In this episode of The Achieve Podcast, host Jessie Warner sits down with legendary race car driver Lyn St. James, co-founder of Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing opportunities for women across all roles in motorsports.
Lyn shares how discovering racing in her 20s unlocked a lifelong passion and the “power within” she didn’t know she had. From becoming a professional driver with Ford Motor Company, to earning Rookie of the Year at the Indianapolis 500, to competing in 7 Indy 500s and a decades-long career in a male-dominated sport, Lyn’s story is all about perseverance, excellence, and opening doors for the next generation.
You’ll hear:
1. How Lyn went from speeding tickets to a 50-year career in motorsports
2. What it was like being “the only woman” in most racing environments
3. The origins of Women in Motorsports North America and its mission
4. How WIMNA is engaging young women through summits, chapters, and programs like Electrify Your Career
5. The challenge of managing growth, funding, and volunteers in a young nonprofit
6. Lyn’s honest take on AI, technology, and how it may shape the future of safety and the sport
7. Her advice to entrepreneurs: don’t talk yourself out of your passion — commit for the long haul and keep showing up