She Who Dares, Wins.

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

Harri is an adventurer, researcher in preventative medicine, and women's health advocate who has spent her life choosing the scary path over the false comfort of security. From solo travel adventures that left her face-to-face with a black widow spider in a steep Thailand ravine to driving a 4x4 completely solo into the desert of Oman, she has continuously tested the limits of her capacity to grow as a person.But living a life of adventure became a massive hurdle when she began experiencing severe endometriosis symptoms. For years, she suffered from debilitating full-body pain, chronic fatigue, and severe depression. She had to navigate a deeply flawed medical system where women's pain is routinely dismissed, spending two years on a surgical waiting list while being offered standard treatments like birth control and chemical menopause that severely impacted her mental health.Now, with a qualification in women's health and hormones, she is helping women understand the "language of their biology". She teaches women how to track their menstrual cycles and navigate the four phases—menstruation, follicular, ovulation, and luteal—to take back control of their well-being. She is a passionate advocate for self-advocacy, helping women find their voice so they can fight to be heard in a healthcare system that too often ignores them.In this episode, we delve into Harri’s incredible story of resilience and self-discovery. We discuss the gender health gap and medical research disparities, how our hormonal phases affect our mood and athletic performance, the biological purpose behind our brain’s fear signals, and why we must refuse to define our lives by our highest pain days.✨ IN THIS EPISODE:00:00 – Introduction: Choosing the scary path over comfort and security03:15 – Lost in Thailand: Facing a black widow spider alone in a ravine08:20 – The "Airport Panic" and the raw reality of solo travel14:10 – The Gender Health Gap: Why women's pain is dismissed in medicine17:30 – Dealing with the daily, debilitating reality of endometriosis21:50 – The diagnostic struggle: Waiting years for surgery and medical answers31:15 – Connecting hormones and mental health: Releasing the "me problem" shame41:30 – Learning the language of your biology: The four menstrual phases64:00 – Reframing fear: Why your brain's self-sabotage is actually self-preservation75:20 – Reclaiming identity: Driving a 4x4 solo into the Oman desert82:15 – The ultimate advice: Why you must not define yourself by your highest pain days💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:On releasing the self-blame of hormone fluctuations: "When I finally realized that that was the thing influencing my depression, I was like, it's almost like I'm not broken. It wasn't a me problem. It was a biology problem... Years of thinking I was the problem."On managing chronic conditions and keeping your spark: "Don't define yourself by your highest pain days. It's so easy to kind of set our capacity to manage the worst days... but you've got to find a way to do the things that you love still... You are capable of this."🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS:Connect with Harri: Contact info will be shared on our social media channels.Chloe Brennan: Listen to Chloe's previous episode on identity and mindset here.Sign up for the newsletter to get your weekly dares: www.shewhodareswins.comJoin the Dare Club community🎙️ WANT MORE?Chloe Brennan – discusses identity, mindset, and merging your hyper-driven side with your fun side: Amanda Perry – discusses unlocking ADHD in business, late diagnosis, survival, and triumph:💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE?Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcastsLeave a 5⭐ review – it helps more people discover these storiesWatch all Episodes on YoutubeJoin Dare Club Now

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

Laura and Lily are artists, producers, and the founders of Our House Studios, the first and only female-run recording studio in Leeds. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities in a heavily male-dominated industry, they got tired of waiting for someone to hand them a job and dared to build their own creative space instead.But taking a massive leap of faith wasn't without its hurdles. Thinking they were taking over a fully functioning studio, they unlocked the doors on day one only to find the space completely gutted, bare, and echoing. They also had to navigate the deep-seated anxiety of being female sound engineers—knowing that any mistake behind the desk could be unfairly blamed on their gender—and deal with older men in the industry doubting their capabilities with "mansplaining".Now, they run a thriving, three-room creative sanctuary that feels more like a cozy living room than a clinical studio. Built with the help of free labor from their local community, pallets, and coffee sacks, Our House Studios is a testament to what happens when you anchor to a strong "why". They are actively changing the industry by showing that you don't have to know everything before you start, and they are educating the naysayers simply by doing an incredible job.In this episode, we delve into Laura and Lily’s incredible journey and what it has taught them. We discuss the terror of the "empty room panic," the power of community, how they use "mansplaining" as fuel to prove naysayers wrong, and why asking yourself hard questions and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is the ultimate key to building a life you actually want.✨ IN THIS EPISODE:00:00 Introduction to Our House Studios and the ultimate dare04:15 Meeting at a gig and the lack of sound engineering jobs08:40 Ditching the wait and deciding to take the leap12:10 The Day 1 disaster: Walking into a gutted, empty studio17:30 Flipping the mindset and the incredible power of community28:00 Creating a cozy, non-clinical space for artists41:20 Building acoustic panels from pallets and doing it for free45:30 Anchoring to your "Why" when the "How" is terrifying51:10 Dealing with mansplaining and using doubt as fuel60:00 The pressure of perfection and asking the hard questions💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:On finding your purpose: "It's not a how, it's having a why, having a reason why you're doing it... If that's solid, then we'll figure out how we'll do it."On taking up space and proving people wrong: "It isn't anyone's job to educate idiot men... we're educating people just by existing. And opening the studio has made me realize how important it is for everyone in life... to actually really be themselves."🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS:Book your session at Our House Studios via email: ourhousemusicstudios@gmail.comSign up for the newsletter to get your weekly dares: www.shewhodareswins.comJoin the Dare Club community🎙️ WANT MORE?Allie Bailey - discusses outrunning self-hate, the myth of self-sabotage, and how to conquer the brutal internal monologue holding you back: hereVanessa Ruck - from a devastating accident and a hospital bed to the Dakar Rally, redefining limits and setting audacious goals before you are ready💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE?Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcastsLeave a 5⭐ review – it helps more people discover these storiesWatch all Episodes on YoutubeJoin Dare Club Now

*triggers: This episode includes discussion of depression, mental health crises, cancer diagnosis, and severe road traffic accidents.In 2019, Beaky Allesch Taylor was experiencing pain in her ribs. Driven by a strong survival instinct, she pushed her GP for answers, leading to an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis. When offered a standard treatment plan that carried a 1-in-200 risk of heart disease, Beaky used her background in science and nutrition to do her own research. She discovered her cancer was a rare type, sacked her surgeon when he wouldn't listen to her, and demanded a full mastectomy—proving the life-saving power of being your own biggest advocate.Vanessa Ruck was a fit, active woman commuting on her bicycle when a car ran a red light, irrevocably changing her life. Sent home from A&E with a diagnosis of mere "bruising," Vanessa actually endured seven years of surgeries, chronic pain, and bedbound days. The trauma left her with multiple mental health disorders, including depression and a paralyzing fear of the road.Instead of letting the driver who hit her dictate her future, Vanessa made the radical decision to buy a motorbike. Despite crying inside her helmet and battling panic attacks on the side of the road, she fought through the pain and eventually went on to complete the Dakar Rally and the Africa Eco Race—some of the most extreme desert endurance races in the world.In this special mash-up episode, we delve into two unbelievable stories of radical resilience. We discuss the importance of finding humor in the dark, the reality of living with chronic pain, what it really takes to sack a medical professional when your gut says they are wrong, and why you must stop playing the "good girl" and start shouting to be heard.✨ IN THIS EPISODE:00:00 Radical Self-Advocacy and Trusting Your Gut01:45 Beaky: Finding Humor in the Dark02:40 Pushing for a Cancer Diagnosis06:30 The "Bag of Minstrels" Risk08:45 Sacking Your Surgeon11:15 Vanessa: The Bicycle Accident that Changed Everything13:50 From "Bruising" to Seven Surgeries17:20 Chronic Pain and Mental Health Struggles20:00 The Decision to Buy a Motorbike21:40 Crying in the Helmet: Facing the Fear25:20 Refusing to Let Trauma Win💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:"I had to really listen to my gut and really go with how I felt and I had to shout to be heard and to have the treatment that I thought was best for me.""Getting on that motorbike was something that I can't emphasize enough how hard it was. It took a lot of determination, a lot of strength, and a lot of crying in my motorcycle helmet... I just had to face this determination that I had that I could not let that lady who hit me control everything.""If you can find humor in the darkest, darkest times, you're probably going to be all right."🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS:Join the Dare Club CommunityMichelle’s Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com/📚 WANT MORE?Catch Beaky's Full Episode hereCatch Vanessa's full episode here Claire Sunshine - discusses rebuilding life after the sudden loss of her daughter, and turning unimaginable grief into the courage to launch a business: Chloe Brennan - Strongwoman World Champion discusses uncovering her "not good enough" complex, identity, and why external validation won't fix internal doubt: 💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE?Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcastsLeave a 5⭐ review – it helps more people discover these stories👋 Follow She Who Dares Wins & Michelle:Instagram: @shewhodareswinsTikTok: @shewhodareswinsWebsite: www.shewhodareswins.com

Megan Hine is a wilderness guide, survivalist, and TV producer whose career is the stuff of Hollywood movies. From wild camping alone at 11 years old in Snowdonia to handling King Cobras and rigging stunts out of helicopters for major TV shows, she has spent her life making the inaccessible accessible.But a life of extreme adventure isn't without its mental hurdles. Despite hanging out of helicopters for work, Megan developed a terrifying phobia of them—which she actively cured by learning to fly a paramotor so she could understand air currents. She also had to navigate a heavily male-dominated industry, realizing early on that she would have to work twice as hard to get the same recognition as her male counterparts.Now, she has written a book detailing her experiences. It is a deeply personal account of her time in the wild, exploring the psychology of survival, the therapeutic benefits of nature, and how we can train our brains to handle everyday situations. It takes readers on a journey into why our bodies naturally crave comfort, and how pushing past that biological urge is the ultimate key to resilience.In this episode, we delve into Megan’s incredible career and what it has taught her. We discuss the psychology of fear, her encounters with deadly predators in extreme environments, how she handles high-profile celebrities who refuse safety gear, and why, as a society, we need to stop taking the easy route and start getting uncomfortable.✨ IN THIS EPISODE:00:00 Introduction and claiming the small wins02:01 A childhood in Snowdonia and solo camping at 1104:18 How a free beer led to a career in bushcraft07:37 Navigating the "boys' club" and working twice as hard09:42 Curing a paralyzing fear of helicopters12:33 How to build your own outdoor experience and qualifications15:57 The biology of comfort: why we instinctively take the easy route18:50 A terrifying encounter with a Mountain King Cobra22:07 Working with celebrities and enforcing boundaries24:36 Taking responsibility and getting out of your own way💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:On the biology of procrastination and fear: "If you study the behavior of any animal, it's all like survival is about efficiency and conservation of energy... It's ingrained in our very makeup to take easier options... but resilience is built through taking on challenges."On the great equalizer of the outdoors: "Nature doesn't discriminate, doesn't care what your walk, where you're from, what your background is... you are going to perform in the way nature performs."🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS:Megan's audiobook (as mentioned in the episode) is available to listen to now.Megan is a proud ambassador for the Scouts Skills for Life programJoin the She Who Dares Wins community🎙️ WANT MORE?Allie Bailey - discusses outrunning self-hate, the myth of self-sabotage, and how to conquer the brutal internal monologue holding you back: hereVanessa Ruck - from a devastating accident and a hospital bed to the Dakar Rally, redefining limits and setting audacious goals before you are ready: here💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE?Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcastsLeave a 5⭐ review – it helps more people discover these storiesWatch all Episodes on Youtube Join Dare Club Now

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

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