Bex flips the script and puts Michelle in the hot seat. We get into the messy middle: pivoting from acting to construction to podcasting, the burnout that forced a reset, money honesty, why community matters, and how to build something you care about without losing your mind (or your keys).

Key takeaways

• You don’t need to burn it all down to pivot—build the bridge while you’re still on it.
• Self-awareness is a double-edged sword; pair it with action and data, not doom-scroll metrics.
• Ask for help. Community is a strategy, not a weakness.
• Defiance gets you to the start line; consistency gets you to the finish.
• “Enough” is a number and a feeling—separate business goals from ego.
• Use “What’s the evidence?” to challenge your inner critic (and your hype).
• Purpose = entertain + storytelling + empower — let it steer decisions.
• Stoicism (and tiny proofs) beat perfectionism.
• Women: price your value like “the average white guy” energy you joked about—confident and clear.
• IRL > online: in-person conversations and live shows build loyalty faster than another Zoom.

Timestamps

• 00:00 Tables turn—Bex takes the host chair; why new listeners need Michelle’s backstory
• 03:30 Regret & return: film/directing dreams, auditions, and circling back to storytelling
• 06:30 The hard truth about building a show: ups/downs, data over dopamine
• 13:10 Counting the invisible work: two episodes, a shoot, kids, and keeping perspective
• 17:40 The email exercise that changed everything (friends define you at your best)
• 19:30 From geography grad to construction—“fake it till you make it” and finding your edge
• 23:10 Burnout → pivot to podcasting; choosing the hardest thing on purpose
• 28:30 Learning from guests (Tim Ferriss vibe) and stitching lessons into tools for listeners (great mid-roll slot)
• 31:45 Seasick on a fishing boat: why terrible days make great stories
• 36:00 Marathon mindset: hubris vs. habits; micro-wins beat impulse
• 39:15 ADHD, dopamine, and doing the boring bits your future self needs
• 50:00 Stoicism, Ryan Holiday, and the “Daily proof > daily mood” approach
• 52:00 What “winning” means now; the three-word filter: entertain, storytelling, empower
• 55:10 Clothing with meaning vs. “just merch”; why the brand has to feel like a tribe
• 56:30 What’s next: live shows with community Q&A; collab with Laura (BRB)
• 58:40 Why in-person beats Zoom for deeper conversations and loyal audience
• 60:40 “Advice to 12-year-old me”—stop hiding, say yes, learn out loud
• 67:00 Money, fear, and finding your “enough” line
• 77:45 Kill comparison; use evidence; keep going—then keep going again

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This week on She Who Dares Wins, Michelle is joined by poet Jem for a powerful conversation about creativity, survival, and showing up authentically. From homelessness at 16 to reading poetry on stage at the Southbank Centre, Jem’s story is about resilience, play, and the healing power of words.

Jem talks openly about neurodivergence, family estrangement, and breaking cycles as a parent, while also reminding us why art doesn’t always have to be monetised — sometimes it’s simply about joy and expression.

• Poetry as survival – Jem explains how writing became a way to process trauma and emotions.
• The importance of play – Creativity and play are vital tools for both kids and adults.
• Neurodivergence and identity – Naming difference helped Jem turn shame into self-understanding.
• Breaking cycles – Parenting with self-awareness means doing things differently.
• Owning creativity – Art doesn’t have to earn money to matter.

• 0:00 – Introduction: Michelle and Jem’s beer-making memory, and Jem’s journey into poetry.
• 1:49 – Homelessness at 16 and discovering poetry as an accessible art form.
• 3:53 – Rediscovering writing during Covid and finding community in a neurodivergent group.
• 5:30 – Winning a national poetry competition and finding external validation.
• 7:22 – Why play and creativity are essential, not optional.
• 18:43 – Navigating neurodivergence, early misdiagnosis, and the power of labels.
• 21:57 – Jem reads In Which I Compare My Father to the Dog That He Is.
• 32:26 – Jem performs Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and reflects on turning trauma into art.

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Lucy Thompson: Lucy Thompson is an artist and advocate known for her bold and creative expressions focused on challenging societal norms around body image. With a background in visual art, Lucy uses her platform to raise awareness about issues surrounding body positivity, particularly focusing on the normalization and acceptance of nipples in public discourse. Her work often involves provocative and thought-provoking art installations. Lucy is passionate about empowering women to embrace their authentic selves and follow their instincts.

In this engaging bonus episode, host Michelle interviews the vibrant and talented Lucy Thompson, diving into fascinating topics around body positivity, the art of being bold, and the power of self-expression. As millions pass by every day billboards that challenge social norms, Lucy imagines her message would center around the acceptance of our bodies, defying existing taboos and sparking conversations. Her journey of turning heads and encouraging self-expression is both inspiring and empowering, showcasing her dedication to her craft.

During their conversation, Lucy shares insights that are vital in making women feel empowered to be themselves. Discussing her journey, she brings light to how following one’s dreams and listening to inner intuition is crucial for personal growth and satisfaction. A believer in taking risks, Lucy aspires to do something adventurous and daring like skydiving, symbolizing her approach to life—fearless and full of possibilities. The dialogue also touches on the societal limitations faced by content creators due to censorship, and how her work plays a pivotal role in empowering women who might feel uncomfortable about conventional narratives surrounding their bodies. Through her efforts, Lucy aims to break these cultural barriers and spread awareness about alternative post-surgery options, helping countless individuals live proudly in their own skin.

• Lucy Thompson believes in the power of art to challenge societal norms, particularly around the taboo of nipples, by creating thought-provoking pieces.
• Personal growth stems from embracing one’s true self and following one’s instincts, a message Lucy relays to her younger self.
• Empowerment is at the core of her work, encouraging women to be bold, authentic, and to listen to their gut feelings in all situations.
• Lucy is dedicated to raising awareness about post-mastectomy options, tackling societal restrictions on discussing body image openly.
• Her aspiration to skydive illus

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EP:102

Kelsey Erickson, Senior Director of Athlete Health, Engagement, and Experience at USA Cycling.

From growing up as an anxious teenager who couldn’t spend a night away from home, to moving abroad, earning a PhD, and leading athlete welfare in a male-dominated sport — Kelsey’s story is one of curiosity, courage, and refusing to be boxed in.

In this conversation, we dive into:

• Why she never had a “five-year plan” and how that opened unexpected doors
• What sport taught her about resilience, hard work, and redefining success
• How she turned OCD and early struggles into empathy and strength
• Navigating male-dominated environments and why being “the only woman in the room” can be an asset
• The importance of honesty, curiosity, and showing up — even when you don’t have it all figured out

Kelsey’s story is proof that leaning into opportunities, embracing failure, and staying curious can lead to an extraordinary and impactful life.

• You don’t need a fixed plan to build a meaningful career — curiosity and saying “yes” can be enough.
• Success isn’t black and white. Redefine it based on your values, effort, and relationships.
• Vulnerability and empathy aren’t weaknesses — they’re strengths that create trust and leadership.
• Women in male-dominated industries don’t need to shrink; their perspective is their power.
• True confidence comes from being comfortable with failing, laughing at yourself, and showing up anyway.

• 0:00 – Michelle introduces Kelsey and the meaning of She Who Dares Wins
• 0:29 – Kelsey on forging her own path without a plan
• 3:00 – From anxious teen to athlete: first steps out of her comfort zone
• 6:00 – Moving abroad, studying, and saying “yes” to new opportunities
• 9:00 – The underdog mindset and redefining success
• 13:00 – Current role at USA Cycling and tackling sensitive issues in sport
• 19:20 – Being the only woman in the room: challenges and opportunities
• 25:30 – Curiosity as the driving force in career and life decisions
• 27:00 – What she’d tell her 14-year-old self about trust and showing up
• 31:00 – A defining “failure” that shaped her career in research
• 36:00 – The unseen side of career struggles and hundreds of job rejections
• 39:00 – Why confidence comes from being okay with mistakes and imperfection
• 43:00 – Vulnerability, crying in a van, and why honesty matters at work
• 45:20 – Michelle gifts Kelsey the She Who Dares Wins hoodie

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EP:101 In this week’s dare, Michelle flips the script on personal growth advice. Instead of obsessing over your weaknesses, what if you doubled down on your strengths? Backed by psychology, personal stories from 17 years in construction, and a dash of science, Michelle shows why focusing where you already shine is more productive, less stressful, and a whole lot more fun.

Whether you’re building a business, working a side hustle, or just trying to get through the week, this episode is your permission slip to stop “fixing” yourself and start owning what you’re great at.

• Weaknesses aren’t meant to be turned into strengths – at best, you’ll get mediocre results.
• Your brain is wired for negativity bias – it’s natural to focus on flaws, but it erodes confidence.
• Science backs it – using your strengths daily leads to higher engagement, lower stress, and more life satisfaction.
• Real-life example – Michelle’s dad built a successful company by leaning into his selling skills, not obsessing over admin gaps.
• The “Unfair Advantages” list – identifying and using your strengths daily can be a game changer.

1. Write down your top 3 strengths – No false modesty.
2. Use at least one strength daily – Even 5 minutes counts.
3. Reframe a weakness through a strength – Find a new way to tackle the problem or team up with someone who complements you.

• 0:00 – Welcome and intro to this week’s dare.
• 0:38 – The trap of focusing on weaknesses.
• 1:28 – A construction industry lesson: thriving despite admin struggles.
• 3:35 – The science: negativity bias and why we dwell on flaws.
• 4:40 – How focusing on weaknesses kills confidence.
• 5:13 – Michelle’s dad’s business success story.
• 5:50 – Gallup research: the case for playing to your strengths.
• 6:54 – Strength zone = less stress (and the life-changing stats).
• 7:27 – Being “well-rounded” is overrated.
• 8:30 – This week’s 3-step dare.
• 9:35 – Why filling gaps with other people’s strengths works.
• 9:59 – Chess metaphor: winning by dominating your strong squares.
• 10:13 – Michelle’s upcoming dare at sea and how to follow along.
• 10:52 – Patreon perks, merch discount, and closing challenge.

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Kathryn Sargent made history as the first woman to open her own tailoring house on London’s legendary Savile Row — a street long regarded as the stronghold of bespoke menswear. In this powerful episode, she shares her journey from art-loving Leeds teenager to master cutter and internationally respected business owner.

We dive into the traditions, challenges, and quiet revolutions of bespoke tailoring. Kathryn opens up about the gender barriers she faced, the emotional depth behind each suit, and how she now tailors for everyone from CEOs to creatives — with more women coming through her doors than ever before.

It’s a conversation about slow mastery, style as identity, and what it really means to break the rules with purpose.

• Tailoring isn't about fashion — it's about identity, confidence, and expression
• Kathryn was the only woman in a class of 60 on Savile Row — and still carved a space through grit and craft
• She spent 10 years training, often unpaid, learning by watching and staying late
• Clients today are 40% women — many of whom had never considered a bespoke suit an option
• She sees suits as emotional containers: worn at weddings, funerals, new jobs — milestones of life
• Being the "first woman" was never her goal — doing great work always was
• Her dream client? James Bond — and she has the sketches ready
• Kathryn co-founded Women in Tailoring to give women support she never had
• Her best advice: Dare to say no to what doesn’t align with you — and always keep going

• 00:00 — Intro: Kathryn’s childhood in Leeds and obsession with clothes
• 04:21 — Why menswear? Kathryn’s early style icons and influence from her dad
• 08:53 — The Savile Row break — winning an award and standing out with bright Harris Tweed
• 11:37 — Apprenticeship realities: being the only woman in a room of 60 men
• 16:41 — “They said we’re a masculine brand” — why she left and started her own house
• 22:10 — Becoming a master cutter and opening on Savile Row under her own name
• 28:45 — The shift: 40% of her clients are now women
• 35:33 — Bespoke as emotional work — Kathryn shares the intimacy behind tailoring
• 41:20 — What happens in a fitting room stays there: suit stories you’d never expect
• 47:12 — Why we still need suits — and how the uniform can still empower
• 52:00 — Dream client: James Bond — and her playful take on redesigning the classic suit
• 56:11 — Growing to Edinburgh and expanding the business with a different pace
• 1:03:10 — Kathryn’s dare for women: say no, trust yourself, and stay on your own path

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In this solo bonus episode, Michelle gets real about resistance—that frustrating force that’s been stopping you from writing the book, starting the YouTube channel, or finally picking up the paintbrush. Inspired by The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, she shares her personal journey of suppressing creativity during her time in construction, how fear masks itself as logic, and why resistance might just be the best clue you've got to your true purpose.

You’ll leave this episode with a fiery dare to stop waiting for permission and start creating—even if it’s messy, imperfect, or “crap” to begin with.

You think fear is a red flag. What if it’s actually your green light?

If you’ve been telling yourself, “It’s too late” or “I’m not good enough,” Michelle challenges those thoughts with a powerful truth: the more resistance you feel, the more likely it’s exactly what you’re meant to do.

• Why your brain literally resists creativity—and how to override it
• How suppressing creative dreams leads to burnout (and how she found her way back)
• Why perfection is the enemy of momentum
• Real-life examples of late bloomers (hint: one started painting at 78)
• A bold list of actions to help you start—even if you're scared, rusty, or feel too late
• The key question: is “not enough time” just a fancy excuse?

Acknowledge the resistance. Call it out. Start anyway.

Michelle dares you to stop waiting for confidence, clarity, or the perfect moment—and just do the damn thing.

• 📖 The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
• 👕 Support the show with merch: www.shoedareswins.com
• 💌 Sign up for the new actionable newsletter (coming soon!)
• ☕ Bonus content & fun extras on Patreon: Patreon Page

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In this episode, Michelle sits down (and sweats it out) with snowboarding legend Jenny Jones — Olympic bronze medalist, X Games gold medalist, and certified underdog badass.

Jenny gets raw about the unplanned journey from chalet maid to Olympic history-maker — no coach, no roadmap, just grit, resilience, and a love for being out on the mountain. She opens up about dealing with major injuries, being the "older" athlete at 31 in a sport built for teens, and the brutal concussion that nearly cost her the Olympics just months before Sochi.

Recorded inside the sauna-like HQ of The Wave in Bristol, this episode is full of sweat, laughs, and no-BS truths about what it really takes to do things your own way and win.

• Risking everything pays off – Jenny turned down a safe path to chase a life in the snow and made history.
• You can succeed without a plan – She carved her career season by season, figuring it out as she went.
• Being underestimated is powerful – Jenny was often the only Brit in comps and used that to her advantage.
• Mental resilience is key – Her comeback after post-concussion syndrome shows how brutal yet possible recovery can be.
• Age is just a number – She defied expectations by medaling at 31 in a sport dominated by teens.
• Sisterhood in sport matters – From chalet girl antics to world-class coaching, women backing women was central to her story.

Episode Timestamps

• 00:00:00 – Michelle’s intro: A hotbox, a snowboard legend, and some questionable surfing
• 00:03:55 – Jenny’s journey from chalet maid to pro snowboarder begins
• 00:07:10 – Competing for fun turned into a global career: Jenny’s first win
• 00:09:00 – How she ended up competing in Sochi at 31 after almost retiring
• 00:12:10 – “You’re six years older than everyone” – Olympic pressure and feeling out of place
• 00:13:30 – The dark side: head injury, slurred speech, and hiding the truth pre-Olympics
• 00:16:00 – Fighting through post-concussion syndrome and choosing to show up anyway
• 00:19:15 – The moment she won Olympic bronze and couldn’t quite believe it
• 00:22:00 – Why snowboarding culture (and its women) shaped her the most
• 00:23:50 – Shifting into surfing and teaching: finding new joy after elite sport
• 00:25:10 – Michelle gets dared to surf — and it's all going downhill from here

• You’re figuring it out as you go — and need proof that’s okay
• You’ve been told you’re “too old” to start something new
• You love sports stories that don’t follow the rules
• You’ve been knocked down and need a push to get back up
• Or you just want a damn good conversation between two women who don’t do things by the book

👉 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shewhodareswins/membership (Bonus episodes for less than a coffee a month!)

👉 Substack: https://shewhodareswins.substack.com (Full insights & key takeaways from every episode!)

👉 She Who Dares Wins Newsletter: www.shewhodareswins.com

🚨 10% OFF all SWDW clothing! Use code POD10 at www.shewhodareswins.com

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In this quickfire bonus episode, we’re back with the brilliant Cath — skateboard coach, soulful northern lass, and walking proof that you can take a few knocks and still show up fully you.

Diagnosed with epilepsy but never one to sit out the ride, Cath has lived a bold, messy, and empowering life on and off the board. Today’s episode is just a little slice of her realness, featuring fun questions, big truths, and that signature no-BS warmth we love her for.

Expect:

• Soul-healing superpowers (and why she’d use them on herself too, thank you very much)
• A billboard message that might just save your brain cells: put your phone down
• A love/hate relationship with London and the power of going home
• What she’d say to her 12-year-old self (grab a tissue, just in case)
• Her challenge to women everywhere: Stop apologising. Start being fully, fiercely you.

No fluff. No Instagram quote therapy. Just raw insight, a bit of cheek, and one woman’s mission to get more of us living without filters — literal or emotional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Think being a bodyguard is just about wearing black and looking intimidating? Think again. In this episode, I sit down with Jenni—a woman who’s navigated everything from close protection for Middle Eastern royalty to laying bricks with lads on building sites. Spoiler: both required a tough skin, a quick mind, and an eye for bullshit.

We talk about:

• What it’s really like to enter the male-dominated world of close protection (hint: it involves bunk beds, 10-mile runs, and vomiting on command).
• How a Prince’s Trust course and a chance radio gig sparked Jenni’s path to becoming a detective.
• The politics of being the invisible shield for high-profile clients—princesses, posh kids, and personal protection around the world.
• Bricklaying, sexism, and cat litter recipes for cleaning red diesel. Yep, we went there.
• Why rejection, discomfort, and getting chucked from a job with a week’s notice actually fuelled Jenni’s biggest wins.

This one’s a rollercoaster from posh palaces to muddy boots. If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong in a room—or on a building site—Jenni’s story is your sign to pull up your boots and get stuck in anyway.

Big Takeaways:

• You don’t need to “fit the mould” when you can bulldoze it.
• Uncomfortable doesn’t mean incapable—it’s just the cost of growth.
• Being underestimated is exhausting… but also a secret weapon.
• Sometimes success looks like a luxury yacht. Sometimes it looks like a wheelbarrow.

Dares from This Episode:

• Say yes before you're ready (because let’s be honest, you’ll never feel ready).
• Learn the skills, take the hits, and back yourself—even if you're the only woman in the room.
• Redefine what failure looks like. It's not being fired—it’s not daring at all.

Bonus Bits:

• Harrowing tales from Saudi palaces, Comic Con, and dodgy job sites
• Why the nanny might actually be your boss
• Michelle gets mistaken for a drug mule (again)

Special Offer:

Get 10% off all our tees and hoodies with code POD10. Because if you're going to face rejection, at least look good doing it.

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