Paige Onweller’s journey proves that it’s never too late to chase big dreams or reinvent yourself. In this episode, Rebecca and Paige dive into the realities of starting over, the power of community, and how setbacks can become springboards for transformation. From the ER to the elite gravel scene, Paige shares her story of hard work, healing, and using her platform to lift others up, especially women in cycling.

Rebecca & Paige Discuss:

1. Jumping into cycling in her 30s after a career in emergency medicine
2. How a “work hard to survive” mindset shaped her approach to sport
3. Navigating recovery and trauma therapy after a major crash
4. The role of sponsors and community in supporting her comeback
5. Discovering new mental strengths through adversity
6. Launching the Rosie Up Initiative to empower women in gravel racing
7. Balancing ambition with self-compassion and honest reflection
8. The importance of representation and advocacy in sport
9. Recent highlights: Unbound Gravel podium, Lifetime Grand Prix success

Transformative Insights

1. Setbacks can unlock unexpected strengths and new directions
2. Community support is essential for resilience and recovery
3. Starting late can be a superpower, bringing fresh perspective
4. Advocacy and visibility create pathways for others
5. Growth is found in both vulnerability and determination

Vulnerable Moments

1. Paige’s candid account of trauma therapy and identity shifts
2. The pressure to return to racing—and the courage to heal first
3. Admitting the ongoing impact of injury and mental health challenges
4. Sharing the realities of being a woman in a male-dominated sport

Practical Wisdom

1. How to turn adversity into opportunity
2. Building a support network and asking for help
3. Balancing high achievement with self-care
4. Encouragement for women and late bloomers to pursue their goals

Personal Growth

1. Paige’s evolution from ER professional to gravel champion and advocate
2. Rebecca’s reflections on the value of unconventional journeys
3. The power of storytelling to break barriers and build community
4. Both guests’ dedication to using their voices for positive change

Links & Resources

1. Paige Onweller: Instagram | Website
2. The White Line Project: thewhiteline.org

This episode is brought to you by Rebecca’s Private Idaho where adventure, community, and purpose come together in the wild. Join us in Sun Valley for a ride that’s about more than the miles: it’s about showing up for yourself, your community, and the planet. Registration is open at rebeccasprivateidaho.com.

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Amelia Boone’s journey is about moving beyond the myth of toughness to embrace honesty, presence, and real resilience. In this episode, Rebecca and Amelia dig into what happens when the “Queen of Pain” identity no longer fits, and how facing struggle head-on can lead to deeper growth. Together, they talk about the realities of mental health, the courage to be vulnerable, and the ongoing work of aligning who you are on the inside with what the world sees.

1. The origins and impact of the “Queen of Pain” nickname
2. Navigating eating disorders and OCD as an elite athlete
3. The pressure to appear tough versus the reality of emotional struggle
4. The process and risk of going public with mental health challenges
5. Balancing a demanding legal career with high-level competition
6. Redefining resilience and toughness in sport and life
7. Using her platform to advocate for mental health and authenticity
8. The shift from achievement-driven identity to living with greater presence

1. True resilience is about honesty and emotional openness, not just endurance
2. Letting go of old identities can create space for real growth
3. Aligning your inner and outer worlds is a powerful act of self-respect
4. Vulnerability can be a source of strength and connection

1. Amelia’s decision to share her eating disorder and OCD publicly
2. The fear of judgment and the relief of finally being honest
3. Admitting that toughness isn’t about hiding emotion, but embracing it
4. The ongoing challenge of recovery and self-acceptance

1. How to recognize when an identity no longer serves you
2. Tools for navigating recovery and building new routines
3. The importance of community and honest conversation in healing
4. Why presence matters more than performance

1. Amelia’s evolution from world champion to advocate for mental health
2. Rebecca’s reflections on the value of showing up as your real self
3. The role of storytelling and open dialogue in breaking stigma
4. Both guests’ commitment to using their platforms for collective good

1. Amelia Boone: Instagram
2. Eating Disorder Recovery: NEDA

This episode is brought to you by Rebecca’s Private Idaho where adventure, community, and purpose come together in the wild. Join us in Sun Valley for a ride that’s about more than the miles: it’s about showing up for yourself, your community, and the planet. Registration is open at rebeccasprivateidaho.com.

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Interested in aligning your brand with authentic conversations about performance, purpose, and growth? Contact Aerah@RebeccaRusch.com for sponsorship opportunities and our media kit.

Boone Speed’s story is one of stripping away the noise to find what’s real. In this episode, Rebecca explores Boone’s evolution from pioneering American sport climber to creative force in photography and design. Together, they reflect on how movement, art, and community can help us shed what no longer serves us and discover a deeper sense of belonging, wherever we land.

Show notes:

In this episode, Rebecca and Boone discuss:

1. The early days of American sport climbing and the Utah scene
2. How creativity and craft shaped Boone’s approach to climbing and photography
3. The importance of mentorship and community in pushing boundaries
4. Why Boone chooses stillness and intentionality in a world that rewards speed
5. Building culture inside brands and lessons learned from working with athletes and founders
6. Navigating transitions—from the crag to the ocean, from athlete to creative advisor

Transformative Insights:

1. The value of tuning out external noise to hear your own truth
2. How community and creativity can be anchors through change
3. The power of staying “allergic to the status quo”
4. Why choosing stillness is sometimes the boldest move

Vulnerable Moments:

1. Boone reflects on the risks and rewards of forging a new path in climbing
2. Rebecca and Boone share stories of feeling like outsiders and finding belonging
3. Honest talk about transitions—letting go of old identities to make space for new growth
4. Boone opens up about the challenges of balancing art, adventure, and personal life

Practical Wisdom:

1. How to approach creative work as a practice, not a performance
2. Tools for building authentic community in any field
3. The importance of mentorship—both giving and receiving
4. Why slowing down can lead to deeper connection and clarity

Personal Growth:

1. Boone’s evolution from athlete to creative advisor and mentor
2. Rebecca’s ongoing journey to embrace stillness and let go of perfectionism
3. How both guests use movement and nature as tools for self-discovery
4. The role of vulnerability in building a meaningful life

Helpful Links:

1. Boone Speed Portfolio
2. Boone Speed on Instagram
3. Hence Creative

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This is Part 2 of Rebecca’s conversation with Jay Petervary, recorded just days after his 13th attempt at the Iditarod Trail Invitational (ITI) in Alaska. If you haven’t listened to Part 1: Ride Forward: The Art of Endurance, go back and catch the pregame episode for the full story and context. In this follow-up, Jay is fresh off the trail, still in Alaska, reflecting on what it means to show up for a race with big goals only to have the weather and trail conditions force a different outcome. He shares honestly about the decision to stop short of the 1,000-mile finish, the mental and physical toll of pushing against nature, and the humility required to accept when the trail has other plans. Jay and Rebecca explore the tension between relentless drive and deep listening, the wisdom that comes from decades of endurance, and how letting go can sometimes be the bravest move of all.

Key Topics:

1. The reality of facing unpredictable conditions on the ITI and making the call to stop before the finish
2. How Jay’s mindset has evolved after years of racing, and what it means to listen to the trail and your own limits
3. The emotional aftermath of a race that doesn’t go as planned, and the lessons found in disappointment
4. The ongoing process of recovery—physically, mentally, and emotionally—after high-stakes adventure
5. The value of reflection, community, and honest storytelling in the wake of challenge

Memorable Moments:

1. Jay describes the moment he realized the ITI would not go as planned, and the internal dialogue that followed
2. Reflections on the difference between “old Jay” and the wisdom that comes with experience
3. Honest talk about the pressure to perform, the expectations we set for ourselves, and the courage it takes to walk away

Reflection Questions:

1. When have you had to change course, even when you were deeply committed to a goal?
2. What does it look like to honor your limits without losing your drive?
3. How do you process disappointment and find meaning in the aftermath?

Resources & Links:

1. Part 1: Ride Forward: The Art of Endurance
2. Jay's website
3. Jay's Instagram
4. Fat Pursuit
5. Iditarod Trail Invitational

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