When I put out a call asking women to apply for a new podcast series about doing hard, meaningful things, I expected a flood of responses.
I could think of several women in my own neighborhood who would be perfect for it. Women who had started something new, made a difficult decision, followed through on a long-held goal, or pushed themselves in a meaningful way. So I assumed the same would be true for my wider, digital “neighborhood.”
Almost no one applied.
At first, that surprised me. Then it didn’t.
The Real Reason No One Applied
The lack of applications wasn’t because women hadn’t done anything worth talking about. It was because most women don’t see their own accomplishments as impressive enough to share.
We’re conditioned to minimize what we’ve done.
To downplay the effort.
To assume it doesn’t count unless it’s extreme, public, or flawless.
When I reached out directly to women I had in mind, nearly every response sounded the same:
“Oh, I didn’t think that was a big enough deal.”
“I didn’t think anyone would want to hear about that.”
“I haven’t really done anything special.”
That reaction is exactly what made the Women Who Did series feel necessary.
What Women Who Did Is About
Women Who Did is a series on the To Your Health that features real women who followed through on something meaningful to them.
Not experts.
Not influencers.
Not people selling something.
Just women talking honestly about:
- what life looked like before the decision
- how “maybe someday” turned into an actual goal
- what the process really required
- and what changed afterward
These aren’t highlight reels. They’re conversations about uncertainty, effort, adjustment, and follow-through.
Why These Stories Matter
The reason I wanted to do this series is simple: it’s a lot easier to believe something is possible when you can see yourself in the person who did it.
Once someone has accomplished a goal, it often stops feeling like a big deal to them. They forget how intimidating it felt beforehand. They forget the doubt, the hesitation, the internal back-and-forth.
But that’s the part other women need to hear.
Not just what happened—but how it actually unfolded.
Who This Series Is For
This series is for women who:
- have done something meaningful and quietly brushed it off
- are considering doing something new and aren’t sure they’re “the type” who follows through
- want to hear honest stories about effort, not just outcomes
Before the interview episodes began, I recorded a short introductory episode explaining what the series is, who it’s for, and what actually “qualifies” someone to be a guest.
If you’re curious about the series—or wondering whether your story might belong in it—that episode is the best place to start.
An Invitation
If you’ve done something that mattered to you and assumed it wasn’t impressive enough to talk about, there’s a good chance your experience could help someone else see what’s possible for themselves.
You can nominate yourself, or nominate a woman you admire, to be featured in an upcoming Women Who Did episode: https://forms.gle/RiKXeNrWw2e4XCjV7
