#41 I Wish I Would Have Known My Struggle Was Leading Me Somewhere Better

What if the hardest season of your life… is actually pointing you toward something greater? In this Wish I Would Have Known episode, Heidi Valdez shares a powerful reflection from her own health journey—one that completely changed the direction of her life. During a personal health crisis, Heidi didn’t have answers. Like many people, she was navigating symptoms, stress, and uncertainty. But what she didn’t realize at the time was that this struggle would become the very thing that shaped her purpose. Through that experience, she gained a deeper understanding of the connection between the body, mind, and spirit—and now uses that knowledge to support others on their own journeys. This episode is a reminder that: Your hardest moments may be your greatest teachers Healing is not just physical—it’s emotional and mental too And sometimes, the path you didn’t choose is the one you were meant for About Heidi Valdez: Heidi Valdez is the owner of Mindful Counseling Des Moines, where she works with clients ranging from children to adults using a holistic, personalized approach to mental health. With a background in school social work and her own lived experience navigating chronic stress and gut health challenges, she integrates traditional therapy with tools like breathwork, movement, and nervous system support. She also works with the Iowa Cubs as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, supporting both players and staff with mental health services. Connect with Heidi: Website: https://www.mindfulcounseling-dsm.com/ Email: [email protected] Text: 515-401-4168 About the show:  Within is a podcast hosted by Nicky Wallace of The People Co. It explores what happens when organizations stop chasing surface-level solutions and start doing the real work from within. Each episode unpacks stories of leadership, burnout, growth, culture, and the messiness of being human at work. Whether you’re in HR, leading a team, or just rethinking how work fits into your life, Within offers a candid and refreshing look at how people-first business gets built. Connect with hosts & guests: Nicky - Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nwallace515/  Nicky - Instagram:  @Freedomtoleadwell Heidi- Linkedin- www.linkedin.com/in/heidibuttolph/ For more information on The People Co., check out our Webiste: thepeople-co.com For more information on The Potential Within, check out www.thepeople-co.com/potentialwithin