She Who Dares, Wins.

In this engaging episode of the "Shoe Dares Wins" podcast, Michelle sits down with the inspiring Meg Holloway, founder of the Joy Project, to explore how she transitioned from a "good girl" living a conventional life to an empowering coach and leader in the realm of personal development. Meg, who was diagnosed with ADHD in her thirties, shares candidly about her journey of self-discovery, moving to the Lake District, and launching her own coaching business.During the conversation, Meg dives deep into the concept of the "good girl," a persona she and many women struggle to break free from. By using practical examples from her own life and those of her clients, Meg provides valuable insights on overcoming limiting beliefs, dealing with imposter syndrome, and embracing one's true identity. Topics such as the impact of ADHD on women, the power of nature in personal growth, and the importance of community connection are threaded throughout the discussion, offering listeners a comprehensive guide to self-empowerment and joyful living.Key Takeaways:Embracing Change: Meg emphasizes how pivotal moments, like her ADHD diagnosis, can spur transformative changes and lead to personal and professional growth.Breaking the Good Girl Mold: The episode focuses on how societal and self-imposed expectations create limiting beliefs and how women can break free to explore their true potential.Power of the Outdoors: Discover the immense benefits of nature and outdoor activities in fostering mental clarity and personal insight.Community and Connection: The importance of retreats and group activities in helping women find support and forge meaningful, empowering connections.Resilience and Intuition: Meg underscores the significance of trusting one's intuition and resilience in the journey toward self-empowerment and authentic living.Notable Quotes:"We know most, if not all Adhders struggle with something called RSD, which is rejection, sensitivity, dysphoria.""A large part of it was the pandemic—the amount of time I had with my thoughts and getting super bored of my own bullshit.""My job throughout my entire partnership with a client is to hold them at the highest place they can imagine and then help them get there.""If you don't manage it yourself in coming out of that good girl, at some point your brain and your body will catch up with you and go, right, out.""I fundamentally believe that some of the things I know now, if I had been taught those as a teenager, I probably wouldn't have gone through halfConnect with Meg @thejoyprojectcoach and @megg.hollowayPlease support the show at www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins Listen to all our 5- 10 minute exclusive bonus episodesShop HOODIES AND Tees @ www.shewhodareswins.com Pod10 for 10% off

Episode Summary:In this episode of the Shoe Dares Wins podcast, host Michelle welcomes the incredibly resilient and determined Becca Worgan, a celebrated strength athlete and the current Natural World's Strongest Woman under 82 kg. Michelle and Becca discuss her journey into the world of Strongman, a sport she only began pursuing in 2019. The conversation dives into Becca’s intense training regimens, the mental challenges she faced, and her strategies to stay focused on her goals, even while balancing academics and work.Becca shares how she initially joined the bodybuilding world, her pivot to Strongman events, and the supportive gym environment at Steel City in Middlesbrough, which played a crucial role in her development. The episode is rich with insights into the barriers many women face when entering strength sports, and Becca's mission to inspire and empower more women to pursue these activities. The conversation also touches on the community and camaraderie within the sport, her experience with injuries, and her ventures into commentating and pursuing a career in physiotherapy to support strength athletes.Key Takeaways:Commitment to Goals: Becca's intense focus and dedication to training and competing at the highest levels in Strongman.Supportive Environments: The critical impact of a positive and inclusive gym community on personal and professional growth in sports.Strength Training for Women: Addressing common barriers women face in strength sports and promoting the benefits of strength training for health and empowerment.Career Diversification: How Becca integrates her passion for strength sports into her career path through physiotherapy and commentating.Injury and Recovery: Insights into dealing with injuries and the mental resilience required to overcome setbacks in high-performance sports.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." - Becca Worgan"I just love being strong. It quickly became, I'm more interested in what my body can do than what it now looks like." - Becca Worgan"It's not selfish, an hour at the gym, three or four times a week is not selfish at all. You can definitely find that time." - Becca Worgan"I've never been so pleased about something in my life. All that work was so worth it when I won." - Becca Worgan"If you're in the northeast, find me on Instagram, send me a message, because I'm training all over the place, and I'll happily train with you." - Becca WorganResources:Follow Becca Worgan on InstagramSteel City Gym in Middlesbrough: The supportive gym where Becca trains.Natural World's Strongest Woman Competition: The prestigious competition Becca won.Chaos Promotions: The organization offering Becca opportunities in commentating.UK Natural Strength Federation (UKNS): The federation supporting natural strength pathways.We encourage you to listen to the full episode to get inspired Please support the show at www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins Listen to all our 5- 10 minute exclusive bonus episodesShop HOODIES AND Tees @ www.shewhodareswins.com Pod10 for 10% off

The latest episode of the Shoe Dares Wins podcast featured a special webinar conducted live from Camp VC, hosted by Michelle. This session, held on July 29th, was dedicated to discussing personal transformation through overcoming fears and excelling in sports. The webinar highlighted the inspiring journey of Kitty Cartwright, who dared to confront a longstanding fear and ultimately became a decorated rafting competitor.Addressing Personal Challenges: Kitty Cartwright discussed overcoming past traumas to achieve success in rafting. "I first got in a raft two years ago, pretty much this summer, and now I’ve represented the country twice and won medals." - Kitty CartwrightImportance of Teamwork: The webinar emphasized the crucial role of community and support systems in achieving formidable goals.Training and Discipline: Detailed the rigorous training scKey TakeawaysOvercoming Fear: Kitty Cartwright transformed a childhood traumatic experience into a passionate pursuit of rafting, exemplifying resilience and the power of confronting fears.Community and Teamwork: Emphasizing the camaraderie and support systems within her sport, Kitty demonstrates how teamwork elevates personal and collective achievement.Challenges of Underfunded Sports: Kitty's experience sheds light on the financial and logistical hurdles in niche sports, underscoring the need for increased support and recognition.Please support the show at www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins Listen to all our 5- 10 minute exclusive bonus episodesShop HOODIES AND Tees @ www.shewhodareswins.com Pod10 for 10% off

Emma reflects on her career journey, from landing a role at Munster Rugby before completing her PhD to redefining nutrition practices at Tottenham. They discuss navigating male-dominated environments, the nuances of working with elite athletes, and Emma's passion for creating opportunities for upcoming nutritionists. Emma shares insights on adapting to cultural differences, the importance of perseverance, and her pragmatic approach to innovation in sports nutrition. A compelling listen for anyone interested in sports science and female empowerment in professional sports.Timestamp Summary0:00 Emma Tester's Journey from PhD to Head Nutritionist at Tottenham2:52 Challenges and Misconceptions in Sports Nutrition Careers5:42 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Male-Dominated Sports Environments10:42 Respecting Cultural and Religious Differences in Sports Dressing Rooms12:56 Navigating Elite Sports Environments with Confidence and Adaptability15:54 The Emotional Rewards of Working in Professional Sports19:55 Nutrition Strategies for Premier League Athletes24:13 Challenges and Strategies in Football Nutrition Management29:47 Challenges of Managing Players During International Competitions31:38 The Challenges of Managing Footballers' Dietary and Lifestyle Choices35:04 The Isolated Lives of High-Profile Footballers37:26 Challenges and Triumphs of Women in Sports Nutrition Leadership42:04 Innovative Leadership and Challenging the Status Quo in Sports47:02 Adapting Communication Styles in Male-Dominated Workplaces50:05 Emma Tester on Career Growth, Personal Projects, and Simple JoysPlease support the show at www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins Listen to all our 5- 10 minute exclusive bonus episodesShop HOODIES AND Tees @ www.shewhodareswins.com Pod10 for 10% off

Bex Riley (Rebecca Riley) is a professional in the field of learning and development, passionate about empowering others to achieve their goals. With an impressive background in running, she has completed multiple marathons, integrating her competitive spirit and community support into her training. Bex uses her skills to elevate others, fostering confidence and capability in both her professional and personal life.Episode Summary:In this special episode of the She Who Dares Wins podcast, host Michelle sits down with her close friend and marathon running partner, Bex Riley. They delve into their journey of training and completing the grueling Leeds Marathon, overcoming personal and physical challenges. This episode not only shares their marathon story but also dives into themes of resilience, empowerment, and the importance of community support.Through their candid conversation, Michelle and Bex explore the mental and physical demands of marathon training, particularly for women balancing work, family, and their personal health. They recount their Sunday therapy runs, the unexpected hurdles like running solo as women, and the emotional highs and lows that come with such a monumental challenge. Keywords like "marathon training," "women empowerment," "mental resilience," and "community support" are thoroughly explored, making this episode a rich resource for anyone looking to push their limits and find inner strength.Key Takeaways:The importance of having a training partner for motivation and support during marathon preparation.The unique challenges faced by women runners, including safety concerns and balancing menstruation with training.The psychological benefits of running, including mental clarity and stress relief.Incremental goal setting as a strategy to achieve seemingly impossible tasks.The significance of role models and community in empowering individuals to overcome their fears.Notable Quotes:"Sometimes you miss out on massive opportunities by not doing things because you're scared of not achieving them." - Bex Riley"The hardest bit of the marathon is not the training. It was that marathon." - Bex Riley"If I've committed to do something, I have committed to do it." - Michelle"It's really interesting because the more you talk to people and the more you listen to other people's opinions, advice, whatever it is, I think the more you can push yourselves to do this." - Bex Riley"Don't question yourself." - Bex Riley's advice to her twelve-year-old Get Your Runna Free TrialSign up link - https://join.runna.com/lKmc/partnerrefer?deep_link_sub1=SHEWHODARESWINS Sign up code (2 weeks free) - SHEWHODARESWINSPlease support the show at www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins Listen to all our 5- 10 minute exclusive bonus episodesShop merch www.shewhodareswins.com Pod10 for 10% off

Michelle hosts an engaging episode of the "Shoe Dares Wins" podcast featuring Jess Hill, a dynamic and accomplished professional falconer. Jess shares her journey into the world of falconry, starting from a young age and learning under the guidance of her cousin, Ben. Despite entering a predominantly male profession, Jess's passion and determination have led her to establish her own successful falconry business. This episode delves into her experiences, the intricacies of handling birds of prey, and the challenges she has faced and overcome in her remarkable career.Throughout the episode, Jess describes the rigorous and sometimes dangerous aspects of working with birds of prey, emphasizing the importance of confidence and competence in her field. She also discusses the ethical considerations and misconceptions surrounding bird control, particularly in urban environments. Jess highlights the significance of inspiring the next generation, sharing her dedication to mentoring young enthusiasts like Charlie, who aspire to enter the falconry world. Her story is one of resilience, passion, and the drive to break barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry.Key Takeaways:Jess Hill's remarkable journey in falconry began at a young age and was significantly influenced by her cousin Ben, who introduced her to the world of birds of prey.Handling and training birds of prey, especially larger species like eagles and vultures, requires immense confidence, patience, and an understanding of bird behavior.Despite the male dominance in falconry, Jess has successfully carved out her own path, establishing a thriving business and mentoring aspiring falconers.Bird control using falcons is seen as a natural deterrent, although it sometimes requires legal lethal deterrents to manage aggressive or problematic birds.The falconry community can be unwelcoming to newcomers, but social media has helped in making the field more accessible and approachable for aspiring falconers.Notable Quotes:"I got thrown straight into the deep end. There was none of those, like, trainer falcon here, there, everywhere it was, yeah, put that glove on, pick this up, go over there type thing with someone with an eight foot wingspan." - Jess Hill"And then this poor little lad or lass that just wants to have a, have a dabble in falconry, they walk away, and they think, what's the point? Why would anyone want to do that?" - Jess Hill"Everyone that's involved with birds of prey, big or small…they’ve got a lot of spiky things on them. So you need to bear that in mind and just act cautiously." - Jess Hill"If you want something good out, you've got to put a lot of good in." - Jess Hill"She was trying to rip my throat out the entire time, I tell you now, honest. And I was just looking at her thinking, I hope my insurance will cover this." - Jess Hill (on handling a peregrine falcon for a photoshoot with Tyson Fury).Resources:Jess Hill's instagram @falconandfieldsportsPlease support the show at www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins Listen to all our 5- 10 minute exclusive bonus episodesShop merch www.shewhodareswins.com Pod10 for 10% off

from the picturesque backdrop of Megan’s backyard in Snowdonia, the conversation delves into Megan’s journey from an enthusiastic outdoorsy child to a world-renowned wilderness expert and TV producer. They discuss Megan's formative years spent exploring the mountains and valleys of Snowdonia, igniting her lifelong passion for the wild. With intriguing stories of survival encounters, such as her face-to-face meeting with lions in Namibia and snake bites in the wilderness, Megan provides insights into what it takes to thrive in extreme environments.The episode highlights the theme of curiosity and how it has been a driving force in Megan’s career. Michelle and Megan also touch upon the challenges of working in a male-dominated field, emphasizing the importance of resilience and constant self-improvement. Megan shares valuable advice for anyone looking to pursue a career in outdoor survival, stressing the need for practical experience and professional guidance. They discuss the mental resilience required to handle high-pressure situations, drawing lessons from Megan’s diverse experiences. Finally, Megan highlights the therapeutic benefits of nature and how pushing oneself out of the comfort zone can lead to personal growth and resilience.Key Takeaways:Curiosity as a Key Driver: Megan emphasizes how a natural curiosity about the world and survival techniques can drive a successful career in the outdoors.Gender and Professional Challenges: Insights into navigating a male-dominated field, pushing through biases, and proving capabilities.Importance of Practical Experience: Recommendations on gaining hands-on experience and investing in professional guidance to build a career in outdoor survival.Mental Resilience: The importance of staying calm in extreme and life-threatening situations and how it can be developed over time.Therapeutic Value of Nature: Discussing how nature can be a powerful tool for mental health and resilience building.Quotes"It's claiming those small wins every day. Sometimes it's hard to think of it actually being a win, but yeah, you kind of have to keep reminding yourself where you come from and how far you've come and where you're aiming at." - Megan Hine"Nature doesn't discriminate, doesn't care what you walk, where you're from, what your background is." - Megan Hine"It's ingrained in our very makeup to conserve energy and take easier options. And we've created this incredible world around us where, yeah, we've got, like, everything that we could possibly want laid out in front of us and we can go and take it." - Megan Hine"Ultimately, the only person that's stopping you going out and doing it is you." - Megan HineFind Megan on instagram@megan_hineHer production company @psyche_media_solutionsPlease support the show at www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins Listen to all our 5- 10 minute exclusive bonus episodesShop merch www.shewhodareswins.com Pod10 for 10% off

Jo Moseley is a remarkable British author, speaker, and fitness enthusiast, specializing in stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). In her late fifties, she has accomplished awe-inspiring feats such as paddleboarding from Liverpool to Goole across England, making her the first woman to do so. Jo is also known for her motivational talks on embracing challenges, mental well-being, and staying active at any age. She has authored two books, including guides on paddleboarding adventures across Great Britain and the Lake District, empowering people to explore the sport.Key Takeaways:Starting is Winning: Jo Moseley believes that the act of starting a new endeavor is a win in itself, emphasizing the importance of beginning a journey instead of fixating solely on the destination.Overcoming Mental Barriers: Jo discusses how overcoming mental and emotional challenges was key to her 162-mile paddleboarding trip; the physical efforts were secondary compared to the mental battles.The Importance of Role Models: Having visible role models and supportive communities can be pivotal in chasing your dreams, regardless of age or gender.Life Affirmation Through Challenges: Jo shares how life events, including the loss of close friends and dealing with menopausal changes, inspired her to embrace challenges and be brave.Future Aspirations: Jo speaks about her goals in skateboarding and the dream of skating down a road during a golden sunset, illustrating her continuous journey towards self-improvement and joy.Notable Quotes:"For me, daring to win is about getting to the start line. Actually starting something is where you win.""I think it's epic. You just get to the point like, it is now or never. Just do the things.""My dad, who's 90, always says, it's not the things you do that you regret, usually. It's the things you didn't do.""And so that led to me writing the book. I think I needed to do that long journey to then say, I want to write a book about paddleboarding.""All I was doing was paddleboarding, stroke by stroke. But yeah, it changed my life."Resources:Jo Moseley on Instagram: @jomoseleyVertebrate Publishing: Adventure BooksBooks by Jo Moseley:Stand Up Paddleboarding in Great BritainStand Up Paddleboarding in the Lake District

In this enriching episode of the "Shoe Dares Wins" podcast, host Michelle welcomes Lucy Thompson to share her inspiring journey as a medical tattoo artist and charity founder. Lucy opens up about the challenges she faced entering the tattoo industry, a predominantly male domain, and how her perseverance led to groundbreaking achievements in medical tattooing. She discusses her innovative work with nipple tattoos for breast cancer survivors, shedding light on the inadequate standards previously set by hospitals and how her work is changing lives.Lucy elaborates on the formation of the Nipple Innovation Project, a charity born from her passion and an urgent need to provide realistic, permanent nipple tattoos free of charge. Highlighting her experiences, including her intense training in Texas and the profound impact her work has on patients, Lucy explains the charity’s goals and how it seeks to integrate with the NHS. Throughout the conversation, the emotional and physical benefits her tattoos provide are evident, reinforcing the importance of her mission.Key Takeaways:Breaking Barriers in Tattooing: Lucy persevered through years of rejections in a male-dominated industry to become a successful tattoo artist and innovator.Revolutionizing Medical Tattoos: She highlighted the inadequate tattoo procedures offered to breast cancer survivors and introduced permanent, realistic nipple tattoos.Founding of NIP Charity: Driven by her commitment to support breast cancer survivors, Lucy founded the Nipple Innovation Project to ensure free access to high-quality nipple tattoos.Collaborating with the NHS: Lucy's charity is making strides towards integrating these services with the NHS, starting with a partnership with Bradford Teaching Hospitals.Empowering Patients: Realistic nipple tattoos significantly impact patients' mental and emotional healing, helping them regain confidence and normalcy.Notable Quotes:“So the first recorded one that was doing 3d realistic and permanent nipple tattoos.”"I swear, every single time when they come back for that second session, they are skipping through the door.""I've had family members, both sides of my family, go through cancer, and I've seen how hard it is.""I felt so honored and privileged. I've been doing this work for seven years now, and every day I'm so grateful that this is my job.""The goal was always to say, like, we'll take over this from the NHS."Resources:Nipple Innovation Project (NIP): nipcharity.orgLucy Thompson’s Academy for Training: Information about the training and services can be found through the NIP website or contacting NIP directly.Instagram @lucylucy_nipple @nipcharityPlease support the show at www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins Listen to all our 5- 10 minute exclusive bonus episodesShop merch www.shewhodareswins.com Pod10 for 10% off