In episode five of In Pursuit of Talent, Lorraine is joined once again by Holly, founder of Holsm, to ask a question we hear more and more from employers: why do experienced women step back from work just when they are most valuable?
Released the day after World Menopause Day, the conversation was filmed at our Employment Law Seminar, where Holly was one of our guest speakers. With nearly 50 of our clients in the room next door, Lorraine and Holly sat down to talk about confidence, strength, and why so much workplace wellbeing misses the mark for women in midlife.
You can watch the conversation in full:
What we discussed
Women stepping back at their most valuable
In recruitment, we regularly see experienced women in their 40s and 50s reduce their hours, turn down promotions or leave altogether. Holly sees the same pattern in the women who come to Holsm.
They are at the peak of their careers, and they are their most valuable. But at the same time, they are questioning themselves more than they’ve ever questioned themselves.
They are juggling careers, families and changing hormones, and losing confidence at a time when they should be thriving.
The problem with “should”
Many women believe they should be in the gym for an hour a day, cutting calories or running 5K. Because that feels unrealistic, they do nothing at all. Holly’s approach is the opposite: 10 to 15 minutes a day, done consistently, is enough to change lives.
Why traditional wellbeing support often misses the mark
Gym discounts, lunch and learns and employee assistance programmes all have value, but Holly argues their weakness is inflexibility. A discounted gym is little use if it is a 20-minute drive away. A session at a fixed time is little use if you cannot be there. And on a given day, someone in perimenopause may need ten minutes of yoga or five minutes of breathwork, not a strength class.
Physical strength builds confidence at work
As we age, we lose muscle mass and bone density, and this speeds up in midlife. Holly explains that “the connection between physical strength and mental strength is undeniable”. Women who start building strength change how they walk into presentations and how they deal with clients, long before any change on the scales. Lorraine shares her own experience of the programme, which she went into “kicking and screaming”. A colleague recently asked why she seemed so much calmer.
Small steps, built to last
Holly talks through Fundamentals First, the eight-week programme at the heart of Holsm, and shares stories of members who thought they couldn’t take part. They include Pam, who has arthritis in both knees, and a member diagnosed with osteoporosis. Because everything is adaptable, both completed the programme and are thriving.
What it could look like in your organisation
Holsm now works with businesses as well as individuals. Organisations get their own space within the Holsm app, which can bring together teams across offices or even countries. Holly describes the “water cooler moments” this creates, as colleagues talk about the workouts they have done and feel connected again.
Having your staff thrive and connect in the business will only help that business thrive.
For HR leaders who need to make the case to a leadership team, Holly suggests a simple measure. Before starting Fundamentals First, ask employees about their energy, sleep and confidence at work. Then ask the same questions eight weeks later.
One thing you could do tomorrow
Not ready for a full programme? Holly’s advice is to get your team moving. Many of us sit at a desk for eight hours without realising it. Encourage people to stand up every hour for five minutes of movement, for the mental benefits as much as the physical ones. Leaders can also join Fundamentals First themselves and share what they learn with their teams.
Watch and listen
The full episode of In Pursuit of Talent is available now:
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcast
Download more information on Holsm for your workplace here.
Next event: Management Training Workshop, 18 November
Holly’s message is that people perform best when they feel confident and supported, and so do the managers who lead them. Our next Management Training Workshop with JJ Lynch of Leading Edge Leadership gives managers practical tools to do exactly that.
Date: Wednesday 18 November 2026, 9am to 1pm
Venue: The Plaza, 1 Rutherford Park, Great Notley, Braintree, CM77 7AU (free parking)
Session 1, 9am to 10:30am: How to be resilient, and respond positively to pressure and change
Session 2, 11am to 12:30pm: How to hold an effective performance review, including giving constructive feedback
The workshop is for managers, team leaders, business owners and HR professionals. You can book one or both sessions, and places are limited.
Book your place at the Management Training Workshop
Management Training Workshop, Wednesday 18 November 2026
Management Training Workshop, Wednesday 18 November 2026
Supporting your people beyond recruitment
This episode was recorded at one of the Employment Law Seminars we run throughout the year. They are complimentary for our clients and help them stay on top of employment law changes. Our next seminar takes place in March 2027, and details will be announced in the new year.
If you are thinking about how to attract and keep experienced people in your team, our consultants would be happy to talk it through. Get in touch with a member of the team today on 01245 362500.