It’s Thursday, which means one thing around here: Dare Day.

This week’s dare is a simple one. No life overhaul. No journaling marathon. Just a few minutes, a song, and a moment of honest reflection.

In this short episode, Michelle shares a story sparked by an unexpected song on a studio car park playlist — a track she hadn’t heard in years, but somehow knew word for word. What caught her off guard wasn’t the nostalgia… it was how relevant the lyrics still were decades later.

That moment opens up a bigger question:

Did the things we loved when we were younger know something about us before we did?

• A personal story from Michelle’s teenage years and early grafting days
• Why certain songs hit differently as we get older
• How lyrics we once screamed for fun can quietly reflect the life warnings we ignored
• Michelle’s own lyric deep-dive into Warning by Incubus — and why it lands harder now than it ever did
• A no-pressure dare designed purely for enjoyment, curiosity, and maybe a little clarity

Pick a song you used to love.

The one you knew every lyric to.

Listen to it. Sing it loudly if you want.

Then ask yourself one question:

Do the lyrics still resonate — or are they just fun noise?

Either answer is valid.

Two to three minutes of joy still counts as a win.

If the lyrics hit you in the chest a bit? Michelle wants to hear about it.

Head over to Instagram and drop her a message with the song and the line that stuck.

Dare Club is where these weekly dares live — alongside behind-the-scenes podcast updates and early access to what’s coming next. Right now it’s a newsletter, but it won’t stay that way for long.

If you want in early, the link’s here: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

Michelle’s back on Monday with another guest story worth your time.

Until then — enjoy the music, and don’t let life pass you by. 🎶

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Lucy Keeler’s version of “a rough start to the year” is… intense.

After picking up a tropical illness in Thailand, Lucy went from fully independent to unable to walk, dress herself, type, or even hold a pen thanks to brutal joint inflammation that lingered for months. Doctors couldn’t confirm exactly what caused it (possible chikungunya or parvovirus), and recovery was slow, painful, and messy.

But instead of waiting around for life to feel “normal” again, Lucy did what a lot of us do when we’re trapped in the house and losing our minds: she needed something to aim at.

An Instagram ad, a half-delusional spark of hope, and a stubborn refusal to write herself off later… Lucy signs up to run 200 miles across Tajikistan in 7 days — despite not even being able to walk properly when she first saw it.

This episode is about recovery, pushing yourself (without ignoring reality), the power of goals, and why most people quit right before the turning point. Also: periods in the mountains, zero running water, and the kind of camaraderie that makes you feel human again.

00:00 — Lucy’s “dare and win”: unable to walk… then 200 miles across Tajikistan

01:50 — Thailand illness hits hard: fever, shaking, and “is this normal?” moments

03:25 — Back home: arms seize up, can’t move, can’t breathe properly, A&E visit

05:30 — The swelling gets serious: can’t stand, can’t dress herself, tropical disease hospital

06:10 — Possible diagnoses + reality of recovery: months of pain, steroids, and work support

08:45 — The pivot: “I need something to look forward to” (goal-setting in survival mode)

10:00 — The Instagram ad that changed everything + what the Tajikistan run actually is

22:30 — The hardest day: illness, no calories, endometriosis surprise, big climb, and not quitting

• Just because you look “fine” doesn’t mean you are. Lucy talks about that weird limbo where you’re functioning on the outside but in agony underneath.
• A goal can be a lifeline. Not a “new year, new me” goal — a give-me-a-reason-to-keep-going goal.
• Stubbornness is a double-edged sword. It got her through Thailand, through Gatwick, through A&E… and eventually into recovery (but she also admits she should’ve accepted help sooner).
• Fear gets loud right before you do something brave. Lucy’s body starts “hurting again” right before the trip — classic panic symptoms dressing up as logic.
• Community changes everything. This wasn’t a race — it was a shared experience built on support, breaks, check-ins, and people who refuse to let you quit alone.
• Hard days are part of the deal. The breakdown day wasn’t a sign to stop — it was the point most people would stop… and that’s why it mattered.
• Adventure doesn’t require a new identity. Lucy loves her job, loves London, and still makes space for big challenges — you don’t have to burn your life down to expand it.
• The dare is simple (and annoying): push the button on the thing you keep thinking about.

Check out The Great Silk Run! https://bit.ly/4aoNRPw

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We spend most of adult life trying to be competent, polished, and vaguely impressive.

This dare asks you to do the opposite.

In this short Dare Day episode, Michelle shares a moment at the kitchen table with her kid that sparked an uncomfortable realisation: kids don’t care if they’re bad at things they care if they’re enjoying them. Somewhere along the line, we lost that.

From sketching terrible T-shirt designs (and loving it anyway) to memories of being absolutely useless at roller skating but showing up regardless, this episode is about reconnecting with joy without turning it into a performance.

Michelle breaks down why doing something you’re “bad at” feels so uncomfortable as an adult, what’s actually happening in your brain when resistance kicks in, and why separating your self-worth from outcomes might be one of the most important skills you can rebuild.

• Why adults avoid activities with no clear “point” or payoff
• How kids naturally enjoy the process — and what we unlearned
• The brain’s resistance response and why it tells you to be “productive” instead
• Why purpose doesn’t need an endpoint
• How practising failure in small, harmless ways builds resilience for the big stuff
• The link between shame, performance, and self-worth

Set a timer for 15 minutes and do something you used to love as a kid — something you stopped because you weren’t very good at it.

Sketch. Dance. Write a poem. Roller skate like Bambi on ice.

No improving. No posting for validation. No turning it into a side hustle.

Just process. Just fun. Just showing yourself that the world doesn’t end when you’re bad at something.

Go be rubbish on purpose.

It might be the bravest thing you do all week.

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How saying yes before you’re ready can quietly change everything

In this episode, Michelle sits down with Amy Seagraves, a former PE teacher who accidentally kick-started a property business after winning £50k on The Cube — and then actually backing herself instead of playing it safe.

This is a proper behind-the-scenes look at the messy middle: imposter syndrome, trades chaos, analysis paralysis, and the identity shift that comes when you build something alongside a “safe” job.

If you’ve been waiting to feel ready — this episode is your sign to stop.

00:00 – Winning £50k on The Cube (and why it wasn’t the real turning point)

Opportunity doesn’t change your life — what you do next does.

04:30 – Quitting teaching to travel and reset perspective

Why stepping off the safe path changed everything.

08:30 – Buying a first investment property with no experience

The reality of starting before you feel qualified.

13:00 – Renovation chaos, imposter syndrome & male-dominated rooms

Learning fast or paying for it.

18:30 – From winging it to building a real business

Why investing in education mattered more than another property.

24:30 – The power of building a team instead of going solo

Three women, different strengths, one vision.

31:00 – Going part-time before it felt sensible

The uncomfortable move that unlocked growth.

38:45 – The biggest lesson: action beats overthinking

Why waiting costs more than mistakes.

• Confidence is built after action — not before.
• You don’t need to quit your job to start changing direction.
• Analysis paralysis is fear wearing a spreadsheet.
• Being a beginner again will mess with your identity — let it.
• The right people > knowing everything yourself.
• Messy progress beats perfect plans. Always.

If you’re sitting on an idea and waiting for permission — this is it.

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It’s January. Social media’s either screaming “new year, new you” or quietly rotting under beige motivation quotes. So this week’s Dare is simple, powerful, and wildly underused:

Tell your story. And actually share it.

In this short Dare Day episode, Michelle challenges you to stop assuming you’re “boring” and start recognising that your life has a plot — twists, turns, chaos, survival, growth. All of it counts.

Because here’s the thing:

Every woman who says “I don’t really have a story”… absolutely does.

• Why so many capable, interesting women think they don’t have a story (spoiler: confidence lies to us)
• How to map your life like a film plot — setup, conflict, resolution (and the messy bits in between)
• A simple storytelling exercise using a blank sheet of paper and a rollercoaster line
• Why sharing your story creates real connection, not surface-level engagement
• How journaling and reflection help your brain recognise progress (yes, science backs this up)
• Why vulnerability online isn’t about oversharing — it’s about being human

👉 Write your story.

👉 Choose a chapter — not your whole autobiography.

👉 Share it somewhere public: Instagram, TikTok, a blog, or plain old words on a screen.

Photos optional. Polish optional. Perfection absolutely not required.

When you share your story:

• Other people feel less alone
• You see how much you’ve actually survived and achieved
• You stop underestimating yourself (which is long overdue)

And yes — people will say:

“I didn’t know that.”

“Same.”

“That really hit home.”

That’s the point.

• Share your story on social and tag @SheWhoDaresWins
• Use #SheWhoDaresWins and #DareClub
• Want in on Dare Club?
• Join the waitlist via the website or comment “Dare Club” on Instagram to get the link.

Michelle will be back Monday with another cracking guest episode — because this podcast doesn’t do

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Becca Worgan is back on the pod — World’s Strongest Natural Woman (2023), now fully qualified physio, coach, business builder… and still the kind of woman who’ll casually admit she needs hypnotherapy to deadlift again. (Relatable. Terrifying. Iconic.)

This episode is a proper catch-up: injury reality checks, the difference between “sending it” and being reckless, why strength training is basically adult life insurance, and how your brain can literally create pain before you even touch the bar.

0:00 – Becca’s back: natural Worlds winner, and the 2024 comp chaos that nearly broke her

1:10 – Pulling out of Worlds: “I’m not enjoying this… so why am I here?”

4:10 – “Fun comps” vs “I’m here to win”: how the competitive fire comes back without self-destruction

6:10 – The sport is growing fast: bigger athlete pools, higher standards, harder pathway

8:05 – The weird culture around being natural (and why it shouldn’t be “uncool” to be clean)

15:10 – Strength training for normal women: mood, bones, confidence, daily-life strength (yes, even for picking up chunky babies)

22:35 – Fear in lifting: learning how to fail safely + Becca’s deadlift panic spiral

24:55 – Hypnotherapy: the brain pain loop, rewiring fear, and why it actually worked

41:20 – Boundaries + people pleasing: “If I don’t enjoy it, why am I doing it?”

46:05 – New priorities at 30: athlete identity takes a back seat to business, family, and sanity

58:10 – Becca’s message to women: it’s never too late to start — and you’re not going to get bulky (she’s tried)

• Quitting isn’t weakness. Sometimes pulling out is the most elite decision you can make.
• “Not enjoying it” is data. If your body and brain are screaming, maybe stop calling it discipline and start calling it a warning light.
• Strength training isn’t a “gym girl” hobby — it’s basic life maintenance. Better mood, stronger bones, more confidence, more independence.
• Your brain can create pain before the lift even happens. Fear + previous injury = your nervous system pre-loading the panic.
• Learning to fail safely reduces fear fast. Confidence isn’t “I’ll never fail.” It’s “I know what to do if I do.”
• Boundaries are built through regret (unfortunately). Becca’s learning to say no before she burns herself into the ground.
• You’re not too late. The only “too late” is waiting until life forces you to start.

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Thursday Dare Day – January Reset Edition

January has a reputation problem.

Cold. Dark. Everyone suddenly a productivity expert with a colour-coded planner and unrealistic goals.

If you’re already feeling behind — this episode is your permission slip to stop flogging yourself.

In this Dare Day episode of the She Who Dares Wins Podcast, Michelle shares a gentler, smarter way to move through January — without burning out by February (again).

Drawing on lessons from her years working in construction, Michelle reframes January as a transition month, not a launch pad for pressure and perfection.

• Why big goal-setting in January can actually backfire
• The case for easing into the year instead of going “hell for leather”
• How nature, seasons, and construction sites all agree: slow is sensible
• Why focusing inward (not outward) sets you up better for the year ahead
• The value of reflecting on last year — without turning it into a self-criticism exercise
• How walking, journaling, reading, and getting outside can genuinely shift your headspace
• Why stepping back from social media in January might save your sanity

1. Go for a walk every day — 2 minutes or 2 hours, no phone, no pressure
2. Write a few lines in a journal daily — no structure, no goals, just honesty
3. Read one book that inspires you — self-help, story, or anything that feeds your brain

And the big one Michelle wants you to hear:

Be kinder to yourself. With your thoughts. With your expectations. With your pace.

January doesn’t need fixing.

You don’t need fixing either.

• Dare Club — weekly dares delivered straight to your inbox https://stan.store/shewhodareswins
• Upcoming guests, live events, short films, and community meetups
• A January sale over on the SWDW shop www.shewhodareswins.com

🎧 New episodes every Monday + Dare Day every Thursday

📩 Join Dare Club via Instagram or the link in the description

🛒 January Sale: www.shewodareswins.com

No pressure. Just progress — the sustainable kind.

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What do you do when you don’t have a plan…

You don’t see anyone who looks like you doing the job…

And someone tells you outright that you’ll never make it?

In this episode of She Who Dares Wins, Michelle sits down with Adele, an air ambulance helicopter pilot flying lifesaving missions over London — and her path there was anything but neat.

From growing up in a working-class Canadian town, to being told “girls don’t get hired”, to flying night missions in Kenya, landing helicopters in central London, and racing feral horses across Mongolia — Adele’s story isn’t about confidence or clarity.

It’s about doing the next honest step, even when the bigger picture doesn’t exist yet.

This conversation is a reminder that you don’t need permission, a perfect plan, or a straight line — just the courage to keep going.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome & what it really means to “dare and win”

06:45 – Feeling lost, drifting through jobs, and not seeing herself represented

14:30 – “Girls won’t get hired” — the comment that nearly stopped her

21:45 – Choosing to train anyway: loans, side jobs, and grit

33:00 – Learning to say no under pressure as a young helicopter pilot

46:00 – Extreme air ambulance work in Canada & Kenya

56:00 – Moving to the UK (for a date… and a life pivot)

1:01:30 – Flying with London’s Air Ambulance: what the job actually involves

1:22:00 – The Mongol Derby & why she chooses hard things

1:48:00 – Adele’s dare: listening to your own voice

• You don’t need a clear plan — you need the next honest step
• Being told “no” often says more about other people’s limits than yours
• Visibility matters — but belief in yourself matters more
• Saying no under pressure is a skill that can save lives
• Burnout doesn’t mean you chose wrong — it means something needs adjusting
• Doing hard things builds trust with yourself
• Listening to your inner voice is a practice, not a personality trait

• Feeling restless but not “unhappy enough” to change
• Questioning your direction without wanting to burn everything down
• Curious about unconventional careers and real-life courage
• Tired of motivational noise and ready for grounded truth

If this episode hit home, share it with someone who’s quietly sitting on a “what if”.

And if you’re feeling that nudge?

That’s usually where daring starts.

Join Dare Club: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

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This episode isn’t about big launches, viral moments, or overnight success.

It’s about the quiet work.

The thinking.

The testing.

The pulling back.

The sitting with doubt instead of bulldozing through it.

In the first episode of 2026, Michelle reflects honestly on the year just gone — what worked, what didn’t, and what only made sense once she stopped pushing and actually paid attention.

From stepping back over Christmas to avoid burnout, to questioning growth, sponsorship, social media, and the direction of the brand, this is a grounded look at what it really takes to build something that lasts.

No reinvention narrative.

No “new year, new me”.

Just clarity earned the hard way.

• Why not publishing over Christmas was a deliberate decision — not a failure
• How being busy isn’t the same as being aligned
• What last year revealed about presence, attention, and nervous system burnout
• The difference between testing ideas and chasing validation
• Why community and collaboration matter more than doing everything alone
• Losing momentum — and why that doesn’t mean you’re lost
• The realities of running an unfunded podcast and staying values-led
• Rethinking sponsorship, growth, and keeping the show independent
• The thinking behind Dare Club and the Thursday dares
• Why small, intentional challenges beat dramatic life overhauls
• Living in the “dip” without panicking or quitting

• Lessons inspired by Tim Ferriss and extracting meaning from lived experience
• Stoic thinking via Ryan Holiday and The Obstacle Is the Way
• Reflections on ADHD from Scattered Minds
• The Netflix documentary Stutz and practical mental tools
• Purpose, alignment, and slowing the pace instead of forcing progress

If you’re heading into 2026 feeling:

• unsure but not broken
• tired of loud advice
• quietly questioning the direction you’re heading

This episode is for you.

Because building a life isn’t about constant forward motion.

Sometimes it’s about stopping long enough to hear yourself think.

• Guest episodes return next week
• Dare Club and weekly dares resume shortly
• More intentional challenges, clearer direction, less noise

If you want to support the show, leave a review, share the episode with someone who’s in the messy middle, or join Dare Club for the weekly challenges.

And as always — thanks for listening.

Join Dare club https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

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Support the show https://www.patreon.com/c/shewhodareswins

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This week’s Dare Day episode was inspired by an unexpected quiet moment.

An early morning drive.

No traffic. No radio.

nd the sudden realisation that I could hear birds singing — from inside the car.

That small moment led to a bigger question: when did we stop noticing what’s around us?

In this bonus episode, Michelle shares a simple but grounding story about an early winter morning, a red sky, a cup of tea in the garden, and how listening — properly listening — shifted her entire day.

The episode also connects to insights from Episode with Georgia, who described a chance visit to an RSPB hide that made her realise how much of the natural world she’d been missing simply because she’d never stopped to notice it.

This isn’t sentimental fluff.

There’s real science behind why moments like this feel so powerful.

• Why natural sounds like birdsong calm the nervous system
• How most of us live in low-level fight-or-flight without realising
• The concept of “soft fascination” and why nature restores a tired brain
• How listening grounds us in the present and eases anxiety
• Why nothing has to change around you for something to shift internally

Take 5–10 minutes early in the morning.

Before your phone.

Before conversations.

Before the world gets loud.

No music. No podcasts. No scrolling.

Make a tea or coffee if you like. Sit outside, on a doorstep, balcony, or by an open window.

Close your eyes.

And listen.

Birds, wind, distance, silence — whatever is there.

You’re not trying to relax.

You’re not fixing anything.

You’re simply reminding your nervous system that it’s safe.

If you’ve stopped hearing the birds, there’s a good chance you’ve been carrying too much noise for too long.

Dare Club is free to join and lands these weekly dares straight in your inbox, along with early access to live events and special announcements.

You can sign up via the link in the episode description or through Instagram.

Thanks for listening — and enjoy this week’s dare.

Join Dare Club https://stan.store/shewhodareswins

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