.png)
Midlife Sparkle with Belinda Stark
Welcome to Midlife Sparkle with Belinda Stark – the podcast that celebrates the messy, magical middle of life.
I'm Belinda Stark – coach, writer, mum, and midlife cheerleader. I know firsthand how this season can feel like a rollercoaster: one minute you're craving change, the next you're clinging to what's familiar. Whether you're navigating menopause, identity shifts, career pivots, or relationships evolving, this podcast is your reminder that you're not alone – and it's not too late to reclaim your sparkle.
Each week, you'll hear honest conversations with inspiring women, expert voices, and real stories from the messy middle. We’ll explore everything from mindset and wellbeing to alcohol, ageing, motherhood, purpose, and the quiet courage it takes to start again.
This is your space for reflection, laughter, lightbulb moments, and gentle nudges forward – no perfectionism, pressure, or pretending required.
Let’s rewrite the rules of midlife, one story at a time.
Midlife Sparkle with Belinda Stark
Ash Butters
In this episode of Sober-ish Sparkle, I sit down with the incredible Ash Butters – a transformation coach, speaker, and the host of Behind the Smile podcast. Ash shares her deeply personal and powerful story of going from high-functioning alcoholic to soul-led, sober woman helping others heal.
Ash opens up about growing up around alcohol, her early exposure to drinking, and how addiction slowly took hold of her life. From juggling a corporate career and a seemingly perfect marriage, to waking up every day trapped in a cycle of shame, vodka bottles, and self-doubt – Ash’s story is one of courage, surrender, and ultimately, freedom.
We dive into her decision to go to rehab, her experience with the 12-step recovery model, and how she found herself again through nervous system work, breathwork, and deep inner transformation. Ash also shares how sobriety helped her re-align her life, career, and purpose – all while finding joy, peace, and ease within herself for the first time.
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from yourself, unsure of how to break the cycle, or afraid of what life looks like without alcohol, this conversation is here to remind you: you are not alone, and there is a beautiful life on the other side.