Courageous Conversations

In a world where female athletes are often expected to "push through" the pain and stress, Maddie Williams challenges young women to embrace mental health as a crucial part of their journey.

In this week's episode, Amy sits down with Maddie, a dedicated D1 gymnast and mental health advocate, to uncover the hidden challenges that female athletes face. From struggling with performance anxiety in middle school to finding strength in therapy during college, Maddie shares her journey of resilience, self-discovery, and the importance of mental wellness in sports. This heartfelt discussion sheds light on how Maddie built her own mental health toolkit, filled with visualization techniques, positive self-talk, and breathing exercises, which have helped her navigate both athletic pressures and academic pursuits.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The importance of viewing mental health as essential to overall well-being, especially for athletes who often feel pressure to "stay tough"

• Maddie's personal experience with anxiety and how reaching out for guidance has been a vital part of her resilience

• Practical strategies for managing stress and staying grounded

• The unique challenges of being an individual competitor within a team sport, and the balance between personal growth and team responsibilities

Maddie's journey serves as a reminder that mental health support is a personal journey, and it's okay to take time finding the right method and person to confide in.

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A $500 budget, a love for thrifting, and a lot of heart.

That's all Elle Nicole had when she first started flipping vintage finds on Instagram as a high schooler, building what would become a vibrant brand, Elle Nicole.

In this week's episode, Amy and Elle dive into the journey from humble beginnings to a thriving business, sharing how she embraced change, expanded her product lines, and turned passion into purpose. Through trial and error and creative determination, Elle evolved her brand into a vibrant, retro-inspired business. She opens up about starting with a small budget, teaching herself design basics on Canva, and navigating the complexities of scaling her business as demand grew.

Key Topics Discussed:

• How Elle's passion for thrifting led to her business idea

• The creative process of designing and producing with minimal funds

• Why Elle transitioned from apparel to accessories and stationery

• Embracing trial and error and letting the business evolve organically

• Practical insights on setting up a business with limited tools, like Canva and Shopify

Tune in to learn how resourcefulness, resilience, and willingness to adapt helped Elle thrive in a competitive industry. And remember–sometimes, all it takes is a small budget and a big passion to launch something extraordinary.

Connect with Elle Nicole here!

Instagram: @shopellenicole @ellenicolewholesale @smallbizgirltalk

TikTok: @shopellenicoleofficial

Spotify: Small Biz Girl Talk

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Life as a teenager already has its challenges, but imagine being a teenager, battling chronic illness, and still finding the strength to run a thriving business.

For Maddie Marie, that was her reality.

In this week's episode, Amy welcomes teen entrepreneur Maddie Marie, who shares her courageous journey through chronic illness while building her creative business, Maddie Marie Designs. Maddie Reveals her experience at a pain treatment facility, the disconnect between promises and reality, and how finding the right doctor brought her pain levels from debilitating to manageable. She offers empowering advice for young girls battling chronic illness, emphasizing self-advocacy and the importance of not letting a diagnosis define you.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The challenges of pain treatment centers and living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

• Maddie's journey of building a business while managing a chronic illness

• The power of self-advocacy for young females in the medical system

• Balancing business, health, and personal passion as a young female leader

• The influence of fandom culture on Maddie's creative and entrepreneurial path

Maddie's story is one of resilience, creativity, and the determination to live a full teenage life while pursuing her dreams.

Connect with Maddie Marie here!

Instagram: @maddie.marie.designs @madsss_marieee_

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Imagine standing on stage, about to give a speech, but feeling like you don't belong–like an imposter in your own success.

That's exactly where Aiko Jones found herself, a professional athlete known for her volleyball prowess, now stepping into uncharted territory.

Instead of letting self-doubt win, Aiko embraced her fear and turned it into fuel for growth.

In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Amy sits down with Aiko Jones, a professional volleyball player and aspiring filmmaker, to discuss her journey from battling self-doubt to building unshakable confidence. Aiko opens up about her early struggles with imposter syndrome in college and how she overcame it by trusting her training and the support around her. She highlights the power of hard work, courage, training, and the support around her.

Key Takeaways:

• Trust your training, and remember that you deserve to be where you are.

• Confidence doesn't come first–it's built through courage and persistence.

• Advocate for yourself, seize opportunities, and surround yourself with people who support your growth.

• Aiko shares her passion for filmmaking, encouraging young girls to explore creative outlets beyond their comfort zone.

• Failure can often redirect you to unexpected opportunities, helping you discover what's truly meant for you.

Aiko's message to you is clear: embrace challenges, learn from failure, and confidently pursue your dreams.

Connect with Aiko here!

Instagram: @AikoJones

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Stepping into a new chapter of life can feel like walking into a whirlwind–exciting, yet filled with moments of self-doubt and anxiety.

In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Amy speaks with Riley Ruberton, a Penn State student and the voice behind the TikTok platform Big Sister College Advice. Riley discusses how she managed transitional anxiety, from starting college to dealing with rejection, and the steps she took to remain grounded. Sharing her viral journey, Riley reflects on the relatable content that gained her a following of over 10,000 young women, inspiring them to navigate the turbulence of new life phases with confidence.

Key Topics Discussed:

• How setbacks are normal and can lead to greater resilience.

• Tips for coping with transitional anxiety.

• How Riley's relatable content helped her connect with a wider audience.

• Riley encourages young women to embrace their uniqueness and avoid comparison.

Riley's advice offers a safe space for young girls to embrace the unknown, trust the process, and focus on personal growth.

Tune in for an empowering conversation packed with relatable advice for young women embracing new challenges!

Connect with Riley here!

Instagram: @riley_catharine

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Navigating life with the weight of your identity resting on your shoulders, where every question from a stranger feels like a window into the soul is the reality for many.

What if you could transform that weight into a voice that advocates for others, paving the way for understanding and empowerment?

In this powerful episode, Amy sits down with Taylor RuiPing Shennett, a passionate advocate for adoptees and foster care youth. Taylor, a Chinese adoptee herself, shares her journey from growing up in a transracial adoptive family to embracing her identity and becoming a strong voice for fellow adoptees. Together, they emphasize the importance of representation and advocate for the empowerment of young women in middle and high school, and college to embrace their unique stories and identities.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Common misconceptions about adoption, including the belief that all adoptive parents are good parents and the assumptions about adoptees who seek their biological families.

• How guardians and ad litems serve as a constant support for foster youth.

• Addressing the false belief that foster care provides abundant resources, shedding light on the real struggles faced by group homes.

• The primary goal of foster care is reunification with biological families.

• Advice for girls, encouraging them to not let their identities be defined solely by their circumstances and to find confidence through community and self-discovery.

• How foster youth can maintain a sense of normalcy during school transitions, despite the challenges they face.

This episode not only sheds light on the complexities of adoption and foster care but also inspires young female leaders to embrace their identities and advocate for themselves and others with empathy and understanding.

Connect with Taylor here!

Instagram: @TaylorShennett

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Your life can turn completely upside down at any given moment.

For Elizabeth Garrett, a tragic car accident at 18 led to a complete redefinition of her life.

In this week's episode, Amy sits down with Elizabeth Garrett, a 19-year-old former athlete and psychology major from California, whose life was forever changed by a car accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Elizabeth opens up about the emotional struggles she faced following the accident, including battling depression and grief over the loss of her mobility. Now focused on what she can achieve rather than what she lost, Elizabeth talks about her determination to live independently and inspire others through her story.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The power of a positive mindset, even when faced with overwhelming challenges.

• Surrounding yourself with supportive people can be instrumental in recovery, both emotionally and physically.

• Life's circumstances may change, but by focusing on what's possible, you can still achieve greatness.

Elizabeth's journey reminds us all of the strength that comes from resilience, the importance of a strong support system, and the power of shifting our mindset in the face of adversity.

Connect with Elizabeth here!

Instagram: @lizzzzbeth.g

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Have you ever felt like you're defined by one thing–whether it's sports, school, or a passion you've committed to?

But…

What if stepping outside of that box could actually lead to a stronger, more balanced version of yourself?

In this week's episode of Courageous Conversations, Amy explores the challenges of balancing passion and identity with University of Georgia softball player, Sara Gordon. Sara shares her journey as a college athlete, revealing the mental pressures that come with high expectations and the struggle to find balance outside of sports. Practical strategies are shared for managing stress and avoiding burnout, like journaling and finding hobbies that nurture personal growth. The episode highlights the importance of embracing failure as a natural part of life and understanding that your worth extends beyond achievements.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Sara's journey to becoming a top-ranked Division 1 softball player.

• The mental pressures young female athletes face.

• Tips for managing performance anxiety and pressure.

• Finding identity outside of sports or your "thing"

• Practical advice for maintaining balance in college and in life.

Sara's message is clear: believing in yourself and knowing you are more than just your accomplishments in sports or in any field can lead to greater success and happiness.

Connect with Sara here!

Instagram: @sg.gordon

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If you're ready to take your passion to the next level, Julia's story is your blueprint.

In this inspiring episode, Amy sits down with Julia Diaz, a 17-year-old entrepreneur from Aspen, Colorado, who has transformed her passion into a successful business. Starting with greeting cards at just 13, Julia's journey evolved into a casual outdoor-inspired clothing line, Avatari, which has garnered over 12,000 Instagram followers and generated five figures in revenue. Julia shares her insights on how young women can discover their passions, overcome self-doubt, and turn ideas into reality.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Age does not limit your ability to pursue your passions.

• The importance of adaptability and seizing new opportunities

• The significance of thorough research and continuous testing for young female entrepreneurs looking to refine their products and find the right market fit.

• Insights on how young women can explore different interests, encouraging them to pivot when necessary to find their true passion.

• The challenges Julia faced and the strategies she used to overcome them.

Whether you're a young college girl or a female leader, Julia's story will motivate you to take that leap of faith and start pursuing what you love.

Connect with Julia here!

Instagram: @abitarecollective

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What if your teenage passion could become a brand that reaches thousands?

Meet Addison Briann, a 17-year-old content creator who did exactly that. She turned her love for pop culture into a thriving empire.

In this empowering episode of Courageous Conversations, Amy sits down with Addison, the young visionary behind the brand "Not Your Average Fangirls," as she shares her journey of turning her childhood dreams into a thriving business, all while navigating the challenges of bullying and rejection. She offers practical advice for college students and female leaders on how to handle negativity, build confidence, and pursue their dreams despite the fear of rejection.

Key Topics Discussed:

• How Addison transformed her experience of being bullied into a driving force behind her success.

• The importance of focusing on personal happiness and not letting others' opinions stop you from pursuing your dreams.

• Advice for young girls on dealing with negativity and rejection in their personal and professional lives.

• How to foster a positive and supportive environment through content that is focused on shared passions instead of appearances.

Tune in to this week's episode to hear how Addison's unique story can inspire you to take charge of your own path!

Connect with Addison Briann here!

Instagram/Tiktok: @addison.briann

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