🔥RECEIVE $1,000 toward the Dreams to Reality Mastermind! This episode of the Say Yes Anyway Podcast is brought to you by the Dreams to Reality Mastermind—a sacred space for women leaders, visionaries, and dreamers who are ready to stop playing small and bring their biggest visions to life. If you’re ready to stop circling around your calling and finally build the future you've been imagining, the Dreams to Reality Mastermind is where it begins. DM me @jessdahl_ or visit here to learn more and save your seat.

In this powerful episode, I had the honor of sitting down with one of my dearest mentors and friends, Mary, founder of Driven Leadership and author of Some Days Now. Mary’s story is a stunning example of what happens when you say yes to the fire inside you—even when the world feels like it’s falling apart.

She shares about the moment she said yes to a $2,500 leadership program as a single mom walking through her second divorce. It didn’t make logical sense—but her heart knew. And that decision? It changed everything. From imposter syndrome and rebuilding her life, to stepping into leadership and co-founding Driven for Life with her husband Eric—Mary’s path is paved with bravery, faith, and relentless trust in something bigger.

We talked about the messy beginnings of building something meaningful, the power of surrounding yourself with people who see your potential, and the very real battle with self-sabotage when dreams start getting real. Mary’s voice is both grounding and activating—offering grace without letting you settle.

She reminds us that the moments we want to quit are often the exact moments we’re being prepared for our next breakthrough. That being a leader doesn’t mean having it all together—it means being willing to go first. To be vulnerable. To keep showing up.

This conversation will meet you wherever you are—in the messy middle, on the edge of your next yes, or trying to remember that your voice matters. 

Tune in for this soul-deep conversation that might just be the reminder you’ve been needing.

To connect with Mary, email mary@drivenleadership.com, visit drivenleadership.com, or follow @drivenleadershipinc on Instagram.

Let’s stay connected! Follow me @jessdahl_ and explore more at the website for more info. 

If this episode moved you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. You never know what one brave “yes” can spark.

Don't forget you can jump in the Dreams to Reality Mastermind and let's bring your next greatest vision to life!