They share the hilarious, gritty and frankly unbelievable story of how two “normal” women in their 50s went from a chance meeting in rural France to surviving one of the toughest motorsport events in the world.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How it all started
• Moving to France, a chaotic first meeting, and how wine + turning 50 led to saying “yes” to Dakar.
• Building Purdy in a shed
• Buying a rough Defender off eBay, turning it into a Dakar‑spec car, and battling electrics and wiring gremlins.
• Funding the dream
• Selling cars, jewellery and dipping into a pension, plus the reality of chasing sponsorship when no one knows you.
• Life at Dakar
• The moving “town” of the bivouac, zero sleep, mixing with factory teams and legends, and surviving with minimal spares and one young mechanic.
• On‑stage chaos
• Reading road books, driving dunes and rock‑fields, double punctures on the final day, and almost not making the finish.
• The unfiltered reality
• Spider bites, stomach upsets, desert toilet logistics and an escalating obsession with bananas.
• Friendship & being first
• How they avoided falling out, what deep trust in the car looks like, and what it means to be the first all‑British female team to finish Dakar.
• 
  

Why you should listen

If you’ve ever thought “I’m too old”, “I’m too normal” or “that’s for people with money and connections”, this episode will mess with that narrative in the best way.

It’s about:

• Audacity – deciding to do something wildly beyond your comfort zone
• Graft – building the car, finding the money, fixing it when it catches fire
• Grit and humour – dealing with spiders, sand, sponsors and squits, and still laughing
• Friendship – trusting someone else with your life, your dream and your worst days

Check out Be right Back events:

Join Dare club: www.shewhodareswins.com

Shop Merch: www.shewhodareswins.com

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“My goal this year is to be more arrogant.”

In this mini episode, we unpack what that really means – and no, it’s not about being rude, entitled, or steamrolling people. It’s about backing yourself out loud.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Reframing “arrogance”
• Why we need to redefine arrogance as unapologetically backing your skills, ideas, and decisions – especially for women who are often overqualified and under-assertive.
• Self-efficacy and the psychology of confidence
• How your belief that you can handle a task (self-efficacy) affects whether you speak up, try, and bounce back – and how behavior can actually create confidence.
• The 10% rule: your dare for the next 7 days
• One simple challenge: choose a situation where you’d usually shrink, and act 10% more “arrogant” instead. Not 200% – just 10%.
• Examples might be:
• Speaking up in a meeting instead of staying quiet
• Correcting mis-credit and saying, “Actually, I led that project”
• Naming your real rates or boundaries without apologising
• Stretching your comfort zone (without tipping into panic)
• Why feeling uncomfortable doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong – it usually just means you’re stepping outside your old script and letting your nervous system recalibrate.
• Reflection prompts to journal on:

1. Where in my life am I most underestimating myself?
2. What am I quietly excellent at that nobody sees because I keep hiding it?
3. If I was 10% more arrogant this week, what would I do differently?

This week’s dare

For the next 7 days:

👉 Pick one real situation where you’d usually shrink.

👉 Act 10% more arrogant – in the best possible way.

👉 Back yourself a little louder than you usually would.

You don’t have to grow a giant ego. You just have to stop pretending you are less than you are.

Come and tell me what you did

I would love to hear how you get on with this dare.

• DM me on Instagram and tell me what you tried
• Or tag me in your Stories and share your 10% more arrogant moment

Dare Club is coming…

We are just weeks away from the launch of Dare Club on 28th April – my new online paid community for women who want to live a more daring life.

Inside Dare Club you’ll get:

• Live webinars with previous and new guests
• A sisterhood community if you haven’t found your tribe yet
• Ongoing mini dares, tools, and conversations to help you be more daring

We’re starting with 50 founding members who will get a locked-in lifetime price.

👉 Head to shewhodareswins.com and click on Dare Club to join the waiting list

👉 Or comment “dare club” on any of my Instagram posts and I’ll DM you the link

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Abbi shares how a childhood spent at race tracks with her dad turned into a professional career, the brutal financial reality of racing, and why her goal this year is to “be more arrogant.” She opens up about mindset, burnout, social media, and the pressure of representing women in a male‑dominated sport – all while still just 22.

If you’ve ever wrestled with self‑doubt, expectations or the cost (financial and emotional) of chasing a big dream, this one will hit home – whether you’re into racing or not.

Key Takeaways

• Mindset over everything: Abbi’s turnaround season came when she stopped obsessing over expectations and focused on doing the best she could each weekend, reset from zero, and treating every result as data, not judgment.
• “Be more arrogant” (in a good way): Her goal is to back herself harder, trust her instincts, and speak up – especially when she knows she’s right on car setup and strategy.
• The real cost of racing: Moving from karts to cars can cost £100k+ a year on a budget, rising to £500k–£1m at higher levels – making sponsorship and creative funding absolutely critical.
• Female-only series as lifelines: W Series and F1 Academy didn’t just give visibility; they literally kept her career alive when funding ran out.
• Competing in mixed grids: Abbi’s raced boys and men her whole life; for her, gender matters less than mindset, performance and being at the front.
• Physical and mental load: Heat, fatigue and constant focus make racing a mental as much as a physical sport – the hardest part is making razor‑sharp decisions while exhausted.
• Representation and numbers game: More girls are entering at grassroots now, but it will take years before that shows as more women in F3, F2 and F1. It’s not “if” but when.
• Cars not built for women (yet): From steering wheels and pedals to seat inserts, most hardware is designed around a male body – small design changes could make a big difference.
• Life outside the paddock matters: Trips to the local pub, time with friends and her dog, and staying “a normal 22‑year‑old” keep her grounded and joyful.
• Fans really do fund the dream: Merch, fan engagement and community support have directly contributed to Abbi being able to race this season.

Be right back adventures

Join Dare Club

Abbi's Merch

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From leaving the NHS and traditional employment, to moving into a caravan, to spending three dark winter months training in North Wales with seven other women, Eva shares a raw, honest look at self-employment, simplicity, female friendship and finding community in the outdoors.

If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t do that” or felt left behind because your path doesn’t look like everyone else’s, this conversation is for you.

In This Episode, We Talk About

• Daring to begin (again)
• Why Eva clung to traditional employment “with her fingernails”
• The crunch point where she realised she was doing a bad job for everyone – and had to choose herself
• What the first year of full-time self-employment has really looked like (peaks, troughs and all)
• Calm over “career safety”
• How leaving the NHS shifted her day-to-day from constant adrenaline to a calmer nervous system
• Why she now values alignment and mental health over job titles, pensions and sick pay
• Caravan life and living small
• Moving from a two-bed flat into a tiny caravan with her partner… just as winter started
• Juggling three part-time jobs, 4 a.m. commutes, and wondering, “What have I done?”
• The unexpected gifts of simple living: fewer bills, more outdoor space and learning what she actually needs
• Stuff, screens and simplifying
• Letting go of storage units, “just in case” boxes and the things she didn’t miss for a whole year
• Swapping infinite Netflix choice for five charity-shop DVDs – and what that taught her about decision fatigue and delayed gratification
• Loneliness, lost friendships and starting again
• The quiet grief of friendships that fade when you step off the traditional life path
• Why it’s so hard to have honest conversations about “what went wrong” in friendships
• Feeling like you’re starting from scratch socially when your values and lifestyle change
• Finding belonging in the outdoors
• Three months in north Wales with the Outward Bound Trust and Berghaus:
• Living in a shared house with seven women
• Long days in the cold and wet, learning navigation, rock skills and paddling
• The deep sense of community that formed from being together 24/7
• How intense shared experiences fast-track genuine connection and trust
• Women-only spaces and why they matter
• Training with female instructors and what changed when there were no men in the group
• The difference in energy, competition and confidence in women-only learning spaces
• Why Eva chose to keep her bushcraft events women-only after hearing participant feedback
• Bushcraft as a doorway to courage
• Watching women come solo to events – sometimes for the first time doing anything just for themselves
• How lighting fires, carving wood and sleeping outside can unlock confidence far beyond the woods
• The ripple effect: course WhatsApp groups, new hiking buddies and women planning their own adventures together
• Safety, responsibility and the outdoor industry
• The tension between qualified outdoor professionals and social-media-led “hike meetups”
• Why qualifications, recces and first aid still matter – even when you “just love hiking”
• Expansion and what’s next for Wilder Horizons
• Eva’s word of the year: Expansion
• Moving from “doing everything myself” to hiring a community and adventure manager
• Her vision for employing and uplifting more women in the outdoor space

Join Dare club: www.shewhodareswins.com

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While working part-time, Michelle has been quietly building her lifelong dream: the She Who Dares Wins podcast. In this conversation, she opens up about:

• Why she finally decided to walk away from construction for good
• How her part-time role became a comfort blanket tied to her identity and self-worth
• The emotional and practical challenges of balancing a “safe” job with a big dream
• What it felt like in the first 24 hours after quitting—liberation, fear, and excitement
• Why trusting your gut and “setting yourself free” can be the turning point in your life

This episode is for anyone who is unhappy in their job, working part-time while chasing a dream, or struggling to let go of a stable role that no longer feels right. Michelle shares honestly about money, fear, identity, and the reality that dreams take time—her podcast has been running for two years and is only now starting to feel ready to monetize.

She also talks about the rebirth of this channel:

• Closing the door on construction content
• Keeping her old videos as part of her story and journey
• Inviting you to come along for this new chapter

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to back yourself, this might be it.

Key Topics Covered

• Leaving an 18-year construction career
• Hybrid life: part-time job + part-time dream
• Identity and self-worth tied to your job
• Listening to the universe / your gut when it’s time to move on
• The emotional mix of excitement vs. anxiety
• Letting go of the “comfort blanket” and taking a bet on yourself
• The rebirth of the channel and the next phase of She Who Dares Wins

Suggested Timestamps (you can adjust based on final edit)

• 00:00 – I just quit my job
• Michelle opens with the news that she’s quit her job in construction.
• 00:40 – 18 years in construction & the shift to social media
• Background on her career and recent role in social media for a construction firm.
• 01:20 – Building the She Who Dares Wins podcast on the side
• How she’s been growing the show while working part-time.
• 02:10 – Why she decided to quit
• Culture, environment, identity, and the comfort blanket of a “safe” job.
• 03:10 – The problem with hybrid roles and divided energy
• Why part-time work still drains the energy needed to pursue a dream.
• 04:10 – Trusting the universe and listening to her gut
• The signs and feelings that pushed her to finally make the move.
• 05:00 – 24 hours after quitting: how it really feels
• Liberation, relief, and the surprising lack of panic—so far.
• 05:45 – Excitement vs. anxiety
• How similar they feel and why she’s choosing to see it as excitement.
• 06:20 – A message to anyone unhappy in their job
• Encouragement to trust your gut and set yourself free.
• 07:00 – Closing the door on construction
• Officially ending her involvement in construction and keeping one toe out.
• 07:40 – Channel rebirth & what’s next
• Why she’s not starting a new channel, how old videos fit into her story, and what the future content will look like.
• 08:00 – Final thoughts
• Thank you to existing subscribers and an invitation to join the new journey.

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Tessa shares how she got hooked on drifting after a passenger ride in a Skyline, built her own off-road Suzuki Vitara, and taught herself to drift before going on to win European drift titles and carve out a name in a male-dominated motorsport and stunt world.

This conversation is packed with adrenaline, honesty, and practical advice for anyone who wants to push past their limits—on the track or in life.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• From banking to burnout (the good kind):
• How Tessa left investment banking to pursue drifting full-time and what that transition really looked like.
• Learning to drift from scratch:
• Her early cars: Fiesta ST, Focus ST, VXR Nürburgring, Suzuki Vitara
• Teaching herself in muddy fields and at Santa Pod
• Being a visual learner and jumping into other people’s cars to improve.
• Breaking into stunts & Mission Impossible 7:
• How drifting opened doors to the British stunt world
• Her mentor Terry Grant and introduction to stunt director Wade Eastwood
• Auditioning against other female drivers and landing Mission Impossible 7
• Driving everything from BMW M5 to a military H2 Hummer
• What it’s like doing one-shot, high-pressure stunts with multiple cameras and huge crews.
• Competing at the top level in drifting:
• Winning Queen of Europe and placing second in King of Europe
• Handling (and sometimes not handling) the pressure of qualifying
• The infamous “Ticked Off at Teesside” story and what she learned from it.
• Women in motorsport & role models:
• Navigating a male-dominated industry and not letting it define her limits
• Early female inspirations: Belinda Chalice and Lisa Branch
• Why she admires Jess Hawkins and the impact of F1 Academy
• Her message to young women: “If I can do it, anybody can.”
• Teaching others to drift:
• Running her drift academy at Three Sisters Circuit in Wigan
• Why she believes anyone can learn to drift—students aged 81 and 84 included
• Her top tips for first-time drifters (including Caterham drivers):
• Look where you want to go
• Use your eyes to guide your hands
• Always be two steps ahead on track
• Common misconceptions racing drivers have when they try drifting.
• Mindset, nerves & performing under pressure:
• How Tessa manages nerves on the start line
• The music she uses to get in the zone (drum & bass)
• Using mental checklists before a run to stay calm and focused
• Dealing with self-doubt and moments that made her feel “not good enough”
• Pivoting, pushing on, and continually challenging herself.
• Cars, dreams & what’s next:
• Her dream garage – drift car, A90 Supra build, off-roaders, and supercars
• Working as a product expert for Rolls-Royce, driving long distances and on track
• Why she wants to try rally and ultimately something Dakar-related
• Plans for a touring drift academy to bring drifting around the UK.
• The She Dares Wins “Dare”:
• Tessa’s dare to other women:
• Challenge yourself to do something different and out of your comfort zone—every day if you can.
• Tessa’s dare to herself:
• Step into rallying and push into a completely new motorsport discipline.

https://berightback.uk/

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In this Dare Day episode, Michelle shares:

• A recent story about emailing a podcasting expert and how one conversation completely refreshed her vision for She Who Dares Wins
• Why we often convince ourselves that “they’re too busy” or “I’m too small fry”
• How many successful people genuinely want to give back and support those coming up behind them
• A simple example of using this dare for something like wild swimming—finding people near you and asking to join them

Michelle also:

• Invites you to reach out to her directly if you think she can help you on your journey
• Encourages you to pitch yourself to podcasts (hers and others!)
• Shares an update on Dare Club, her structured, paid online community, now launching on 27th April with an initial 50 spots, plus future live event opportunities

Your dare:

Today, send a message or an email to someone whose experience you admire. Ask one clear question or request a tiny bit of guidance. Hit send.

Join Dare Club:www.shewhodareswins.com

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Chloe shares how she walked away from a “perfect” academic path in psychology, pivoted into learning disability nursing, and then again into elite strongwoman competition and holistic strength coaching. She opens up about therapy, hypnotherapy, and the “not good enough” complex that drove her, as well as the identity crisis that hit after she’d ticked off all her biggest goals.

You’ll hear Chloe and Michelle dig into:

• Why going against expectations was the first real act of daring in Chloe’s life
• How sport exposed deep-rooted beliefs about not being good enough
• What hypnotherapy actually is (and isn’t) – and why high-performing athletes love it
• Identity, external validation, and what happens when you’ve achieved “everything”
• The pressure to stay in one box – athlete, creator, or coach – and how to let yourself be all of you

This is a conversation for anyone standing at a crossroads, feeling they “should” stay where they are, but knowing there’s more.

Key Takeaways

1. Going against expectations is often the first brave step – leaving psychology for nursing was Chloe’s first real act of owning her life.
2. Performance problems are usually mindset problems – most athletes Chloe works with hit the same beliefs: “I’m not good enough”, fear of failure, and perfectionism.
3. Hypnotherapy isn’t mind control – it’s about self-efficacy, rewiring limiting beliefs, and using evidence of who you already are.
4. Identity is fluid, not fixed – you don’t have to choose between being an athlete, a creator, or a coach. You’re allowed to be all of it.
5. Success without inner work can feel empty – Chloe hit podiums and world records and still felt flat until she faced the deeper stuff in therapy.
6. External validation isn’t evil, just incomplete – it feels good, but it can’t replace self-acceptance.
7. Backing yourself is a dare – confidence doesn’t mean no doubt; it means moving with the doubt anyway.

Timestamps

• 0:00:00 – Introducing Chloe and the “She Who Dares Wins” question: how she’s dared and won
• 0:01:30 – Leaving a “perfect” psychology path for disability nursing and owning her first big pivot
• 0:03:40 – Discovering strongwoman through trampolining injuries, powerlifting and an accidental first comp
• 0:08:40 – From nurse to full-time strength coach and building a holistic coaching business
• 0:09:50 – Hypnotherapy explained: busting myths and how it transforms athlete mindsets
• 0:15:55 – Titles, world records and still not feeling “enough” – when success doesn’t fix the emptiness
• 0:18:12 – Therapy, triggers, and realizing sport was carrying a deep “not good enough” story
• 0:25:05 – Identity, parts integration, and letting “athlete Chloe” and “human Chloe” coexist
• 0:31:16 – Purpose, presence and Alan Watts – questioning the obsession with “getting somewhere”
• 0:38:53 – Friendship, boundaries and letting people (and followers) go when they’re not your people
• 0:46:39 – January pivot: saying she was “done” competing to finding her way back to strongwoman
• 0:52:26 – Athletes, businesswomen and mindset: why Chloe’s work goes far beyond the gym
• 0:56:57 – Chloe’s dare for women: back yourself, acknowledge your wins, and do it even when you doubt yourself

Join Dare Club Here

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Inspired by this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” Michelle sets a powerful dare: to actively support another woman—without envy, competition, or judgment. She also officially announces Dare Club, her new paid online community designed to provide sisterhood, accountability, and practical support through live sessions, guest dares, and more.

This Week’s Dare

Give to Gain:

This week, intentionally support one woman in your world. Share advice, answer a question, send an encouraging message, or offer a practical tip from your journey. Do it generously, without comparison or competition.

• What Dare Club is: a paid online community for women who want support, accountability, and real-life tools
• What’s included:
• Monthly live sessions with past and new podcast guests, teaching on business, lifestyle, sport, and more
• 15-minute bonus “dare” episodes from guests, created just for Dare Club members
• Bi-weekly coffee drop-ins for accountability and community check-ins
• Tips, tricks, and resources to help you take action in life, work, and sport
• Member discounts for the shop and first access to live events like the recent motorsport event
• Launch details:
• Launch date: 27th March
• Founding 50: Only 50 seats at launch with a lifetime locked-in price
• Access is only available via the Dare Club waitlist (newsletter sign-up)

Sign up to Dare club Wait list : https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

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In this episode, Allie shares how lockdown and a near‑suicide moment forced her to stop running from herself, get sober at 40, lose everything – and then slowly rebuild a life based on her values: kindness, honesty and integrity. We dive into alcohol, ultra running, identity, why you can’t outperform self‑hate, and how she now coaches others to focus on mindset over medals and “do the work” one honest action at a time.

Timestamps

0:00 – Meet Allie: music industry, ultra running & why she finally stopped drinking

1:26 – Childhood & first drink: big family, no space for feelings, discovering alcohol at 14

4:00 – Dream job, nightmare culture: record label life, “you’re lucky to be here” & work‑hard/play‑hard drinking

9:40 – Running to cope: first run to avoid suicide, marathons & 100‑mile races while still drinking

16:25 – Lockdown & rock bottom: isolation, toxic relationship & the night she planned to end her life

19:46 – Therapy & values: meeting Theo, ACT, and uncovering kindness, honesty & integrity as core values

26:00 – Rebuilding sober: starting a coaching business, mindset > medals, and redefining success in sport

Key Takeaways

1. You can’t outrun self‑hate
2. No race, job title or external achievement will fix an internal belief that you’re not enough. Allie proves you can be “killing it” on paper and still be dying inside.
3. Alcohol sells you a lie
4. It presents itself as the solution to anxiety, trauma and impostor syndrome, while quietly making them worse. For Allie, alcohol wasn’t the problem… until she realised it had become her whole personality.
5. Sport can be a mask as much as a medicine
6. Ultra running gave Allie purpose and community, but it also became a way to prove she was “fine”. You can be running marathons and 100‑milers and still be deeply unwell.
7. Values are a turning point, not a buzzword
8. Identifying kindness, honesty and integrity as her core values – and realising she’d been living against them – was the real catalyst for change, more than any single race or event.
9. There’s no self‑sabotage, only self‑preservation
10. Those urges to quit, to pull the plug or to stay small are often your brain trying to protect you from pain. Naming that changes how you respond to it.
11. Mindset > medals (and times are neutral)
12. Allie reframes success around what you can control: process, effort, joy, community and integrity. Finish times and podiums are byproducts, not the point.
13. Doing the work is daily, not dramatic
14. Journaling, tiny honest decisions, and repeatedly choosing actions that match your values matter more than one big “rock bottom” moment or a single breakthrough.
15. Failure and mess make the best stories – and the most growth
16. DNFs, hallucinations, disgusting porta‑loo moments and “I completely screwed that up” races are where she learned the most about herself, and where listeners can recognise their own patterns too.

Allie on Socials : IG @Ab_runs

Allies Book

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They discuss the WoW Barn project – a 24‑hour build with 300 women and non-binary people – the realities of work in the arts, the tension between ambition and burnout, and the courage it takes to be radically honest about what you really want, including the prospect of starting a family.

Key Takeaways

• Daring can mean changing direction, not just climbing higher
• Anna talks about leaving a “successful” trajectory in large-scale cultural events when she realised the next logical steps (EP, Director of Programmes) didn’t align with the life she wanted.
• The WoW Barn: women, non-binary people and agency in construction
• The 24-hour timber build with 300 women and non-binary people challenged ideas about who construction is “for” and gave many participants their first experience of building and tools – with powerful confidence and identity shifts.
• Redefining what an art gallery can be
• At Sunny Bank Mills, Anna focuses on accessibility and community:
• A gallery on a village high street, not just in a city centre
• A zine library and touchable pieces to break down shame and intimidation
• Welcoming honest feedback from locals who feel real ownership of the space
• Curating with integrity (not just what sells)
• As Arts Director of a commercial gallery, Anna balances:
• Work that’s easy to sell (e.g. Yorkshire landscapes)
• With pieces that expand horizons, communicate lived experience, and make people think
• She wants to stand beside every work and confidently say why it’s on the wall.
• Lifestyle job vs endless growth
• Moving from freelancing and high-intensity projects to a family-run, community-rooted site has shifted Anna’s view of success:
• One “hat” instead of six
• Daily connection with artists, locals, and a historic site of making
• Space to prioritise work–life balance over constant “more, bigger, faster”.
• Honesty about motherhood and identity
• Anna shares two “dares” for herself:
• Returning to horse riding as a hobby
• Seriously considering starting a family
• She talks openly about fears around losing identity, career impact, and inherited anxieties many career-driven women feel.
• A dare for other women
• Anna’s challenge:

Be radically honest with yourself.

Don’t just follow the trajectory you think you should be on – ask if it’s really serving you and whether it’s genuinely what you want.

Timestamps

• [0:00] – Intro: Anna’s background in theatre, experimental live art & producing
• [0:17]–[7:55] – Leeds, European Capital of Culture bid & the birth of Leeds 2023
• [7:55]–[13:47] – The WoW Barn: 24-hour build, women in construction, empowerment stories
• [13:47]–[20:12] – Leaving Leeds 2023 & landing the Arts Director role at Sunny Bank Mills
• [20:12]–[30:37] – Making art accessible: village gallery, community feedback, zine library, touching the art
• [30:37]–[43:19] – What it really means to curate: taste vs sales, contemporary craft, and the “she’s a keeper” piece
• [43:19]–[49:44] – Lifestyle careers, work–life balance, family-run business culture, unlearning toxic work patterns
• [49:44]–[58:35] – Daring to ride horses again, thinking about starting a family, and identity as a career-driven woman
• [58:35]–end – Anna’s dare to listeners: radical honesty about the paths you’re on

Join Dare Club now: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

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Michelle invites you to step out of your comfort zone in the most human way possible: by really listening to someone else’s story. Not half-listening, not waiting for your turn to talk – but giving someone the space, time, and curiosity to share who they are beneath the surface.

In this episode, Michelle talks about:

• Why we think we know people, but usually only know the surface version of their story
• What working in construction taught her about asking one simple question and then just… leaving space
• How her ADHD and love of telling her own story means she has to consciously practice listening as a skill
• A recent controversial USA Hockey / Trump story in the media and why she’s curious about the quiet voice in the back of the room whose perspective we never hear
• The way podcast guests often come on to talk about something totally different to what they’re known for online

Practical questions you can try this week:

• “What’s your guilty pleasure?”
• “If you had a weekend with zero responsibilities, what would you do?”
• “What kind of music are you into – and what was the last gig you went to?”

These questions:

• Take conversation beyond small talk
• Help you see people as multilayered humans, not just job titles
• Make others feel seen, heard, and appreciated

Key takeaways:

• Listening is not passive – it’s intentional and courageous
• Silences and gaps are where the real story often appears
• You don’t need to turn every chat into therapy; just be curious and see where the conversation wants to go
• When you truly listen, both of you walk away feeling more connected

This week’s dare:

Go and intentionally listen to somebody’s story.

Ask deeper questions, hold your tongue a little longer, and notice how it feels to really hear – and to really see – another person.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Dare Club Newsletter & Waiting List sign up here: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins
• First limited-edition drop of the She Dares Wins clothing range launching mid-March. www.shewhodareswins.com
• Use code POD10 for 10% off at shedareswins.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Key Takeaways

Claudia’s fear and how she flies anyway

• Claudia still has a genuine fear of heights and can have panic attacks on ladders and chairlifts.
• In a glider, however, she feels safe and in control—until a vintage open‑cockpit flight triggered a mid‑air panic attack that she had to talk herself through alone.

How she fell into gliding and never looked back

• She first tried gliding at a small German club while at university in Cologne, after being told, “We’re all scared of heights, don’t worry.”

What competitive gliding really looks like

• Glider racing is like “aerial chess” and often compared to sailing: pilots fly a set task around turning points and back to base; fastest wins.

Field landings and safety in gliding

• Landing in farmers’ fields (“landing out”) is a normal and trained-for part of cross‑country gliding.
• Pilots are taught how to pick safe fields, plan a circuit, and land smoothly; most landouts are “non‑events.”
• Gliders have a single main wheel, can be disassembled on site, and trailered home. August stubble fields are ideal, as they minimise damage to crops and aircraft.

Gliders, engines and why she feels safer without one

• A glider is essentially a normal aircraft without an engine: same controls (rudder, ailerons, elevator), but designed to glide efficiently.
• Many modern gliders have small retractable engines for “limping home,” but Claudia’s 51‑year‑old glider doesn’t.
• She actually relaxes in the motor glider only once she’s in the landing circuit with the throttle closed—“Now I’m in a glider. Now I know what I’m doing.”

Travel, childhood and a life of exploring

• Claudia was born in Afghanistan and grew up in countries like Nigeria, Bangladesh and Ivory Coast due to her father’s work in development projects.
• Returning to Germany at eight, she already knew she wanted to live abroad and travel—and still feels childlike excitement on big commercial aircraft.

Dealing with pressure and rediscovering fun

• After rapid progress—first comp in 2006, first Women’s Worlds in 2013—she began putting huge pressure on herself.
• One nationals with eight amazing flying days was “miserable” because of self‑imposed expectations.
• Her turning point: ignore yesterday’s scores, focus only on today’s flight, and prioritise fun. Once she did that, her flying improved and results followed (including a silver medal at the Women’s World Gliding Championship in the UK).

Timestamps

1. [00:01:34] – Claudia introduced on the “She Who Dares Wins” podcast
2. [00:02:00] – “Really scared of heights… and a British gliding team member”
3. [00:04:16] – First gliding lesson in Germany and signing up the same day
4. [00:07:38] – What competition gliding is and why it’s like sailing
5. [00:13:55] – Landing in farmers’ fields and how gliders are taken apart
6. [00:19:18] – Why she feels safer in a glider than in a powered aircraft
7. [00:28:06] – Winning a silver medal at the Women’s World Gliding Championship
8. [00:33:43] – Women in gliding, “dinosaurs” and the power of allies

Join Dare club: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

Shop Merch www.shewhodareswins.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host: Michelle (She Who Dares Wins Podcast)

Guest Inspiration: Hattie, the flower farmer (from Monday’s episode)

Overview

In this Dare Thursday mini-episode, Michelle invites you to step back and look at the tapestry of your life and career. Inspired by flower farmer Hattie’s story—near‑death experiences, wild career twists, and ultimately landing her dream job—this episode challenges you to recognize how every experience has prepared you for where you are now (and where you’re going next).

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Hattie’s journey from near‑death experiences and “crazy careers” to owning her dream flower farm
• Why we underestimate the value of our past jobs and life chapters
• Michelle’s own winding path:
• Geography degree
• Film school in LA
• A decade in construction across multiple roles
• Starting a chemical business with her brother in their garage
• Project management, land surveying, and drone work
• Building a YouTube channel and speaking about construction
• The hidden skills these experiences built:
• Storytelling and listening
• Talking to people from all walks of life
• Business skills like accounts, websites, and social media
• Creativity, resilience, and idea‑generation (including long hours on drilling sites with a notebook)

This Week’s Dare

Grab a piece of paper and map out your career (or life) as a tapestry:

• List your jobs, roles, or key life chapters
• Note what you learned in each season—skills, perspectives, resilience
• Look for the thread that connects it all, and notice how much you’ve already done and grown
• Ask yourself: What have I discredited that actually makes me stronger today?

This exercise is all about self-awareness and self-credit: shifting from “I’m not where I want to be yet” to “Look how far I’ve already come.”

Join Dare Club:

If you’re feeling ready for a career move, life pivot, or you’re just a bit burnt out, Dare Club is for you.

• Weekly emails with stories from podcast guests
• Mini dares to keep you moving forward and out of your comfort zone
• A growing community with accountability and future digital products to support your next step

How to sign up for Dare Club: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

• Head to Instagram @shewhodareswins 

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She talks with Michelle about:

• Childhood upheaval and losing her family home at 11
• Surviving bacterial meningitis at 15 and a serious car crash at 19
• Working in waste management, landfill, and wildlife conservation
• Career pivots into events, volunteering, and charity leadership
• Quietly carrying a “one day” dream of a flower farm and wedding flowers
• Finally backing herself during the pandemic to rebuild life around nature

We explore how Hattie’s life “tapestry” was woven from life shocks, resilience, and micro joys, and why she believes purpose, not speed or status, is the truest measure of success.

Key Takeaways

• Dreams can take a decade (or more) and still be worth it
• Hattie spent over 10 years moving through different roles and industries before landing in the life she’d imagined—proof that slow progress is still progress.
• Life shocks can create deep resilience and clarity
• Losing her home, surviving meningitis, and a near-fatal car accident all became pivotal points that sharpened her sense of what really matters.
• Your career is a tapestry, not a straight line
• Each “random” job—waste management, conservation, city of culture, leadership programs—gave her skills she now uses daily on the farm (from land management to events to people skills).
• Purpose beats prestige
• A lecturer’s challenge—“Do you want low pay doing good, or big money defending harm?”—anchored her to roles with meaning and social/environmental impact.
• Nature is medicine
• Time outdoors has been central to Hattie’s healing from grief and burnout. Her farm is designed as much for wildlife and immersion as for flowers.
• Micro joys can rebuild a broken season of life
• Instead of chasing big highs, Hattie learned to collect tiny, daily joys—a robin in the garden, a bird sighting, a small moment of beauty—and use them to slowly climb out of difficult years.
• You’re allowed to change your mind—and your career
• Hattie repeatedly “started again” in new sectors. Each leap was scary, but reinforced the idea that confidence often comes after you jump, not before.
• Listening to your gut is a skill, not fluff
• From saying yes to the podcast invite to finally starting the flower farm, following her gut has been Hattie’s compass—even when fear and imposter syndrome show up later.

Timestamps

1. 00:00 – Welcome to the show & Hattie’s “She Dares Wins” intro
2. 02:30 – Tapestry vs chapters: how Hattie views her life story
3. 04:45 – Losing her home at 11 and joining a new school mid-year
4. 06:30 – Contracting meningitis at 15 and the “life is short” wake‑up
5. 09:00 – The near-fatal Land Rover crash and a new sense of spirituality
6. 18:30 – From landfill and waste to wildlife conservation and values
7. 26:40 – Pandemic reflections and the decision to finally start a flower farm
8. 34:50 – Nature, micro joys, and inviting others to heal on the farm

Join Dare Club Now:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode, helicopter pilot Adele returns to share deeper reflections on kindness, fear, emotional intelligence, and crisis management in aviation and life. She talks about why her ideal billboard would simply say “Be kind to each other,” opens up about her fear of public speaking despite a high‑risk job, and describes a pivotal in‑flight engine incident that she calls the day she “actually became a pilot.” The conversation explores expectations placed on pilots, the importance of crew resource management, and how self‑kindness and knowing your own reactions under pressure can transform both work and life.

Key Takeaways

• Kindness matters more than we think
• Adele’s billboard message would be “Be kind to each other”, highlighting how many problems come from a lack of empathy and taking time to understand others.
• Kindness isn’t just outward-facing—being kind to yourself is crucial for growth and confidence.
• Public speaking can be scarier than extreme physical risk
• Despite being a helicopter pilot, Adele finds public speaking and situations where she might embarrass herself more terrifying than skydiving.
• Confidence in speaking is a muscle that needs practice, even for people who seem naturally comfortable on stage or on mic.
• Travel, beauty, and environmental reality
• Adele loves Indonesia for its culture, people, and nature, calling it a turning point in her life.
• She also notes the shocking plastic pollution, with “confetti beaches” where sand is largely plastic.
• Canada still pulls at her heart, especially the mountains—but brutal winters make her unsure about moving back full-time.
• Helicopter flying: range, routes, and fears
• Most helicopters can fly 2–2.5 hours on one tank, continuing as long as there are fuel stops.
• Ocean crossings are possible via staged routes (e.g., via Iceland), but Adele is not a fan of flying over open water.
• Wildfire flying as a future goal
• Adele is interested in moving into wildfire fighting operations, including vertical reference and longline work, to help communities affected by fires.
• Misconceptions and expectations of pilots
• People often don’t expect Adele to be the pilot, and treat her differently once they find out what she does.
• There’s a strong image of what a pilot “should” look and act like, which she doesn’t fit, and she’s always balancing authenticity with professional expectations.
• Emotional intelligence and crew dynamics save lives
• Adele explains crew resource management (CRM) and why “soft skills” like communication, feedback, and trust are actually critical safety skills.
• She discusses the danger of authority gradients where co‑pilots are too afraid to challenge captains, sometimes with fatal consequences.
• Good crews balance clear leadership with genuine openness, so everyone feels able to speak up.
• The day she “actually became a pilot”
• Adele shares a detailed story of an engine malfunction in a Sikorsky 76, flying single-pilot from remote fishing lodges.
• She had to manage power, monitor for fire, navigate terrain, communicate with ATC, and land safely on one engine, all while alone and out of radio range for part of the flight.
• That incident proved to her she could rely on her training under pressure and shaped her identity as a pilot.
• How helicopters land if the engine fails
• Adele breaks down autorotation: using rotor inertia and airflow so the helicopter can still be controlled and landed without power.
• With training, pilots can pick a spot, flare, and land with control, rather than “falling like a rock.”
• Crisis responses and self-awareness
• Both discuss how people react in crises—fight, flight, or freeze—and the importance of knowing your own default.
• Michelle reflects that she’s often very effective in real crises, even if she feels chaotic day to day.
• Self-kindness as a dare
• For her personal “dare,” Adele commits to being kinder to herself, acknowledging she is her own worst critic.
• With constant negativity in the world, she wants to focus on positive actions and impact.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Michelle takes a break from guest interviews to speak directly to something that stopped her in her tracks.

After sending out a listener survey, one result hit hard:

80% of women said they struggle to be kind to themselves.

Including Michelle.

In this solo episode, Michelle unpacks how self-criticism sneaks in, why it feels productive (but isn’t), and how being relentlessly hard on yourself can quietly hold you back — even when you’re achieving on paper.

This isn’t about fluffy self-care or letting yourself off the hook.

It’s about awareness, honesty, and learning how to move forward without constantly tearing yourself down.

Key Talking Points & Timestamps

00:00 – Why this needed to be said

Michelle explains why she felt compelled to pause guest episodes and talk openly about kindness — and what triggered this realisation.

01:08 – The survey result that changed everything

80% of women said they struggle to be kind to themselves — and why that statistic is both comforting and alarming.

02:41 – Catching the inner voice first thing in the morning

How negative self-talk was showing up before Michelle had even opened her eyes — and why that matters.

03:25 – The ‘holy socks’ analogy

Why we treat other people with more respect than we treat ourselves — and what that says about self-worth.

04:42 – When being “hard on yourself” backfires

Michelle reflects on imposter syndrome in construction and how self-criticism limited her confidence and progression.

06:22 – Building the podcast without trusting herself

Growing a podcast from scratch, hitting big milestones — and still being unable to acknowledge progress.

07:41 – When your worth gets tied to achievement

Why high-achieving women never feel like they’ve “arrived” — and the cost of chasing constant validation.

09:00 – Starting from ‘I am enough’ (without losing your drive)

Insights inspired by Joe Hudson on separating self-worth from outcomes.

09:35 – Fear, paralysis, and second-guessing

How being unkind to yourself fuels procrastination and decision fatigue.

10:45 – The 9-day awareness exercise

A simple but powerful way to notice, track, and challenge self-critical thoughts.

11:58 – Three ways to reframe unkind thoughts

• Acknowledge without agreeing

• Laugh at the ridiculous ones

• Reframe with evidence and context

13:43 – The real cost of self-criticism

Why it doesn’t make you better — just more disconnected, anxious, and distrustful of yourself.

14:58 – Chasing relief instead of alignment

Why achievement doesn’t bring peace if you’re running from fear instead of moving with intention.

16:18 – “My story isn’t good enough”

Why even the most impressive women downplay their journeys — and how common this mindset really is.

17:54 – Living in fight-or-flight without realising it

How self-kindness helped Michelle regulate her nervous system and feel more grounded week to week.

18:43 – A quiet invitation, not a challenge

Michelle encourages listeners to start with one thing: not being unkind to themselves.

19:22 – What’s next with Dare Club

How this work around kindness, alignment, and self-trust is shaping the future of Dare Club.

Key Takeaways

• Being hard on yourself isn’t discipline — it’s often fear in disguise
• Self-criticism doesn’t fuel progress; it creates paralysis
• High achievement without self-kindness leads to disconnection
• You can accept emotions without agreeing with them
• Awareness is the first step — not perfection
• Starting from “I am enough” doesn’t kill ambition, it steadies it

Sign up to Dare club

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Thursday, which means one thing around here: Dare Day.

This week’s dare is a simple one. No life overhaul. No journaling marathon. Just a few minutes, a song, and a moment of honest reflection.

In this short episode, Michelle shares a story sparked by an unexpected song on a studio car park playlist — a track she hadn’t heard in years, but somehow knew word for word. What caught her off guard wasn’t the nostalgia… it was how relevant the lyrics still were decades later.

That moment opens up a bigger question:

Did the things we loved when we were younger know something about us before we did?

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• A personal story from Michelle’s teenage years and early grafting days
• Why certain songs hit differently as we get older
• How lyrics we once screamed for fun can quietly reflect the life warnings we ignored
• Michelle’s own lyric deep-dive into Warning by Incubus — and why it lands harder now than it ever did
• A no-pressure dare designed purely for enjoyment, curiosity, and maybe a little clarity

This week’s dare:

Pick a song you used to love.

The one you knew every lyric to.

Listen to it. Sing it loudly if you want.

Then ask yourself one question:

Do the lyrics still resonate — or are they just fun noise?

Either answer is valid.

Two to three minutes of joy still counts as a win.

If the lyrics hit you in the chest a bit? Michelle wants to hear about it.

Head over to Instagram and drop her a message with the song and the line that stuck.

Want more dares like this?

Dare Club is where these weekly dares live — alongside behind-the-scenes podcast updates and early access to what’s coming next. Right now it’s a newsletter, but it won’t stay that way for long.

If you want in early, the link’s here: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

Michelle’s back on Monday with another guest story worth your time.

Until then — enjoy the music, and don’t let life pass you by. 🎶

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After picking up a tropical illness in Thailand, Lucy went from fully independent to unable to walk, dress herself, type, or even hold a pen thanks to brutal joint inflammation that lingered for months. Doctors couldn’t confirm exactly what caused it (possible chikungunya or parvovirus), and recovery was slow, painful, and messy.

But instead of waiting around for life to feel “normal” again, Lucy did what a lot of us do when we’re trapped in the house and losing our minds: she needed something to aim at.

An Instagram ad, a half-delusional spark of hope, and a stubborn refusal to write herself off later… Lucy signs up to run 200 miles across Tajikistan in 7 days — despite not even being able to walk properly when she first saw it.

This episode is about recovery, pushing yourself (without ignoring reality), the power of goals, and why most people quit right before the turning point. Also: periods in the mountains, zero running water, and the kind of camaraderie that makes you feel human again.

Timestamps

00:00 — Lucy’s “dare and win”: unable to walk… then 200 miles across Tajikistan

01:50 — Thailand illness hits hard: fever, shaking, and “is this normal?” moments

03:25 — Back home: arms seize up, can’t move, can’t breathe properly, A&E visit

05:30 — The swelling gets serious: can’t stand, can’t dress herself, tropical disease hospital

06:10 — Possible diagnoses + reality of recovery: months of pain, steroids, and work support

08:45 — The pivot: “I need something to look forward to” (goal-setting in survival mode)

10:00 — The Instagram ad that changed everything + what the Tajikistan run actually is

22:30 — The hardest day: illness, no calories, endometriosis surprise, big climb, and not quitting

Key Takeaways

• Just because you look “fine” doesn’t mean you are. Lucy talks about that weird limbo where you’re functioning on the outside but in agony underneath.
• A goal can be a lifeline. Not a “new year, new me” goal — a give-me-a-reason-to-keep-going goal.
• Stubbornness is a double-edged sword. It got her through Thailand, through Gatwick, through A&E… and eventually into recovery (but she also admits she should’ve accepted help sooner).
• Fear gets loud right before you do something brave. Lucy’s body starts “hurting again” right before the trip — classic panic symptoms dressing up as logic.
• Community changes everything. This wasn’t a race — it was a shared experience built on support, breaks, check-ins, and people who refuse to let you quit alone.
• Hard days are part of the deal. The breakdown day wasn’t a sign to stop — it was the point most people would stop… and that’s why it mattered.
• Adventure doesn’t require a new identity. Lucy loves her job, loves London, and still makes space for big challenges — you don’t have to burn your life down to expand it.
• The dare is simple (and annoying): push the button on the thing you keep thinking about.

Check out The Great Silk Run! https://bit.ly/4aoNRPw

Shop She Who Dares Wins: www.shewhodareswins.com

Join Dare Club: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

Youtube Channel: youtube.com/channel/UCkCSa96nwEKh-aeAbhXI7PA/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/shewhodareswins

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This dare asks you to do the opposite.

In this short Dare Day episode, Michelle shares a moment at the kitchen table with her kid that sparked an uncomfortable realisation: kids don’t care if they’re bad at things they care if they’re enjoying them. Somewhere along the line, we lost that.

From sketching terrible T-shirt designs (and loving it anyway) to memories of being absolutely useless at roller skating but showing up regardless, this episode is about reconnecting with joy without turning it into a performance.

Michelle breaks down why doing something you’re “bad at” feels so uncomfortable as an adult, what’s actually happening in your brain when resistance kicks in, and why separating your self-worth from outcomes might be one of the most important skills you can rebuild.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why adults avoid activities with no clear “point” or payoff
• How kids naturally enjoy the process — and what we unlearned
• The brain’s resistance response and why it tells you to be “productive” instead
• Why purpose doesn’t need an endpoint
• How practising failure in small, harmless ways builds resilience for the big stuff
• The link between shame, performance, and self-worth

This week’s dare: The Ugly 15

Set a timer for 15 minutes and do something you used to love as a kid — something you stopped because you weren’t very good at it.

Sketch. Dance. Write a poem. Roller skate like Bambi on ice.

No improving. No posting for validation. No turning it into a side hustle.

Just process. Just fun. Just showing yourself that the world doesn’t end when you’re bad at something.

Go be rubbish on purpose.

It might be the bravest thing you do all week.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How saying yes before you’re ready can quietly change everything

In this episode, Michelle sits down with Amy Seagraves, a former PE teacher who accidentally kick-started a property business after winning £50k on The Cube — and then actually backing herself instead of playing it safe.

This is a proper behind-the-scenes look at the messy middle: imposter syndrome, trades chaos, analysis paralysis, and the identity shift that comes when you build something alongside a “safe” job.

If you’ve been waiting to feel ready — this episode is your sign to stop.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Winning £50k on The Cube (and why it wasn’t the real turning point)

Opportunity doesn’t change your life — what you do next does.

04:30 – Quitting teaching to travel and reset perspective

Why stepping off the safe path changed everything.

08:30 – Buying a first investment property with no experience

The reality of starting before you feel qualified.

13:00 – Renovation chaos, imposter syndrome & male-dominated rooms

Learning fast or paying for it.

18:30 – From winging it to building a real business

Why investing in education mattered more than another property.

24:30 – The power of building a team instead of going solo

Three women, different strengths, one vision.

31:00 – Going part-time before it felt sensible

The uncomfortable move that unlocked growth.

38:45 – The biggest lesson: action beats overthinking

Why waiting costs more than mistakes.

Key Takeaways

• Confidence is built after action — not before.
• You don’t need to quit your job to start changing direction.
• Analysis paralysis is fear wearing a spreadsheet.
• Being a beginner again will mess with your identity — let it.
• The right people > knowing everything yourself.
• Messy progress beats perfect plans. Always.

If you’re sitting on an idea and waiting for permission — this is it.

Shop: www.shewhodaresswins.com

Join Dare club:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tell your story. And actually share it.

In this short Dare Day episode, Michelle challenges you to stop assuming you’re “boring” and start recognising that your life has a plot — twists, turns, chaos, survival, growth. All of it counts.

Because here’s the thing:

Every woman who says “I don’t really have a story”… absolutely does.

What This Episode Covers

• Why so many capable, interesting women think they don’t have a story (spoiler: confidence lies to us)
• How to map your life like a film plot — setup, conflict, resolution (and the messy bits in between)
• A simple storytelling exercise using a blank sheet of paper and a rollercoaster line
• Why sharing your story creates real connection, not surface-level engagement
• How journaling and reflection help your brain recognise progress (yes, science backs this up)
• Why vulnerability online isn’t about oversharing — it’s about being human

This Week’s Dare

👉 Write your story.

👉 Choose a chapter — not your whole autobiography.

👉 Share it somewhere public: Instagram, TikTok, a blog, or plain old words on a screen.

Photos optional. Polish optional. Perfection absolutely not required.

Why This Matters

When you share your story:

• Other people feel less alone
• You see how much you’ve actually survived and achieved
• You stop underestimating yourself (which is long overdue)

And yes — people will say:

“I didn’t know that.”

“Same.”

“That really hit home.”

That’s the point.

Get Involved

• Share your story on social and tag @SheWhoDaresWins
• Use #SheWhoDaresWins and #DareClub
• Want in on Dare Club?
• Join the waitlist via the website or comment “Dare Club” on Instagram to get the link.

Michelle will be back Monday with another cracking guest episode — because this podcast doesn’t do

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is a proper catch-up: injury reality checks, the difference between “sending it” and being reckless, why strength training is basically adult life insurance, and how your brain can literally create pain before you even touch the bar.

Timestamps (5–8)

0:00 – Becca’s back: natural Worlds winner, and the 2024 comp chaos that nearly broke her

1:10 – Pulling out of Worlds: “I’m not enjoying this… so why am I here?”

4:10 – “Fun comps” vs “I’m here to win”: how the competitive fire comes back without self-destruction

6:10 – The sport is growing fast: bigger athlete pools, higher standards, harder pathway

8:05 – The weird culture around being natural (and why it shouldn’t be “uncool” to be clean)

15:10 – Strength training for normal women: mood, bones, confidence, daily-life strength (yes, even for picking up chunky babies)

22:35 – Fear in lifting: learning how to fail safely + Becca’s deadlift panic spiral

24:55 – Hypnotherapy: the brain pain loop, rewiring fear, and why it actually worked

41:20 – Boundaries + people pleasing: “If I don’t enjoy it, why am I doing it?”

46:05 – New priorities at 30: athlete identity takes a back seat to business, family, and sanity

58:10 – Becca’s message to women: it’s never too late to start — and you’re not going to get bulky (she’s tried)

Key takeaways

• Quitting isn’t weakness. Sometimes pulling out is the most elite decision you can make.
• “Not enjoying it” is data. If your body and brain are screaming, maybe stop calling it discipline and start calling it a warning light.
• Strength training isn’t a “gym girl” hobby — it’s basic life maintenance. Better mood, stronger bones, more confidence, more independence.
• Your brain can create pain before the lift even happens. Fear + previous injury = your nervous system pre-loading the panic.
• Learning to fail safely reduces fear fast. Confidence isn’t “I’ll never fail.” It’s “I know what to do if I do.”
• Boundaries are built through regret (unfortunately). Becca’s learning to say no before she burns herself into the ground.
• You’re not too late. The only “too late” is waiting until life forces you to start.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January has a reputation problem.

Cold. Dark. Everyone suddenly a productivity expert with a colour-coded planner and unrealistic goals.

If you’re already feeling behind — this episode is your permission slip to stop flogging yourself.

In this Dare Day episode of the She Who Dares Wins Podcast, Michelle shares a gentler, smarter way to move through January — without burning out by February (again).

Drawing on lessons from her years working in construction, Michelle reframes January as a transition month, not a launch pad for pressure and perfection.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why big goal-setting in January can actually backfire
• The case for easing into the year instead of going “hell for leather”
• How nature, seasons, and construction sites all agree: slow is sensible
• Why focusing inward (not outward) sets you up better for the year ahead
• The value of reflecting on last year — without turning it into a self-criticism exercise
• How walking, journaling, reading, and getting outside can genuinely shift your headspace
• Why stepping back from social media in January might save your sanity

This week’s Dare (pick one… or all three):

1. Go for a walk every day — 2 minutes or 2 hours, no phone, no pressure
2. Write a few lines in a journal daily — no structure, no goals, just honesty
3. Read one book that inspires you — self-help, story, or anything that feeds your brain

And the big one Michelle wants you to hear:

Be kinder to yourself. With your thoughts. With your expectations. With your pace.

January doesn’t need fixing.

You don’t need fixing either.

Also mentioned:

• Dare Club — weekly dares delivered straight to your inbox https://stan.store/shewhodareswins
• Upcoming guests, live events, short films, and community meetups
• A January sale over on the SWDW shop www.shewhodareswins.com

🎧 New episodes every Monday + Dare Day every Thursday

📩 Join Dare Club via Instagram or the link in the description

🛒 January Sale: www.shewodareswins.com

No pressure. Just progress — the sustainable kind.

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You don’t see anyone who looks like you doing the job…

And someone tells you outright that you’ll never make it?

In this episode of She Who Dares Wins, Michelle sits down with Adele, an air ambulance helicopter pilot flying lifesaving missions over London — and her path there was anything but neat.

From growing up in a working-class Canadian town, to being told “girls don’t get hired”, to flying night missions in Kenya, landing helicopters in central London, and racing feral horses across Mongolia — Adele’s story isn’t about confidence or clarity.

It’s about doing the next honest step, even when the bigger picture doesn’t exist yet.

This conversation is a reminder that you don’t need permission, a perfect plan, or a straight line — just the courage to keep going.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome & what it really means to “dare and win”

06:45 – Feeling lost, drifting through jobs, and not seeing herself represented

14:30 – “Girls won’t get hired” — the comment that nearly stopped her

21:45 – Choosing to train anyway: loans, side jobs, and grit

33:00 – Learning to say no under pressure as a young helicopter pilot

46:00 – Extreme air ambulance work in Canada & Kenya

56:00 – Moving to the UK (for a date… and a life pivot)

1:01:30 – Flying with London’s Air Ambulance: what the job actually involves

1:22:00 – The Mongol Derby & why she chooses hard things

1:48:00 – Adele’s dare: listening to your own voice

🔑 Key Takeaways

• You don’t need a clear plan — you need the next honest step
• Being told “no” often says more about other people’s limits than yours
• Visibility matters — but belief in yourself matters more
• Saying no under pressure is a skill that can save lives
• Burnout doesn’t mean you chose wrong — it means something needs adjusting
• Doing hard things builds trust with yourself
• Listening to your inner voice is a practice, not a personality trait

🎧 Listen if you’re:

• Feeling restless but not “unhappy enough” to change
• Questioning your direction without wanting to burn everything down
• Curious about unconventional careers and real-life courage
• Tired of motivational noise and ready for grounded truth

If this episode hit home, share it with someone who’s quietly sitting on a “what if”.

And if you’re feeling that nudge?

That’s usually where daring starts.

Join Dare Club: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

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It’s about the quiet work.

The thinking.

The testing.

The pulling back.

The sitting with doubt instead of bulldozing through it.

In the first episode of 2026, Michelle reflects honestly on the year just gone — what worked, what didn’t, and what only made sense once she stopped pushing and actually paid attention.

From stepping back over Christmas to avoid burnout, to questioning growth, sponsorship, social media, and the direction of the brand, this is a grounded look at what it really takes to build something that lasts.

No reinvention narrative.

No “new year, new me”.

Just clarity earned the hard way.

In this episode, Michelle talks about:

• Why not publishing over Christmas was a deliberate decision — not a failure
• How being busy isn’t the same as being aligned
• What last year revealed about presence, attention, and nervous system burnout
• The difference between testing ideas and chasing validation
• Why community and collaboration matter more than doing everything alone
• Losing momentum — and why that doesn’t mean you’re lost
• The realities of running an unfunded podcast and staying values-led
• Rethinking sponsorship, growth, and keeping the show independent
• The thinking behind Dare Club and the Thursday dares
• Why small, intentional challenges beat dramatic life overhauls
• Living in the “dip” without panicking or quitting

Books, ideas & references mentioned:

• Lessons inspired by Tim Ferriss and extracting meaning from lived experience
• Stoic thinking via Ryan Holiday and The Obstacle Is the Way
• Reflections on ADHD from Scattered Minds
• The Netflix documentary Stutz and practical mental tools
• Purpose, alignment, and slowing the pace instead of forcing progress

Why this episode matters:

If you’re heading into 2026 feeling:

• unsure but not broken
• tired of loud advice
• quietly questioning the direction you’re heading

This episode is for you.

Because building a life isn’t about constant forward motion.

Sometimes it’s about stopping long enough to hear yourself think.

What’s next:

• Guest episodes return next week
• Dare Club and weekly dares resume shortly
• More intentional challenges, clearer direction, less noise

If you want to support the show, leave a review, share the episode with someone who’s in the messy middle, or join Dare Club for the weekly challenges.

And as always — thanks for listening.

Join Dare club https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

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Support the show https://www.patreon.com/c/shewhodareswins

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An early morning drive.

No traffic. No radio.

nd the sudden realisation that I could hear birds singing — from inside the car.

That small moment led to a bigger question: when did we stop noticing what’s around us?

In this bonus episode, Michelle shares a simple but grounding story about an early winter morning, a red sky, a cup of tea in the garden, and how listening — properly listening — shifted her entire day.

The episode also connects to insights from Episode with Georgia, who described a chance visit to an RSPB hide that made her realise how much of the natural world she’d been missing simply because she’d never stopped to notice it.

This isn’t sentimental fluff.

There’s real science behind why moments like this feel so powerful.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why natural sounds like birdsong calm the nervous system
• How most of us live in low-level fight-or-flight without realising
• The concept of “soft fascination” and why nature restores a tired brain
• How listening grounds us in the present and eases anxiety
• Why nothing has to change around you for something to shift internally

This Week’s Dare:

Take 5–10 minutes early in the morning.

Before your phone.

Before conversations.

Before the world gets loud.

No music. No podcasts. No scrolling.

Make a tea or coffee if you like. Sit outside, on a doorstep, balcony, or by an open window.

Close your eyes.

And listen.

Birds, wind, distance, silence — whatever is there.

You’re not trying to relax.

You’re not fixing anything.

You’re simply reminding your nervous system that it’s safe.

If you’ve stopped hearing the birds, there’s a good chance you’ve been carrying too much noise for too long.

Want weekly dares like this?

Dare Club is free to join and lands these weekly dares straight in your inbox, along with early access to live events and special announcements.

You can sign up via the link in the episode description or through Instagram.

Thanks for listening — and enjoy this week’s dare.

Join Dare Club https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

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We also get into Becky’s Everest Base Camp trek attempt, the reality of doing big adventures with an unpredictable body, and the one comment from a stranger that perfectly sums up why invisible illness is such a minefield.

Key takeaways

• Crohn’s isn’t “a dodgy tummy” — it’s an autoimmune disease with physical and mental load.
• You can still build a full life, but you may need to do it differently (and that’s not failure).
• The fatigue is real even in remission — “slept 9 hours, feel like 3” levels of real.
• Invisible illness comes with invisible planning: toilets, timing, travel anxiety, the whole mental spreadsheet.
• You’re allowed to redefine success — especially when your body is fighting you.
• Turning back isn’t quitting. Sometimes it’s the bravest, smartest decision you can make.
• People will judge what they don’t understand (“you can’t be that sick…”) — don’t let that rewrite your reality.
• Kindness matters more than most people realise. “Be kind” isn’t cringe — it’s necessary.

Timestamps

• 00:00 Intro + “How have you dared and won?”
• 00:14 Diagnosed at 15: believing life was “over”
• 02:22 The pressure of school + the long road to diagnosis/remission
• 04:24 Quitting A-levels, finding snowboarding, becoming an instructor (the pivot)
• 05:43 The biggest misconception: “it’s just a tummy issue”
• 06:32 The day-to-day reality: exhaustion, pain, urgency, immunosuppressants
• 08:39 Everest Base Camp planning + how Crohn’s derailed it (and why she still went)
• 28:00 Turning back at altitude + hospital in Kathmandu (ego vs survival)
• 33:44 Fundraising wins + choosing your life anyway
• 48:17 Misconception: “you can control it with diet” + the wider symptoms (arthritis, mouth ulcers)
• 49:58 “You can’t be that sick…” — the invisible illness moment that stuck

Mentioned

• Crohn’s & Colitis UK (resources, support, info for patients + employers)

Join Dare Club: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

www.shewhodareswins.com - Code POD10

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So today, I’m sharing mine.

In this episode, I walk you through the year my body finally hit the brakes — the ignored symptoms, the hospital scares, the career misalignment, and the long, messy rebuild that followed. If you’re running on adrenaline, juggling too much, or quietly falling apart while pretending everything's fine… consider this your nudge.

This isn’t a dramatic “quit your job and move to Bali” story. It’s the real version — the hospital ECGs, the mozzarella-stick diet, the overthinking, the identity crisis, and the uncomfortable truth that you can only outrun yourself for so long.

What We Talk About

• The moment a doctor asked me one question that exposed everything
• The physical symptoms I brushed off (and why that was a terrible plan)
• How 17 years in construction + 2 kids + 2 businesses became the perfect storm
• When stress masquerades as illness
• The identity shift that comes with leaving a career you’ve built your life around
• The slow rebuild: sleep, food, movement, and actually listening to myself
• Why purpose matters more than any “goal” you can tick off
• The three things I stopped doing so I’d never burn out like that again
• How this burnout became the catalyst for She Who Dares Wins

Download the Free Worksheet — The Reckoning

If you’re feeling stretched thin, misaligned, or stuck in someone else’s version of your life, this is the exact reflection tool I used (and still use).

https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

Who This Episode Is For

Women who are:

• juggling too much
• burnt out but pretending they’re “fine”
• questioning their career
• rebuilding after a crash
• wanting a life that actually fits them

A Note From Me

If any part of this episode hits home — you’re not weak, dramatic, or failing. You’re human. And your body is usually wiser than your ego.

Talking about burnout doesn’t make you fragile. It makes you honest.

Thanks for listening.

She Who Dares Wins. 🤘

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A decade later, one spontaneous visit to an RSPB reserve flipped a switch she didn’t know she had. In just one year, she’s become a standout wildlife photographer, built a community of new-age birders, and is now leading her first international birding trip — all while navigating the tension between passion and monetisation.

This episode is all about daring to start something completely new, letting curiosity lead the way, and remembering that the wild isn’t “out there”… it’s been on your doorstep the whole damn time.

Key Takeaways (Condensed)

• How a single meme and a toxic relationship pushed her to book that one-way ticket.
• The seven years of travel that shaped her grit, confidence, and worldview.
• The unexpected moment birding clicked — and why it hit so hard.
• Her rise in wildlife photography despite zero formal training.
• The ethics, chaos, and surprising humour inside the birding world.
• Why she’s not rushing to turn her passion into a full-time job.
• How community, nature, and curiosity helped her find her thing.

Timestamps

0:00 – Welcome + Georgia’s biggest dare

0:12 – Why she booked a one-way ticket to Australia at 22

3:20 – Seven years on the road: Africa, New Zealand, Canada & chaos

4:55 – Working in one of Queensland’s “roughest pubs”

7:30 – The accidental moment she discovered birding

12:50 – Why wildlife photography hooked her instantly

15:40 – The challenge of keeping passion and monetisation separate

18:45 – Building a new kind of birding community + UK wildlife love

Shop www.shewhodareswins.com

Join Dare club Community

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In this episode, Michelle unpacks:

💥 Why your brain loves dragging you out of the moment

From planning next year’s guests to imagining your finances in 12 months, the mental time travel never ends. And honestly? It’s exhausting. Especially when it stops you from appreciating the good stuff that’s already happening.

💭 The trap of goal-setting that nobody warns you about

Yes, goals matter. But obsessing over them? That’s the fast lane to anxiety. Michelle reflects on how she hit goals she never planned for — and missed goals she thought mattered — and what that actually teaches you about focus and flexibility.

🌱 The power of micro-presence

She's been experimenting with catching herself mid-spiral and asking simple grounding questions:

• Am I okay right now?
• Do I have what I need today?
• Are the kids fine?
• Has anything genuinely gone wrong?

Turns out, checking in with the present lowers anxiety much faster than a five-year plan ever has.

🧠 ADHD, internal rebellion & why “You have to do this” never works

If your inner child wants to flip a table every time you impose a strict goal on yourself… yeah, you’re not alone. Michelle breaks down why some brains reject pressure — and how reframing your “must do’s” into playful experiments might actually get you results.

🎨 The story of the artist told to go get 50 rejections

One of the best mindset flips of the episode: failure as a game. Once the pressure disappeared, the success exploded.

This Week’s Dare

Catch yourself every single time you start spiralling about the future or beating yourself up for not being “further along.”

Pause.

Ask: “Is today actually okay?”

If the answer is yes — drop the panic. You’re still on the path, even if it’s wiggly.

Dare Club Is OPEN

Michelle has officially launched Dare Club — the free online community for women who want:

• more connection
• more courage
• more accountability
• more ‘holy crap, I’m actually doing the thing’ moments

You can join for free, with optional paid tiers coming packed with value. Connect over podcast guests, your own dares, and real-life meetups as the community grows.

Join via Michelle’s Instagram bio or at shewhodareswins.com → Dare Club.

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Becca didn’t grow up dreaming about lifting atlas stones or dragging cars for fun. She only started Strongman in 2019… and then decided to go and dominate it. Casual.

We dig into how she built her strength, both the muscle and the mindset. She talks about juggling university, work, and training without losing her sanity, and why stepping into a Strongman gym as a woman can feel like walking into a secret society — but shouldn’t.

Becca also shares how a tiny pivot from bodybuilding to Strongman changed everything, why the crew at Steel City Gym in Middlesbrough helped her level up fast, and how community can do what discipline alone can’t.

There’s also plenty on injury setbacks, rebuilding confidence, stepping into commentating, and why she’s training to become a physio specifically for strength athletes — because she wants to give back to the sport that gave her direction.

It’s an episode full of grit, straight talk, and reassurance for every woman who’s ever looked at a barbell and thought, “Not sure that’s for me.” Spoiler: it is.

Key Takeaways

• Relentless focus pays off. Becca’s success comes from showing up, even on the grim days when motivation left the chat.
• Your environment matters. A supportive gym isn’t a luxury — it’s rocket fuel. Steel City proved that.
• Strength isn’t a boys’ club. Women face real barriers entering strength sports, but Becca’s on a mission to tear those down.
• Make your passion your career. From competing to commentating to becoming a physio, Becca’s building a future rooted in the sport she loves.
• Setbacks don’t define you. Injuries happen — the comeback is where the real mental strength shows up.

Notable Quotes

• “Once you know how to use everything and what you’re doing, that fear will go. You can get really confident really quickly in it.”
• “I just love being strong. It quickly became, I’m more interested in what my body can do than what it looks like.”
• “It’s not selfish. An hour at the gym three or four times a week isn’t selfish at all — you can definitely find that time.”
• “I’ve never been so pleased about something in my life. All that work was worth it when I won.”
• “If you're in the northeast, send me a message. I’m training all over the place and I’ll happily train with you.”

Resources

• Becca Worgan on Instagram
• Steel City Gym, Middlesbrough
• Natural World’s Strongest Woman Competition
• Chaos Promotions
• UK Natural Strength Federation (UKNS)

Support the Show

Shop hoodies and tees at

👉 www.shewhodareswins.com

Use code POD10 for 10% off.

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I’m talking about The Chaos Note — a bold little dare to leave a kind, funny, or outrageously uplifting note in public this week.

Inside this episode:

• The personal story behind how one mirror note hit me like a brick of unexpected kindness
• The science of how random acts of kindness boost happiness (for you and them)
• Why anonymous giving triggers the brain’s reward system harder than public praise
• The dopamine surprise effect, stress reduction, and the ripple effect of tiny kind gestures
• This week’s dare: Write a note. Leave it. Walk away like the legend you are.
• 
  

If you’re ready to shake up the world’s beige energy and remind someone they matter — this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now and leave your legacy in neon ink.

📝 Dare 11: Leave one anonymous note this week. Tag @SheWhoDaresWins if you’re in. Or don’t. Chaos likes mystery.

Clothing: www.shewhodareswins.com

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This week, Lucy Spraggan sits down with me for one of the most honest, eye-opening conversations we’ve had on the show. If you think you know her from The X Factor or SAS: Who Dares Wins… you don’t. Not until you hear this.

Lucy talks openly about the realities of fame, trauma, sobriety, neurodiversity, and what it actually takes to rebuild your life from the ground up. She doesn’t sugar-coat a thing and that’s exactly why this episode hits so hard.

We get into the brutal behind-the-scenes of SAS, the mindset shift that changed everything, and why radical authenticity has become her non-negotiable. From learning to stop caring what people think, to finding joy in the smallest, most unexpected places… this episode is packed with truth.

If you’re navigating change, dealing with your past, or trying to figure out who the hell you are now — this one will stay with you.

Key Takeaways

• Authenticity isn’t a buzzword — it’s a daily decision Lucy had to fight for.
• SAS broke her physically, but rebuilt her mentally in ways she didn’t expect.
• Sobriety gave her clarity, confidence, and a deeper sense of purpose.
• Human connection — not individual grit — is what gets you through adversity.
• Neurodiversity is her superpower, especially in creative and high-pressure spaces.
• Radical honesty can change your entire relationship with yourself.
• You are not your thoughts — and learning that can completely shift your life.
• Joy comes from simple, grounded moments, not external validation.

Timestamps

0:00 — Welcome + Lucy’s definition of daring and winning

0:11 — The cost (and power) of radical authenticity

0:37 — Writing her book and telling the truth, even when it hurt

1:20 — Learning to stop caring what people think

3:45 — SAS: Why she pursued it and how she prepared

5:00 — The physical aftermath and hidden realities of the show

7:36 — Near-injuries, fear, and pushing through trauma

9:40 — Why connection mattered more than strength on SAS

11:19 — Behind the interrogation: sensory deprivation + mental testing

14:04 — The mindset warrior moment that changed everything

15:21 — What adversity taught her about herself

16:32 — Mental health, intrusive thoughts, and radical self-awareness

19:19 — Practicing “I am not my thoughts”

20:44 — Intention, presence, and redefining performance

23:20 — Music, community, and why connection is everything

26:00 — Boundaries with fans and protecting her mental health

29:06 — ADHD, learning patterns, and creativity

31:21 — Would Lucy be where she is without X Factor?

32:36 — Delusional capability: her secret weapon

35:59 — Breaking free from expectations and rebuilding your life

38:40 — Health challenges, long Covid, and mindset shifts

39:51 — Metal detecting, joy, and finding a life that feels good

42:15 — Martial arts, self-defence, and building physical confidence

45:08 — Discipline vs motivation — the real difference

46:00 — Misconceptions and learning not to care

49:06 — Joy, gratitude, and what truly matters

52:55 — Materialism, identity, and growth

55:16 — Carrying the people we’ve lost

56:45 — The dare: Lucy’s next challenge

58:12 — Why every woman should try jiu jitsu

1:00:00 — The vulva story, recovery, and ending with real talk

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We unpack:

• The social and neurological reasons we avoid saying no
• Why your fake yes is slowly burning you out
• The real cost of emotional suppression and cognitive dissonance
• Tools to recognise a truthful yes vs. an obligation yes
• Small ways to practice honest communication and build that backbone
• 
  

PLUS: Your weekly DARE to practice saying no (without the guilt hangover).

Need backup as you start flexing your no muscle? Join us in Dare Club – the place for bold, honest women who are done shrinking.

Follow, share, and tag @SheWhoDaresWins – and let us know what you said no to this week!

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This episode isn’t about glory dives or perfect outcomes. It’s about what happens when the thing you love keeps punching you in the gut — and why you still get back in the water anyway.

We get into her training, mindset shifts, the ugly parts of high-level sport, and the surprising decision to coach herself. If you need a reminder that the path rarely looks pretty, this is it.

Key Takeaways

• Progress without outcome is still progress. Ruth’s technique, strength and awareness are on another level — even if the number on the dive line hasn’t moved yet.
• Setbacks don’t mean you're wrong for the path — sometimes they’re just annoying. Ear infections, heat, UTIs, and slanted dive lines aren’t “signs from the universe.” They’re life.
• You can love the process even when you hate the results. That’s the real test of commitment.
• Self-awareness beats brute force. From redefining nutrition to noticing burnout, Ruth shows what “listening to your body” actually looks like.
• Retiring wasn’t the answer — remembering her ‘why’ was.
• Coaching herself is the next evolution. She’s backing her own experience, instincts, and discipline.
• Rest isn’t optional. Especially when you're diving 80+ metres on one breath.
• Long-term mindset > short-term wins. She's building for depth, longevity, and a life lived well — not a single medal moment.

Timestamps

0:00 – Ruth is back: two years later, a lot deeper (mentally if not yet physically)

2:00 – Competitions, ear infections and the brutal timing of setbacks

4:15 – What “current” does to a dive and why it matters

8:00 – Pressure, performance windows and keeping your head straight

12:00 – Reacting vs choosing your reaction

16:00 – When outcome and effort don’t match

20:00 – Nutrition, protein and what changed for Ruth in her 40s

33:00 – The Dominica chapter: volcanoes, heat exhaustion and angry afternoons

39:00 – “Do I retire?” — Ruth hits her breaking point

44:00 – Why she stays in the game: rebuilding her ‘why’

52:00 – World Championships, coaching herself and designing a healthier training balance

56:00 – What’s next: May competitions and a new chapter on her terms

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Welcome to this week’s Dare Club episode: Laugh at Your Own Drama.

We’re diving into the art of emotional fluidity — how to stop fighting your feelings, ride the wave, and even find humour in your own chaos. Because here’s the truth: you can’t be stressed and amused at the same time. Laughter literally breaks your brain’s stress loop.

In this episode, Michelle shares one of her own “mid-meltdown” moments, explains why your brain loves drama, and how to flip emotional overreactions into moments of power and perspective.

💥 This week’s dare: Catch yourself mid-drama — and laugh. Out loud.

Because you can’t be in crisis and in control at the same time.

🎧 Tune in if you’re ready to swap your spirals for smirks and take your emotions a little less seriously.

#DareClub #SheWhoDaresWinsPodcast

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From the icy calm of cold-water swimming to the realities of rejection, imposter syndrome, and late-life confidence, Sara’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to start over or to finally back yourself.

🗝️ Key Takeaways

• Life’s curveballs are invitations, not endings. Sara’s health scares forced her to slow down and realign her priorities.
• Community saves us. Cold-water swimming connected her to a supportive world of women who push past comfort zones together.
• Rejection isn’t failure. Years of “no” built the tenacity that led to her first published book.
• Dreams lose their sparkle when they become reality — and that’s okay. The growth is in the pursuit, not the finish line.
• Boundaries build better relationships. Saying “no” turned Sara’s life from lonely to aligned.
• Confidence isn’t a switch. Even the boldest women still battle self-doubt — the trick is doing it anyway.

Timestamps

0:00 — Welcome & Sara’s story: surviving heart surgery and finding perspective

0:03:40 — Grief, loss, and how writing helped her heal

0:11:50 — The Instagram trap: learning to disconnect and reconnect with real life

0:12:18 — The unexpected beginning: how cold-water swimming saved her

0:19:48 — From ugly duckling to swan: the boss who underestimated her

0:26:20 — [Mid-Roll Ad Slot] + Identity shift — becoming an author and imposter syndrome

0:33:45 — The truth about chasing dreams and learning to enjoy the process

0:43:30 — Skinny dipping, confidence, and helping women find freedom

0:52:55 — Bonus Episode begins: Quick-fire dares and reflections

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Show Notes:

Most people roll their eyes at gratitude like it’s a Pinterest quote in disguise.

But here’s the thing — the science says otherwise. Gratitude isn’t fluff. It’s a mental reset button that actually changes how your brain works.

In this 11-minute episode, Michelle breaks down what really happens when you start practising gratitude — minus the sugar-coated affirmations. From rewiring your brain for resilience to improving mood and lowering stress, this episode explores how gratitude helps you stop chasing “more” and start seeing what’s already good.

Michelle also shares her own experience with burnout, how gratitude helped her rebuild perspective, and why “having it all” isn’t about achieving more — it’s about realising you already do.

🔍 In this episode:

• The science behind gratitude (and why it’s more than a trend)
• How practising gratitude literally rewires your brain
• The “virtuous spiral” between gratitude and happiness
• Simple, no-BS ways to build gratitude into your routine
• Why gratitude isn’t toxic positivity — it’s resilience in disguise

🧠 Studies mentioned:

• Robert Emmons & Michael McCullough’s research on gratitude and happiness
• 2023 Meta-analysis of 64 studies showing gratitude lowers anxiety and depression
• UCLA findings on gratitude improving sleep and heart health
• Frontiers in Psychology (2019) study on gratitude and life satisfaction

💥 Your Dare:

For one week, write down one thing that went wrong —

and one thing about it you’re still grateful for.

That’s how you build gratitude that sticks, not just gratitude that sounds good.

sign up for dare club www.shewhodareswins.com

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In this laugh-out-loud and deeply relatable chat, JoJo opens up about her accidental start in radio (thanks to a guy in a dress and a nightclub), the confidence it took to survive male-dominated breakfast shows, and why she’s now embracing the unknown with open arms.

From her days at Kiss 105 and Galaxy FM to her recent move to rural Wales, JoJo’s story is a masterclass in joy, resilience, and reinvention.

You’ll hear:

• 🎧 How a night out led to a 28-year radio career
• 💪 What it was really like being a woman in radio through the 90s and 2000s
• 🧠 How menopause and confidence shifts made her re-evaluate everything
• 🔄 The courage it takes to start again after decades in one career
• 🌄 Why she swapped city lights for mountain life (and how she’s adjusting!)
• 🎭 Her dream to finally chase the acting career she put on hold

Whether you’re standing at a crossroads or just craving proof that it’s never too late to pivot, this episode will leave you laughing, nodding, and maybe planning your own wild next chapter.

Timestamps

0:00 – Meet JoJo Kelly: 28 years on air and counting

2:00 – How a nightclub encounter launched her radio career

7:00 – Crashing the boys’ club: early lessons in confidence and ego

12:00 – The power of joy and surviving 4:30am starts

16:00 – Dealing with trolls before social media was a thing

18:00 – Losing anonymity as a radio host

25:00 – Moving to Wales & embracing the unknown

36:00 – Menopause, confidence, and finding your voice again

46:00 – Ageism, reinvention & why JoJo’s not done yet

52:00 – What’s next: hosting, acting, and making friends with goats

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🎧 Episode Summary:

In this episode of She Who Dares Wins, Michelle reflects on a recent moment that stopped her in her tracks — checking the podcast analytics and realising that, against all odds, the show is steadily growing. She looks back at those first, shaky recordings and realises: she could have quit before it ever got good. And almost did.

This isn’t just a story about resilience — it’s about the messy, uncomfortable middle that most people run from. Backed by psychology and philosophy, this week’s episode explores why consistency is one of the hardest, most underrated skills — and why you’re probably closer than you think.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• Progress rarely feels like progress while you’re in it. Small wins compound over time — even if you can’t see it day-to-day.
• There’s a scientific reason the middle feels hard. Research shows motivation spikes when we start and finish something — and drops off halfway through (Heath & Heath, The Power of Moments).
• We need friction to grow. Author Brad Stulberg calls it “productive discomfort” — sticking with the hard thing is often what builds the muscle we need to succeed.
• Your brain craves novelty — and consistency can feel boring. But mastery only lives on the other side of that boredom (see James Clear, Atomic Habits).
• Don't trust the dip. Your emotions aren’t always a reliable metric of whether it’s working.

🎯 This Week’s Dare:

Stick with it — especially if it’s not working yet.

Pick one thing you’ve been tempted to give up on… and recommit to it for one more week.

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Key Takeaways

• You don’t wait for confidence — you build it by moving.
• Grief doesn’t get lighter; you get stronger at carrying it.
• Starting small (one Facebook page, one pitch) can change your life.
• Community and purpose beat isolation — even in the darkest season.
• Cold water, journaling “glimmers,” and simple routines can reset your nervous system.
• It’s not about being a victim or a hero — it’s about choosing the next brave step.

Timestamps

• 00:00 — “She who dares wins”: Claire’s dare & why she started
• 02:23 — The night everything changed & the aftermath
• 03:55 — Debt, pregnancy, and naming Sunshine Digital on a bill
• 05:31 — First client: landing FirstGroup by “winging it”
• 07:51 — Purpose through work while grieving + parenting her eldest
• 20:05 — What to say (and not say) about loss; why memories matter
• 31:18 — Multiple organ failure at 39 → the fight back
• 35:13 — Cold-water swimming, joy returns, and guiding others

About Claire

Founder of Sunshine Digital and the Shine Online Club, Clare Clifford helps small businesses level up content and strategy while championing community in Leeds and beyond. She’s also a volunteer swim guide with Mental Health Swims.

Resources Mentioned

• Mental Health Swims (community cold-water sessions)
• Shine Online Club (Claire’s membership for small biz owners)

Connect

• Follow the podcast: @SheWhoDaresWins
• Share this episode with someone who needs proof they can start again.
• Rate & review if this conversation helped you — it really does make a difference. 💛

Trigger/Content Note: child loss (SIDS), grief, hospital/medical discussion.

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Because the truth is — every bold move, every new chapter, every unexpected success… starts with one small “what if?”

In this episode, Michelle talks about how following curiosity (instead of waiting for clarity) has shaped her own career — from leaving construction to building She Who Dares Wins, to now stepping into filmmaking with zero guarantees and a whole lot of faith.

You’ll also hear stories from two incredible women who dared to follow the pull of curiosity and built something extraordinary:

• Kelsey Erickson, who went from having no plan at all to leading athlete welfare at USA Cycling — simply by saying yes to what sparked her interest.
• Lucy Thompson, a tattoo artist whose curiosity about scar tattoos led her to build a national charity offering free 3D nipple tattoos for breast cancer survivors.

Together, these stories prove that curiosity isn’t about knowing — it’s about trusting.

And it’s often the start of everything worth doing.

This Week’s Key Takeaways

1. Curiosity beats clarity.
2. Waiting until you “have it all figured out” kills momentum. Follow what feels alive — not what’s logical.
3. The Stoic lesson:
4. You can’t control the outcome, only how you show up for what’s in front of you. (Marcus Aurelius had it right.)
5. Your brain is built for it.
6. Research shows curiosity activates your dopamine system — the same one linked to motivation and learning. You’re wired to explore.
7. Curiosity creates resilience.
8. It’s the mental version of strength training. Every time you step toward something new, you’re rewiring your brain to handle more uncertainty.
9. Small sparks lead to big shifts.
10. Lucy’s entire career pivot started with one question: “Why is this happening?”
11. Kelsey’s began with one “yes.”

🌵 This Week’s Dare

Do one thing purely because you’re curious.

Not because it’s productive, smart, or part of a plan.

Because it excites you.

• DM someone doing work that interests you.
• Watch a documentary on something random.
• Take a class or try a skill you’ve secretly wanted to.

It’s not about control — it’s about trust.

Join the Dare Club to get weekly dares and mindset boosts straight to your inbox → https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

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At 29, Rachel decided to become a stonemason — but that wasn’t where her story began.

Before carving stone for Lincoln Cathedral, she was literally hit by a truck. The accident left her learning to walk again, questioning everything, and ultimately rebuilding her life from the ground up (quite literally).

In this episode, Rachel joins Michelle for round two — a raw and funny catch-up on recovery, resilience, and rediscovering purpose. They talk about learning patience through craft, why boredom might actually be a skill, and what it’s like to leave your mark (literally) on a piece of history.

They also dig into:

• Why you should never underestimate time spent “funemployed.”
• How trauma can reset your direction — without defining you.
• What stonemasonry teaches you about discipline, creativity, and slowing the hell down.
• Rachel’s love for vintage fashion, her 1940s Jeep “Dottie,” and why history still has her heart.
• The myth of failure when you start again later in life.

It’s honest, unexpected, and proof that sometimes the slow path is the one that lasts the longest.

00:00 – Intro & “How have you dared and won?”

01:18 – The accident: hit by a truck, rehab, learning to walk again

06:17 – Apprenticeship decision & career at Lincoln Cathedral

07:58 – Why boredom is a core skill in stonemasonry (training process)

14:49 – Mason’s marks explained + Rachel’s “witch’s hat” mark

23:53 – Rachel’s 1944 Willys Jeep “Dottie”

29:53 – Returning to university & Master’s in Historic Buildings

40:05 – Media features: Woman’s Hour, Look North & surprise BBC Breakfast segment

🎧 Listen now to hear how Rachel turned being broken into building something timeless.

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This week, Michelle dares you to do something most people avoid — embrace the unknown.

After 17 years in construction, Michelle opens up about what it’s really like to walk away from stability and step into filmmaking with no guarantees. She shares how reading about Stoicism helped her stop waiting for certainty and start trusting action instead.

Backed by neuroscience, this episode breaks down why our brains panic when things feel uncertain — and how leaning into discomfort can literally rewire you for resilience.

You’ll also hear from two past She Who Dares Wins guests who’ve lived this dare in their own lives:

💥 Jenni, the former police detective who left her pensioned career to work in close protection — learning to rely on instincts instead of procedure.

🌊 Zoe, the teacher-turned-cold-water-swim-retreat founder, who discovered that the same practice that chilled her body also strengthened her mind.

And this week’s dare is a practical one — no “trust the universe” fluff. It’s about building your confidence through rejection and action.

In This Episode:

• The truth about leaving stability for something unknown
• Why your brain treats uncertainty like danger (and why that’s a good thing)
• The science behind cognitive flexibility and resilience
• What Jenni and Zoe teach us about courage and starting fresh
• How to move forward even when there’s no clear plan

This Week’s Dare:

Do something that carries a real chance of rejection.

Send the pitch. Ask for the opportunity. Share the idea you’ve been sitting on.

The goal isn’t to get a yes — it’s to prove you won’t crumble if you get a no.

Because rejection isn’t failure — it’s evidence you’re in the right arena.

Key Takeaways:

• Uncertainty feels terrifying because your brain is wired to avoid unpredictability.
• But the same uncertainty also fuels curiosity, learning, and growth.
• Confidence isn’t about knowing everything — it’s about trusting yourself to handle what comes next.
• Rejection is a muscle — the more you work it, the stronger you get.

Join the Dare Club

If you’re ready to start acting on these dares — not just thinking about them — join the Dare Club.

You’ll get the weekly dare straight to your inbox every Thursday, plus behind-the-scenes updates from the She Who Dares Wins journey.

👉 Sign up via the link in Michelle’s Instagram bio or at shewhodareswins.com → Dare Club.

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From breaking her back to breaking barriers for women in racing, Jo’s story is one of resilience, grit, and pure love for the sport.

Key Takeaways

• It’s never too late to start again. Jo turned professional at 30 — proof that there’s no expiry date on your dream.
• Confidence isn’t something you wait for — it’s something you build through doing.
• Hard work beats luck. Behind every race is relentless training, travel, and self-discipline.
• Women belong at the top. Racing may have been male-dominated, but Jo’s generation is changing that.
• You can rebuild after burnout or injury. Jo’s comeback after breaking her back shows that recovery starts with mindset.
• Your journey doesn’t have to follow the rulebook. Education, pivots, and detours can all lead to purpose.

Timestamps

0:00 – 3:00

Introduction and Jo’s journey from sports nutrition to racing.

3:00 – 7:00

Growing up in a racing family and the path from amateur to professional.

7:00 – 13:00

The fall that broke her back and the long road to recovery.

13:00 – 17:00

Turning professional during Covid and proving herself on the track.

17:00 – 25:00

Racing against legends and breaking barriers for women in sport.

25:00 – 37:00

Life behind the scenes: training, travel, pressure, and pay.

37:00 – 54:00

The physical and mental toll — weight, nutrition, and injury resilience.

54:00 – 1:03:00

Lessons learned, sacrifices made, and Jo’s message to women chasing their dreams.

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After diving into Stoicism and reflecting on the “tick-box” culture we’re all trapped in, she shares how she’s learning to tune out the noise of social media, stop chasing external validation, and focus on what actually brings her joy

Through powerful guest stories — from Zoe, the para-surfer who rebuilt her identity after losing her leg in a car accident, to Emma, the ethical beekeeper who turned a career of false starts into a business built on passion and purpose — this episode explores what happens when we stop performing for the world and start listening to ourselves again.

Backed by neuroscience and psychology, Michelle breaks down how true self-knowledge reshapes your brain, boosts confidence, and helps you make decisions that feel right, not just look right.

In This Episode:

• Why Stoic philosophy can help you cut through the noise and focus on what really matters
• How to stop chasing approval and start defining success on your own terms
• The neuroscience of self-awareness — and how reflection literally rewires your brain
• What Zoe’s surfing story teaches us about starting fresh without comparison
• How Emma’s path from Mars sales to beekeeping proves you’re never really “starting over” — you’re collecting clues
• 3 practical ways to get to know yourself again
• This week’s DARE — one hour alone, no distractions, three powerful questions

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• You can’t build confidence on borrowed values.
• True joy comes from alignment, not achievement.
• Self-awareness isn’t fluffy — it’s neurological training for better emotional regulation.
• Every version of you has something to teach the next one.

This Week’s Dare:

Spend one hour alone — no phone, no music, no podcast.

Ask yourself:

1. What actually gives me joy?
2. What am I pretending not to know?
3. Where am I living by someone else’s rules?

Write it down. Sit with it. Your next chapter starts there.

🐝 Guest Highlights:

Zoe: From athlete to para-surfing world champion — rediscovering identity through courage and flow.

Emma: From Mars Chocolate sales to ethical beekeeping — finding purpose in curiosity and slow progress

📚 Referenced in the Episode:

• Meditations — Marcus Aurelius
• Honeybee Democracy — Tom Seeley
• The Gifts of Imperfection — Brené Brown
• Research on the Default Mode Network, interoception, and self-concept clarity
• 
  

Join the Dare Club:

If this episode hit home, come join our Dare Club a community for women who are brave enough to know themselves and dare anyway.

👉 Drop “Dare Club” in the comments or DM @shewhodareswins on Instagram to get your invite or click the link below

Join the Dare Club: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

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After 20 years as a physicist, Kellye left her career in science to follow a completely different path — one guided by creativity, craftsmanship, and courage.

From building cancer research sensors at Cambridge to hand-stitching rhinestone suits for country icons in Nashville, Kellye’s story is a masterclass in daring to start again when the life you built no longer fits.

In this episode, we talk about identity, creativity, and the uncomfortable—but liberating—truth about change.

⏱️ Timestamps

0:00 – 04:00 | From Texas Farm to Physics Prodigy

Kellye shares her childhood on a working farm in Texas, where fixing things and understanding how machines worked first sparked her curiosity — the early signs of both a scientist and a maker.

04:00 – 10:00 | Cambridge and the World of Academia

How Kellye was recruited into university at just 16, worked her way to Cambridge, and built a 20-year career in physics researching cancer sensors — all while quietly craving something more creative.

10:00 – 16:00 | When Success Doesn’t Feel Like Success

The moment she realised academia’s version of “making it” wasn’t hers — and what happens when your dream job stops feeling like a dream.

16:00 – 23:00 | The Pivot: From Labs to Leather & Lace

Why Kellye and her husband quit their jobs to start a furniture business, and how that side-step opened the door to her lifelong love of sewing, tailoring, and Western wear.

23:00 – 33:00 | Saving a Dying Craft

Kellye dives into her obsession with vintage embroidery machines — how she tracked, restored, and mastered 100-year-old equipment to keep a lost art alive.

33:00 – 41:00 | From Savile Row to Nashville

How a leap of faith (and a lot of self-belief) led Kellye from a tailoring course in Macclesfield to Nashville, where her first project was sewing a suit for Johnny Cash’s son.

41:00 – 50:00 | The Art of Storytelling Through Stitching

How she now creates bespoke, hand-embroidered suits that carry her clients’ stories, and why every stitch is a piece of living history.

50:00 – 59:00 | Reinvention, Ego Death & The Artist’s Way

What it really feels like to walk away from an identity that once defined you — and how Kellye rebuilt her life and confidence through creative discipline, journaling, and community.

59:00 – End | Finding Your People & Following the Pull

The importance of surrounding yourself with people who “get it,” and the power of community when you choose the road less travelled.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Success means nothing if it’s misaligned. You can build the perfect life on paper and still feel empty — that’s your cue to pivot.
• Creativity and logic aren’t opposites. Whether in science or art, both start with curiosity and the courage to make something new.
• Leaving an identity behind is hard — but necessary. Growth often feels like loss before it feels like freedom.
• Old crafts deserve new hands. Reviving lost skills can connect us to something much bigger than ourselves.
• Find your people. Reinvention is lonely until you build a community that sees you for who you’re becoming, not who you were.

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Ever feel like you’ve got to prove yourself by doing everything solo? In this bonus episode, Michelle shares why that mindset is holding you back — and why true courage is built in connection.

Drawing on her own story of launching She Who Dares Wins, plus the inspiring journeys of:

• Rachel Peru, silver-haired model and midlife body confidence activist
• Siobhan Daniels, author of Retirement Rebel who found purpose after 60
• Liz & Rebecca, founders of Redefine Gym, building a powerful women-only fitness community

Michelle unpacks how community changes everything — not just emotionally, but biologically. With insights from neuroscience and psychology, you’ll learn how connection fuels courage, lowers stress, and even rewires your brain for resilience.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why your brain is wired for support, not solo survival
• How mirror neurons and oxytocin make courage contagious
• The health cost of loneliness — and the power of belonging
• Practical ways to lean into community this week

🔥 This Week’s Dare:

Stop doing it alone. Pick one challenge you’ve been carrying solo and ask for support — from a friend, a mentor, or a community like The Dare Club.

👉 Ready to step up? Share your dare and join the conversation inside The Dare Club.

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What happens when you throw a total beginner (Michelle) into the world of fly fishing with someone who knows what they’re doing (Aime)? A lot of laughs, a few surprises about what’s actually living under the water, and a whole lot of lessons about patience, presence, and letting go.

This episode isn’t just about learning how to cast a line — it’s about stepping outside your comfort zone and seeing life through a completely different lens.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Breaking myths about fly fishing – it’s not all reels and rods; it’s motion, patience, and a bit of science.
• Michelle’s crash course in casting – from flicking the rod to understanding the mysterious “nymph” at the end of the line.
• The secret world under the river – larvae, minnows, crayfish and why trout are the “nasty bastards” of the fish world.
• The mental side of fishing – how it forces you to breathe, focus and get out of your head.
• Adrenaline and beginners’ luck – why learning a new skill can feel like a high-stakes dance between you and nature.
• Life lessons from the river – survival, patience, and why sometimes you have to let the fish run if you want to catch it.
• Funny (and very real) riverside stories – from dead dogs to accidental people-watching moments you can’t unsee.

Why You Should Listen

If you’ve ever wondered what fly fishing is actually like or you’re curious about how trying something new can shift your mindset, this episode is part tutorial, part comedy, and part meditation. Aime shares her knowledge, Michelle shares her shock, and together they uncover why standing in a river with a rod can teach you more about yourself than you’d expect.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Michelle’s first impressions: “Isn’t fly fishing just reeling in?”
• 0:15 – Aime explains the basics of casting and why it’s simpler than you think.
• 2:00 – The truth about flies, nymphs and the secret bug cities under the river.
• 4:00 – Predatory trout, invasive crayfish, and the harsh reality of river life.
• 5:30 – Learning to breathe: why fly fishing can feel like a meditation.
• 6:50 – The mental reset: how fishing gets you out of your head.
• 8:20 – Random memories and riverside thoughts.
• 10:00 – Why beginners’ luck feels like adrenaline.
• 11:00 – People-watching and unexpected river encounters.
• 12:30 – Michelle reflects on city life vs. river life.

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In this episode, Michelle shares her own battle with resistance when starting the She Who Dares Wins podcast, plus powerful stories from past guests:

• Rebecca, who left medicine to build a flower farm 🌸
• Charlie, who swapped law school for music management 🎶

We’ll dig into the science of why your brain resists change, how procrastination is just dopamine tricking you, and why resistance gets loudest right before your breakthrough.

This week’s dare: Identify your resistance and give it 10 messy minutes a day. Write one page, record one voice note, plant one seed. Imperfect action beats perfect avoidance every time.

🔗 Join the Dare Club:

📲 Connect on Instagram: @shewhodareswins

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What it’s about: behind the scenes of our mini-documentary about Ash, a female fisherman. Two women, one working boat, the hottest day of the year, and a very real lesson in saying yes before you’re “ready.”

You’ll hear about:

• The films Michelle & Zoe have already made together (rowers, stonemasons, adventurers) and why this one felt different.
• How the Ash film finally happened after five years of red tape.
• Filming on a live working boat: zero seating, tight wheelhouse, fuel fumes, safety zones, and why some shots were “off the cuff.”
• Sea-sickness roulette: ginger shots, mindset, the wheelhouse of doom, who threw up (and who didn’t), and how to keep shooting when your horizon won’t sit still.
• The drone saga: trees, no-fly zones, ND filter chaos, and missing “the one job” harbour shot.
• What actually gets kept vs thrown back (and why fishermen get an unfair rap).
• Doing the dares: banding lobsters and mackerel fishing while trying not to die.
• The long steam home, the graveyard camper stopover, and the infamous Co-op pants.
• What’s next: festivals, sponsors, and building She Who Dares Wins Productions — films about women, by women.

Key takeaways:

• You don’t need perfect conditions to make a great film — you need respect, adaptability, and momentum.
• Boundaries keep you alive on a working boat; they also keep your story sharp.
• “Confidence” isn’t the absence of nausea — it’s doing the job while you feel it.
• Fishermen are far more regulated than most people think; sustainability was front and centre.
• Minimum crew, maximum story: say yes, keep it simple, solve one problem at a time.

Gear & constraints (for the film nerds):

• Small crew, limited kit, prioritising safety & workflow over perfection.
• No flying at sea (signal risk), attempted harbour drone shot foiled by ND filter & timing.
• Interviews split: land day + light top-ups at sea.

Timestamps (light, skimmable):

• 0:00 — Why Zoe’s back + our past films
• 1:25 — The Ash idea: 5 years of “maybe” to “let’s do it”
• 2:53 — Planning vs reality: tourists, heat, off-the-cuff shooting
• 4:08 — Ginger shots & mindset: the seasick strategy
• 6:23 — Wheelhouse hell + safety on a working deck
• 9:35 — Missing shots, saving the story
• 12:01 — What gets thrown back: sustainability in action
• 14:20 — The mackerel dare & keeping morale up
• 18:30 — Harbour return, drone fail, tourist chaos
• 21:10 — Camper van, graveyard, and the Co-op pants
• 23:30 — What’s next: festivals, sponsors, more women-led films

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Episode Summary:

In this week’s Thursday Dare Challenge, Michelle opens up about one of the most personal themes yet: starting over when the world tells you it’s too late. From her own experience of burnout and reinvention to the inspiring stories of past guests like Amanda, Rachel, and Jo, this episode proves that new chapters don’t come with an age limit.

Michelle dives into the science of neuroplasticity, the power of transferable skills, and why fear and judgment often hold us back. She also shares practical dares to help you take the first steps towards your own fresh start—without burning your old life down overnight.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why it’s never too late to reinvent yourself—whether at 30, 40, 50, or 60.
• Michelle’s personal story of leaving a 17-year career in construction after hitting burnout.
• Amanda’s bold pivot after building a multi-million-pound business.
• Rachel’s transformation from insecure mum to international swimwear model at 46.
• Jo’s reinvention in her 50s and 60s, including paddleboarding across the UK.
• The science behind why our brains can adapt and grow at any age.
• Practical dares to push you past fear and into action.

This Week’s Dare:

Write down:

1. If money and judgment weren’t an issue, what would you start tomorrow?
2. What skills do you enjoy in your current role that could carry you forward?
3. 👉 Then, reach out to one person working in a field you’re curious about and ask about their journey.

Inspiring Late Bloomers Mentioned:

• James Dyson – launched his vacuum at 46.
• Vera Wang – entered fashion at 40.
• Colonel Sanders – franchised KFC at 62.
• 
  

Join the Dare Club:

Want to go deeper? Sign up for the Dare Club waiting list at shewhodareswins.com/dareclub. You’ll get weekly dares straight to your inbox plus early access to the full Dare Club experience when it launches.

Support the Podcast:

• Grab badass clothing with code POD10 at shewhodareswins.com
• Join the Patreon community for exclusive guest bonus episodes
• Watch the Dare Challenges on YouTube

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If you’ve ever thought it was “too late” to start or felt like you didn’t fit the mould, Christina’s story proves otherwise.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The brutal but beautiful reality of training Muay Thai in Thailand
• Why stepping into the ring is life-changing — even if you lose
• The fight for women’s weight classes & fair recognition in Muay Thai
• How martial arts builds confidence, resilience, and mental health
• Why “If you can put gloves on, you can do anything” applies far beyond the ring

Chapters

00:00 Christina’s comeback: deciding to fight again at 29

02:15 From karate kid to Muay Thai fighter

07:00 Thailand training camp: runs, heat, and culture shock

12:10 Surprise fight in Hua Hin & lessons from losing

19:30 Motorbike crashes, Thai culture, and staying safe abroad

23:20 From bullying to confidence: why martial arts matters for girls

29:50 Muay Thai as moving meditation & mental health benefits

36:00 Fighting for change: women’s weight classes and rankings

44:50 The story behind “Muay Panda” & what’s next

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In this engaging bonus episode of She Who Dares Wins, Michelle dares you to break a rule this week. Not for the sake of rebellion, but to challenge the invisible boundaries shaping your life. From her own unconventional start in construction to examples like Liquid Death’s rule-breaking approach to branding, Michelle shows how questioning norms can unlock innovation, identity, and freedom.

She unpacks the psychology behind rule-following — from normative influence to the black sheep effect — and explores how mindful defiance can spark both personal growth and cultural change. This is your call to spot one invisible rule that feels heavy, break it, and discover what happens when you choose self-definition over conformity.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why we’re wired to follow rules (even the unwritten, nonsensical ones).
• How intentional rule-breaking leads to creativity and stronger self-identity.
• The role of defiance regulation in shaping growth and resilience.
• The critical mass effect: how small acts of defiance snowball into cultural change.
• Practical ways to identify and challenge hidden rules in your own life.

Notable Quotes

• "This week's dare is for you to break a rule. Not all rules are worth following."
• "We kind of put these norms in our head and these rules, but they're not actually written anywhere."
• "Thoughtful, intentional rule breaking is not reckless, it's self-definition."
• "When just a handful of people start breaking an unhelpful norm consistently, something magical happens."
• "Pick one rule and break it. Spot an invisible rule and write down that feels particularly heavy."

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In this episode of She Who Dares Wins, I sit down with Molly, a former gymnastics coach who pivoted her career in a single conversation — and went on to become a firefighter. Six years in, she’s part of a technical rescue team dealing with rope rescues, large animal incidents, overturned vehicles, and more of the calls you’d never believe until you hear them.

We dive into:

• What the firefighter application process really looks like (and why most people wash out)
• The physical and mental resilience it takes to stay in the job
• The truth about minority recruitment vs. finding the right women for the job
• Seatbelts, drink/drug driving, and the everyday choices that literally save lives
• Why confidence isn’t loud — it’s about taking the next hard step and pushing through doubt

This one is raw, funny, and packed with insights about resilience, grit, and finding your place in a job most people could never imagine doing.

Key Takeaways

• You don’t have to plan a lifelong career to find the right path — sometimes one conversation can change everything.
• Resilience is both mental and physical — and it’s built through consistent challenge.
• The fire service isn’t just about fires: technical rescues cover everything from animals to high-risk trauma.
• Confidence grows one step at a time — and self-doubt doesn’t disappear, you just learn to carry it.
• The smallest everyday decisions (seatbelts, not drinking/drug driving) are literally life or death.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – 2:30 Molly’s leap from gymnastics coach to the fire service
• 3:00 – 5:30 The brutal application process and training
• 10:00 – 13:00 Women in firefighting: recruitment vs. reality
• 13:30 – 16:30 Technical rescue explained — rope work, animals, vehicles
• 17:00 – 20:00 Mental resilience and dealing with trauma
• 22:30 – 25:30 The weirdest (and funniest) rescue calls
• 29:30 – 33:30 Everyday dangers: seatbelts, drink driving, nitrous oxide
• 36:40 – 41:40 The three attributes you need to be a firefighter
• 52:00 – end Confidence, self-doubt, and compound wins.

👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership (Bonus episodes for less than a coffee a month!)

👉 Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com (Full insights & key takeaways from every episode!)

👉 She Who Dares Wins Newsletter: www.shewhodareswins.com

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Key Takeaways:

• Confidence isn’t about owning the room or being perfect—it’s about being comfortable looking like an idiot.
• The spotlight effect makes us think everyone is watching us, but in reality, people are too busy thinking about themselves.
• Exposure therapy: the more you step into scary or uncomfortable situations, the easier it gets.
• Self-compassion is key: everyone makes mistakes, and it doesn’t make you less worthy.
• Four dares to try:

1. Do something badly on purpose.
2. Share a failure story.
3. Switch up negative self-talk.
4. Call out your mistakes as learning moments.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Dare of the week: act like an idiot.
• 0:46 – Why confidence is not what you think.
• 1:11 – Michelle’s story: joining a CrossFit gym as a total beginner.
• 2:33 – The choice: withdraw or lean into discomfort.
• 3:25 – Redefining confidence as being okay with looking clumsy.
• 3:59 – The science: the spotlight effect.
• 4:23 – Exposure therapy: retraining your brain.
• 4:46 – Self-compassion and calling out mistakes.
• 5:40 – The four dares to build confidence.
• 6:28 – Key takeaway: confidence = comfort in imperfection.
• 7:07 – Newsletter & Patreon shout-out.
• 
  

👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership (Bonus episodes for less than a coffee a month!)

👉 Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com (Full insights & key takeaways from every episode!)

👉 She Who Dares Wins Newsletter: www.shewhodareswins.com

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Key takeaways

• You don’t need to burn it all down to pivot—build the bridge while you’re still on it.
• Self-awareness is a double-edged sword; pair it with action and data, not doom-scroll metrics.
• Ask for help. Community is a strategy, not a weakness.
• Defiance gets you to the start line; consistency gets you to the finish.
• “Enough” is a number and a feeling—separate business goals from ego.
• Use “What’s the evidence?” to challenge your inner critic (and your hype).
• Purpose = entertain + storytelling + empower — let it steer decisions.
• Stoicism (and tiny proofs) beat perfectionism.
• Women: price your value like “the average white guy” energy you joked about—confident and clear.
• IRL > online: in-person conversations and live shows build loyalty faster than another Zoom.

Timestamps

• 00:00 Tables turn—Bex takes the host chair; why new listeners need Michelle’s backstory
• 03:30 Regret & return: film/directing dreams, auditions, and circling back to storytelling
• 06:30 The hard truth about building a show: ups/downs, data over dopamine
• 13:10 Counting the invisible work: two episodes, a shoot, kids, and keeping perspective
• 17:40 The email exercise that changed everything (friends define you at your best)
• 19:30 From geography grad to construction—“fake it till you make it” and finding your edge
• 23:10 Burnout → pivot to podcasting; choosing the hardest thing on purpose
• 28:30 Learning from guests (Tim Ferriss vibe) and stitching lessons into tools for listeners (great mid-roll slot)
• 31:45 Seasick on a fishing boat: why terrible days make great stories
• 36:00 Marathon mindset: hubris vs. habits; micro-wins beat impulse
• 39:15 ADHD, dopamine, and doing the boring bits your future self needs
• 50:00 Stoicism, Ryan Holiday, and the “Daily proof > daily mood” approach
• 52:00 What “winning” means now; the three-word filter: entertain, storytelling, empower
• 55:10 Clothing with meaning vs. “just merch”; why the brand has to feel like a tribe
• 56:30 What’s next: live shows with community Q&A; collab with Laura (BRB)
• 
  

👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership (Bonus episodes for less than a coffee a month!)

👉 Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com (Full insights & key takeaways from every episode!)

👉 She Who Dares Wins Newsletter: www.shewhodareswins.com

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Jem talks openly about neurodivergence, family estrangement, and breaking cycles as a parent, while also reminding us why art doesn’t always have to be monetised — sometimes it’s simply about joy and expression.

Key Takeaways

• Poetry as survival – Jem explains how writing became a way to process trauma and emotions.
• The importance of play – Creativity and play are vital tools for both kids and adults.
• Neurodivergence and identity – Naming difference helped Jem turn shame into self-understanding.
• Breaking cycles – Parenting with self-awareness means doing things differently.
• Owning creativity – Art doesn’t have to earn money to matter.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Introduction: Michelle and Jem’s beer-making memory, and Jem’s journey into poetry.
• 1:49 – Homelessness at 16 and discovering poetry as an accessible art form.
• 3:53 – Rediscovering writing during Covid and finding community in a neurodivergent group.
• 5:30 – Winning a national poetry competition and finding external validation.
• 7:22 – Why play and creativity are essential, not optional.
• 18:43 – Navigating neurodivergence, early misdiagnosis, and the power of labels.
• 21:57 – Jem reads In Which I Compare My Father to the Dog That He Is.
• 32:26 – Jem performs Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and reflects on turning trauma into art.
• 
  

👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership (Bonus episodes for less than a coffee a month!)

👉 Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com (Full insights & key takeaways from every episode!)

👉 She Who Dares Wins Newsletter: www.shewhodareswins.com

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Episode Summary:

In this engaging bonus episode, host Michelle interviews the vibrant and talented Lucy Thompson, diving into fascinating topics around body positivity, the art of being bold, and the power of self-expression. As millions pass by every day billboards that challenge social norms, Lucy imagines her message would center around the acceptance of our bodies, defying existing taboos and sparking conversations. Her journey of turning heads and encouraging self-expression is both inspiring and empowering, showcasing her dedication to her craft.

During their conversation, Lucy shares insights that are vital in making women feel empowered to be themselves. Discussing her journey, she brings light to how following one’s dreams and listening to inner intuition is crucial for personal growth and satisfaction. A believer in taking risks, Lucy aspires to do something adventurous and daring like skydiving, symbolizing her approach to life—fearless and full of possibilities. The dialogue also touches on the societal limitations faced by content creators due to censorship, and how her work plays a pivotal role in empowering women who might feel uncomfortable about conventional narratives surrounding their bodies. Through her efforts, Lucy aims to break these cultural barriers and spread awareness about alternative post-surgery options, helping countless individuals live proudly in their own skin.

Key Takeaways:

• Lucy Thompson believes in the power of art to challenge societal norms, particularly around the taboo of nipples, by creating thought-provoking pieces.
• Personal growth stems from embracing one’s true self and following one’s instincts, a message Lucy relays to her younger self.
• Empowerment is at the core of her work, encouraging women to be bold, authentic, and to listen to their gut feelings in all situations.
• Lucy is dedicated to raising awareness about post-mastectomy options, tackling societal restrictions on discussing body image openly.
• 
  

👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership (Bonus episodes for less than a coffee a month!)

👉 Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com (Full insights & key takeaways from every episode!)

👉 She Who Dares Wins Newsletter: www.shewhodareswins.com

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Kelsey Erickson, Senior Director of Athlete Health, Engagement, and Experience at USA Cycling.

From growing up as an anxious teenager who couldn’t spend a night away from home, to moving abroad, earning a PhD, and leading athlete welfare in a male-dominated sport — Kelsey’s story is one of curiosity, courage, and refusing to be boxed in.

In this conversation, we dive into:

• Why she never had a “five-year plan” and how that opened unexpected doors
• What sport taught her about resilience, hard work, and redefining success
• How she turned OCD and early struggles into empathy and strength
• Navigating male-dominated environments and why being “the only woman in the room” can be an asset
• The importance of honesty, curiosity, and showing up — even when you don’t have it all figured out

Kelsey’s story is proof that leaning into opportunities, embracing failure, and staying curious can lead to an extraordinary and impactful life.

Key Takeaways

• You don’t need a fixed plan to build a meaningful career — curiosity and saying “yes” can be enough.
• Success isn’t black and white. Redefine it based on your values, effort, and relationships.
• Vulnerability and empathy aren’t weaknesses — they’re strengths that create trust and leadership.
• Women in male-dominated industries don’t need to shrink; their perspective is their power.
• True confidence comes from being comfortable with failing, laughing at yourself, and showing up anyway.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Michelle introduces Kelsey and the meaning of She Who Dares Wins
• 0:29 – Kelsey on forging her own path without a plan
• 3:00 – From anxious teen to athlete: first steps out of her comfort zone
• 6:00 – Moving abroad, studying, and saying “yes” to new opportunities
• 9:00 – The underdog mindset and redefining success
• 13:00 – Current role at USA Cycling and tackling sensitive issues in sport
• 19:20 – Being the only woman in the room: challenges and opportunities
• 25:30 – Curiosity as the driving force in career and life decisions
• 27:00 – What she’d tell her 14-year-old self about trust and showing up
• 31:00 – A defining “failure” that shaped her career in research
• 36:00 – The unseen side of career struggles and hundreds of job rejections
• 39:00 – Why confidence comes from being okay with mistakes and imperfection
• 43:00 – Vulnerability, crying in a van, and why honesty matters at work
• 45:20 – Michelle gifts Kelsey the She Who Dares Wins hoodie

👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership (Bonus episodes for less than a coffee a month!)

👉 Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com (Full insights & key takeaways from every episode!)

👉 She Who Dares Wins Newsletter: www.shewhodareswins.com

🚨 10% OFF all SWDW clothing! Use code POD10 at www.shewhodareswins.com

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Whether you’re building a business, working a side hustle, or just trying to get through the week, this episode is your permission slip to stop “fixing” yourself and start owning what you’re great at.

Key Takeaways

• Weaknesses aren’t meant to be turned into strengths – at best, you’ll get mediocre results.
• Your brain is wired for negativity bias – it’s natural to focus on flaws, but it erodes confidence.
• Science backs it – using your strengths daily leads to higher engagement, lower stress, and more life satisfaction.
• Real-life example – Michelle’s dad built a successful company by leaning into his selling skills, not obsessing over admin gaps.
• The “Unfair Advantages” list – identifying and using your strengths daily can be a game changer.

This Week’s Dare 🏹

1. Write down your top 3 strengths – No false modesty.
2. Use at least one strength daily – Even 5 minutes counts.
3. Reframe a weakness through a strength – Find a new way to tackle the problem or team up with someone who complements you.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Welcome and intro to this week’s dare.
• 0:38 – The trap of focusing on weaknesses.
• 1:28 – A construction industry lesson: thriving despite admin struggles.
• 3:35 – The science: negativity bias and why we dwell on flaws.
• 4:40 – How focusing on weaknesses kills confidence.
• 5:13 – Michelle’s dad’s business success story.
• 5:50 – Gallup research: the case for playing to your strengths.
• 6:54 – Strength zone = less stress (and the life-changing stats).
• 7:27 – Being “well-rounded” is overrated.
• 8:30 – This week’s 3-step dare.
• 9:35 – Why filling gaps with other people’s strengths works.
• 9:59 – Chess metaphor: winning by dominating your strong squares.
• 10:13 – Michelle’s upcoming dare at sea and how to follow along.
• 10:52 – Patreon perks, merch discount, and closing challenge.

👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership (Bonus episodes for less than a coffee a month!)

👉 Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com (Full insights & key takeaways from every episode!)

👉 She Who Dares Wins Newsletter: www.shewhodareswins.com

🚨 10% OFF all SWDW clothing! Use code POD10 at www.shewhodareswins.com

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We dive into the traditions, challenges, and quiet revolutions of bespoke tailoring. Kathryn opens up about the gender barriers she faced, the emotional depth behind each suit, and how she now tailors for everyone from CEOs to creatives — with more women coming through her doors than ever before.

It’s a conversation about slow mastery, style as identity, and what it really means to break the rules with purpose.

Key Takeaways

• Tailoring isn't about fashion — it's about identity, confidence, and expression
• Kathryn was the only woman in a class of 60 on Savile Row — and still carved a space through grit and craft
• She spent 10 years training, often unpaid, learning by watching and staying late
• Clients today are 40% women — many of whom had never considered a bespoke suit an option
• She sees suits as emotional containers: worn at weddings, funerals, new jobs — milestones of life
• Being the "first woman" was never her goal — doing great work always was
• Her dream client? James Bond — and she has the sketches ready
• Kathryn co-founded Women in Tailoring to give women support she never had
• Her best advice: Dare to say no to what doesn’t align with you — and always keep going

Timestamps

• 00:00 — Intro: Kathryn’s childhood in Leeds and obsession with clothes
• 04:21 — Why menswear? Kathryn’s early style icons and influence from her dad
• 08:53 — The Savile Row break — winning an award and standing out with bright Harris Tweed
• 11:37 — Apprenticeship realities: being the only woman in a room of 60 men
• 16:41 — “They said we’re a masculine brand” — why she left and started her own house
• 22:10 — Becoming a master cutter and opening on Savile Row under her own name
• 28:45 — The shift: 40% of her clients are now women
• 35:33 — Bespoke as emotional work — Kathryn shares the intimacy behind tailoring
• 41:20 — What happens in a fitting room stays there: suit stories you’d never expect
• 47:12 — Why we still need suits — and how the uniform can still empower
• 52:00 — Dream client: James Bond — and her playful take on redesigning the classic suit
• 56:11 — Growing to Edinburgh and expanding the business with a different pace
• 1:03:10 — Kathryn’s dare for women: say no, trust yourself, and stay on your own path

👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership (Bonus episodes for less than a coffee a month!)

👉 Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com (Full insights & key takeaways from every episode!)

👉 She Who Dares Wins Newsletter: www.shewhodareswins.com

🚨 10% OFF all SWDW clothing! Use code POD10 at www.shewhodareswins.com

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You’ll leave this episode with a fiery dare to stop waiting for permission and start creating—even if it’s messy, imperfect, or “crap” to begin with.

Thought Reversal Tease

You think fear is a red flag. What if it’s actually your green light?

If you’ve been telling yourself, “It’s too late” or “I’m not good enough,” Michelle challenges those thoughts with a powerful truth: the more resistance you feel, the more likely it’s exactly what you’re meant to do.

In This Episode, Michelle Covers:

• Why your brain literally resists creativity—and how to override it
• How suppressing creative dreams leads to burnout (and how she found her way back)
• Why perfection is the enemy of momentum
• Real-life examples of late bloomers (hint: one started painting at 78)
• A bold list of actions to help you start—even if you're scared, rusty, or feel too late
• The key question: is “not enough time” just a fancy excuse?

Weekly Dare

Acknowledge the resistance. Call it out. Start anyway.

Michelle dares you to stop waiting for confidence, clarity, or the perfect moment—and just do the damn thing.

Links & Mentions

• 📖 The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
• 👕 Support the show with merch: www.shoedareswins.com
• 💌 Sign up for the new actionable newsletter (coming soon!)
• ☕ Bonus content & fun extras on Patreon: Patreon Page

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Jenny gets raw about the unplanned journey from chalet maid to Olympic history-maker — no coach, no roadmap, just grit, resilience, and a love for being out on the mountain. She opens up about dealing with major injuries, being the "older" athlete at 31 in a sport built for teens, and the brutal concussion that nearly cost her the Olympics just months before Sochi.

Recorded inside the sauna-like HQ of The Wave in Bristol, this episode is full of sweat, laughs, and no-BS truths about what it really takes to do things your own way and win.

Listener Takeaways

• Risking everything pays off – Jenny turned down a safe path to chase a life in the snow and made history.
• You can succeed without a plan – She carved her career season by season, figuring it out as she went.
• Being underestimated is powerful – Jenny was often the only Brit in comps and used that to her advantage.
• Mental resilience is key – Her comeback after post-concussion syndrome shows how brutal yet possible recovery can be.
• Age is just a number – She defied expectations by medaling at 31 in a sport dominated by teens.
• Sisterhood in sport matters – From chalet girl antics to world-class coaching, women backing women was central to her story.

Episode Timestamps

• 00:00:00 – Michelle’s intro: A hotbox, a snowboard legend, and some questionable surfing
• 00:03:55 – Jenny’s journey from chalet maid to pro snowboarder begins
• 00:07:10 – Competing for fun turned into a global career: Jenny’s first win
• 00:09:00 – How she ended up competing in Sochi at 31 after almost retiring
• 00:12:10 – “You’re six years older than everyone” – Olympic pressure and feeling out of place
• 00:13:30 – The dark side: head injury, slurred speech, and hiding the truth pre-Olympics
• 00:16:00 – Fighting through post-concussion syndrome and choosing to show up anyway
• 00:19:15 – The moment she won Olympic bronze and couldn’t quite believe it
• 00:22:00 – Why snowboarding culture (and its women) shaped her the most
• 00:23:50 – Shifting into surfing and teaching: finding new joy after elite sport
• 00:25:10 – Michelle gets dared to surf — and it's all going downhill from here

Perfect For You If:

• You’re figuring it out as you go — and need proof that’s okay
• You’ve been told you’re “too old” to start something new
• You love sports stories that don’t follow the rules
• You’ve been knocked down and need a push to get back up
• Or you just want a damn good conversation between two women who don’t do things by the book

👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership (Bonus episodes for less than a coffee a month!)

👉 Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com (Full insights & key takeaways from every episode!)

👉 She Who Dares Wins Newsletter: www.shewhodareswins.com

🚨 10% OFF all SWDW clothing! Use code POD10 at www.shewhodareswins.com

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