She Who Dares, Wins.

Episode: Dare Thursday – The Tapestry of Your CareerHost: Michelle (She Who Dares Wins Podcast)Guest Inspiration: Hattie, the flower farmer (from Monday’s episode)OverviewIn this Dare Thursday mini-episode, Michelle invites you to step back and look at the tapestry of your life and career. Inspired by flower farmer Hattie’s story—near‑death experiences, wild career twists, and ultimately landing her dream job—this episode challenges you to recognize how every experience has prepared you for where you are now (and where you’re going next).In this episode, you’ll hear about:Hattie’s journey from near‑death experiences and “crazy careers” to owning her dream flower farmWhy we underestimate the value of our past jobs and life chaptersMichelle’s own winding path:Geography degreeFilm school in LAA decade in construction across multiple rolesStarting a chemical business with her brother in their garageProject management, land surveying, and drone workBuilding a YouTube channel and speaking about constructionThe hidden skills these experiences built:Storytelling and listeningTalking to people from all walks of lifeBusiness skills like accounts, websites, and social mediaCreativity, resilience, and idea‑generation (including long hours on drilling sites with a notebook)This Week’s DareGrab a piece of paper and map out your career (or life) as a tapestry:List your jobs, roles, or key life chaptersNote what you learned in each season—skills, perspectives, resilienceLook for the thread that connects it all, and notice how much you’ve already done and grownAsk yourself: What have I discredited that actually makes me stronger today?This exercise is all about self-awareness and self-credit: shifting from “I’m not where I want to be yet” to “Look how far I’ve already come.”Join Dare Club: If you’re feeling ready for a career move, life pivot, or you’re just a bit burnt out, Dare Club is for you.Weekly emails with stories from podcast guestsMini dares to keep you moving forward and out of your comfort zoneA growing community with accountability and future digital products to support your next stepHow to sign up for Dare Club: https://stan.store/shewhodareswinsHead to Instagram @shewhodareswins 

In this episode, Hattie shares the winding, courageous journey that led her to becoming a full-time flower farmer living on a smallholding in the countryside.She talks with Michelle about:Childhood upheaval and losing her family home at 11Surviving bacterial meningitis at 15 and a serious car crash at 19Working in waste management, landfill, and wildlife conservationCareer pivots into events, volunteering, and charity leadershipQuietly carrying a “one day” dream of a flower farm and wedding flowersFinally backing herself during the pandemic to rebuild life around natureWe explore how Hattie’s life “tapestry” was woven from life shocks, resilience, and micro joys, and why she believes purpose, not speed or status, is the truest measure of success.Key TakeawaysDreams can take a decade (or more) and still be worth itHattie spent over 10 years moving through different roles and industries before landing in the life she’d imagined—proof that slow progress is still progress.Life shocks can create deep resilience and clarityLosing her home, surviving meningitis, and a near-fatal car accident all became pivotal points that sharpened her sense of what really matters.Your career is a tapestry, not a straight lineEach “random” job—waste management, conservation, city of culture, leadership programs—gave her skills she now uses daily on the farm (from land management to events to people skills).Purpose beats prestigeA lecturer’s challenge—“Do you want low pay doing good, or big money defending harm?”—anchored her to roles with meaning and social/environmental impact.Nature is medicineTime outdoors has been central to Hattie’s healing from grief and burnout. Her farm is designed as much for wildlife and immersion as for flowers.Micro joys can rebuild a broken season of lifeInstead of chasing big highs, Hattie learned to collect tiny, daily joys—a robin in the garden, a bird sighting, a small moment of beauty—and use them to slowly climb out of difficult years.You’re allowed to change your mind—and your careerHattie repeatedly “started again” in new sectors. Each leap was scary, but reinforced the idea that confidence often comes after you jump, not before.Listening to your gut is a skill, not fluffFrom saying yes to the podcast invite to finally starting the flower farm, following her gut has been Hattie’s compass—even when fear and imposter syndrome show up later.Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to the show & Hattie’s “She Dares Wins” intro02:30 – Tapestry vs chapters: how Hattie views her life story04:45 – Losing her home at 11 and joining a new school mid-year06:30 – Contracting meningitis at 15 and the “life is short” wake‑up09:00 – The near-fatal Land Rover crash and a new sense of spirituality18:30 – From landfill and waste to wildlife conservation and values26:40 – Pandemic reflections and the decision to finally start a flower farm34:50 – Nature, micro joys, and inviting others to heal on the farmJoin Dare Club Now:

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

Be Kinder to Yourself (Why Self-Criticism Isn’t Helping You Win)This week, Michelle takes a break from guest interviews to speak directly to something that stopped her in her tracks.After sending out a listener survey, one result hit hard:80% of women said they struggle to be kind to themselves.Including Michelle.In this solo episode, Michelle unpacks how self-criticism sneaks in, why it feels productive (but isn’t), and how being relentlessly hard on yourself can quietly hold you back — even when you’re achieving on paper.This isn’t about fluffy self-care or letting yourself off the hook.It’s about awareness, honesty, and learning how to move forward without constantly tearing yourself down.Key Talking Points & Timestamps00:00 – Why this needed to be saidMichelle explains why she felt compelled to pause guest episodes and talk openly about kindness — and what triggered this realisation.01:08 – The survey result that changed everything80% of women said they struggle to be kind to themselves — and why that statistic is both comforting and alarming.02:41 – Catching the inner voice first thing in the morningHow negative self-talk was showing up before Michelle had even opened her eyes — and why that matters.03:25 – The ‘holy socks’ analogyWhy we treat other people with more respect than we treat ourselves — and what that says about self-worth.04:42 – When being “hard on yourself” backfiresMichelle reflects on imposter syndrome in construction and how self-criticism limited her confidence and progression.06:22 – Building the podcast without trusting herselfGrowing a podcast from scratch, hitting big milestones — and still being unable to acknowledge progress.07:41 – When your worth gets tied to achievementWhy high-achieving women never feel like they’ve “arrived” — and the cost of chasing constant validation.09:00 – Starting from ‘I am enough’ (without losing your drive)Insights inspired by Joe Hudson on separating self-worth from outcomes.09:35 – Fear, paralysis, and second-guessingHow being unkind to yourself fuels procrastination and decision fatigue.10:45 – The 9-day awareness exerciseA simple but powerful way to notice, track, and challenge self-critical thoughts.11:58 – Three ways to reframe unkind thoughts• Acknowledge without agreeing• Laugh at the ridiculous ones• Reframe with evidence and context13:43 – The real cost of self-criticismWhy it doesn’t make you better — just more disconnected, anxious, and distrustful of yourself.14:58 – Chasing relief instead of alignmentWhy achievement doesn’t bring peace if you’re running from fear instead of moving with intention.16:18 – “My story isn’t good enough”Why even the most impressive women downplay their journeys — and how common this mindset really is.17:54 – Living in fight-or-flight without realising itHow self-kindness helped Michelle regulate her nervous system and feel more grounded week to week.18:43 – A quiet invitation, not a challengeMichelle encourages listeners to start with one thing: not being unkind to themselves.19:22 – What’s next with Dare ClubHow this work around kindness, alignment, and self-trust is shaping the future of Dare Club.Key TakeawaysBeing hard on yourself isn’t discipline — it’s often fear in disguiseSelf-criticism doesn’t fuel progress; it creates paralysisHigh achievement without self-kindness leads to disconnectionYou can accept emotions without agreeing with themAwareness is the first step — not perfectionStarting from “I am enough” doesn’t kill ambition, it steadies itSign up to Dare club

 Thursday Dare Day: The Song That Knew You Before You DidIt’s Thursday, which means one thing around here: Dare Day.This week’s dare is a simple one. No life overhaul. No journaling marathon. Just a few minutes, a song, and a moment of honest reflection.In this short episode, Michelle shares a story sparked by an unexpected song on a studio car park playlist — a track she hadn’t heard in years, but somehow knew word for word. What caught her off guard wasn’t the nostalgia… it was how relevant the lyrics still were decades later.That moment opens up a bigger question:Did the things we loved when we were younger know something about us before we did?In this episode, you’ll hear:A personal story from Michelle’s teenage years and early grafting daysWhy certain songs hit differently as we get olderHow lyrics we once screamed for fun can quietly reflect the life warnings we ignoredMichelle’s own lyric deep-dive into Warning by Incubus — and why it lands harder now than it ever didA no-pressure dare designed purely for enjoyment, curiosity, and maybe a little clarityThis week’s dare:Pick a song you used to love.The one you knew every lyric to.Listen to it. Sing it loudly if you want.Then ask yourself one question:Do the lyrics still resonate — or are they just fun noise?Either answer is valid.Two to three minutes of joy still counts as a win.If the lyrics hit you in the chest a bit? Michelle wants to hear about it.Head over to Instagram and drop her a message with the song and the line that stuck.Want more dares like this?Dare Club is where these weekly dares live — alongside behind-the-scenes podcast updates and early access to what’s coming next. Right now it’s a newsletter, but it won’t stay that way for long.If you want in early, the link’s here: https://stan.store/shewhodareswinsMichelle’s back on Monday with another guest story worth your time.Until then — enjoy the music, and don’t let life pass you by. 🎶

Lucy Keeler’s version of “a rough start to the year” is… intense.After picking up a tropical illness in Thailand, Lucy went from fully independent to unable to walk, dress herself, type, or even hold a pen thanks to brutal joint inflammation that lingered for months. Doctors couldn’t confirm exactly what caused it (possible chikungunya or parvovirus), and recovery was slow, painful, and messy.But instead of waiting around for life to feel “normal” again, Lucy did what a lot of us do when we’re trapped in the house and losing our minds: she needed something to aim at.An Instagram ad, a half-delusional spark of hope, and a stubborn refusal to write herself off later… Lucy signs up to run 200 miles across Tajikistan in 7 days — despite not even being able to walk properly when she first saw it.This episode is about recovery, pushing yourself (without ignoring reality), the power of goals, and why most people quit right before the turning point. Also: periods in the mountains, zero running water, and the kind of camaraderie that makes you feel human again.Timestamps00:00 — Lucy’s “dare and win”: unable to walk… then 200 miles across Tajikistan01:50 — Thailand illness hits hard: fever, shaking, and “is this normal?” moments03:25 — Back home: arms seize up, can’t move, can’t breathe properly, A&E visit05:30 — The swelling gets serious: can’t stand, can’t dress herself, tropical disease hospital06:10 — Possible diagnoses + reality of recovery: months of pain, steroids, and work support08:45 — The pivot: “I need something to look forward to” (goal-setting in survival mode)10:00 — The Instagram ad that changed everything + what the Tajikistan run actually is22:30 — The hardest day: illness, no calories, endometriosis surprise, big climb, and not quittingKey TakeawaysJust because you look “fine” doesn’t mean you are. Lucy talks about that weird limbo where you’re functioning on the outside but in agony underneath.A goal can be a lifeline. Not a “new year, new me” goal — a give-me-a-reason-to-keep-going goal.Stubbornness is a double-edged sword. It got her through Thailand, through Gatwick, through A&E… and eventually into recovery (but she also admits she should’ve accepted help sooner).Fear gets loud right before you do something brave. Lucy’s body starts “hurting again” right before the trip — classic panic symptoms dressing up as logic.Community changes everything. This wasn’t a race — it was a shared experience built on support, breaks, check-ins, and people who refuse to let you quit alone.Hard days are part of the deal. The breakdown day wasn’t a sign to stop — it was the point most people would stop… and that’s why it mattered.Adventure doesn’t require a new identity. Lucy loves her job, loves London, and still makes space for big challenges — you don’t have to burn your life down to expand it.The dare is simple (and annoying): push the button on the thing you keep thinking about.Check out The Great Silk Run! https://bit.ly/4aoNRPwShop She Who Dares Wins: www.shewhodareswins.comJoin Dare Club: https://stan.store/shewhodareswinsYoutube Channel: youtube.com/channel/UCkCSa96nwEKh-aeAbhXI7PA/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/shewhodareswins

We spend most of adult life trying to be competent, polished, and vaguely impressive.This dare asks you to do the opposite.In this short Dare Day episode, Michelle shares a moment at the kitchen table with her kid that sparked an uncomfortable realisation: kids don’t care if they’re bad at things they care if they’re enjoying them. Somewhere along the line, we lost that.From sketching terrible T-shirt designs (and loving it anyway) to memories of being absolutely useless at roller skating but showing up regardless, this episode is about reconnecting with joy without turning it into a performance.Michelle breaks down why doing something you’re “bad at” feels so uncomfortable as an adult, what’s actually happening in your brain when resistance kicks in, and why separating your self-worth from outcomes might be one of the most important skills you can rebuild.In this episode, we cover:Why adults avoid activities with no clear “point” or payoffHow kids naturally enjoy the process — and what we unlearnedThe brain’s resistance response and why it tells you to be “productive” insteadWhy purpose doesn’t need an endpointHow practising failure in small, harmless ways builds resilience for the big stuffThe link between shame, performance, and self-worthThis week’s dare: The Ugly 15Set a timer for 15 minutes and do something you used to love as a kid — something you stopped because you weren’t very good at it.Sketch. Dance. Write a poem. Roller skate like Bambi on ice.No improving. No posting for validation. No turning it into a side hustle.Just process. Just fun. Just showing yourself that the world doesn’t end when you’re bad at something.Go be rubbish on purpose.It might be the bravest thing you do all week.

From PE Teacher to Property Investor: The Messy PivotHow saying yes before you’re ready can quietly change everythingIn this episode, Michelle sits down with Amy Seagraves, a former PE teacher who accidentally kick-started a property business after winning £50k on The Cube — and then actually backing herself instead of playing it safe.This is a proper behind-the-scenes look at the messy middle: imposter syndrome, trades chaos, analysis paralysis, and the identity shift that comes when you build something alongside a “safe” job.If you’ve been waiting to feel ready — this episode is your sign to stop.Episode Timestamps00:00 – Winning £50k on The Cube (and why it wasn’t the real turning point)Opportunity doesn’t change your life — what you do next does.04:30 – Quitting teaching to travel and reset perspectiveWhy stepping off the safe path changed everything.08:30 – Buying a first investment property with no experienceThe reality of starting before you feel qualified.13:00 – Renovation chaos, imposter syndrome & male-dominated roomsLearning fast or paying for it.18:30 – From winging it to building a real businessWhy investing in education mattered more than another property.24:30 – The power of building a team instead of going soloThree women, different strengths, one vision.31:00 – Going part-time before it felt sensibleThe uncomfortable move that unlocked growth.38:45 – The biggest lesson: action beats overthinkingWhy waiting costs more than mistakes.Key TakeawaysConfidence is built after action — not before.You don’t need to quit your job to start changing direction.Analysis paralysis is fear wearing a spreadsheet.Being a beginner again will mess with your identity — let it.The right people > knowing everything yourself.Messy progress beats perfect plans. Always.If you’re sitting on an idea and waiting for permission — this is it.Shop: www.shewhodaresswins.comJoin Dare club:

It’s January. Social media’s either screaming “new year, new you” or quietly rotting under beige motivation quotes. So this week’s Dare is simple, powerful, and wildly underused:Tell your story. And actually share it.In this short Dare Day episode, Michelle challenges you to stop assuming you’re “boring” and start recognising that your life has a plot — twists, turns, chaos, survival, growth. All of it counts.Because here’s the thing:Every woman who says “I don’t really have a story”… absolutely does.What This Episode CoversWhy so many capable, interesting women think they don’t have a story (spoiler: confidence lies to us)How to map your life like a film plot — setup, conflict, resolution (and the messy bits in between)A simple storytelling exercise using a blank sheet of paper and a rollercoaster lineWhy sharing your story creates real connection, not surface-level engagementHow journaling and reflection help your brain recognise progress (yes, science backs this up)Why vulnerability online isn’t about oversharing — it’s about being humanThis Week’s Dare👉 Write your story.👉 Choose a chapter — not your whole autobiography.👉 Share it somewhere public: Instagram, TikTok, a blog, or plain old words on a screen.Photos optional. Polish optional. Perfection absolutely not required.Why This MattersWhen you share your story:Other people feel less aloneYou see how much you’ve actually survived and achievedYou stop underestimating yourself (which is long overdue)And yes — people will say:“I didn’t know that.”“Same.”“That really hit home.”That’s the point.Get InvolvedShare your story on social and tag @SheWhoDaresWinsUse #SheWhoDaresWins and #DareClubWant in on Dare Club? Join the waitlist via the website or comment “Dare Club” on Instagram to get the link.Michelle will be back Monday with another cracking guest episode — because this podcast doesn’t do