Hi there! Welcome to the Grit Behind the Glitz Podcast, episode numero uno! My desire to create this podcast stems from wanting to apply my broadcast skills through sharing stories of real women who have faced real struggles - both in pageantry and in the grander scheme of life. My hope? That their trials and tribulations empower you to refine your own skill sets, to set goals a little higher and to work a little harder. Let's face it, we all must work through some form of grit in order to truly achieve glitz.

I wanted to take this initial episode to provide you with a little more background about me, your host, Tianna Vanderhei. Why did I initially start competing in the Miss America Organization? What did my MAO journey look like? Listen to find out more!