In This Episode

In this episode, Michael Dargie connects with Stacey Gonder—a creative rebel, transformational coach, and custom costume designer based in Toronto, Canada. Known for reinventing herself, Stacey is now blending two of her passions: clothing and coaching. Her mission? To help people walk through the world fully expressed, from the inside out.

Stacey shares how her career evolved from professional dancer to costume designer to intuitive coach—and how those disciplines intersect in powerful, surprising ways. We explore what it means to shed the “beige” of conformity and design a wardrobe (and life) that aligns with who you actually are.

Through coaching, couture, and conversation, Stacey helps clients ditch the mainstream script and embody their truest selves—feathers, sequins, and all. She speaks openly about burnout, beauty, resistance, contrast, and the courage it takes to show up differently. There’s also some potato theft, a lot of laughs, and maybe a little rage against frogs.

Whether you’re on the verge of a reinvention or just wondering why your clothes don’t feel like you, Stacey’s rebel journey is your permission slip to do the thing that scares you—and dress like you mean it.

Quotable Quotes

“The thing that you’re most afraid of? That’s the thing you do.”

“Move toward the fear. It’s either the thing in your way—or the thing that teaches you.”

“You don’t have to be beige just because you work in beige places.” – Stacey Gonder

“People don’t belong in boxes.”

“You get to be that all the time—not just when you’re off the clock.” – Stacey Gonder

“We’re not human doings. We’re human beings.”

“Built by pierogies, cabbage, and hard work ethic.”

“Let’s break the machine.”

Episode Highlights

Stacey’s Latest Reinvention | Coaching meets custom costuming

From the Stage to the Studio | Life as a pro dancer turned designer

Born a Rebel | Why she never fit the mainstream model

Inside/Out Work | Matching inner truth with outer expression

Closet Coaching | Why most wardrobes don’t reflect who we are

Getting Loud with Style | Contrast, creativity, and permission

Retail Reimagined | Revamping her Toronto studio

Frame Game | Why glasses are an underrated accessory

Driving to Think | Cross-country road trips and Morkie copilots

Frog Phobia | Don’t ask, just accept

Ukrainian Roots | Built by grandmas and pierogies

The Thing You’re Afraid Of | A rebel’s roadmap to action

RuPaul & Reflection | Why quiet time and drag shows both heal

Deep Sea > Space | Where Stacey would rather explore

Entrepreneur Energy | Wearing who you are, wherever you go

Links from the Episode

Stacey’s Website (bystaceyg.com)

Stacey on Instagram (https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceygonder/)

Stacey on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/stacey.gonder)

Stacey on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceygonder/)