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She Who Dares, Wins.

She Who Dares, Wins.

Michelle Hands

Welcome to "She Who Dares Wins", the podcast celebrating badass women who've forged their own path in life. Join Michelle Hands, a 17-year construction industry veteran, as she interviews inspiring women who've overcome obstacles to achieve great things. From entrepreneurs to athletes, each guest offers practical advice and engaging storytelling on daring to be different. Discover your own path to success with "She Who Dares Wins".


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42 - From Workbench to Business: Sami's Journey of Crafting Success
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  • 42 - From Workbench to Business: Sami's Journey of Crafting Success

    In an engaging episode filled with inspiration from transitioning hobbies into thriving businesses, Sami takes us through her journey from being a full-time employee to a passionate business owner. The discussion ebbs and flows through the hardships and learning curves of running a business and touches upon the satisfaction that comes from working with one's hands.

    Being a product designer by education, Sami opens up about her affinity for working with sustainable materials and her delight in teaching both kids and adults. She shares anecdotes from her experience instructing dynamic workshops that sculpt young minds into thinking creatively about social issues while showcasing the transformation she loves to witness as people overcome their hesitancy with power tools.

    Key points covered in the episode include the importance of practical skills in education, the power of social media as a learning platform, and how DIY projects can improve mental well-being.


    Key Takeaways:

    Transitioning from full-time employment to entrepreneurship can present several challenges, including mastering the non-creative aspects of running a business.Education in practical skills and trades is essential for empowering the next generation and providing alternative successful career paths.DIY workshops can transform adults' and children's confidence, teaching them to safely use power tools and develop a hands-on approach to problem-solving.Understanding and utilizing sustainable materials in design not only benefits the environment but also adds a unique perspective to product creation.Sami's journey showcases the power of following one's passion and the impact of nurturing creativity and practical skills at a young age.

    Notable Quotes:

    "But definitely the best kind of risk I've ever taken is stepping away from full-time employment and going and following my dream and starting my business.""You become a master of, like, I was thinking about this the other day as well. If you start on your own without a partner, you become a master of so many things by default.""It's the confidence thing, isn't it? Again, it's something that's unknown. And when you go and buy something and you take out of the box, it's a little bit daunting.""So all of the first aid training that I do, and I am on top of, I've not had to use, which is great, but also sometimes not in my workshop, but sometimes I'm like, I just, yeah, I really wish I could kind of use my skills.""And so I think, yeah, just building up on your kind of skillset. And so now, for the past, since kind of lockdown, I've been running DIY workshops to show people to get over the fear of using power tools."

    Resources:

    Just Lovett Design business mentioned by Sami.www.shewhodareswins.com for merch :)

    Special thanks to this weeks episode Sponsor GT85 https://gt85.co.uk/?mtm_source=youtube&mtm_medium=Influencer&mtm_campaign=uk_Michelle+Hands_youtube_Influencer_social-media_brand-awareness_dnapp. #sponsored #ad #GT85



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    Wed, 27 Mar 2024 - 40min
  • 41 - Full Throttle: Lara Small on Military Grit, Engineering Precision, and Moto-Mania

    ​Tune into the full episode to immerse yourself in Lara Small’s compelling narrative, be inspired by her determination, and learn from her rich experiences in leadership, engineering, and the exhilarating world of motorcycling. Stay connected for more enlightening content that promises to fuel your own journey towards personal and professional growth.


    Lara Small is a highly accomplished individual, whose career spans across two major sectors: the military and engineering. She has an extensive background that includes time in the army, where she rose through the ranks to become a major, and a career in engineering, where she is currently working as an engineering manager at Rolls Royce. Lara is also a passionate motorcycle enthusiast and racer, having won races and developed a career in moto-journalism, working with companies like Bike World and penning articles for Fast Bikes Magazine.


    Episode Summary:

    In this captivating episode, our guest, Lara Small, takes us on a riveting journey through her life, sharing her experiences in the army, her passion for motorcycling, and her professional endeavors in engineering. Lara’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, learning from failure, and the pursuit of one’s passions against all odds.

    Lara candidly recounts the challenges and setbacks she faced in her military career, particularly her initial failure at Sandhurst, which prompted a deep self-reflection and a turning point in her approach to leadership and teamwork. This heartening tale of redemption underscores the importance of perseverance, as Lara ultimately returns to Sandhurst, succeeds, and continues to rise within the army ranks. Her exploits in motorcycle racing reveal a similar theme of grit and determination, as Lara discusses the thrill of the race, the sense of freedom she derives from the sport, and her recent victories after years of effort.

    Key Takeaways:

    Facing Failure with Fortitude: Lara’s experience at Sandhurst, including her initial failure and subsequent success, is a powerful lesson in self-reflection, personal growth, and the value of perseverance.Leadership Lessons Learned: The military taught Lara the importance of serving to lead, a lesson she carries into both her professional life and her mentoring roles.Motorcycle Racing Passion: Lara’s enthusiasm for motorcycle racing offers insights into the world of motorsports, emphasizing the joy of competition, the importance of rider skill, and the camaraderie of the racing community.Engineering Excellence: As an engineering manager at Rolls Royce, Lara is dedicated to delivering quality work and contributing to the advancement of the industry.

    Notable Quotes:

    "The military teaches you to dig deeper, to fight harder, to do the right thing, to have integrity.""You only really find out who you truly are when you're incredibly sleep-deprived and you've been in a field.""The sooner you bring your personality work to work and who you really are, the less you'll spend pretending you're something you're not.""I'm quite driven by structure... the sense of what it could be at the end, like having a goal towards what I was spending my time doing, made sense.""That sense of achievement and visualizing it... everything points towards that, no matter how long or short that particular task is."


    Special thanks to this weeks episode Sponsor GT85 https://gt85.co.uk/?mtm_source=youtube&mtm_medium=Influencer&mtm_campaign=uk_Michelle+Hands_youtube_Influencer_social-media_brand-awareness_dnapp. #sponsored #ad #GT85



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

    Wed, 20 Mar 2024 - 56min
  • 40 - Controlled Chaos: Inside Carolyn's World of Stunts and Adventure

    Carolyn is a seasoned professional in the realm of stunts and physical performances, known for her diverse skill set spanning martial arts, aerial circus, and choreographed fighting. Her adventurous spirit and dedication to physical disciplines have taken her around the globe, from training with Shaolin monks in China to attending a stunt academy in Australia. With a background in martial arts and a portfolio of training in a variety of physical arts, Carolyn brings a wealth of experience from her performances in pirate shows in India to her aspiration of appearing in a Jackie Chan film.

    Episode Summary:

    In this inspiring episode of "She Who Dares Wins," host Michelle is joined by the fascinating Carolyn, a woman whose life is a testament to the power of curiosity and the pursuit of one's dreams. Her storied career is a rich tapestry of global experiences and challenges that many only dream of facing. From the rigorous training with Shaolin monks to the thrill of performing stunts in diverse locales, Carolyn embodies the adventurous spirit that drives her.

    Carolyn's journey is punctuated by choosing the path less taken, questioning societal norms, and discovering one's true calling through exploration and daring. She vividly shares stories of her time in China, reflecting on the discipline and resilience she gained while talking about her escapades in the stunt world, performing for films and live events. Her narratives are coupled with insights about the film industry and a refreshing take on life's limitless possibilities beyond the comfort zone.

    Key Takeaways:

    - Carolyn has an extensive background in martial arts and physical performances, with career highlights including training with Shaolin monks and working in the stunt industry.

    - She advocates for stepping out of one's comfort zone and pursuing unique passions rather than conforming to societal expectations.

    - Carolyn's experiences highlight the importance of discipline, resilience, and continuous learning in personal and professional growth.

    - She encourages others to follow their instincts and curiosity to find their place in the world.

    - Her ultimate dream remains to perform in a Jackie Chan film, showcasing her admiration for creativity and martial arts excellence.

    Notable Quotes:

    - "Everybody fits somewhere. I have not gone for some things, and that has been the failure."

    - "I believe in working to get what you want."

    - "If you can every day add something to your skill set or improve something in your skill set...life is for me, it's all the journey."

    - "I love adventure. But I like to think, right, well, I've trained to do this. It's within my control now, and I want to do it in a controlled fashion."

    - "Why would you not? So I really resonate with that."

    www.shewhodareswins.com for all the merch :)



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    Thu, 07 Mar 2024 - 47min
  • 39 - Risky Business: Stacey Emmonds on Scoring Big by Playing Your Own Game

    Stacey Emmonds is a dynamic figure in the intersection of sports, academia, and women's football advocacy. An alumnus of Loughborough University in the UK, she pursued a full scholarship at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in the US, bringing her football passion to an international platform. Stacey’s professional journey includes an instrumental role with Leeds United's men's professional team, where she served as the head of sports science for the academy. Currently positioned at Leeds Beckett University, Stacey leads various sports science initiatives, fostering connections with professional football clubs and empowering the next generation of sporting talent.


    Episode Summary:

    In this inspiring episode of the "She Who Dares Wins" podcast, we're accompanied by the incredibly driven Stacey Emmonds as she unfolds her journey from being a strong-willed football enthusiast to making significant strides in sports science and coaching. This conversation is a riveting narrative that presents an intimate look into how women navigate and impact the evolving landscape of football.


    Stacey captures the essence of daring to challenge norms and overcoming doubts by sharing her experience of transitioning from playing in boys' teams to seizing opportunities abroad in American universities. With a career that has broken barriers in male-dominated football environments, she illustrates the importance of networking, mentorship, and taking calculated risks. Through her experiences with Leeds United and Leeds Beckett University, Stacey sets a powerful example for aspiring women in the sports industry.


    The episode delves into Stacey's perspectives on the contemporary status of women's football, emphasizing the progress it has made and the challenges it continues to face. From discussing the advancement of professional contracts to addressing the need for better resource allocation and injury prevention strategies, Stacey offers a frank and insightful discourse on what it means to advocate for women in the game.


    Key Takeaways:

    The significance of taking risks and addressing the "what if it goes wrong" mindset, focusing instead on the potential positive outcomes and living without regrets.Stacey’s scholarship-driven journey from youth sports in the UK to collegiate football in the US, framing a narrative of perseverance and ambition.The transition and difficulties faced by a female professional working within a traditionally male-dominated field like sports science in men's football.The evolution of women's football, recognizing both the considerable progress made and the ongoing efforts needed to achieve sustainability and equality.The role of male allies in supporting women's journeys in sports, demonstrating the positive impact of inclusive thinking and leadership.


    Notable Quotes:

    "Daring is just to kind of push those thoughts to kind of the back of your head and try and go with, well, actually focus on what if this goes right and wanting to kind of, I guess, try and live my life by not having regrets...""I've never had any issues with the players. It was never the players... I guess it was just, unfortunately, they didn't know any different. It was just kind of the norm.""While the players are great, they are a bit needy, because they get everything done [for] them...""I'm going to pay for it. So I was like, okay, win, win. Cool. So I went on the B license through the PFA, managed to get on, because I was at Leeds United...""I want to make sure [other team members] get credit for...what they've done. And it's not just me going, 'Look, we've done all this fancy analysis and this kind of thing,' and...take their credit."


    Resources:

    www.shewhodareswins.com




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    Wed, 28 Feb 2024 - 48min
  • 38 - Riding the Fast Lane: From Fashion to Motorcycles with Clare Alexander


    Tune in to the full episode to join Michelle and Claire in this invigorating discussion that dives into the intersection of personal passions and professional life. Discover valuable lessons and gain the motivation to embark on your own journey of self-discovery and entrepreneurial success. Don't miss out on more enlightening content - stay engaged with our podcast series for more interviews like this one!


    About the Guest:

    Claire Alexander is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in the fashion industry and a passion for motorcycling. With experience in sales, working with fast fashion suppliers, and expertise in production and product development, Claire has witnessed firsthand the fast-paced and sometimes unsustainable nature of the fashion world. Her realization of the importance of quality and sustainability led her to pivot away from high street fashion to focus on smaller brands, marking her transition into entrepreneurship. Claire is currently the head of production at a motorcycling-oriented fashion brand and runs her own consultancy business, helping small brands leverage her extensive knowledge in design, development, and marketing.


    Episode Summary:

    In this inspiring installment of the podcast, host Michelle Hands engages with the dynamic Claire Alexander, who shares her journey from conquering the fear of motorcycling to launching a thriving business. Claire's story is a testament to the notion that perseverance and taking risks can lead to extraordinary success and personal growth.


    Claire provides deep insight into her professional background, explaining how her initial experiences in the fashion industry, though demanding, shaped her career trajectory. The discussion takes a candid turn as Claire opens up about the lessons learned from early-career mistakes and the importance of persistence in refining her business strategies. Her account of transitioning into the motorcycle community and eventually contributing to its growth by mentoring aspiring riders stitches together a narrative of transformation fueled by courage and the willingness to dare. This episode forms an SEO-rich resource not only for fashion and motorcycling enthusiasts but also for anyone looking to turn their passions into successful business ventures.


    Key Takeaways:

    Pursuing a passion can lead to unexpected and rewarding career paths, as shown by Claire Alexander's fusion of motorcycling and fashion.Growth and success come from being open to opportunities, being curious, and learning from one's failures.Starting a business requires overcoming personal fears and embracing the concept of learning through experience and iterative improvement.Building a community around a passion or business can offer support, opportunities, and additional avenues for growth.Women often face challenges such as self-doubt and impostor syndrome, and it's important to foster confidence and use one’s voice effectively.


    Notable Quotes:

    "There is a very real fear of death on the bike. Starting a business, it's not as scary now.""It's a long term thing, whatever you do.""Keep burning up.""Focus on the positive and try not to focus on the negative.""Speak out. Speak up for yourself."


    Resources:

    During the conversation, several references are made to elements of Clare's career and influence:

    Bike Shed (Place of Employment)Clare Alexander's Consultancy Business (Personal Venture) @clare_alex_consults


    Shop Merch @ www.shewhodareswins.com




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    Wed, 21 Feb 2024 - 34min
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