From Summits To Valleys: Grit, Grief, And Finding Strength

Thoughts or comments? Send us a text!What if the view you want is earned one painful step, one quiet choice, and one stubborn breath at a time? We sit down with author and endurance athlete Dianette Wells to trace the arc from a spontaneous Mount Whitney climb to seven summits, multi-day eco challenges, and the mindset that makes impossible goals workable. The conversation is raw and practical: how teams win by protecting their slowest moments, why fueling and hydration are non-negotiable, and how to switch off the inner critic without losing your edge.Dianette opens up about the tension between ambition and motherhood—those tearful calls, the unfair questions in sponsor meetings, and the relief of showing her kids what joy in action looks like. We talk about building resilience through small daily choices, visualizing the peak while managing the next hour, and using strategy over bravado when the weather turns or the plan breaks. If you’ve ever wondered how to hold big dreams alongside real-life responsibilities, this is a masterclass in presence.We also honor the life and legacy of her son, Johnny—an extraordinary athlete whose courage and appetite for flight pushed the boundaries of what a day can hold. The grief of losing him is neither minimized nor sensationalized; it’s carried. Movement becomes medicine, community becomes a lifeline, and purpose becomes a way forward. Deanette’s mantra—do it anyway—lands as both challenge and comfort: start where you are, take the next step, and let momentum find you.If this story moves you, share it with someone who needs courage today. Subscribe for more conversations on resilience, mindset, and women claiming space. And if it helped, please leave a quick rating or review—it helps more people find the show.You can find Dianette HERE.Support the showBUY ME A COFFEE or SUPPORT ALFIE'S TREAT STASHLearn more about my book, Nature Knows: Grow and Thrive through the Wisdom of Plants HERE.Comments about this episode? Suggestions for a future episode? Email me directly at [email protected]. Want to be a guest on No Shrinking Violets Podcast for Women? Send Mary Rothwell a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/noshrinkingvioletsFollow me on Facebook and Instagram, and check out my website!