How One Woman's Midlife Challenge Sparked a Wellness Movement for Women

A Personal Crisis Becomes a Catalyst for Change

When life handed Lisa de-Laune a series of difficult blows in her late forties, she refused to surrender to negativity. Instead, she made herself a bold promise: try 50 brand-new experiences before reaching her 50th birthday. That decision would ultimately reshape not only her own outlook but also the lives of countless women facing similar struggles.

The challenges de-Laune faced were far from trivial. A hysterectomy that triggered early menopause, a divorce, and a diagnosis of endometriosis all collided during the same turbulent period of her life. Rather than letting these hardships define her, she chose to reclaim her sense of agency.

The 50-Things Challenge That Changed Everything

From learning to salsa dance and meditating for the first time, to travelling solo and trying oysters, de-Laune embraced each new experience as a deliberate act of self-empowerment. The exercise was never simply about ticking boxes — it was about fundamentally shifting her perspective on what midlife could look like.

"I was going through all of these physical issues around health, all of the worries with separation and changing jobs," said de-Laune, now 52, who is based in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset. "It was hard, there was a lot of uncertainty. But I was determined not to look at it in a negative way. I wanted to go into that period of my life positively and take back control."

Having spent years working in corporate roles including risk compliance and health and safety, completing the challenge helped her recognise a deeper calling — one centred on inspiring other women to prioritise their own wellbeing.

Building a Community: Women In Wellness

Drawing on her transformed mindset, de-Laune founded Women In Wellness, a monthly support network designed to bring women together around shared health and wellbeing goals. The group welcomes both professionals working within the wellness industry and everyday women who simply want to invest more in their own health.

Early sessions are planned to address topics that often go underdiscussed, including menopause and endometriosis — issues that de-Laune knows intimately from personal experience.

A Space to Say "I'm Not OK"

For members like Amy Haynes, 39, from North Somerset, the network has already proven transformative. Haynes described the value of having a dedicated space where women can be honest about their struggles without judgement.

"Women sometimes can get a bit forgotten, like wellness is not something I'd massively thought about," she said. "It's given me more confidence to think about myself. I now think about my wellness more and don't plough everything I have into my family."

She added that the group has had "a positive impact on my life," citing the rare comfort of being able to say, openly and without shame, "actually, I'm not OK."

Fifty Firsts Wellness: Turning Purpose Into a Business

Alongside the community network, de-Laune has launched a wellness business called Fifty Firsts Wellness, offering coaching sessions, training programmes, and workshops aimed at helping women embrace midlife with confidence and intention.

Reflecting on the difficult years that preceded her transformation, de-Laune now views that period through an entirely different lens. "The whole turmoil at that time, now that I've reflected, feels like an opportunity that was handed to me," she said.

Free Virtual Event for Women Across the South West and Wales

De-Laune is set to host a free virtual Women In Wellbeing network event on 21 April, open to women throughout the South West and Wales. The event offers an accessible entry point for anyone curious about the community or looking to begin their own wellbeing journey.

For women navigating the complex terrain of midlife — balancing health challenges, shifting identities, and evolving priorities — initiatives like Women In Wellness represent something increasingly rare: a genuine, judgement-free space to grow.