This week on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Leslie A. Rasmussen, a woman who truly understands what it means to start over and to keep rediscovering herself through the seasons of life.

Leslie’s journey is one of courage, creativity, and reinvention. From writing beloved sitcoms like Roseanne and The Wild Thornberrys in Hollywood, to running her own nutrition business, to becoming a novelist and speaker, Leslie has lived many creative lives - each chapter guided by a deeper sense of curiosity and authenticity.

Leslie’s honesty about how life’s transitions can be both daunting and defining. She began her career wanting to be an actress, but when the industry’s treatment of women dimmed her spark, she chose to pivot rather than lose herself. That decision led her to writing comedy - a space where her voice could flourish without compromise. Later, as a mother, she made another heartfelt shift, training as a nutritionist so she could nurture both her family and her own interests.

And then, as life gently nudged her once more, she returned to her first love - writing. With humility and determination, she began again: reading, learning, researching, and taking baby steps toward a dream that had never truly left her. Today, Leslie is the author of three novels, including her latest, When People Leave (May 2025), a moving exploration of family, forgiveness, and the quiet resilience of women navigating loss.

What I find so inspiring about Leslie’s story is that it reminds us creativity isn’t a straight path - it’s a living, breathing journey that evolves as we do. Every turn, every pause, every new beginning is part of finding the rhythm that feels most true to who we are.

Sometimes we think we’re moving away from our purpose, only to find that we were actually circling closer to it all along. The careers we choose, the roles we play, and the shifts we make are not detours - they are pathways toward self-discovery.

Leslie’s story is a beautiful reflection of how we learn who we are through the choices we make, and how we shine brightest when we align our lives with what we love.

We don’t have to have it all figured out. We just need to listen to the gentle callings of our soul, to the quiet excitement that comes when we do something that feels right, to the creative spark that asks us to begin again, no matter how many times we’ve already started over.

Because, in truth, starting over is not about beginning again from nothing. It’s about beginning again from wisdom.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

Embracing the Beauty of Aging and the Power of Redefining Womanhood

A heartful conversation on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast with Ashleigh Tobin on navigating midlife, hormonal transitions, and rediscovering our dreams

There are moments in life when a conversation doesn’t just inspire you - it stirs something deep in your soul. My recent chat with Ashleigh Tobin was one of those moments. Ashleigh, a TEDx and international award-winning speaker, health and mind coach, and fierce advocate for women’s wellbeing, brings together decades of experience and a fresh, unapologetic voice that encourages women to step into their power, especially during life’s hormonal transitions.

With over thirty-five years in nursing, coaching, and holistic health, Ashleigh is a rare blend of science, soul, and storytelling. She has a gift for making complex health issues easy to understand and deeply human - things like perimenopause, menopause, brain fog, stress, and burnout - topics often spoken about in hushed tones or not at all. But Ashleigh brings them to the forefront with humour, clarity, and heartfelt wisdom.

Rediscovering Ourselves Through Life’s Transitions

One of the most resonant parts of our conversation was about the journey of aging - a path often fraught with fear and societal pressure to “stay young.” But what if we’ve been sold the wrong story?

As Ashleigh so beautifully puts it in her TEDx talk, we’ve long heard of the three stages of womanhood: Maiden, Mother, and Crone. But what about the space in between? The vibrant, transformative years where we’re no longer the maiden and not yet ready to wear the crown of crone? She redefines this space with terms that truly resonate: Creative, Enchantress, Sage. These words light something within - they speak of wisdom, passion, and purpose. They invite us to become cycle breakers, women who rewrite the narrative and reclaim their voice.

Listening to the Body, Honouring the Self

We spoke deeply about the importance of reconnecting with our bodies, especially during perimenopause and menopause. This time can feel isolating and confusing if we don’t understand what’s happening within us. But awareness is power - and self-knowledge is liberation.

Ashleigh’s work supports both individuals and organisations, helping people tune in to their inner wisdom and embrace practical tools for wellness. Whether she’s speaking in workplaces or offering personal coaching, her message is always clear: Your wellbeing matters. Your story matters. And now is the time to start listening - not just to the world, but to yourself.

Aging as a Sacred Rite, Not a Shame

Perhaps one of the most powerful truths Ashleigh shared was this: growing older is a privilege. It is not something to be feared or hidden, but something to be honoured and celebrated. As women, we have the opportunity to redefine what it means to age - not as a slow fading away, but as a deepening, a ripening, a blossoming of everything we are meant to be.

We are not just getting older; we are becoming more ourselves.

In a world that often tries to dim women’s light as they age, Ashleigh Tobin’s work is a luminous reminder that we are entering our most powerful chapters. These are the years where we reclaim our dreams, reset our values, and reignite our desires. The Enchantress within us is not a myth - she is real, wise, and waiting for us to notice her.

I’m so grateful for the insightful, soul-nourishing conversation we had. I invite you to explore more of Ashleigh’s work — watch her inspiring TEDx talk here. Let it be a spark that awakens the Enchantress in you.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast