321. Dating Smart: The Real Reason Successful Women Struggle in Love, with Laura Nagiel
The Game On Girlfriend Podcast
Release Date: 02/24/2026
The Game On Girlfriend Podcast
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My guest this week had a childhood nickname: Muscles. She wasn't the smallest kid on the block, but she could always outrun the boys and knock a softball clean out of the park. Somewhere along the way, that name got buried — and stayed that way for decades. Mary Ellen Loranger is a 56-year-old entrepreneur, author, and wellness leader who’s spent the past eight years, alongside her husband Wayne, coaching thousands of women through nutrition, health, and lifestyle transformation. A former Ironman athlete, she’s spent the last few years building Midlife Strong®, a strength training and...
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Most of us think certainty means confidence — that bold, "everything always works out for me" kind of energy. It doesn't. Confidence is built on evidence: you earn it by looking back at what you've already proven. Certainty is different. It's a deep inner knowing you can access before you have any proof at all, and it's one of the most important skills for building a genuinely wealthy life — not just a life with more money in it, but one where you trust your next move even when you can't yet explain why. In this solo episode, I break down the real difference between certainty and...
info_outlineYour success isn't scaring men away. But the energy you had to adopt to build that success? That might be creating a problem you didn't know existed.
In this episode, Sarah talks with Laura Nagiel, a dating and confidence coach who works specifically with high-achieving women. Laura shares why being "twice as masculine as the men around you" at work can completely backfire when you're trying to build a romantic connection—and what to do about it.
They explore the "second gear" successful women need to shift between work mode and dating mode, how to actually assess someone's level of ambition (spoiler: it's not about asking five-year plans), and why self-love—not just self-confidence—determines what you'll actually accept in relationships.
Laura's been through it herself. After a successful PR career and years of dating frustration, she took a year off to study her own patterns. The very first date after that year? Her life partner. Now she helps women understand the psychology of attraction, the masculine-feminine polarity, and how to create the conditions for finding an aligned partner.
This conversation is practical, honest, and refreshing. If you've ever felt like you can build a six-figure business but can't seem to get dating right, this episode is for you.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- Why your success isn't the problem—but the masculine energy you developed to achieve it might be
- The "second gear" that lets you be powerful at work AND open in relationships
- How to assess someone's actual level of ambition through their actions, not their words
- The crucial difference between self-confidence and self-love (and why you need both)
- Why "leaning back" reveals more about compatibility than interviewing over wine
- How past relationships shape your current dating mindset—and what to do about it
SPECIAL GIFT FROM LAURA NAGIEL
Take Laura's free dating audit to discover what your biggest problem is in dating right now and the 3 specific steps you need to take to fix it. The audit takes 3-5 minutes and helps you move from chaos to clarity in your dating life.
→ Get the free audit: https://lauranagiel.involve.me/audit
CONNECT WITH LAURA NAGIEL
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauranagiel/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauranagiel/
- Website & DREAM Framework: https://resources.lauranagiel.com/dream-framework
ABOUT LAURA NAGIEL
Laura Nagiel is a dating and confidence coach for high-achieving women. She's the author of the DREAM Framework™, a practical five-step method that offers a precise strategy for navigating dating in a way that brings fast but sustainable results.
After years of struggling with dating herself—despite success in PR and building a thriving coaching business—Laura took a year off dating to study her own patterns. The very first date after resuming? Her life partner. Now she helps women understand the psychology of attraction, masculine and feminine polarity, and why people bond the way they do, so they can finally experience their dream relationship and truly have it all in life.
READY TO BUILD A BUSINESS THAT SUPPORTS YOUR LIFE?
Book a free consultation with Sarah to talk about where you are in your business and see if working together feels right.
→ Schedule here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=13047670&appointmentType=34706781
FREE GIFT FROM SARAH
Get Sarah's Freedom Calculator and discover exactly how much your business needs to make so you can be truly free. Download → https://sarahwalton.com/freedom
LEARN FROM SARAH
Explore Sarah's online courses and free resources to start building your business with confidence.
- Online Courses: sarahwalton.com/online-courses
- Free Resources: sarahwalton.com/free-resources
CONNECT WITH SARAH
- Website: https://sarahwalton.com/podcast
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSarahWalton
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thesarahwalton
ABOUT SARAH WALTON
Sarah Walton is a business coach, podcast host, and mentor who helps women entrepreneurs build businesses they love. She's the creator of the Abundance Academy, Effortless Sales, and the Game On Girlfriend® podcast. Sarah's mission is to put more money in the hands of more women while teaching authentic, heart-centered business strategies.
RELATED GAME ON GIRLFRIEND® EPISODES YOU'LL LOVE
- Episode 253: Ready to Reinvent Yourself? A Conversation With Anita Rombough — https://sarahwalton.com/reinvent-yourself/
- Episode 270: The Truth About Learning to Manifest with Alea Lovely — https://sarahwalton.com/learn-manifestation/
- Episode 214: Coaching the Unconscious Mind: Unlock Your Genius with Jenn Beninger — https://sarahwalton.com/coaching-unconscious-mind/
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