Pause Purpose Play

Support, systems and self-compassion for sustainable success

How do you balance your business and life with an ADHD brain?

In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, host and Clinical Psychologist Michaela Thomas, returns from a podcast break to discuss the importance of clarity and self-care to have balance between work and life, prioritising family right now.

Michaela explores themes of compassion, perfectionism, and ADHD, sharing personal insights on balancing family life and professional responsibilities. She introduces a framework for sustainable success, focusing on support, systems and self-compassion.

You’re also invited to catch a replay of a masterclass on how to balance your business and life with an ADHD brain, here:
Balancing your Business with an Ambitious ADHD Brain - The Thomas Connection

The doors are open NOW to Michaela’s ADHD membership community, The ADHD Club for ambitious women with bright and busy brains. Join here: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/adhdclub 

00:14 Reasons for taking a break from the podcast

01:00 Clarity and Family Priorities

02:17 The links between ADHD and perfectionism

03:06 Support, Systems and Self-Compassion

03:49 The Venn Diagram Framework

12:38 Permission to Seek Support

"Sleeping Well: Dr. Ranj Singh on Anxiety, Wellbeing, and Self-Compassion"

Having trouble sleeping? Join for some useful tips as Clinical Psychologist Michaela Thomas chats with the brilliant Dr. Ranj Singh - NHS Doctor, Furniture Village Sleep and Wellness Ambassador and TV presenter - about sleep, anxiety and wellbeing. 

Discover how sleep is linked with hormone regulation, anxiety, stress, burnout - and even ADHD. 

 

Dr. Ranj shares his top tips for better sleep hygiene, managing stress, and sprinkling some self-compassion into your daily routine. Plus, hear how Dr Ranj handles criticism from social media trolls with grace, and why dancing like nobody's watching might just be the lift we all need. 

 

Ready to give yourself permission to have better sleep? Tune in now!

 

Connect with Dr Ranj Singh on Instagram: @drranj

 

We cover:

 

01:06 The Importance of Sleep

04:22 Short-term and Long-term Effects of Poor Sleep

07:44 Improving Sleep Quality

13:40 Self-Compassion and Sleep

18:05 Purpose and Meaning in Life

24:41 Navigating Social Media and Comparison

28:00 Balancing Inspiration and Pressure

29:33 The Reality of Imperfection

33:19 Finding Joy in Social Connections

38:34 The Power of Authenticity

44:46 Handling Criticism and Social Media

48:19 Final Takeaways and Self-Compassion

Think your sleeping problems are linked with ADHD?
Take a look at Michaela’s ADHD membership community, The ADHD Club:
www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/adhdclub 

Snacking well with ADHD - avoiding crashes and binges

Welcome back to the Pause Purpose Lay podcast with me, Michaela Thomas. In this episode, we explore how to snack well with ADHD by understanding interoceptive cues, common sugar cravings, and the importance of self-compassion. We discuss the challenges ADHD individuals face with food, the impact of ignoring hunger signals, and practical tips to avoid energy crashes and binges. Additionally, I explain how to give yourself permission to snack and manage your energy levels. For those interested, I am offering access to my recent workshop recording on this topic. Join us as we navigate snacking strategies and move away from shame and self-criticism.

 

https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/adhdclub

"If I was 10% kinder to myself, I'd be less effective in life"

In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play Podcast, I discuss the impact of self-kindness on productivity and success, particularly for individuals with ADHD. I address common concerns about self-compassion leading to laziness and explain how being kinder to oneself can enhance effectiveness, reduce burnout, and foster a growth mindset. I also outline three key points: the benefits of kind self-correction vs. self-criticism, the importance of setting boundaries, and the role of rest and recovery in achieving high performance. Plus, I let you know about an upcoming masterclass focused on balancing business and ADHD.

 

Links:

https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/adhdclub

Perfectionism and Generational Trauma, with Zoe Blaskey

In this episode, we explore how generational trauma and self-criticism is ‘handed down’ from our parents as a blueprint for how we then parent ourselves. I talk to transformational coach and host of the Motherkind podcast, Zoe Blaskey, about her recovery journey from perfectionism and alcohol. We discuss how inherited patterns aren’t our fault, but it IS our responsibility to notice and become aware of them. With gentle, compassionate noticing of our self-critical thoughts and perfectionistic behaviours, we have a choice of which thought to believe in and which action to then take. We also let go of the pressure to parent perfectly, embracing the fact that we WILL ‘mess up’ our kids. 

 

• How almost breaking from becoming a mum lead to creating Motherkind
• The cycle of ‘Hurt, heal, help’
• Pain leading to a deeper level of understanding and purpose
• Recovery journey - a daily practice
• Perfectionism as a survival tactic that doesn’t help in the long term
• Motherhood made negative coping mechanisms resurface
• Parents handing down a faulty road map
• Developing an internal kind parental voice
• Clarity in values makes hard stuff worth it
• Journalling gives choice over which thoughts to listen to
• Can’t change until you’ve sat with the pain for long enough
• Generational cycles of trauma
• Choosing one thing to change - trusting yourself
• Constant state of flux instead of ‘balance’
• Boundaries have costs

 

Find out more about Zoe at www.motherkind.co

Instagram: @zoeblaskey

 

 

Burn Bright - transformational group coaching for the ambitious working woman who needs to be nicer to herself to calm the overwhelm

https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright/

Find me at www.thethomasconnection.co.uk

Instagram: @the_thomas_connection

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thethomasconnection

Pause Purpose Play Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/pausepurposeplay 

 

Resistance to rest, and rest as resistance

In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, I tackle the often-neglected concept of rest, especially for individuals with ADHD and perfectionists. I present rest as the best-kept secret of high performance, crucial for achieving more and preventing burnout. The episode explores the resistance many feel towards allowing themselves to rest, labelling rest as an act of rebellion against the pressures of a perfectionist, patriarchal society. Through listener questions and personal insights, I discuss the importance of rest for both mental and physical well-being and introduce the Pause Purpose Play Mini Mastermind designed to help ambitious women find balance, meaning, and fun. The episode emphasizes that resting and recovering are essential for achieving ambitious goals sustainably, without falling into the burnout trap.

 

https://thethomasconnection.thrivecart.com/pause-purpose-play/

Passion and purpose through pain and rebellion, with Holly Matthews

This episode features a deep and personal conversation with Holly Matthews, a TV actress turned self-development coach, about the themes of bravery, authenticity, and dealing with grief. Holly shares her journey, starting with her early career in television, her approach to living with bravery and courage rather than confidence, and how writing a bold letter as a child kickstarted her acting career. She discusses the importance of having awkward, gray-area conversations, embracing life's nuances, and how she challenges herself to live boldly. Holly also opens up about the impact of her husband Ross's death from brain cancer on her and her children, how she navigated grief, and how the experience reinforced her determination to help others feel 'more happy and less crappy.' The conversation touches on dealing with ADHD, the value of asking for what you want, and the importance of dropping the ball sometimes to manage the juggle of life's challenges. Holly also provides insights into dealing with online negativity, emphasizing the power of seeing oneself through others' eyes and maintaining authenticity in the face of criticism.

 

https://www.iamhollymatthews.com/

 

https://www.instagram.com/iamhollymatthews/

 

https://www.tiktok.com/@iamhollymatthews

 

To be one of Michaela's inner circle women in her transformational group coaching, Burn Bright, apply now: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright

 

Singing for Joy and Mental Health - Not Perfection with Rachel Maloy

This podcast episode features a heartwarming conversation between myself and Rachel Maloy, a facilitator of Singing Mamas groups. We discuss the profound impact that singing can have on mental health and well-being, especially for mothers. Rachel shares her personal journey of battling severe anxiety and depression after her son's birth and how discovering Singing Mamas became a pivotal moment in her recovery. She emphasizes the importance of singing as a form of emotional release, community building, and self-care. The episode also includes snippets of Rachel singing, along with a discussion about the benefits of singing for both adults and children, highlighting how it can improve confidence, mental health, and provide a sense of belonging. Rachel encourages listeners, especially mothers, to give themselves permission to prioritize their well-being through singing, exemplifying that everyone can sing and it is never too late to start.

 

www.singingmamas.org

 

Find me at www.thethomasconnection.co.uk

Instagram: @the_thomas_connection

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thethomasconnection

Pause Purpose Play Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/pausepurposeplay 

 

Edited by MyPodcastAssistant

 

From Burnout to Brilliance: The Burn Bright Experience

Today's episode was a live conversation between host Michaela and her guest, Kylie, discussing the impactful journey and benefits of investing in one’s well-being through the BurnBright program. Kylie shares her initial hesitations, the significance of building trust through engaging with Michaela’s content, and how making a substantial investment in the program led to personal and professional growth. They delve into the advantages of group coaching over individual sessions, highlighting the community support and the value of shared group experiences. Kylie's transformation from a corporate role to becoming a business owner underscores the program’s pivotal role in helping her find purpose, create space for personal growth, and achieve a sustainable balance between ambition and well-being. Michaela emphasizes the importance of commitment and how the program’s structure, including recorded calls and a supportive online community, facilitates profound personal transformation. The conversation concludes with a call to action for listeners to consider enrolling in BurnBright to explore their paths toward well-being.

 

To be one of Michaela's inner circle women in her transformational group coaching, Burn Bright, apply now: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright

Spaces are limited to six and doors close for this round on the 19th of April!

Accepting compliments, receiving praise and being proud of yourself

In this Pause Purpose Play podcast episode, I discuss the challenge of accepting compliments and feeling proud without feeling icky', especially for perfectionistic, high-achieving women. I touch upon the cultural and personal barriers to embracing one's achievements and discuss my personal journey with pride and vulnerability, including my reflections on receiving the award and feeling out of place yet proud at the ceremony. I also share my intention behind the podcast to help women see their own light and strengths. Finally, I announce the upcoming round of her Burn Bright program, emphasising my ethical approach to participant selection and my passion for genuinely helping others.

 

To be one of Michaela's inner circle women in her transformational group coaching, Burn Bright, apply now: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright

Spaces are limited to six and doors close for this round on the 19th of April!