Brenda Ridgley never imagined herself competing in a pageant, but a chance conversation in 2020 led her to enter Mrs. America and step far outside her comfort zone.

In this episode of the To Your Health podcast, Brenda shares what it looked like to go from an immediate “no” to fully committing, including six months of preparation, hiring a coach, and navigating the vulnerability of putting herself out there in a completely new way.

We also talk about what surprised her most about the experience, the supportive community she found, and how the process ultimately inspired her to write a book and build a platform centered around connection and women’s friendships.

Brenda Ridgley is the Connection Connoisseur. A Mindvalley certified life coach, author, speaker, and girlfriend guru, Brenda loves helping women who seek clarity, find success, and discover joy through connection. Her mission is to support women who have lost themselves in their roles as wife, mother and professional and help them connect to their passions, purpose and people. Through her retreats, workshops, coaching, and podcast ~ Find Your Lady Tribe, Brenda helps women connect and communicate with respect, love, and trust.

https://www.wholeyou-niverse.com/

https://www.facebook.com/brendaridgleyconnections

https://www.facebook.com/groups/savetheworldsister

Tune in each week for practical, relatable advice that helps you feel your best and unlock your full potential. If you’re ready to prioritize your health and level up every area of your life, you’ll find the tools, insights, and inspiration right here.

Check out Esther’s website for more about her speaking, coaching, book, and more: http://estheravant.com/

Buy Esther’s Book: To Your Health: https://a.co/d/iDG68qU

Esther’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther.avant

Esther’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estheravant/

Learn more about 1:1 health & weight loss coaching: https://madebymecoaching.com/coaching

Whitney Merchant was nearing 40 when her life unraveled—within weeks, she experienced a divorce, the loss of her pets, and a sudden layoff. Searching for an outlet to process grief and rediscover herself, she made an unexpected decision: she signed up for a pole dancing class.

What began as a bold step outside her comfort zone evolved into a transformative journey of healing, confidence, and self-expression. In this episode, Whitney shares how embracing curiosity helped her reconnect with her body, explore feminine embodiment, and move through one of the most challenging seasons of her life.

We discuss the emotional and physical power of pole dancing, the courage it takes to try something new in midlife, and how women can rewrite limiting narratives about aging, confidence, and sexuality.

Whitney’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself—and that sometimes the smallest step into the unknown can open the door to profound personal growth.

This episode is part of the Women Who Did series within the To Your Health podcast—a series about real women who followed through on something important to them and what that experience taught them, so other women can see what’s possible for themselves.

Whitney Merchant helps women reclaim the parts of themselves they were taught to quiet: their desire, their intuition, and their unapologetic feminine presence. Her approach is traumainformed, body-based, and outrageously liberating.

Whitney has taught internationally alongside esteemed teachers such as Sheila Kelley, Tony Robbins, and Heather Ash Amara, and holds a degree in English and French Literature from UCLA.

Her own healing journey as a sexual trauma survivor is what drives her to create the kind of safe, transformative space where embodied change is not just possible, but deeply felt.https://www.whitneymerchant.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitneybird/

Free mini class for your viewers: https://subscribepage.io/quick-wins

Tune in each week for practical, relatable advice that helps you feel your best and unlock your full potential. If you’re ready to prioritize your health and level up every area of your life, you’ll find the tools, insights, and inspiration right here.

Check out Esther’s website for more about her speaking, coaching, book, and more: http://estheravant.com/

Buy Esther’s Book: To Your Health: https://a.co/d/iDG68qU

Esther’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther.avant

Esther’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estheravant/

Learn more about 1:1 health & weight loss coaching: https://madebymecoaching.com/coaching

Melanie Michaelchuk spent nearly 30 years thinking about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro before she finally decided to go for it. When she committed, she didn’t have perfect timing, unlimited resources, or peak fitness—she had doubts, obstacles, and a goal she couldn’t ignore any longer.

In this conversation, Melanie shares what it actually looked like to follow through, from rebuilding her fitness step by step to navigating the very real fears and logistics of traveling alone and doing something far outside her comfort zone.

We talk about why so many women put their goals on hold, how to start even when nothing feels fully in place, and the power of deciding “if not now, then when.”

Plus, Melanie shares how accomplishing this one goal changed the way she approaches everything else in her life—and why she now focuses on staying ready so she can say yes to whatever comes next.

Melanie Michaelchuk is a hiking coach, author, and Mount Kilimanjaro summiteer who helps women build confidence through movement and outdoor adventure. She is the founder of Just Hyke, host of the Just Hyke Podcast, and author of Sidewalk to Summit, inspiring women to take the first step toward their own big goals. https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-michaelchuk

Tune in each week for practical, relatable advice that helps you feel your best and unlock your full potential. If you’re ready to prioritize your health and level up every area of your life, you’ll find the tools, insights, and inspiration right here.

Check out Esther’s website for more about her speaking, coaching, book, and more: http://estheravant.com/

Buy Esther’s Book: To Your Health: https://a.co/d/iDG68qU

Esther’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther.avant

Esther’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estheravant/

Learn more about 1:1 health & weight loss coaching: https://madebymecoaching.com/coaching