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She Who Dares, Wins.Stories from women who have forged their own path Author: Michelle Hands
Tired of playing by the rules? The She Who Dares Wins podcast is for the women who reject convention, challenge expectations, and carve their own damn way through life. Hosted by Michelle Handsformer construction engineer turned fearless storytellerthis podcast dives deep into the raw, unfiltered journeys of women who refuse to fit the mold.If you've ever battled imposter syndrome, hesitated to take a risk, or felt the pressure to conform, this is your space. Expect bold conversations with trailblazers, adventurers, and industry disruptors who share their real stories of breaking barriers, building confidence, and rewriting success on their own terms. What You'll Get: No-fluff, high-impact conversations with women pushing boundaries First-time experience stories & unconventional career pivots Tactical steps to crush fear & own your confidence Insights into thriving in male-dominated spaces The perfect mix of adventure, risk-taking, and personal growthThis isn't your typical self-help showits a call to action for women who want more. More adventure. More freedom. More hell yes moments. Tune in and join a community of unstoppable women who dare to win. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Language: en Genres: Business, Careers, Education, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Perfection Is Overrated—Joanna Wilson’s Real Talk on Leadership & Legacy In Gymnastics and Business
Episode 80
Monday, 19 May, 2025
In this episode of She Who Dares Wins, we sit down with Joanna Wilson — Cambridge grad, head of operations at Niall Wilson Gymnastics, and the quiet powerhouse behind a fast-growing movement to make gymnastics more fun, more inclusive, and way less obsessed with perfection.From outworking everyone in school to learning leadership on the fly, Joanna talks openly about burnout, boundary-setting, building a business with her brother, and why she’s done with the toxic pursuit of "perfect."If you’ve ever doubted whether you’re qualified enough, strong enough, or experienced enough to lead — this one’s your wake-up call.Key Takeaways:Hard work beats the highlight reel. Joanna credits her success to pure graft — not glossy plans or overnight wins.Leadership isn’t earned by years, it’s earned by action. She stepped into a leadership role early, made mistakes, learned fast, and kept showing up.You can’t grow a team by doing everything yourself. Joanna opens up about the danger of being the fixer and why letting go is essential to growth.Perfection is a myth — especially for women in male-dominated or performance-driven spaces. Gymnastics might score you down from 10, but life doesn’t have to.Working with family can be hard — but it can also build a legacy. Joanna shares the highs and lows of teaming up with her Olympic medalist brother.⏱️ Timestamps:0:20 – How sibling rivalry led Joanna to academia (and beating her brother in her own lane)1:38 – The hard-graft mindset that got her into Cambridge4:45 – From grad scheme to social media and diving into operations5:55 – The accidental start of a personal brand (and YouTube lockdown chaos)9:46 – Building a legacy with family: The business behind Niall Wilson Gymnastics13:06 – Why she's determined to change how gymnastics is taught and perceived17:55 – The damaging psychology of chasing “perfect” in sport — and in life21:35 – Leading a team with little experience: “I’m learning on the job, and that’s okay.”26:24 – Setting boundaries as a young female leader (and the guilt that comes with it)33:13 – The real bottleneck in UK gymnastics: coaches and capacity36:15 – Shifting coaching from hobby to full-time career path37:11 – From northern state school to Cambridge: imposter syndrome and holding your own40:51 – The one skill Cambridge taught that shaped everything: learning how to work hard💥 Want More? Get Exclusive Bonus Episodes!👉 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📢 Subscribe for more stories of fearless women breaking the rules! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
