Welcome to the first post in our Boss Lady Lessons Series. We are so excited to bring you insights into this amazing young woman, who we think is living life with such grace, dignity, compassion, and fearlessness. She is unapologetic and lives life so passionately. Her future is so bright and Jen is so incredibly proud to call her “daughter”. She has our hearts, our laughter, Jen’s tears, and everything in between.
THE STAR OF THIS BOSS LADY LESSON IS:
Madeline Fahselt
GRADUATE
U.C. Berkeley
Introduce yourself to the community of lovely LEO & MAUDE ladies. Give us the 4-1-1 on Y-O-U.
They call me Madeline Jayne and I just so happen to be the incredible Jennifer’s daughter (but don’t hold that against me). I am 25 and passionate about the environment and politics. I just moved to Washington D.C. from San Francisco and I am pursuing a career as a “boss lady” on the East Coast.
Q
Our motto is: Who wants to fit in a box, anyway? How do you defy limits and live a life outside the box?
A
I believe that the key to living a life outside the box is to be true to yourself and follow your passions, even if they don’t fit into the conventional mold. I constantly challenge myself to try new things, take risks, and step out of my comfort zone. I don’t let fear or societal expectations hold me back from pursuing my dreams. I surround myself with people who inspire and support me. I also make sure to prioritize self-care and balance in my life, so that I have the energy and mindset to tackle new challenges. I try to approach every obstacle with a positive attitude and a growth mindset, knowing that failure can be an opportunity for growth and learning, even though it terrifies me.
Q
What do you value most and why?
A
I value my education in high school and at U.C. Berkeley because it opened doors I never thought were possible. Being part of such a diverse and driven community at Berkeley challenged me to grow both academically and personally. The rigorous coursework pushed me to think critically and analytically and the professors and mentors I met, particularly the women (Boss Ladies in their own right) were instrumental in shaping my career path. My time there made me skeptical, curious, and hungry for knowledge. Most importantly, my education has empowered me to pursue my goals because I know how lucky I am to have gone to such an amazing school.
Q
Who has been your greatest influence? What impact did they make on your life?
A
My greatest influence is my grandmother. She is a force to be reckoned with. Despite losing my grandfather a year and a half ago, she has maintained an unwavering commitment to her family and a zest for life that is truly inspiring. She recently took up painting again and is always encouraging me to find the beauty in life. She has taught me the importance of putting family first and cherishing every moment we have together. Whenever I face obstacles in my own life, I look to my grandmother for inspiration and strive to emulate her resilience, strength, and joy for living. She has pushed me to where I am today and pushes me to keep my positivity, integrity, and honesty.
Q
What does being successful mean to you? What bit of advice would you offer women who are striving to reach that success?
A
To me, being successful means finding a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in both my personal and professional life. It means pursuing my passions, using my skills and talents to make a positive impact on the world, and finding a healthy balance between work and other aspects of my life.
If I were to offer advice to women striving for success, I would say that it’s important to define what success means to you on your own terms. Success can (and should) look different for everyone, so it’s important to identify what your goals and aspirations are and work towards them in a way that aligns with your values and priorities.
Q
What is one fun fact about yourself that most people would never know?
A
I am a master at thrifting clothing. Over the years I have honed my craft and can now zero in on any thrift stores’ best finds. I’ve built almost my whole work wardrobe out of thrifted clothing, including some really excellent second-hand Banana Republic finds. Thrifting also makes me feel better about how I impact the environment (and my wallet).
Q
If you could share one piece of advice with women around the world, what would it be?
A
I would say that every woman should believe in themselves and their abilities. Too often, women are socialized to doubt themselves, downplay their achievements, and settle for less than they deserve.
So my advice to women is to trust their instincts, take risks, and never be afraid to speak up for what they believe in. Don’t let anyone else define your worth or limit your potential. Embrace your unique talents and strengths, and use them to make a positive impact on the world. And when all else fails, seek out other women’s advice. My mentorship relationships with other women who are far more experienced than I have been extremely fruitful. It is a powerful thing to create and be a part of a community of motivated, empowered women helping one another.
Q
At what point in your life were you the happiest?
A
I think some of my happiest moments so far have been around college. I had such little responsibility, I lived near all my best friends, and I was constantly learning, reading, and having fun. The day I graduated from college was also an extremely happy moment. My initial college graduation was delayed because of the pandemic and when we finally got to celebrate more than a year later, all of my friends and family got together and it truly felt like the culmination of all my hard work and dedication. It was a moment of pure joy and pride that I will always cherish.
Q
Imagine you are sitting in your childhood bedroom. What do you see?
A
I see a cozy and familiar space that holds so many memories. There’s a twin-sized bed with a pink comforter. I see the purple walls and yellow stars that my parents painted and the shelves that my grandpa built. I see my dollhouse and all my stuffed animals. I imagine that it’s a summer day and I can smell the freshly cut grass through the open window and I’m filled with excitement to play outside with my siblings. I had an excellent childhood bedroom. The best part was that I shared a bathroom with my little sister. After my parents had put us to bed, we’d secretly meet up in the bathroom and talk or play until we were tired. That was magical.
Q
If you could go back and talk to your 12-year-old self, what would you tell her?
A
Dear 12-year-old me,
I know things feel really tough right now, but I want you to know that you are strong and capable. The people who are bullying you are not worth your time or energy. They are not a reflection of your worth as a person. It’s okay to be different and to not fit in with the crowd. You are beautiful just the way you are, and you don’t need to change anything about yourself to please others. Remember to be kind to yourself and to love who you are, inside and out. You will grow up to do great things, live in cool places and make amazing friends, and the people who once made you feel small will fade away into insignificance. Keep your head up!
Love,
Your 25-year-old self
Q
The world is constantly pulling us in a million directions. What healthy boundaries have you created in life to keep yourself from going insane?
A
I have learned the importance of setting healthy boundaries in order to maintain my mental and emotional well-being. One boundary that I have set for myself is making sure to prioritize self-care and taking time for myself, whether it be through exercise, reading, or spending time with loved ones. I also make sure to limit my exposure to social media, which I find to be extremely toxic to my growth as an individual, and instead focus on surrounding myself with positive and supportive individuals who uplift and inspire me. Finally, I am working on saying “no” to things that don’t align with my values or priorities, and not feeling guilty for prioritizing my own needs and goals.
Q
What self-care activity do you regularly practice to put your mind, body and soul at peace?
A
One self-care activity that I regularly practice to put my mind, body, and soul at peace is lifting. Moving heavy things around not only makes me feel like a badass but also forces all thoughts out of my head; it’s just me and my body. I also enjoy spending time in nature, whether it be going for a hike or simply taking a walk around my neighborhood. Being outside and surrounded by natural beauty helps me to feel more centered and connected to the world around me.
Q
There’s nothing better than feeling head-over-heels, passionate-beyond-measure, butterflies-in-stomach, totally and completely in love. What do you do to keep the madly-in-love spirit alive in your (past or present) relationship?
A
My boyfriend and I try to make even the little moments big. Taking walks, cooking dinner–those are the magical moments. It makes the big moments (like going on trips or going on dates) that much more magical and beautiful.
We are currently in a long-distance relationship, so keeping the madly-in-love spirit alive in our relationship takes effort and creativity. One thing that we do is schedule regular video chats and virtual dates, where we can spend quality time together even if we are miles apart. We also make sure to send each other little surprises and thoughtful messages, like sending a care package or writing a love letter. Whenever we visit one another, we try and leave little notes hidden in books or on shelves. He’s written me letters and sent me souvenirs from his travels. It’s those little things that help us stay connected despite the distance.
Q
You are stranded on a desert island, and you can only have one beauty product. What product do you need with you and why is it a must-have?
A
Girls. The Glossier Boy Brow Volumizing Eye-Brow Gel Pomade. I have absolutely no eyebrows and this gives me eyebrows in two minutes flat. If I am going to survive this desert island, I NEED EYEBROWS. Glossier can give them to me!
Q
Tell us what’s next for you. Are there any exciting things on the horizon?
A
The next step for me is just settling in! While that might not sound too exciting, it is to me. I’ve been looking forward to moving to Washington D.C. for quite a while and I haven’t felt like I could really sit still or be fully present in my life for some time. I can’t wait to get to know the city, focus on my career, and adjust to a new living situation. I’m enjoying not having anything huge on the horizon for now.
Q
If you live to be 100 years old, what do you hope your life will look like?
A
If I live to be 100 years old, I hope to look back on a life filled with love, laughter, and purpose. I hope to have maintained strong relationships with family and friends, to have traveled to new places and experienced new cultures, and to have contributed positively to society in some way. I also hope that my children live in a world that has a bright future. Ultimately, I hope to feel content and grateful for the life I have lived, with no regrets and a sense of fulfillment.
BONUS QUESTIONS
Q
Amanda is a self-proclaimed snack queen, so she needs to know: What is your absolute, go-to, can’t-live-without, favorite snack in the world?
A
It’s got to be the Trader Joe’s gluten free cinnamon muffin. This is an incredibly delicious treat, whether you are gluten free or not. It has granules of sugar and is great any time of the day. I recommend heating it up just a little bit and eating it with a strawberry or two.
Q
Jen strongly believes in bringing the best you forward, so she needs to know: What one item of clothing (or full outfit) makes you feel like a rockstar every time you put it on?
A
Earlier this year I bought a bright pink full-length jacket from Banana Republic. It is absolutely gorgeous and whenever I put it on I feel like I am on the runway.
Q
Amanda and Jen are huge music lovers, so they need to know: What song is your ultimate anthem? (you know, the one you can play a million times in a row and never get sick of!) Why is it your favorite?
A
My ultimate favorite right now is “Jackie Onassis” by Sammy Rae & The Friends. It’s got a great jazzy feel to it, is a queer love song, and is absolutely so fun to sing. It’s been on replay all year.
A special thank you to Madeline Fahselt for sharing a bit of her story with us. Our hope is that this little peek behind the green curtain gives you something to connect to, showing us all that no matter how different we may be, we all have more in common than we think. Questions for the Boss Lady featured here? Leave a comment for her below!
Do you know an extra special lady who would be perfect for this interview series? Or maybe YOU are that special someone? Feel free to nominate them (or yourself) for a chance to be featured as our next Boss Lady.
2 thoughts on “Lesson No. 1: Madeline Fahselt”
So proud of this girl. She has such amazing strength and wisdom! Go out and accomplish great things, Madeline!
Thank you for being a part of her journey Karen! She has an army of love behind her! xo J