May 5, 2026
What if everything you’ve been told about aging is wrong?
In this unforgettable episode of Girls Talk Healthy Aging, co-hosts Alli Kerr and Shawna Kaminski sit down with the extraordinary Dierdre Wolownick—a woman who didn’t just defy aging stereotypes… she shattered them.
Dierdre started rock climbing at age 60.
At 70, she climbed Yosemite’s legendary El Capitan—becoming the
oldest woman to ever do it.
Oh—and she also happens to be the mother of world-renowned climber Alex Honnold of Free Solo fame.
But this conversation goes far beyond climbing.
It’s about curiosity, courage, reinvention, and what’s truly possible when you stop listening to the noise telling you to slow down.
Dierdre shares:
- Why fear is often just a lack of knowledge—and how learning dissolves it
- How curiosity became her greatest superpower (and how to reignite yours)
- The moment she decided she didn’t just want to watch climbers… she wanted to be one
- Why society’s expectations around aging are limiting—and how to break free from them
- Her powerful philosophy: stop consuming media that tells you how to age
- How to listen to your body and mind instead of external pressure
- The biggest mistake people make when starting a new goal (and why it causes them to quit)
Dierdre also breaks down her award-winning framework from her book Success in 7 Steps—a simple, actionable system to help you achieve any goal at any age. You’ll learn the three key categories that drive real success and how to start in a way that actually sticks.
With a life that spans continents and careers—teacher of five languages, international speaker, musician, marathoner, artist, and founder of a community orchestra—Dierdre is the definition of lifelong growth. Her story is living proof that it’s never too late to start… and never too late to become someone new.
If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I’m too old for that”… this episode will change the way you see your future.
Because aging isn’t about slowing down—it’s about deciding how far you still want to go.
Watch the video trailer for Climbing Into Life: The Dierdre Wolownick Story: https://youtu.be/Q6JXH1mdWIM?si=Z-0gjstM995I73vt
Get Deirdre’s book Success in 7 Steps here:
https://www.amazon.com/Success-7-Steps-Dierdre-Wolownick/dp/B0DXDK3P5F
Follow Deirdre on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dierdre_wolownick_honnold/
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