The Women in the Arena

Army Veteran Hailey Gibbons on Ranger School, Grit, and Achieving Your Dreams

On this episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, we sit down with Hailey Gibbons, a former Army officer, Ranger School graduate, and leader whose career has spanned everything from Division I athletics and leadership development at United States Military Academy to serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment and later transitioning into the tech industry. Hailey shares her journey through some of the military’s most demanding leadership environments, including what it took mentally and physically to successfully complete Ranger School. We talk candidly about preparation, resilience, fear, failure, discipline, and the mindset required to perform when the stakes are high and the pressure is constant. This episode is for anyone preparing for their next big challenge, whether that’s a military school, selection, endurance event, career transition, or major life milestone. Hailey offers practical insight on building confidence through preparation, developing habits that sustain high performance, leading under stress, and learning how to push beyond self-imposed limits. This conversation is packed with perspective and motivation for anyone striving to lead well, perform at a higher level, and step fully into the arena when life demands more of them.

Breaking Free from High Conflict with Amanda Ripley

This week on The Women in the Arena Podcast, we sit down with journalist and bestselling author Amanda Ripley to explore the powerful ideas behind her book High Conflict. Amanda has spent her career studying how people get pulled into deeply entrenched conflict—and more importantly, how they find their way out. In this conversation, she breaks down the psychology of conflict, why it can become addictive, and how it shows up in our workplaces, relationships, and communities. We also dive into her work with Good Conflict, and how we can shift from destructive patterns to more productive, human-centered engagement. Amanda’s insights challenge us to stay curious, listen deeply, and build meaningful connections with those who see the world differently. This episode is a powerful reminder that while conflict is inevitable, how we navigate it can change everything. Amanda’s work focuses on how people and groups transform, and what we can learn from those moments of change. She is the author of High Conflict, The Unthinkable, and The Smartest Kids in the World, and her writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. A former Time Magazine journalist and Slate podcast host, she now co-leads Good Conflict, a media and training company focused on repairing political polarization. She lives in Washington, D.C., where she works as both a writer and conflict mediator.

Colonel Chaveso “Chevy” Cook, Ph.D on Leadership and Mentorship

In this episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, Sarah sits down with COL Chaveso “Chevy” Cook, an Army Special Operations veteran whose career spans elite military leadership, global influence operations, and transformative nonprofit work. With experience leading numerous teams in various types of commands, Chevy brings deep expertise in international relations, counterinsurgency, behavior modification, organizational dynamics, and strategic communication. His academic background in organizational psychology and human development, combined with his numerous publications and studies on leadership, team dynamics, training, and professional development, adds even greater depth to his perspective. Together, we explore the foundations of effective mentorship, what truly drives meaningful leadership, and how to assess and evolve organizations from the inside out. Chevy shares powerful insights drawn from both his military service and his work developing thousands of leaders across the military and civilian sectors, offering a clear-eyed look at human dynamics, organizational change, and the kind of intentional leadership that strengthens teams and communities.

USAF Vet, Founder and CEO of TORCH Warrior Wear, Haley Marie McClain Hill on Entrepreneurship, Scaling, and Building a Community Through Your Brand

In this episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, Sarah sits down with Haley Marie McClain Hill, Air Force Veteran, award-winning entrepreneur, 2x NFL Cheerleader, and founder of Torch Warrior Wear, the first-ever bodysuit built for women warriors. Haley shares the story behind creating her groundbreaking brand, how she secured major wins like a Shark Tank Season 15 deal, the 2022 Veteran Shark Tank $50K grant, and what it truly takes to build a business from the ground up. Together, we explore the realities of entrepreneurship and scaling, along with the ever-evolving landscape of retail, e-commerce, and the veteran support network. Her passion for helping others build brands, win pitch competitions, and step confidently into big dreams makes this conversation both inspiring and deeply practical for anyone ready to pursue their next big leap.

Jody Fletcher on Coaching, Understanding Organizational Behavior, and Overcoming the Voice in Your Head

In this special episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, we welcome our first-ever male guest, Jody Fletcher, a Special Operations Navy veteran and executive coach with over three decades of leadership and coaching experience spanning both the military and corporate worlds. From advising general officers to coaching C-suite executives and small business owners, Jody brings deep insight into leadership, culture, and human behavior. An ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Certified Authentic Leadership Coach (CALC), and CALC Faculty Instructor, he has helped countless individuals and organizations strengthen communication, resilience, and emotional intelligence. During our conversation, we dive into common challenges Jody encounters in his coaching practice- like imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and communication dysfunction, unpacking not only how to identify these patterns but also practical ways to overcome them in both organizational and personal contexts. This episode offers an honest and actionable look at what true leadership requires, and how self-awareness and trust form the foundation for any strong team or culture.