She Who Dares, Wins.

This week’s Dare Day episode was inspired by an unexpected quiet moment.An early morning drive.No traffic. No radio. nd the sudden realisation that I could hear birds singing — from inside the car.That small moment led to a bigger question: when did we stop noticing what’s around us?In this bonus episode, Michelle shares a simple but grounding story about an early winter morning, a red sky, a cup of tea in the garden, and how listening — properly listening — shifted her entire day.The episode also connects to insights from Episode with Georgia, who described a chance visit to an RSPB hide that made her realise how much of the natural world she’d been missing simply because she’d never stopped to notice it.This isn’t sentimental fluff. There’s real science behind why moments like this feel so powerful.In this episode, we cover:Why natural sounds like birdsong calm the nervous systemHow most of us live in low-level fight-or-flight without realisingThe concept of “soft fascination” and why nature restores a tired brainHow listening grounds us in the present and eases anxietyWhy nothing has to change around you for something to shift internallyThis Week’s Dare:Take 5–10 minutes early in the morning.Before your phone. Before conversations. Before the world gets loud.No music. No podcasts. No scrolling. Make a tea or coffee if you like. Sit outside, on a doorstep, balcony, or by an open window.Close your eyes. And listen.Birds, wind, distance, silence — whatever is there.You’re not trying to relax. You’re not fixing anything. You’re simply reminding your nervous system that it’s safe.If you’ve stopped hearing the birds, there’s a good chance you’ve been carrying too much noise for too long.Want weekly dares like this?Dare Club is free to join and lands these weekly dares straight in your inbox, along with early access to live events and special announcements.You can sign up via the link in the episode description or through Instagram.Thanks for listening — and enjoy this week’s dare.Join Dare Club https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

Becky was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 15 and thought her life was basically over. Spoiler: it wasn’t. In this episode we talk about what Crohn’s actually looks like day-to-day (fatigue, pain, planning your life around toilets…), the mindset shift that helped her stop shrinking her dreams, and why success sometimes looks like getting out of bed and having a shower — not “hustling” yourself into the ground.We also get into Becky’s Everest Base Camp trek attempt, the reality of doing big adventures with an unpredictable body, and the one comment from a stranger that perfectly sums up why invisible illness is such a minefield.Key takeawaysCrohn’s isn’t “a dodgy tummy” — it’s an autoimmune disease with physical and mental load.You can still build a full life, but you may need to do it differently (and that’s not failure).The fatigue is real even in remission — “slept 9 hours, feel like 3” levels of real.Invisible illness comes with invisible planning: toilets, timing, travel anxiety, the whole mental spreadsheet.You’re allowed to redefine success — especially when your body is fighting you.Turning back isn’t quitting. Sometimes it’s the bravest, smartest decision you can make.People will judge what they don’t understand (“you can’t be that sick…”) — don’t let that rewrite your reality.Kindness matters more than most people realise. “Be kind” isn’t cringe — it’s necessary.Timestamps00:00 Intro + “How have you dared and won?”00:14 Diagnosed at 15: believing life was “over”02:22 The pressure of school + the long road to diagnosis/remission04:24 Quitting A-levels, finding snowboarding, becoming an instructor (the pivot)05:43 The biggest misconception: “it’s just a tummy issue”06:32 The day-to-day reality: exhaustion, pain, urgency, immunosuppressants08:39 Everest Base Camp planning + how Crohn’s derailed it (and why she still went)28:00 Turning back at altitude + hospital in Kathmandu (ego vs survival)33:44 Fundraising wins + choosing your life anyway48:17 Misconception: “you can control it with diet” + the wider symptoms (arthritis, mouth ulcers)49:58 “You can’t be that sick…” — the invisible illness moment that stuckMentionedCrohn’s & Colitis UK (resources, support, info for patients + employers)Join Dare Club: https://stan.store/shewhodareswinswww.shewhodareswins.com - Code POD10

Most of the time I’m interviewing other women about their wild, brave, chaotic journeys… and nine times out of ten, there’s a burnout story buried in there somewhere.So today, I’m sharing mine.In this episode, I walk you through the year my body finally hit the brakes — the ignored symptoms, the hospital scares, the career misalignment, and the long, messy rebuild that followed. If you’re running on adrenaline, juggling too much, or quietly falling apart while pretending everything's fine… consider this your nudge.This isn’t a dramatic “quit your job and move to Bali” story. It’s the real version — the hospital ECGs, the mozzarella-stick diet, the overthinking, the identity crisis, and the uncomfortable truth that you can only outrun yourself for so long.What We Talk AboutThe moment a doctor asked me one question that exposed everythingThe physical symptoms I brushed off (and why that was a terrible plan)How 17 years in construction + 2 kids + 2 businesses became the perfect stormWhen stress masquerades as illnessThe identity shift that comes with leaving a career you’ve built your life aroundThe slow rebuild: sleep, food, movement, and actually listening to myselfWhy purpose matters more than any “goal” you can tick offThe three things I stopped doing so I’d never burn out like that againHow this burnout became the catalyst for She Who Dares WinsDownload the Free Worksheet — The ReckoningIf you’re feeling stretched thin, misaligned, or stuck in someone else’s version of your life, this is the exact reflection tool I used (and still use).https://stan.store/shewhodareswinsWho This Episode Is ForWomen who are:juggling too muchburnt out but pretending they’re “fine”questioning their careerrebuilding after a crashwanting a life that actually fits themA Note From MeIf any part of this episode hits home — you’re not weak, dramatic, or failing. You’re human. And your body is usually wiser than your ego.Talking about burnout doesn’t make you fragile. It makes you honest.Thanks for listening.She Who Dares Wins. 🤘

Georgia didn’t just dare — she bolted. At 22 she booked a one-way ticket to Australia, spent seven years travelling the world, worked in one of Queensland’s roughest pubs, wandered through Africa, and accidentally built the resilience most people try to buy in paperback form.A decade later, one spontaneous visit to an RSPB reserve flipped a switch she didn’t know she had. In just one year, she’s become a standout wildlife photographer, built a community of new-age birders, and is now leading her first international birding trip — all while navigating the tension between passion and monetisation.This episode is all about daring to start something completely new, letting curiosity lead the way, and remembering that the wild isn’t “out there”… it’s been on your doorstep the whole damn time.Key Takeaways (Condensed)How a single meme and a toxic relationship pushed her to book that one-way ticket.The seven years of travel that shaped her grit, confidence, and worldview.The unexpected moment birding clicked — and why it hit so hard.Her rise in wildlife photography despite zero formal training.The ethics, chaos, and surprising humour inside the birding world.Why she’s not rushing to turn her passion into a full-time job.How community, nature, and curiosity helped her find her thing.Timestamps0:00 – Welcome + Georgia’s biggest dare 0:12 – Why she booked a one-way ticket to Australia at 22 3:20 – Seven years on the road: Africa, New Zealand, Canada & chaos 4:55 – Working in one of Queensland’s “roughest pubs” 7:30 – The accidental moment she discovered birding 12:50 – Why wildlife photography hooked her instantly 15:40 – The challenge of keeping passion and monetisation separate 18:45 – Building a new kind of birding community + UK wildlife loveShop www.shewhodareswins.comJoin Dare club Community

This week’s Dare Thursday is a little different — mostly because Michelle is recording while full of lurgy and zero illusions of having her life together. Instead of a neatly structured pep talk, you’re getting a raw brain dump on presence, pressure, and why your future goals are sometimes ruining your mood in the present.In this episode, Michelle unpacks:💥 Why your brain loves dragging you out of the momentFrom planning next year’s guests to imagining your finances in 12 months, the mental time travel never ends. And honestly? It’s exhausting. Especially when it stops you from appreciating the good stuff that’s already happening.💭 The trap of goal-setting that nobody warns you aboutYes, goals matter. But obsessing over them? That’s the fast lane to anxiety. Michelle reflects on how she hit goals she never planned for — and missed goals she thought mattered — and what that actually teaches you about focus and flexibility.🌱 The power of micro-presenceShe's been experimenting with catching herself mid-spiral and asking simple grounding questions:Am I okay right now?Do I have what I need today?Are the kids fine?Has anything genuinely gone wrong?Turns out, checking in with the present lowers anxiety much faster than a five-year plan ever has.🧠 ADHD, internal rebellion & why “You have to do this” never worksIf your inner child wants to flip a table every time you impose a strict goal on yourself… yeah, you’re not alone. Michelle breaks down why some brains reject pressure — and how reframing your “must do’s” into playful experiments might actually get you results.🎨 The story of the artist told to go get 50 rejectionsOne of the best mindset flips of the episode: failure as a game. Once the pressure disappeared, the success exploded.This Week’s DareCatch yourself every single time you start spiralling about the future or beating yourself up for not being “further along.” Pause. Ask: “Is today actually okay?” If the answer is yes — drop the panic. You’re still on the path, even if it’s wiggly. Dare Club Is OPENMichelle has officially launched Dare Club — the free online community for women who want:more connectionmore couragemore accountabilitymore ‘holy crap, I’m actually doing the thing’ momentsYou can join for free, with optional paid tiers coming packed with value. Connect over podcast guests, your own dares, and real-life meetups as the community grows.Join via Michelle’s Instagram bio or at shewhodareswins.com → Dare Club.

In this episode of She Who Dares Wins, Michelle sits down with Becca Worgan — the current Natural World’s Strongest Woman under 82 kg and possibly the calmest, most grounded powerhouse you’ll ever meet.Becca didn’t grow up dreaming about lifting atlas stones or dragging cars for fun. She only started Strongman in 2019… and then decided to go and dominate it. Casual.We dig into how she built her strength, both the muscle and the mindset. She talks about juggling university, work, and training without losing her sanity, and why stepping into a Strongman gym as a woman can feel like walking into a secret society — but shouldn’t.Becca also shares how a tiny pivot from bodybuilding to Strongman changed everything, why the crew at Steel City Gym in Middlesbrough helped her level up fast, and how community can do what discipline alone can’t.There’s also plenty on injury setbacks, rebuilding confidence, stepping into commentating, and why she’s training to become a physio specifically for strength athletes — because she wants to give back to the sport that gave her direction.It’s an episode full of grit, straight talk, and reassurance for every woman who’s ever looked at a barbell and thought, “Not sure that’s for me.” Spoiler: it is.Key TakeawaysRelentless focus pays off. Becca’s success comes from showing up, even on the grim days when motivation left the chat.Your environment matters. A supportive gym isn’t a luxury — it’s rocket fuel. Steel City proved that.Strength isn’t a boys’ club. Women face real barriers entering strength sports, but Becca’s on a mission to tear those down.Make your passion your career. From competing to commentating to becoming a physio, Becca’s building a future rooted in the sport she loves.Setbacks don’t define you. Injuries happen — the comeback is where the real mental strength shows up.Notable Quotes“Once you know how to use everything and what you’re doing, that fear will go. You can get really confident really quickly in it.”“I just love being strong. It quickly became, I’m more interested in what my body can do than what it looks like.”“It’s not selfish. An hour at the gym three or four times a week isn’t selfish at all — you can definitely find that time.”“I’ve never been so pleased about something in my life. All that work was worth it when I won.”“If you're in the northeast, send me a message. I’m training all over the place and I’ll happily train with you.”ResourcesBecca Worgan on InstagramSteel City Gym, MiddlesbroughNatural World’s Strongest Woman CompetitionChaos PromotionsUK Natural Strength Federation (UKNS)Support the ShowShop hoodies and tees at👉 www.shewhodareswins.comUse code POD10 for 10% off.

In this playful bonus episode, we're flipping beige routines on their head and spreading joy the rogue way — with anonymous sticky notes.I’m talking about The Chaos Note — a bold little dare to leave a kind, funny, or outrageously uplifting note in public this week.Inside this episode:The personal story behind how one mirror note hit me like a brick of unexpected kindnessThe science of how random acts of kindness boost happiness (for you and them)Why anonymous giving triggers the brain’s reward system harder than public praiseThe dopamine surprise effect, stress reduction, and the ripple effect of tiny kind gesturesThis week’s dare: Write a note. Leave it. Walk away like the legend you are.If you’re ready to shake up the world’s beige energy and remind someone they matter — this one’s for you.🎧 Listen now and leave your legacy in neon ink.📝 Dare 11: Leave one anonymous note this week. Tag @SheWhoDaresWins if you’re in. Or don’t. Chaos likes mystery.Clothing: www.shewhodareswins.comJoin Dare club: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

Surviving SAS, Authenticity, and Self-Discovery with Lucy Spraggan This week, Lucy Spraggan sits down with me for one of the most honest, eye-opening conversations we’ve had on the show. If you think you know her from The X Factor or SAS: Who Dares Wins… you don’t. Not until you hear this.Lucy talks openly about the realities of fame, trauma, sobriety, neurodiversity, and what it actually takes to rebuild your life from the ground up. She doesn’t sugar-coat a thing and that’s exactly why this episode hits so hard.We get into the brutal behind-the-scenes of SAS, the mindset shift that changed everything, and why radical authenticity has become her non-negotiable. From learning to stop caring what people think, to finding joy in the smallest, most unexpected places… this episode is packed with truth.If you’re navigating change, dealing with your past, or trying to figure out who the hell you are now — this one will stay with you.Key TakeawaysAuthenticity isn’t a buzzword — it’s a daily decision Lucy had to fight for.SAS broke her physically, but rebuilt her mentally in ways she didn’t expect.Sobriety gave her clarity, confidence, and a deeper sense of purpose.Human connection — not individual grit — is what gets you through adversity.Neurodiversity is her superpower, especially in creative and high-pressure spaces.Radical honesty can change your entire relationship with yourself.You are not your thoughts — and learning that can completely shift your life.Joy comes from simple, grounded moments, not external validation.Timestamps0:00 — Welcome + Lucy’s definition of daring and winning0:11 — The cost (and power) of radical authenticity0:37 — Writing her book and telling the truth, even when it hurt1:20 — Learning to stop caring what people think3:45 — SAS: Why she pursued it and how she prepared5:00 — The physical aftermath and hidden realities of the show7:36 — Near-injuries, fear, and pushing through trauma9:40 — Why connection mattered more than strength on SAS11:19 — Behind the interrogation: sensory deprivation + mental testing14:04 — The mindset warrior moment that changed everything15:21 — What adversity taught her about herself16:32 — Mental health, intrusive thoughts, and radical self-awareness19:19 — Practicing “I am not my thoughts”20:44 — Intention, presence, and redefining performance23:20 — Music, community, and why connection is everything26:00 — Boundaries with fans and protecting her mental health29:06 — ADHD, learning patterns, and creativity31:21 — Would Lucy be where she is without X Factor?32:36 — Delusional capability: her secret weapon35:59 — Breaking free from expectations and rebuilding your life38:40 — Health challenges, long Covid, and mindset shifts39:51 — Metal detecting, joy, and finding a life that feels good42:15 — Martial arts, self-defence, and building physical confidence45:08 — Discipline vs motivation — the real difference46:00 — Misconceptions and learning not to care49:06 — Joy, gratitude, and what truly matters52:55 — Materialism, identity, and growth55:16 — Carrying the people we’ve lost56:45 — The dare: Lucy’s next challenge58:12 — Why every woman should try jiu jitsu1:00:00 — The vulva story, recovery, and ending with real talkShop: www.shewhodareswins.comJoin Dare Club: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

In this episode of the Bonus Series, we’re cutting through the BS and breaking down why saying yes when you mean no isn’t kindness – it’s self-abandonment. I share my own story of overcommitting (hello burnout), the science behind approval-seeking, and how it screws with your nervous system, energy, and self-trust.We unpack:The social and neurological reasons we avoid saying noWhy your fake yes is slowly burning you outThe real cost of emotional suppression and cognitive dissonanceTools to recognise a truthful yes vs. an obligation yesSmall ways to practice honest communication and build that backbonePLUS: Your weekly DARE to practice saying no (without the guilt hangover).Need backup as you start flexing your no muscle? Join us in Dare Club – the place for bold, honest women who are done shrinking.Follow, share, and tag @SheWhoDaresWins – and let us know what you said no to this week!