I’m so excited to share some of my favorite takeaways from talking with Miss Arkansas 2019 + 2020 Darynne Dahlem. 

Darynne is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, current medical school student, and she was crowned Miss Arkansas in 2019. She also represented Miss Arkansas at the 2020 Miss America Pageant and has earned a number of awards throughout the process including the Jessie Ward Bennett Leadership Award. She has served as Arkansas’ spokesperson for the Children’s Miracle Network and the Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Tune in to the full episode here!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts

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Her platform for the competitions, “Know Who You Are,” is rooted in Darynne’s belief that if you truly know who you are, you won’t be led to do or be something you’re not. I love that so much! 

We had a fantastic conversation and I hope you get the chance to listen. She is genuine and true to herself, and I think that really comes across in her answers to my questions and the stories that she shares! 

Follow her on Instagram @darynne_angelique.

Here are a few of my favorite things she mentioned: 

The road to success is not paved with success.

My ultimate goal became Miss Arkansas when I realized that the changes I saw in myself were good ones. If people could just see that in me then maybe I could help them see that in themselves. 

Quirky or not, I was still Miss Arkansas. 

Because I was comfortable with who I was, they were comfortable with talking to Miss Aarkansas. 

Being the clumsy person that I was and making that Miss Arkansas has helped me be able to do whatever I want and still be that clumsy person and be ok with it  

You have to realize: What is it that’s holding you back? 

Because I had identified [my fear] and put a name to it, I was able to say “alright. I’m not going to let somebody else dictate what I do with my life.”

Starting small and giving yourself the grace to do so.

There should never be mold for anything we do. 

Doing those small things that make you start to become comfortable in uncomfortable situations is really the only way that you’re going to get to be able to succeed in whatever you want to do.

People don’t just succeed into being successful

We weren’t made to have social groups of 30,000 people … we’re made to have connections.

Leaders remember what it was like when they weren’t leaders.

We’re not all the same person.

When you pave the way, you’re paving it for everyone who wants to come behind you.

The only one who can judge yourself for how you look, how you feel, and what you do in life, is you. 
Listen to the full episode for more and let me know your favorite takeaway!

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