What can monkeys teach us about motherhood, leadership, and finding the courage to jump in?

In this episode of Inspiring Possibilities: The Courage to Jump In!!, I sit down with the incredible Grainne McCabe, Chief Conservation Officer at the Wilder Institute. I first met Grainne at a magical dinner event hosted by the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, and I was immediately drawn to her passion, presence, and powerful story. I knew right then that I had to have her on the podcast.

Grainne’s journey is a masterclass in what it looks like to step into the unknown—literally and figuratively. From switching majors to following monkeys through the jungle, moving her newborn across the globe, and leading conservation innovation on a national level… it’s all about courage, curiosity, and commitment to something greater.

She’s spent over 15 years working across 10 countries—living in tents in Tanzania, building community-centered conservation models in Equatorial Guinea, and now leading one of Canada’s most ambitious strategies to protect endangered species. Her story is packed with lessons in resilience, leadership, and trusting your path—even when it’s muddy, steep, and filled with unexpected animal encounters (including one with a puma 🐾)!

We talk about:

What happens when you say “yes” to the unknown

The link between conservation and community—and why people matter just as much as animals

How her childhood fascination with dinosaurs led her to a global career

The power of mentorship, motherhood, and moving through doubt

Why “we’ll get there” has become her go-to mantra (and mine too now)

If you’ve ever felt unsure about the next step—or wondered if your one small action could make a difference—this episode is for you. Grainne’s courage, heart, and humanity will inspire you to keep going, no matter how steep the climb.

🎥 Watch my TEDx Talk – How to Move from Perfection to Possibility
👉 https://youtu.be/w5_l3tzGRRg

📍 Learn more about Grainne McCabe and the Wilder Canada Action Plan:
🌐 wilderinstitute.org
📺 Watch the Wilder Canada Action Plan video

What is your Inspired Action Type... Take the Quiz
https://inspiringpossibilities.scoreapp.com/


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YEAH... Its here!!!!

🎥 Watch my TEDx Talk – How to Move from Perfection to Possibility
👉 https://youtu.be/w5_l3tzGRRg

📩 Let’s Connect!
Follow me on Instagram @michellecameroncoulter
Visit michellecameroncoulter.com to explore more ways to jump in.

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🚀 Join the Conversation:
Have a story of courage or personal growth? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

🌟 Special Thanks:
This podcast series is dedicated to the legacy of my incredible mom—her resilience and courage inspire every step of this journey.