In this raw and deeply moving episode 05, I sit down with Myel Thelen, a purpose-driven community leader who did something most people never dare to do—she ran for local office. And she lost. Publicly.
But it was in that loss that Myel discovered something far more powerful than a political win: she found herself.Myel shares how facing that loss—not just the campaign results, but the public visibility of it—gave her a strength she didn’t know she had. She had to keep showing up. She had to face the winner at work. She had to keep going. And that moment, she says, prepared her for something even more personal.
This conversation goes beyond career and politics. It’s about what it means to live in alignment—even when things don’t go the way you hoped. It’s about daring to show up, daring to be seen, and daring to keep going, even when life gets difficult.
In this episode, we explore
:✅ The emotional truth of public loss—and how Myle faced it with grace
✅ How alignment doesn’t mean avoiding pain—it means growing through it
✅ The connection between courage, calling, and community impact
✅ Why losing a campaign prepared her for the hardest season of her personal life
✅ How staying true to yourself is the most radical success of all
Whether you’re navigating your own transition, facing disappointment, or searching for clarity, this episode will remind you: you don’t have to win in order to be aligned—you just have to be willing and dare to keep going.
And if you’re in a season of transition, or simply wondering if you’re on the right path, this episode is your reminder: alignment isn’t just for dreamers—it’s for those who dare to keep going in order to align.
🎁 Resources & Mentions
Connect with our Special Guest, Myel Thielen
Website: https://www.cawomenlead.org
Join Myel Thielen's Women’s Community – California Women Lead
Get $25 off your membership when you join by December 31, 2025
Use discount code: Success
***Note: This episode was originally recorded under the show title The Align Success Show. Since the time of this recording, the podcast has been renamed to Dare to Align™ to better reflect our core mission and avoid potential naming conflicts. All content, trademarks, and brand direction now fall under Dare to Align™. We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to grow with integrity and intention.
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