Mikhayla Hughes-Shaw talks about the importance of believing in yourself and trusting in your preparations when pursuing any goal in life - whether it's in pageantry or the grander scheme of life. After not placing at Miss Iowa 2017, her first time at state, she came back in 2018 and won the title of Miss Iowa 2018. Currently, she's a student at The University of Iowa, pursuing a degree in Broadcast Journalist and Communications while she continues to give back and spread hope.

Originally from Reedsburg, Wisconsin - right outside of the Wisconsin Dells, Liv Mercer  currently resides in Bloomington, Indiana where she works as a Mental Health Counselor at Indiana University. As an effective motivator and communicator with experience in leadership and team collaboration, Liv leads with compassion, empathy and solution-focused licensed counseling. Outside of her profession, she enjoys traveling, reading, is a HUGE college basketball and football fan - GO PACK GO and loves spending time with her boyfriend, family, friends and pup, Benji. Follow her on Instagram at @Liv_Mercer for uplifting posts, 'real talk' moments and mental health advice.

Do you know a veteran or active military member? Perhaps it's your spouse, parent, grandparent or friend. Originally from Door County, Wisconsin, Susan Fochs founded her national non-profit, Operation Not Alone (ONA) out of her dorm room during college at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Today, she cultivates and sends care and cheer packages out to the men and women who fought and are currently fighting for our freedoms. Listen to find out how she built her non-profit from the ground up!

BONUS EPISODE! Julia Crane, former Miss Vermont 2018 who holds a Master's Degree in Public Health, left for a vacation to Bali, Indonesia on March 4th, just as COVID-19 started to rapidly progress. After a 9 day trip, she's in the finally stretch of a mandated quarantine by the Vermont Health Department. Listen to learn more about protocol during this unprecedented time, health tips and mental health recommendations during this pandemic. 

Her journey within the Miss America Organization first began in 2012 with the teen program, after taking a break and coming back to the Miss competition, she competed FIVE times - every year placing in the Top 5 before winning the title of Miss Vermont 2018. That’s right, we’re chatting with Julia Crane. During her time competing in MAO, she actively promoted her initiative, "Be a Hero, Be an Organ Donor." Not to mention, she won the Miss Congeniality award at Miss America 2019 (yes, she's that awesome and so lovable). Julia holds a Master’s of Public Health Degree and currently works for The Howard Center, which that focuses on developmental services, substance abuse and mental health. In her position, she actively I works in a group home with low functioning adults who have Schizophrenia and other extreme mental illnesses.

In her spare time, Lydia Tremaine plays dress up as a real-life princess with Your Party Princess LTD. She's currently a student at Trine University, pursuing a degree in Psychology and Music. Last year, she served as Miss Indiana 2018 after overcoming a trying journey in achieving her state title. In this episode, Lydia talks about embracing your authentic self, her advocacy for the arts and unapologetically being true to YOU.

She grew up watching the iconic Miss America competition on television, wanting to compete on that stage someday. In June, 2016 that vision became a reality when she won the job of Miss Wisconsin 2016. That opportunity provided her with the chance to advance to the national stage that fall, but the crowns didn't come without their fair share of setbacks and above all else, courage.

Hi there! Welcome to the Grit Behind the Glitz Podcast, episode numero uno! My desire to create this podcast stems from wanting to apply my broadcast skills through sharing stories of real women who have faced real struggles - both in pageantry and in the grander scheme of life. My hope? That their trials and tribulations empower you to refine your own skill sets, to set goals a little higher and to work a little harder. Let's face it, we all must work through some form of grit in order to truly achieve glitz.

I wanted to take this initial episode to provide you with a little more background about me, your host, Tianna Vanderhei. Why did I initially start competing in the Miss America Organization? What did my MAO journey look like? Listen to find out more!