She Who Dares, Wins.

We’re halfway through Season 5, so this week it’s just me: no guest, no script, and fresh out of a therapy session. I’m talking about something that’s been quietly holding me back since I started building She Who Dares Wins full-time, and that’s uncertainty. I spent years on construction sites where things went wrong every day, and I thrived on it. But it turns out that handling uncertainty on a job site is very different from handling it when it’s tied to you, your achievements and the thing you’re building. In this episode I share how that showed up for me. I kept going back and forth on the clothing line because I’d told myself it would be the “stable income”. I kept reaching for a Plan B, and I fell into exhausting loops of going back to things I didn’t really want to do. I won’t pretend there are three easy steps to fix it, because there aren’t. What I can share is what’s helping: slowing down, checking why I’m making a decision, and learning to trust myself when things go wrong. And if you take one thing from this episode: the incredible women who sit on the sofa didn’t have it all figured out either. You’re not alone. In this episode What’s new at She Who Dares Wins: the film production side and the launch of Dare Club Our first Dare: a cold-water dip and sauna challenge (coming soon to YouTube) Why a career in engineering didn’t prepare me for uncertainty in my own business ADHD, high stakes, and the flip side nobody talks about: paralysis and second-guessing The clothing line, Plan Bs, and confusing “certainty” with what I actually want Why trying to fix uncertainty is impossible, and why knowing you’re sensitive to it helps Slowing down and asking: am I doing this out of fear, or for the right reasons? How many of us give up on a new career too soon because of that horrible feeling What every guest’s story has in common: you get through it, with a win or a lesson Key takeaways Uncertainty in business is unavoidable and will always feel uncomfortable. The aim is to get used to the feeling, not to make it go away. Notice when a decision is really an attempt to create certainty rather than something that fits what you want. Building trust with yourself, and accepting that things will go wrong, takes a lot of the pressure off. Sometimes understanding why something shows up is enough, without needing to fix it. Join Dare Club Dare Club is our new community that gets women out of their comfort zones, with a Dare series on YouTube and in-person events planned for 2027. Sign up at www.shewhodareswins.com to get the weekly newsletter every Wednesday, with a mini dare and a few things that brought me joy that week. Watch on YouTube Every episode is also on YouTube. Search She Who Dares Wins Podcast to see the conversations in full. Coming up A wonderful guest next week, more fabulous guests to finish Season 5, and then we start shooting Season 6! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of She Who Dares Wiggles, I'm joined by Stephanie, Olympic marathon runner, one-to-one run coach and mum. She never dreamed of the Olympics, but after a marathon ballot she expected to lose, a pandemic and a run of injuries, she ended up on the start line in Tokyo. We talk about the races, the setbacks, and why starting her own business may have been the bigger dare. Timestamps 0:00 From Hedge Fund Admin to Olympic Marathoner 1:35 The Biggest Dare: Starting a Coaching Business 3:24 Early Athletic Roots and School Sports 8:02 The Berlin Marathon Ballot That Changed Everything 12:34 Chasing the Olympic Qualifying Standard 15:09 Valencia: A High-Stakes Olympic Qualifier 24:21 The Olympic Trials at Kew Gardens 39:10 Running the Olympics with a Fractured Shin 💬 KEY TAKEAWAYS - You don't need a big dream to end up somewhere extraordinary. Small steps add up. - You won't tick off every training session, and that's okay. Flexibility beats perfection. - Get a diagnosis, make a plan, and use cross-training to stay fit through injury. - Stand in your value when you start something new. Prices can rise without losing clients. - Accountability helps: bring a friend along to the thing you've been putting off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on She Who Dares Wins, I'm joined by Squash: adventurer, speaker and high-performance coach. Squash grew up on a farm planning to be a vet, until a ski season, a view of Mont Blanc and a group of adventure-racing friends changed everything. We talk about how she bluffed her way into BBC and BMW backing to become the first British woman to paraglide off the summit of Mont Blanc, and what happened when she reached the top of Everest without doing what she'd set out to do. Then she gets honest about becoming a mum, the years that tested her most, and the simple tools that carried her through: breath, routine, the right people and one small next step. If you've ever felt you should be coping better, or you're waiting to see the whole path before you begin, this conversation is for you. KEY TAKEAWAYS - When you can't see the way, find one more step, and do it on repeat - A "failure" can still be the best story you tell - "And" is more useful than "but": you can be grateful and struggling at once - Other people often see your strengths before you do - Growth comes from discomfort, so say thank you to it - Small basics (breath, sleep, movement, a routine) hold up the big things IN THIS EPISODE 0:00 Welcome and the story behind the name "Squash" 1:14 Growing up on a farm and unconditional love 3:02 From farmer to future vet 5:34 The cow that changed her mind 6:59 A ski season and a view of Mont Blanc 10:34 Hitting the wall: "find one more step" 13:00 When did you last do something for the first time? 16:02 Nothing is ever wasted 19:39 Three dreams, one wild plan 22:57 Bluffing the BBC and BMW 24:10 Taking off from the top of Mont Blanc 28:05 "They don't make stuff up" 30:00 GoPro, debt and the Everest "failure" 33:57 Summit day and the way down 38:59 Public speaking and the energy before a talk 44:24 Motherhood: the part nobody posts about 46:25 Simple daily practices that actually work 50:25 The breath that changes everything 52:54 "If your knickers are right, your day goes right" 59:25 When things fall apart, they're falling together 1:04:04 The dare: leave everyone a gift QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE "The only thing you've got to do is find one more step and do it on repeat." "When you think you're done, you're nowhere near done." "If your knickers are right, your day goes right." THE DARE Squash's challenge to you: leave everyone you meet a little better than you found them, and have the one brave conversation you've been putting off. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE - Mont Blanc and Mount Everest - The BBC, BMW and GoPro, who backed her early expeditions - The Salomon 36-hour adventure race - The Obstacle Is the Way (the book I mention, by Ryan Holiday) CONNECT WITH THE SHOW www.shewhodareswins.com Join Dare club: Here Become a Patreon member for all bonus episodes. If this episode helped you, send it to someone who needs a reminder that they're stronger than they think. A rating or review helps more women find the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For twenty years, Leesa was deeply immersed in the corporate rat race—running global sales teams, traveling the world, and earning a living in a high-stakes, money-driven career. But behind the scenes, she was pushing herself to the absolute limit. When her mother passed away suddenly from lung cancer just nine months after diagnosis, and lockdown hit, Leesa faced a severe mental breakdown, burnout, and a prescription for one hundred and fifty milligrams of antidepressants that left her feeling like a zombie. Realizing life was far too short to stay trapped in a career that didn't serve her, she walked away from corporate sales with zero safety net. In this raw, liberating conversation, Leesa joins Michelle to share how a simple daily habit of "walking and talking" evolved into Rant and Ramble—a nationwide movement featuring sober coffee raves, holistic retreats, and vibrant community spaces. She opens up about the fear of stepping outside your comfort zone, overcoming imposter syndrome on social media, and how she helped her husband close his twenty-year electrical business to prioritize his mental health. From dancing sober at six thirty in the morning to discovering that true joy lies in stepping out of life's chaos, Leesa offers an inspiring roadmap for anyone ready to quit living on autopilot. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: The Birth of Rant & Ramble: How sudden grief and late-night walking led to a grassroots movement. Antidepressants & Mental Breakdown: Navigating burnout and finding calm in sound baths. Stepping Out of the Chaos: Designing holistic day retreats to help women switch off their brains. The Early Morning Sober Coffee Rave: Launching a morning rave that defied her husband's doubts and drew hundreds of women. Ditching Binge Drinking: Why dancing sober at dawn is better than alcohol-fueled nights out. Walking Away from Decades in Corporate: Leaving high-stakes sales during lockdown and retraining to do eyelashes. Collaborating with Davina McCall & Viral Growth: Expanding coffee raves nationwide and handling rapid Instagram growth. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Social Media Pressure: Why unedited, real content beats pristine online formulas. Transforming Lives & Corporate Productivity: How morning raves build genuine human connection and calorie-burning joy. Supporting Her Husband's Radical Pivot: How Dan closed his long-standing business to protect his mental health. The Weekly Dare: Why you must step outside your comfort zone every single day. 💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER: On stepping out of corporate chaos: "Stepping out of the chaos of life, as a woman, we've got so many things to think about... to-do lists of endless. We are constantly thinking about everyone else. We put ourselves to the bottom of the list." On the power of sober dancing: "Dancing without a drink is actually better than dancing with a drink. Like when you dance on the morning and all them amazing songs are on... everyone's just literally letting go." On why life is too short for autopilot: "I've definitely changed my life so much since she's gone. It's weird that it's took her to go to realize like what life is actually all about... I was always so money driven... work was my life... now I am just living in the moment." 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: Follow Rant and Ramble on Instagram/Facebook: @RantAndRambleUK Visit the Rant and Ramble Website: www.rantandramble.co.uk Find upcoming Coffee Raves & Retreats on Eventbrite Sign up for the newsletter to get your weekly inbox dares: www.shewhodareswins.com Join the Dare Club community 🎙️ WANT MORE? JoJo Kelly – An empowering discussion on walking away from a long broadcasting career to find creative freedom. Allie Bailey – Discusses sobriety, unpicking your identity from performance, and choosing core values over societal expectations. 💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a five-star review – it helps more women discover these stories Watch all episodes on YouTube Join Dare Club Now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this exclusive mini bonus episode, host Michelle Hands catches up with world-record endurance runner Christine Hobson to ask for one simple, powerful dare for women looking to take control of their health without feeling overwhelmed. Despite running marathons, Christine shares her startling discovery after wearing a continuous glucose monitor: even active athletes can experience major blood sugar spikes after regular meals. Christine reveals how experimenting with a simple 20-minute brisk walk straight after eating completely transformed her glucose levels and metabolic health. Together, Michelle and Christine unpack the power of compounding daily micro-habits, why walking around the block while listening to an audiobook beats sporadic workout intensity, and how stepping out your back gate into nature can bring you right back to basics. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – The 5-Minute Health Dare: Michelle asks Christine for a simple first step for women who want to prioritize their health. 00:45 – The Continuous Glucose Monitor Shock: Why Christine was appalled to find her blood sugar spiking into diabetic ranges after ordinary meals. 01:30 – Testing the 20-Minute Post-Meal Walk: How Christine experimented with 40-minute and 20-minute walks straight after lunch to flatten her glucose graph. 02:30 – Compounding Small Habits Over Big Spikes: Why daily consistency with simple movement matters more than sporadic, intense workouts. 03:45 – Reconnecting with Nature at Your Back Gate: Discovering stepping stones and glorious nature right outside her home after 10 years of passing it by. 04:30 – Back to Basics: Why long-term health and graceful aging come down to the simple triad of food, walking, and sleep. 💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER: On the power of a daily walk: "I think if you're wanting to look after your health... then I think that a walk every day is incredible." On the impact of small, compounding daily habits: "That goes back to that thing we were talking about—that compound of just a small thing can have a huge effect." On why simple habits are hard to prioritize: "It sounds really simple, but it's amazingly hard to prioritize things when life gets in its way." On taking health back to basics: "It takes it back to basics, doesn't it? Like food, walking, sleep. 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: Zoe Continuous Glucose Monitor: The health testing device Christine used to track her metabolic response to meals. Sign up for the newsletter to get your weekly inbox dares: www.shewhodareswins.com Join the Dare Club community 🎙️ WANT MORE? Christine Hobson Main Episode – Listen to Christine's full story of retiring at 60, running 125 marathons, securing an Antarctica Guinness World Record, and becoming a 72-year-old viral TikTok star. 💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more women discover these stories Watch all episodes on YouTube Join Dare Club Now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this completely raw, unscripted, and single-take solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a massive internal battle I’ve been fighting over the last six months: the paralyzing trap of external noise, over-strategizing, and quietly losing your true voice in the social media scroll. After 2.5 years of hosting this show and building a career on storytelling—from construction site cabins to high-production film sets—I recently realized I had fallen into a dangerous vortex. I was buying the courses, reading the books, obsessing over "traditional business formulas," and trying to force my creative brain into boxes where it just didn't fit. In the pursuit of perfection, I forgot who I was, how I wanted to show up, and why I started this journey in the first place. In this episode, I share the exact steps I took to break out of creative paralysis: 🧠 The ADHD Diagnosis: How understanding my brain's wiring finally allowed me to challenge my toxic inner narratives and stop looking externally for validation. 📴 The Digital Detox: Why scrolling social media is actively starving your creativity, and the science behind why our brains need to slow down to let gut instincts breathe. ⚡ Unpopular Business Advice: Why a successful business broker friend taught me that true success is built on bold risk-taking, not rigid corporate processes. 🎥 The Birth of She Who Dares Wins Productions: Why standard "podcast clips" don't tell real stories, and how I'm shifting back to my true love of filmmaking to share human journeys in a bigger way. If you are currently over-analyzing, stuck in procrastination, or drowning in the pressure of trying to get things "perfect" before you launch, this video is your wake-up call to sit with yourself, shut out the noise, and trust your gut. The answer doesn't lie in another online course. The answer lies within. Now, let's start daring. 📍 Chapters 00:00 - The Spitball Session: Why I’m Not Editing This Video 01:15 - My Story: From the Construction Site to the Mic 02:40 - Sucked Into the "Social Media Vortex" 04:30 - The Trap of Over-Strategizing & Buying Into the Formula 06:45 - The Truth About My ADHD Diagnosis & Internal Battles 08:50 - The Creative Reset: Journaling & Disconnecting the Dopamine Loop 11:20 - Unpopular Business Advice: Risk-Taking vs. Over-Processing 13:40 - The Birth of She Who Dares Wins Productions 15:45 - Putting Down the Phone & Reconnecting With Nature 18:10 - The Weekly Dare: The Answer Lies Within Join Dare club: www.shewhodareswins.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 125-Marathon Grandma: How a "Virtual Paper Bag" and an Audacious Goal Built a World Record at 72 with Christine Hobson Description: What do you do when you retire on a Friday after a high-stress career managing failing schools, only to face a terrifyingly silent weekend? For Christine Hobson, she stood at the starting line of the London Marathon just two days later at age 60, crying tears of transition. Rather than stepping onto the "scrap heap," she strategic run-walked her way to completing an unbelievable 125 marathons, including a peak year of running 34 marathons in just 12 months at age 67. In this heartwarming episode, Christine shares her extraordinary journey of securing a Guinness World Record as the oldest person to run the Antarctica Ice Marathon in brutal -30°C conditions. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – From Friday Retirement to Sunday Marathon: Making the terrifying leap at age 60 to prove she wasn't on the "scrap heap". 03:15 – The 14-Year-Old "Class Nuisance": Christine’s hilarious memories of doing everything she could to escape PE at school. 06:45 – The "Big Black Hole" of Retirement: Surviving the sudden silence when you walk away from a consuming career. 14:15 – The Road to 125 Marathons: Deciding on her second marathon that she would join the exclusive 100 Marathon Club. 15:30 – 34 Marathons in a Year: What it physically and mentally takes to run nearly three dozen marathons in 12 months in your late 60s. 16:45 – Chambered on Shoulders in Buenos Aires: Breaking stereotypes as a "little old lady" in a young man’s running world. 20:15 – The Race Walkers of New Zealand: Finding out the hard way that New Zealanders walk "like bats out of hell". 31:10 – The Beast from the East: Surviving 17 marathons in 7 days in freezing -7°C temperatures. 35:00 – The "I Jacked It In" Lesson: The Newcastle race that taught Christine the vital power of persistence. 43:15 – Guinness World Record in Antarctica: Tents on the mainland ice, hot water bottles, and becoming a world record holder. 66:00 – Running to Powerlifting: Shifting to heavy iron when injury sidelined her running. 77:00 – The Ultimate Challenge: Why you must never sit and watch daytime television waiting to die 💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER: On leaving her career and crossing her first starting line: "As I crossed the starting line, I cried... because I was leaving one life behind and had no idea what I was going to do with the rest of it." On total reinvention in retirement: "I retired with not a clue what I was doing. And I have totally reinvented myself as something that I would not in my wildest dreams ever thought I would be." On why growing older is a superpower: "I've never ever found that my old age is an advantage, but now it is. Because on this front, it is a big advantage... it gives that trust and belief that it's possible." 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: Follow Christine on TikTok: @ChrissyWorldRecord Follow Christine on Instagram: @ChristineHobson60 Read Christine's book: Chris Hobson Learn more about the Jeff Galloway Run-Walk Method Sign up for the newsletter to get your weekly inbox dares: www.shewhodareswins.com Join the Dare Club community 🎙️ WANT MORE? Jo Moseley (S4: EP21) – How Jo embarked on paddleboarding adventures at 58, proving you are never too old to start a brand new adventure. Louise Padrow – An empowering discussion on why being 60 is actually amazing in 2025 and rejecting societal limitations on age. 💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more women discover these stories Watch all episodes on YouTube Join Dare Club Now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine being fifteen years old and having your head teacher tell you straight to your face that you will amount to absolutely nothing. For years, Gina carried that heavy, wounding line with her, pouring her energy into a relentless, high-stakes, fifteen-year career in corporate tech and consulting—constantly striving, doing more, and trying to prove her worth. But after years of managing massive, multi-million-pound projects for major organisations like the NHS and Sainsbury's, her body and mind finally hit a breaking point. She realized that society's version of success was nothing more than a fast track to burnout, and she had to learn a completely new way to exist. Together, Michelle and Gina unpack the psychology of overwhelm and how to outsmart it using simple, daily micro-steps. From treating your "future self" with kindness—like wiping down the kitchen sides before bed or packing with rucksack cubes—to her weekly ritual of "F*** It Thursdays," where she shoots for the stars to train her brain that it is safe to fail, Gina shares an actionable blueprint for mental freedom. They discuss why the word priority was historically only ever meant to be singular, why we must stop letting technology hijack our attention spans, and how to unpick our identity from our jobs so we can finally start living on our own terms. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – Introduction: Meeting Gina, corporate tech consultant turned founder of Kind Too . 02:15 – Written Off at 14: Surviving her head teacher's rude prediction and forging a career in tech consulting. 04:15 – Directness as a Superpower: How living in Serbia forced Gina to ditch the email emojis and speak her needs in three words. 07:15 – Touching the Ground: Learning to live with the seasons from her Serbian in-laws and finding happiness in simplicity. 10:30 – Moving Millions: Working on high-pressure projects for the NHS and Sainsbury's while running from her past. 12:10 – The Packing Cube Shift: Managing transitional moments and the physical structures built to protect her future self. 16:15 – Compounding Kindness: Launching Kind Too and why taking three simple breaths is the ultimate act of self-care. 22:15 – The Singular Priority: Why "priority" was never meant to be plural, and the danger of running on 18 focus areas at once. 26:15 – The Overwhelm Trap: How Michelle battled a full-time workload schedule and why we must learn to strip things back. 30:30 – Object Permeability & Accountability: The whiteboard trick, why out-of-sight goals disappear, and how to use "body doubling" to conquer boring admin. 39:00 – Smaller Cycles: Building software, building lives, and why shipping the "scrappy blueprint" builds deep trust. 48:15 – F* It Thursdays:** How shooting for the stars trains your brain that it is safe to fail. 1:00:30 – Who Are You Without Your Job? Reconnecting with non-work hobbies and why Gina would tell her old teacher: "Thanks for the fuel." 💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER: On treating your future self with kindness: "Doing the smallest thing possible that will make future Gina a bit happier, or a bit calmer." On why priority must always remain singular: "Not everything can be a priority. Like priority is a singular word... Priorities wasn't added into the dictionary till like the 17 or 1800s... So, you only have one." 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: Sign up for the newsletter to get your weekly inbox dares: www.shewhodareswins.com Join the Dare Club community and eliminate self-doubt 🎙️ WANT MORE? Sophie Main – discusses audacity, the delusion needed to chase your dreams, and why showing up as a "human shit show" is far more powerful than perfection. Allie Bailey – discusses outrunning self-hate, separating identity from performance, and why we must align our daily choices with our core values. 💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more women discover these stories Watch all episodes on YouTube Join Dare Club Now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this incredibly inspiring and humbling episode, Shauna joins Michelle to share her jaw-dropping journey from being a "floppy baby" who would collapse from a gentle gust of wind, to becoming an unstoppable rugby player, to holding the 285kg world record in the trap bar deadlift, putting her in the top 0.01% of global strength athletes. Shauna shares the tough, unglamorous reality of her condition, including the grueling "zombie state" recovery days she spends in bed after competitions because her nervous system takes ten times longer to recover than a typical athlete. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – The 4-Year-Old Diagnosis: Being told by doctors she would live life as a "couch potato" in a wheelchair. 03:15 – Understanding Hypotonia: The daily reality of low muscle tone and the conscious struggle of brain-to-muscle communication. 08:10 – The Power of a Stubborn Mom: How Shauna’s mom refused to let her give up, letting her struggle to tie her shoes to build independence. 10:30 – Healing Through Play: Using horse riding for the disabled and high-level swimming to build a physical foundation before puberty. 17:30 – Rugby at 24: Joining Shetland’s first women’s team and transforming from the kid who fell over in a breeze to the player nobody could tackle. 27:00 – Discovering Strongwoman: Finding her true strength block by accident and setting a world record on her very first try. 34:00 – Banish Self-Sabotage: How working with a mindset coach completely cured Shauna's imposter syndrome. 39:00 – The 285kg World Record Lift: Breaking her own deadlift records year after year and what it takes to stay at the top. 43:15 – The Dark Recovery Side: The post-competition "zombie state," speech slurring, and why her nervous system takes 10x longer to heal. 51:10 – The Gym for People Who Don't Like Gyms: Creating an inclusive, safe space for non-traditional lifters, complete with pride flags and limited capacities. 63:00 – Inspiring the Next Generation: How Shauna's amputee client went from wheelchair training to holding her own strongwoman world record 💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER: On refusing to let a label define you: "I dared to not let my disability define me... I was told by the doctors I would be in a wheelchair as an adult and I'd be nothing more than a couch potato. Proper quote from the doctor." On the reality of her extreme athletic recovery: "I have the same recovery as everyone else, just 10 times to the extreme... I'll be like a zombie for 3 days at least... sleeping all the time. When I get really tired... I can barely speak... what comes out is just like mumbly." On conquering imposter syndrome: "A lot of the things I struggled with was sort of self-sabotage... imposter syndrome... thinking I'm not good enough. We've worked a lot on that. And I've got rid of that completely. I'm like yeah, I deserve to be here. I've worked extremely hard to get to where I am." 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: Sign up for the newsletter to get your weekly inbox dares: www.shewhodareswins.com Join the Dare Club community and defeat self-doubt www.shewhodadareswins.com Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and guest advice on how they became their most daring selves Get your Dare Club Merch: Check out the clothing on the site and use code POD10 for 10% off 🎙️ WANT MORE? Chloe Brennan – discusses how she broke boundaries as a World Champion Natural Strongwoman while grappling with her own "not good enough" complex. From Burn OUT to Elite CrossFit Athlete (Connie’s Story) – discusses moving from burnout to elite CrossFit and fighting the quiet self-doubt of training alongside world-class athletes 💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more women discover these stories Watch all episodes on YouTube Join Dare Club Now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Art of Storytelling and Human Connection: How I used it to survive in a Male-Dominated World Have you ever sat across from someone at dinner, listened to them speak, and felt like you've known them for an entire lifetime in just a matter of minutes? In this solo masterclass, host Michelle Hands breaks down why storytelling is not an innate talent you are born with—it is a superpower, a craft, and a muscle that must be actively flexed . Michelle dismantles the common fear of "I don't have a story to tell," explaining that great storytelling doesn't have to be a grand autobiographical tale. It can be as simple as a funny conversation overheard at a local bus stop or a show you watched on television. She reveals how her experience interviewing over 150 extraordinary women on She Who Dares Wins over the last two years served as her own masterclass in communication. She unpacks the critical difference between human and AI-generated stories, arguing that no AI can ever replace or replicate the unique, lived experiences of a human life from childhood to adulthood . This raw, emotional, and vulnerable human connection is precisely why podcasts are thriving today. She also reveals her secret weapon for navigating intimidating, ego-driven spaces like construction cabins: the power of silent observation . Michelle shares how staying completely quiet for the first 30 to 60 minutes allowed her to map out the office hierarchies, egos, and dominant "chimp" banter so she could connect with the room's most influential characters. By learning to show genuine vulnerability and letting people in, you can bypass superficial "yapping" and start using storytelling as a powerful form of personal therapy. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – The Superpower of Storytelling: Why storytelling is a craft that can be learned, and how it saved Michelle's 17-year engineering career. 03:15 – The Campfire Connection: Why humans are hardwired to share narratives and how stories build deep relationships. 06:45 – Dismantling the "No Story" Myth: How to find common ground, use humor, and tell engaging stories about everyday experiences. 10:30 – The Silence Strategy: Why staying quiet for the first 30 minutes on a new site gave Michelle the power to map hierarchies and egos. 14:15 – Conquering "Chimp" Banter: Navigating dominant workplace personalities to earn respect and build trust. 18:40 – AI vs. Human Storytelling: Why artificial intelligence can never replicate your unique childhood-to-adulthood journey. 22:15 – The Power of Vulnerability: Why letting people in and showing raw emotion is the ultimate key to a classic, great story. 26:50 – Storytelling as Therapy: How talking to strangers can heal you and the ultimate tip to flex your communication muscle. 31:10 – The Weekly Dare: How to join Dare Club, grab the new August merch, and start sharing your own messy story. 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: Sign up for the newsletter to get your weekly inbox dares: www.shewhodareswins.com Join the Dare Club community and eliminate self-doubt Shop the Merch: Check out the new tees arriving in August! Use code POD10 for 10% off your first order 🎙️ WANT MORE? Sophie Main – discusses audacity, the delusion needed to chase your dreams, and why showing up as a "human shit show" is far more powerful than perfection. Chloe Brennan – discusses identity, childhood complexes, and learning how to trust your own gut rather than constantly striving to prove your worth to others. 💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more women discover these stories Watch all episodes on YouTube Join Dare Club Now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine being twenty-three, living in Shanghai, and deciding you want a column in the city's major newspaper—despite having zero journalism experience and absolutely no portfolio. That is exactly the kind of "audacious delusion" Sophie Main brought to the table when she showed up at their corporate offices week after week until they finally handed her a column just to stop her from coming back! In this incredibly refreshing, funny, and deeply honest episode, the strategist, public speaking coach, and author of the groundbreaking book Beyond Palatable sits down with Michelle to dismantle the polished social media lies of "overnight success" and "six-figure passive income". Sophie shares her raw journey from navigating a cutthroat journalism industry—where she faced the trauma of doing "death knocks" on grieving families—to running a highly successful, multi-six-figure business. She reveals how she recently landed an incredible publishing deal simply by having the courage to put her scrappy, half-formed ideas out into the world before she felt ready , all while running her company and "3D-printing a human being"! If you are tired of buying endless courses, outsourcing your self-worth, and waiting for the "perfect" time to start, this episode is your ultimate sign to take messy action and flex your courage muscle! ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – Introduction: Meeting Sophie, strategist, speaking coach, and author of Beyond Palatable . 01:19 – Courage Before Confidence: Why waiting until you feel "ready" is a trap, and how putting scrappy ideas out there builds real momentum. 03:18 – Audacity, Tenacity, & Delusion: How Sophie got a journalism column in Shanghai at age 23 with zero portfolio. 11:17 – The Reality of Journalism: Why Sophie left a cutthroat local news industry after being trained to do "death knocks". 14:34 – The Validation Trap: How marketing mechanisms and online content creators manufacture problems to sell you "fixes" you don't need. 34:48 – The VAT Reality Check: Why viral posts rarely bring clients and how to easily spot fakers online. 37:01 – Indigestion vs. Starvation: Why modern businesses actually fail due to overwhelm and "too much advice" rather than a lack of ideas. 50:43 – Unpicking the "Superwoman" Ego: Navigating matrescence, identity shifts, and the transition into motherhood. 59:05 – The "Big Stick" Illusion: Reclaiming real human connection and shifting your focus from online metrics to daily presence. 1:02:01 – The Ultimate Dare: Auditing your "sorries" and refusing to outsource your worth to strangers. 💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER: On the success trifecta of building a business: "The keys to success are audacity. You really do have to be audacious... and tenacity to not stop, to keep going, and delusion. You need to be delusional about what it is that you deserve, and probably to a degree, what you're capable of." On why we must stop showing up as "perfect": "It's really important when I tell my story and when I show up to be as human and honest and messy as I can possibly be, because I never want somebody to look at me and think she's up here and I'm down here. I want people to look at me and think, well, she's a bit of a shit show, so she can do it, and I can probably do it too." On shifting your perspective on what actually matters: "When you really start to understand that you are a grain of sand and that your existence is important, but still inconsequential... then impact starts to look different... Who are you in the shop when you buy your groceries? Who are you to your children in the morning... Far more important than how many bloody Instagram followers you have..." 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: Read Sophie's book: Beyond Palatable: A Manifesto for Unapologetic Women Sign up for the newsletter to get your weekly inbox dares: www.shewhodareswins.com Join the Dare Club community Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine walking away from a high-paying, independent career you spent 17 years climbing the ladder to build. For podcast host Michelle, that was her reality in the chaotic world of construction. After a medical burnout landed her in a hospital bed, she realized she couldn't keep running on autopilot, but she was trapped in the "golden handcuffs" of a lucrative salary, expensive cars, and constant luxury holidays. In this incredibly raw solo episode, Michelle breaks down the unglamorous, realistic blueprint of what actually happens after you hand in your resignation. She shares how she audited her own ego (including selling her massive V6 truck), halved her household expenses, and used a low-pressure part-time freelance job to build a bridge toward her true passion. This isn't a social media fairy tale of overnight six-figure success; it is a practical guide to surviving the "messy middle" of a career transition. Michelle challenges you to redefine your worth beyond your paycheck, map your transferable skills on a blank piece of paper, and have the hard "disintegration" conversation with your partner. Most importantly, she explains why you must burn your safety net and stop giving yourself a get-out clause—because backwards is backwards , and holding onto a backup plan only stops you from reaching your true potential. If you've been waiting for a "perfect time" to leave a job that is slowly draining your spirit, this episode is your sign to stop making excuses and start planning your leap. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – The Quitting Dilemma: Dismantling the false social media narratives of instant, overnight career success. 04:15 – The Wake-Up Call: 17 years in construction and the physical toll of a medical burnout. 06:30 – The Golden Handcuffs: Facing the financial panic and the fear of letting go of a lucrative lifestyle. 08:40 – Debunking the Guilt: What your children actually need from you when you make a lifestyle shift. 09:50 – The Ego Audit: Selling the V6 truck, dropping to one car, and watching the grocery bills. 12:10 – The 2-Year Shift: How Michelle used a 2-day-a-week marketing job to fund her podcast studio and reduce financial pressure. 15:30 – The "Swapping Burnouts" Trap: Why you shouldn't just recreate your old corporate cage under a freelance label. 18:00 – Who Are You Without Your Job? Navigating the identity crisis and mapping your transferable skills on a blank page. 21:00 – The Disintegration Conversation: How to have honest financial and emotional discussions with your partner. 25:00 – Sacking the Safety Net: Why keeping a "get-out clause" in the back of your mind prevents your growth. 26:30 – The Actionable Next Step: How to join Dare Club and grab your exclusive community merch. (Note: Timestamps are approximate based on the conversational flow of the raw audio) 💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER: On partner support during a career pivot: "I would actually prefer us to live in a shed and you be happy than see you in this way." On why backup plans hold us back: "As soon as you give yourself that get out clause, it is in the back of your mind and you will not do what you need to do because you have that backup... backwards is backwards." On separating your self-worth from your salary: "...when we don't earn money it doesn't mean that we don't have any value." 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: Sign up for the newsletter to get your weekly inbox dares: www.shewhodareswins.com Get your Dare Club Merch: Check out the new t-shirts and sweaters on the website and use code POD10 for 10% off. Join the Dare Club community Claire Sunshine (Claire) – discusses rebuilding after devastating loss, running out of options, and why having no backup plan propels you forward. 💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more women discover these stories Watch all episodes on YouTube Join Dare Club Now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harri is an adventurer, researcher in preventative medicine, and women's health advocate who has spent her life choosing the scary path over the false comfort of security . From solo travel adventures that left her face-to-face with a black widow spider in a steep Thailand ravine to driving a 4x4 completely solo into the desert of Oman, she has continuously tested the limits of her capacity to grow as a person. But living a life of adventure became a massive hurdle when she began experiencing severe endometriosis symptoms. For years, she suffered from debilitating full-body pain, chronic fatigue, and severe depression. She had to navigate a deeply flawed medical system where women's pain is routinely dismissed, spending two years on a surgical waiting list while being offered standard treatments like birth control and chemical menopause that severely impacted her mental health. Now, with a qualification in women's health and hormones, she is helping women understand the "language of their biology" . She teaches women how to track their menstrual cycles and navigate the four phases—menstruation, follicular, ovulation, and luteal—to take back control of their well-being. She is a passionate advocate for self-advocacy, helping women find their voice so they can fight to be heard in a healthcare system that too often ignores them . In this episode, we delve into Harri’s incredible story of resilience and self-discovery. We discuss the gender health gap and medical research disparities, how our hormonal phases affect our mood and athletic performance, the biological purpose behind our brain’s fear signals, and why we must refuse to define our lives by our highest pain days . ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – Introduction: Choosing the scary path over comfort and security 03:15 – Lost in Thailand: Facing a black widow spider alone in a ravine 08:20 – The "Airport Panic" and the raw reality of solo travel 14:10 – The Gender Health Gap: Why women's pain is dismissed in medicine 17:30 – Dealing with the daily, debilitating reality of endometriosis 21:50 – The diagnostic struggle: Waiting years for surgery and medical answers 31:15 – Connecting hormones and mental health: Releasing the "me problem" shame 41:30 – Learning the language of your biology: The four menstrual phases 64:00 – Reframing fear: Why your brain's self-sabotage is actually self-preservation 75:20 – Reclaiming identity: Driving a 4x4 solo into the Oman desert 82:15 – The ultimate advice: Why you must not define yourself by your highest pain days 💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER: On releasing the self-blame of hormone fluctuations: "When I finally realized that that was the thing influencing my depression, I was like, it's almost like I'm not broken. It wasn't a me problem. It was a biology problem... Years of thinking I was the problem." On managing chronic conditions and keeping your spark: "Don't define yourself by your highest pain days. It's so easy to kind of set our capacity to manage the worst days... but you've got to find a way to do the things that you love still... You are capable of this." 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: Connect with Harri: Contact info will be shared on our social media channels. Chloe Brennan: Listen to Chloe's previous episode on identity and mindset here. Sign up for the newsletter to get your weekly dares: www.shewhodareswins.com Join the Dare Club community 🎙️ WANT MORE? Chloe Brennan – discusses identity, mindset, and merging your hyper-driven side with your fun side: Amanda Perry – discusses unlocking ADHD in business, late diagnosis, survival, and triumph: 💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more people discover these stories Watch all Episodes on Youtube Join Dare Club Now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever stared at a mounting to-do list, surrounded by notebooks filled with strategies, only to realize you are completely paralyzed? The truth is, you don’t need more discipline, another textbook, or more information. You are staying still because you are trying to shame yourself into a new beginning. In this solo episode, our host Michelle deep dives into why "should" is actually a form of shame —and why shame is biologically and psychologically guaranteed to keep you stagnant. We unpack why doubt is not a lack of information, but an avoidance of uncomfortable feelings. Finally, we explore the sheer vulnerability of admitting what you truly want , why your ego covers those desires up with safe "shoulds," and how you can make the energetic shift to step out of your head and into daring action today. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – Welcome back! Why more notebooks and information aren't the answer to your stuckness. 04:15 – Should is just shame in disguise : The biological impossibility of shaming yourself into a new beginning. 08:50 – Why knowledge doesn't suppress doubt and why we must learn to lean into our doubts instead of trying to "fix" them. 12:10 – The Anatomy of Doubt : Why doubt is actually an avoidance of uncomfortable feelings. 17:30 – Michelle's breakthrough LA acting class moment: The power of sitting with your emotions without the pressure to perform. 23:15 – Shoulds vs. Wants : Why "shoulds" are a heavy downward weight while "wants" are your forward evolutionary force. 28:00 – Why authentically wanting is terrifying for your ego (and the two massive fears of desire). 32:45 – The 10% Shift : A simple visualization exercise to instantly convert your "shoulds" into "wants" and change your energy. 37:10 – Accessing the Where Daring Outruns Doubting playbook and finding your tribe. 💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER: On the trap of "should": "Should is an internal statement that brings shame because if you don't do it, then you've failed. And shame's only job is to stop or stagnate behavior." On the true definition of doubt: "Doubt is not a lack of information. It's an avoidance of uncomfortable feelings." On the energetic shift of desire: "Shoulds are like a heavy weight pulling you down. And wants are a forward force propelling you ahead." On why we protect ourselves from what we want: "Getting what we want will fundamentally redefine who we are as a person, which is a moment of deadly peril for our ego." 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: Join the Dare Club Community: Head over to www.shewhodareswins.com and click on "Dare" to pop your email address in. Download the Playbook: Get your copy of the free Where Daring Outruns Doubting workbook/playbook on our website. Follow us on Instagram: Connect with us at @shewhodareswins . Watch on YouTube: Tune into the video version of this episode and watch every show on our YouTube Channel . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura and Lily are artists, producers, and the founders of Our House Studios, the first and only female-run recording studio in Leeds. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities in a heavily male-dominated industry, they got tired of waiting for someone to hand them a job and dared to build their own creative space instead. But taking a massive leap of faith wasn't without its hurdles. Thinking they were taking over a fully functioning studio, they unlocked the doors on day one only to find the space completely gutted, bare, and echoing. They also had to navigate the deep-seated anxiety of being female sound engineers—knowing that any mistake behind the desk could be unfairly blamed on their gender—and deal with older men in the industry doubting their capabilities with "mansplaining". Now, they run a thriving, three-room creative sanctuary that feels more like a cozy living room than a clinical studio. Built with the help of free labor from their local community, pallets, and coffee sacks, Our House Studios is a testament to what happens when you anchor to a strong "why". They are actively changing the industry by showing that you don't have to know everything before you start, and they are educating the naysayers simply by doing an incredible job. In this episode, we delve into Laura and Lily’s incredible journey and what it has taught them. We discuss the terror of the "empty room panic," the power of community, how they use "mansplaining" as fuel to prove naysayers wrong, and why asking yourself hard questions and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is the ultimate key to building a life you actually want. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction to Our House Studios and the ultimate dare 04:15 Meeting at a gig and the lack of sound engineering jobs 08:40 Ditching the wait and deciding to take the leap 12:10 The Day 1 disaster: Walking into a gutted, empty studio 17:30 Flipping the mindset and the incredible power of community 28:00 Creating a cozy, non-clinical space for artists 41:20 Building acoustic panels from pallets and doing it for free 45:30 Anchoring to your "Why" when the "How" is terrifying 51:10 Dealing with mansplaining and using doubt as fuel 60:00 The pressure of perfection and asking the hard questions 💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER: On finding your purpose: "It's not a how, it's having a why, having a reason why you're doing it... If that's solid, then we'll figure out how we'll do it." On taking up space and proving people wrong: "It isn't anyone's job to educate idiot men... we're educating people just by existing. And opening the studio has made me realize how important it is for everyone in life... to actually really be themselves." 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: Book your session at Our House Studios via email: ourhousemusicstudios@gmail.com Sign up for the newsletter to get your weekly dares: www.shewhodareswins.com Join the Dare Club community 🎙️ WANT MORE? Allie Bailey - discusses outrunning self-hate, the myth of self-sabotage, and how to conquer the brutal internal monologue holding you back: here Vanessa Ruck - from a devastating accident and a hospital bed to the Dakar Rally, redefining limits and setting audacious goals before you are ready 💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more people discover these stories Watch all Episodes on Youtube Join Dare Club Now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelle has spent the last two years interviewing incredible women on the She Who Dares Wins podcast, but today she steps behind the mic solo for the Season 4 finale. After spending a decade navigating the chaotic, male-dominated world of construction as a freelance engineer—while simultaneously juggling side hustles like filmmaking, a plumbing chemical business, and a clothing line—she thought she was just naturally wired for chaos. But a life of extreme chaos isn't without its mental hurdles. From masking her emotions as a child to living constantly in a "fight or flight" mode to survive moving from project to project, she was unknowingly chasing dopamine. After facing severe burnout that landed her in the hospital and navigating the intense imposter syndrome of quitting her safety-net job to go full-time with her podcast, she realized she could no longer ignore her struggles. Just two weeks ago, she received an official ADHD diagnosis, a revelation that is incredibly common for women in their 40s experiencing hormonal shifts. Now, she is laying it all out there. It is a deeply personal account of her time in construction, the exhausting reality of masking, and how what many label an "ADHD superpower" can actually be the exact thing driving you to absolute burnout. It takes listeners on a journey into why our brains chase shiny new objects, the reality of double-checking everything out of a paralyzing fear of failure, and the immense relief of finally understanding how your mind works. In this episode, we delve into Michelle's official diagnosis and what it has taught her. We discuss her transition from film school to a construction site, how she navigated being the only woman on the job, the moment she realized she was burning out, and the exciting new "doubting to daring" format launching in Season 5. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction to the Season 4 Finale and a personal update 04:15 Childhood masking and surviving school as the "funny one" 10:30 Film school in LA to surviving a baptism of fire in construction 16:45 Chasing dopamine: side hustles, chemical businesses, and fight-or-flight mode 23:20 The reality of being the only female engineer on site and battling imposter syndrome 30:10 Navigating motherhood, severe burnout, and the hospital visit that changed everything 34:50 Sacking the safety net, going all-in on the podcast, and facing self-doubt 39:15 The assessment process and the profound relief of a late ADHD diagnosis 45:30 What’s next: Season 5, Dare Club, and moving from "doubting to daring" 💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER: On the exhaustion of the "superpower" myth: "I was in fight or flight mode for the majority of my career... People are always like, 'Yeah, it's a superpower. It's amazing.' It can be, but it also can get you to this point where you are absolutely exhausted and burnt out." On the relief of an official diagnosis: "The things that you have beaten yourself up about over the years and made a joke of, made light of, is actually something that is not really coped with well in society... Somebody to tell you that your brain works differently and you just have this sense of relief of like, Okay." 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: Sign up for the newsletter to get your weekly dares: www.shewhodareswins.com Join the Dare Club community: A space where daring outruns doubting 🎙️ WANT MORE? Jenny - our deep dive into the realities of ADHD, Autism, and understanding neurodivergence: here Amanda Perry - discusses unlocking ADHD in business, survival, and triumph: here 💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more people discover these stories Watch all Episodes on Youtube Join Dare Club Now What are the specific signs of burnout you experienced? Join Dare Club To Chat with other women who have similar experiences Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*triggers: This episode includes discussion of depression, mental health crises, cancer diagnosis, and severe road traffic accidents. In 2019, Beaky Allesch Taylor was experiencing pain in her ribs. Driven by a strong survival instinct, she pushed her GP for answers, leading to an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis. When offered a standard treatment plan that carried a 1-in-200 risk of heart disease, Beaky used her background in science and nutrition to do her own research. She discovered her cancer was a rare type, sacked her surgeon when he wouldn't listen to her, and demanded a full mastectomy—proving the life-saving power of being your own biggest advocate. Vanessa Ruck was a fit, active woman commuting on her bicycle when a car ran a red light, irrevocably changing her life. Sent home from A&E with a diagnosis of mere "bruising," Vanessa actually endured seven years of surgeries, chronic pain, and bedbound days. The trauma left her with multiple mental health disorders, including depression and a paralyzing fear of the road. Instead of letting the driver who hit her dictate her future, Vanessa made the radical decision to buy a motorbike. Despite crying inside her helmet and battling panic attacks on the side of the road, she fought through the pain and eventually went on to complete the Dakar Rally and the Africa Eco Race—some of the most extreme desert endurance races in the world. In this special mash-up episode, we delve into two unbelievable stories of radical resilience. We discuss the importance of finding humor in the dark, the reality of living with chronic pain, what it really takes to sack a medical professional when your gut says they are wrong, and why you must stop playing the "good girl" and start shouting to be heard. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Radical Self-Advocacy and Trusting Your Gut 01:45 Beaky: Finding Humor in the Dark 02:40 Pushing for a Cancer Diagnosis 06:30 The "Bag of Minstrels" Risk 08:45 Sacking Your Surgeon 11:15 Vanessa: The Bicycle Accident that Changed Everything 13:50 From "Bruising" to Seven Surgeries 17:20 Chronic Pain and Mental Health Struggles 20:00 The Decision to Buy a Motorbike 21:40 Crying in the Helmet: Facing the Fear 25:20 Refusing to Let Trauma Win 💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER: "I had to really listen to my gut and really go with how I felt and I had to shout to be heard and to have the treatment that I thought was best for me." "Getting on that motorbike was something that I can't emphasize enough how hard it was. It took a lot of determination, a lot of strength, and a lot of crying in my motorcycle helmet... I just had to face this determination that I had that I could not let that lady who hit me control everything." "If you can find humor in the darkest, darkest times, you're probably going to be all right." 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: Join the Dare Club Community Michelle’s Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com/ 📚 WANT MORE? Catch Beaky's Full Episode here Catch Vanessa's full episode here Claire Sunshine - discusses rebuilding life after the sudden loss of her daughter, and turning unimaginable grief into the courage to launch a business: Chloe Brennan - Strongwoman World Champion discusses uncovering her "not good enough" complex, identity, and why external validation won't fix internal doubt: 💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more people discover these stories 👋 Follow She Who Dares Wins & Michelle: Instagram: @shewhodareswins TikTok: @shewhodareswins Website: www.shewhodareswins.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Megan Hine is a wilderness guide, survivalist, and TV producer whose career is the stuff of Hollywood movies. From wild camping alone at 11 years old in Snowdonia to handling King Cobras and rigging stunts out of helicopters for major TV shows, she has spent her life making the inaccessible accessible. But a life of extreme adventure isn't without its mental hurdles. Despite hanging out of helicopters for work, Megan developed a terrifying phobia of them—which she actively cured by learning to fly a paramotor so she could understand air currents. She also had to navigate a heavily male-dominated industry, realizing early on that she would have to work twice as hard to get the same recognition as her male counterparts. Now, she has written a book detailing her experiences. It is a deeply personal account of her time in the wild, exploring the psychology of survival, the therapeutic benefits of nature, and how we can train our brains to handle everyday situations. It takes readers on a journey into why our bodies naturally crave comfort, and how pushing past that biological urge is the ultimate key to resilience. In this episode, we delve into Megan’s incredible career and what it has taught her. We discuss the psychology of fear, her encounters with deadly predators in extreme environments, how she handles high-profile celebrities who refuse safety gear, and why, as a society, we need to stop taking the easy route and start getting uncomfortable. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction and claiming the small wins 02:01 A childhood in Snowdonia and solo camping at 11 04:18 How a free beer led to a career in bushcraft 07:37 Navigating the "boys' club" and working twice as hard 09:42 Curing a paralyzing fear of helicopters 12:33 How to build your own outdoor experience and qualifications 15:57 The biology of comfort: why we instinctively take the easy route 18:50 A terrifying encounter with a Mountain King Cobra 22:07 Working with celebrities and enforcing boundaries 24:36 Taking responsibility and getting out of your own way 💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER: On the biology of procrastination and fear: "If you study the behavior of any animal, it's all like survival is about efficiency and conservation of energy... It's ingrained in our very makeup to take easier options... but resilience is built through taking on challenges." On the great equalizer of the outdoors: "Nature doesn't discriminate, doesn't care what your walk, where you're from, what your background is... you are going to perform in the way nature performs." 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: Megan's audiobook (as mentioned in the episode) is available to listen to now. Megan is a proud ambassador for the Scouts Skills for Life program Join the She Who Dares Wins community 🎙️ WANT MORE? Allie Bailey - discusses outrunning self-hate, the myth of self-sabotage, and how to conquer the brutal internal monologue holding you back: here Vanessa Ruck - from a devastating accident and a hospital bed to the Dakar Rally, redefining limits and setting audacious goals before you are ready: here 💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE? Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more people discover these stories Watch all Episodes on Youtube Join Dare Club Now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of She Who Dares Wins, Michelle sits down with Sara, an author and cold water swim guide who has rebuilt her life through divorce, grief, major surgeries, and a near-death experience on the operating table. From being told she’d never “make it” as a freelancer, to years of rejection before finally landing a book deal, Sara shares how cold water, community, and storytelling helped her find courage, connection, and a new chapter in her 60s. This one is for anyone who feels “too ordinary,” too late, or scared to put their work out into the world. Key Takeaways Life is short – act now, not “one day” Facing heart surgery, failed operations, and grief taught Sara to stop postponing the things that matter. Cold water as medicine A 10-degree lake became her way back to the outdoors, easing pain, rebuilding confidence, and reconnecting with her body and mind. Community over competition The cold-water swimming world gave her supportive connection she never found in more competitive sports. Social media is a tool, not the measure of your worth Instagram can be frustrating, but breaks, boundaries, and real-life connections matter more than algorithms. Rejection doesn’t mean your story doesn’t matter Years of “no” eventually led to a book deal – and readers now message her to say her stories helped them be braver. Dreams feel different when they come true Publishing a book was a lifelong dream, but the reality came without fanfare – just the question: “What now?” Boundaries change everything Learning to say no, choose better people, and set limits helped her finally find the right kind of support. Dare: stop hiding your work If you want to write, submit something – a pitch, a manuscript, a competition entry. Expect rejection, celebrate small wins, and get your words out of your laptop and into the world. Are you ready to stop dounting yourself and become more daring like our guests? Join Dare Club now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we’re diving into a conversation that so many women in their 30s and 40s are quietly living through, but rarely saying out loud. I’m joined again by Jenni, who you might remember from a previous episode, and this time we’re going deeper into what it really looks like to have a non-linear career, a late ADHD diagnosis, and, as Jenni discovered, autism traits on top of it all. If you’ve ever looked at your CV and thought, “Why can’t I just stick to one thing like everyone else?” or woken up already telling yourself you’re behind before the day has even started… this episode is for you. We talk about: The shame spiral of changing jobs, careers, and directions How a late diagnosis of ADHD and autism can trigger both grief and massive relief Why so many women in chaotic, high-pressure jobs — like policing, construction, and close protection — only realise later that their brains were never “the problem” And how to start moving from self-criticism to self-acceptance, without trying to “fix” who you are This is an honest, vulnerable, and, at times, very funny conversation between two women who absolutely do not fit the traditional career box — and have finally stopped apologising for it. So, if you’ve ever felt “too much”, “all over the place”, or secretly broken… take a breath, grab a cuppa, and let this be your reminder: you are not broken, and you are definitely not alone. Let’s dive in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.