She Who Dares, Wins.

EP: 79 How to Stop Making Excuses and Start Achieving Your Goals Are you stuck in the cycle of waiting for the 'right moment' to chase your dreams? This episode dives deep into why we make excuses and provides actionable strategies to overcome procrastination and finally achieve your goals. Host Michelle shares her honest experiences from a 17-year construction career, coupled with powerful insights from inspiring guests who've boldly stepped beyond their fears to create impactful lives. KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Why Perfect Timing is a Myth: Understand the illusion of "perfect timing" and how it holds you back from taking meaningful action. * Facing Fear: Learn to identify when fear disguises itself as rational excuses and how to compassionately confront and move past it. * Taking Incremental Steps: Practical strategies for taking small, manageable actions without overwhelming yourself. * Honest Self-Evaluation: Techniques for distinguishing genuine readiness from comfort-zone avoidance. * The Power of Accountability: Real-life examples demonstrating how accountability transforms dreams into reality. * Celebrating Progress: Why acknowledging small victories is crucial for sustained motivation and long-term success. Episode Timestamps: * 00:00 - Introduction: Welcome and episode overview. * 02:00 - Michelle's Personal Journey: Insights from Michelle's experience of prolonged procrastination in her career. * 06:30 - The Myth of Perfect Timing: Why waiting feels safe but ultimately prevents progress. * 09:45 - Inspirational Guest Highlights: Stories from Amanda, Jess, and Nicole about overcoming hesitation to take bold actions. * 14:30 - Action Steps: Detailed steps to help you overcome procrastination and fear. * 20:00 - The Role of Accountability: How accountability moved Michelle from dreaming to doing. * 23:00 - Celebrating Small Wins: Encouragement on recognizing your incremental achievements. * 25:00 - Closing Dare: Practical call to action for immediate personal growth. * 26:00 - Outro: How to engage further with the community. Check out Lara's story! On Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/3AYhdFPdh3xpPQK3spH1tt?si=b03bbdf7fcce4e01] On Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rowing-against-the-tide-lara-vafiadiss-tale-of-sea/id1457720018?i=1000642749024] 💥 Want More? Get Exclusive Bonus Episodes! 👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership [https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership] (Bonus episodes for less than a coffee a month!) 👉 Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com [https://shewhodareswins.substack.com/] (Full insights & key takeaways from every episode!) 👉 She Who Dares Wins Newsletter: www.shewhodareswins.com 🚨 10% OFF all SWDW clothing! Use code POD10 at www.shewhodareswins.com [https://open.acast.com/networks/6502ec015032c7001167fc6e/shows/6502ec015032c7001167fc64/episodes/www.shewhodareswins.com] * 📢 Subscribe for more stories of fearless women breaking the rules! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

From Firefighter to Female Mechanic: Hannah’s Story of Reinvention, Resilience & Risk In this episode of She Who Dares Wins, Michelle sits down with Hannah Gordon, a former London firefighter, semi-professional athlete, and now a female mechanic and TV presenter, to talk about daring career pivots, mental resilience, and what it's really like to work in male-dominated industries. From her first night shift during the London riots, to dealing with loss, burnout, and the collapse of her own business during the pandemic, Hannah’s journey is anything but ordinary. We talk about how she rebuilt her identity, why failure is non-negotiable when you’re forging your own path, and how she’s navigating her next bold move. What we cover: * Life inside the London Fire Brigade during crisis * Transitioning from emergency services to automotive repair * The truth about being a woman in the car industry * How Hannah handled her business going under * Why chasing adrenaline can be both your power and your pressure * Finding purpose after burnout * Getting into TV presenting, e-scooter racing, and classic car restoration * And the importance of allowing yourself to start again—at any stage Timestamps 00:05 – From Pro Athlete Dreams to the London Fire Brigade 06:05 – First Night on the Job: London Riots and Culture Shock 08:40 – Coping With Trauma in Emergency Services 12:00 – The Wildest Firefighter Callouts (Yes, Curtain Rings Involved) 17:08 – Losing a Business in Lockdown: Hannah’s Honest Account 19:35 – Winning a World Championship and Closing a Business—In One Weekend 22:01 – The Truth About Being a Woman in the Automotive Industry If you're navigating a career shift, feeling stuck, or wondering if it’s too late to chase something new—this conversation will hit home. 🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with a woman who’s ready to take the leap. 💥 Want More? Get Exclusive Bonus Episodes! 👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership [https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership] (Bonus episodes for less than a coffee a month!) 👉 Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com [https://shewhodareswins.substack.com/] (Full insights & key takeaways from every episode!) 👉 She Who Dares Wins Newsletter: www.shewhodareswins.com 🚨 10% OFF all SWDW clothing! Use code POD10 at www.shewhodareswins.com [https://open.acast.com/networks/6502ec015032c7001167fc6e/shows/6502ec015032c7001167fc64/episodes/www.shewhodareswins.com] * 📢 Subscribe for more stories of fearless women breaking the rules! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

EP:76 In this episode of She Who Dares Wins, Michelle sits down with Nicole, ex-Head Buyer for ASDA and Primark, who walked away from a dream job and paycheque to build a business on her own terms. Now the woman behind The Buyer and Retail Coach, Nicole supports female founders in the product space to go from side hustle to scaling success. They talk side-stepping into entrepreneurship, the myth of the ‘big leap,’ and why showing up—even when it’s messy—matters more than having it all figured out. KEY TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – 05:00 ▶ From Corporate Queen to Founder: Nicole shares why she left a secure, high-flying job in retail to follow her vision. 05:00 – 15:00 ▶ Start Smart, Not Reckless: The power of side-hustling, how most women ease into entrepreneurship, and the financial safety nets that matter. 15:00 – 25:00 ▶ Confidence, Customers & Community: Why showing up (even imperfectly) builds trust, and how emotional connection sells more than any product ever could. 25:00 – 35:00 ▶ Retail Is Changing – Are You?: Nicole breaks down live shopping, SMS marketing, and how brands can sell smarter without a huge budget. 35:00 – End ▶ Reality Check & Final Wisdom: Why running your own business is hard—but worth it. And why regret should never be louder than your dreams. KEY TAKEAWAYS: * You don’t need to quit overnight. You can build while you earn—smart moves over martyrdom. * Most of Nicole’s clients are women who start during maternity leave or burnout from corporate. * Visibility + consistency = opportunity. The clients, press and deals come when you keep showing up. * Your business isn’t just product—it’s the emotion behind it. Build connection, not just inventory. * Tech like live shopping and SMS is changing the game for small brands. You don’t need a shop front—just a smartphone. * You can absolutely do hard things. But first—you have to decide to start. CONNECT WITH NICOLE: * Instagram: @thebuyerandretailcoach [https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach] * Podcast: Start Scale Succeed * 💥 Want More? Get Exclusive Bonus Episodes! 👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership [https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership] (Bonus episodes for less than a coffee a month!) 👉 Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com [https://shewhodareswins.substack.com/] (Full insights & key takeaways from every episode!) 👉 She Who Dares Wins Newsletter: www.shewhodareswins.com 🚨 10% OFF all SWDW clothing! Use code POD10 at www.shewhodareswins.com [https://open.acast.com/networks/6502ec015032c7001167fc6e/shows/6502ec015032c7001167fc64/episodes/www.shewhodareswins.com] * 📢 Subscribe for more stories of fearless women breaking the rules! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

EP:75 In this no-fluff bonus episode, Jess returns to talk about self-worth, confidence, and—oh yeah—rescuing a falcon from a haunted asylum. 🦅👻 It's part therapy session, part action movie, with a healthy dose of straight-talking truth bombs about daring to be different and proving your worth in male-dominated spaces. 🔍 WHAT WE COVER: * [00:00] The Billboard Test * Jess reveals her life motto: “Don’t be a sheep. Be a lion.” Enough said. * [01:00] Advice to Her 12-Year-Old Self * From a dark childhood to lessons in resilience, Jess opens up about the power of small acts of kindness—and why she tells her younger self to keep going. * [02:30] On Breaking Points & Turning Confidence On * Michelle and Jess dig into how confidence often starts from rock bottom—and the surprising fire hiding in quiet girls. * [04:00] Do It Better Than a Man * Jess shares a badass falconry story about outsmarting "the best in the business"—and how to own your space even when you're underestimated. * [06:30] Ghosts, Birds, and Bell Towers * Yes, really. Jess tells the unbelievable story of tracking a falcon into an abandoned asylum and meeting… kids that weren’t really there? * [09:00] The Dare: Flying a Bald Eagle Off a Mountain * Jess sets her dare for the year—and it involves a bald eagle, a mountain, and a camera strapped to a bird. Obviously. * [11:00] How a Falcon Filmed Her Own Vlog (and Ghosted Jess) * That time her falcon ditched the tracker, flew around Peterborough for five hours, then landed on her car like it owned the place. * [11:45] Where to Find Jess * Follow Jess on Instagram at @falconsandfieldsports for more wild adventures, training insights, and behind-the-scenes falcon footage. 💥 Want More? Get Exclusive Bonus Episodes! 👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership [https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership] (Bonus episodes for less than a coffee a month!) 👉 Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com [https://shewhodareswins.substack.com/] (Full insights & key takeaways from every episode!) 👉 She Who Dares Wins Newsletter: www.shewhodareswins.com 🚨 10% OFF all SWDW clothing! Use code POD10 at www.shewhodareswins.com [https://open.acast.com/networks/6502ec015032c7001167fc6e/shows/6502ec015032c7001167fc64/episodes/www.shewhodareswins.com] 📢 Subscribe for more stories of fearless women breaking the rules! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

EP:74 This week on She Who Dares Wins, Michelle sits down with Rebecca, a former emergency medicine consultant who swapped the chaos of A&E for the chaos of flower farming. (Spoiler: both involve long hours, tough calls, and a hell of a lot of resilience.) Rebecca shares her story of daring to leave a "respectable" career to follow an unexpected passion for sustainable flower farming. From weeding at midnight with a head torch to founding Silver Gray Foliage, Rebecca’s journey proves that success isn’t about sticking to the script — it’s about writing your own. We dive into: * Why walking away from a prestigious job isn’t a failure — it’s power. * How flower farming and medicine have more in common than you'd think. * Building a business rooted (literally) in patience, resilience, and sustainable practices. * The gritty truth about entrepreneurship — it’s not all wildflowers and sunshine. * How to recognise your hidden skills (and why your Plan B might just be your best life) Rebecca doesn’t just grow flowers — she grows freedom, and she’s here to remind us that daring to pivot could be the most badass move you ever make. Time Stamps 0:00 – Intro to Rebecca & her career switch 0:38 – From medicine to midnight weeding 2:30 – Early flower memories & first wedding project 4:30 – Nature as therapy & starting a business 7:30 – Building the farm and surviving Covid 10:30 – Challenges of growing naturally 15:00 – How nature balances itself 17:00 – The hidden cost of imported flowers 18:30 – True UK flower seasons 21:30 – Medicine vs flower farming: the surprising crossover 23:00 – Freedom, pressure, and working for yourself 25:00 – Advice for career pivots 30:00 – Skills that carry over from past careers 32:00 – Cultural pressures and redefining success 37:30 – Parenting, education, and encouraging choice 45:00 – Purpose over happiness in business 47:00 – Final reflections 💥 Want More? Get Exclusive Bonus Episodes! 👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership [https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership] (Bonus episodes for less than a coffee a month!) 👉 Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com [https://shewhodareswins.substack.com/] (Full insights & key takeaways from every episode!) 👉 She Who Dares Wins Newsletter: www.shewhodareswins.com 🚨 10% OFF all SWDW clothing! Use code POD10 at www.shewhodareswins.com [https://open.acast.com/networks/6502ec015032c7001167fc6e/shows/6502ec015032c7001167fc64/episodes/www.shewhodareswins.com] 📢 Subscribe for more stories of fearless women breaking the rules! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.