ElevateHer

Gabby Burns, the 80th Miss Colorado, is using her voice to help others find confidence in theirs. In this episode of ElevateHer, she shares her journey to the Miss America stage, the friendships that made the experience unforgettable, and the joy of watching her closest friends shine.Growing up with severe motor and vocal tics, Gabby experienced misunderstandings that affected her confidence and ability to connect with others. Today, she visits schools and hospitals to encourage inclusion and become the role model she wished she’d had.Now pursuing her master’s in speech-language pathology at the University of Colorado - Boulder, Gabby is also following in her mother’s footsteps as a speech-language pathologist. Her story is a reminder that the things that once made us feel different can help us connect, lead, and make others feel seen.Stay tuned toward the end for a special surprise: Gabby treats us to a mini concert and Lanet turns into her back up dancer - you don't want to miss it!

When injuries ended Sarah Chisholm’s professional ballet career, she found an unexpected opportunity in a friend’s bakery. Starting as a pastry cook, she brought the discipline and dedication she had learned through dance to mastering her craft—eventually becoming an executive pastry chef.In this episode of ElevateHer, the founder of Wild Rye Baking Company shares how that experience changed her understanding of what was possible. What began as experiments with pancake and cake mixes—and requests from friends for more—grew into a nationally distributed baking mix company.Today, Sarah also shares her creativity through The Good Things, a monthly newsletter featuring recipes, favorite finds, and little rituals that make life feel more delicious.We talk about finding a new direction when your original dream changes, taking pride in every step of the process, and giving yourself permission to explore an idea before you know where it will lead. Sarah’s story is a reminder that the dedication you bring to one dream can help you build another.

What would you do if you were told you might never walk without a cane again? For Evelyn Knight, that prediction became the beginning of an extraordinary journey.After being hit by a car as a pedestrian at age 41, Evelyn faced a future that looked very different from the one she had imagined. At 43, she found powerlifting and weightlifting—and discovered a strength that would take her all the way to the podium. Today, Evelyn is a competitive lifter, an American record holder in the deadlift, and a 2025 world and national champion with numerous medals to her name.In this inspiring episode of ElevateHer, we talk about overcoming limitations, finding the courage to start something new, and challenging the judgments women often face about looking “bulky.” Evelyn reminds us that strength is beautiful and that moving our bodies offers benefits far beyond appearance—from supporting bone density and heart health to helping us feel mentally clear and strong.Whether you’re picking up a weight for the first time or facing a challenge of your own, Evelyn’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to discover what you’re capable of.

What happens when the career you’ve poured yourself into leaves your own cup empty? For Dr. Shirelle Claggett, the answer meant giving herself permission to change course—and take flight.In this episode of ElevateHer, the doctorally prepared women’s health nurse practitioner shares how burnout in the healthcare system led her to a new career as a flight attendant in her 50's. While building her retirement savings and navigating an empty nest with her husband, she’s discovering how to make room for work that brings her joy.She’s also finding fulfilling ways to continue nursing: supporting Douglas County’s outdoor education program and teaching OB clinical as an adjunct faculty member at Arizona College of Nursing. We explore learning to compartmentalize, protecting your energy, prioritizing your peace, and releasing the pressure to do it all.An honest conversation about refilling your cup, embracing change, and remembering that your next chapter doesn’t have to look like your last.

In this follow-up episode, Kayla shares more about her brother’s tragic passing and the impact addiction has on those left behind. We explore the desire to please loved ones that can lead someone struggling with addiction to hide the extent of their struggles—and the painful reality that families may never know the full story.An honest conversation about anger, unanswered questions, and finding peace in grief while making room for the love and memories that still matter.In loving tribute to Kayla’s brother, who gave so much of himself to those he loved.

In this deeply personal episode of ElevateHer, Kayla shares her brother’s story alongside licensed clinical social worker and certified addiction specialist Belina Nassi Fruitman to explore addiction and its impact on the people who love someone navigating it. Together, we share an honest look at the struggles behind the scenes—the love, the worry, guilt, boundaries, and desire to help while protecting your own well-being.This episode is a tribute to Kayla's brother, Matt Hayes, who lived his life for those he loved. May the love he gave remain the heart of his story.

What happens when you’re always ahead—but never quite feel like you belong?Grace Diamond graduated high school at just 16 and law school at 23, after skipping grades as a child who was bored, unchallenged, and without access to gifted programs that might have offered another path. Her academic ability propelled her forward quickly, but being years younger than everyone around her came with a cost.Grace entered high school at only 12 years old, where being different made her a target for bullying. And that feeling of being on the outside didn’t disappear with success. Even in law school, her age continued to separate her from her peers—especially when social events centered around spaces she wasn’t yet old enough to participate in.Now a labor and employment attorney, Grace joins ElevateHer to talk about a part of achievement we don’t discuss enough: what happens when accomplishing everything expected of you still doesn’t answer the question, “What actually makes me happy?”Grace opens up about years of adapting herself to fit into older crowds, following advice about who she should be and how she should act, and eventually realizing that she had created a version of herself based largely on other people’s expectations.Today, she’s on a different kind of journey—one toward authenticity. Grace shares what it looks like to separate achievement from identity, let go of the faux persona that helped her fit in, and begin discovering the career, relationships, interests, and life that genuinely feel like her own.It’s a conversation about gifted kids, bullying, belonging, ambition, identity—and realizing that sometimes the most important path forward isn’t about getting ahead.It’s about finally becoming yourself.

In Part Two of our conversation with Miss Colorado for America Strong, Vanity Johnson, we look ahead to the next chapter of her journey: taking the stage in Las Vegas on September 1 to compete for the title of Miss for America Strong.Vanity gives us a glimpse behind the scenes of what it takes to prepare for the national competition. With two packed days in Vegas, the experience is sure to be exciting, glamorous, and probably a little exhausting, but, for Vanity, it's about so much more than the competition. It's about embracing every moment, celebrating how far she's come, and being surrounded by an incredible group of women and people who make the experience unforgettable.From Colorado to Vegas, Vanity is ready to step onto the national stage soak it all in, and see just how far this next adventure can take her.

In this episode, we sit down with Vanity Johnson, the newly crowned Miss Colorado for American Strong, whose journey is a powerful testament to resilience, courage, and choosing hope.After the devastating loss of her son's father to suicide in her late 20's, Vanity made the difficult decision to leave Chicago and move to Colorado to be surrounded by family while raising her young son and navigating unimaginable grief. As part of her healing journey, she found comfort and support by joining a grief group at Judi's House, where she was surrounded by others experiencing similar loss and discovered the strength that comes from sharing life's hardest moments with a community that truly understands.Vanity is a woman who refuses to be defined by her hardships. She's a talented hairstylist, a barre instructor, and someone who believes growth comes from continually challenging yourself and embracing new opportunities. That mindset ultimately led her to compete for - and win - the title of both Miss Congeniality and Miss Colorado for America Strong.Now, with her sights set on the national stage, Vanity is preparing to compete for Miss for America Strong in Las Vegas on September 1st. Her story is a reminder that our greatest challenges can become the foundation for our greatest impact.

In Part 2 of our conversation with global HR executive Michelle Jansen, we explore why AI is becoming an essential workplace skill—and why women shouldn’t be afraid to embrace it. Michelle shares how learning to use AI can help you work more efficiently, increase productivity, and remain competitive as the workforce continues to evolve. This episode is an encouraging reminder that AI isn’t here to replace your unique strengths—it’s a tool that can help you elevate them.