• Growing up in a world that wanted Kerry to be smaller.
• How her fashion business became a way of accepting herself, and why clothes should celebrate you, not hide you.
• The emotional journey of closing her label, Harlow, and separating “ending a business” from “being a failure.”
• Midlife change and perimenopause as catalysts for choosing self-worth, visibility and taking up space in new ways.
• Why it’s never too late to try something new and say yes to long-held desires.

Guest: Kerry Pietrobon

Kerry's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/kerrypietrobon?igsh=NTNnaW80bnR6Y2Ey&utm_source=qr

And 

https://www.instagram.com/kerrypietrobon?igsh=NTNnaW80bnR6Y2Ey&utm_source=qr

Website: https://www.kerrypietrobonconsulting.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrypietrobon/

Harlow Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/harlow_au?igsh=bjFqOHJkNWJrbmhh

Generation Women Australia

Website: https://www.generationwomenaus.com/

A message from Sue:

I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us

Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice: http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this episode, I talk with career change specialist and author Robyn Greaves about how to design your “third chapter” of work and life so you can work as long as you choose, on your own terms. We explore the rise of portfolio, interim and fractional roles, and Robyn’s 5D framework for imagining and building a more energising next chapter.

You’ll hear practical ideas for experimenting while you’re still in a job, protecting your energy, and recognising your “ageing superpowers” so you can widen your contribution rather than wind down.

Also covered

• Common assumptions women over 50 hold about work and how to challenge them,
• New ways of working, including portfolio careers, interim roles and fractional leadership,
• The emotional and identity shifts of leaving long‑held roles and titles behind,
• Simple experiments to try if you’re stuck in a job but not ready to retire,
• How to widen your contribution in your third chapter.

Guest: Robyn Greaves

Website: https://robyngreaves.com/

Robyn’s Book: https://robyngreaves.com/thirdchapter/

A message from Sue:

I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms.

Get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us

Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice:

http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter

In this episode, I sit down with Susan Metcalf to explore what happens when the CEO role of your dreams comes to an end, and there’s no tidy roadmap for what comes next. In the aftermath of COVID, Susan faced a difficult but necessary transition, stepping away without another role lined up and no clear sense of who she would be without the inbox, the calendar and the title.

Susan shares how the demands of leading through COVID left her “well beyond burnout” and ultimately led her to leave corporate life, reframing the experience as an opportunity to escape its constraints.

From there, she reflects on the intentional choices that helped her create a purpose-filled portfolio of art, sailing, community, friendship and family. She also speaks about discovering new qualities within herself, softness, patience, and the courage to truly centre her own needs and values.

Also covered

• What it felt like to lead a women‑focused organisation through COVID and end up “well beyond burnout”
• The messy middle after stepping away: rest, recovery and resisting the pull of another big job,
• Reframing “on sabbatical” as “escaping the constraints of corporate life” and why that language shift mattered,
• Returning to long‑deferred passions, saying yes to new adventures, and the steadying power of awe and wonder,
• Bringing corporate skills into community and creative projects, and what it means in midlife to finally be centering her own needs and values in how she lives and works.

Guest: Susan Metcalf

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557018285194

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/travelsampler.world/

Website: https://travelsampler.world/

A message from Sue:

I offer one-on-one coaching, small-group programs and a monthly online discussion group to support women navigating career and life changes. If you’re at a crossroads and want to create your own path and truly flourish – on your own terms, get in touch: https://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/contact-us

Sign up for weekly insights and bite-sized advice:

http://www.flourishafterfifty.com.au/newsletter