Honoring the Brave Girl in the Mirror: Megan Dirks and The Girl on the Left Book & Movement
- Jun 6
- 5 min read
Megan Dirks never set out to become the face of a movement. But sometimes, the stories we try hardest to hide are the ones the world most needs to hear.
After a decade-long health transformation—losing weight, balancing her hormones, and regaining her fertility—Megan had the “before and after” photos that many dream of. But instead of proudly displaying them, she hid them away. Not out of shame for where she’d been physically, but because of something deeper. She couldn’t bear to look at the girl on the left—the girl in the “before.”
“She was tired. She was struggling. She didn’t fit the mold. And for the longest time, I just wanted to crop her out,” Megan shares. “But eventually, I realized she’s the one who showed up. She’s the one who did the hard work. She deserved credit, not erasure.”
That realization became the heartbeat of Megan’s latest project and movement: The Girl on the Left.
A Movement Rooted in Respect
The Girl on the Left is more than a book—it’s a reclamation. It’s a deeply personal, unapologetic spotlight on the versions of ourselves that society often encourages us to overlook. Through a collection of raw, reflective stories from 21 women, the project challenges the conventional narrative of transformation and dares to ask: what if the girl in the trenches was actually the bravest of us all?
“I want readers to feel seen. I want them to stop hiding the messy middle,” Megan says. “The Girl on the Left is about giving the ‘before’ version the respect she’s earned. Because growth doesn’t just happen in the glow-up. It starts in the grit.”
The response has been profound. Readers are not only connecting with the stories—they’re seeing themselves in them.
Mothers are talking differently to their daughters. Women are revisiting old photos and finally feeling compassion for the version of themselves they once dismissed. Megan knew she had struck a nerve—and started something sacred.
Flipping the Script on Before and After
As a certified wellness coach since 2020, Megan has helped countless women through their own transformations. She’s seen firsthand how easily the “highlight reel” can eclipse the hardship.
“There’s this unspoken rule that growth only counts if it’s beautiful,” she says. “But the real magic? It’s in the chaos. The setbacks. The moments you wanted to give up but didn’t.”
Through The Girl on the Left, Megan invites women to flip the script. Rather than rushing to erase the past or hide the pain, she encourages them to honor the resilience it took to survive, and even thrive, through it all. “We’re never really done,” she adds. “There’s always another chapter. Another lesson. Another win. But we can’t skip over the parts that shaped us just because they weren’t pretty.”
Branding with Boldness—and Heart
While The Girl on the Left has become Megan’s soul work, it’s not her only venture. Under the quirky, memorable moniker Brandosaurus Meg, she helps solopreneurs create bold, confident brands that reflect who they are, inside and out.
Her approach is unique, blending design with mindset coaching—a powerful combination that she’s found essential for success. “You can have the most beautiful brand in the world, but if you’re afraid to show up in it, it falls flat,” Megan explains.
She’s witnessed countless women hesitate to take brand photos, price their services, or even claim their space online—all because of deeper fears around visibility, self-worth, and judgment. That’s where Megan steps in, guiding them through the internal blocks as much as the visual branding itself.
“Oh, and yes—I rebranded myself into a dinosaur,” she laughs. “It honors my inner child, it’s fun, and it attracts clients who are ready to play big while staying true to themselves.”
Building Brands—and Confidence—at Retreats
Megan’s passion for confidence-building and entrepreneurship also led her to launch Brand Bliss Escapes alongside her creative collaborator, Canadian brand photographer Raez Argulla. Together, they host immersive branding retreats that merge business strategy with deep self-care in luxurious, soul-nourishing environments.
“These aren’t your average retreats,” Megan says. “They’re about transformation from the inside out. Women walk away with not just brand assets—but a renewed sense of who they are and what they’re capable of.”
By weaving together storytelling, confidence work, and strategic vision, these retreats allow women to step fully into their next chapter—one that reflects both their ambition and authenticity.
Creativity Without Compromise
A multi-passionate entrepreneur, Megan doesn’t limit herself to one title. Alongside coaching, branding, and authorship, she’s also a game developer, pet-sitter, and adventure-seeker. While her ideas run wild and wide, she’s learned how to balance passion with professionalism.
“Look, I’ve definitely had shiny object syndrome,” she admits. “But I’ve gotten better at knowing what’s a hobby and what’s a business. I’ve learned to finish what I start. The key is aligning with what actually lights me up.”
That alignment fuels her mission. Whether she’s leading retreats, writing powerful narratives, or exploring wild mushroom foraging with her husband, Megan stays grounded in one thing: joy.
Gaming Life, Leveling Up
Megan’s love of gaming seeps into every facet of her business philosophy. She views life as a series of quests—some big, some optional, but all filled with opportunity to grow.
“Gamification makes everything more fun,” she says. “There’s always a new skill to learn, a quest to complete, a side mission to explore. I approach business the same way. It keeps things exciting and helps me push through the tough levels.”
Storytelling as the Secret Weapon
Through all her endeavors, storytelling remains Megan’s most powerful tool. In a world flooded with noise, it’s the human connection—the real, raw stories—that cut through.
“Your story is your edge,” she says. “I’m the edgy dinosaur girl who’ll help you build a badass brand, hold space for your tears, and cheer for your wins. That’s what sets me apart. That’s how you create trust and impact.”
The Future of The Girl on the Left
Now that The Girl on the Left is out in the world, Megan plans to keep the movement alive with special events, merchandise, and seasonal campaigns. She’s also refining her client experience for Brandosaurus Meg, taking on select projects that align with her mission of bold visibility and real connection.
Looking ahead, Megan’s goals are big—but they’re rooted in freedom, joy, and meaningful impact.
“I want to keep building spaces where women feel seen, safe, and celebrated,” she says. “And I want every girl on the left to know—she’s not broken. She’s just early in the story. And her story matters.”
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