Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching to help you lead, speak, and leave a legacy. With 300+ interviews and coaching across Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, this isn’t theory—it’s what works.

https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe

About Mattie Grace

Mattie Grace Morris is a recent Ole Miss graduate and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism. She is now competing for the title of Miss Mississippi Volunteer. A classically trained ballerina since age 3, Mattie Grace is the founder of Mind Over Mirror, a movement focused on building confidence through movement, physical strength, and mental wellness. She was Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2021 and a semifinalist at Miss Teen USA. She's passionate about using her platform to empower women to lead with purpose and break barriers.https://www.instagram.com/mattie.grace/

Timestamps

* 5:53 – How Ballet Became a Lifelong Passion

* 6:27 – Overcoming Injury & Returning to Pointe for Miss Mississippi Volunteer

* 29:38 – Getting Into Pageantry & Overcoming Fear of Interview

* 35:39 – Grammar Pet Peeves & Life as a Perfectionist

* 37:54 – From Nursing to Broadcast Journalism: Finding Her Voice

* 46:00 – Introducing Her SERVE Initiative: "Mind Over Mirror"

* 47:38 – The Ballet Moment That Inspired Her Confidence Mission

* 51:30 – Pickleball Wipeouts & Being a Clumsy Ballerina

* 27:26 – Ballet Discipline and How It Carries Into Pageants & Life

* 56:52 – Final 10 Questions: Fun, Favorites & Honest Reflections

Want more than the episode?

If you're looking for personalised coaching, I offer a limited number of private sessions. It’s for women who want tailored strategy, mindset support, and real accountability—on stage and beyond.

https://thepageantproject.com/coaching

Pageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Join us if you're ready to go beyond the crown.

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching to help you lead, speak, and leave a legacy. With 300+ interviews and coaching across Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, this isn’t theory—it’s what works.

300 Conversations Later: What I’ve Learned

Earlier this week, I passed a milestone: my 300th interview for The Pageant Project. That’s hundreds of stories, insights, and introductions to some of the brightest (and boldest) women in pageantry. With that kind of volume, people often ask me, “Can you tell when someone’s going to win?”

The short answer? No.

Pageant judging is wildly unpredictable. You can tick all the boxes and still not be “it” for a given system, year, or panel. But what I can tell you—sometimes from the moment someone walks into the room—is whether they’re going to go far. Crown or no crown.

These women have something else. The elusive “it factor.” And while that can feel like trying to bottle lightning, I’ve noticed a pattern. So here it is. Five core traits that I see in the women who stand out—not just in pageants, but in life.

1. Presence: The Room Knows When You Walk In

You can’t fake presence. It’s not just about height, beauty, or a great outfit—though those don’t hurt. It’s about energy. That gravitational pull. The kind that makes heads turn when someone walks in, even if they haven’t said a word.

Think Marisa Page Butler (now Ford) walking into a Miss Earth USA room. A friend told me everyone just felt it. There was a shift. People noticed. That’s presence. And in a world full of noise, being memorable is everything.

You don’t need to be loud or dramatic. But if you walk into a room and no one even registers you were there? That’s a problem—whether you’re competing, networking, or just trying to make your mark.

2. Poise: Grace Under Pressure

Poise is one of those pageant buzzwords we throw around, but rarely define. For me, it’s this: grace under pressure. The ability to handle stress, chaos, or even criticism with calm, composure, and class.

Poise isn’t about being emotionless. It’s about knowing when to take a breath instead of firing off a reply. It’s not snapping back at trolls on social media. It’s being a calm presence when everyone else is spiraling.

And in the unpredictable, high-pressure world of pageants—and frankly, life—this is golden.

3. Self-Awareness: Know Thyself (and the Room)

Self-awareness is painfully underrated. It’s not just about knowing your strengths and weaknesses. It’s about reading a room. Understanding how you’re coming across. Adjusting your tone, your story, your presence depending on the context.

The advice to “just be yourself” is useless if you don’t know who that is. And none of us is the same person in every situation. We adapt. The trick is to do it consciously, not performatively.

In interviews especially, this matters. A rehearsed, robotic answer might be technically perfect, but if it doesn’t land with your audience, it misses the mark. Self-awareness lets you pivot. To connect. To lead.

4. Authenticity: The Courage to Be Real

Authenticity is scary. That’s why so many avoid it.

Posting a no-makeup selfie when you’re in the top 1% of genetically blessed humans isn’t authenticity. Real authenticity is saying something that scares you. Admitting a failure. Sharing a scar, not just a success.

The most powerful, resonant moments I’ve witnessed are when someone says something so real, so raw, that it makes the room go quiet. That’s brave. That’s memorable. And that’s what makes you magnetic.

It’s not about being a walking diary of trauma, but if everything you present is polished, perfect, and PR-approved? You’ll never truly connect.

5. Relatability: Close the Distance

Presence puts you on a pedestal. Relatability brings you back down just enough for people to see themselves in you.

Too much presence without relatability? You become unreachable. Too much relatability without presence? You blend into the crowd.

The goal is balance. Think Taylor Swift. A global icon who sells out stadiums, yet still somehow makes millions of fans feel like she gets them. That’s the sweet spot.

Relatability doesn’t mean airing all your dirty laundry. But it does mean showing people that you don’t have it all figured out. That you struggle too. That you’re human.

So What Now?

If you’re prepping for a pageant—or just trying to stand out more in life—think about these five traits. Don’t overthink it. Don’t try to tick every box. But start noticing them. In others. In yourself.

Pick three. Work on those. And remember: the “it factor” isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being you—with presence, poise, self-awareness, authenticity, and relatability. That’s what sets the best apart.

Not just in pageants. But in life.

Timestamps

* 0:00 Intro and milestone reflection

* 3:00 Introduction of the five factors

* 3:32 Factor 1: Presence

* 7:30 Factor 2: Poise

* 9:47 Factor 3: Self-awareness

* 14:39 Factor 4: Authenticity

* 20:11 Factor 5: Relatability

* 23:43 Conclusion and final thoughts

If you're looking for personalised coaching, I offer a limited number of private sessions. It’s for women who want tailored strategy, mindset support, and real accountability—on stage and beyond.

Pageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Join us if you're ready to go beyond the crown.

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching to help you lead, speak, and leave a legacy. With 300+ interviews and coaching across Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, this isn’t theory—it’s what works. Free subs get tips, interviews, and ad-free access. Paid subs unlock mini-courses, priority Q&As, and direct support.

https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Timestamps

* 0:00 Why we need to talk about this pageant drama

* 4:12 What directors say privately vs. publicly

* 8:25 When a queen steps down and backlash follows

* 12:36 Hosting a pageant in a UK travel warning zone

* 16:47 Owning mistakes in how you respond

* 21:01 Leadership tone and accountability

* 25:10 Save your receipts – document everything

* 29:24 Knowing when not to react

* 33:35 Final message: stay professional, not petty

A Grand Debacle

Miss Grand’s slogan is “The One and Only,” and I’m not sure they realise just how ironically accurate that is — especially after the way they handled the resignation (or “firing,” depending who you ask) of international titleholder Rachel Gupta.

We’ll probably never know what really went on behind the scenes, and if this were a one-off incident, I wouldn’t dwell on it. But when a system keeps landing in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, you have to ask why. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

That said, this video isn’t about spilling tea. I’m not here for gossip or views. I am here to talk about the kinds of situations I’ve seen play out — some I’ve handled well, some... not so much — and how you can avoid being caught off guard when the system doesn’t play fair.

Want more than the episode?

If you’re ready to go deeper, consider becoming a paid subscriber. You’ll get access to mini-courses on everything from interviews to sponsorship, priority answers to your questions, and the chance to ask me anything directly in the comments:

https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe

If you're looking for personalised coaching, I offer a limited number of private sessions. It’s for women who want tailored strategy, mindset support, and real accountability—on stage and beyond:

https://thepageantproject.com/coaching

Pageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Join us if you're ready to go beyond the crown.

Presly Pedigo is a twenty-one year old from Nashville, Tennessee.

She is currently a senior at the University of Tennessee where she will graduate in May with honors in Neuroscience and Psychology. Her goal is to become a Physician Associate in women’s health to provide a safe and empowering space for young women.

In 2019, Presly was crowned Teen Universe USA and her pageant journey has now led to being a state titleholder for the USA National Miss system. She will compete at nationals in July 2023 representing Tennessee as Miss Rocky Top (go vols!).

In her free time she loves to do freelance makeup artistry and attend spin classes.

Pageantry has allowed Presly to grow into a confident young woman who never gives up on her dreams. 

Follow Presly:

https://www.instagram.com/preslypedigo/

https://www.tiktok.com/@preslypedigo

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Maelia Salcines is an award winning children’s book author of @youcandoitbooks, co-founder of Mental Health non-profit @mentalmonarchs, a part-time model and a certified Team Flawless makeup artist (@maesglam).

She placed 3rd runner up at Miss Texas USA 2021, was awarded people’s choice at Miss Universe Paraguay and will be representing the Community of Paraguayans in the USA at Miss Grand Paraguay 2023.

Follow Maelia:

https://instagram.com/maeliasalcines

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Nicolette Radparvar is a twenty-one year-old author, Broadcast Journalism student, and the reigning Miss Florida Collegiate America from Tampa, Florida.

She is a senior at the University of Tampa, graduating with honors in Communications and Public Relations and aims to become an influential news anchor.

As Miss Florida Collegiate America, her mission is to empower and instill confidence in students of all ages whilst spreading awareness about Miss High School America’s national platform B.R.A.V.E. - Building Respect and Values for Everyone.

In 2021, she created "Confidence 2 Be Kind" - a program aimed at promoting kindness in schools through hands-on activities that also boost students' confidence.

Nicolette recently published her third book as part of her anti-bullying series titled “Bella the Brave.”

She is excited to compete for the prestigious title of Miss Collegiate America this summer in Little Rock, Arkansas!

Confidence 2 Be Kind website:

https://confidence2bekind.wixsite.com/confidence2bekind

Follow Nicolette throughout her reign:

https://www.instagram.com/missflcollegiateamerica/

https://www.instagram.com/confidence2bekind/

https://www.instagram.com/nradparvar/

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Machaela Kozlowski is the reigning USA National Miss New York and will be competing for the USA National Miss title in July 2023, representing the state of New York.

She is a driven 20-year-old animal lover from central New York who is pursuing a degree in biology. She balances her studies with her jobs as a veterinary assistant and bridal consultant.

Machaela's platform, P.A.W.S. (Providing Animals With Safety), has been a personal mission of hers for the past three years. Through pageantry and sponsorships, she has raised over $3,000 to provide medical attention for animals in need. Machaela is dedicated to spreading awareness and making a difference, by speaking at schools and selling products that benefit homeless animals.

In her free time, Machaela enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, ATV riding, and snowmobiling, as well as her unexpected passion for drag racing cars.

Pageantry has been a transformative experience for Machaela, enhancing her self-esteem, confidence, and outlook on life.

Follow Machaela:

https://instagram.com/newyork_usanationalmiss

https://www.facebook.com/rose.kozlowski.10

https://www.tiktok.com/@machaela_koz

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Meet Helena Hawke, an ambitious 18-year-old from Caerleon and a Miss Wales 2023 finalist. Helena is a budding humanitarian, with a strong passion for sociology and psychology which she is currently pursuing through her A level studies.

With a family rich in military heritage, it comes as no surprise that Helena aspires to join the forces. She comes from a lineage of military personnel, including her father, mother, uncle, and grandfather, and is deeply inspired by their service and the impact it has had on her life.

To fulfill her goal, Helena joined the Royal Air Force Air Cadets at the age of 14 and has been volunteering there twice a week, working her way up the ranks. She noticed a lack of female cadets and decided to use her platform to empower young women to pursue careers in male-dominated environments.

When not studying or volunteering, Helena indulges in her love for photography and serves as the official photographer for her local football team, The Birdwatchers.

As a Miss Wales finalist, Helena is determined to raise public awareness about the significance of the RAF. She intends to host charity events in her squadron to educate women across Wales about the opportunities and skills that can be gained from being part of the RAF community.

With her drive and passion, Helena Hawke is a young woman to watch in the coming years.

Follow Helena:

https://instagram.com/helenahawke

RAF Air Cadets homepage:

https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/

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A former Pageant Queen (Miss Nebraska 2014 & Miss Nebraska USA 2020), turned The “Sales Queen™,” Megan (Swanson) Rhodes is the CEO and Founder of SalesQueen.com, which helps high achieving experts build a simple, scalable business around what’s already in their brain while finally making the level of impact they’ve known they’re called to.

After coaching thousands of the most prevalent, intelligent and high-achieving female communicators in the world to personally achieve their highest goals in pageantry at an international level, and sustaining a 75% closing rate for her first global consulting company Powerhouse Pageantry for the last decade, Megan now relays those high-performance skill sets to the thought-leaders of today. 

Everyone has a story to share with the world, but oftentimes, no idea how to quickly and effectively tell it in a way that serves authentically, scales profitably, and impacts globally. The creator of the Unique Impact Message™, Megan will help you turn what’s in your head into a profitable legacy with the proper money-mindset frameworks, extemporaneous speaking skills, and million-dollar coaching formulas.

Follow Megan:

https://instagram.com/meganswansonrhodes

https://instagram.com/powerhousepageantry

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Kristen Wright is dynamic young woman who balances her role as the reigning Miss World Australia with her passion for ocean conservation and scuba diving.

At only 18, she became a certified SSI speciality scuba diving instructor and has since explored some of the world's most beautiful dive spots.

Along with her love for the ocean, Kristen is also studying Biomedical Science with the goal of becoming a Paediatric Speech Pathologist. Her dedication to helping others communicate effectively stems from her volunteer work with multiple charitable organisations.

Through her Miss World Australia platform, Kristen is using her Beauty with a Purpose project "Educate Resuscitate" to raise awareness about the importance of first aid, CPR training, and water safety.

Join us as we sit down with Kristen to learn more about her journey, her passions, and her ambitions. 

Follow Kristen:

https://instagram.com/kristenawright

https://kristenawright.com/

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Meet Estefany Ariza, the reigning Miss Mission International from Colombia and a successful entrepreneur.

She was crowned in the Dominican Republic in September and runs her own B2B Marketing Agency and Women's Empowerment Business.

Estefany is also dedicated to making a difference and is in the process of building a non-profit organization called "Befriending Your Brokenness". This platform aims to empower individuals by sharing their stories of resilience and overcoming dark experiences.

Follow Estefany:

https://instagram.com/estefany_ariza

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Ashley Wood is an entrepreneur, certified pharmacy technician and certified nutrition coach in New York City. She has been competing in pageantry since 2018 & became first runner-up at the 2022 Miss Mission International competition, representing her country of Puerto Rico.

She loves everything beauty and fashion and has had the pleasure of working as a model.

Ashley is a mental health advocate and loves to promote physical and mental wellness. She is currently in the process of becoming a certified personal trainer.

Her love for fitness has expanded into running, where she has run over sixteen races, won fourteen medals and is looking forward to running this year's Chicago Marathon as well as running the New York City TCS marathon for the second time.

Ashley’s motto is to never be afraid to take risks, do everything your heart is passionate about and live life to the fullest.

Follow Ashley on Instagram:

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https://www.instagram.com/ashleymariewood_/

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Tayan Stansfield is a fifteen year-old sophomore at Martha Layne Collins High School. She was recently crowned Teen Miss Earth USA 2023 and is the youngest winner in the organization’s history to have received this honor.

Tayan is a two-sport varsity athlete in dance and tennis. She serves as an ambassador and volunteer for Kentucky Harvest where she goes on food rescues and recently conducted a holiday food drive at her school that raised more than 1500 lbs of food in 3 weeks for families throughout Louisville and the surrounding areas.

She is also a mentor and tutor where she serves weekly for a kindergarten class at Marnell C Moorman School.

In 2019 Tayan founded and created YEA! Youth Empowering Acceptance, helping to break the stigma surrounding young people's mental and emotional health and helping her peers to find a purpose bigger than themselves through community service.

Tayan is a lifeguard and swim instructor at her local recreational center and a huge outdoor enthusiast. Tayan was discovered at the age of thirteen by a model scout in Chicago and has been working for the Rock Agency in the Chicago market ever since.

She spends the summers hiking around national and state parks in the United States with her family. In her spare time she loves cuddling with her three dogs.

Follow Tayan on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/tayansagestans/

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Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching to help you lead, speak, and leave a legacy. With 300+ interviews and coaching across Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, this isn’t theory—it’s what works. Free subs get tips, interviews, and ad-free access. Paid subs unlock mini-courses, priority Q&As, and direct support.

https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe

About Asianna

Asianna Saragosa-Torres is a mental health advocate, radio DJ in Hawaii, and the current reigning Miss Hawaii Volunteer.

https://www.instagram.com/yafavoritelatinaa/

Timestamps

* 0:00 Opening with guest Asianna Saragosa-Torres

* 7:01 Asking for help and building a support system

* 14:02 Memories from a short but meaningful trip

* 21:02 Key moments of personal growth

* 28:04 One of her most difficult days

* 35:04 A reflective pause and shift in tone

* 42:06 Sharing her story with new vulnerability

* 49:05 Behind the scenes of pageant day routines

* 56:06 Seeing meaning in everyday life

* 1:03:09 Managing pageant prep and rehearsals

* 1:10:08 Fun closer — picking a superpower

Want more than the episode?

If you’re ready to go deeper, consider becoming a paid subscriber. You’ll get access to mini-courses on everything from interviews to sponsorship, priority answers to your questions, and the chance to ask me anything directly in the comments:

https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe

If you're looking for personalised coaching, I offer a limited number of private sessions. It’s for women who want tailored strategy, mindset support, and real accountability—on stage and beyond:

https://thepageantproject.com/coaching

Pageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Join us if you're ready to go beyond the crown.

Kathyria Burgos is the reigning Elite Mission International 2022, crowned in the Dominican Republic this past September, representing Puerto Rico. She works in accounting and is currently expanding her career to real estate.

She is a Make-A-Wish granter at Make-A-Wish Connecticut and volunteers regularly with her local rescue mission.

Kathyria would like to use her platform to bring more awareness to childhood hunger and families in need.

Follow Kathyria on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/kathyriaxo/

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Olivia Harris is the reigning Miss Charm Wales. Having competed in her first pageant Miss Wales 2021 at only eighteen, she went on to win the title and represented Wales at the 70th Miss World in Puerto Rico.

Eleven months after the Miss World final, Olivia will return to the big stage again as she represents Wales at the first Miss Charm international pageant in Vietnam in February.

The eldest of three girls, Olivia grew up in a small Welsh village and is incredibly proud of her Welsh heritage. She feels that the Miss Charm values encompass her passion for culture, education and tourism in Wales.

Olivia is an advocate and passionate supporter of providing neurodiverse children with equal opportunities to access out of school activities. She spent the summer coaching at an all girls empowerment camp in Boston USA.

It was her passion for these two things that led to a career change and, in September, Olivia embarked on a new career in teaching and now supports a class of thirty six year-old children, encouraging them academically and socially to become the best versions of themselves.

Follow Olivia on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/miss.olivia.harris/

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My name is Rose Pidgorodetska, Miss Arkansas Earth USA 2022. I am a first-generation Ukrainian American and a small business owner.

I am a gardener, entrepreneur, author, philanthropist and candle-maker. I enjoy yoga, summertime, traveling and serving!

I recently wrote a children's book about gardening called: "Rose Plants a Garden". You can purchase it at:

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https://www.simplyroseandco.com/rose-plants-a-garden

50% of the sale of the book will go towards translating the book into Ukrainian and Spanish!

Follow Rose on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/rose.pid/

https://www.instagram.com/missarkansasearth/

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Elizabeth J. Cron was born and raised in Allentown, PA, USA. She began training in ballet at the age of 3 which served as the beginning of a life-long passion for dance and performance. Since that time, she has performed across the United States and toured internationally as a dancer, actress, storyteller and speaker.

She relocated to Los Angeles CA in 2008 where she transitioned her live performance skills into the world of film and television. Her resume includes performances seen on SyFy Network, Hallmark Movies, and Investigation Discovery. During her time in Hollywood, Elizabeth discovered an additional calling to work in film production, ultimately leading her to establish CronicLove Productions and produce two feature films.

Elizabeth loves to travel and in 2019, after backpacking a few months through Europe, she found herself in Romania developing a documentary about a family building a children’s library. Elizabeth quickly fell in love with the people and culture of Romania. She relocated and officially established CronicLove Productions Europe in 2021. Her company is on track to produce a slate of events that contribute to the Timisoara European Capital of Culture 2023.

Pageantry and volunteerism have played substantial roles in Elizabeth’s life. Since her first competition in 2014, Elizabeth has participated in over 20 pageants and claimed prestigious state, national, and international titles and awards while representing the United States. 2022 marks the second year in a row that she has represented Romania on the international stage and brought home the crown.

Elizabeth is currently International Ms 2022 and her platform is Redefining Beauty. She hopes to popularize platform-based pageantry in Romania and set an example that anyone who works hard on themselves and within the community can be a “beauty” queen.

Follow Elizabeth on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/elizabethjcron/

https://www.instagram.com/internationalmspageant/

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Sunny Day is a twenty-seven year-old first generation high school and college graduate with a Bachelors in Communications.

She is in her fifth year as a public school teacher, currently teaching fifth grade English and Social Studies, having previously taught sixth grade English and serving as the school site ESL coordinator and teacher.

In 2020, she was awarded Teacher of the Year.

She is passionate about helping children discover themselves and their dreams, as well as combatting childhood trauma as a survivor herself.

Aside from that, Sunny is passionate about the environment, substance abuse, mental health and incarceration. Working at an underserved and “at risk” school district, she has been inspired to develop her own school curriculum which includes both environmental conservation and life skills through education, empowerment workshops and engaging activities. 

Follow Sunny on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sunnymday/

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Nicole Sandrik-Arzadi is a first-generation Iranian-American, Presidential Academic Scholar studying International Affairs at George Washington University. She is an aspiring lawyer and Teen Miss New York Earth 2022.

Outside of pageantry, Nicole is a signed and published model who has walked in New York Fashion Week and is a dancer with over fifteen years of training. Additionally, she utilizes her talents as a teacher for adults with disabilities.

While serving as President of her local food bank’s Teen Leadership Council, Nicole spearheaded a fundraising campaign resulting in a $20,000 donation. She also hosted a food distribution that benefited over four hundred community members.

Nicole is the founder of @theoneplanetproject, an environmental education platform that increases voter awareness of pro-Earth legislation.

Follow Nicole on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/nicolezarax/

https://www.instagram.com/teenmissnewyorkearth/

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Sarah Phelps is a twenty-five year-old resident of Maine, competing for Miss Earth USA. She had the great fortune of growing up in Acadia National Park and started playing an active role in her community as a change-maker from a very young age. She believes that continuing to build community and leading by example will help her on her journey towards Miss Earth USA.

Sarah currently works in higher education as an admissions counselor. She has her M.S. in Sport Leadership with a focus in Sport Psychology. She has conducted research on female leadership in Division 1 athletics. She contributes her love of athletics to her entire family, but mostly to her older brother and late father.

Sarah entered the pageant world in 2020, where she has since placed in the Top 4 of Miss Maine USA for the last 3 years. Her pageant success continues as she now competes for Miss Earth USA. She has experienced immeasurable growth during her time in pageantry, and encourages other women to expand their horizons with the opportunity.

Outside of her environmental work, Sarah is passionate about alcohol addiction awareness, creating inclusive spaces for young athletes to participate safely, and encouraging positive/growth mindsets.

Watch Sarah pursue her goal of winning Miss Earth USA on January 7th.

Follow Sarah on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sarah__phelps/

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Gracie Pfaff is a non-profit founder, digital marketing consultant, public speaker and model.

She founded Harvest107 at just twelve years old to utilise sustainable agriculture to prevent hunger and malnutrition. She and her family moved to Haiti for five years to continue this mission.

Outside of her work, Gracie loves to write and play music, go rock-climbing with her sister, train her two Dobermans and plan solo trips abroad.

Harvest107:

https://harvest107.org/

Follow Gracie on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/good_gracie/

https://www.instagram.com/misstennesseeearth/

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Bailey Guy is a twenty year-old speaker, author, Journalism student and the newly-crowned America’s Ideal Miss Tennessee 2023. She previously held the titles of Miss Tennessee Teen USA 2019 and USA National Teen 2021.

As America’s Ideal Miss Tennessee, her mission is to empower women by teaching goal-setting skills and helping girls find true confidence to pursue their purpose.

She recently published her first book, a twenty-one day goal-setting devotional titled "Goals in Action", which is now available on Amazon:

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RG8WCH3

Follow Bailey:

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https://www.instagram.com/baileygguy/

https://www.youtube.com/@baileygguy

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Isabella Bloedorn is a nineteen year-old university student on a full-tuition academic scholarship and pursuing a degree in Entertainment & Media Studies. She started her pageant journey at fourteen years old and is currently competing in her last teen pageant, Teen Miss Earth USA.

When not pursuing pageantry, Isabella is a signed model and aspiring actress with the dream of working full time in Atlanta’s film scene. She also loves being behind the camera and pursuing her love for videography, editing, and writing.

With big dreams, Isabella's favorite quote to live by is “always shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

Follow Isabella on Instagram:

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https://www.instagram.com/isabellabloedorn/

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Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching to help you lead, speak, and leave a legacy. With 300+ interviews and coaching across Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, this isn’t theory—it’s what works. Free subs get tips, interviews, and ad-free access. Paid subs unlock mini-courses, priority Q&As, and direct support.

https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe

About Alexis

Alexis Abrams is competing for Miss California United States 2025. She’s an award winning actress who has recently been on Netflix with Tom Segura and stars in a romantic comedy written by Lloyd Schwartz (The Brady Bunch). Alexis is a survivor of domestic violence, which was the catalyst for her platform and nonprofit, The Rise and Renew Foundation, where she helps supply resources to women who are struggling to leave domestic violence relationships. She’s an athlete and loves to dance, play tennis, play soccer, and hike with her dog Rudy.

https://www.instagram.com/alexisaabrams/

https://www.tiktok.com/@alexisaabrams

Timestamps

* 0:00 Welcome back – Alexis Abrams joins the show

* 7:03 Navigating the pageant entry process

* 14:09 Balancing life, baking, and being a titleholder

* 21:12 Rebuilding after hitting rock bottom

* 28:15 Knowing when it’s time to move on

* 35:19 Holding yourself and others accountable

* 42:24 Unpacking identity and personal values

* 49:29 How pageantry shaped her self-perception

* 56:33 Shoutouts and gratitude to her support system

Want more than the episode?

If you’re ready to go deeper, consider becoming a paid subscriber. You’ll get access to mini-courses on everything from interviews to sponsorship, priority answers to your questions, and the chance to ask me anything directly in the comments:

https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe

If you're looking for personalised coaching, I offer a limited number of private sessions. It’s for women who want tailored strategy, mindset support, and real accountability—on stage and beyond:

https://thepageantproject.com/coaching

Pageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Join us if you're ready to go beyond the crown.

Yvon Nguyen is nineteen years old and the current Teen Miss California Earth USA 2022, competing at Teen Miss Earth USA 2022 in January.

Yvon lost both of her parents to different types of cancer in 2013 and 2015. Enduring a bad foster home, Yvon and her sisters moved from Texas to California to live with their Aunt Nina.

Since then Yvon has pursued her dreams of starting her modeling career and business regardless of her domestic and financial situations. She aims to inspire others through her story and teachings, showing others they can accomplish their dreams if they pour all of their hearts into it.

She is the CEO of her own business, Yvon’s Non-Profit Modeling Agency, where she helps people all around the nation learn about modeling for free.

She is also an international model who has traveled to Cancun and Hawaii for work and has walked in New York Fashion Week, Los Angeles Fashion Week, Vietnam Fashion Week USA and more.

Follow her on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/yvontnguyen/

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Mikala Joly is a visual artist and art teacher with a passion for environmental advocacy. Through her artwork and teaching practices, she promotes an eco-friendly lifestyle, utilizes recycled materials and encourages others to make a positive impact on the world around them. 

Mikala wants to be the next Miss Earth USA to expand her environmental efforts on a national scale and continue putting in the work to save our planet.

Follow Mikala on Instagram:

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https://www.instagram.com/mikalajoly/

https://www.instagram.com/mjoly_art/

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Miss Earth Australia 2022 Sheridan Mortlock is currently undertaking a double degree in Global Sustainability and Politics. She hopes to one day join Australian politics and to influence more action being taken in Australia towards protecting our environment.

She is a WIRES (Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service) volunteer, and in her spare time likes to play piano, guitar and discover new places in her community. 

Sheridan's advocacy for this year's Miss Earth pageant is based on the acronym ACE, which stands for Action, Care and Education. She believes that it is the mixture of these three components that will bring about the most substantial and sustainable results in our battle against climate change.

Follow her on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sheridanmortlockofficial/

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As Miss Earth USA, Brielle Simmons uses her voice to promote women's empowerment whilst also advocating for the environment. 

She is the creative director & co-founder of a non-profit organization, using her platform to ignite environmental change through education. 

Brielle currently attends an accredited university in New York, where she is majoring in legal studies with a focus in environmental law. She understands the importance of advocating for environmental regulations and environmental equality for all.

She is excited to represent the United States at the Miss Earth pageant this fall.

Follow her on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/soobrielle/

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Sheyla Ravelo Perez was born in San Antonio de Los Baños, Cuba but immigrated to the United States when she was four years old.

She is a first-generation college student and attends the University of Florida, a top 5 ranked public university, where she is set to graduate with honors this December.

An environmental activist, Sheyla has partnered with several organizations to promote her platform of sustainability, conservation, and social responsibility. She is a Global Cleanup Ambassador for the international environmental organization Earth Day as well as a Brand Ambassador for Queenly, an online formalwear marketplace that promotes sustainable fashion consumption.

In her free time, she loves dancing, solving jigsaw puzzles, and exploring the great outdoors.

You can get to know Sheyla and stay updated on her journey to the Miss Earth crown by following her on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/sheylaraveloperez/

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Rovelyn Milford is a twenty-four year old security officer and is your Miss Intercontinental New Zealand 2022.

She grew up in Palmerston North in a multi-cultural household with a Filipino mother and a Kiwi father, facing obstacles in her life such as body image and cultural identity issues.

Rovelyn is committed to sharing her story as well as those of other women who have faced personal challenges.

In 2021, she created the “Be Uniquely You” campaign and has been able to be speak at community events in New Zealand, acknowledging the importance of self-acceptance and empowerment for the women of today and tomorrow.

Follow Rovelyn on:

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https://www.instagram.com/rovelyn_milford/

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Soraya Barrera has been in the pageant scene for over a year and currently holds two national titles. She is the former UK’s National Ms 2021/22 and is the current International Ms United Kingdom.

Soraya will be representing the UK at the International Ms Pageant on September 10th in New York City.

She is no stranger to the stage having competed in modelling bodybuilding shows for four years winning two World Bikini Titles.

Soraya started the #swapyourtan campaign to bring awareness of the harm caused by tanning beds and is working to get them banned in UK, as well as working closely with the charity Zoe’s Law to get every mole deemed appropriate for removal tested.

You can follow her journey on Instagram @soraya_imuk or her YouTube channels:

https://youtube.com/c/BeautyFitnessFactoryTheBFF

https://youtube.com/c/RayRayHudson

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Teen Texas Galaxy 2022. Proud Mexican-American, Texas born and raised.

Fifteen year-old creator of STARR PROJECT.

My hobbies include reading, listening (specifically Harry Styles), modelling and cheer.

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Amber Sidney Dew is a Miss Grand Australia National Finalist.

Hailing from Victoria she is a BullyZero ambassador, Gigantes Island Philippines Charity and Tourism Ambassador, model and Founder of Socks 4 Difference, a novelty sock company.

She advocates for bullying prevention and equality and currently works as a communications professional.

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My name is Chanchal Kaur and I’m honoured to represent New South Wales in Miss Grand Australia 2022.

In 2021, I graduated with a bachelors or Law/Arts (majoring in politics and international relations). I’ve always been passionate about women in law. However, in recent years my attention has shifted towards legislative protections for women - given the prominence of violence against women in Australia.

I noted that pageantry was a platform and decided to use it as such to encourage women to take up space within Australia; specifically the political sphere. We need women in parliament to voice the issues faced by women within the nation. This includes trans women, indigenous women and women of colour. True representation require total inclusivity, which I believe we have yet to achieve.

I know that many people see pageantry as frivolous at first glance, however, it is a powerful platform and it’s positive influence is determined by the women that represent that platform.

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Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching to help you lead, speak, and leave a legacy. With 300+ interviews and coaching across Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, this isn’t theory—it’s what works. Free subs get tips, interviews, and ad-free access. Paid subs unlock mini-courses, priority Q&As, and direct support.

https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe

About Olivia

Olivia is a 25 year old Texan native. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin where she studied business and journalism. She currently is a reporter for Rice University Athletics on ESPN+. She is one of four daughters, and a proud Colombian. Her platform Be Bold @ [BLANK] is used as a tool for empowerment to reach your dreams.

https://www.instagram.com/oliviabguzman/

Timestamps

* 0:00 Olivia Guzman joins the interview

* 7:10 Why she pursued sports journalism

* 14:20 Academic struggles and personal drive

* 21:29 Finding purpose in her toughest moments

* 28:40 Coping with grief after family loss

* 35:51 Freestyling interviews and going unscripted

* 43:01 Realizations from taking unexpected chances

* 50:10 Living the “Be Bold” mindset

* 57:19 Reflections on Girl Scouts and early identity

* 1:04:28 Stepping into leadership and hard choices

* 1:11:39 Her favorite sounds and sensory memories

Want more than the episode?

If you’re ready to go deeper, consider becoming a paid subscriber. You’ll get access to mini-courses on everything from interviews to sponsorship, priority answers to your questions, and the chance to ask me anything directly in the comments:

https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe

If you're looking for personalised coaching, I offer a limited number of private sessions. It’s for women who want tailored strategy, mindset support, and real accountability—on stage and beyond:

https://thepageantproject.com/coaching

Pageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Join us if you're ready to go beyond the crown.

I am Layla Gordon and I am Miss Teen Galaxy UK.

A fun fact about me is that I am a mum to a hairless cat Cleo, and, as team UK can back up, I am obsessed with Harry Potter robes! In my free time, I take part in boxing and have set myself the goal to run a 5K by the end of September!

Within pageantry, I compete alongside my mum and my sister and next month I take on the dream to compete in the internationals of Galaxy!

Being the only person in UK pageantry to spread awareness of knife crime, my ultimate goal is to be the first Miss Teen Galaxy International with a platform of knife crime stemming from a career choice of wanting to join the military!

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Courtney Tester is the current reigning Miss Intercontinental Australia 2022 from Perth, Western Australia. When she is not in heels you’ll find her in the classroom educating children.

She has been an active figure in the pageant community since 2013, but actually won her first title as Little Miss Crowning Glory at the age of four. Considered a pioneer in the Australian pageant community, Courtney won her first national title at the age of sixteen to become Miss Teen Galaxy Australia 2013.

Courtney is using her current platform to promote mental well-being and indigenous education. She believes that pageants allow women to promote causes they are passionate about, encourage community participation and present an opportunity to change the perception of beauty in society.

She believes that there is beauty in diversity and is excited to see further change in the way women are perceived in the media.

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My name is Lydia Caisley Harland and I am so excited to be representing the Australian Capital Territory in the Miss Grand Australia 2022 National Finals.  

As the ACT is a small territory we are often forgotten about and not typically represented in Australian events. I am therefore very honoured and privileged to be representing my territory to the rest of Australia.

I was born in Northampton, United Kingdom and have also lived in the United States of America. I moved to Brisbane, Australia at the age of thirteen before residing in Canberra, Australia.  

In December 2021 I graduated from the University of Canberra with a Bachelors of Physiotherapy. I have since worked in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and have just started my second rotation in rehabilitation and neurological physiotherapy. I absolutely love my job as everyday I get to leave work feeling exceptionally grateful to have helped someone through a difficult time in their life. This is something that is very important to me.

Once I have gained more experience, I hope to volunteer in a developing country that does not have equitable or safe access to quality healthcare. I am also wanting to study my masters in Veterinary Physiotherapy as I love animals.

I initially fell into physiotherapy as I used to train intensively as a classical ballet dancer. I believe that the dedication, devotion and discipline required through my training as a ballet dancer has helped me enormously and translated over to my pageant journey and preparation.

I only competed in my first pageant last year by sheer chance. I loved every single moment of the experience and fell in love with pageantry, especially the sisterhood aspect of it. I believe that working towards competing in a pageant has really pushed me to become a strong and confident woman. This is something that I will value and carry with me my whole life.

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Brooke Rankin - Miss Global Australia and Miss Global International 2022 second runner-up. 

Brooke has been in the pageant world for six years, using her platform to shine a light on the importance of communication, specifically speech and language.

She is in her final years of her Speech Pathology degree and hopes to provide care and support in hospitals for people suffering from strokes, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injuries by giving them the resources and tools to communicate to the best of their abilities again. 

Follow her on Instagram @brooke_rankin

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Kristen Wright was crowned Miss World Australia 2022 in April and will represent her country at Miss World in December.

She is currently studying Biomedical Science to pursue a career in Paediatric Speech Pathology and has worked with organisations such as St Vincent De Paul Society, OZNAM Enterprises and multiple retirement homes.

Kristen is working with Variety the Children's Charity, Bush to Beach and, as a Beauty with a Purpose, is the Director of the Educate Resuscitate Project in honour of a female diving instructor who inspired her to become a dive professional:

https://youtu.be/F28-SMpNVA4

She was a national gymnast for ten years, is a Specialty Scuba diving instructor and is also host of the Mindfulness Mondays interview series.

You can follow Kristen's journey at:

https://www.instagram.com/kristenawright/

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Emily Egan was recently crowned Miss Galaxy Australia in April 2022 after three attempts at the Australian title. She is now set to compete in Texas at Miss Galaxy International this August along with the rest of the Galaxy Queens from Down Under!

Emily is the Cancer Council ACT's sun smart ambassador for young people in 2022 and the first Galaxy titleholder from the ACT (Australian Capital Territory). With a strong focus on community and her team, Emily is excited to have an impactful and lasting reign.

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I’m Harriotte Lane, a business woman since 2019.

At the beginning of the pandemic I took my side hustle that I was passionate about and turned it into a full-time career. I’m honoured to be in a position where I now encourage other women to become the best version of themselves every single day through my job. From that success I’ve been able to create additional jobs for two incredible staff.

In 2021 I was recognised and nominated for Business Woman Of The Year.

Over the last nine years, I’ve been a dedicated fundraiser for various charities and have managed to raise more than £90,000. With my sustained impact across Great Britain, I received the Princess Diana Legacy award.

One of my ambitions in the years ahead is to become a motivational speaker for other women, showing them the strength and ability they have within. I have been privileged to travel to some of the most incredible countries and witness their beautiful cultures. This has ignited a passion inside me and I want to see more. The dream is to travel and continue to empower women along my journey.

You can find me at @harriotte_ and @thecrowncoach

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I’m Madeline Safar, a seventeen year-old pageant girl, dancer, singer, model and actress.

I started pageants when I was thirteen years old and won my first title. Ever since that moment, I fell in love with pageantry and didn’t want to stop. I’ve been a performer for as long I can remember.

Competing for the title of Miss Teen Galaxy Australia 2022 was my second time and I’m so glad I came back. I cannot wait to represent my country in Texas in August!

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In 2020, I graduated from the University of Birmingham with a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and briefly worked as an engineer. I'm now a Chartered Commercial Banker, driving enterprise growth initiatives to support businesses across the country.

With only 8 FTSE100 companies headed by women, being a woman in a man’s world can be hugely challenging. I strive to transform this statistic, not only by empowering myself, but by empowering other women to reach their full potential in the workplace. This ambition recently led me to launch Boss Bios, an online platform which aims to celebrate the achievements of women who are thriving across a range of careers. My hope is that their incredible stories will go on to inspire the next generation to follow in their footsteps.

Outside of my regular work I'm also a diversity and inclusion ambassador and a careers ambassador, sharing my career journey with young people across the country and supporting them to develop the skills they need to succeed in their future careers. I'm also a BAME ambassador for SmartWorks, a charity who provide personal styling, clothing and coaching for unemployed women looking to reenter the workplace.

Alongside pageantry, travel has been an important source of empowerment for me and in 2019, I took a two-month solo trip across Asia and Australia. I encourage all women to push themselves and seek adventure!

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I’ve been competing since I was eighteen. My first pageant was Miss Earth Australia.

Growing up I loved watching Miss Universe and aspired to be just like the incredible women who stood on the world stage one day.

Growing up I was incredibly shy and lacked self-confidence. I never believed I would be worthy or pretty enough to compete.

I was entered into pageants by sheer luck as I was attending an unrelated runway casting hosted by the Miss Earth Australia manager. Half-way through the casting she announced I was now a finalist for Miss Earth Australia. I was completely shocked, but incredibly excited.

After Miss Earth Australia I continued my pageant journey by competing in Miss Universe Australia, Miss World Australia, Miss Croatia Australia, Miss Galaxy Australia and now Miss Grand Australia.

I am incredibly grateful for how much pageants have helped me grow. They have provided me with confidence in public speaking, taught me valuable life lessons, provided incredible opportunities, networking, life -long best friends and, hopefully one day, the opportunity to represent our beautiful country on the world stage.

Pageants will always hold a place in my heart for they are more than competitions based on looks. They provide a platform, knowledge, development, opportunities and the ability to meet so many incredible like-minded people. 

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Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching to help you lead, speak, and leave a legacy. With 300+ interviews and coaching across Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, this isn’t theory—it’s what works. Free subs get tips, interviews, and ad-free access. Paid subs unlock mini-courses, priority Q&As, and direct support.

https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe

About Bailey

Bailey Guy is a Speaker, Author, and Podcast Host. As the founder of GPS: Goals + Preparation = Success, Bailey empowers students with applicable goal setting and life skills to guide them in becoming the best versions of themselves. Inspiring ambition in all that she does, this President’s Volunteer Service Award recipient shares her story of resilience and hope in both her book, Goals in Action, and her podcast, Define Success, where her mission is to pull back the curtain of what it truly means to be successful. Bailey is a recent Journalism graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, where she served her campus community as a Blue Elite Tour Guide and the Vice President of Membership Integrity for Alpha Omicron Pi. You can contact Bailey and learn more at:

https://www.baileyguyspeaks.com/

Timestamps

0:00 Meet Bailey Guy – speaker, author, and role model

2:23 How a teen saw Bailey as a celebrity

4:21 Ice cream, intimidation, and starting a friendship

7:02 Pageantry and personal growth over the years

14:20 Behind the scenes of her speaking career

21:07 Building authentic connection with teens

30:32 The ripple effect of motivational speaking

33:09 Goal setting, journaling, and giving advice

41:35 Growing a brand as a young professional speaker

53:48 Turning pain into empathy as a speaker

1:05:46 Her mentor and origin story as a speaker

1:07:13 Final 10 questions – Q&A pageant style

1:23:06 Redefining her view of death after loss

1:25:00 Full circle: how this podcast inspired her own

1:27:03 Closing thanks and contact details

Want more than the episode?

If you’re ready to go deeper, consider becoming a paid subscriber. You’ll get access to mini-courses on everything from interviews to sponsorship, priority answers to your questions, and the chance to ask me anything directly in the comments:

https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe

If you're looking for personalised coaching, I offer a limited number of private sessions. It’s for women who want tailored strategy, mindset support, and real accountability—on stage and beyond:

https://thepageantproject.com/coaching

Pageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Join us if you're ready to go beyond the crown.

Gabriella is a sports presenter and reporter from Port Talbot in South Wales. Sport has always had a huge influence on Gabriella’s life which she believes has helped shape her into the determined young woman she is today.

Gabriella’s love for sport inspired her to go to university to study for a BSc in sport and exercise science and later an MSc in sport broadcast.

After graduating, she also enjoyed a successful modelling career after making it to the final 14 on Britain’s Next Top Model.

Gabriella now works in her dream job of sports presenting and reporting working with top organisations including Swansea City AFC, Ospreys Rugby, BBC Sport, S4C, and the Paralympics. Working in such a male-dominated environment led Gabriella to start a podcast called ‘She Has a Goal in Mind’ all about women in sport, with the aim of empowering women by celebrating their achievements and showing that women can thrive in a male dominated industry.

The podcast made the Top 35 Women’s Sport Podcasts of 2021.

Gabriella has also been a volunteer for Women’s Aid for many years and is now an Ask Me ambassador for the organisation having undertaken training to become more knowledgeable with spotting the signs of domestic abuse to help signpost women to help.

Instagram and Twitter: @gabriellajukes

Podcast Instagram: @agoalinmindpod

Twitter: @agoalinmindpodcast

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Jordan-Louise Smith is currently a finalist for the Miss Universe Great Britain 2022 competition, with hopes of winning the crown in a couple of weeks (9th July) and being able to represent her nation on what she considers to be the most prestigious pageant stage in the world.  

Jordan grew up in a coastal town in Cumbria (England) before moving to become the first person in her family to go to university, where she obtained a first-class honours degree in accounting and finance at a top 10 university.  

Since 2020, she has lived in Edinburgh working in financial services at one of the world’s largest professional services firms, where she is also currently training to become a chartered accountant.  

Outside her job, Jordan uses her accounting knowledge to provide advice to female entrepreneurs and small businesses as a way to support women in business, and also feeding her love for sustainable shopping.  

A few years ago, Jordan was diagnosed with a rare eating disorder called ARFID after a lifelong struggle with food. Following this diagnosis, she realised that the years of torment endured were due to a lack of knowledge and understanding, so she made it her mission to raise awareness about the different types of eating disorders, and to educate about the associated effects and stigmas.  

Because of her experience, Jordan set up @ed.ucate, which is an online platform to educate through posts and live videos that enable other people to share their experiences with eating disorders.  

She has recently featured in the national press and visited Scottish Parliament to speak with members about the key issues faced by those with eating disorders, and how parliament can help.  

She is also an ambassador for Beat, the UK's eating disorder charity, as well as being a regular volunteer for SHOUT, a mental health crisis line, which enables her to help those currently struggling in a more direct and personal manner.  

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Being a young woman in South Africa gives me the opportunity to make a difference and be a voice for those who feel they aren’t being heard.  

I am very passionate about nature and all it has to offer and so I am the voice for the Rory Hensman Conservation and Research Unit which gives me the voice to speak for those who are being poached on a daily basis.  

My name is Belindé Schreuder and I believe that you should never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.  

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