Nearly 80 percent of women in the United States struggle with low self-esteem, while 90 percent report feeling inadequate about their bodies. Add to that the professional gap: 78 percent of women are labeled “emotional” in reviews compared to just 11 percent of men, and 76 percent of high-performing women receive negative feedback on personality traits compared to only 2 percent of men.
The numbers show a clear pattern. Women are not only battling body image expectations, but also workplace cultures that punish ambition and authenticity. The result is a confidence crisis that leaves many women hiding their true selves, second-guessing their instincts, and shrinking in order to fit in.
A new platform launching this fall is positioning itself as a solution. The Ridiculously You movement, created by award-winning international speaker and best-selling author Julie May, is designed to help women stop shrinking and start living “ridiculously out loud.” It includes a podcast, a membership community, and an open call for women to share their stories.
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From Personal Struggle to Practical Solutions
Julie May is not approaching this problem from theory. She experienced it firsthand. Several years ago, she faced what she calls her “really bad year.” Her daughter’s health crisis collided with bankruptcy and foreclosure. At the same time, she was carrying the invisible weight many women know too well, the expectation to hold it all together without showing cracks.
That year forced a realization. “When the mom goes down, everyone goes down,” she said. The cost of shrinking was not just personal. It rippled through her family and her community.
May began practicing what she now teaches: radical self-love and authenticity over perfection. She lost more than 100 pounds, rebuilt her confidence, and discovered that the very qualities she had once been told were “too much” were actually her sources of strength.
Today she is using that experience to build tools for other women. With features on CBS, ABC, and KSL 5, two best-selling books, and international speaking engagements, May is entering a new phase, marked by the launch of the Ridiculously You Podcast and the Ridiculous Women Society.
A Podcast That Puts Real Stories First
Launching October 6, the Ridiculously You Podcast is not another self-help show filled with polished soundbites. Each weekly episode features unfiltered conversations with women who have defied expectations, overcome challenges, and built lives rooted in authenticity.
Guests range from business leaders and nonprofit founders to creatives and performers. The diversity of voices is intentional. The show seeks out stories from women who have chosen passion over convention, resilience over burnout, and authenticity over invisibility.
“The podcast is about dropping the filters. It is about hearing women speak as they are, not as they are supposed to be,” May said.
Episodes are designed to balance vulnerability with practical takeaways. Listeners are not just inspired by stories; they walk away with scripts for setting boundaries, tools for managing burnout, and new ways to respect their own bodies and choices.
The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music.
How Women Can Share Their Stories
The Ridiculously You Podcast is not just about listening. It is also an invitation for women to be featured. The show is currently running a casting call for guests who have unique stories, creative approaches, and unconventional paths.
Applications are open to a wide range of voices, including Disney Imagineers, Broadway performers, Lego Master Builders, Cirque du Soleil acrobats, Olympians, nonprofit founders, entrepreneurs, and innovators working on projects such as artificial intelligence. The common thread is authenticity and passion.
Every guest receives a professional media kit, including 10 to 20 captioned video clips optimized for reels and shorts. These clips allow guests to amplify their message across their own platforms while benefiting from the podcast’s reach.
Interested applicants can apply at www.ridiculouslyyou.com/beaguest.
A Safe Space for Women to Stop Shrinking
Alongside the podcast, October 6 also marks the launch of the Ridiculous Women Society. This membership community provides women with a private, supportive space to practice living “ridiculously out loud.”
The Society includes:
- A private online community with support from Julie and peer
- Access to a library of more than 60 training
- Monthly challenges and printable workbook
- Motivational pep talks available as audio download
- Custom GPT tools to support personal growt
The program begins with a seven-day free trial and continues at $30 per month. The structure is designed to be accessible while sustaining ongoing content and support.
“The Ridiculous Women Society was built to give women more than inspiration. It is a place for real connection, real tools, and real community,” May said.
The community operates under a zero-shame policy. Members are encouraged to show up as they are, without fear of being “too much.” This includes intentional inclusion of neurodivergent women, whom May often refers to as “neurospicies”, a playful reframing of difference as strength.
Women can learn more and join at www.ridiculouslyyou.com/women.
Turning Statistics Into Solutions
The launch of Ridiculously You is more than a brand announcement. It is a direct response to the statistics that outline women’s confidence crisis.
- 78 percent of women are labeled “emotional” at work compared to 11 percent of men.
- 76 percent of high-performing women receive negative feedback vs. only 2 percent of men
- 70 percent of workers hide their true selves at work
- 42 percent of women report burnout compared to 35 percent of men
- Nearly 80 percent of U.S. women struggle with low self-esteem, and 90 percent report feeling inadequate about their bodies
“These numbers are not abstract. They are lived experiences that women carry every day,” May explained.
The Ridiculously You Podcast addresses them by amplifying real stories and offering actionable strategies. The Ridiculous Women Society addresses them by creating an ongoing environment where authenticity is practiced and supported. Together, they form a dual platform for both inspiration and implementation.
Three Simple Ways to Join the Movement
For women who are ready to stop shrinking, there are three immediate ways to engage with Ridiculously You:
- Listen to the Podcast: Subscribe to the Ridiculously You Podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or Amazon. New episodes release weekly at www.ridiculouslyyou.com/podcast
- Apply to Be a Guest: Share your story on the podcast and receive a professional media kit. Apply now at www.ridiculouslyyou.com/beaguest
- Join the Society: Become part of the Ridiculous Women Society. Start with a seven-day free trial, then continue for $30 per month at www.ridiculouslyyou.com/women
Why This Launch Matters
Women are still judged more harshly at work, carry higher rates of burnout, and face cultural pressures that penalize ambition. At the same time, they are increasingly looking for tools and communities that provide real support.
Ridiculously You positions itself as more than inspiration. It is a platform that delivers practical solutions, structured tools, and safe spaces for authenticity. By combining a podcast, a casting opportunity, and a community, Julie May is offering multiple entry points for women to reclaim their confidence.
“The world does not need smaller women. It needs women who are willing to take up space,” May said.
