Yes SHE Can Project- Stories of amazing women doing amazing things

Come and join the Yes SHE Can Project conversation with Fareeha Jay! 

From mature student to 700,000+ followers – Fareeha Jay on food, diabetes, social media and finding your own path

What happens when you start casually sharing posts about food and healthy eating on Facebook… and suddenly more than 700,000 people are listening?

That’s exactly what happened to award-winning registered dietitian Fareeha Jay.

In this episode, I chat to Fareeha about her incredible journey from moving to the UK in 2004, becoming a mature student and qualifying as a dietitian, to building a huge online community and her own successful business, Shawk.

Fareeha specialises in diabetes and South Asian nutrition, and our conversation goes way beyond diets.

We talk about why healthy eating has become so complicated, the pressure to find the “perfect” diet, and the huge amount of conflicting nutrition advice we’re faced with online.

We also talk about type 2 diabetes, particularly within South Asian communities, some of the warning signs people shouldn’t ignore, and why exercise and movement can be such an important starting point.

One of my favourite parts of this conversation was Fareeha’s honesty about being a dietitian and still being human. We talk about the pressure health professionals can feel to appear like they have the “perfect” lifestyle, when in reality they face many of the same challenges as the rest of us.

And then there’s her business journey. Fareeha never set out to build a 700,000+ following. It happened organically by sharing useful information and connecting with people — a brilliant reminder that sometimes the opportunities we create aren’t necessarily the ones we planned for.

We chat about:

​- Fareeha’s journey to the UK and becoming a dietitian later in life

- ​How a part-time NHS role sparked her passion for diabetes education

​- Diabetes and South Asian communities

​- Accidentally building an audience of more than 700,000 people

​- Turning an online audience into a successful business

​- The biggest misconceptions around healthy eating

​- Why there isn’t one perfect diet for everyone

​- Nutrition misinformation on social media

​- Making healthy eating sustainable rather than restrictive

- ​Traditional South Asian food and healthy eating

​- Early warning signs of diabetes

​- Exercise, movement and lifestyle changes

- ​Why a diagnosis shouldn’t define you

- ​The reality of being a dietitian who is still human

- ​Fareeha’s ambitions for books and TV

​And, of course, a little rapid-fire fun!

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by nutrition advice online, struggled with the idea of “healthy eating”, or simply want to hear the story behind one woman’s unexpected journey to building such a huge community, this one is for you.

Come and join the conversation with the inspirationally brilliant Andrea McLean!

What do you do when you’re ready to write the next chapter of your life?

In this inspiring episode of the Yes SHE Can Project, I sit down with broadcaster, bestselling author and entrepreneur Andrea McLean to talk about life after reinvention, embracing new opportunities and turning lived experience into meaningful work.

Following the release of her deeply personal book- Shameless, Andrea shares why she’s passionate about changing the conversation around shame, how she’s navigating a completely new business journey, and why now is the time to step into the next phase of her career.

Together, we explore what it means to build a business around your story, finding confidence in unfamiliar territory, creating new income streams, and why your greatest challenges can often become your greatest purpose.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s next for you, this conversation is packed with encouragement, practical ideas and plenty of honest reflections.

In this episode we discuss:

• Andrea’s journey following the release of her latest book
• Why she’s embracing the title of “Shame Changer”
• How shame affects confidence, business and everyday life
• Turning lived experience into meaningful work
• Building a speaking career and creating impact
• Why businesses need to rethink their culture around failure and shame
• Creating psychological safety in the workplace
• Reinventing yourself at any stage of life
• Exploring retreats, workshops and new business opportunities
• Why you don’t need to have everything figured out before taking the next step
• The importance of saying yes to new opportunities

Your experiences don’t have to define you—they can become the foundation for the impact you make.

Whether you’re starting over, changing careers, building a business or simply trying to work out what comes next, this episode is a reminder that your next chapter can be your most meaningful yet.

About Andrea

Andrea McLean is a broadcaster, bestselling author, entrepreneur and speaker. Through her work, she is helping individuals and organisations rethink shame, embrace vulnerability and create environments where people feel empowered to grow, contribute and thrive.

Buy your copy of Shameless here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shameless-Finding-Freedom-Resilience-Through/dp/0241762812

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow the Yes SHE Can Project, leave a review and share this conversation with someone who’s ready to embrace their next chapter.

Because no matter where you are in your journey… Yes. SHE Can.

How to Make the Headlines!
In this inspiring and insightful episode of The Yes SHE Can Project, I chat with journalist, PR expert, and founder of Make the Headlines, Carol Driver.
With more than 25 years of experience in the media industry, including her role as Female Editor at MailOnline, Carol shares an honest behind-the-scenes look at journalism, public relations, and what it really takes to get noticed in today’s crowded marketplace.
We explore the power of storytelling, the importance of visibility for women in business, and why every entrepreneur has a story worth sharing.
Whether you’ve ever thought “I don’t have a story”, felt nervous about putting yourself out there, or wondered how to get featured in the press, this episode is packed with practical advice and empowering insights.
In This Episode We Discuss:
* Carol’s journey from aspiring journalist to Female Editor at MailOnline and successful PR business owner
* How the media landscape has evolved over the past two decades
* The shift away from body shaming and celebrity criticism in mainstream media
* What really happens behind celebrity interviews and media training
* Why every entrepreneur has a story worth telling
* The power of third-party credibility and why PR can build trust faster than social media alone
* Common mistakes people make when pitching to journalists
* Why AI-generated pitches are easy to spot (and often ineffective)
* What journalists are actually looking for when reviewing story ideas
* The fears that stop women from pursuing visibility and media opportunities
* How to create a sustainable PR strategy that supports long-term business growth
* Carol’s new Consistency Club and her mission to help more entrepreneurs gain confidence with PR
One of the most powerful moments of the conversation comes when Carol reminds listeners that the stories we share are often bigger than ourselves. By speaking up and sharing our experiences, we not only raise our own visibility but can also inspire, educate, and support others who may be facing similar challenges.
About Carol Driver
Carol Driver is an award-winning journalist, former Female Editor at MailOnline, PR strategist, and founder of Make the Headlines.
She helps entrepreneurs, experts, and thought leaders secure media coverage, build authority, and increase visibility through strategic PR. Carol has worked with six and seven-figure business owners, bestselling authors, coaches, and globally recognised experts.
Connect with Carol
Website: www.caroldriver.com
Instagram: @caroldriver
LinkedIn: Carol Driver
Facebook Group: How to Make the Headlines with journalist Carol Driver
Enjoyed This Episode?
If you loved this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with another woman in business who needs to hear this message.
Because when one woman rises, we all rise.
#YesSHECan

Come and join the conversation with the amazingly talented author Mary-Jane Riley! 

In this episode of The Yes She Can Project, I’m thrilled to welcome acclaimed author Mary-Jane Riley. From her early days as a BBC journalist to becoming a full time novelist, Mary-Jane shares her journey of perseverance, inspiration, and finding her creative “home” in historical fiction.

We chat about:

- Her serendipitous start in journalism, from BBC Radio Leicester to hosting her own shows- The early sparks of writing romance and crime stories while juggling family life- Meeting Ruth Rendell, who inspired her to “just write” and follow her passion

- How her contemporary novels drew on village life, family experiences, and journalistic insights

- Transitioning to historical fiction and creating her Beattie Cavendish series, exploring post-WWII Europe and the Cold War

- The importance of character-driven storytelling and how personal and family histories shaped her novels

- Balancing full-time writing with life, walks in the Suffolk countryside, and small, focused writing bursts

- Advice for aspiring writers: finding your why, creating time to write, and embracing that 99% perspiration, 1% luck

- Upcoming releases, including the next Beattie Cavendish book (The Highland Hideaway) and future projects

- Mary-Jane also shares the power of libraries, how borrowing books still supports authors, and the joy of storytelling as both escapism and inspiration. 

- Plus let's not forget an impromptu naked phone call👀 🤣

You can find Mary-Janes books in your local and independent bookshops, online via Amazon and Bookshop.org or head on over to her website here: https://www.maryjaneriley.com 

Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a lover of stories, this episode is packed with fun (lots of laughs!) insight, inspiration, and practical tips on embracing your creativity and taking bold leaps! 

Thankyou Mary-Jane, it was a JOY! 

Come and join the conversation with the gorgeous and epically talented Alyssa Kyria, aka The Funny Mummy!

In this episode of The Yes SHE Can Project, I’m chatting to actress, comedian and all round brilliant human Alyssa Kyria about her journey through comedy, confidence and motherhood, and honestly, this conversation is packed with laughs, vulnerability and those “oh my god, YES” moments so many of us feel but don’t always say out loud.

Alyssa takes us right back to the beginning of her career, sharing how she first found her way into comedy through character work. She talks openly about why hiding behind a character felt safer, like wearing a mask that allowed her to be braver, bolder and more outrageous on stage.

We talk about what happens when the thing that once felt empowering no longer feels aligned, and how scary it can be to step away from what’s “worked” and into something far more vulnerable. Next, to the beginnings of Bring Your Own Baby Comedy, which Alyssa co-founded to create a space where mums actually go out, laugh and feel seen, babies and all.

Alyssa shares what it was really like deciding to step on stage as herself for the first time, no character, no mask, just her own stories. The nerves, the self-doubt, the questions of how much do I share? and will anyone find this funny? and then the magic that happens when you realise the audience is laughing because they’ve lived it too.

We talk about motherhood pressure, the avalanche of advice new mums are hit with from every angle. NCT groups, midwives, books, social media, well-meaning strangers… all telling you the “right” way to feed, sleep, soothe and parent your baby. Alyssa shares the moment she realised that trying to follow everyone else’s rules was costing her mental health, and how learning to do things her way changed everything for her and her baby.

We also touch on the extra layer of pressure modern mums face thanks to social media. The spotless white kitchens, the “glam” babies, the idea that you should be skipping around the park with a flat stomach and endless energy. We laugh (because honestly, who is keeping a white kitchen or clothes clean with a baby?!) but we also talk seriously about the damage these comparisons can do. Body image comes up too, and Alyssa shares a really powerful reframe around the idea of “getting your body back” after having a baby. Instead of chasing a pre-baby version of herself, she talks about focusing on strength, confidence and acceptance, and allowing her body to be different without it being something that needs fixing.

One of my favourite parts of our conversation is when Alyssa talks about belonging. She shares a moment on tour, freezing dressing rooms, no privacy, all the nerves, and then walking out on stage to a room full of excited mums and realising, this is it… this is exactly where she was meant to be. We talk about how powerful it is to find the people you’re meant to serve and to stand fully in that space. And let's not forget her viral videos too!

Of course, we don’t shy away from the hard bits either. Alyssa is refreshingly honest about the brutality of comedy, especially at Edinburgh. Sparse audiences, the wrong audiences, moments where jokes die painful deaths, and the emotional toll that can take. She shares how tough it was, how long it took to rebuild her confidence, and why she’s still so proud she kept going.

This episode is about so much more than comedy. It’s about finding your voice, trusting your instincts, letting go of perfection, and being brave enough to show up as yourself, even when that feels uncomfortable. It’s funny, raw, reassuring and deeply human, and if you’ve ever felt pressure to be someone you’re not, especially in motherhood or business, I know this conversation will land with you.

Pop the kettle on, get comfy, and come and join us, I promise you’ll feel seen, I know I certainly did!

Check out Alyssa on Instagram @thefunnymummyuk or www.alyssakyria.com

Come and join the conversation with the incredible Dr Charlotte Ord!

What happens when a passion for fitness meets a deep curiosity about the human mind, and a refusal to ignore what’s really going on beneath the surface?

In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr Charlotte Ord, and honestly… this conversation is one every woman (and parent) needs to hear.

Charlotte shares her fascinating journey, from being naturally sporty, studying psychology, teaching fitness, owning multiple gyms, releasing a fitness DVD and even appearing on TV, to realising that what really got in people’s way wasn’t motivation or discipline, but was actually mindset, self-image, and mental health.

As her clients increasingly opened up about their struggles, Charlotte recognised a responsibility to do more. With the support of her incredible team (who kept her gyms running), she stepped away from the day-to-day and went on to complete her Doctorate in Psychology, a decision she credits with fully aligning her with her purpose.

Today, she feels empowered, energised, and deeply connected to the work she does. This is so clear as she talks! It's obvious how passionate she is about her work and that it fuels her, not only professionally but on a personal level too.

We talk openly and honestly about:

Body confidence, self-image, and why how we talk about our bodies really matters

The impact our words have on our children, both positively and negatively

The dangers of media messaging and unrealistic “healthy body” ideals

How diet culture fuels disillusionment, shame, and poor mental health

Recognising red flags around inner dialogue and disordered eating

Protecting your energy, setting boundaries, and checking if your life actually feels aligned

Grounding techniques and carving out time for yourself (without guilt)

Defining your own version of success, in a realistic, healthy and compassionate way

Charlotte also shares practical tools she’s seen work powerfully with her clients to boost self-worth, regain a sense of control, and step away from perfectionism.

This is a fascinating, compassionate, and empowering conversation with a woman who truly lives her purpose, and one that will absolutely make you pause, reflect, and rethink how you speak to (and about) yourself. And what's so important here is that not only is she teaching us the ways in which we speak to ourselves, she is so invested in making sure that we are passing on these skills and self awareness to the next generation too 🥰

Such an amazing and insightful conversation with a truly amazing lady!Dr Charlotte's latest book Body Confident You Body Confident Kid is available NOW!

Find out more here:

https://www.charlotteord.com/

Come and join the conversation with the incredible ball of energy that is Esther Stanhope! For the very first time on the Yes SHE Can Project podcast we are hearing from previous guests about their new projects! For Esther, she has a BRAND NEW book out entitled "Visibly Brilliant".

We chat about the premise of the book, from leaders of organisations, entrepreneurs, company execs, Esther is helping people to look good, sound good and most of all FEEL good! As a previous BBC Broadcaster, she is perfectly placed in helping everyone to go from technically brilliant to Visibly Brilliant!

Working with people from all walks of life, she helps people step out of their comfort zone and be seen for the expert that they are without feeling uncomfortable doing it. We talk about the mindset shift that's needed to put yourself out there, the worry that sometimes comes along with that and the ways in which you can feel more comfortable with putting yourself forward for opportunities. Esther uses the perfect analogy for putting ourselves to one side instead of having the spotlight on us, thinking of being visible as sharing instead, it really helps to shift your thinking about things, something she said has worked wonders for her clients. She shares her long term strategy of how she helps people find their confidence, citing that it really doesn't matter who you are or what level you're at, we can all take small steps every single day to raising our profiles.

All of us at some point have held ourselves back, put barriers in our way when it comes to getting ourselves seen, whether that's speaking in a meeting, writing articles, filming social media videos or hitting post on Linkedin, we can almost talk ourselves out of it! We chat about the importance of having that consistent visibility and setting it into your daily routine. Esther says that building these habits in regularly can be instrumental in building our confidence over time, a tried and tested method she has seen fabulous results for her clients time and time again!

Esther shares 10 excuses that we use as reasons to not step out there and be visible, from childhood comments we were told to the internal scripts that we have running around our brain. It was so insightful to hear about the excuses that we use, I found myself nodding along and agreeing to so many of them! She gives some brilliant tips on how we can not just put ourselves in situations where we have to pretend we are this invincible confident person, we can actually show elements of our personality that can be memorable and not only great for building our visibility, but actually fantastic in establishing a trust and personal connection with the people we are speaking to which is so powerful.

Esther tells me about naming your negative voice when it creeps in really helps to distinguish between what thoughts are actually true and what is in our mind, her voice of doubt is actually called Cynical Cyril!

We chat tips about getting seen, getting promoted, getting speaking gigs and how to build your confidence when it comes to your visibility, and how mindset is the key.

Excellent advice, tips and such a fun chat with this wonderful lady!

And there's a special surprise at the end!!!!

You can buy Esther's new book Visibly Brilliant and check out her website here:

https://www.estherstanhope.com/shop/

Come and join the conversation with Sarah Haran AKA The Bag Lady! Founder of Sarah Haran Accessories, Sarah has designed the ultimate, innovative bags that are interchangeable, giving you endless looks in just one purchase!

We chat all about her journey so far, beginning with her career in tech. Small glimpses of her handbag hobby started to surface when she began to get fed up of having to take ugly and impractical bags everytime she was travelling for work. She knew that handbags was a direction she wanted to go in, having to put up with those "techy backpacks" for so long, she felt compelled to fulfill that need for others too. She knew from her experience that she needed something not only practical, and with functionality, but it needed to look amazing too.

In 2017, Sarah knew it was the right time to take the leap. She had a solid plan, and confidently was able to stride into her new adventure with her brand. She tells me honestly about the worries that she experienced in the early days, but continued to push on and grow her business, soaking up all the knowledge she could along the way.

It was three years in the making before she launched her first product, Sarah opens up about the challenges that she faced, the patience she had to bring it to fruition and cites it as a real invention process. Sarah researched, researched and researched some more! Wanting superior quality, functionality and the ability to customise and interchange the bags, Sarah also knew that she needed a product you could take from day to night, just like she needed along her way in her corporate career.

We chat the importance of staying ahead of trends, keeping your customers involved in the process and how she has built a global, loyal customer base. You can tell how important Sarah's community and client base is to her, although the brand has reached over 10,000 reviews, Sarah is evidently still as invested and values her customers just as much now as she did at the launch of Sarah Haran Accessories. Glowing everytime she talks about getting feedback, Sarah's designs are loved by a plethora of celebrities and influential women. Sarah gives me a sneak peek of who she would love to get her bags in the hands of.... the one and only Princess Kate! If anyone has any royal connections, get in touch!

We chat sustainability, the interchangeable nature of her designs and the constant need to have a bag that fits in with our lives as women. Sarah tells me about her amazing show 3 Bags on a Boat, and her co host Anthea Turner, where they delve into the contents of celebrities handbags- so genius!

Sarah is not only talented in her designs, but an insanely talented businesswoman, and is on track with her goal of turning over 10 million by 2028!

Such a pleasure to chat to you Sarah, you are definitely an inspiration to us all, Yes SHE Can!

You can check out the website here:

https://sarahharan.com/

And check out 3 Bags on a Boat here!:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9PVWI6BljF_z618VASbFJd7FBpJmaVqX

Come and join the conversation with the utterly iconic Nicky Hambleton-Jones!

Best known as the host of Channel 4's 10 Years Younger, Nicky has some incredible strings to her bow! We chat all about the different hats she wears such as being a stylist, TV presenter, fashion Director at Platinum Magazine and author, and nothing that makes her happier than making someone over. She is dedicated to showing people the true transformations that can be achieved from the outside in.

We delve into her passion for fashion that was evident from being a young girl growing up in South Africa, to graduating with a degree whilst she enjoyed but didn't feel like it was truly lighting that fire within her. She tells me of her move to London, business school and then a journey into management consulting.

After a spell of travelling the world and living in places like San Francisco, New York and Luxemburg, Nicky knew that there was something missing for her, something she knew she had to pursue. Her passion for fashion was burning brighter and she knew she needed to listen to her heart.

A shock redundancy was exactly the catalyst she needed, and working with a coach started her journey and her styling consultancy was born! Driven by the reactions of her clients, the incredible transformations that she was witnessing before her very eyes and seeing the impact her work was having, Nicky knew she was finally where she needed to be. She tells me of the beginnings of the career that truly lit her up and she shares the exact moment when she secured being the host of the epic show 10 Years Younger! It was random and serendipitous all rolled into one!

Nicky is open about what she had to navigate during her time on the show and explains the impact that being on such a popular show had on her. She was in her element, doing something she adored, being able to see the transformative effects on the participants, it was feeding her soul!

We chat all about her amazing new book "Bolder Not Older", (her 5th book!!!) which Nicky says comes from a desire to help people, and cites the era we are living through at the moment as the rise of the mid life woman, which is so true. She says irrespective of age, whatever body shape you are, what your bank balance looks like, Nicky says everyone has the potential to look and feel amazing.

She tells me about the 12 week programme that Bolder Not Older is centered around, to help you redefine your style, and make you feel better about yourself. What I found really interesting about the book is that it almost feels like you have a Nicky in your pocket, holding your hand and guiding you throughout every step, it's fabulous! She talks about the importance of having a wardrobe she can rely on, and how a lot of red lipstick and her style are her survival tools!

Nicky tells me about the kind of clients she has, a mix of ages and one lady is 80 years old! Like she says there is no upper age limit on wanting to feel good about yourself and take control of your style to make you feel fantastic, age is just a number right?!

Nicky says that the beauty is that your style can be the key to making you feel younger than your years and more confident, not only that but happier within yourself just by feeling good about how you look on the outside and how your style makes you feel.

It absolutely shines through how passionate Nicky is about her work, and how much it means to her when she sees that confidence in her clients. She isn't just overhauling people's style, she's changing the way that they feel about themselves, she works her magic on the inside as well as the outside!

Such a fabulous chat with an even more fabulous lady!

If you want to take the journey into your own style and confidence reclamation you can grab a copy of the epic Bolder Not Older in all good bookstores or via her website here:

https://nickyhambletonjones.com/

Come and join the conversation with the INCREDIBLE Nyree from Jack & Grace. Jack & Grace is a communications, marketing and PR agency- but with a difference! It's breaking the rules (throwing the book out of the window infact) in the most refreshing and employee centric way.

Nyree's self titled Squiggly Time during her journey starts with her career in working with charities, then transitioning into a corporate background, backed up with her inherited hard work ethos that was instilled in her by her family.

We chat about the rules that we are given in every aspect of our lives, starting with school years and into our professional working lives. She shares such fascinating insights into the governance that we all just adhere to, without even stopping for a moment to question why...

After having her daughter, Nyree found that with the new dynamic and her new role as a Mum, those rules that she had always been taught to follow were becoming increasingly challenging to be able to sustain. Juggling nursery drop offs, pick ups and everything in between got her to the point where it was difficult to navigate the demands of working life alongside this.

Nyree openly shares the impact it was having on her mental health, the feelings of isolation and the worry of the years of hard work and sacrifices she had made were potentially crumbling beneath her. Returning to work after having her daughter was actually the catalyst she needed to leave.

This experience sparked something in Nyree where she knew she had to not only make a change, but make a difference for others too. Met with feelings of frustration that her working pattern just wasn't infact working for her anymore, she decided to set up on her own with a friend of hers that had been experiencing the same issue.

The early stages of Jack & Grace were full of coffee shops and values checks (love this so much!) The company was launched rooted in similar values that the women both held, and the driving need to rewrite those unwritten rules!

We discuss what success looks like, the expectations that we put on ourselves from the get go, but also the beauty of everything happening for a reason (true right!) Nyree tells me about building policies within Jack & Grace, thinking outside the box in terms of what they wanted to offer their team, things that are integral to their company ethos with focus on mothers, carers, and people with neurodiversity, and ways to make their work work for them.

Balance is a big driving force within their company, trying to get the sweet spot when it comes to giving their employees a place to work that is an extension of the way that they live their lives already, facilitating that balance to get the best out of their team.

We talk about the benefits of flexible working and how "bendy" Jack & Grace are. The upsides to working this way and also the potential pitfalls that have been navigated along the way. With the new proposals of "return to work" conversations being had at the moment, Nyree credits the incredible work of Anna Whitehouse, The Flex Appeal & Pregnant Then Screwed for their tireless campaigning for a fairer way of working.

Such a beautifully refreshing approach to working, Jack & Grace prides itself on being truly purpose led, heart led, people centered and most of all flexible.

What a wonderful conversation with a lady that is breaking down barriers in her field, challenging what has always been considered the "norm" and really being led by her purpose to want to do better for others. Absolutely true to their tagline "communications for good"!

An absolute pleasure to chat with you Nyree, true definition of Yes SHE Can!

You can check out Jack & Grace here:

https://www.jackandgrace.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/jackandgrace/https://www.instagram.com/jackgracecomms/