OH! Magazine - Australian Version May 2016 | Page 7

Di Westaway is the CEO of Wild Women On Top, a trek expert, author and speaker. To find out more or to contact Di visit www.wildwomenontop.com broker. All of us needed adventure to keep ourselves fit and manage our first-world stress. www.wildwomenontop.com DI WESTAWAY Left: Di Westaway & Carole Davis at Mt Vallunaraju, Peru. Below: Di Westaway at Alpamayo, Peru Of course, this new found confidence shifted the power balance at home. Some husbands didn’t like their wife’s empowerment. One friend confided, ‘When I feel him wearing me down, bullying me or withdrawing completely, I remind myself I’m strong. I’ve climbed mountains, I’ve walked 100km, I’ve pushed way out of my comfort zone in wild places where I never thought I’d survive.’ She said, ‘I know my mental and physical strength will get me through.’ A few years later, I too really needed that mental resilience as I struggled to protect my children from their father’s posttraumatic stress disorder and addiction. I had the strength I needed. The lessons I learned in the wilderness helped me overcome my fears, making me braver and more courageous. And later I used these same lessons to build my business. This adventure transformed my life. My trekking experience prepared me for life’s tough stuff. Which is lucky, because, let’s face it, nobody cares as much about your happiness as you. Your boss wants you for your productivity, your family wants you for your nurturing, and your partner wants you for sex! Life’s a trek. And everybody who lives long enough to meet their grandchildren knows what it feels like to hit rock bottom. So, get trek happy and healthy, and you’ll really start to feel awesome! ( OH! MAGAZINE ) MAY 2016 7