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  • Beyond Palatable: How Delusion, Audacity, and Messy Action Can Build Your Dream Life with Sophie Lee

    Beyond Palatable: How Delusion, Audacity, and Messy Action Can Build Your Dream Life with Sophie Lee
    2026/07/28
    Imagine being twenty-three, living in Shanghai, and deciding you want a column in the city's major newspaper—despite having zero journalism experience and absolutely no portfolio. That is exactly the kind of "audacious delusion" Sophie Main brought to the table when she showed up at their corporate offices week after week until they finally handed her a column just to stop her from coming back!In this incredibly refreshing, funny, and deeply honest episode, the strategist, public speaking coach, and author of the groundbreaking book Beyond Palatable sits down with Michelle to dismantle the polished social media lies of "overnight success" and "six-figure passive income". Sophie shares her raw journey from navigating a cutthroat journalism industry—where she faced the trauma of doing "death knocks" on grieving families—to running a highly successful, multi-six-figure business. She reveals how she recently landed an incredible publishing deal simply by having the courage to put her scrappy, half-formed ideas out into the world before she felt ready, all while running her company and "3D-printing a human being"!If you are tired of buying endless courses, outsourcing your self-worth, and waiting for the "perfect" time to start, this episode is your ultimate sign to take messy action and flex your courage muscle!✨ IN THIS EPISODE:00:00 – Introduction: Meeting Sophie, strategist, speaking coach, and author of Beyond Palatable.01:19 – Courage Before Confidence: Why waiting until you feel "ready" is a trap, and how putting scrappy ideas out there builds real momentum.03:18 – Audacity, Tenacity, & Delusion: How Sophie got a journalism column in Shanghai at age 23 with zero portfolio.11:17 – The Reality of Journalism: Why Sophie left a cutthroat local news industry after being trained to do "death knocks".14:34 – The Validation Trap: How marketing mechanisms and online content creators manufacture problems to sell you "fixes" you don't need.34:48 – The VAT Reality Check: Why viral posts rarely bring clients and how to easily spot fakers online.37:01 – Indigestion vs. Starvation: Why modern businesses actually fail due to overwhelm and "too much advice" rather than a lack of ideas.50:43 – Unpicking the "Superwoman" Ego: Navigating matrescence, identity shifts, and the transition into motherhood.59:05 – The "Big Stick" Illusion: Reclaiming real human connection and shifting your focus from online metrics to daily presence.1:02:01 – The Ultimate Dare: Auditing your "sorries" and refusing to outsource your worth to strangers.💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:On the success trifecta of building a business: "The keys to success are audacity. You really do have to be audacious... and tenacity to not stop, to keep going, and delusion. You need to be delusional about what it is that you deserve, and probably to a degree, what you're capable of."On why we must stop showing up as "perfect": "It's really important when I tell my story and when I show up to be as human and honest and messy as I can possibly be, because I never want somebody to look at me and think she's up here and I'm down here. I want people to look at me and think, well, she's a bit of a shit show, so she can do it, and I can probably do it too."On shifting your perspective on what actually matters: "When you really start to understand that you are a grain of sand and that your existence is important, but still inconsequential... then impact starts to look different... Who are you in the shop when you buy your groceries? Who are you to your children in the morning... Far more important than how many bloody Instagram followers you have..."🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS:Read Sophie's book: Beyond Palatable: A Manifesto for Unapologetic WomenSign up for the newsletter to get your weekly inbox dares: www.shewhodareswins.comJoin the Dare Club community Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 時間 5 分
  • How to Finally Quit the Job You Keep Convincing Yourself You Need

    How to Finally Quit the Job You Keep Convincing Yourself You Need
    2026/07/21
    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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    29 分
  • Learning the Language of Your Biology: How Cycles, Hormones, and Moods Align With Harri

    Learning the Language of Your Biology: How Cycles, Hormones, and Moods Align With Harri
    2026/07/14
    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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 時間 16 分
  • From "Should" to "Want": Unleashing Your Forward Force

    From "Should" to "Want": Unleashing Your Forward Force
    2026/07/07

    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.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    8 分
  • Perfection is Overrated: Ditching the Fear of Mistakes to Build Leeds' Only Female-Led Studio - Our House

    Perfection is Overrated: Ditching the Fear of Mistakes to Build Leeds' Only Female-Led Studio - Our House
    2026/07/01

    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 dare

    04:15 Meeting at a gig and the lack of sound engineering jobs

    08:40 Ditching the wait and deciding to take the leap

    12:10 The Day 1 disaster: Walking into a gutted, empty studio

    17:30 Flipping the mindset and the incredible power of community

    28:00 Creating a cozy, non-clinical space for artists

    41:20 Building acoustic panels from pallets and doing it for free

    45:30 Anchoring to your "Why" when the "How" is terrifying

    51:10 Dealing with mansplaining and using doubt as fuel

    60:00 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.com

    Sign up for the newsletter to get your weekly dares: www.shewhodareswins.com

    Join 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: here

    Vanessa 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 podcasts

    Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more people discover these stories

    Watch all Episodes on Youtube

    Join Dare Club Now

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 時間 2 分
  • Late-Diagnosed ADHD in Your 40s: Unpacking the Chaos, the Burnout, and the "Superpower" Myth

    Late-Diagnosed ADHD in Your 40s: Unpacking the Chaos, the Burnout, and the "Superpower" Myth
    2026/06/23
    Michelle has spent the last two years interviewing incredible women on the She Who Dares Wins podcast, but today she steps behind the mic solo for the Season 4 finale. After spending a decade navigating the chaotic, male-dominated world of construction as a freelance engineer—while simultaneously juggling side hustles like filmmaking, a plumbing chemical business, and a clothing line—she thought she was just naturally wired for chaos.But a life of extreme chaos isn't without its mental hurdles. From masking her emotions as a child to living constantly in a "fight or flight" mode to survive moving from project to project, she was unknowingly chasing dopamine. After facing severe burnout that landed her in the hospital and navigating the intense imposter syndrome of quitting her safety-net job to go full-time with her podcast, she realized she could no longer ignore her struggles. Just two weeks ago, she received an official ADHD diagnosis, a revelation that is incredibly common for women in their 40s experiencing hormonal shifts.Now, she is laying it all out there. It is a deeply personal account of her time in construction, the exhausting reality of masking, and how what many label an "ADHD superpower" can actually be the exact thing driving you to absolute burnout. It takes listeners on a journey into why our brains chase shiny new objects, the reality of double-checking everything out of a paralyzing fear of failure, and the immense relief of finally understanding how your mind works.In this episode, we delve into Michelle's official diagnosis and what it has taught her. We discuss her transition from film school to a construction site, how she navigated being the only woman on the job, the moment she realized she was burning out, and the exciting new "doubting to daring" format launching in Season 5.✨ IN THIS EPISODE:00:00 Introduction to the Season 4 Finale and a personal update04:15 Childhood masking and surviving school as the "funny one"10:30 Film school in LA to surviving a baptism of fire in construction16:45 Chasing dopamine: side hustles, chemical businesses, and fight-or-flight mode23:20 The reality of being the only female engineer on site and battling imposter syndrome30:10 Navigating motherhood, severe burnout, and the hospital visit that changed everything34:50 Sacking the safety net, going all-in on the podcast, and facing self-doubt39:15 The assessment process and the profound relief of a late ADHD diagnosis45:30 What’s next: Season 5, Dare Club, and moving from "doubting to daring"💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:On the exhaustion of the "superpower" myth: "I was in fight or flight mode for the majority of my career... People are always like, 'Yeah, it's a superpower. It's amazing.' It can be, but it also can get you to this point where you are absolutely exhausted and burnt out."On the relief of an official diagnosis: "The things that you have beaten yourself up about over the years and made a joke of, made light of, is actually something that is not really coped with well in society... Somebody to tell you that your brain works differently and you just have this sense of relief of like, Okay."🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS:Sign up for the newsletter to get your weekly dares: www.shewhodareswins.comJoin the Dare Club community: A space where daring outruns doubting🎙️ WANT MORE?Jenny - our deep dive into the realities of ADHD, Autism, and understanding neurodivergence: hereAmanda Perry - discusses unlocking ADHD in business, survival, and triumph: 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 YoutubeJoin Dare Club NowWhat are the specific signs of burnout you experienced?Join Dare Club To Chat with other women who have similar experiences Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    42 分
  • Conquering Fear and Redefining Your Limits: Inside the Mind of a Celebrity Survival Expert

    Conquering Fear and Redefining Your Limits: Inside the Mind of a Celebrity Survival Expert
    2026/06/09

    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 wins

    02:01 A childhood in Snowdonia and solo camping at 11

    04:18 How a free beer led to a career in bushcraft

    07:37 Navigating the "boys' club" and working twice as hard

    09:42 Curing a paralyzing fear of helicopters

    12:33 How to build your own outdoor experience and qualifications

    15:57 The biology of comfort: why we instinctively take the easy route

    18:50 A terrifying encounter with a Mountain King Cobra

    22:07 Working with celebrities and enforcing boundaries

    24:36 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 program

    Join 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: here

    Vanessa 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 podcasts

    Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more people discover these stories

    Watch all Episodes on Youtube


    Join Dare Club Now

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    29 分