We recently connected with Mandy Podlesny and have shared our conversation below.

Mandy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

A defining risk I took in my life was choosing to bet on myself when every logical sign told me not to. Over a decade ago, I was in a dark place—diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, undergoing multiple joint surgeries, living on disability payments, and being told I’d likely need a wheelchair by 30. Physically, emotionally, and financially, I felt stuck. My body was breaking down, and I didn’t know how I could work, pay my bills, or even find joy in life.

But I refused to be a victim of my circumstances. The risk I took wasn’t just one decision—it was a series of decisions to step into the unknown, to rebuild my health and create a new path for myself. The first step was saying yes to trying a wellness beverage when I had no idea if it would even help. It felt silly at first, but it sparked something bigger. That one choice opened the door to affiliate marketing, brand partnerships, and ultimately, a completely new way of working for myself.

I had no roadmap. I was risking what little energy, focus, and resources I had left. But I knew staying in the same place was the bigger danger. Slowly, I started building healthy habits, focusing on personal development, and taking consistent, small actions toward creating something meaningful.

That risk paid off in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Today, I’ve built a six-figure business with multiple income streams, I’m healthier than ever, and I get to help other women reclaim their health, confidence, and financial freedom. It wasn’t easy, and there were plenty of moments of doubt, but I learned that the biggest risk we can take is not betting on ourselves.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi, I’m Mandy P, and I’m all about helping women transform their health, confidence, and financial freedom with real, no-BS strategies. Over a decade ago, my life looked very different. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune joint disease called ankylosing spondylitis and told I’d likely need a wheelchair by 30. Add in multiple joint surgeries, living on disability, and feeling completely stuck—it was a tough chapter. But I knew deep down that this struggle was given to me for a reason, and I wasn’t going to let it define me.

I was introduced to a wellness beverage that completely shifted my energy, health, and mindset. That experience not only sparked my personal transformation but also introduced me to the world of affiliate marketing and brand partnerships. I realized I could combine my passion for helping others with my desire to work for myself, especially with my chronic health needs in mind.

Fast forward to today, and I’ve built a six-figure business with multiple income streams as a certified coach, affiliate marketer, and content creator. I focus on empowering women to reclaim their health through simple habits and actionable mindset work while showing them how to create financial freedom by leveraging social media and modern marketing strategies. My services include health coaching, intermittent fasting programs like my Belly Burn series, and workshops on building income streams authentically.

What sets me apart is my no-BS, relatable approach. I’ve lived through the struggle and know what it feels like to think, “Where do I even start?” I focus on progress over perfection, breaking the cycle of fads and quick fixes. For my clients, it’s not just about losing weight or making money—it’s about building a life they’re proud of and one that aligns with their values.

I’m most proud of the ripple effect my work has created. Whether it’s seeing a woman step into her confidence, achieve her first financial breakthrough, or reclaim her energy and joy, every win feels like a shared victory. I want my clients and followers to know that it’s not about doing everything perfectly; it’s about showing up, taking small steps, and believing in their ability to design a life they love.

At the core of my brand is empowerment, connection, and authenticity. I don’t just want to help women—I want to inspire them to help themselves and others, creating a movement of resilience and transformation.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

didn’t start out on social media knowing it could be a business tool or understanding the power of building an audience and community. I had a basic social media following—just like anyone else—from having friends online. What sparked my journey was simple: I loved a product that genuinely changed my life, but I couldn’t afford it. To me, it was my medicine, and sharing it felt like the only way to make it work financially.

I was scared and nervous, but I did it anyway. This was when Facebook Lives were becoming a thing, and I remember my very first live. I couldn’t even pronounce half the words, my heart was racing, and I felt ridiculous. But I showed up consistently, even when it wasn’t perfect. Over time, something amazing started to happen. My videos were being shared in niche groups, and I started to build a following. I focused on sharing my story, the product I loved, and the stories of others.

As I grew, I learned how to polish my writing style, grab attention, and—most importantly—show up as my authentic self. I also started diving into self-development because I realized something that every real entrepreneur learns: the actual business part isn’t the hardest part. It’s managing your mindset, belief, and staying patient that determines your success.

Through trial, error, and a lot of learning, I discovered what I now teach: business needs GAS—Grow your Audience, Add Value to your Audience, and Share (or sell) with your Audience. That’s it. It’s simple, but it works.

My best advice to anyone starting out is this: just start. Know you’re going to suck at first. Embrace the suck and do it anyway. A mentor of mine did social media for 18 months before he saw significant sales. Today, he has millions of followers and a multimillion-dollar business. This game is about taking action, refining your approach, trying again, and staying patient. The people who quit after two seconds thinking it doesn’t work? They’re the ones who miss out.

So, that’s my story. Social media didn’t just change my life—it taught me how to step into my power and create a life I’m proud of. And trust me, if I can do it, anyone can.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Right now, I’m in the middle of one of the most challenging and exciting transitions of my business journey. For years, I built a thriving business in the health and wellness space, helping people transform their lives through diet coaching and healthy habits. It was rewarding, but I started to feel like I was outgrowing the narrow focus. I realized there was so much more I wanted to offer—so much more people needed—beyond just one area of their lives.

This pivot has been both tactical and deeply personal. I’m shifting from focusing solely on health and wellness to creating a multifaceted community that encompasses both healthy living and wealth creation. It’s about empowering women to take control of their entire lives—not just their bodies, but their finances, their confidence, and their sense of purpose. I want to help people create a life they’re truly proud of, from the inside out.

But let me tell you—it hasn’t been easy. Transitioning means rethinking everything: how I show up, who I’m speaking to, and the systems I’ve relied on for years. It’s uncomfortable, to say the least. There are days when it feels like starting over, even though I know I’m not. I’m rebuilding my messaging, my strategy, and my identity as a leader. It’s not just about doing new things—it’s about becoming the person who leads this new chapter with confidence and clarity.

On the mindset side, I’ve had to dig deep. This pivot has forced me to confront doubts, impatience, and even fear. The truth is, when you’ve been successful in one area, stepping into something new can feel incredibly risky. But I keep reminding myself that growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone. I’m learning to trust the process, even when it feels messy, and to embrace the uncomfortability as a sign that I’m doing something meaningful.

What keeps me going is the vision. I know that creating a community that blends health, wealth, and empowerment is exactly where I’m meant to be. I’ve seen firsthand how health impacts confidence, how confidence impacts finances, and how financial freedom impacts everything else. This is about teaching people to level up in every aspect of their lives and giving them the tools to do it.

This moment isn’t about perfect execution—it’s about showing up authentically, refining as I go, and trusting that the impact will follow. It’s uncomfortable, yes, but I’ve learned that the best things in life usually are.

Contact Info:

• Website: mandyp,com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/himandyp
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/amanda.podlesny