Secrets of Beauty Pageants with Insider Tracy Heisler Drost, Mrs. Illinois

Get Obsessed with... doing the thing that scares you. This week on Get Obsessed, Julie Lokun and Mika Altidor sit down with Tracy Heisler Drost, Mrs. Illinois 2025-26, for a conversation that goes way beyond the crown. Tracy pulls back the curtain on the world of pageantry — not the stereotype, the reality: the platform it builds, the doors it opens, and the personal growth that happens when you stop avoiding the things that make you uncomfortable and start leaning into them. Tracy shares how competing as Mrs. Illinois became less about the title and more about the megaphone it gave her — a platform to advocate, connect, and show other women what's possible when you bet on yourself. Julie and Mika dig into the mindset shift that made it all possible: the moment you decide discomfort isn't a red flag, it's a green light. If you've ever talked yourself out of something because it felt scary, unfamiliar, or "not really you" — this episode is your permission slip to do it anyway. In this episode, we cover: What it's really like to compete for a title like Mrs. Illinois — and what nobody tells you going in How pageantry functions as a platform-building tool, not just a beauty contest The confidence Tracy built by choosing discomfort on purpose Why "just try it" might be the most underrated growth strategy that exists How to turn any title, role, or opportunity into a bigger platform for your voice Advice for anyone standing at the edge of something that scares them Quotable moment: Tracy on why growth lives on the other side of uncomfortable — and why she keeps choosing it anyway. FAQs Who is Tracy Heisler Drost? Tracy Heisler Drost is Mrs. Illinois 2025-26, using her title as a platform to inspire women to embrace growth, confidence, and opportunities that push them outside their comfort zone. What does Mrs. Illinois 2025-26 talk about on Get Obsessed? Tracy talks about the power of pageantry as a platform, how competing built her confidence, and why intentionally choosing uncomfortable situations is one of the fastest ways to grow personally and professionally. What is the Get Obsessed Podcast about? Get Obsessed is hosted by Julie Lokun and Mika Altidor, delivering bold, unfiltered conversations on confidence, personal brand, entrepreneurship, and becoming obsessed with the life you're building. Where can I listen to this episode? You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts stream, or visit www.getobsessedpodcast.com for the full episode and show notes. How can I be a guest on Get Obsessed? Visit www.getobsessedguest.com to apply to be featured on the show. What is pageant "platform" and why does it matter? A pageant platform is the cause, message, or mission a titleholder champions during her reign — Tracy's story shows how a platform can extend far beyond the stage into real influence and impact. Links Mentioned ️ Listen to the full episode: www.getobsessedpodcast.com Apply to be a guest on Get Obsessed: www.getobsessedguest.com About the Hosts Julie Lokun, JD is a media entrepreneur, podcast strategist, and brand consultant, and the founder of The Mediacasters LLC and co-founder of Dragonfly Cre8tions LLC, Dragonfly Podcast Academy, and Cre8tive Con. Her podcasts rank in the top 0.05% globally on Listen Notes and top 5 weekly on Apple Podcasts. Learn more at julielokunconsulting.com and bigbetterbrand.com. Mika Altidor co-hosts Get Obsessed Podcast alongside Julie, bringing bold energy and real talk to every conversation about confidence, growth, and getting obsessed with your own life. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.