Tell Her She Can't: Inspiring Stories of Unstoppable Women

Riding the TransAmerican Bicycle Trail from Virginia to Oregon is no small feat for any rider. But when completed by a solo rider, with a broken foot, and no money, who also happens to be 19, we are reminded that resilient humans are capable of anything. In the final episode of Season one of Tell Her She Can't, hear how Calen Otto, a budget traveler with minimal cycling experience, rode their bike across the U.S. They share with us a few inspiring stories from the road. HOST: Kelly Lewis | @gokellylewis GUEST: Calen Otto | @unruly_traveller For more inspiring stories of women around the globe, check out our book, Tell Her She Can't. https://tellhershecant.com/ NOTES: (0:58) The TransAmerican Bike Trail is not what you might expect. Calen explains how the trail is used and what to expect from this unconventional map as well as the catalyst for the journey. (3:10) Leading up to her trip, Calen's foot was still in a cast, leaving her no time to practice long-distance cycling before their departure. As they gathered their research, they were met with both support and criticism for choosing to go it alone. (4:47) With so much stacked against them, moments in Calen's trip felt impossible to complete. They explain a few pivotal moments in the journey. Realizing just how unprepared they were could have sent her home, but Calen chose to press on and had incredible experiences to show for it. (11:21) The trail is over four thousand miles long and took Calen nearly six months to complete, working along the way. Calen wanted to see if the universe had their back - hoping that this trip would shift their worldview. (13:28) Blood, sweat, tears, and the kindness of strangers got Calen through to the end of the trail. Calen expected to feel grounded, find purpose but the emotional reality fell short of the “ah-ha!” moment Calen was hoping for. Instead, Calen learned that it is possible to travel with very little money and still do the things they love. (16:05) Calen reminds us of the importance of going our own way and that we can still achieve our dreams despite the naysayers. The tell Her She Cant Podcast is produced by Elise Fitzsimmons | helloelisefitz@gmail.com

An ambitious and independent spirit, Deidre Mathis defied convention when she became the first black woman to own a hostel in the United States. Hear how she opened a brick-and-mortar business with less than $20,000, raised enough capital in pitch competitions to fund the difference, and followed her own north star in the process. HOST: Kelly Lewis | @gokellylewis GUEST: Deidre Mathis | @wanderstayhouston Visit Wanderstay Hostel | www.wanderstayhotels.com For more inspiring stories of women around the globe, check out our book, Tell Her She Can't. https://tellhershecant.com/ NOTES: (0:56) As a girl growing up in Jacksonville Florida, Deidre was constantly compared to her brother and reminded of all that she was not allowed to do, simply because she was a girl. She defiantly realized that everything her brother could do, she should be able to do, too. (2:06) Despite pressure from her family to study medicine, Deidre decided to pursue a degree in journalism. During her sophomore year, she won a study abroad scholarship that would change the course of her life forever. (4:37) Enchanted by the excitement of travel, she gathered information on the road and honed her preferences, noting improvements at each hostel she visited. Hear how she decided to take the leap to open a brick-and-mortar business. (6:37) Deidre's early estimates to open a hostel were close to $1M. She had less than $20,000 to her name, but that did not slow her dream down. Hear how Deidre raised the funds to start her business. (8:58) New business ventures can riddle any entrepreneur with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Diedre explains how she manages and overcomes these challenges. She offers sound advice for anyone looking to begin a business. (13:06) Taking risks early on, like moving to Costa Rica, set the tone for Deidre's career. She explains the importance of following your own north star. The tell Her She Can't Podcast is produced by Elise Fitzsimmons | helloelisefitz@gmail.com

So much of what we believe we can do is wrapped up in what society and our family tells us we are able to do. When someone is trying to straddle two cultures at the same time, the list of acceptable behaviors is often compounded and conflicting. Arthi Awatharami, a first-generation immigrant, experienced this first hand. Despite hearing “no” and “can't” constantly, Arthi carved out a life for herself on her own terms. Hear how. HOST: Kelly Lewis | @gokellylewis GUEST: Aarti Awatharami | @arti.health.coach For more inspiring stories of women around the globe, check out our book, Tell Her She Can't. https://tellhershecant.com/ Work with Aarti | https://www.intuitivelywell.com/ NOTES: (0:47) Meet Aarti Awatharami, intuitive health coach. Hear how she straddled two cultures at the same time in an attempt to reconcile who she knew herself to be with cultural expectations. (6:07) Through loving herself, Arthi was able to find authentic acceptance of self. Arthi explains that when we let go of part of who you are to be loved, it is not acceptance, but manipulation. (7:41) Emotional wounds take root in our bodies. Chronic health issues for Aarti forced her to look at her deeper emotional wounds. (13:01) Aarthi explains how different emotional wounds can manifest in the physical body and how the body often holds the emotion until we are ready to look at the issue more closely. (13:58) Aarthi credits defiance, stubbornness, and connection to her inner voice as her main motivating factors. Podcast Producer: Elise Fitzsimmons | helloelisefitz@gmail.com

The grief we experience after losing a loved one can be all-consuming. Though our experiences are personal, loss is universal. When Crystal Webster's daughter passed away, she decided to turn her devastation into a purpose: to remind others that they are not alone in the midst of loss. HOST: Kelly Lewis | @gokellylewis GUEST: Crystal Webster | @sharingsolace For more inspiring stories of women around the globe, check out our book, Tell Her She Can't. https://tellhershecant.com/ NOTES: (1:10) Crystal Webster is mother of Madeline Webster. Less than ten hours after birth, Madeleine passed away from a genetic condition. Hear how Crystal transformed her crippling deviation and resulting depression into the will to live. (3:43) Practical tools helped move Crystal out of depression and hear what small actions had a major impact on her road to recovery. (8:10) While our response to grief is personal, the emotion is universal. Crystal devises a way to help those consumed by grief. (9:36) Crystal founded Sharing Solace, a company that helps grievers grieve, and explains how to support those experiencing loss. Podcast Producer: Elise Fitzsimmons | helloelisefitz@gmail.com

For years, Cassie Winter suffered from a chronic, undiagnosable illness. When confronted by countless medical professionals telling her that, at best, she was experiencing depression, and at worst, she was making it all up, Cassie did not give up on herself. Hear how she was able to advocate for a diagnosis despite the many doctors who dismissed her – and how she now helps others with chronic illnesses to build better lives and careers. HOST: Kelly Lewis | @gokellylewis GUEST: Cassie Winter | @ceowinter For more inspiring stories of women around the globe, check out our book, Tell Her She Can't. https://tellhershecant.com/ NOTES: (01:19) Cassie recalls the trauma caused by her father while she was growing up. The abuse and neglect she experienced made her genetic connective tissue disorder worse. (4:42) Getting the adults in her life to believe that her symptoms were real was a constant battle for Cassie. What she experienced was debilitating and terrifying, especially as a child. (6:40) Cassie suffered for years until one day, simply standing up too fast led her down the path of discovering what had been ailing her all along. (8:24) Cassie had to fight tooth and nail to see the proper specialists to confirm her suspicions about her illness. (11:25) Medical professionals constantly gaslighted Cassie, hear how she continued to believe in herself. (13:03) Cassie has translated her healing into helping others with chronic diseases. She offers a guiding light to those who are struggling in the same ways she did. Podcast Producer: Elise Fitzsimmons | helloelisefitz@gmail.com

When Leah Parsons lost her daughter Rehteah to suicide as a result of a sexual assault and an ensuing photograph that was spread throughout her school, she refused to sit by idly and let it happen again. Instead, her initiatives pushed local authorities to pass wide-sweeping reforms on the dissemination of sensitive and personal images, leading to long-lasting change. [TW: SA, r*pe, violent and sensitive imagery] HOST: Kelly Lewis | @gokellylewis GUEST: Leah Parsons Rehtaeh Parsons Society | http://rehtaehparsons.ca/ For more inspiring stories of women around the globe, check out the book Tell Her She Can't https://tellhershecant.com/ NOTES: (01:45) Meet Leah Parsons, mom of three, as she tells the story of the night that would change her daughter's life forever. (04:45) Leah describes the trauma that she experienced as a child and how the birth of her daughter turned her life in a positive direction. She recalls watching her daughter deteriorate and how familiar the feeling was. (07:29) Grief and rage boiled over in Leah. The systems that were supposed to keep har daughter healthy and alive failed them at every turn. Hear how Leah used anger to propel her to action and put her in the spotlight of an international stage. (11:38) Rage could only take Leah so far. Hear how she learned to open her heart back up and work from a loving space with firm boundaries. (13:09) Leah's daughter's story is gaining traction, even nearly a decade after her passing. Hear how far her story has gone and how pain can transform to peace. Podcast Producer: Elise Fitzsimmons | helloelisefitz@gmail.com

Meet Mirna Valerio, ultra-marathon runner, former educator, cross-country coach, speaker, and author of the memoir, A Beautiful Work in Progress. Named National Geographic's Adventurer of the Year in 2018, Mirna Valerio is challenging the stereotype of what ‘fit' looks like and reminds all of us to see our bodies as incredible – just the way they are. HOST: Kelly Lewis | @gokellylewis GUEST: Mirna Valero | @themirnavator For more inspiring stories of women around the globe, check out the book Tell Her She Can't https://tellhershecant.com/ SHOW NOTES: (01:08) I was a girl whose family often toggled the working class and poverty line and came to love camping and the great outdoors. As an adult, Mirna became an educator. Hear how a health scare reignited her love for physical activity and how she learned to put herself first. (05:26) Mirna discusses the importance of goals when commiting to a lifestyle centered on health and wellness. (08:21) In 2014 Mirna wrote a blog post that gained unexpected tracition, resulting in an interview from the New York Times and a 12-page profile in Runner's World. It was in these pivotal moments Mirna had to make a choice between going all in on working for herself, or keeping her job as an educator. (12:57) Mirna addresses the stereotypes often associated with the idea of fitness and how her existence challenges the misconceptions of who society deems “fit.” She remarks that fit is not synonymous with chiseled and how the language surrounding health and the fitness industry needs to change. She drives home the message that no matter who you are, or what you look like, your body is incredible and capable of amazing things. Podcast Producer: Elise Fitzsimmons | helloelisefitz@gmail.com

When her two-year-old daughter was diagnosed with hearing loss, Janice Lintz refused to believe that her daughter would have anything less than a "normal" life. So Janice formed Hearing Access and Innovations, the only company dedicated to helping the world's businesses improve their accessibility for people with hearing loss. As CEO, she has spearheaded access initiatives by partnering with companies like Build-a-Bear, Delta, and the New York City Taxis, leading to changes in hearing access that has positively impacted millions. She intends to take her projects globally. HOST: Kelly Lewis | @gokellylewis GUEST: Janice Lintz | @janicelintz Hearing Access and Innovations | https://www.hearingaccess.com/ For more inspiring stories of women around the globe, check out the book Tell Her She Cant https://tellhershecant.com/ NOTES: (0:56) Janice recalls the moment her daughter was diagnosed with hearing loss and the anger that fueled her determination to provide access for her daughter. (4:13) Janice explains how she was able to leverage her network and other existing initiatives to enact big changes, even when she had no budget. (6:21) Janice explains the importance of following through when making lasing connections (9:30) Of the countless projects Janice has worked on, there are a fre that stand out the most. Listen to her favorite accomplishments. (13:46) Now that her children have grown up, Janice explains her plans to expand globally. Podcast Producer: Elise Fitzsimmons | helloelisefitz@gmail.com

Hi, I'm Kelly Lewis, host of Tell Her She Can't, and the roots are personal: The world is constantly telling women who they can and can't be, what they should and shouldn't do. Since living by other people's rules is a losing game, I propose we change those rules. I want you to get so skilled at hearing “can't” as an invitation that each time you hear it, a light goes off in your head, telling you to do exactly that thing. This podcast is the tool to help you just do that. In this podcast, you'll stories of women who have taken the crappy cards life has dealt them and built a whole new deck. Women who refused to be defined by life's inevitable rough bits. Stories of women who have done amazing things -- changed laws, became pioneers in their field, healed their bodies from the brink of collapse, against all odds. If you're inspired by what you hear on this show, pick up our book, or visit www.TellHerSheCant.com. to tell us your story.

Shannon Allen is a singer/songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, creative, wife, and mother of five. She is also the founder of grown™️, a revolutionary chain of organic certified fast food restaurants that serve real food through drive-thru windows. Hear how her son fueled her passion for a much-needed industry change. HOST: Kelly Lewis | @gokellylewis GUEST: Shannon Allen | @swalkerwil Grown certified organic fast food | @grown For more inspiring stories of women around the globe, check out the book Tell Her She Cant https://tellhershecant.com/ NOTES: (1:11): Meet Shannon's baby, Walker, and the undiagnosed condition that would change her family's life forever. (7:09) Hear the moment that Shannon realized that life for her son should not be dictated by the restrictions of western medicine. (8:17) The event that spurred Shannon to reinvent fast food for the better. (13:11) How Shannon found funding for the company that most of the world told her was a crazy idea and the growth she has seen since spearheading grown. This podcast was produced by Elise Fitzsimmons | Tell your story: helloelisefitz@gmail.com