Confidence, Mindset & Growth: A Pageant Perspective with Grace Rodi, Miss Illinois USA 2024

In this episode, I’m joined by Grace Rodi, Miss Illinois USA 2024, to talk about a world that so many people are curious about — pageants. We’re breaking down the biggest myths and stereotypes around pageant culture, what it’s really like behind the scenes, and how competing shapes confidence, resilience, and the ability to walk into any room with presence. We also talk about the specific skills pageants teach — from interview prep to handling rejection — and how those lessons carry into real life, careers, and even experiences like sorority recruitment. If you’ve ever wondered what pageants are really like — or what they can teach you — this episode is for you.