Episode 7: Deanna Molenda- Mountaineer, Climber, Paraglider

Summary: Deanna Molenda shares her journey of recovery and rediscovering her love for the outdoors. She discusses her pre-sobriety hiking experiences and how she had to cut hiking out of her life during her early years of sobriety. Deanna then joins OSAT, a mountaineering program for people in recovery, and finds a supportive community. She overcomes her fears and takes on challenging climbs, including Mount Rainier and Aconcagua. Deanna emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and vetting people in the outdoor community. She also talks about her future mountaineering objectives and the transformative power of small challenges. Takeaways: Recovery and sobriety can open up new opportunities for personal growth and rediscovering passions. Building a supportive community is crucial for overcoming challenges and finding like-minded individuals. Setting boundaries and communicating intentions are essential in navigating the outdoor community. Embracing small challenges and transformations can lead to personal growth and a sense of accomplishment. Chapters: 00:00 Pre-Sobriety and Early Hiking 06:16 Recovery and Introduction to OSAT 08:09 Joining OSAT and Beginner Climbing Course 09:49 Building Community and Finding Support 11:08 Climbing Mount Rainier and Rediscovering Strength 12:49 Opportunity to Climb Aconcagua 14:07 Overcoming Fear and Taking Opportunities 17:47 Transformation and Life-Changing Connections 19:29 Navigating Challenges in the Outdoor Community 25:18 Setting Boundaries and Vetting People 27:35 Importance of Communication and Respect 29:42 Embracing Monotony and Small Transformations 35:24 Future Mountaineering Objectives 38:08 Approaching Challenges and Transformation 41:18 Learning to Fly and Overcoming Fears 45:23 Working with Brands and Building Relationships 50:02 Upcoming Adventures and Rest 54:46 Fitness Routine and Instagram 56:11 The Story Behind the Nickname 'Ladybug'