In this deeply moving episode, Olivia is joined by Annette Whittenberger — a retired Army officer, mental health advocate, speaker, and founder of A Wild Ride Called Life. Annette opens up about her journey through the hidden battles of life after service, her experience navigating divorce, and the lifelong impact of living with depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

From the outside, Annette was the strong leader, mother, and soldier. But behind the uniform and the smile was a woman grappling with loss of identity, overwhelm, and emotional exhaustion. It wasn’t until she gave herself permission to be vulnerable — to speak her truth out loud — that the real healing began.

🌀 In this conversation, we explore:

Letting go of perfectionism and embracing authenticity

Parenting through pain and showing up anyway

The emotional weight of transition, both personal and professional

The power of community, connection, and storytelling

How writing became a form of release and reclamation

Annette’s story reminds us that even the strongest people need support — and that healing doesn’t require having it all figured out. It just requires the courage to begin.

📢 You are not alone. Your story is not over. And the storm you’re walking through might just lead to your greatest breakthrough.

For more on Annette: https://www.awildridecalledlife.com/about

For more on Olivia: https://www.olivianunn.com

To be a guest, email Olivia at [email protected]

To schedule a call with Olivia https://calendly.com/olivianunn