What happens when you refuse to choose between service and ambition, discipline and creativity, or duty and dreams?
In this episode of She Wins, I sit down with Kellie Sbrocchi, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander, content creator, podcast host, motivational speaker, and former pageant competitor to discuss what it really means to build a life that doesn't fit into one box.
Kellie shares how a disappointing pageant outcome became the catalyst for launching her podcast and personal brand, why she believes women don't have to choose between multiple passions, and how she's navigated leadership, content creation, and personal growth while serving in the military. From pageantry to public speaking, social media influence to military service, Kellie is living proof that success doesn't have to look traditional.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- ✨ Lessons learned from competing in pageantry
- ✨ Building confidence after setbacks and rejection
- ✨ The balance between dreams and demands
- ✨ Navigating negativity online
Whether you're pursuing a title, building a business, serving your community, or simply trying to figure out what's next, Kellie's story will inspire you to stop limiting yourself and start asking: Why not do both?
Want even more? Join the She Wins Solutions for Pageantry Patreon community for exclusive access to our extended interview with Kellie, plus hundreds of additional videos, trainings, and resources designed to help you succeed. https://www.patreon.com/shewins_solutionsandstories7/posts/kellie-shares-160670853
Join here: https://www.patreon.com/shewins_solutionsandstories7
Heather Sumlin:
- Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/shewins_solutionsandstories7
- Website - https://www.heathersumlin.com/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heathersumlin/
- FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/heathersumlinmentalcoach
Kellie Sbrocchi:
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kellie.sbrocchi/
- Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/doboth.podcast/
- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-not-doboth-with-kellie-sbrocchi/id1506509405
- Website - https://kelliesbrocchi.com/
Kellie Sbrocchi Bio:
Lieutenant Commander Kellie Sbrocchi is a U.S. Navy Human Resources Officer with more than 12 years of active-duty service, a keynote speaker, and the host of the "Why Not #DoBoth podcast" — a global platform reaching listeners in more than 30 countries and a social media community of nearly 200k.
As the founder of the "#DoBoth" movement, Kellie challenges the outdated narrative that women must choose between strength and softness, ambition and authenticity, service and style. Her platform empowers women to pursue excellence across every dimension of their lives, professionally, personally, and unapologetically—proving that leadership and femininity are not contradictions but complements.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a former Division I track and cross-country athlete, Kellie currently serves as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy's human resources enterprise. Throughout her career, she has led in recruiting, force development, and operational commands, earning recognition as Medical Recruiter of the Year, Inspirational Officer of the Year, and building high-performing teams across diverse mission sets. Beyond her operational role, Kellie serves as a Navy social media correspondent, covering major national events such as the Army–Navy Game and Super Bowl 2023, helping modernize the face of military service through digital storytelling and strategic engagement.
Kellie travels nationwide to speak to universities, corporations, and leadership organizations about redefining traditional roles, navigating high-performance careers, and rejecting the false choice between dreams and duty. She also hosts women's leadership and networking events that cultivate community, confidence, and bold ambition.
Outside of her uniform, Kellie is a professional model, media personality, former Miss California USA 1st runner-up, and 5x recipient of the Miss Congeniality award, winning in every state she competed in. Across every platform she builds, her message remains clear: you do not have to shrink, separate, or sacrifice parts of yourself to succeed — you can do both.
#SheWins #KellieSbrocchi #WomenInLeadership #MilitaryWomen #Pageantry #PersonalBranding #WomenWhoInspire #PodcastInterview #WomenEmpowerment #WhyNotDoBoth