“Girls Can't Do That”: Breaking Mental Barriers & Choosing Hard Things with Megan Hamill (@soulfullyginger)

On today’s episode Em sits down with Megan Hamill aka @soulfullyginger to chat all things pushing comfort zones, building resilience and proving to yourself you can do hard things.In 2022, Megan taught herself to swim using YouTube and set out to complete a 70.3 Half Ironman. After that race, a chance conversation with a local family sparked a fire in her belly when a dad said, “You’d have to change your gender to do a full Ironman.” Megan took that challenge head-on - not only finishing a full Ironman but also qualifying for the World Championships in Hawaii!Since then, Megan has kept pushing boundaries: she’s pushed her dad in his wheelchair around the Dublin Marathon, completed multiple half and full marathons, and is now training for a 113km race (talk about a go-getter)But this episode isn’t just about running or triathlons - it’s about mindset. We dive deep into the mantras that keep Megan going and why she actively does hard things.She shares the story of her bike seat falling off mid-Ironman and how she refused an ambulance, wanting a mechanic instead. We talk about why she doesn’t celebrate finish lines the way you might expect, and how holding too tightly to wins can make losses feel heavier.Megan’s journey is a masterclass in building resilience, pushing comfort zones, and creating a personal bank of proof that you are capable of so much more than you think.If you’re ready to break mental barriers, challenge your limits, and dare to thrive, this episode is for you.We chat about:Teaching yourself a new skill (like swimming) from scratchTurning doubt and dismissive comments into unstoppable motivationThe grit it takes to push through unexpected challenges (hello, broken bike seat!)Why celebrating wins - and losses - differently can change your mindsetThe power of consistent small wins to build unshakable beliefCoaching, community, and inspiring others to push their own limitsBuilding resilience, pushing comfort zones and self-trustLinks:Follow Megan on Instagram: @soulfullygingerFollow Em on Instagram: @saltandwhistleFollow the podcast: @daretothrivepodcast