HerStory Untold (#Midlife@Work Edition): Muriel's Power, Perimenopause, and the Fire That Builds

Midlife is a time to evolve, not disappear.

“You’re not fading. You’re a damn inferno.”

At 51, Muriel Demarcus is not slowing down. She’s reshaping the rules of midlife on her own terms.

When Muriel experienced brain fog and hot flashes, she reframed them as power surges and reminders to slow down, not signs of weakness.

An engineer by training (Centrale Paris), later a lawyer, and now at the helm of a consultancy blending AI and strategy, Muriel has led billion-dollar infrastructure projects across Paris, London, and Sydney.

These days, she’s not just leading boardrooms. She’s calling on them to evolve.

Midlife, Disrupted

Muriel describes midlife as a jolt. Unpredictable. Deeply physical. Her mind would go blank mid-presentation. Nights were interrupted by intense hot flashes. Waves of unfamiliar emotions would crash in without warning. It wasn’t burnout. It wasn’t jet lag. It was perimenopause.

She resisted it at first. But that resistance gave way to reflection. She began seeing hot flashes as “power surges.” Brain fog became a sign to quiet the noise. She met the chaos with humour. And honesty became her anchor.

Perimenopause at Work: High Stakes, Low Support

Juggling midlife changes while running a high-pressure business felt like herding cats in the middle of a fire drill. Her focus wavered. Confidence dipped. But the deadlines kept coming.

She adjusted. Swapped caffeine for protein. Introduced aerial yoga into her week. Turned to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for support. But even that wasn’t straightforward. Medication shortages revealed how underprepared systems still are to support women at this stage.

Within her own company, she’s made it a priority to open conversations about menopause, mental health, and midlife. Not as side notes to productivity, but as essential leadership work. Empathy, she believes, is not a soft skill. It’s a strategy.

Redefining Strength

Muriel adapted by trading caffeine for protein, incorporating aerial yoga into her routine, and turning to hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Muriel’s idea of self-care has shifted. No more surface-level wellness trends. Today, it’s strength training. Eating nutrient-rich meals. Protecting rest like a vital asset.

Sleep, she says, is her superpower. Boundaries are essential. Burnout is no longer a badge of honour. Recovery is the goal. Saying no is now a strategic move to guard her energy and purpose.

Rewriting the Narrative

Midlife isn’t a decline. It’s a rewrite. One that pushes back against the myth that success requires silence or endless overextension.

Muriel finds deep purpose in mentoring women in tech and infrastructure, especially in male-dominated spaces. While her work now spans multiple continents, her proudest moments are seeing women reclaim their voice, their space, and their fire.

What’s Next?

Muriel isn’t done. She’s expanding her company’s reach, advocating for workplace policies that genuinely support midlife women, and considering a book titled Sweaty, Sassy, and Still Running the Show.

Her message to her younger self?

"Invest in rest. Learn your cycle. Your fire is coming. And it’s fierce."

HerStory Reflections

“Midlife isn’t the end. It’s the edit. The rewrite. The upgrade. You’re not fading. You’re becoming. And when the world tells you to dim down? Burn brighter.”

HerStory Untold: Midlife@Work Edition celebrates women navigating midlife with clarity, courage, and a commitment to rewriting the rules in boardrooms, bedrooms, and beyond!

Join the HerStory Untold Community

You are not alone. 

Join her and Surety in redefining the menopause experience: One story, one lesson, one empowered woman at a time. It is where every voice is heard, every story matters, and together, we are rewriting the narrative of perimenopause, menopause and midlife!

Want to share your story? Write to us at contact@suretysg.com.

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Disclaimers:  This article shares an individual’s journey and is not universal advice or experience. Content is for informational purposes only. Consult a healthcare professional for medical advice. We aim for accuracy but cannot guarantee it. Reliance on any information here is at your own risk. External links are not endorsed by us. This is not sponsored. Reader discretion is advised for topics on health and wellness.