Tired of playing by the rules? The She Who Dares Wins podcast is for the women who reject convention, challenge expectations, and carve their own damn way through life. Hosted by Michelle Hands—former construction engineer turned fearless storyteller—this podcast dives deep into the raw, unfiltered journeys of women who refuse to fit the mold.
If you've ever battled imposter syndrome, hesitated to take a risk, or felt the pressure to conform, this is your space. Expect bold conversations with trailblazers, adventurers, and industry disruptors who share their real stories of breaking barriers, building confidence, and rewriting success on their own terms.
🚀 What You'll Get:
✔️ No-fluff, high-impact conversations with women pushing boundaries
✔️ First-time experience stories & unconventional career pivots
✔️ Tactical steps to crush fear & own your confidence
✔️ Insights into thriving in male-dominated spaces
✔️ The perfect mix of adventure, risk-taking, and personal growth
This isn't your typical self-help show—it’s a call to action for women who want more. More adventure. More freedom. More hell yes moments. Tune in and join a community of unstoppable women who dare to win.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tired of playing by the rules? The She Who Dares Wins podcast is for the women who reject convention, challenge expectations, and carve their own damn way through life. Hosted by Michelle Hands—former construction engineer turned fearless storyteller—this podcast dives deep into the raw, unfiltered journeys of women who refuse to fit the mold.
If you've ever battled imposter syndrome, hesitated to take a risk, or felt the pressure to conform, this is your space. Expect bold conversations with trailblazers, adventurers, and industry disruptors who share their real stories of breaking barriers, building confidence, and rewriting success on their own terms.
🚀 What You'll Get:
✔️ No-fluff, high-impact conversations with women pushing boundaries
✔️ First-time experience stories & unconventional career pivots
✔️ Tactical steps to crush fear & own your confidence
✔️ Insights into thriving in male-dominated spaces
✔️ The perfect mix of adventure, risk-taking, and personal growth
This isn't your typical self-help show—it’s a call to action for women who want more. More adventure. More freedom. More hell yes moments. Tune in and join a community of unstoppable women who dare to win.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Lucy Spraggan sits down with me for one of the most honest, eye-opening conversations we’ve had on the show. If you think you know her from The X Factor or SAS: Who Dares Wins… you don’t. Not until you hear this.
Lucy talks openly about the realities of fame, trauma, sobriety, neurodiversity, and what it actually takes to rebuild your life from the ground up. She doesn’t sugar-coat a thing and that’s exactly why this episode hits so hard.
We get into the brutal behind-the-scenes of SAS, the mindset shift that changed everything, and why radical authenticity has become her non-negotiable. From learning to stop caring what people think, to finding joy in the smallest, most unexpected places… this episode is packed with truth.
If you’re navigating change, dealing with your past, or trying to figure out who the hell you are now — this one will stay with you.
0:00 — Welcome + Lucy’s definition of daring and winning
0:11 — The cost (and power) of radical authenticity
0:37 — Writing her book and telling the truth, even when it hurt
1:20 — Learning to stop caring what people think
3:45 — SAS: Why she pursued it and how she prepared
5:00 — The physical aftermath and hidden realities of the show
7:36 — Near-injuries, fear, and pushing through trauma
9:40 — Why connection mattered more than strength on SAS
11:19 — Behind the interrogation: sensory deprivation + mental testing
14:04 — The mindset warrior moment that changed everything
15:21 — What adversity taught her about herself
16:32 — Mental health, intrusive thoughts, and radical self-awareness
19:19 — Practicing “I am not my thoughts”
20:44 — Intention, presence, and redefining performance
23:20 — Music, community, and why connection is everything
26:00 — Boundaries with fans and protecting her mental health
29:06 — ADHD, learning patterns, and creativity
31:21 — Would Lucy be where she is without X Factor?
32:36 — Delusional capability: her secret weapon
35:59 — Breaking free from expectations and rebuilding your life
38:40 — Health challenges, long Covid, and mindset shifts
39:51 — Metal detecting, joy, and finding a life that feels good
42:15 — Martial arts, self-defence, and building physical confidence
45:08 — Discipline vs motivation — the real difference
46:00 — Misconceptions and learning not to care
49:06 — Joy, gratitude, and what truly matters
52:55 — Materialism, identity, and growth
55:16 — Carrying the people we’ve lost
56:45 — The dare: Lucy’s next challenge
58:12 — Why every woman should try jiu jitsu
1:00:00 — The vulva story, recovery, and ending with real talk
Shop: www.shewhodareswins.com
Join Dare Club: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins
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In this episode of the Bonus Series, we’re cutting through the BS and breaking down why saying yes when you mean no isn’t kindness – it’s self-abandonment. I share my own story of overcommitting (hello burnout), the science behind approval-seeking, and how it screws with your nervous system, energy, and self-trust.
We unpack:
PLUS: Your weekly DARE to practice saying no (without the guilt hangover).
Need backup as you start flexing your no muscle? Join us in Dare Club – the place for bold, honest women who are done shrinking.
Follow, share, and tag @SheWhoDaresWins – and let us know what you said no to this week!
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British national record–holding freediver Ruth Osborne is back — and let’s just say the last two years have been anything but smooth sailing. Ear infections, cancelled competition days, Caribbean chaos, burnout, and a couple of “is this my last dive ever?” moments… Ruth lays it all out with the kind of honesty most people avoid.
This episode isn’t about glory dives or perfect outcomes. It’s about what happens when the thing you love keeps punching you in the gut — and why you still get back in the water anyway.
We get into her training, mindset shifts, the ugly parts of high-level sport, and the surprising decision to coach herself. If you need a reminder that the path rarely looks pretty, this is it.
0:00 – Ruth is back: two years later, a lot deeper (mentally if not yet physically)
2:00 – Competitions, ear infections and the brutal timing of setbacks
4:15 – What “current” does to a dive and why it matters
8:00 – Pressure, performance windows and keeping your head straight
12:00 – Reacting vs choosing your reaction
16:00 – When outcome and effort don’t match
20:00 – Nutrition, protein and what changed for Ruth in her 40s
33:00 – The Dominica chapter: volcanoes, heat exhaustion and angry afternoons
39:00 – “Do I retire?” — Ruth hits her breaking point
44:00 – Why she stays in the game: rebuilding her ‘why’
52:00 – World Championships, coaching herself and designing a healthier training balance
56:00 – What’s next: May competitions and a new chapter on her terms
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ver found yourself spiralling over something tiny? Like stubbing your toe and suddenly rethinking your whole life?
Welcome to this week’s Dare Club episode: Laugh at Your Own Drama.
We’re diving into the art of emotional fluidity — how to stop fighting your feelings, ride the wave, and even find humour in your own chaos. Because here’s the truth: you can’t be stressed and amused at the same time. Laughter literally breaks your brain’s stress loop.
In this episode, Michelle shares one of her own “mid-meltdown” moments, explains why your brain loves drama, and how to flip emotional overreactions into moments of power and perspective.
💥 This week’s dare: Catch yourself mid-drama — and laugh. Out loud.
Because you can’t be in crisis and in control at the same time.
🎧 Tune in if you’re ready to swap your spirals for smirks and take your emotions a little less seriously.
#DareClub #SheWhoDaresWinsPodcast
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This week, Michelle sits down with writer, swimmer, and all-round adventurer Sara Barnes, whose story is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. After surviving major heart surgery and multiple health setbacks, Sara turned to the freezing lakes of Cumbria for healing — and found her purpose.
From the icy calm of cold-water swimming to the realities of rejection, imposter syndrome, and late-life confidence, Sara’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to start over or to finally back yourself.
0:00 — Welcome & Sara’s story: surviving heart surgery and finding perspective
0:03:40 — Grief, loss, and how writing helped her heal
0:11:50 — The Instagram trap: learning to disconnect and reconnect with real life
0:12:18 — The unexpected beginning: how cold-water swimming saved her
0:19:48 — From ugly duckling to swan: the boss who underestimated her
0:26:20 — [Mid-Roll Ad Slot] + Identity shift — becoming an author and imposter syndrome
0:33:45 — The truth about chasing dreams and learning to enjoy the process
0:43:30 — Skinny dipping, confidence, and helping women find freedom
0:52:55 — Bonus Episode begins: Quick-fire dares and reflections
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Show Notes:
Most people roll their eyes at gratitude like it’s a Pinterest quote in disguise.
But here’s the thing — the science says otherwise. Gratitude isn’t fluff. It’s a mental reset button that actually changes how your brain works.
In this 11-minute episode, Michelle breaks down what really happens when you start practising gratitude — minus the sugar-coated affirmations. From rewiring your brain for resilience to improving mood and lowering stress, this episode explores how gratitude helps you stop chasing “more” and start seeing what’s already good.
Michelle also shares her own experience with burnout, how gratitude helped her rebuild perspective, and why “having it all” isn’t about achieving more — it’s about realising you already do.
For one week, write down one thing that went wrong —
and one thing about it you’re still grateful for.
That’s how you build gratitude that sticks, not just gratitude that sounds good.
sign up for dare club www.shewhodareswins.com
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After 28 years on air, Yorkshire radio legend JoJo Kelly swapped early mornings and microphones for the Welsh mountains — and a brand new chapter.
In this laugh-out-loud and deeply relatable chat, JoJo opens up about her accidental start in radio (thanks to a guy in a dress and a nightclub), the confidence it took to survive male-dominated breakfast shows, and why she’s now embracing the unknown with open arms.
From her days at Kiss 105 and Galaxy FM to her recent move to rural Wales, JoJo’s story is a masterclass in joy, resilience, and reinvention.
You’ll hear:
Whether you’re standing at a crossroads or just craving proof that it’s never too late to pivot, this episode will leave you laughing, nodding, and maybe planning your own wild next chapter.
0:00 – Meet JoJo Kelly: 28 years on air and counting
2:00 – How a nightclub encounter launched her radio career
7:00 – Crashing the boys’ club: early lessons in confidence and ego
12:00 – The power of joy and surviving 4:30am starts
16:00 – Dealing with trolls before social media was a thing
18:00 – Losing anonymity as a radio host
25:00 – Moving to Wales & embracing the unknown
36:00 – Menopause, confidence, and finding your voice again
46:00 – Ageism, reinvention & why JoJo’s not done yet
52:00 – What’s next: hosting, acting, and making friends with goats
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What If You’re Closer Than You Think?
In this episode of She Who Dares Wins, Michelle reflects on a recent moment that stopped her in her tracks — checking the podcast analytics and realising that, against all odds, the show is steadily growing. She looks back at those first, shaky recordings and realises: she could have quit before it ever got good. And almost did.
This isn’t just a story about resilience — it’s about the messy, uncomfortable middle that most people run from. Backed by psychology and philosophy, this week’s episode explores why consistency is one of the hardest, most underrated skills — and why you’re probably closer than you think.
Stick with it — especially if it’s not working yet.
Pick one thing you’ve been tempted to give up on… and recommit to it for one more week.
Join Dare Club: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins
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Two months after losing her baby Charlotte to SIDS, Clare opened a laptop, named a business on the back of a credit card bill, and started. In this raw, no-fluff conversation, she shares how grief, debt, and a surprise pregnancy became the backdrop to building Sunshine Digital, landing FirstGroup as her first client, and later clawing back from heart failure (8% function) to cold-water swim guide. It’s survival turned agency — and a blueprint for doing it afraid.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
About Claire
Founder of Sunshine Digital and the Shine Online Club, Clare Clifford helps small businesses level up content and strategy while championing community in Leeds and beyond. She’s also a volunteer swim guide with Mental Health Swims.
Resources Mentioned
Connect
Trigger/Content Note: child loss (SIDS), grief, hospital/medical discussion.
Shop Merch www.shewhodareswins.com
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This week’s dare is all about swapping certainty for curiosity.
Because the truth is — every bold move, every new chapter, every unexpected success… starts with one small “what if?”
In this episode, Michelle talks about how following curiosity (instead of waiting for clarity) has shaped her own career — from leaving construction to building She Who Dares Wins, to now stepping into filmmaking with zero guarantees and a whole lot of faith.
You’ll also hear stories from two incredible women who dared to follow the pull of curiosity and built something extraordinary:
Together, these stories prove that curiosity isn’t about knowing — it’s about trusting.
And it’s often the start of everything worth doing.
Do one thing purely because you’re curious.
Not because it’s productive, smart, or part of a plan.
Because it excites you.
It’s not about control — it’s about trust.
Join the Dare Club to get weekly dares and mindset boosts straight to your inbox → https://stan.store/shewhodareswins
Check out the Merch www.shewhodareswins.com
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From Nearly Crushed to Carving Cathedrals: Rachel’s Story of Reinvention
At 29, Rachel decided to become a stonemason — but that wasn’t where her story began.
Before carving stone for Lincoln Cathedral, she was literally hit by a truck. The accident left her learning to walk again, questioning everything, and ultimately rebuilding her life from the ground up (quite literally).
In this episode, Rachel joins Michelle for round two — a raw and funny catch-up on recovery, resilience, and rediscovering purpose. They talk about learning patience through craft, why boredom might actually be a skill, and what it’s like to leave your mark (literally) on a piece of history.
They also dig into:
It’s honest, unexpected, and proof that sometimes the slow path is the one that lasts the longest.
00:00 – Intro & “How have you dared and won?”
01:18 – The accident: hit by a truck, rehab, learning to walk again
06:17 – Apprenticeship decision & career at Lincoln Cathedral
07:58 – Why boredom is a core skill in stonemasonry (training process)
14:49 – Mason’s marks explained + Rachel’s “witch’s hat” mark
23:53 – Rachel’s 1944 Willys Jeep “Dottie”
29:53 – Returning to university & Master’s in Historic Buildings
40:05 – Media features: Woman’s Hour, Look North & surprise BBC Breakfast segment
🎧 Listen now to hear how Rachel turned being broken into building something timeless.
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Episode Summary:
This week, Michelle dares you to do something most people avoid — embrace the unknown.
After 17 years in construction, Michelle opens up about what it’s really like to walk away from stability and step into filmmaking with no guarantees. She shares how reading about Stoicism helped her stop waiting for certainty and start trusting action instead.
Backed by neuroscience, this episode breaks down why our brains panic when things feel uncertain — and how leaning into discomfort can literally rewire you for resilience.
You’ll also hear from two past She Who Dares Wins guests who’ve lived this dare in their own lives:
💥 Jenni, the former police detective who left her pensioned career to work in close protection — learning to rely on instincts instead of procedure.
🌊 Zoe, the teacher-turned-cold-water-swim-retreat founder, who discovered that the same practice that chilled her body also strengthened her mind.
And this week’s dare is a practical one — no “trust the universe” fluff. It’s about building your confidence through rejection and action.
Do something that carries a real chance of rejection.
Send the pitch. Ask for the opportunity. Share the idea you’ve been sitting on.
The goal isn’t to get a yes — it’s to prove you won’t crumble if you get a no.
Because rejection isn’t failure — it’s evidence you’re in the right arena.
If you’re ready to start acting on these dares — not just thinking about them — join the Dare Club.
You’ll get the weekly dare straight to your inbox every Thursday, plus behind-the-scenes updates from the She Who Dares Wins journey.
👉 Sign up via the link in Michelle’s Instagram bio or at shewhodareswins.com → Dare Club.
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At 30, most jockeys have been riding professionally for over a decade — but not Jo Mason. In this episode, Michelle sits down with Jo to talk about breaking into the world of horse racing later in life, the brutal realities of injury and recovery, and how she turned a pandemic setback into the moment she finally went pro.
From breaking her back to breaking barriers for women in racing, Jo’s story is one of resilience, grit, and pure love for the sport.
0:00 – 3:00
Introduction and Jo’s journey from sports nutrition to racing.
3:00 – 7:00
Growing up in a racing family and the path from amateur to professional.
7:00 – 13:00
The fall that broke her back and the long road to recovery.
13:00 – 17:00
Turning professional during Covid and proving herself on the track.
17:00 – 25:00
Racing against legends and breaking barriers for women in sport.
25:00 – 37:00
Life behind the scenes: training, travel, pressure, and pay.
37:00 – 54:00
The physical and mental toll — weight, nutrition, and injury resilience.
54:00 – 1:03:00
Lessons learned, sacrifices made, and Jo’s message to women chasing their dreams.
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This week, Michelle dives into one of the hardest — and most freeing — parts of growth: getting to know yourself.
After diving into Stoicism and reflecting on the “tick-box” culture we’re all trapped in, she shares how she’s learning to tune out the noise of social media, stop chasing external validation, and focus on what actually brings her joy
Through powerful guest stories — from Zoe, the para-surfer who rebuilt her identity after losing her leg in a car accident, to Emma, the ethical beekeeper who turned a career of false starts into a business built on passion and purpose — this episode explores what happens when we stop performing for the world and start listening to ourselves again.
Backed by neuroscience and psychology, Michelle breaks down how true self-knowledge reshapes your brain, boosts confidence, and helps you make decisions that feel right, not just look right.
Spend one hour alone — no phone, no music, no podcast.
Ask yourself:
Write it down. Sit with it. Your next chapter starts there.
Zoe: From athlete to para-surfing world champion — rediscovering identity through courage and flow.
Emma: From Mars Chocolate sales to ethical beekeeping — finding purpose in curiosity and slow progress
If this episode hit home, come join our Dare Club a community for women who are brave enough to know themselves and dare anyway.
👉 Drop “Dare Club” in the comments or DM @shewhodareswins on Instagram to get your invite or click the link below
Join the Dare Club: https://stan.store/shewhodareswins
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After 20 years as a physicist, Kellye left her career in science to follow a completely different path — one guided by creativity, craftsmanship, and courage.
From building cancer research sensors at Cambridge to hand-stitching rhinestone suits for country icons in Nashville, Kellye’s story is a masterclass in daring to start again when the life you built no longer fits.
In this episode, we talk about identity, creativity, and the uncomfortable—but liberating—truth about change.
0:00 – 04:00 | From Texas Farm to Physics Prodigy
Kellye shares her childhood on a working farm in Texas, where fixing things and understanding how machines worked first sparked her curiosity — the early signs of both a scientist and a maker.
04:00 – 10:00 | Cambridge and the World of Academia
How Kellye was recruited into university at just 16, worked her way to Cambridge, and built a 20-year career in physics researching cancer sensors — all while quietly craving something more creative.
10:00 – 16:00 | When Success Doesn’t Feel Like Success
The moment she realised academia’s version of “making it” wasn’t hers — and what happens when your dream job stops feeling like a dream.
16:00 – 23:00 | The Pivot: From Labs to Leather & Lace
Why Kellye and her husband quit their jobs to start a furniture business, and how that side-step opened the door to her lifelong love of sewing, tailoring, and Western wear.
23:00 – 33:00 | Saving a Dying Craft
Kellye dives into her obsession with vintage embroidery machines — how she tracked, restored, and mastered 100-year-old equipment to keep a lost art alive.
33:00 – 41:00 | From Savile Row to Nashville
How a leap of faith (and a lot of self-belief) led Kellye from a tailoring course in Macclesfield to Nashville, where her first project was sewing a suit for Johnny Cash’s son.
41:00 – 50:00 | The Art of Storytelling Through Stitching
How she now creates bespoke, hand-embroidered suits that carry her clients’ stories, and why every stitch is a piece of living history.
50:00 – 59:00 | Reinvention, Ego Death & The Artist’s Way
What it really feels like to walk away from an identity that once defined you — and how Kellye rebuilt her life and confidence through creative discipline, journaling, and community.
59:00 – End | Finding Your People & Following the Pull
The importance of surrounding yourself with people who “get it,” and the power of community when you choose the road less travelled.
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Episode Title: Stop Doing It Alone – The Power of Community & Courage
Ever feel like you’ve got to prove yourself by doing everything solo? In this bonus episode, Michelle shares why that mindset is holding you back — and why true courage is built in connection.
Drawing on her own story of launching She Who Dares Wins, plus the inspiring journeys of:
Michelle unpacks how community changes everything — not just emotionally, but biologically. With insights from neuroscience and psychology, you’ll learn how connection fuels courage, lowers stress, and even rewires your brain for resilience.
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
🔥 This Week’s Dare:
Stop doing it alone. Pick one challenge you’ve been carrying solo and ask for support — from a friend, a mentor, or a community like The Dare Club.
👉 Ready to step up? Share your dare and join the conversation inside The Dare Club.
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What happens when you throw a total beginner (Michelle) into the world of fly fishing with someone who knows what they’re doing (Aime)? A lot of laughs, a few surprises about what’s actually living under the water, and a whole lot of lessons about patience, presence, and letting go.
This episode isn’t just about learning how to cast a line — it’s about stepping outside your comfort zone and seeing life through a completely different lens.
If you’ve ever wondered what fly fishing is actually like or you’re curious about how trying something new can shift your mindset, this episode is part tutorial, part comedy, and part meditation. Aime shares her knowledge, Michelle shares her shock, and together they uncover why standing in a river with a rod can teach you more about yourself than you’d expect.
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This week’s dare is all about resistance — that invisible wall that shows up the second you try something bold. Spoiler: it’s not laziness, it’s fear in disguise.
In this episode, Michelle shares her own battle with resistance when starting the She Who Dares Wins podcast, plus powerful stories from past guests:
We’ll dig into the science of why your brain resists change, how procrastination is just dopamine tricking you, and why resistance gets loudest right before your breakthrough.
This week’s dare: Identify your resistance and give it 10 messy minutes a day. Write one page, record one voice note, plant one seed. Imperfect action beats perfect avoidance every time.
🔗 Join the Dare Club:
📲 Connect on Instagram: @shewhodareswins
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Episode: Making Our First Sea Film (and Surviving It) — with filmmaker Zoe East
What it’s about: behind the scenes of our mini-documentary about Ash, a female fisherman. Two women, one working boat, the hottest day of the year, and a very real lesson in saying yes before you’re “ready.”
You’ll hear about:
Key takeaways:
Gear & constraints (for the film nerds):
Timestamps (light, skimmable):
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Episode Summary:
In this week’s Thursday Dare Challenge, Michelle opens up about one of the most personal themes yet: starting over when the world tells you it’s too late. From her own experience of burnout and reinvention to the inspiring stories of past guests like Amanda, Rachel, and Jo, this episode proves that new chapters don’t come with an age limit.
Michelle dives into the science of neuroplasticity, the power of transferable skills, and why fear and judgment often hold us back. She also shares practical dares to help you take the first steps towards your own fresh start—without burning your old life down overnight.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
This Week’s Dare:
Write down:
Inspiring Late Bloomers Mentioned:
Join the Dare Club:
Want to go deeper? Sign up for the Dare Club waiting list at shewhodareswins.com/dareclub. You’ll get weekly dares straight to your inbox plus early access to the full Dare Club experience when it launches.
Support the Podcast:
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