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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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Be Kinder to Yourself (Why Self-Criticism Isn’t Helping You Win)
Episode 145
Monday, 9 February, 2026
Be Kinder to Yourself (Why Self-Criticism Isn’t Helping You Win)This week, Michelle takes a break from guest interviews to speak directly to something that stopped her in her tracks.After sending out a listener survey, one result hit hard:80% of women said they struggle to be kind to themselves.Including Michelle.In this solo episode, Michelle unpacks how self-criticism sneaks in, why it feels productive (but isn’t), and how being relentlessly hard on yourself can quietly hold you back — even when you’re achieving on paper.This isn’t about fluffy self-care or letting yourself off the hook.It’s about awareness, honesty, and learning how to move forward without constantly tearing yourself down.Key Talking Points & Timestamps00:00 – Why this needed to be saidMichelle explains why she felt compelled to pause guest episodes and talk openly about kindness — and what triggered this realisation.01:08 – The survey result that changed everything80% of women said they struggle to be kind to themselves — and why that statistic is both comforting and alarming.02:41 – Catching the inner voice first thing in the morningHow negative self-talk was showing up before Michelle had even opened her eyes — and why that matters.03:25 – The ‘holy socks’ analogyWhy we treat other people with more respect than we treat ourselves — and what that says about self-worth.04:42 – When being “hard on yourself” backfiresMichelle reflects on imposter syndrome in construction and how self-criticism limited her confidence and progression.06:22 – Building the podcast without trusting herselfGrowing a podcast from scratch, hitting big milestones — and still being unable to acknowledge progress.07:41 – When your worth gets tied to achievementWhy high-achieving women never feel like they’ve “arrived” — and the cost of chasing constant validation.09:00 – Starting from ‘I am enough’ (without losing your drive)Insights inspired by Joe Hudson on separating self-worth from outcomes.09:35 – Fear, paralysis, and second-guessingHow being unkind to yourself fuels procrastination and decision fatigue.10:45 – The 9-day awareness exerciseA simple but powerful way to notice, track, and challenge self-critical thoughts.11:58 – Three ways to reframe unkind thoughts• Acknowledge without agreeing• Laugh at the ridiculous ones• Reframe with evidence and context13:43 – The real cost of self-criticismWhy it doesn’t make you better — just more disconnected, anxious, and distrustful of yourself.14:58 – Chasing relief instead of alignmentWhy achievement doesn’t bring peace if you’re running from fear instead of moving with intention.16:18 – “My story isn’t good enough”Why even the most impressive women downplay their journeys — and how common this mindset really is.17:54 – Living in fight-or-flight without realising itHow self-kindness helped Michelle regulate her nervous system and feel more grounded week to week.18:43 – A quiet invitation, not a challengeMichelle encourages listeners to start with one thing: not being unkind to themselves.19:22 – What’s next with Dare ClubHow this work around kindness, alignment, and self-trust is shaping the future of Dare Club.Key TakeawaysBeing hard on yourself isn’t discipline — it’s often fear in disguiseSelf-criticism doesn’t fuel progress; it creates paralysisHigh achievement without self-kindness leads to disconnectionYou can accept emotions without agreeing with themAwareness is the first step — not perfectionStarting from “I am enough” doesn’t kill ambition, it steadies itSign up to Dare club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
