How to Keep Investing in Yourself When Life is LIFE-ing (20s, 30s & Beyond)
Hey Pageant Gals,How do you keep betting on yourself, in pageants, business, and life when bills are billing, responsibilities are stacking, and it feels like “this just isn’t the right time”?In today’s episode, I’m breaking down what it really looks like to keep investing in yourself in your 20s, 30s (and yes, even 40s+)… even when life is life-ing.We’re talking about:👑 Why your 20s and 30s are NOT the time to shrink back into your comfort zone👑 The difference between saving and investing – and why you can’t “save” your way into your purpose👑 How I’ve invested in mentorship for 7–8 years (before I was making “good money”)👑 Simple, low-cost lifestyle choices that helped me afford high-level support👑 What it really means to have skin in the game and hold a higher standard for yourself👑 Why waiting for the “perfect moment” keeps you stuck in the same place year after year👑 How two women in the same situation can make completely different decisions – and get completely different resultsThis episode is your reminder that:Your lifestyle should support your goals, not sabotage them.Life will never pause… but you get to decide whether your growth does.Investing in yourself isn’t about the dollar amount, it’s about the commitment and identity you choose.The Winner of our Queen’s Takeover Podcast Challenge 🥁✨ Congratulations to Miranda Rhinehart ✨Miranda, thank you for binging the podcast on your road trip, sharing it over and over with your community, and choosing The Pageant Gal Podcast as your ride-or-die listening. I cannot wait to dive into your one-week Queen’s Takeover Intensive together!DM me on Instagram @thepageantgal with your top takeaway!DM me your review screenshot and tag me in your Stories: @thepageantgal
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How Big Are You Willing to Let Yourself Go (and Be Seen Doing It)?
In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my mentor’s retreat in California and sharing the exact beach moment that cracked open my next level of leadership, visibility, and bigness. This is the final episode of the Queen’s Takeover Podcast Challenge – and it’s your invitation to move first, be seen, and decide to go bigger in your pageant journey, business, and life.✨ In this episode, you’ll hear about:The powerful “water moment” on the beach that shifted everything for meWhat it really looks like to let yourself be seen going for big thingsWhy so many women say they want more… but don’t actually move for itThe difference between women who crumble at challenges and women who riseTwo reflection questions to initiate your next level of leadership📝 Journal prompts from today’s episode:In what way do you need to go first?What room do you need to put yourself in so you’re supported in your bigness?👑 Queen’s Takeover Podcast Challenge – Final Episode!This is the last episode of the Queen’s Takeover Podcast Challenge and your final chance to win a 1:1 intensive + a week of Telegram coaching with me.To enter:Listen to this episodeTake a screenshot and share it to your Instagram StoriesTag @thepageantgal with your biggest takeawayLeave a 5-star review for the podcast on SpotifyOne queen will be chosen next week, and we’ll spend a full week jamming on your pageant strategy, empire moves, and next-level leadership. 💫✨ If you’re ready to stop standing in the sand and start touching the water… this is your episode.Chin up. Crown on. Decide to go bigger.Follow on Instagram: @thepageantgalWork with me: [insert link]Podcast on Spotify: [insert link]Podcast on Apple: [insert link]
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How big are you willing to let yourself be seen? 👑
Hey Pageant Gals,What would it look like if you stopped standing safely in the sand…and let yourself be fully seen running straight into the water for your big dreams?In this episode, I’m sharing the real story from my mentor’s retreat in California, where I found myself on a beach at 8am, headphones on, in a 90-minute movement practice… and felt an undeniable pull to sprint toward the waves while everyone else stayed planted in the sand watching me.That moment became my leadership initiation into a new level of bigness, visibility and being seen going for what I’m here to create in pageants, business and life.This isn’t just a feel-good retreat story. This is what it actually looks like to move first, be seen, and hold the bigger challenges that come with bigger dreams.You will hear about:👑 The exact “beach moment” that cracked open my next level of leadership🌊 What it really means to be the woman who moves first while everyone else is still standing in the sand🧠 How to move through thoughts like “Am I doing this wrong?” and “Am I too much?”🔥 Why you can’t call in bigger titles, income and impact without being willing to hold bigger challenges🏰 Two reflection questions to help you choose where you need to go first and what room you need to put yourself in nextIf you want to be the woman who leads herself bigger—on stage, in business and in life—this episode is your invitation to stop waiting for permission and start moving.✨ QUEENS TAKEOVER PODCAST CHALLENGE – FINAL EPISODE ✨We’re wrapping up the Queen’s Takeover Podcast Challenge, and this is your last chance to enter to win a 1:1 intensive + a week of Telegram coaching with me.Listen to this episode, then:• Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram Stories• Tag me @thepageantgal• Leave a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple PodcastsEach share and review counts as entries. One queen will be chosen next week for a full week of jamming on her pageant strategy, empire moves and leadership.👑 READY TO PUT YOURSELF IN THE ROOM? 👑If this episode activates you to stop standing in the sand and finally move first, this is your sign to step into a room that stretches you.DM me on Instagram @thepageantgal with the word QUEEN for current ways to work with me in pageant coaching, business and leadership.DM me your review screenshot and tag me in your Stories: @thepageantgal
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How My Client Got Her Entire Pageant Paid For
Hey Pageant Gals, What would it look like if someone messaged you and said,“Your pageant is paid for. Entry fee, flight, the whole thing. Just show up and compete”?In this episode, I am telling you the real story of one of my Queen Collective clients who got a last–minute invitation to compete at an international pageant in China… with her entry fee and flight covered… and then walked away as one of the international titleholders.This isn’t a once-in-a-lifetime unicorn moment. This is normal in my world. And in this episode, I am breaking down what actually creates these “all expenses paid” opportunities for pageant women.You will hear about:👑 How she went from “I don’t even know what to ask” to international winner in less than a year🎯 Why having a clear vision and real goals changes the opportunities that find you🧠 The mindset, preparedness and presence that make directors and partners want to bet on you🌍 How building your network and showing up on social media as a leader makes you magnetic💸 The truth about sponsors, donors, systems and why money flows to women who are readyIf you want to be the woman who gets a DM saying, “We want you, It’s covered,” this episode is your guideline.✨ QUEENS TAKEOVER PODCAST CHALLENGE ✨We are in the middle of the Queen’s Takeover Podcast Challenge.Listen to this episode, then:Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram StoriesTag me @thepageantgalLeave a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts💗 PINK FRIDAY: THE PAGEANT GAL BLACK FRIDAY 💗Pink Friday is happening live on November 24.You will get:• A live call to ignite your 2025 pageant vision and goals• A behind-the-scenes Telegram broadcast as I grow my own brand and business• Access to special Pink Friday offers to:– Build your pageant prep plan to your win– Start monetizing your pageant journeyDM me your review screenshot and tag me in your Stories: @thepageantgal
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From Small Town to Fashion Week with Amber Martenson
Hey Pageant Gals, We have a special guest today. Meet Amber Martenson, founder of The Joy of Art (501c3) and CEO of Winning Spark Branding. Amber went from Iowa gal and art teacher to New York Fashion Week designer and brand strategist for pageant queens and women in business. In this episode we break down brand versus branding, how your visual identity creates credibility, and the exact mindset that takes you from playing small to building your empire.In this episode you will learn -✨ The real difference between brand and branding and why both matter on stage and online✨ How visual identity creates recognition, trust, and momentum for your platform and your business✨How pageantry skills transfer into entrepreneurship and client attraction✨ Behind the scenes of launching a New York Fashion Week line✨ What to do when you are scared and do not know how yetFollow Amber Martenson here ...https://www.instagram.com/winning.spark.branding/Ready to rise beyond the crown and build your empire? Book a free discovery call with me here: https://thepageantgal.kartra.com/calendar/discovery-callPodcast Challenge November giveaway!Share this episode to your stories with your top takeaway and tag @thepageantgal Leave a five star review on Spotify and DM me a screenshot so we can count your entry.One winner will receive a Queen Takeover one on one intensiveDM me your review screenshot and tag me in your Stories: @thepageantgal
Welcome to The Pageant Gal Podcast—your go-to space for confidence, strategy, and success in pageantry and beyond.
Hosted by internationally recognized pageant coach and titleholder, Maria Giorlando, each episode delivers inspiration, insider tips, and real stories to help you win—on and off the stage.
Whether you're stepping into your first pageant or chasing the crown, you’re in the right place—because every queen deserves to shine!
Ireland