1. EachPod

Inside the Secret Life of a Female Bodyguard (Re-run)

Author
Michelle Hands
Published
Mon 28 Jul 2025
Episode Link
https://shows.acast.com/she-who-dares-wins/episodes/inside-the-secret-life-of-a-female-bodyguard-re-run

Think being a bodyguard is just about wearing black and looking intimidating? Think again. In this episode, I sit down with Jenni—a woman who’s navigated everything from close protection for Middle Eastern royalty to laying bricks with lads on building sites. Spoiler: both required a tough skin, a quick mind, and an eye for bullshit.


We talk about:

  • What it’s really like to enter the male-dominated world of close protection (hint: it involves bunk beds, 10-mile runs, and vomiting on command).
  • How a Prince’s Trust course and a chance radio gig sparked Jenni’s path to becoming a detective.
  • The politics of being the invisible shield for high-profile clients—princesses, posh kids, and personal protection around the world.
  • Bricklaying, sexism, and cat litter recipes for cleaning red diesel. Yep, we went there.
  • Why rejection, discomfort, and getting chucked from a job with a week’s notice actually fuelled Jenni’s biggest wins.

This one’s a rollercoaster from posh palaces to muddy boots. If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong in a room—or on a building site—Jenni’s story is your sign to pull up your boots and get stuck in anyway.

Big Takeaways:

  • You don’t need to “fit the mould” when you can bulldoze it.
  • Uncomfortable doesn’t mean incapable—it’s just the cost of growth.
  • Being underestimated is exhausting… but also a secret weapon.
  • Sometimes success looks like a luxury yacht. Sometimes it looks like a wheelbarrow.

Dares from This Episode:

  • Say yes before you're ready (because let’s be honest, you’ll never feel ready).
  • Learn the skills, take the hits, and back yourself—even if you're the only woman in the room.
  • Redefine what failure looks like. It's not being fired—it’s not daring at all.

Bonus Bits:

  • Harrowing tales from Saudi palaces, Comic Con, and dodgy job sites
  • Why the nanny might actually be your boss
  • Michelle gets mistaken for a drug mule (again)

Special Offer:

Get 10% off all our tees and hoodies with code POD10. Because if you're going to face rejection, at least look good doing it.


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