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In this Thursday mini-dare, Michelle shares a deeply personal update and a powerful life design tool to help you reimagine your future. After two years of running She Who Dares Wins alongside a part-time construction job, Michelle finally took the leap and quit the role that was quietly draining her energy and keeping her tied to an industry that no longer served her. That decision led her back to a note she’d written in a old notebook: the Odyssey method. Originally developed at Stanford’s Life Design Lab by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, the Odyssey method is a practical, science-backed way to imagine and design multiple possible futures – not just one “perfect” path. In this episode, Michelle walks you through: Why she quit her part-time construction job and how it freed up energy for a life that feels more alignedWhat the Odyssey method is and how it links to manifestation, neuroplasticity, and the way our brains spot new opportunitiesThe problem with chasing one perfect plan and how functional fixedness keeps us stuckHow to sketch out three 5-year life paths:Path 1: Your current life, but the A+ versionPath 2: The pivot path if your current industry disappearedPath 3: The wild card path you’d choose if money, fear, and other people’s opinions didn’t matterThe four questions to rate each path: resources, likeability, confidence, and coherence with your valuesHow Michelle’s own “path three” led to the podcast, studio, film work, and clothing range that built She Who Dares WinsThis week’s dare: Spend 15 minutes a day sketching out your three Odyssey paths. Give each one a six-word title, plot the milestones, and notice what excites you most—especially in your wild card path. Then ask: What tiny version of path three can I start today, without quitting my job? Michelle would love to hear your Path 3: Tag her on socials and share your wild card lifeOr email your three paths and six-word titlesDare Club – Doors Opening April 29 If you love these Thursday dares and you’re ready for deeper support, Michelle is launching Dare Club on April 29 – an online community for women who want to become the boldest, most daring version of themselves. As a founding member (only 50 spots), you’ll get: Locked-in lifetime pricing (quarterly or yearly options)Live sessions with incredible guests and expertsHot-seat coaching to get clear on your story and next stepsA supportive community of women who “get it” and are also designing braver livesSpots are limited to the first 50 founding members. Head to shewhodareswins.com to learn more and join Dare Club before doors close www.shewhodareswins.com Resources Mentioned Book on the science of manifestation Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill How to Design Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of She Who Dares Wins, Michelle is joined by Sophie, a trail runner and adventurer who traded everyday comfort for an intense social and survival experiment on a Maldivian desert island. Sophie explains how: A lifetime of running, from competitive school races to joyful trail running after university, set the foundation for bigger adventures.A wild night on the dance floor at Love Trails festival – googly eyes, sequins, and all – led to meeting Danny and joining his crew on a 10‑day, 208‑mile run across Iceland.That Iceland experience became the gateway to something even more extreme: a “human experiment” where 20 people were dropped on a desert island for six days, with only two days of survival training.Together, Michelle and Sophie explore: Survival skills & the reality of ‘paradise’The basics of surviving on an atoll: coconuts, fish, and crabs as the only real food sources.Learning to climb coconut trees, use palm fronds for shelter, and build “questionable” ladders.Spear fishing, line fishing with makeshift plastic‑bottle rods, and using crabs as bait.Food, ethics, and our disconnection from where food comes fromThe emotional impact of killing the animals you eat and facing that reality head‑on.Why wasting a single fish felt so heavy when you’d speared it yourself.How the experience shifted Sophie’s relationship with meat, fish, and supermarket food back home.Hunger, morale, and the “emergency rice” dilemmaThe physical and mental crash around day two as the group struggled with heat, exertion, and very few calories.The group vote to bring in emergency rice, and how simply knowing there was a back‑up completely changed morale.The fascinating “tribes” that formed between rice eaters vs. non‑rice eaters, and what that revealed about identity and pride.Community, leadership and group dynamicsHow the group decided to appoint Kelly, an Alaskan hunter and fisher, as a leader – and what it means to “lead from the back”.The challenge of finding enough food for 20 people vs. surviving alone.How everyone eventually “found their groove” and unique role in the micro‑society on the island.Phones, presence, and creative freedomWhat happens when you are suddenly phone‑free and offline: the initial withdrawal, then complete freedom.Discovering how much time and joy re‑appears when you’re carving coconuts, playing games, swimming and simply talking – with no schedule and no notifications.The struggle of bringing those lessons back into a “normal” life that’s busy, structured and always online.Deep connection and telling the truth about yourselfWhy deep, face‑to‑face connection around a campfire is nothing like “social media connection”.How the island gave people space to tell their real stories, share things they’d held in for years, and be met without judgment.Sophie’s biggest personal takeaway: the confidence that she can show up as her full, slightly weird, authentic self and still be accepted. The episode closes with a powerful reflection on what Sophie will leave on the island, what she’ll bring home, and how adventures like this can remind us what really matters: presence, people, and permission to be ourselves. To find out more about the experiment and see if you can joing the next one - shoot sophie a message on Instagram @street_sophie For the running adventures check out https://greatsilkrun.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michelle sits down with Helen and Marcella, the duo behind the first ever all‑British female team to finish the Dakar Rally – in a Land Rover they built themselves in a shed, affectionately named Purdy. 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 startedMoving to France, a chaotic first meeting, and how wine + turning 50 led to saying “yes” to Dakar.Building Purdy in a shedBuying a rough Defender off eBay, turning it into a Dakar‑spec car, and battling electrics and wiring gremlins.Funding the dreamSelling cars, jewellery and dipping into a pension, plus the reality of chasing sponsorship when no one knows you.Life at DakarThe moving “town” of the bivouac, zero sleep, mixing with factory teams and legends, and surviving with minimal spares and one young mechanic.On‑stage chaosReading road books, driving dunes and rock‑fields, double punctures on the final day, and almost not making the finish.The unfiltered realitySpider bites, stomach upsets, desert toilet logistics and an escalating obsession with bananas.Friendship & being firstHow 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 listenIf 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 zoneGraft – building the car, finding the money, fixing it when it catches fireGrit and humour – dealing with spiders, sand, sponsors and squits, and still laughingFriendship – 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s dare is inspired by my incredible previous guest, Abbi Pulling from the F1 Academy. In our conversation, Abbi said something that stopped me in my tracks: “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 confidenceHow 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 daysOne 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 quietCorrecting mis-credit and saying, “Actually, I led that project”Naming your real rates or boundaries without apologisingStretching 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:Where in my life am I most underestimating myself?What am I quietly excellent at that nobody sees because I keep hiding it?If I was 10% more arrogant this week, what would I do differently?This week’s dareFor 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 didI would love to hear how you get on with this dare. DM me on Instagram and tell me what you triedOr tag me in your Stories and share your 10% more arrogant momentDare 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 guestsA sisterhood community if you haven’t found your tribe yetOngoing mini dares, tools, and conversations to help you be more daringWe’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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of She Who Dares Wins, Michelle sits down with Abbi Pulling – GB3 driver, F1 Academy champion and Nissan Formula E development driver – for a raw, funny and honest conversation about what it really takes to make it in motorsport. 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 TakeawaysMindset 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of SHE Who Dares Wins, Michelle sits back down with Eva – bushcraft instructor, founder of Wilder Horizons CIC, and former contestant on the TV show Alone – to explore what it really looks like to rebuild your life from the ground up. 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 AboutDaring 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 herselfWhat 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 systemWhy she now values alignment and mental health over job titles, pensions and sick payCaravan life and living smallMoving from a two-bed flat into a tiny caravan with her partner… just as winter startedJuggling 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 needsStuff, screens and simplifyingLetting go of storage units, “just in case” boxes and the things she didn’t miss for a whole yearSwapping infinite Netflix choice for five charity-shop DVDs – and what that taught her about decision fatigue and delayed gratificationLoneliness, lost friendships and starting againThe quiet grief of friendships that fade when you step off the traditional life pathWhy it’s so hard to have honest conversations about “what went wrong” in friendshipsFeeling like you’re starting from scratch socially when your values and lifestyle changeFinding belonging in the outdoorsThree months in north Wales with the Outward Bound Trust and Berghaus:Living in a shared house with seven womenLong days in the cold and wet, learning navigation, rock skills and paddlingThe deep sense of community that formed from being together 24/7How intense shared experiences fast-track genuine connection and trustWomen-only spaces and why they matterTraining with female instructors and what changed when there were no men in the groupThe difference in energy, competition and confidence in women-only learning spacesWhy Eva chose to keep her bushcraft events women-only after hearing participant feedbackBushcraft as a doorway to courageWatching women come solo to events – sometimes for the first time doing anything just for themselvesHow lighting fires, carving wood and sleeping outside can unlock confidence far beyond the woodsThe ripple effect: course WhatsApp groups, new hiking buddies and women planning their own adventures togetherSafety, responsibility and the outdoor industryThe 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 HorizonsEva’s word of the year: ExpansionMoving from “doing everything myself” to hiring a community and adventure managerHer vision for employing and uplifting more women in the outdoor space Join Dare club: www.shewhodareswins.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this raw, unscripted episode, Michelle shares what happened 24 hours after quitting her job in construction—a career she’s had for 18 years, including 17 years on site and the last two years working in social media for a construction firm. 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 goodHow her part-time role became a comfort blanket tied to her identity and self-worthThe emotional and practical challenges of balancing a “safe” job with a big dreamWhat it felt like in the first 24 hours after quitting—liberation, fear, and excitementWhy 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 contentKeeping her old videos as part of her story and journeyInviting you to come along for this new chapterIf you’ve been waiting for a sign to back yourself, this might be it. Key Topics CoveredLeaving an 18-year construction careerHybrid life: part-time job + part-time dreamIdentity and self-worth tied to your jobListening to the universe / your gut when it’s time to move onThe emotional mix of excitement vs. anxietyLetting go of the “comfort blanket” and taking a bet on yourselfThe rebirth of the channel and the next phase of She Who Dares WinsSuggested Timestamps (you can adjust based on final edit)00:00 – I just quit my jobMichelle opens with the news that she’s quit her job in construction.00:40 – 18 years in construction & the shift to social mediaBackground on her career and recent role in social media for a construction firm.01:20 – Building the She Who Dares Wins podcast on the sideHow she’s been growing the show while working part-time.02:10 – Why she decided to quitCulture, environment, identity, and the comfort blanket of a “safe” job.03:10 – The problem with hybrid roles and divided energyWhy part-time work still drains the energy needed to pursue a dream.04:10 – Trusting the universe and listening to her gutThe signs and feelings that pushed her to finally make the move.05:00 – 24 hours after quitting: how it really feelsLiberation, relief, and the surprising lack of panic—so far.05:45 – Excitement vs. anxietyHow similar they feel and why she’s choosing to see it as excitement.06:20 – A message to anyone unhappy in their jobEncouragement to trust your gut and set yourself free.07:00 – Closing the door on constructionOfficially ending her involvement in construction and keeping one toe out.07:40 – Channel rebirth & what’s nextWhy 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 thoughtsThank you to existing subscribers and an invitation to join the new journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of She Dares Wins, recorded live at the Be Right Back event, Michelle sits down with Tessa Wittock, a stunt driver and car drifter whose journey takes her from investment banking in London to drifting in muddy fields, then all the way to Hollywood, working on Mission Impossible 7 with Tom Cruise. 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 VitaraTeaching herself in muddy fields and at Santa PodBeing 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 worldHer mentor Terry Grant and introduction to stunt director Wade EastwoodAuditioning against other female drivers and landing Mission Impossible 7Driving everything from BMW M5 to a military H2 HummerWhat 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 EuropeHandling (and sometimes not handling) the pressure of qualifyingThe 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 limitsEarly female inspirations: Belinda Chalice and Lisa BranchWhy she admires Jess Hawkins and the impact of F1 AcademyHer message to young women: “If I can do it, anybody can.”Teaching others to drift:Running her drift academy at Three Sisters Circuit in WiganWhy she believes anyone can learn to drift—students aged 81 and 84 includedHer top tips for first-time drifters (including Caterham drivers):Look where you want to goUse your eyes to guide your handsAlways be two steps ahead on trackCommon misconceptions racing drivers have when they try drifting.Mindset, nerves & performing under pressure:How Tessa manages nerves on the start lineThe music she uses to get in the zone (drum & bass)Using mental checklists before a run to stay calm and focusedDealing 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 supercarsWorking as a product expert for Rolls-Royce, driving long distances and on trackWhy she wants to try rally and ultimately something Dakar-relatedPlans 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/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s dare: Reach out to someone who’s a few steps ahead of you in an area you’re trying to grow—business, career, or even a hobby. 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 WinsWhy 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 themA 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 journeyEncourages 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of She Who Dares Wins, Michelle sits down with Chloe Brennan – two-time World’s Strongest Woman (u73kg), England’s Strongest Woman, coach, and founder of Lift Your Limits – to explore what really sits behind strength, success, and daring to change your life. 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 lifeHow sport exposed deep-rooted beliefs about not being good enoughWhat hypnotherapy actually is (and isn’t) – and why high-performing athletes love itIdentity, 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 youThis is a conversation for anyone standing at a crossroads, feeling they “should” stay where they are, but knowing there’s more. Key TakeawaysGoing against expectations is often the first brave step – leaving psychology for nursing was Chloe’s first real act of owning her life.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.Hypnotherapy isn’t mind control – it’s about self-efficacy, rewiring limiting beliefs, and using evidence of who you already are.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.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.External validation isn’t evil, just incomplete – it feels good, but it can’t replace self-acceptance.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 won0:01:30 – Leaving a “perfect” psychology path for disability nursing and owning her first big pivot0:03:40 – Discovering strongwoman through trampolining injuries, powerlifting and an accidental first comp0:08:40 – From nurse to full-time strength coach and building a holistic coaching business0:09:50 – Hypnotherapy explained: busting myths and how it transforms athlete mindsets0:15:55 – Titles, world records and still not feeling “enough” – when success doesn’t fix the emptiness0:18:12 – Therapy, triggers, and realizing sport was carrying a deep “not good enough” story0:25:05 – Identity, parts integration, and letting “athlete Chloe” and “human Chloe” coexist0:31:16 – 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 people0:46:39 – January pivot: saying she was “done” competing to finding her way back to strongwoman0:52:26 – Athletes, businesswomen and mindset: why Chloe’s work goes far beyond the gym0:56:57 – Chloe’s dare for women: back yourself, acknowledge your wins, and do it even when you doubt yourself Join Dare Club Here Shop hoodies and Tees www.shewhodareswins.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Dare Day episode of She Who Dares Wins, Michelle reflects on an inspiring International Women’s Day weekend at a women in motorsport event hosted by Laura. She shares stories from conversations with Abbi Pulling (two-time F1 Academy winner and rising Formula 1 hopeful), Tess Wittoc (stunt and drift driver featured in Mission Impossible films), and Helen & Marcella (the first British women to complete the Dakar in the classic category). 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 DareGive 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 toolsWhat’s included:Monthly live sessions with past and new podcast guests, teaching on business, lifestyle, sport, and more15-minute bonus “dare” episodes from guests, created just for Dare Club membersBi-weekly coffee drop-ins for accountability and community check-insTips, tricks, and resources to help you take action in life, work, and sportMember discounts for the shop and first access to live events like the recent motorsport eventLaunch details:Launch date: 27th MarchFounding 50: Only 50 seats at launch with a lifetime locked-in priceAccess is only available via the Dare Club waitlist (newsletter sign-up) Sign up to Dare club Wait list : https://stan.store/shewhodareswins Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Allie spent 26 years drinking, built a career in the music industry, and ran marathons and 100‑mile ultras trying to outrun how much she hated herself. On the outside she was the hard‑drinking goth with the dream job and big races; on the inside she was depressed, suicidal, and convinced the next achievement would finally make her “enough.” 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 You can’t outrun self‑hateNo 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.Alcohol sells you a lieIt 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.Sport can be a mask as much as a medicineUltra 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.Values are a turning point, not a buzzwordIdentifying 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.There’s no self‑sabotage, only self‑preservationThose 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.Mindset > medals (and times are neutral)Allie reframes success around what you can control: process, effort, joy, community and integrity. Finish times and podiums are byproducts, not the point.Doing the work is daily, not dramaticJournaling, tiny honest decisions, and repeatedly choosing actions that match your values matter more than one big “rock bottom” moment or a single breakthrough.Failure and mess make the best stories – and the most growthDNFs, 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 Join Dare Club: Club Shop: www.shewhodareswins.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of She Who Dares Wins, Michelle sits down with Anna, Arts Director at Sunny Bank Mills, to explore what it really means to dare in your career and life. From experimental theatre and large-scale cultural production at Leeds 2023, to community-focused curation in a former textile mill, Anna shares how she stepped off the traditional career ladder to build a lifestyle job that actually fits her values. 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 TakeawaysDaring can mean changing direction, not just climbing higherAnna 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 constructionThe 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 beAt Sunny Bank Mills, Anna focuses on accessibility and community:A gallery on a village high street, not just in a city centreA zine library and touchable pieces to break down shame and intimidationWelcoming honest feedback from locals who feel real ownership of the spaceCurating 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 thinkShe wants to stand beside every work and confidently say why it’s on the wall.Lifestyle job vs endless growthMoving from freelancing and high-intensity projects to a family-run, community-rooted site has shifted Anna’s view of success:One “hat” instead of sixDaily connection with artists, locals, and a historic site of makingSpace to prioritise work–life balance over constant “more, bigger, faster”.Honesty about motherhood and identityAnna shares two “dares” for herself:Returning to horse riding as a hobbySeriously considering starting a familyShe talks openly about fears around losing identity, career impact, and inherited anxieties many career-driven women feel.A dare for other womenAnna’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 Shop she who dares wins: www.shewhodareswins.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s dare: 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 storyWhat working in construction taught her about asking one simple question and then just… leaving spaceHow her ADHD and love of telling her own story means she has to consciously practice listening as a skillA 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 hearThe way podcast guests often come on to talk about something totally different to what they’re known for onlinePractical 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 talkHelp you see people as multilayered humans, not just job titlesMake others feel seen, heard, and appreciatedKey takeaways: Listening is not passive – it’s intentional and courageousSilences and gaps are where the real story often appearsYou don’t need to turn every chat into therapy; just be curious and see where the conversation wants to goWhen you truly listen, both of you walk away feeling more connectedThis 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/shewhodareswinsFirst limited-edition drop of the She Dares Wins clothing range launching mid-March. www.shewhodareswins.comUse code POD10 for 10% off at shedareswins.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Claudia joins Michelle to share how someone who is “really, really scared of heights” became a glider pilot, instructor, and member of the British gliding team. From panic on step ladders to flying at 12,000 feet in Australia, Claudia breaks down the reality of gliding: the tactics, the weather, the landouts in farmers’ fields, and the joy of silent flight. She also talks candidly about pressure in competition, being a woman in a male‑dominated aviation world, and how “just going to have fun” transformed her performance on the world stage. Key TakeawaysClaudia’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 [00:01:34] – Claudia introduced on the “She Who Dares Wins” podcast[00:02:00] – “Really scared of heights… and a British gliding team member”[00:04:16] – First gliding lesson in Germany and signing up the same day[00:07:38] – What competition gliding is and why it’s like sailing[00:13:55] – Landing in farmers’ fields and how gliders are taken apart[00:19:18] – Why she feels safer in a glider than in a powered aircraft[00:28:06] – Winning a silver medal at the Women’s World Gliding Championship[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.