From Miss Florida to sports history maker, Julie Donaldson has broken every barrier in her path.

In this episode, the trailblazing sports broadcaster shares her ultimate career blueprint, revealing how she transitioned from the pageant stage to the male-dominated sports newsroom & the exact skills it takes to survive and thrive at the highest level.

We take a deep dive into the psychology of success, why pageants are actually won "from the neck up", the valuable lessons in communication & competition she learned in the pageant world, & how mastering high-stakes communication changes everything.

Julie doesn't hold back on the dark side of ambition, sharing how she learned how to handle judgmental behavior, jealousy, envy, & cruelty from both women & men, & why deep-seated insecurity drives people to knock others down.

Plus, we tackle the biggest hot-button topics in sports today as Julie gives her unfiltered take on the Caitlin Clark WNBA controversies & the complex debate surrounding transgender athletes in women's sports.

If you are a young woman trying to navigate your career, this episode is your masterclass. Julie shares her crucial advice on finding your "Why," identifying your passion, the power of mentorship, and why relentless resilience will always beat raw talent.

🔹More About Julie Donaldson:⬇️

A pioneering figure in sports broadcasting, breaking gender barriers in a field traditionally dominated by men, Julie Donaldson recently served as SVP of Broadcast for the Washington Commanders as the first hire of change during a most tumultuous time for the franchise. Pivotal in helping change the culture of the NFL franchise, Julie also was a permanent member of the Commanders game day radio broadcast, making her the first female to be a regular on-air member of an NFL radio broadcast booth. This achievement led Sports Illustrated to name her one of the top 50 Most Powerful Women in Sports that year.

A vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the industry, Julie has over two decades of experience as a sports journalist, having worked in top U.S. markets like New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Miami, covering major events including four Olympic Games.

Julie is currently an anchor and reporter for WTTG FOX5 DC.

To learn more about Julie:⬇️

🌐juliedonaldson.com

🔹To connect with Julie:⬇️
X: @juliedonaldson_

Facebook: @julieannee

Instagram: @_juliedonaldson

TikTok: @juliedonaldson_

🎙️ONCE UPON THE PODCAST Available On:⬇️
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Wherever You Get Your Podcasts🔹

In this raw & revealing episode, CNN anchor & correspondent, Carolyn Manno, pulls back the curtain on life in front of the cameras as she reflects on her career path, from South Bend, Indiana to New England, eventually culminating at NBC Sports & CNN – covering eight Olympic Games, five Paralympic Games, & a wide array of sports.

Carolyn shares her hard-won achievements, challenges she faced, her private insecurities, & the inner qualities that helped drive her success while opening up about how early self-reliance & the strong foundation shaped by her family who gave her the encouragement, independence, grit, & resolve to succeed.

Carolyn also discusses the mentors who believed in & helped her, the leap of faith she took when offered her job in Boston, & how the stakes were raised as she advanced in her career.

Carolyn talks about imposter syndrome, navigating a male-dominated industry, & how she tried to downplay & camouflage her femininity early in her career.

In addition, Carolyn chats about hosting the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show & the annual AKC National Championships, how much she loves working alongside her canine & human colleagues, & her admiration for the dogs she has met.

Finally, Carolyn discusses her professional future, the joy she has found in her work, & her work-life balance as a mom with a meaningful, fulfilling personal life.

🔹More About Carolyn Manno:⬇️

CNN Anchor & Correspondent

Having covered eight Olympic Games for NBC Sports, Carolyn was a CNBC host for the 2022 Beijing Olympics, an Olympic Channel host for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, an NBCSN host for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics & the 2016 Rio Olympics, a freestyle skiing reporter at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, a multi-event reporter at the 2012 London Olympics, & a studio/cable for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Carolyn also covered five Paralympic Games with NBCU.

In addition to hosting the America Kennel Club's (AKC) digital streaming platform & appearing occasionally on New York City's WNBC, Carolyn has also served as host for Big Ten Women's Basketball on Peacock and has previously worked across numerous NBC Sports events, including NFL, NASCAR, & horse racing.

Carolyn earned multiple first place awards from the Associated Press, including an Edward R. Murrow Award for Sports Journalism.

🔹To connect with Carolyn:⬇️
X: @CarolynManno

Facebook: @carolynmanno

Instagram: @carolynmanno

🎙️ONCE UPON THE PODCAST Available On:⬇️
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Recent studies show that 55% – 72% of American employees suffer from professional burnout, hitting a six-year high. And younger generations face the highest risks, with burnout afflicting 74% of Gen Z & 83% of younger Millennials.

In today's professional landscape, high achievers often find themselves "stuck", feeling unfulfilled & disconnected. Workplace disengagement costs the economy trillions, but the personal cost of misaligned talent is immeasurable.

As a tactical response to this widespread professional stagnation, certified John Maxwell coach & trainer Lyn Scales Gholston, discusses her passionate commitment to helping people stop settling for a job & start building a legacy. Lyn discusses the motivation behind her dedication for solving this global crisis & how she has incorporated her personal insights, experiences, & world-class leadership into the principles of her CLEWS Framework – a proven repeatable strategic roadmap/model to help people transition from burnout to entrepreneurship.

Lyn & I delve into her mission to guide entrepreneurs & professionals with clarity, empathy, & strategic foresight, helping them to rediscover work that matters to them & is aligned with their strengths, values, & gifts while elevating their potential by better aligning their careers with their core purpose.

To learn more about Lyn Scales Gholston:⬇️

🌐lynscalesgholston.com/

🔹To connect with Lyn:⬇️

Facebook: @LynScalesGholston

Instagram: @LynScalesGholston

To learn more about CLEWS:⬇️

🌐lynscalesgholston.com/clews.html

🎙️ONCE UPON THE PODCAST Available On:⬇️
Apple Podcasts🔹Spotify🔹YouTube🔹iHeart🔹Amazon Music🔹Audible 🔹
Wherever You Get Your Podcasts🔹