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Pause Purpose Play

Pause Purpose Play

By: Michaela Thomas
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Imagine if you could follow your ambition without drowning in it – how much more fulfilling life would be? That’s what Pause Purpose Play is all about – finding balance over burnout by setting you free from needing to be perfect, so that you can take action and get started with what matters to you, instead of getting stuck in procrastination and holding yourself back with self-limiting beliefs your inner critic tells you. In this podcast, Michaela Thomas, Clinical Psychologist, Couples Therapist and founder of The Thomas Connection, shares bite-sized learning around psychology of performance, habits, self-confidence, stress, anxiety, perfectionism, parenthood and couples relationships. The podcast will mix solo episodes with guest interviews; diving deep into their professional zone of genius and learning about how they have found pause, purpose and play in their life and in their work. My new book, The Lasting Connection, is available now from all good bookshops.Copyright 2020 All rights reserved. Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Hormones, ADHD, and Perimenopause: Brain Fog, PMS/PMDD, and Practical Support with Dr. Fionnuala Barton

    Hormones, ADHD, and Perimenopause: Brain Fog, PMS/PMDD, and Practical Support with Dr. Fionnuala Barton
    May 20 2026
    In this episode of Pause, Purpose, Play, we dive deep into the powerful connection between shifting hormones and neurodivergence with Dr Fionnuala Barton, also known as The Menopause Medic. We explore how the natural fluctuation and decline of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can drastically worsen ADHD symptoms both across the monthly menstrual cycle and throughout perimenopause. These hormonal shifts often show up unexpectedly as heightened anxiety, cognitive changes, and intense brain fog, leaving many women struggling with word-finding, memory gaps, constant distractibility, and zoning out. Left unmanaged, this combination significantly increases the risk of complete burnout. Dr Barton explains why these symptoms frequently intensify during the luteal phase right before a period, and emphasizes that it is never too early to seek medical support, even for those under the age of forty-five. Throughout our conversation, we cover the vital importance of ruling out overlapping factors like iron deficiency and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. We also demystify the medical side of hormone health, discussing sensitivity to contraception, the trial-and-error process of finding the right HRT delivery method, and how to distinguish between PMDD, traditional PMS, and perimenopausal tracking. We talk about practical, everyday strategies that support your brain and body without the pressure of perfectionism. Dr Barton shares foundational lifestyle habits centered around quality sleep, consistent hydration, and steady nutrition packed with complex carbohydrates, protein, fiber, calcium, omega-3s, vitamin D3/K2, and creatine. We wrap up with actionable advice on how partners can step in to provide meaningful support, making this a must-listen episode for anyone navigating the intersection of ADHD and hormone health.

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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Why ADHD gets missed in high-achieving women

    Why ADHD gets missed in high-achieving women
    May 13 2026
    Do you look like you’re coping on the outside… whilst feeling overwhelmed underneath it all? Many high-achieving women with ADHD go undiagnosed for years because they appear successful, capable and “high functioning” externally — whilst internally battling chronic overwhelm, perfectionism, anxiety and exhaustion. In this episode of Pause Purpose Play, Clinical Psychologist and ADHD specialist Michaela Thomas explores why ADHD gets missed in high-achieving women, and the hidden cost of masking, overcompensating and holding everything together. Inside the episode, Michaela explores:
    • ADHD masking and overfunctioning in women
    • why intelligent and successful women often get missed
    • the “good girl” adaptation and perfectionism
    • ADHD burnout and nervous system overwhelm
    • the difference between coping and truly thriving
    • why many women don’t seek support until later in life
    Because many women with ADHD were never truly “fine”. They simply became exceptionally skilled at hiding the struggle — from others and from themselves. If this episode resonates and you’d like to explore ADHD assessment further, head on over to www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/adhd to learn more about compassionate online and in-person ADHD assessments for women.
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    22 mins
  • Grief doesn’t follow a plan. And ADHD brains don’t process it in a straight line.

    Grief doesn’t follow a plan. And ADHD brains don’t process it in a straight line.
    May 6 2026
    In this episode, I’m sharing a more personal reflection on what it’s actually like to move through grief when your brain is already wired for intensity, sensitivity, and self-questioning. Because one of the things I’ve noticed…n is how quickly grief can get mislabelled as avoidance. You might think: “Why can’t I just get back to normal?” “Am I slipping?” “Do I just need more discipline?” But what if that’s not what’s happening at all? In this episode, we explore:
    • The difference between avoidance vs readiness after grief (and why that matters)
    • How your nervous system processes loss (and why you feel so tired)
    • The productivity pressure ADHDers carry, to push through and perform
    • What it means to listen inward instead of overriding yourself
    • Gentle ways to support yourself when you feel raw, slower, or not quite ready
    Want support with this work? If this episode resonates, this is exactly the kind of space I create inside my coaching work — where we move away from burnout and pressure, and towards self-trust, nervous system safety, and sustainable ways of living and working with ADHD. Join me in person at Golden – 15th May in London A space to connect, unmask, and be around women who get it—without having to explain yourself. Golden In Person Event May 2026
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    16 mins
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