S4: EP53 Finding Light in Dark Places: What a BBC Reporter Turned Fishing Guide Taught Me About Trusting Your Gut

When Beaky walked into my podcast studio, I knew this conversation would be different. Maybe it was her infectious laugh, or perhaps it was the way she casually mentioned going from BBC Watchdog to becoming a fishing guide – but something told me we were in for a masterclass in following your instincts.

The Power of the Unexpected Turn

"Life has a funny way of taking you exactly where you need to be," Beaky told me, recounting her journey from journalism to becoming an accidental advocate for women in fly fishing. It's a sentiment that hit home – I couldn't help but think of my own unexpected path into construction, another world where women were few and far between.

But what struck me most wasn't just the unconventional career paths we'd both taken. It was Beaky's unwavering trust in her gut instincts, even when – especially when – they led her down unexpected routes.

Finding Humor in the Darkness

Perhaps the most powerful moment in our conversation came when Beaky shared her philosophy on facing life's challenges: "If you can find humor in the darkest, darkest times, you're probably going to be all right." This wasn't just empty wisdom – she lived it through her battle with cancer, finding moments of laughter even in hospital wards.

As someone who's navigated my fair share of challenging situations on construction sites, I understood exactly what she meant. Sometimes, finding the humor in a tough situation isn't just about staying positive – it's about survival.

The Gut Never Lies

"Go with your gut and speaking out and making yourself heard, even when it's not popular," Beaky advised, sharing stories of standing her ground in the male-dominated world of fishing. She described moments when everyone else was saying one thing, but her instincts were screaming another. And time after time, those instincts proved right.

From spotting early health warning signs to knowing when to make bold career moves, Beaky's story is a testament to the power of inner wisdom. "You've got to really fight for yourself sometimes," she emphasized, and I found myself nodding vigorously, thinking of all the times I'd seen women apologize for trusting their instincts instead of celebrating them.

The Pursuit of Happiness

One of the most profound moments came when Beaky shared her life philosophy: "Life is the pursuit of happiness, not pleasure." It's a distinction that stopped me in my tracks. In a world that often confuses the two, Beaky's journey shows us what choosing happiness looks like – even when it means taking the road less traveled.

Whether she was appearing on Blind Date (yes, really!), reporting for the Sunday Telegraph, or teaching women to fish, every unexpected turn in her path came from following that inner compass pointing toward true happiness, not just momentary pleasure.

Lessons from the River

What fascinates me about Beaky's story is how fly fishing became a metaphor for life itself. In both, you need:

• Patience to wait for the right moment
• Courage to wade into unknown waters
• Trust in your instincts when everything looks calm on the surface but you know something's stirring underneath

These are lessons I've seen play out in my own industry, where reading a situation correctly can be the difference between safety and danger. But Beaky's story reminds us that these skills apply everywhere – in career choices, health decisions, and life's biggest moments.

The Ripple Effect

What strikes me most about Beaky's journey is how one woman's decision to trust her gut creates ripples that affect others. Today, she's not just fishing – she's showing other women they can enter traditionally male spaces and thrive. She's not just surviving cancer – she's showing others how to face challenges with grace and humor.

Through her story, I'm reminded that daring to trust yourself isn't just about personal victory. It's about creating paths for others to follow, showing them it's okay to listen to that quiet voice inside that says "Maybe there's another way."

A Call to Trust Yourself

As I reflect on my conversation with Beaky, I'm struck by how often we second-guess our instincts in favor of what seems more sensible or expected. But her story – from journalism to fishing, through health battles and triumphs – shows us that our gut instincts are often our best guide through life's unpredictable waters.

Maybe that's the biggest dare of all – to trust ourselves enough to follow where our instincts lead, even when the destination isn't clear. Because as Beaky proves, sometimes the best stories start with that quiet voice inside saying "This way."

Want to hear more of Beaky's incredible journey? Listen to the full episode on the She Who Dares Wins podcast, where we dive deeper into trusting your gut, finding humor in dark places, and daring to follow your own path.  

Listen to Episode 53 of the Podcast now: