Becoming Your Best Version

Marcia Dawood is an early-stage investor who serves on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee. She is a venture partner with Mindshift Capital, a member of Golden Seeds, and the chair emeritus of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), a global professional society for angel investors. She is the author of Do Good While Doing Well, Invest for Change, Reap Financial Rewards, and Increase Your Happiness. She is also an associate producer on the award-winning documentary Show Her the Money.

A TEDx speaker and the host of The Angel Next Door podcast, Marcia walks the talk and holds investments in over fifty early-stage companies and funds. She is committed to expanding support for diverse companies that overcome the world’s biggest problems and accelerate positive change. She is passionate about bridging the gap from early-stage inception to building thriving, profitable companies.

Previously, Marcia worked in sales, marketing, and operations for Kaplan Education for over sixteen years. She received an MBA from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School. Marcia currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, Izzy, and she feels lucky to be the stepmom to three amazing sons.

Learn more and follow Marcia:

www.marciadawood.com

Link to buy her book https://bit.ly/3yxekKD

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciadawood/

https://www.facebook.com/marcia.dawood

https://www.instagram.com/marciadawood

Rhonda Nelson, renowned patient advocate, author, speaker and philanthropist is a beacon of resilience and strength. Her charitable work spans championing equitable access to affordable healthcare, supporting those diagnosed with AERD (Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease), serving as a voice in the foster care system and encouraging women to reinvent themselves in their different stages of life.

Rhonda serves on the Executive Board of Directors with the Asthma & Allergy Network, impacts legislation and speaks nationally, raising awareness for AERD. Having dealt with AERD (Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease) herself for more than twenty years, she has experienced many misdiagnoses, a near fatal struggle to find relief, a desperate search for answers and a constant journey to access proper support. Rhonda and her husband Wayne, of the Little River Band (most popular during the 1970s and still touring) tirelessly devote their time and resources to helping others to navigate this challenging medical journey frequently associated with severe respiratory disease.

Rhonda is a firm believer in empowering women to pursue the dreams they have for their lives, regardless of age, while finding strength in overcoming challenges. In her book, A Different Life, Rhonda not only pulls back the curtain on celebrity life, but also offers readers the chance to hear never-before-told stories, enjoy treasured family recipes and photos all while getting a taste of all things pertaining to life on the road.

In this episode, Rhonda talks about her survival story, becoming your best self during your midlife years and being your best self while facing a chronic illness. She joins us from her home in Tennessee.

Learn more and follow Rhonda:

https://www.instagram.com/rhondabnelson/

https://rhondabnelson.com/

https://www.facebook.com/rhondabassnelson/

Award-winning author, speaker, Gestalt Practitioner (a form of holistic, non-traditional coaching/guiding), and Patient Advocate, Risa August has been living with a pituitary tumor and rare disease for more than a decade. Risa shares her insights and perspectives on stage, offering words of inspiration to audiences. Additionally, Risa works one-on-one with clients, guiding them through the many roadblocks of life and toward living more fully inspired.

Risa's book, The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike, describes her soul-healing journey riding her bike from Canada to Mexico. She currently is working on the screenplay adaptation of the book.

A girl with sparkles in her hair and once an Ironman athlete, Risa still has a passion for her bike and barbells. With her genuine curiosity and love for trying new (and old) things, you may find Risa taking Bollywood or Hip-Hop dance lessons, trying a silks aerialist or boxing class, going indoor skydiving, and guiding inspirational workshops in creativity.

Through her personal transformation, following brain surgery and radiation, Risa has learned and practiced removing limiting beliefs, shifting her perspective, and embracing an expansive life…a life unleashed. Having survived brain surgery, Risa says: "I believe anything is possible. I believe in miracles. I believe we each hold the power to heal."

Learn more:

www.risaaugust.com

www.instagram.com/risaunleashed/ 

www.facebook.com/risaunleashed

www.facebook.com/featherandsagecoaching/ 

www.facebook.com/risa.august.unleashed/

www.linkedin.com/in/risa-august-9b130524a

https://linktr.ee/risaaugust

https://substack.com/@risaunleashed

Anne Alexander-Sieder is an actor, coach and podcaster, with a story as colorful as the characters she has portrayed. Eleven years ago, she relaunched her career as a 47-year-old American woman living in Germany. Today, she has racked up 48 credits on IMDb and another 98 on Crew United, Europe’s answer to IMDb, appearing on screens big and small across two continents. Now, she is on a mission to shatter the disempowering myths that have been holding you back.

"I was a professional actor back in the US, and nearly 30 years ago, I moved to Germany for love—not my career," Anne says. "Life took me in a few different directions, but I always felt the pull to return to acting. So, at 47, after a 16-year break (and with less-than-perfect German!), I successfully relaunched my acting career from Munich and have worked with some of the biggest production companies like Netflix, Hallmark, A24, and Occupant Film, just to name a few. When I first decided to return to acting, I didn’t know where to start, so I began with training—just taking those first small steps. That foundational training became the launchpad for my career comeback. As I began booking more roles, other actors started coming to me for career guidance, which eventually led me to create Get Better Roles, a program to empower actors to get into the rooms that matter so they can land the roles they deserve. But this journey also taught me something big: so many people put their dreams on hold because they’re frozen in the 'how,' waiting to feel like an 'expert' before they even begin. This realization inspired Passion Project to Pro, my program to help people turn what they love into what they do—without needing to be an expert, influencer, coach. I’m living proof that dreams don’t have expiration dates."

Anne offers free resources on her website, including a masterclass and workbook. Learn more:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Act_Bold  

Passion Project to Pro FREE WORKBOOK: https://www.actboldtraining.com/p2 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrs.alexandersieder/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ActBold  

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annealexandersieder/

Websites: http://www.act-bold.com  

https://www.actboldtraining.com 

Molly McNamee is a Los Angeles-based online fitness coach and the founder of MFit Workouts who believes that the secret to looking your best lies in managing your stress. She has developed a unique approach that combines sustainable exercise with lifestyle coaching, helping clients balance their hormones and manage their stress to reach their weight loss goals.

Having personally struggled with anxiety, Molly understands the powerful connection between the mind and body. After hitting a low point in her own health, she created a new exercise method that not only alleviated her anxiety but also transformed her body. Now, she shares this life-changing approach through private and group coaching programs, helping people around the world find balance, feel less anxious, and finally see the results they’ve been working toward. Her mission is to help people use exercise to calm stress so their body can actually feel safe letting go of excess fat. 

Molly helps clients rebalance their hormones and feel better about themselves. And she shows us that even small changes can bring impactful results.

Learn more:

https://mollymcnamee.com/
Free Cortisol Training: https://mollymcnamee.com/webinar/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mfit.workouts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsmollyrae- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-mcnamee-%E2%9C%A8-81718699/

Victress Hitchcock has been an explorer all her life as a child of diplomats, a filmmaker, meditator, mother and poet. This past October, she published her memoir, A Tree with My Name On It--Finding a Way Home. It is a powerful story of healing, resilience and finding inner freedom.

Victress Hitchcock grew up in London, Paris and Madrid as the daughter of a diplomat. She graduated from the London Film School and spent 45 years making documentary and educational films. A long-time meditator, a poet, a mother and a grandmother, she lives in Boulder, Colorado. You can learn more about her at ⁠victresshitchcock.com⁠.

Follow Victress:

https://www.facebook.com/victresshitchcock/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563898306552

Nicole Meline creates transformative experiences that connect you to your heart. As a mentor, leadership coach, speaker, and spirited fitness and meditation teacher, she holds space for your becoming.

Nicole especially loves to work with women navigating transitions in mid-life, reinventing themselves, and celebrating the gifts of aging. Her cathartic Alter workout and meditation practices build your strength and ignite your spirit. Her digital courses are potent frameworks for growth. Nicole is also the host of the beloved Alter Podcast and Alter Journeys soulful adventure retreats.

"It’s my joy to mentor leaders in body and spirit to amplify your creative genius and lead with heartward vision," Nicole says. "I believe in reinvention, second and seventieth acts, late bloomers, and the underdog. In the power of spirited movement and revelatory stillness. That we are made to move and be moved in ways that astonish us, lifelong. That physical movement can be spiritually seismic. That breath and sweat are doorways to the heart— our noise-canceling headphones for the symphony of our DNA. And ultimately, the metric that truly matters is joy."

She is a four time Ironman triathlete and eternal student with four master’s degrees, and spent a decade in New York City as a writing professor at Columbia and Rutgers. She also is a Peloton founding master instructor.

Nicole makes a home in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado with her wolf mutt Everest. She welcomes you to her offerings at nicolemeline.com and on Instagram @nicolemeline

As a distinguished beauty, lifestyle and fashion creator over 55, Lori Altermann is not just a voice in the crowd—she is a one-of-a-kind force in the social media landscape. Her devoted audience of more than 100,000 is deeply engaged and eagerly anticipates her handpicked recommendations, knowing that a product endorsed by Lori is worth every moment of their attention! With an authentic and comedic perspective that stands out from the rest, she brings a refreshing blend of insight and charisma to her daily content.

Elsewhere, followers tune into the Lori Altermann podcast, to stay abreast of her top picks and strong opinions that are shared with the same zest and passion devoted to Lori's perfectly crafted martini. From the luxuries that enhance her lifestyle to the essentials that simplify it (such as her cherished tequila and coffee!), she celebrates the finer things in life with flair and sophistication. Her audience knows that endorsements from Lori are not just recommendations—they’re a testament to quality and style.

She's a mom of two, a proud cancer survivor, a lover of pop culture, reality tv, music and jewelry.
The Lori Altermann Show: "From current events and pop culture to life in your 50s and our most unpopular opinions, we cover it all with sass, charm and a martini or two. Sip along as we interview interesting guests, commiserate on life’s ups and downs and – most importantly – make you laugh."

Learn more and follow Lori:

https://www.lorialterman.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lori-altermann-show/id1753144361

https://open.spotify.com/show/4q2cTy4cAXmQhtvTgKVK9v?si=b6e87d047a424b97

https://www.instagram.com/lorialtermann

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCekDQ6UBrfI_BZvS2OgqCJg

https://www.tiktok.com/@lorialtermann

https://x.com/lorialtermann

Amy Kemp is the owner and CEO of Amy Kemp, Inc. In her work within this growing company, Amy helps leaders and business professionals understand how deeply thought habits impact every part of their work and lives.

As a certified Habit Finder coach, Amy has led more than 400 female business leaders through a four-month small group engagement called Encounter. This experience is designed to help clients replace subconscious thought habits that are no longer serving them with more healthy ones.

She has worked through the Habit Finder curriculum with hundreds of leaders in one-on-one settings and with leadership teams at small and large companies.

In addition, Amy teaches two engaging online courses each year in the fall and spring that are designed to challenge and expand her clients’ understanding of themselves and to welcome new, curious people into the scope of her work. Some of the most popular topics in her library of offerings are “Money Is a Mirror” and “A Boundary Is Not a Wall.”

Finally, with the launch of her first book, I See You: A Guide for Women to Make More, Have More, and Be More – Without More Work, on February 29, 2024, Amy has created an opportunity for everyone to learn and engage with her and the principles that guide her coaching.

You can learn more about Amy and her body of work at www.amykemp.com.

While her business and professional accomplishments are many, Amy counts all of it a loss if she doesn’t invest her best time and energy in leading and loving those closest to her in #kempnation. She has been married to Ryan for over twenty years and they have three children – Avery, Anthony and Andrew.

Follow Amy:

https://www.instagram.com/amykempinc/

https://www.facebook.com/amykempinc

linkedin.com/in/amykempinc

Grace Redman is a charismatic entrepreneur, success coach and speaker with a passion for guiding entrepreneurs and high performers to shatter their self-imposed glass ceilings and elevate their success. Blending practical and holistic principles, Grace empowers her clients to harness their talents, unlock their optimal potential, and transform both their professional and personal lives. As the best-selling author of Can I Live?! Dare To Go From F*cked up to Fabulous and host of the Real Talk with Grace Redman podcast, Grace's influence extends far beyond one-on-one coaching. With more than 25 years as a successful entrepreneur in the competitive San Francisco Bay Area, she has coached and mentored thousands of professionals through her staffing firm. Her authenticity and vulnerability foster genuine connections, establishing her as a trusted leader and go-to expert in her field. Grace's resilience is legendary.

She not only survived but thrived through four economic downturns and a global pandemic when many competitors closed their doors. In 2024, her perseverance paid off when her firm was named one of the top five women-owned businesses in the area. While Grace holds a Master's Degree and several coaching certifications, her most profound teacher has been life itself. Her journey is a testament to human resilience: building businesses while raising a family, navigating addiction within her household, caring for parents at the end of their lives, and overcoming a cancer diagnosis that threatened to derail her. These experiences honed Grace's extraordinary ability to guide others through their own transformational journeys. Although Grace feels fortunate for her many accomplishments, she considers raising her family her greatest achievement. In this exciting phase of her career, Grace's mission is clear: to educate and empower as many individuals as possible to break through their self-imposed limitations, step out of mediocrity, and create a fabulous life they love. Grace Redman's story isn't just inspirational—it's a roadmap for those seeking to turn adversity into triumph. Her insights on resilience, personal growth, and unlocking human potential make her a compelling voice for those seeking authentic, transformative guidance.

Learn more:

https://www.daretoachieve.com/

https://www.facebook.com/grace.s.redman

https://www.instagram.com/gracesredman/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-redman-701a30/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-g8w_iEQbdhU-9J5sZuQSA

https://www.tiktok.com/@graceredman3