From Pageant to Purpose: A Charity Gala Success & Hearts Knit Together Tour

In this episode, Amanda McCombs, also known as Mrs. Daybreak, shares her journey preparing for a pageant while engaging in community efforts.

Amanda successfully raised $1,400 for the nonprofit organization Hearts Knit Together through a birthday charity gala. She highlights her visit to their new facility in Utah County, the dedication of the staff, and the heartfelt work they do. Amanda also updates on her new title, Mrs. Utah, and introduces the upcoming segments featuring an interview with April, who runs Hearts Knit Together. Listeners are encouraged to support the nonprofit through donations and stay tuned for more exciting content.

00:00 Welcome to the Not So Genius Mind

00:45 Pageant Preparations and Interviews

01:10 Charity Gala Success

02:07 Tour of Hearts Knit Together Facility

21:22 Conclusion and Future Plans

Own Your Crown: Embracing Real Life, Real Beauty

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, host Amanda McCombs, aka Mrs. Daybreak, joins Mrs. Maple Mountain, Portia Blanchard, to discuss the profound life lessons learned through motherhood, personal struggles, and the unique experiences of participating in beauty pageants. They delve into embracing imperfections, the importance of showing up authentically, and how Portia's traumatic experience with her youngest child, Abigail, led her to publish an inspirational book and take part in pageantry. Amid humorous anecdotes, real-life parenting moments, and reflections on personal growth, they celebrate the transformative power of vulnerability and community support. This episode encourages everyone to own their stories, take pride in their journey, and shine their light unapologetically.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:16 Funny Anecdote About Portia's Name

01:26 Meet Portia Blanchard

02:30 Abigail's Birth Story

03:56 Life Lessons and Reflections

06:54 Family Dynamics and Blended Families

12:02 The Importance of Self-Care

20:04 Pageantry and Personal Growth

31:33 Owning Your Story and Self-Confidence

34:11 Reflecting on Achievements

34:52 Celebrate Yourself

35:20 Living Out Loud

37:39 Taking Up Space

39:17 Pageant Lessons

42:00 The Power of Pageantry

45:29 Community and Support

59:19 From Letters to Book

01:00:31 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Dance with a Purpose: An Interview with Jaimee Beard

In this episode of 'Inner Workings of the Not So Genius Mind,' host Amanda McCombs chats with Jaimee Beard, a dance professional and community figure. Jamie, the titleholder of Miss Nebo Valley, discusses her career, including her journey to owning the North Point Academy of Dance and creating the 'Dance with a Purpose' platform.

The conversation touches on the challenges and joys of maintaining a dance studio, starting a business during the COVID-19 pandemic, and dealing with a celiac disease diagnosis. Jamie's commitment to living intentionally and giving back to her community, especially through her dance platform, shines through. The episode also delves into the camaraderie and support within the pageant community and personal anecdotes about dating, friendships, and navigating life's uncertainties.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:40 Jamie's Background and Dance Studio

01:35 Living with Purpose

02:31 Starting the Dance Studio

03:40 Personal Challenges and Realizations

06:02 Casual Conversations and Anecdotes

12:43 Dating and Relationships

19:19 Reflecting on Relationships and Personal Growth

19:51 The Exhausting Yet Rewarding World of Pageants

20:29 Journey Through Pageantry: From High School to Miss America

22:50 The Supportive Pageant Community

26:02 Making a Difference: Community Service and Nonprofits

33:10 The Power of Social Media and Personal Expression

39:13 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

Empowering Through Resilience: A Conversation with Kimberly Wirfs

Amanda McCombs hosts a conversation with Kimberly Wirfs, a business owner, widow, and mother of three, currently Miss Bountiful for the upcoming Mrs. Utah American Pageant. They discuss pageant experiences, resilience, preparedness, and personal stories, including the impact of life's unexpected events and the creation of Kimberly's 'Life's Essential Binder' to help people organize important documents. They also explore their shared experiences with tattoos and life as military spouses. The episode highlights the importance of living fully and being prepared for life-changing moments.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:40 Pageant Experiences and Expectations

02:12 Pageant Preparations and Challenges

06:59 Life's Essential Binder and Personal Stories

16:27 Tattoos and Their Meanings

21:57 Introduction to Douglas and Oregon Connection

23:11 Tattoo Stories and Personal Meanings

25:16 Military Life and Personal Resilience

29:03 Favorite Places and Future Plans

33:22 Pageant Experiences and Sisterhood

40:13 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

Building Authentic Connections: Amanda McCombs and Kim Chatto on Community and Resilience

In this engaging conversation, Amanda McCombs and guest Kim Chatto, Miss Willard Bay, explore themes of authenticity, community, and resilience. Kim shares her rich background, including her military service and transition to civilian life as a defense contractor. They discuss the importance of building and maintaining genuine connections, both in personal and professional spaces, and lifting each other up in a supportive community. Kim talks about her platform, Highly Favored, which emphasizes the importance of sharing stories of resilience to strengthen communities. They also touch on experiences in the pageant world, highlighting the positive energy and supportive environment it fosters. This episode is a deep dive into how real connections and community support can make a significant impact in one's life.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:03 Kim's Background and Military Career

03:54 Challenges and Pressures of Life

06:18 Importance of Community and Self-Care

08:34 Dating Experiences and Reflections

14:53 Parenting and Personal Growth

21:45 Podcast and Pageant Experiences

30:52 Reflecting on Missed Friendships

31:04 The Birth of Highly Favored Podcast

32:07 Intentional Connections and Podcasting

34:33 Empathy and Vulnerability in Pageantry

36:10 Overcoming Insecurities and Self-Doubt

43:00 The Power of Authenticity

46:40 Building Community and Support Systems

49:38 Navigating Life After Military Service

59:07 Celebrating Success and Female Empowerment

01:02:59 Finding Your Supportive Circle

01:08:21 Conclusion and Social Media Plugs

Reclaiming Identity: A Journey Through Purity Culture and Healing

In this heartfelt episode, Amanda McCombs, known as the Not So Genius, invites her Sash sister Kaylyn Lippert, a former Mrs. Wasatch Front, military spouse, registered nurse, and founder of Reclaimed, to discuss their close friendship and personal journeys. Kaylyn shares her deeply personal struggle with vaginismus, the impacts of purity culture, and her mission to reclaim her identity and help others through her ministry. Together, they discuss the importance of community, healing, and redefining intimacy and sexuality in a healthy, non-shaming way. They also talk about their experiences in pageantry and how it has helped them grow, build a supportive community, and serve others. Kaylyn details her vision for Reclaimed, including donation drives for menstrual products, educational tours, social media outreach, and future aspirations for a marriage retreat. The episode emphasizes the power of vulnerability, mutual support, and breaking free from harmful cultural narratives to achieve lasting healing and transformation.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:54 Kaylyn's Journey with Purity Culture

03:37 The Impact of Vaginismus

09:14 Finding Community and Support

19:28 The Role of Pageantry in Personal Growth

34:29 Personal Reflections on Family and Relationships

36:00 Impact of Purity Culture

36:53 Religious Teachings and Personal Beliefs

39:07 Challenges in Marriage and Family Dynamics

40:27 Navigating Social Media and Authenticity

51:39 Cultural Differences and Personal Growth

54:40 Reclaimed: Mission and Vision

01:00:39 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

The Wrong Kind Of Crown: Embracing My Smile The Wrong Kind Of Crown

In this episode of the 'Inner Workings of the Not So Genius Mind,' host Amanda McCombs shares her journey of self-care and dental health. She discusses her struggles with weak enamel, TMJ pain, and dental procedures, and emphasizes the importance of oral health. Amanda talks about her recent dental visit to Copper Creek Dental and how it alleviated her long-standing dental issues. She reflects on her newfound confidence in her smile, the emotional relief from not needing braces, and advises listeners on the significance of taking care of their teeth. Amanda concludes with light-hearted commentary and a reminder to prioritize self-care.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:26 Current Life Updates

00:51 Dental Health Struggles

01:54 Finding the Right Dentist

02:26 Dental Treatment Plan

06:48 Final Thoughts on Dental Health

08:41 Conclusion and Farewell

Breaking Barriers: The Real Pageant Journey

Join Amanda McCombs and her guest, Mrs. Utah County, as they dive into the intricacies of participating in beauty pageants and the profound personal growth that accompanies the journey. They discuss their individual experiences, the importance of community, empowering sisterhood, and how the challenges they face shape their resilience. Through candid conversations, they explore topics such as facing personal lows, the significance of genuine connections, and the role of pageantry in self-discovery and personal development. This episode sheds light on the transformative impact these pageants have beyond the glitz and glamour, focusing on authenticity, support systems, and building lasting legacies.

00:00 Introduction to Amanda McCombs

00:12 Meet Mrs. Utah County

00:29 The Power of Sisterhood

01:26 Amanda's Personal Journey

03:06 The Pageant Experience

04:20 Community and Empowerment

05:56 Finding Genuine Connections

07:56 Overcoming Personal Struggles

10:29 The Pageant System's Impact

14:41 Starting the Pageant Journey

19:17 The First Pageant Experience

25:25 The Importance of Platforms

27:21 Struggles and Changes

28:53 Hiding Pain and Seeking Help

30:55 Legacy and Life Choices

32:29 Pageantry and Personal Growth

35:02 The Importance of Authenticity

47:44 Mentorship and Giving Back

54:31 Reflections and Future Plans