Meet the trailblazing women who are driving change on their own terms

Stay in your lane? Nah, not for these women...

Vick Hope Ford Driven
Vick Hope in conversation with Marie Claire's Holly Rains

At some point in recent history, you've probably been told to 'embrace change' and welcome it into your life, but be it a personal change, or ploughing forward with a professional goal - the idea of stepping into the unknown can often lead to stasis. Every possible outcome starts playing out in your mind, and because the human brain is a funny old thing, it's the negative thoughts that get the air time...

"Am I good enough to do this?"

"What if it doesn't work out?"

"Who do I think I am?!"

How about, we let the positive thoughts get their time in the sun for a change, because we're pretty sure Jeffrey Bezos didn't sit in front on the mirror and ask his reflection if he was "good enough" before experiencing four minutes of weightlessness in suborbital space. Whilst a multi-billion pound joyride to space is out of the question for most of us, we do admire that spirit of adventure. The desire to try something new, embrace the now and become your own agent of change.

And it's with that spirit in mind that, as part of our Driven series with Ford, we sat down with some of our favourite women to properly understand what it took to get where they are today; from navigating stumbling blocks and taking the path less travelled, to not being afraid to use their voice to affect positive change - their energy and ambition is not just inspiring, it's infectious

Visit the Driven Hub to find out more tips on how to create more, do more and change more...

Case in point: Our interview with broadcasting powerhouse Vick Hope. The queen of positivity's energy is only matched by her drive to make lasting change and amplify voices that have traditionally been excluded from the mainstream narrative, all whilst balancing her career as a broadcast journalist and presenter. Her tip? Keeping a sense of perspective... and a banging playlist, obviously.

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Lennie Ware chats to Marie Claire's Holly Rains over coffee

We also sat down with social worker, author and podcasting legend Lennie Ware for a candid chat about what can be achieved when you actively embrace opportunities that come out of nowhere. Whilst the Table Manners' matriarch can now count 3.5 million of us as fans, it was a happy accident that she became so heavily involved in the podcast. Initially enlisted by her daughter, Jessie, to cook for the guests, her natural rapport with the likes of Kylie Minogue and Ed Sheeran became a key ingredient to creating the hit show, proving that whatever stage of life you're at, if you're receptive and not afraid to take a chance, change can be a very good thing indeed.

Watch the full Driven series here

Holly Rains

Holly Rains is the digital editor of Marie Claire UK. She has over 10 years journalism experience, working as an editor and writer, specialising in digital media, content strategy and dog breeds. Prior to Marie Claire, she has held senior staff positions at ELLE UK, Grazia and Company magazine.

Holly is a frequent speaker, panelist and interviewer on a range of subjects including media trends, careers and entertainment. From working with Reuters to provide global red carpet coverage for events like the BAFTAs, to discussing fashion and beauty trends on network TV, she was also the host of the Marie Claire series ‘Holly’s First Dates’, where she regularly interviewed a mix of inspiring woman and A-list celebrities (including Jack Black, Dakota Fanning and Renée Zellweger)  - a series which garnered half a million views in its first two months. And was approved by The Rock.

Her love of office-based meetings means that the days of discovering the melting point of Cadbury's Flakes are long gone, but when she isn't dreaming of scheduling in meetings, she likes to think about social media, and how best to avoid it whilst still retaining the title of 'digital' editor. She also likes learning about emerging technology, Influencers and how to become a Financially Responsible Adult.

Contact Holly: holly.rains@futurenet.com